Year: 1865

The evening of the 18th Of February
49,, was a gala night in Paris. "Don
Giovanna" was to be performed at the
opera by an assemblago OF talent rarely
announced for one night, even at the opera
house at Paris, or in the great opera of
Don Giovanni. Yet it was not the
names Of the artists that most attracted
the attention as one read the bills--no-
bier and more celebrated names caught
the eye. They were those Of the reign
ing King aud Quccn-Louis PHILIPPE and
Maria Amelia. The afiiches announced
that they would honor the opera with
their presence on that evening. They
had been but short time restored to
their native land, and this was their first
appearance at the opera since the "thrce
days Of July had placed them on the
throne for this reason as many Osean-
lists as could obtain tickets had secured
them for the opera Of the 18th Of Febru-
ary to hear bon Giovanni and to see
their King ana Queen. About six
clock ..ior be it remembered the Paris
opera did not begin at the present Lon
don hours) carriages were to be seen con-
veyiug the gaily dressed occupants to the
classic building. An unusually handSone c
equipage stood at the door Of a large
house in the Rue dcs Champs E!yaces
evidently also for the purpose of taking
some fashionnbcs to the opera. This
carriage belonged to the Baron de v
who was just then standing at the bottom
Of the noble staircase inside the mansion
calling plsyfufy to his wife, telling hel
that the carriage was waiting.


I'm coming. I'm coming" was the
answer to this appeal ''don't be III suc'
a hurry"


As the last piece of advice was proffer'
ed the speaker appeared at the top Of The
stairs.


She was dark beauty Of about one
and twenty, and was dressed purely il
white. Sac came futtering down stair;
chattering meanwhile to her handsome
husband, who stood locking admiringly al
her.


Now I'm quite ready, so please dom
scold. I've only got my bracelets to put
on, and those | want you to clasp for me
Here's the case if you'd take them out
and here's my wrist. Now, suppose |
were to loose them in q crowd, what
would our good mother say?


A'smie was the only answer the Baror
vouchsafed as he took the bracelets ou
of the case and elapsed them on the iail
arm of his young bride.


They were very costly, being composed
of valuable table diamonds, whilst in thl
center of either glittered a spray o.
heartsease, artistically formed Of smaller
diamonds. The bracelets were rendcrsi
more precious to the possessors by TIL
fact of their having been in the De V
family for three generations. They now
| by right belonged to the dowagcr Barone
but she had insisted on giving them tc
her son for his bride. who, therefore, wore
them on such occasions as the one we aie
describing.


The Baron and Baronne de "
stepped into the carriage, aud in q few
minutes were entering their box at the
opera. The house was already fall, al
though it still wanted fifteen minutes tC
the time announced for the overture to
begin. At length the members of the
orchestra took their places, and the pc
culiar sound Of tuning stringed instru'
ments was heard. Still the royal box
was empty, and all eyes were turned to-
wards it in eager expectation. In an.
other moment applause burst forth from
the pit and gallery and the entire house
as Louis Philippe and Queen Mari Anne
lie, attended by large suite of officers
and ladies, and gentlemen of the court
appeared. The King and Queen bowed
graciousy in return for the homage paid
them, and then took their seats, at which
the rest of the company did the e,and
the overture commenced.


The Queen looked unusually happy
and seemed to take lively interest i'll
all around her. She not only gazed al
stage but the boxes came in for share o
her penetrating observation.


Suddenly she bent forward and looked
in the direction of the box that contained
the lovely young Baronne de V
The latter was leaning forward, her right
hand raised, a fng.r Of which touched
one of her dimpledehccks, deeply inter
ested in the fate Of don Giovanni ant
quite absorbed in the beautiful music.


Her husband had noticed the Queen
gesture, and Was aware that she had Oh