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

gli,tcring circle but the neglected queen
With her he appeared to be on terms of
affectionate confidence; and it was from be.
hind her chair that he directed those CLAN.
ces which excited the surprise and dis.
pleasure Of the fair de Montmorenc.
The expression of those eyes, to say
nothing Of their singular beauty, haunted
Charlotte after her return 10 the hotel de
Montmorenci; aud she regretted that she
had not asked Bassompicrre, who the per.
son was that had conducted himself 10 so
extraordinary manner. She had thought
of propoundlng the inquiry more than once
during the evening, but was unwilling to
call her lovers attention to a circumstance
that was notifying to her sef-Iove, She
fell asleep with the determination of anu
sing Bassompierre, when he called to pay
his devoir to her the next morning, with
whimsical description of the pale dark
eyed boy trusting that her powers of MIN
icry would elicit from her sprghtIy lover
out betrayng her curiosity, The follow
ing day at as early an hour as courtly
etiquette permitted, the salons of the
Duchess de Mon,morcnc were crowd
ed with visiters of the highest rank, oil
eoger to offer their compliments to her
beautiful daughter. He of the mysterious
dark eyes, and Francois Bassomplerrc,
we've however. not among the visiters.-
Charlotte was surprised and piqued at this
neglect on the part Of her lover, and re.
solved to punish him by very naughty
reception the next time he entered her
presence, but he neither came nor sent to
| inquire after her health that day.
The next morning the Duke Montmo-
renci, afrer his return from the kings levoe
said to his daughter:
Charlotte, the king has forbidden your
marriage with young Bassomperre'
| Vastly impairment of the king, think !
what reason did he give for this unprece
denied act of lyranny?
THAT you are worthy Of more illus
trious alliance
Il wish king Henri would mind his own
business, instead of interfering with mine,
said Charlotte, angriy.
My dear child, you are ungrateful TO
our gracious sovereign, who has expressed
| his intention of marrying you to his own
klnsman, the first prince ofthe blood.
'And-who may he be?'
The young Prince de Condo, the illus.
trous defendant of line of heroes, and,
after Henri's infant sons, the heir presump.
i've to the terone OF France. Think of
that my daughter
Il will not think Of any thing but Bas-
sompierre,' replied Charlotte, resoutely.
1t is very barbarous of the king to endeav
or to separate those whom love has united
| Love! repeated the duke. Bah ! you
cannot say that you seriously love young
Bassomperre.'
Il think him very handsome and agreea ..
BILE, at any rate; and am determined to
marry him, and no one else. ALI com
prehend the reason of his absence now.
He has been forbidden to see me by that
cruel Henri
You are right, Charlotte; i. is in obedi,
ence to the njunctions Of the sovereign,
that Bassompierre has discontinued his
visits to you. You will see him no more.
Have | not said that | will not resign
him''
Yes, my child, bu, he has resigned
you
Resigned met exclaimed Charlotte,
starting from her chair with q burst oil
indignant surprise: Nay that is impossi
BILE unless, indeed, you have told him tina,
| am faithless, or that wish him to sacri-
fee his happiness in order to contract a
nober alliance
'On the word Of a Montmorenci, he has
been told nothing except that it was the
kings pleasure that he should relinqush
his engagement with you, and marry the
heress of the duke d'Aumale.'
How! marry another? But know
Bassompierre too well TO believe he viii
act so basely.'
My poor Charlotte, you are little &C.
quainted with the disposition of men of the
world and courtiers, or you would not i'm.
agine the possibility of your hand being
placed in competition with the loss of roya
favor. Bassompierre. instead of acting
like a romantic boy, and forfeiting the
kings regard for tho sake of pretty girl
who cares not whit more for him than he
does for her, has cancelled his contract will
!, Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorenci
{ and affianced himself TO Mademoseillt
d'Aumale.'
The heartess minion!' cried Charlotte
with flashing eyes; would that | had some
means of evincIng my sco!n and contemp
, OF his baseness!
, THE surest way Of doing that, my child
, will be to accept the illustrious Censor
whom the king has been g acousy please'
to provide for YOU
I think so too replied Charlotte, afte
+ pause-~but what sort Of man is thu
! Prince de Conde!'
He is said to possess great and nobl
a qualities said the duke; 'but he is a
i present only in his minority, and is withu
s of reserved disposition. There is, how
ever no doubt but the componionship of
y wife of your brilliant wit and accomplish
Q men,s will draw cut the fine talents wit
d which this amable prince is endowed, an
2, yender him worthy his distinguished ar