Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-06-15
MISC ELL A N ECU S.
ANCIENT REGIME.-A STORY OF CON
JUGAL LIFE.

ANOlENI E.--A IORI w CON-
JUGAL LIFE.
The Marques dc Charnay, who in his youth,
had been page to Louis XIV. was foolish enough,
when turned of GO, to take young and lefty
wife, Many joke circulated on his marriage,
and even the king pleased to observe that lie
might soon find out that he had committed fol-
ly. The Marques, however, WINS still agreeable
and captivating, and intended to be SC attentive TO
his wife that he felt certain he should he quite
happy with her unless her inclinatons were nat
urally depruved. In order TO avoid exposing the
Marchioness to danger, NJ. de Chnrnay gradually
withdrew from court, and rendered his house 20
Agreeable TO his wife, that he contrived to secure
her friendship and confidence, if not her love.
If il frequently occur that an old man he not
deceived by young wife, he must, nevertheless,
expect that the precious treasure will he disputed.
Among the persons admitted 10 the Hotel de Car
ney was young captain, the Baron de Breteuil,
whose assduy was sooh noticed by the Mar
guess. The Baron was young, handsome, and
of pensive disposition, and was not known in
the annals of gaantry he was, consequently, n
dangerous acquaintance for n virtuOus woman
and rival TO he dreaded by an old mnn. 1t was
easy TO see that the Baron's love sincere from
the ravages il had committed on his face and per.
SOIL the Marques also remarked that his wife
was becoming sad and melancholy. Alter some
reflection on the subject, he decided on calling on
his rival, and endeavorihg to gain him over hy
the sincerity of his language lie went to the
Baron, who was at his toilet, preparatory to his
visiting Madame de Charnay, where he was daily
seen, prey to love and despair.
Baron said the Marques, you love my wife !;
were twenty years younger should not speak
TO you on The subject, and we should meet else.
where but my hand has lost its strength, it can
no longer handle sword, 81 am reduced to solicit
your pity and mercy, no. because know is dam
gerous for a young woman to have constantly be-
fore her young man who l'rctends to he dying
- Loo for har / m house.
for should pnss for jealous man. and might
omen the eyes of the Marchloness to your merit
besides, you could see each other al the theatres
and elsewhere beg you, therefore, leave Vef-
sailles, ard to join your regiment at Stenay: by
your doing SO ! shall again become tranquil, and
my wife will recover her peace OF mind, lost not
on account of her loving you, but because the at
tentions of man like you are always dangerous
to the reputation of a young woman
The Baron instead of denying his love, burst
into tears. AIMS! Marques said he, what do
you want Inc to do? Were | TO leave l should
die. CAFE for nothing on cath but the pleasure
of heholding the Marchoness, and dying OF my
love-.
This avowal astonished the Marquess who
withdrew, after having cursed his age, which pre-
vented him from furnishing the Baron, and telling
him that he would never again be admitted into
his house.
Tie Murouess thought it would be better to
OF perpetual suspense. The Mnrchioness was
viruous, and was combating growing passion
She acknowledged that she had received several
letters from the Baron and, niter giving some rea-
son for her not having mentioned the circumstance
she gave them to her husband. The Baron s let
ters were filed with expressions OF love, although
he expected no return, but that it he did not soon
receive glance decomposition he would destroy
himself. This threat frightened Madame do Char
nay, and it was easy for the Marques TO see that
if pity is not love, il often leads to IT. The thought
that NJ. dc Bertuii's love would he the cause oil
his death was working in her heart, aud soitenlns
il in his behalf.
'The unfortunate man will kill himself, sad the
MarchOncss.
M. de Breteuil may do as he pleases,' reioined
the Malquess but you must die this very night
AT this moment you are supposed TO he SO dan
gerously i'll as TO preclude the hope OF your sur
wing the night
The Marchoness was alarmed and sought in
vain for an explanation. The Marques remained
with his wife ill two in the morning, and then
putting her into postchnise, he sent her, attended
by trlsty servant to an estate OF one OF his broth
ers, in Touraine, here she was 10 be treated with
every respect, and where she might visit the no
bility of The province oil her promising TO accept
the name assigned, and not 10 write 10 Versailles
On the following day the Marques went to Court
where he spoke of his wile's serious ilness, and
three days after her death was announced. The
Marques Went into mourning, and magnificent
leursc proceeded from the HGtc de Charnay to the
family vault, about twenty leagues rom Versailles
The Marques wrote TO the Baron, stating thai
he loved the Marchioness muclI but his honor
more; that he should consequently support the
death Of Madame de Charnay with resignation
but he expected that the Baron would not survive
the loss OF her whom he preferred TO all on cath
and Ina, the Warehouses had died with that con-
vicon.
Whenlhree months had elapsed, NJ. de Charnay
thought il was time 10 recall his wife. She arri
we'd in the middle Of the night, and the following
conversation took place when they wero alone
so you have called me back now the poor fell
low IL deadv
The Marques drawing small memorandum
book from his pocket, said, this coutans an exac
account of every thing M. de Breteuil J as done
since your death. On the day of your burial he
dined out with three officers; wine was drank "a
the repose of your soul, and was highly praised
Cor giving you such splendid interment. On the
next day told the Baron that he ought TO Kill
himself and even limited that you expected he
would do 80. | received no answer and learned
that he went Immediately TO Paris, where he was
nc .ha and fha