Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-21

daughter had offered no objections to
marriage with his youthful ward and kins.
man the Prince dc Condo.
1T is WELL replied the monarch; Il will
myself present the Prince dc Condo, to his
fair bride, and the contract shall be signed
in my presence this evening"
The Duke and Duchess de Mortmorenci
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
desertion Of Bassompierre, she took the
readiest way Of disspating any chagrin his
detection had caused. by making une grande
toilette Cor the reception of the new candi-
dale for her hand. So long was she
engaged in this interesting occupation,
that pompous and continuous flourish Of
,rumpe's announced the arrival Of the royal
cortege, at the hotel de Montmorenci, before
che had concluded the arrangement Of ruff
and fardingale to her own satisfaction.
Her entrance was greeted with sup
pressed murmur Of admiration, and the
graceful manner with which she advanced
to offer her homage 10 the sovereign, excl.
ted fresh applause.
'Ah, my cousin cried the enamoured
monarch, turning to the Prince de Condo,
what an enviable man am | not about to
render you, in uniting yon to so charming
bride! By the mass, if were bachelor,
| must have kept her for myself and laid
my crown at her feet; and, even as it is,
feel more pain than am willing 10 confess
in bestowing her upon another
Henri Quatre felt the hand Of the youth
full beauty, which he had retained in his
own, while addressing this highfown com.
pliment to her future husband, tremble in
his grasp. Charlotte was conscious that
her sovereign was awaiting himself of this
opportunity of pressing her fairy fingers,
with more ar6or than became the paternal
character he had assumed. A deep blush
oversp'ead her countenance as the question
suggested itself to her mind, Wherefore
has he taken so much pains 10 separate me
from Francois BassompIerre and at the
came moment, she stole lurtive glance at
him whose destiny was from that hour, to
be so closely connected with her own, and
encountered the dark penetrating eyes
whose scrutiny had so much disturbed her
at the Louvre. They were still bent on
her face with the same grave mournlu
expression, as if intended TO pierce into her
very soul. Those beautiful but searching
eyes belonged to Henri de Condc.-
Scarcely had she made this startling dis
covery, when the king, assuming the impo
sing characteristics Of majesty, which so
much better became his mature age than
the light and reckless tone Of gallantry in
which he had before INDUCED, presented
the Prince de Condo 10 her in due form.
Then, putting her hand into that of his
pale thoughtful kinsman, he pronounced
the patriarcha blessing of the su<erain on
their approaching union.
Charlotte started, aud impulsively drew
back from the icy touch of the cold hand
| that then family closed on hers. There
men', in the sternly composed features of
Conde no trait Of that silently expressive
homage, which is so dear to the heart of
woman; nothing, in fact, to compensate
for the absence of manly beauty and
courty grace in very young man.
| Though the habits of politeness and sell
control, which are so early impressed upon
the daughters of the great, prevented the
fair Montmorenci from beraying her secret
dissatisfaction, she venured to direct an
appealing look to her parents, as if to i'm
pore their Interference but her mother
turned away, and her father gave her a
plance which intimated that it was too late
to recede.
The marriage contract was read. and
subscribed by the king in his three fold ca
pacity Of suzerain, or paramount liege-lord
Of the contracting parties; and also as the
next Of kin and guardian Of the illustrious
bridegroom. who was an orphan and mi
I nor 1t was next witnessed by the parents
of the bride, The pen was then presented
TO the Prince de Condo. He paused and
appered irresolute; darted glance Of sus.
picious inquiry at the king, and bent one OF
his searching looks on the sace of her to
whom he was required to plight himself.
Mademoiselle de Mon,morenc was uncon,
scous of his scrutiny. Overpowered by
the strnngeness and agitating nature Of the
scene, she stood, with downcast eyes and
a varying colour leaning her clasped hands
for support on the shoulder of her only
brother, aftcrward so celebrated in the
annals OF France as the illustrious and I'M
fortunate Henri dc Mon,morenci. Never
had she appeared so charming as that mo.
ment, when the feminine emotions of feal
and shame had lent their softenng shade tC
beauty, which was, perhaps, too dazzling
in it's faultless perfection, and calculated
rather to excite wonder and admiration
than to inspire tenderness. The stern ex'
preston of Condos features relaxed as he
eazed upon her, and observed the virgin
hues of celestial rosy red,' and 'ange
whiteness,' that came and went in her fal
cheek. His countenance frightened, b,
took the pen with sudden animation, and
with a firm hand, and in bold free charac
! tiers, subscribed his name to the contract
] Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorenc
. your signature is required said the duk
har fai hnr 10 the nuidanllu relncfanf dnm