Middletown transcript., 1876-09-30
Select STORY.
ROMANCE OF HISTORY.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF
HER TIME.

LII -euC Vat PoIs VI tuc iOuItcouti
century the Island of Corsica was
bone Of contention between the Mari
time Republics Of Italy. the Duchy o
Savoy, and the Kingdom Of France
The latter, at that time, WAS rulet
by the chivalous Francis the First, on,
Of the most remarkable characters il
history.
His ambition was only equalled By
his reckless audacity, and he alone, o
all princes Of his time. ventured t
break lance with the powerful EN-.
per Or, Charles the Fifth. who SO disas
trously defeated him at Pavia. 10 1921
In the preceding year. king Franci,
had quarrel with his wife, who haG
reproached him for his in6delities On.
day, maddened by her taunts. be said
to his valet, Gavini, Corsicsn
"Ah. must get rid of Her Majerty,
her temper is too bad l am sure that
the Holy Father will grant me adivorce
from her But where shall T find new
wife 2"
'.Your Majesty has only to choose
among the most beautiful princesses OF
Europe" said Gavin
But there is not a single beautiful
princess 10 Europe" replied tie King,
almost angrily. ''Amelie of Savoy is
the only one that is not absolutely
homely, and l hate her father so bit
terly that I should be reluctant to enter
into a union with a member of bis
family
''If your Majesty will permit me. .
said the willy Corsican. Il could tell
you of a lady with royal blood in her
veins who is young and handsome
enough to grace the throne of France
by your side"
"And who is she" asked the king
eagerly.
'.She is the Marchioness Isolena
Ballo." ~
II never heard Of her,"
''She is the richest woman in Corsica,
where her ancestors. since time imme-
mortal. have owned most of the real
estate, and where they have been more
powerful than the real rulers of the
Island ever were. Her grandmother
was a niece Of the Emperor Maximilian,
and she is the last Of her race, your
Majesty"
"The last of her race, Gavin, and
still unmarried :"
"Your Majesty, there is strange
tale to this" replied Gavin. About
seven years ago the marchioness with
her aged father, was having boat ride
off Ajaccio. A thunder storm sprung
up, and the frail bark was in danger Of
capsizing. The old marquis was fright
ened to death.
PRAY, my child" he cried in his
terror. "pray to her who alone can save
us Pray to her and promise to re-
main a virgin. unless king should
come to solicit your hand r.
"Isolena took that pledge, and now
she is mistress of immense estates, and
one Of the most beautiful women in the
world "
The amorous king. who acted as if be
had already got rid of bis legitimate
wife. had by this time become deeply
interested in the subject.
"Gavini," he said, chow does this
marchioness look 2"
"Your Majesty. ! have truly never
seen lady worthier to adorn throne
than she. She is the fairest daughter
whom Italy. the land Of pretty women
ever gave birth to. Tall, slender, ma
jestic, with complexion of marble and
features which Phidias would have
gladly chisseled in stone; she has on
her ripe lips the tempting smile Of
Cupid. and in her black eyes all the
FIRE of the goddess Of love-"
In this manner the artful valet slim
ulated the desires Of his royal master,
until the latter said to him:
II should like to make her acquaint-
ance but that has to be done in a very
discreet manner"
After hemming and having for long
while. Gavin suggested that he himself
might go to Corsica and make overtures
to the beautiful marchieness. Ss
The king eagerly embraced this offer.
"You shall 60. Gavini," he cried
$50 to Montpas. my treasurer, and
draw as many livres in gold as you
need"
but, your Majesty" said the valet,
money is not sufficient for such mis-
sion ! ought to have to that end also"
What 7"
ga nocsk;nv,