Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-06-02

| hotel de Montmorenci, before she had conclud-
ed the arrangement of ruff and fardingale to
her own satisfaction.
| Her entrance was greeted with a SUPPRESS
ed murmur OF admiration, and the graceful
manner with which she advanced to offer
| her homage to her sovereign, excited fresh ap-
plause
Ah my cousin" cried the enamored mon
arch, turning to the Prince dc Conde, "what
an enviable man am [ not about to render you
IN uniting you to so charming a 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 to confess in bestowing her upon an
other"
Henri Quartre felt the hand of the youthful
beauty, which he had retained in his own, while
addressing this high-fown compliment to her
furture husband, tremble in his grasp. Char
lotte was conscious that her sovereign was
aValilng himself Of his opportunity of pressing
ner 1alfy hngerS, with more ardor than became
the paternal character he had assumed A deep
blush oVerspread her countenance as the cues
tion suggested itself to her mind Wherefore
has ne taken so much pains to separate me from
FRANCOIS Bassomperre Z" and, at the same mo-
ment, she stole furtiye 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.
mourntul expression, as if intended to pierce
into her very soul. Those beautiful and search
ing eyes belonged to Henri de Conde. Scarce
~ had she made this startling discovery, when
L.,
the King, assuming the imposing characteristics
OF majesty, which so much better became his
mature age than the light and reckless tone
OF gallantry in which he had before iniulged,
presented the Prince de CoDde to her in due
form. Then, putting her hand into that of his
pale, thoughtful kinsman, he pronounced the
patrlarchal blessing of the suzerain on their ap
preaching union
Charlotte started, and impulsively drew back
from the icy touch of the cold hand that then
family closed on hers There was nothing of
tenderness, or encouragement, 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 COM
pensate for the absence of manly beauty and
courtly grace in very young man Though
the habits OF politeness and self-control, which
are so early impressed upon the daughters OF
the great, prevented the fair Montmorenci fIom
betraying her secret dissatisfaction, she ven
tured to direct an appealing look to her pa
rents, as if to implore their interference but
her mother turned away, and her father gave
her glance which intimated that it was too
late to reCede
Inc marriage contract was read. and sub
scribed by the king in his three-fold capacity
OF Sn@era1a, or paramount liege-lord of the CON
tracing parties and also as the next of kin
and guardian of the illustrous bridegroom
who was an orphan and minor. 1t was next
witnessed by the parents of the bride The
pen was next presented to the Prince de Con-
de- He paused, and appeared irresolute dar-
ted glance of suspicious inquiry at the king
and bent one OF his searching looks on the face
OF her to whom he was required to plight him.
self. MadcmoSelle de Montmorenci was un-
conscious of his scrutiny. Overpowered by the
strangeness and agitating nature Of the scene,
she stood, with downcast eyes and varying
color, leaning her clasped hands for support on
the shoulder of her only brother afterwards so
celebrated in the annals of France, as the Illus
trious and unfortunate Henri de Montmorenci.
Never had she appeared so charming as at that
when the feminine emotions of fear
and shame had lent their softenng shade to
beauty, which was, perhaps, too dazzling in its
faultless perfcctons, and calculated rather to
excite wonder and admiration, than to inspire
tenderness. The stern expression of Condos
features relaxed as he gazed upon her, and OBJ
served the virgin hucS OF celestial rosy red,
and angel whtencsS" that came and went in
her fair cheek. His countenance frightened,
he took the pen with Sudden animation, and,
|, Eprn lon IoI1 IL
scribcd his name to the contract.
Charlotte Marguerite dc Montmorcnci,
your signature is required" said the duke her
father, to the evidently reluctant damsel.
g have great mind not to sign" said
Charlotte, in confidential tone aside to her
brother, who was two years younger than herself
Are you minded to offer an unprovoked
affront to an honorable gentleman, and to af-
ford triumph to a recreant lover z" was the
response of the youthful heir of Mont
Charlotte advanced to the table, and signed
the instrument. She received somewhat coolly
the congratulations with which her friends and
relations overwhelmed her and when the
folding doors Of the saloon were thrown open,
and the king gave his hand to the Duchess de
Montmorenci to lead her into the banUleting-
room, where sumptuous entertainment had
been laid out in honor of the OCCASION she took
the offered arm of the man to whom she had
just afiiapeed herself, with an avcrted head, and
a sigh escaped her.
VI fear" said he, in a low voice " that you
have been compelled to do violence to your feel
ings in signing that contract"
These were the first words that Conde had
ever addressed to his beautiful fanccc and
there was deep and tender melody in the rich
but melancholy tones of his voice, that thrilled
to her heart not less strangely than the pene-
tratng glances Of bis fine dark eyes had previ-
ously done.
shall not hate him quite so much as
thought should" was her mental response to