Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-11-17
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER II, 1896

full duchess. The clustering nephew Of
the deceased duke went about, armed
10 the teeth, with q staggering uncle
ut each shoulder. ready 20 back him,
and swore the duchess had forfeited
her domain. II was in vain that she
called all the saints. and angels. and
her ladies' IN attendance into the bar
gain, to witness that she bad passed q
year and a day Of Immaculate fidelity :.
One fatal hour remained 10 be account
ed for; and in the space Of one little
hour sins enough may be conjured up
by evil tongues. 10 blast the fame Of
whole hfe Of virtue.
The two graceless uncles, who had
seen the world. were ever ready 10
bolster the matter through; and as they
were brawny bIoad-shouldered war
riors, and veteran brawl as well as de-
bauch. they had great sway with the
multitude. IL any one pretended to
assert the innocence of the dutchess,
they Interrupted him with loud Ia
hal OF derision.. "a pretty story, tru-
ly," would they cry. "about wolf and
dragon. and young widow rescued
IN the dark by sturdy varlei who dares
not show his face in the daylight. You
/ may tell that TO those who do not know
human nature for our parts, we know
the sex. and that's enough"
If. however. the other repeated his
assertion. they would suddenly knit
their brows, swell, look big. and put
their hands upon their swords. As few
people like 10 fight in a cause that does
not touch THAR own interest, the me-
tphew and the uncles were suffered 10
have their way, and swagger uncontra-
dicted.
The matter was At length referred TO
tribunal composed of all the dignita-
ries Of the dukedom. and many and re-
peated consultations were held. The
character Of the duchess, throughout
the year, was as bright and spotless as
the moon in a cloudless night one ia
tai hour Of darkness alone interviewed to
eclipse its brightness. Finding human
sagacity incapable of dispelling the
mystery, il was determined to leave the
question to heaven; or, in other words,
to decide 1t by the ordeal Of the sword
"a sage tribunal in the age of chival-
ry. The nephew and two bully uncles
were to maintain their accusation in
listed combat, and six months were al
lowed TO the duchess to provide herself
with three champions, TO meet them in
the field. Should she fail in this, or
should her champions be vanquisbed,
her honor would be considered IS at
tainted, her fidelity as forfeited. and her
dukedom would 90 TO the nephew, as
matter Of right.
With this determination the duchess
IVES faint TO comply. Proclamations
were accordingly made, and heralds
sent to various parts; but day after day.
week after week, and month after
month, elapsed, without any champion
appearing to assert her 10y atty through
out that dsrksome hour. The fair Wi
dow was reduced TO despair. when It'd
ingS reached her Of grand tournaments
to be held at Toledo, in celebration Of
the nuptials of Don Roderick, the last
Of the Gothic kings, with the Morisco
princess ExiIona. As last resort, the
dutche's repaired to The. Spanish court,
TO imPlore the gallantry Of its assembled
chivalry.
The ancient city Of Toledo was a
scene Of gorgeous revelry on the event
Of the royal nuptials. The youthful
king, brave. ardent. and magnificent,
and bis lovely bride, beaming with ell
the SadIant beauty Of the East, was
hailed with shouts aud acclAmaiions
wherever they appeared. Their no
bles We'd with each other IN the luxu.
~ Of their attire, their splendid Teli-
nues, and prsncing steeds; and the
naughty danes Of the court appeared
m blaze Of jewels.
In the midst Of all this pageantry,
the beautiful but afflicted Dutchess Of
Lorraine made her approach TO the
throne. She vas dressed in black, and
closely yelled; four duenaas, Of the
most Stsid and severe aspect, and SIX
beautiful demoiselles, formed her fe-
male stteBdaais. She was guarded by
several very ancient, withered. and
erey.headcd cavaliers, and her train
was borne by one Of the most defOrned
and dlminutive dWarfs in existence.
Advancing To the foot Of the throne,
she knelt down. and throwing up her
veil, revealed a continuance 80 beauti-
ful that half the couriieTs present we're
ready 20 fenounee their wives and mis-
iFesses. and devote themselves 20 her
service but when she made known
that che came IN quest Of champions 10
defend her fame, every cavalier pressed
forward 10 oaeT his arm add swofd
without inquiring into the mtuts Of the
case Cor Il seemed clear that ~ beau.
teous lady could have done noihing
but what Wss night; and that, ~ any
rate, she ought 20 be champiooed N
following the bent Of he's hualors, Wbe-
iher right OF wong
Encouraged by such gallant zeal the
duchess suffered hersen Ia be raise.i
from the ground. and related the whole
story Of her distress. When she con.
clUded, the king remained fos some
time silent, charmed BY the music II
Der voice. Al lsngib A. hope for
aafvafarr moi f.-.s.ftf,.f aaf~ 49, -