The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-13
SELECTED TALES.
BLANCHE OF NAVARRO.

BLANCHE OF NAVARRO.
Br G. p. R. JAMES.
[Continuedl
Though concealed by the pillars that
supported the roof, Blanche would Instant
Iy have darted again out Of the gallery !;
but Isabel Of valois held her firmly by the
arm, without uitering word, and even
advanced still further towards the front.
None Of the guests seemed TO see them |;
hut, at that very moment, Don Ferdinand
de Leyda filled the golden cup by his side,
and, bending his head with n light smile,
to Francis of Folk, lie said" My noble
count, when we last met here, we had q
foolish quarrel on our drinking TO your
merit conques,-Blanche If Navarro"
The queen turned, and Blanche could
perceive her glorlou, black eyes gazing
upon her through the mask, with a gleam
of triumph and satisfaction. But Don Fer
dInand went on-"A At present, my lord,
| rise to drink to our permanent friend
ship, now comented by generous blood, as
well as generous wine nud, as you have
lain wounded mnn amidst fair and COM
passionate ladies, suppose | may add to
my toast, your last conquest-Blanche of
Navarro 7"
Blanche's strength failed her; and she
would hpve sunk to the ground, had not
the firm hold of the queen supported her.
Francis Of Folk turned TO reply and
though she trembled in every limb, she
listened eagerly for his words. Though he
spoke not SO loud as the other had done,
the full, rich tones swept up to where she
stood; and she heard him clearly say
Willingly, good friend do ! drink ,ha,
part of your toast which wishes your per-
manent friendship! But if you would
drink my last conquest, lords and mobiles Of
Navarro, drink to my conquest over myself
When last we met around this hoard !, in
the madvanity Of my idle concei,s, declared
that would conquer Blanche Of Navarro,
or she should conquer me-and now l tell
you all, the conquest has been hers! Ay
and though | love her more than life, nc
knight in all Navarro shall couch lance
more willingly than ], against the breas
of one who says that she is ausht but pur
ity itself "
The mobiles who surrounded hIm gazet
on him for an instant, as he stood before
them; and then, os it by one consent, each
started forward aud grnsped his hand IN
turn. But Blanche Of Navarro, had mo-
seen that action; for, ut the words which
came so balmy TO her heart, the queen had
stamped her foot, with angry vehcmence,
upon the gallery, and, dragging her forth
into the passage, cast off her hold, and left
her to find her way back alone.
In terror and apprehension, Blanche
hastened on, and regahed the square; but
there, amidst u multitude Of strangers, sx-
cited by gayety and good companionship
wild with rsyel aud drunkenness, she, q
solitary woman, hurrying Oh with terrified
air, was stopped by every turning, sgiiated
by rudeness aud impertinence and, when
ut length she reached the palace gates, shs
found them closed and the attendants re.
fused to give her admittance ill she had
T unmasked her face and discovered who she
was.
With burning cheek aud a ihrobbn G
heart, she sought her own apartments; bu
she had not long reached them, when q
message from her brother called her to hi,
his bosom, bedewed with fslse and hypo.
critical tears; and he instantly poured
forth upon RlaEche's head, torrent of re.
proaches, for misleading his young wife III
I regard TO the customs Of the lnnd.-Blancbs
E now found that she had been deceived, snt
that her weak brother had been deceived
also. lie had neither been present, moi
had ever heard of any Of the proceeding
Of that night, till the queen, coming home
, in answer to his angry reproof, had giver
him false statement OF the whole, casting
the blame Of all upon his sister.
Blanche heard him to an end, and ther
told him the truth. But the queen rose W
in indignant passion, oxelaimlng that If b'
T chose to sit there, and hear his bride csl
I umniated, she, At least, would not remait
r to be traduced and insulted to her face
that he might believe which he pleased
her, or his sister Blanche-but that thu
prolonged absence Of his sister, after aI
: the rest had returned, might well show hin
, which tale was most worthy Of credit. Fo
her part, she said sue never spoke augh
but truth; and she would stay nowhere
where her truth was doubted. She wat
ready, she added, to return to her native
land; and. in quitting Navarro, there wal
7 none thnt she should regret, but only him
, her husband and she wept again, with
well-dissemLled grief She then quilted
the apartment; and Blancbe saw, with bit
ter pain end many m apprehension, tba
}. her brothers mind was completely undeI
l. the dominion Of false, fiery, vicious wo-
i. man.
II was not her part, however, to say augh
: against her but she defended herself Sb'
J. reminded him, tina, from youth they had
' been brough, up together; that lie hae
. seen, and must have remarked, all her &C.
!, tions must have known, and learned Il
!, trace, the sources Of all thoughts, even from
the sweet, undisguised days Of infancy, "a