The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1875-12-30
The Princess De COnde.
A Sketch From Old Court Life In
france.

france.
It was the evening OF ball at the
Louvre. Charlotte de MontmOrenci,
the lOveIiest of all the fair DANES and
beautiful demOiselles of the brilliant
court. - Henri Quartz, stood before
polished mirror in her dressing
room, clssping collar OF diamonds
and pearls round her fair throat. The
lights from a silver-lsmp en- the wall
above her cleaned softly down on the
lovely, arch face, splendid, passionate
eyes, and, luxuriant dark hair, gath
cred into a mass of rolls and curls on
the top of the small, proud head.
Her dress of silver. tissue, slashed and
trimmed with carnatiOn-eOlored taf-
feta, was magnificent. 1t was worn
over a petticoat of carnation velvet,
stiff with embroidery of silver and
pearls, and the clOse-fitting bodice
and puffed sleeves were sewn all over
with the same pearl and silver trim
ming. The small standing puff, open
in front to show the graceful contour
Of the throat and neck, wss stitched
with seed-pearls and diamond sparks.
Diamonds cleaned in the soft, rich
hair and tiny, shell-like ears. A band
of diamonds encircled the slender
waist, and the gems in the jeweled
collar in her hand were worth kings
ransom.
AS the young lady stood before her
mirror adjusting the collar the brill
liant face looked somewhat ruffied,
the rosy lips pouted, and the slight
figure, with all the girlish grace of
seventeen, was drawn up with the
stately dignity of a daughter of the
illustrious house OF Montmorenci.
The Duchess, q stately dame in ruby
velvet and gold, stood before the wood
fire watching her daughter somewhat
anxiously. With her entrance, half
an hour before, the tire-wOmau had
been dismissed; but even that time
had not sufficed to accomplish the
purpose that brought her there. In
truth it was an ungrateful errand, and
one the naughty court lady had small
inclination for, especially as it was
very doubtful how her beautiful, high
spirited daughter, with no small por-
ton OF her mothers pride, would re-
ceive the proposal she had undertaken
to place before her. The Duchess had
not found the intelligence very easy
to convey, and Mademoiselle de Mont
morenci had not received it with the
meek spirit of submission generally
expected OF young ladies in those
days, when the disposal of their hands
was the last thing they were consult
ed about or allowed to have a voice in.
''Break my engagement with the
Marechal de Bassompierre You
would never have. me consent to such
8 proposal, mother. You would be
the last to counsel so base q proceed
ing.n
"I fear you have no choice, Char
lOtte," replied the Duchess. "It is the
Kings command"
"I wish the King would not inter-
fere with what does not concern him."
replied Charlotte, angrily. "What
reason may be give for this kingly
act of tyranny ?"
zone that is very honorable to you
my child. He thinks your beauty and
talents are worthy of a more illustri-
Gus alliance. He intends to marry
you to his own kinsman-the young
Prince de Conde."
81 am extremely obliged to his Maj
esty for his kind intentions. In good
sOOth, it is q somewhat hasty proceed
ing, even for the gallant knight of the
white plume himself, who is not wont
to be dilatory where fair lady is con-
cerned. But pray what may the
Prince de Conde say to this uncere-
monious transfer of my affections
from Monsieur de Bassompierre TO
himself?"
"The Prince de Conde has signified
his willingness to obey the commands
OF the King"
"Vastly obliging of Monsieur de
Conde, 1 am sure" replied Charlotte,
sarcsstically.
may, Charlotte, you are ungrateful
to speak lightly of so gracious a design
on the part of the King; for, after his
own infant sons, Conde is heir-pre-
sumptive to the throne of France. He
is, besides, the last of line of heroes,
and is said to possess all their great
and noble qualities. 1t is an alliance
of which even a MoEtmerenci might
be proud. Think of it, my daugh-
ter"
'I will think ofno one but Francois
de Bassompierre," replied Charlotte,
resOlutely. "Whtt is. the Prince de
Condo to me that 1 should break my
troth to anothe: for him ?n
"Nothing at present, but much in
the future, Charlotte" replied the
Duchess. may, do not look so in
dignant. tell you the Kings heart
is so resolved upon this marriage that
the contract is already drawn up and
you will be required to sign it this
evening at the Louvre"
''The King would never dare to
carry matters with so high hand, y
said the fair girl, Indignantly. az will
not give up De Bassompierre at his
bidding; it is an act OF tyranical
cruelty to wish to separate u.s."
t'Cruelty Be reasonable, Charlotte,
and talk not like romantic waiting
maid. This is mere obstinacy on
your part. You were not particularly
in love with Monsieur de Bass0m.
pierre yesterday, and half inclined tC
give him up. He is considerably
older than you, and though, I gram
YOU, the handsOmest man at court
the Prince de Conde is much better
suited you, both in years and position
His talents are uDdeniable, and his
| IS no remOIS pfOSpoCl VI bhe rOySi
crown"
"With all his great and noble quail.
titles, he might scorn an alliance con
cluded with such indeeorous haste
and with an unwilling BRIDE" replied
Charlotte. mo, not to be Queen o
France will l resign De Bsssom
pierre"
"But how il he has resigned yOu p
said the Duchess, quietly.
Charlotte started Indignantly, an'
the heavy jeweled collar she wa
elasping and unclasping fell to tn
ground. 1t was true that she did no
particularly care for the Msrechal, bu
her pride was touched. "Never !!
} said she, haughtIly. Francois d.
Bassompierre would never resign me
. would rather believe him dead thai
faitbless :"
? 'It is the truth, Notwithstanding
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