Anecdotes of Destiny and Ehrengard (32 page)
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Authors: Isak Dinesen
Here ends the story of Ehrengard.
But as I gave you a prelude to my story, said the old lady who told it, I shall give you an epilogue.
No duel took place. By the mediation of Prince Lothar and Princess Ludmilla a full understanding was obtained. A week later the betrothed couple Kurt and Ehrengard were present at the baptism of the new-born Prince in the Dom of Babenhausen.
Upon this occasion the girl wore, across the bodice of her white satin frock, the light blue ribbon of the Order of St. Stephan, the which is a distinction given to noble ladies for
merits in the service of the house of Fugger-Babenhausen.
Herr Cazotte to the surprise of the court was not present at the ceremony. He had been called back to Rome to paint a portrait of the Pope.
It was here, now, that he had that famous liaison with a
cantatrice
of the Opera which caused much talk and made his acquaintances smilingly alter his name to that of Casanova.
When the Grand Duchess heard of it she was upset.
“I had really,” she said, “during that time at Rosenbad, come to have such faith in Geheimrat Cazotte.”
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