Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1867-03-06
M Mistellamu.
Romance and Royalty !:
-oR,-
THE 9UEEN OF MAFN
BY BEN. PERLEY MOORE.
BY BEN. PERLEY MOORE.

"hNj 'tNh 80 HHNN'N'f 'NS
ing the city of Laval. II have not, in
all France, seen such a luxurious inter-
change of foliage, or so many fertile val
leys, each with its clear, bright water
course"
80 thought our gallant countryman,
the Earl of Shrewsbury. in l449," replied
the other, when he captured this same
city of Laval, and declared that the prov
iDco of Maine was the only place in France
fit for an Englishman to live in. But
see-here cones a merry party of demo-
| srlles, the fair Heuriette at their head"
Over two hundred years have passed
and gone since this dialogue took place.
1t was then the golden era of the trouba.
dours, SO that no one thought strange
that the proud Henrietta, Duchess of
Maine, checked her palfrey when she saw
the horsemen, exclaiming; Welcome
welcome to our province" "
A deep blush suffused Her pleasant fea-
lures as she spoke, nor had her words
fairly ceased, ere the younger of the horse
men had sprung to the ground, and hast
ened to kiss her hand.
II could no. be happy elsewhere" :" said
be- in a deep, lcw voice, "if you were not
/ there"
NAY. noble minstrel. But you must
need rcpose. Mount, and we will escort
you to our castle"
A few moments more, and the two were
riding side by side, corversing of love and
song in the high flown language of those
times, while his companion was equally
engaged with her principal tire. woman.
The other dcmoiseIlcs, with few attendant
archers, followed at a respectful distance.
| Henrietta, Duchess Of Maine, and sister
Of the King of France. was young and
happy girl, who had been educated in the
charming province whose name she lore.
Warmer than Normandy. and within a
convenient distance of Paris. Maine was
the chosen summer home of many French
mobiles, 50 that the royal young heiress
had enjoyed every advantage of society,
in addition to her highly cultivated natu-
raj accomplishments. Well versed in his
tory, a splendid musician, graceful dan.
Ger, and lovely person withal, no one
who knew her, wondered that King Chas
of England sought her hand. Yet it was
whispered that she did not favor the roya'
alliance, and when. as they rods along
her present companion jestingly alluded
to it, she replied:
Nay, sir, would rather be Queen o
Maine than Queen of England"
"Ah," was his answer, Il am an Eng
hshman, fair duchess, and farm would
like to live under your sway. Ay." ant
as he spoke, he locked back. ii see, too
that my attendant is equally willing t
swear allegiance to your woman"
"Alice is a silly girl, said the duchess
with sigh that plainly showed her owl
interest IN her companion. By this tim
they had reached the antique castle, whcr
the old Count de Rouge6eld came forth t
greet his ward, and welcome the strangers
The evening meal was speedily served
|, , and the strangers soon won all hearts. tn
Q knight entertaining those with whom h
sat, under the dias, with many tale 0
I chivalry, while his attendant, sedulousl
attentive to the fair Alice, had many
jest palatable to the men.at arms AM
maidcns who sat at the long table below
Never had such entertainments been afford
ed by any guests. nor could even the Coun
de Rougcfeld refrain from expressing lou
thanks, mingled with regrets that the
: were to leave early the next morning.
: No sooner had the attendant maiden
removed the day-attrie of the young duch
: ess, than she threw cashmere shaw
a around herself and retired into her inne
boudoir, moBing sign to Alice.
3 WHO, / wonder. can this knight be ?
she asked, throwing rselfupon velv'
: ottoman. "Do you know, Alice ?"
"Noble duchess, ! know not. But b
must be knight Of high degree, for b
hath marvellously pleasant spoken sqnil
with whom have held brief conver'
9 this evening. perchancc ! might ascc
d tain from him." N
7 "should you meet him, Alice. questic
a him as to the knights rank, but you nee
not mention who willed you to do so.'
!. mo. my lady. But as I promised
!. listen to few wopds from him to-nigh
2 q l will question him, ] warrant you."
BE wary. Alice"
my lady, will only question him
his master surely that will not