The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-12-27

/ The next morning the Duke de Mont
morenci, after his return from the kings
levee, said TO his daughter =
Charlotte, the king has forbidden your
marriage with young Bassompierre."
Vastly impertinent of the king, think
What reason does he give for this unpre-
cedented act of tyranny"
"Thst you are worthy of more illus
trious alliance"
Il wish King Henri would mind his
own business, instead of interfering with
mine," said Charlotte angrly.
My dear child, you are ungrateful TO
our gracious sovereign, who has express
sed his intention of marrying you To his
own kinsman, the first prince of the
blood"
"And who may he be p
"The young Prince de Conde, the illus.
trious decendani of line of heroes, md
after Henri's infant sons, the hair presump-
tive TO the throne of France. Think Of
that my daughter ~
81 will not think of anything but Bas-
sompierre, replied Charlotte resolutely.
1t is very barbarous of the king to en-
deavor to separate those whom love has
united"
Love !" repeated the duke Bah
you cannot say that you seriously love
young Bassompierre."
Z" think him very handsome and agree
able, Mt any rate; and am determined TO
marry him, and no one else. All | com
prehend the reason of his absence now.
He has been forbidden to see me by that
cruel Henri"
"You are right, Charlotte, it is in obed-
ience to the injunctions of the sovereign,
that Bassom pierre has discontinued his Wis.
its to you. You will see him no more"
Have not said that will not resign
him 7"
"Yes, my child, but he has resigned
you"
Resigned ME !" exclaimed Charlotte,
starting from her chair with burst of indg-
nant surprise; Nay, tina, is impossible
unless, indeed, you have told him that
am faithless, or that wish him to sacrifice
his happiness in order to contract nobler
alliance"
son the word of MontmoreDci, he
has been told nothing, except that IL was
the kings pleasure that he should relinquish
his engagement with you, and marry the
heircss of the Duke d. Aumale."
" How, marry another But l know
Bassompierre too well to believe he will net
so basely."
My poor Charlotte, you are little ac-
quainted with the disposition Of men of the
world and courtiers, or you would not ina
CINE the possibility Of your hand being
placed in competition with the loss of the
royal favor. Bassompierre, instead of act |
ting like a romantic boy, and forfeitng the
kings regard for the sake of "a pretty girl.
who cares not whit more for him than he
does for her, has cancelled his contract
with Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorenci,
and affianced himself to Mademoiselle'd
Aumale."
"The heartless minion !" cried Char
lotte, with flushing eyes would that |
had some means of evincing nay scorn and
contempt OF. his baseness ~
The surest way ofdoing that, my child,
will be TO accept the llustrious consort
whom the king has been gracously pleased
to provide for you"
al think so too" replied Charlotte, after
a pause "but what sort of man is the
Prince de Conde r.
:" He is said to possess great and noble
qualities" said the duke :" but he is at
present only in his minority, and is withal
of reserved disposition. There is, how
ever, no doubt but the companionship of a
wife Of your brilliant wit aud accomplish
msnts will draw out the fine talents with
which this nmiable prince is endowed, and
render him worthy of his distinguished an
cestry."
al CONFESS" observed Charlotte. " that
should prefer a man whose claims to my
respect were Of n less adventurous charac-
ter. should like to be the wife Of he
ro."
I" So you will, iu all probability, if you
marry Henri de Conde. lie is the last
representative Of line whose heritage is
glory, and Of whose alliance even a Mont
morenci might be proud" returned her IA
ther.
He then hasteneG TO communicate to
the king the agreeable intelligence that hrs
daughter had offered no objections to
marriage with his youthful ward aud kIns-
mar the Prince de CoDde.
1T is weIl," replied the monarch ]
will myself present the Prince de Conde to
his fair bride, and The contract shall be
signed in my presence this evening"
The Duke and Duchess de Montmoren-
CT, were charmed at the idea of an alliance
that offered to their only daughter no very
remote prospect Of sharing the throne Of
France. As for the fair Charlotte, her
pride alone having been wounded by the
deserion Of Bsssompierre. she took the
readies, way Of dissipatiDg any cbngrin his
detection had caused, by making uns gronds
toilette for the receptien Of new candidate
for her hand. So long was she engaged
in this interesting occupation, that q pom
pous aud a continuous flourish Of trumpeis