Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1879 — Romance of a Ring. [ARTICLE]

Romance of a Ring.

A princess of Prussia at one time received a small and antique ring from her governess for a present. About a year after the occurrence the court received a visit from the Grand Duke Nicholas, the brother of the Emperor Alexander, and who at that time was not the heir-expectant of the crown. The Grand Duke saw the Princess, and, with the quick resolve native to his disposition, immediately determined to ask her in marriage. One day, as he was seated by her side at the royal dinner-table, he spoke to her of his forthcoming departure, adding that it depended upon ner whether or not his stay in Berlin should be prolonged. “What shall I do, then, to influence your intentions?” was the reply of the smiling Princess. “You must nbt refuse to receive my addresses,” immediately returned the eutsaoken Nicholas. “You ask much.” “I ask even more. You ought to give me wme encouragement iu my endeavors to please you.” “That is still more difficult. Besides, the moment is not well chosen for a favor.” “I beg your royal highness to give me a sign that I am not totally indifferent to you. You have a little ring on your finger, the possession of which would render me happy. I beseech you to give me the ring.” ’ “What! give you the ring at the dinner table, and in the- presence of all these people?” “Let me see—press it into this piece of bread and give it to me.” And press the ring into a piece of bread she did, and gave it to the future Emperor. Nicholas took an early opportunity te leave the hall, and on exhuming the treasure from its wheaten tomb discovered an inscription on the inner side in French, anci running to the following effect: “L’lotperatrioede la Russia.” He is said to have worn the keepsake for the reet of his days, attached to a chain ground his neck, the ring being too small of course for any of his colossal fingers. The future Empress, it seems, had been unconsciously wearing for some time the emblem of her future greatness.