The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-04-16
A BLINDFOLD MARRIAGE.
BY GEORGE L. AIKEN,

The elite Of the court of Louis the XIVth,
the great monarch of France, were assembled
In the chapel Of the Great Trianon, to witness
the nuptials Of Louis, Count of Franche Compte
"A natural son of the King-with Lydonie,
Duchess de Baliverne, q wealthy heiress
The singular feature of this ceremony was.
that the hridA~.ao->,. ---- - - -
This circumstance excited the wonder of all.
Had the the bride been old and ugly they would
not have been surprised On the contrary, she
was young and quite pretty.
The King alone understood this strange freak
of the bridegroom, and, though much enrsged,
he prudently held his peace and suffered the
ceremony to proceed.
A few words will explain the motives of the
bridegroom.
When Louis came back from his great cam.
paign in the Palatnate, he determined to unite
his son, whose vslor and daring in the war had
greatly pleased him, to one of the wealthy wards
Of the crown.
He proposed the union to the young Duchess
of Balivcrne, and found her favor ably inclined
She had just come TO Court having emerged
from the convent where she had completed her
education.
She had seen the young Count often, though
he had never dsigned to cast glance upon her
She knew he was brave and noble, and she
thought handsome. The bar.sinister in his es
cutcheon Was NO objection. She accepted him.
Unfortunately, Losis of Franchs Compte, who,
like his father, was eomething OF a reprobate,
would not accept her.
my son." said the great King, We have re-
solved that you shall marry"
"My worthy sire, and most excellent father
returned the Count 81 have resolved to do no
such thing!"
The King frowned. He Was not in the habit
of being eontradicted.
81 have made q formal proposition, in your
name, for the hand of the Duchess of Baliverne,
and she has accepted you" he said grsvely.
Doubtless" sneered the young ecapegrace,
| "her taste If excellent, and how could che re
fuse me? Perhaps it would have been as well
70 have consulted my inclinations in this matter
do not wish to marry"
"Are you in love with any one:"
| .No."
"Thon love my Duchess. She is noble
wealthy"
al am your son-that is nobility enough :
be bowed low a. he spoke, and the King smiled
at the compliment; "and the Jews trust me
what could do with more gold."
"She is the prettiest woman in my court"
"rm tired Of pretty women-they are alway
fools"
"CouM you see her, You would be sure t.
fall in love with her."
II never will see her." answered the Coun
determinedly.
"See her or not, you shall marry her. :" erie,
the KiEg, in . rage.
"f do III marry her with my eyes shut 7
returned the Count.
The King grew purple with passion.
"Hark ye, boy! You owe me obedience a
subject and eoa. 1t is my will that you besto,
ysur hand upon the Duchess Dc Balverne. Tn
Wedding shall take place this day fortnigh,
Submit to ny viii with good grace, and vi
create you q duke upon your wedding-6ay
Dare to dlsobey me. and viii strip you Of you
title. and the land you hold from me, and ca.
you into the Bastile."
This 10 what bad brought the Count Of Franch
: Coupts blindfolded to be married.
The King smiled grimly but said nothing.
The Count placed the ring upon the finger
his bride, but be did not salute her, and vhe
the ceseaony was over he turned his back upo
her, took the handkerchief from his eyes, an
I; walked deliberately out of the chapel.
. Lydopie pouted her pretty lips. and was &
q most resd to cry with vexation.
The King took her in charge, escorted her
her carriage, and they we're conveyed TO the b
. tel her husband occupied.
Here you are, ny dear, SAID the King, co
;; ducting her through the apartments be had e
!. pesssly furnished for her reception; "here y
are q home"
% "Silly boy" nuttered the King. looking We
ct much annoyed Never mind, my dear. he is 70
husband; the rest viii come in time"
"What II the use having husband II he v
9, net look At your poated Lydonie.
y "Hs shall look as you q viii send him
ths Bastile."
"Oh, n" cried Lydonie, do not force b
q y lsok q -. II be has not curiosity easu
:. y ~ vhaE kind sf wife h has CT, Pa q