The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-02-27

Blanche had SO long dwelt, the first woman
in The land. But with no snvious thought
did she thus gsZe-wilh no feeling of
malice towards her who was destined at
once to take upon herself the first place
in that realm. But it was with feelings of
keen, intense anxiety for brothers happi-
ness with Thoughts, too, of some nppre-
hension for her own future fate. Blanche
of Navarro was no longer to rule in the
bouse of her ancestors; her word was no
longer to he law among The couriiers of
her brother; her will was no longer to be
the only guide of all her actions; her fate,
her time, her comfort, were no longer TO be
decided by her own voice; for into the
halls Of her infancy had come being, up
on whose will the happiness of almost every
moment must depend; upon whose virtue,
tenderness, and generosity, the peace and
quiet passing of her future years csald a.
lone be founded.
She gnzed, then, upon the beautiful bride
and saw that she was lovely. She was will
ling, she was anxious, in that loveliness OF
feature and of form, To see the loveluoss of
spirit and of heart; she was willing TO be-
lieve that in that dark liquid eye shone forth
the virtues of noble race !; she was will
ling TO believe, that in that arching lip was
pictured the high aud dgnifird mind with
in. But yet, she could not but feel that
there was flashing brightness in the
glance ns it roamed around, marking with
unshrinking firmness each gazing face of
the crowded court, and noting with quick
accuracy every Gne of those empty orna-
ments aud trfling embellishments, on
which the calm and unoccupied spirit may
rest in q moment Of idleness, but which, in
moments of agitation and emotion, are, to
the feeling and the sensitive heart, but ms
bubbles on the waves to the mariner in the
tempest. She couli not bu, feel that ON
{ that lovely lip, sat a naughty and n scorn-
ful curl-hrm, proud, determined; all un-
like the quivering dfiidencc which Blanche
had pictured to her fancy, in the timd
bride seeking her strange husbands court.
No timidity, indeed, wus there and 40
proud was the carriage, so scornlul was the
air, that Blanche of Navarro, rs she saw
the future queen advance to meet her
promised husband, felt her heart beat, les,
she should see her brother ireated with in
: dignity by the bride whose hand had al
ready been dearly purchased. But no
she met him with smiles, she received his
welcome with grace and Blanche's heart
grew calm, in the hope that her fears mis-
led her IN her Interpretation Of the fair
strangers demeanor.
The first object Of oil attention was, of
course, the princess herself: but in the
train Of Isabel of Vslois, and amongst all
the gny and gliitering cavaliers, Of which it
was composed, appeared one who, in form
and feature, carriage aud apparel, stood
forth without compare in all the court, eth
er Of Navarro or France. Francis, Count
of Folk, was the name the Ambassador
gave him, rs he introduced him to the
Navarrese king; and, although the eye of
Blanche had before marked with wonder,
not unmixed with admiration, the appear
pearance OF that prlneely noble, no sooner
! was he named than her brow slightly con-
irac,ed, her fair lip lost its smile, aud she
bowed with cold aud stately haughtiness
rs he advanced and was presented to her
self The count was not abas,ed, but
maintained himself with graceful ease !;
and there was something IN his whole de-
meanor, during the festivals aud ceremon-
les that followed. which won upon even
/ those prepared To frown on all his sctions
which dazzled where it could not blind,
and gained smile from the lip even while
censure was strong at the heart.
There is a race of men who fancy that
some bright and brilliant qualities, some no
bic deed, some graces of demeanor, some
powers of language or Of thought, some
grandeur Of conception or energy of action.
not only Compensate a life Of ribald loose
ness, but even give splendor and dignity
to vice and crime. Snch had been the
character which Francis, count Of Folk,
\ had established for himself, in the world Of
hrs day. Brave 10 fault ;, graceful, as we
have said, in person full of high powers
abused, and talents cast away, he had de-
voted himself to pleasure, and, ia pursuit
thereof, had acknowledged no barriers, and
spurncd ut every check. Ills life hitherto,
young as he was, had been but tale Of
moral duties violated T; Of passion, excess,
aud RIGHTEOUSNESS. In6Jeliiy in love had
been his boast the ruin of wonan's peace,
his pasti'ne; and the wine-cup aud the
dice, ard loose companions, and wild ex-
pfous ot evil, made up history cheguored
only by some occasional traits of q noble
spirit, some deed Of generosity, or beneyo-
Ience, or courage.
Z So dangerous and hnteful had become
his name, that the monarch Of his own
land had willingly found m occasion to
send him forth into another country: pray
ing desoutly, that Spanish jealousy nigh,
never suffer the wild and reckless youth to
return to the court ot France sgnin. And
now, in the small kinsdota Of Navarro, he
prepared to renew the srme course which
had won for him 50 evil reputation in his
own land.
On the third night pfer his arrivslshc
sat late wiih some of his fJilowers, who hsd
accompanied him from France, and with