Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-22
Morcester 9aiIp Spp.
THE BL1NDFOLD MARREAGE.

nuptals OF Louis, count of Franche Compile,
natural son of the king, with Lydonie.
Duchess de Baliyerne, wealthy heiress.
The singular feature of the ceremony was
that the bridegroom's eyes were bandaged with
white handkerchief.
This circumstance excited the wonder of all.
Had 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 en-
ragged, he prudently held his peace and suf-
tered the ceremony to proceed.
A few words will explain the motives of the
bridegroom.
When Louis XIV came back from his great
campaign in the Palatinate, he determined to
unite his son, whose daring and valor in the
war had greatly pleased him, to one of the
wealthy wards of the crown.
He proposed the union to the young duch-
ess Of Baliveme, and found her favorably in
clined.
She had just come to court, having Just
emerged from the convent, where she had
completed her education.
She had seen the young count often, though
he had never deigned to cast glance upon
her. She knew he was brave and noble. and
she thought handsome. The r-sinsterin his
escutcheon was no objection. She accepted
him.
Unfortunately, Louis of Franche Compile,
who, like his father, was something of repro
bate, would not accept her.
''My son." said the king, ~ have resolved
that you shall marry"
''My worthy sire and most excellent faith
er, returned the count, ~ have resolved to
do no such thing"
The king trowned. He was not in the habit
of being contradicted.
81 have made formal proposition in your
name, for the hand of the duchess of Bali
verne, and she has accepted you, he said
grayely.
Doubtless" sneered the young scape-
grace, cher taste is excellent, and how could
she refuse me? Perhaps it would have been
as well to have consulted my inclnations in
this matter. do not wish to marry.
care you in love with any one?"
'No."
"Then love my duchess. She Is noble and
wealthy"
81 am your son-that is nobility enough"
he bowed low as he spoke, and the king smil-
ed at the compliment; land the Jews trust
me-what could L do with more gold?"
''She is the prettiest woman in my court.
''Im tired Of pretty women; they are al
ways fools"
Gould you but see her you would be sure
to fall in love with her.
81 never viii see her. answered the count,
determinedly.
"See her or not, you shall marry her."
cried the king in rage.
''If l do I'll marry her with my eyes shut,
returned the count.
The king grew purple with rage.
''Hark'ye, boy You owe me obedience as
a subject and as a son. 1t is my will that you
bestow your hand upon the Duchess De Bali
verne. The wedding shall take place this
day fortnight. Submit to my will with good
grace and | will create you a duke on your
wedding day. Dare to disobey me, and l will
strip you Of your title and the lands you hold
from me, and cast you into the Bastile."
This was what had brought the count of
Compile blindfolded to be married.
The king smiled grimly but said nothing.
The count placed the ring upon the finger
of the bride, but he did not salute her, and
when the ceremony was over he turned his
back upon her, took the handkerchief from his
eyes, and walked deliberately out of the
chapel.
Lydonie pouted her pretty lips, and was al
most ready to cry with veXation.
The king took her in charge, escorted her
to her carriage, and they were conveyed to the
hotel her husband occupied.
''Here you are, my dear" said the king,
conducting her through the apartments he had
expressly furnished for her reception; ''here
you are, at home"
''But where's my husband?" asked Ly-
DOME.
"SIly boy" muttered the king, looking
very much annoyed. ''Never mind, my dear,
he is your husband; the rest will come in
time.
''What is the use of having husband if he
will not look at your" pouted Lydonie.
''EIe shall look at you, or I'll send him to
the Bastile."
''Oh, no, cried Lydonie, edo not force him
to look at me. If he has not curiosity enough
to see what kind of wife he has got, I'm
sure l do not wish to oblige him to look at
me. | see how it isl she continued, ''sire,
you have forced the count into this union"
The king coughed and looked guilty.
ooh" cried Iydonie, with anguish, she
never lovedme, then-he will never love me ~
''Why should you care!'
because l love him" answered Lydonie,
innocently.
Glove him?"
.Oh, so dearly; that is why married him.
l had loved him from the moment l first be-
held him. And now l am his wife, he will
not look at me-"
Lydonie burst into flood of tears and sank
upon sofa.
The king pittied her sincerely, but what
could he do? He had forced his son to mar
nv her, but he could not force him to love her.
He thought of the Bastile. 1t would not
make him love his wife to send him there.
"Well, well" he said ''you are his wife, l
will make him duke, and l dare say, you'll
find him before morning"
With these words the king withdrew
Ivdonie was left alone with her sorrow.
But she was one not to droop long. She soon
dried her tears and looked all the better for
them, rose after shower.
Her old nurse came in, and together they
inspected her new home, which Lydone found
entirely to her satisfaction.
The count did not come home that night.
A week passed by and he did not make his
appearance. Lydonie came to the conclusion
that he never would come.
She knew it was useless to appeal to the
king. He had made Franche Compile duke,
but he could do nothing for her.
She determined to ascertain what her nus
band was about. -.
She despatched trusty servant for lntelll-
gence, and, like all wives who place spy
upon their husbands movements, she was not
at all pleased with the news she received.
The duke was plunging into all kinds Of dis
sipation. He was making love to all the pref
ty daughters of the shopkeepers of the Rue
st. Antonio.
In fact, for a newly married man, his con-
duct was shameful.
''ro leave me, to run after such cdndlIe
exclaimed Lydone
She paused suddenly. An idea had entered
her brain. She determined to act upon it.
While ebp is rpditntinp uDOn it, let us