A ROMANTIC STORY.

Kumara Times, Issue 977, 17 November 1879, Page 3

A ROMANTIC STORY.

A week or two ago (says the Figure) one of the most celebrated surgeons in Paris was stopped in the street at a late hour of the night by three men armed with pistols, who compelled him to cuter a carriage and subuit to iiave his eyes bandaged. After some time the doctor found himself in a handsomely furnished room, where a voung and very beautiful woman was in bed, and he was ordered by one of the party who had brought him there to amputate her left hand. The doctor at first refused, but to the threats of his captors were joined the tearful entreaties of the lady herself, who assured him that it was the only way of saving her life. He, theiefore, did as he was ordered, his eyes were rebandaged, and he was finally set down in a deserted street, not far fiom his own house. It has since transpired (says the Figaro) that the lady operated upon was the daughter of a well-known French general, who had recently betrothed herself to one, who like herself, was poor. Subsequently, under pressure from her father, she consented to give her hand to a wealthy count, but continued against the wish of her husband, to wear a ring which her former lover had given to her just as lie was setting out to join an embassy to which ho had been appointed, and which she bad sworn never to take off lbs hand that should “ always be his.” The count’s jealousy was increased by a letter from the Duke which fell into his hand, and in which his late fiancee was reminded of her promise, and. wrought up to a pitch of madness l»y the persistent refusal of Ins wife to give up the ring, he swore that he would have her hand cut off and sent to her lover, and the above is the means be took to carry out his threat. The affair iias been hushed up is much as possible, and the count has retired with his wife to his estates.