The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1868-02-28
thing more or less than mortal had he

not loved her."
By few frank questions the count
drew from the Lady Blanche that Henri
had never, by word or look, betrayed
his love; and when the count nerved
himself to put the terrible question
whether she did not love Henri, her
hesitating manner convinced him that
their love was mutual.
Calamity kissing her hand, he said:
at is enough, fair Lady Blanche; |
thank you for your candor. For the
present, adieu !"
AT the banquet that evening no man
was gayer than the count. He apollo
gized to the Count of Pisa for his broth
er's absence, and performed the honors
of host with a dignity and courtesy
which were innate to him.
All nioht the cornt paced up and
down bis chamber. 1t was evident a
great battle was going on in his breast.
Next morning his brother was an
nounced. He came all ready accout.ed
for his journey. The count received
him With smiling face, and going up
to him, put his arms around him, and
tenderly kissed him.
Henri said the count, | ask your
parlon for my unworthy suspicious. /
ought to have known that my brother
could not have acted so unknightiy a
part. But seat yourself, for | have
something TO tell you, which will rem
der your Journey needless
Henri looked at the count, and then
said:
Dear brother, 1 humbly crave your
not, will not stay !"
''You t0W not stay! why, then, say
you shall. / am your lord; although
you are my brother, you are my subject
and owe me your allegiance"
"You gave me, sir,n replied Henri,
permission yesterday to depart"
81 did, but l ha' e changed my plans.
Now listen, boy, for it concerns you
quite as much as me: Henri, | have
spoken to the Lacy Blanche, and think
she is too young wife for me-or else,
perchance, l am too old for her. She
has confessed, also she loves me not,
and never can, because she loves anOthr
er.
''Anotherr' ejacrlated Henri, in a
tone of undis@uised dismay.
Eyes, boy, another. And would you
know his name ? IT'S you'll
Henri breathed again.
"Now, - resumed the count, since you
y
cluded that, instead of me, you are the
one she ought to we'd"
Henri seized his brother hand
ooh, sir, your goodness overwheims
me. Indeed, now feel that am an
migrate, for never can repay such OBJ
legation"
The count touched his bell, and when
the attendant came he requested him
to beg the attendance of the Lady Blan-
che
1t is needless to describe the delight
Of both Blanche and Henri. The count
Joined their hands, and then straight
way sought the rooms where the Count
of Pisa was lodged. In few words the
count informed him of the proposed
change, but the ambitious father posi-
lively refused his consent.
"Your younger brother, my lord, is
not the Count of Provence, and perhaps
never viii be. You may change your
mind again, and marry, and have heirs;
my bargain was that Blanche should
marry the count of these fair domains.
and So" replied his friend, "she
shall. Inever do these things by halves.
I have concluded TO retire from the
world, and devote my few remaining
wears to heaven. | shall endOw my
VIII that content yon2
"If Blanche loves your brother, and
your noble brother loves my daughter,
when he is Count of Provence, am con-
tent.
SO clasping each others hand, on this
understanding the two counts parted.
The chapel of the monastery Of st.
Denis was lit up with a thousand tapers,
and the old abbot, with his cowled
monks, stood, in their sacred robes, rs
mOtionless as statues. The organ pealed
and the chants resounded along the
carved roof ofthe ancient building. The
faint breath of the incense lent visible
sanctity to the scene, and the masses Of
sound swayed hither and thitheT, carry
ing, so TO speak, the souls of all present
with them. BY the side of the abbot,
oefore the altar, stood monk. 1t was
Guiscard, the renowned warrior of
Province. His countenance was as i'm
movable as death, and his eyes seemed /
no longer to rest on the things OF earth.
Presently gallant retinue entered the |
aisle, foremost among which was the |
Count of Pisa, leading his daughter, the
Lady Blanche, in her bridal robes, and !
glittering with Jewels. 1t was evident |
proach. for drawing his cowl more close |
" over his face, he closed his eyes, as
though to shut out the very sight of such |
fatal loveliness, and bowed his head al |
most down to his breast. But no sigh !
escaped him: the closest scrutinizer of |
his face would not have discovered any |
outward and visible sign of the inward |
and spiritual struggle Cost what 1t |
had, that heroic man had gained the |
victory over himself.
A few moments after the entrance of |
the bride, another gallant retinue en-
tered the abbey. 1t was Henri, attired |
as bridegroom. While the anthem |
resounded the two retinues ranged them |
selves in semicircle around the altar, |
while Father Anselmo, advancing to |
Guiscard, whispered something to him. |
He slightly started, and without look |
ing to the right or the left, advanced a |
few PAGES, then, in deep, almost sepul- |
chral tone of voice, he said:
''Lnow we all men, that |, Guiscard |
de Monpensier, but now Father Erancls, |
do hereby repounee all worldly pomps |
and vanities, and the state and title and |
domain of Count of Provence, and do |
hereby solemnly endow my dearly BE-
loved brother, Henri de Monpensler,
with the same"
The organ sent forth its solemn peal,
and the monks chanted "Gloria in Ex- |
celsis.n then the music and the chant |
died slowly away.
After short pause, but without chang
ing his position in the least, Guiscard
said, in voice tremulous with sup
pressed emotion:
81, formerly Guiscard de Monpensier,
but now Father Francis, do hereby re-
lease and renounce, in favor ofmy broth
err, Henri, Count of Province, all right
and title to the hand of the Lady Blan-
che de Montserrat, daughter of the most
noble and valiant Robert, Count of Pisa.
Stand forth Henri de Monpensier and
Blanche of MOntserratl
When they came forward there was
one universal murmur of admiration at
their marvellous beauty.
Without raising his eyes to the face OF
either, Father Francis then placed the
hand of Blanche in that of Henri. Then
slowly Withdrawing to where Father
AnselmO stood, a little behind the abbot,
he remained with his hands clasped,
looking down upon the ground.
The abbot then performed the mar
rage ceremony. AS he was pronounc-
ing the nuptial benediction, low but
suppressed sob was heard, and immedl-
ately afterward one of the attendants
suddenly exclaimed:
uSaa NV lord he faintS ~