THE ENGLISH DUKE AND THE FRENCH ACTRESS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 636, 15 February 1870, Page 4

THE ENGLISH DUKE AND THE FRENCH ACTRESS.

One of the Paris correspondents of the Belgian Independence tells the following romantic story : — It is this dull time that a very rich Englishman has chosen in which to display some of the most silly eccentricities that ever an islander could have imagined. They say that this Englishman, who wears a .creat and, what is still more important, an historical name, for a long time wished to be behind the scenes of a great theatre, but not like an ordinary visitor, or from curiosity ; he wished to study for himself artistic life as followed by actors, actresses, and " tigurantes." In a word, to do for pleasure what stage heroes have to do by necessity. It ia stated, and this is the simple truth, that this Englishman, in order tn satisfy his strange caprice, took a situation aa a buffoon, and for eight days exposed himself tb the laughter of the. public in the character of an ostrich. My fellow members of the Press have stated the case, which, in fact, is not to be denied. They have, however, been mistaken in the* motives which induced this rich gentleman to appear on the stage. It was not for studying artistic habits that he consented to make himself ridiculous ; it was Birnply this, he was head over ears in love, with a young person who played in tlie piece. He loved like Englishmen can love, —it was fierce and uncontrollable. Be wished to guard his incognito, make; the acquaintance of the young lady, and see if she was worthy of him — in fact, that she could love him for himself alone. This . is why he distinguished himself as an ostrich. What woman, no matter hp.w, intelligent, would ever suppose that the wings of an ostrich ever concealed a millionaire, and the bearer of an historical name 1 My fellow-members' of; the Press have not only been mistaken as to the reasons of the Englishman, they have also been mistaken as to the denouement of this ! strange and fantastic adventure. They say he has returned quietly to England, his eccentricity accomplished. This is not the case ; the Englishman has not returned the same as he came, and his valet de chambre has been the. cause of this. *' One is never betrayed but by one's own." Imagine to yourself that this gentleman could not entirely do away with all his aristocratic habits even when on the stage, and although wishing to pass as a poor actor, he gave orders to his servant to come and dress him every night, and put. on his "bird uniform. " On the very" firstevening the servant was met by the loved, one of liis master, who questioned Him closely. She asked him who this new actor was, and how it came to pass that he had servants. The valet, feeling embarrassed, tried to answer evasively. At last he uttered this awkward sentence;.'!! cannot tell you anything positively, but you may feel quite certain it is. ah ostrich, of rank." Nothing more was required. The beautiful child (?) understood : -it all, and resolved to completely turn the head of her adorer, I need hardly tell you that she succeeded admirably. She enacted . the shy and modest girl, gave it out that she came of good family reduced in cir^ cumstances, and that she had taken to the career of an actress for the. love of her father, whom an unfortunate speculation had ruined; All this inflamed the gentler ; man. The fancy of the moment chauged for a serious passion — Ennn, the, ostrich, proposed to the little actress on Saturday, 2nd October. The marriage is to be ctjle- : brated in eight days. The trousseau, has been purchased, the banns publisht>d; aridthe future looms with joy. Everything tends to prediottliat in a short tiiiie the' little actress will be presented to the Queen of England niidur the title of a duchess. • •