Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-21
VOL. XII..No. 600

" ILtIc Canu0r, pursued he.
why then. did you not tell me that you
loved meH whispered Charlotte.
Because dared not resign my heart
into your keeping before | was assured
that might trust you with my honor
'Oh, heavens p exclaimed Charlotte,
becoming very pale; and is it possible
that you could doubt?'
| Charlotte, | was too well acquainted
with the kings character to behold the
undlsguised manifestations Of his passion
for my affianced bride with indifference.
The attentions Of royal lover were fiat
tering, perceived, to the vanity of young
and beautiful woman. The compacency
with which they were at times received,
and my knowledge of the motives which
induced the king to break your first en-.
gagement with Bassompierre, were suffi.
Gent to alarm a man of honor said Condo,
with darkening brow
you are talking in enigmas, Henri de
Conde,' rejoined Mademoisee &c Mont
morenci.
IF you are ignorant of the fact, that
Henri OF France separated you from his
handsomes, favor,te, because he feared that
such husband would be formidable rival
to himself, no one else is for Bassompierre
has made the particulars Of his sovereigns
conversation with him on that subject too
public for it to remain matter of doubt.
You look incredulous, Charlotte, but you
shall hear the very words in which the
king made this audacious declaration-.k
am myself said he to Bassompierre mad.
y in love with our beautiful Montmorenc.'
| 'Ha did he, married man, dare to
make such an acknowledgement.
yes, Charlolte and, moreover, impru-
IDENTIFY added, if she loves you, shall
detest you. You must give up either her
or me. You will not of course risk the
loss Of my favor. shall marry her to my
cousin Condo. Yes, Charlotte, the plain
shy boy of Condo, as he generally styles
me, was designed for the honor of being
this husband Of convenience; but had l
known his gulleful project at the time when
he required me to sign the contract, not all
the power of France, nor even the infiu-
ence of your charms, should have brlbed
me to subscribe that paper
1T is not now irrevokable,' said Char.
lotte, proudly.
1t is ifyon are willing to accede to the
conditions on which am ready to join in
its fulfilment.'
Name them
You must see The king no more after
our marriage
That will be no sacrifice, and after your
communication, | could not look upon him
without Indignation. How little did i'm.
agine that such baseness could sully the
glory of him of whom fame has spoken
such bright things
Charlotte, it is his prevailing foibe.-
The sin that was unchecked in youth.
gained strength in middle age, and now
amounts to madness. There will be no
security for our welded happiness if we
remain in his dominlons; but can | ask
you TO forsake friends and country for me q
said Condo.
Shall not find all these things, and
more also in the husband of my heart"
returned Charlotte, tenderly.
'Ah, Charlotte, can you forgive my un-
gentle doubts ? said Condo, throwing HIM
self at her feet.
Yes, for they are proofs of the sincerity
of your affection; and had you been less
jealous Of my honor, should not have
Owed you so well, said she. From this
hour we are as one; and it will be the
happiness of my life to resign myself to
your guidance
Then, my sweet Charlotte, | must, for
the sake of the falling roses on these fair
checks, dismiss you to your pillow, without
further parIance,' returned Condo. They
exchanged mute caress, and parted.
The marriage was celebrated with royal
pomp on the following day, at high noon.
in the church of Notre Dame. Condo
received his lovely bride from the handof
his royal rival; but the kings exullatlon in
the success of the deep-laid schame, by
which he had separated the object of hls
lawlcss passion from her first lover, to
unite her with one from whom he vainy