La correspondencia de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 1890-1943, 1910-05-29
Cuted Slave
of Her Own
Beauty?

Az the trial is certain to drag along
for many weeks. the chief interest Of
tho Venetian populace centers in the
Countess and the chief episodes in her
remarkable career fresh details Of which
are coming to hight almost daily.
Even the nationality Of this modern
Borgia has significance. She is half
Russian and half Irish-a combination
which before this has given to the Eu
ropean social world not only some of
its greatest beauties. but women noted
also for their brilliant and subtle minds.
Her father was a Colonel ORourke, who
had emigrated to Russia and marned a
Russian wife.
This child. born in 1879. was named
Maria Nicolevna. She was placed In
private school for girls. from which, when
she was seventeen years old. she eloped
with Count Vassii Tarnovsky, a noble
man and soldier Of fine reputation nearly
twice her own age. 1t was not long after
this marriage that the Countess true
character began to reveal itself In her
preliminary examination by the court she
evidently tried to give a clear account of
that period.
The Count and Countess began a life
Of idleness and pleasure They travelled
from city to city. and the Countess met
many men who were friends Of her hus-
bands. Some Of these men tried to make
love to her.
Tell US about It," commanded the
Judge. and the Countess related with sobs
how, resenting her husbands neglect,
which became apparent soon after their
marriage, she sought sympathy elsewhere.
One man wanted her to eiope with him.
What did you do?" asked the Judge.
7 told my husband of It." she replied,
~and he turned upon me. and with Rus.
sian pride replied: I cannot prevent other
men falling. in love with you My hus-
band was living a dissIpated life The
atmosphere Of my own life was most de-
moralizing."
Count Tarnovsky. she continued, spent
his nights at his clubs Even after the
birth Of her son the Count did not alter
his ways Then the Countess decided to
take up singing as a profession. but her
husband insisted on her ACCOMPANYING
him to Italy. and they went to Milan and
to Genoa In the latter city the Coun-
tess contracted typhoid fever.
After a time" she continued. 81 ac-
euIesced in his mode Of life. and even
consented to be introduced to som. Of
the women who were his intimat.
friends"
While shey were IN Rome the coonrs
brother committed suicide because hs
failed to pass his examinations
Ruined Her Husbands Brother.
You know I an accused Of having
caused that suicide" added the Countess.
vtrh bitter emphasis
On this point there IS hight from q dis
interested source Il appears that the
counts young brother. Alexander. was a
youth OF barely eighteen years and was
devoted to his noble relative Blu the
Countess. who in giving herself 10 and
successfully casting aside several Of her
husbands companions. had learned the
power OF her fascinations and had sc-
PASSION Tor exercising them IN
l4heit saya deliberately set about bring
Ing this youth to her feet
He became her abiect slave. tnoues
tortured BY consciousness Of disloysi;y 70
MS Brother, He felt thar he had proof,
mat ste Loved only him and abandoned
every scheme cs future life which aSS 70,
consider her ss its r-zia ubiect
" zen Ire fsnw-rezs
over On account ot a never plsslou
-e killed himself
an 1879 Count Tarnovssy took his VII.
% Niosso~. where she net Prnuko- ard
,Is we This oOaPIe also lived a rto,oy.
ne TIE Countess declared thar uhu.
-o1Ht Isrnoysky and Prilukc- ven, s,,t
y ss9 tess.esa, sas .ls Xue. Psu,