The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-04-06
BLANCHE OF PARIS.
4 Tale of the Gay and Gallant Times OF
Charles VII.
From an old Magazine.

From an old Magazine.
one Of the most accomplished cavaliers who
hourishci at the court of Charles VII King
ot France, was the Duke de Chateau Roster.
The fame Of his name had penetrated all parts
al hi> native country, and was acknowledged
even by the stern lSriOns, whose naughty valor
was then signalZcd by Il successful invasion
of In belle France. The Duke de Chateau Roster
had welded the fair Marguerite de Valcncc,
whose beauty he had long proclaimed peerless
and sustained his gallant avowal whenever
lanccs were splintcrcd and swords hacked IN
lhc titing-rng. But he was tickle lover and
after wedding the lady OF his choice, his ailcc
ton grew a little colder THIS was not an I'M
usual occurrence in the days of Charles VII,
and is noticed even now. Gay, volatile and
gallant, the young Duke lived but for the pur-
SUIT Of pleasure, and although his tcmpcra.
ment rarely hurried him into criminal ex
cess 1t prompted him 10 seek amusement c0ufr
TNt cDVt'. 1t happened unfortunately for the
Duchess Of Chateau Roster that her husband
had promised an old comradc ON his dcathbcd
10 watch over his surviving daughter, Lady
Blanche, called for her pale and pcarly beauty,
LyStCS champs. As this fair damscl was not
received beneath his root, the young Duke was
constrained To make her frequent visits at her
late fathers mansion, where, under the guard
ianship of "a staid old ducnna the Iys-dcs
sCclusion, unknown To and unknOwing the
world. Tn her presence the Duke trihcd
many an hour away; and Blanche endured his
society partly because lac was the friend of her
father, and partly because he kept at Il distance
the gaudy cOurtiCrS whose ilatcry ANNOYED
her. In the midst of this unworthy rining
the Duke received a summons TO ION the ban.
lcrS of Charles VII, then displayed against
ihc English IN the north. He briefly acquaint.
ed the Duchess of the necessity of II speedy dc.
par,urc, while his trumpcts blew to horse and
saddle in the court yard
Farewell" said the Duchess, wiping tear
trom her eye rs she spoke; farewell, brave of
heart stout of hand DO thy duty against these
fierce inyadars, for the honor of thy lady and
Ia belle France. And stay You are Il mar
ricd man, but still let my color and my favor
tiOat over thy lofty helmet" She detached a
scarf of blue and silver from her bosom, and
gave it to him rs she embraced him The
knIght received il with an air of proilcred re
spcct and perfect Indifference, politely enough
took leave Of the Duchess, and hummcd the
air Of Il IyOrcHcolc song rs nc descended the
great marble staircase that led from hls hall
20 The court yard.
a benson for thy gin :" muttcrcd the Duke
20 himself But Henri dc Chateau Roster
wears the favor OF another dame" As he thus
-olilOquizcd, nc drew forth small white glove
RhcrcOn single silver lilly was embroidered
and placed IL on the crest of his helmet
Mounting hi, strong war-hOrsc, he rode out
into the streets of Paris. where, taking an IN.
lrequculcJ route, hc sought the dwelling of
The Lady Blanche In those remote times they
had not discovered the method of being mot al
home tp an unwClcOmc visitor and so poor
Lady Blanche was forced 20 give an audience
20 the Duke. She cndcavOrcd 10 keep her old
ducnna by her side, but that worthy old dame
refused Ia understand the signals of her mis-
lrcss, and being in The interest of the Grant
cavalier. made some excuse for leaving him
alone with Blanche.
TO what, my Lord" said Blanche. "am
10 attribute Il visit at this early and unseason-
able hour and why do you come hithcr in garb
80 uniittirg for u lady's bower, wearing corslct
Of Milan steel instead of doubet of Venetian
velvet"
Alas fair lady" answered the Duke. 1.-The |
morton and corslct must now be familiar to
the DANES OF France, and happy they if they |
to not see thc steel of Englishmen cleaning |
IN their bowers ] am for the wars and there |
fore wear my coat Of proof. This must be my |
apology for taking leave of you in harness"
Say no more. my Lord, - said Lady Blanche |
Though | dislike to see noble knights arm
themselves for the tournament, prepared 10
deface the image of their Maker under preiensc
Of honoring their mislrcsses, still can view
the departure of the chivalTy of France TO bat |
lie fer their country with feelings Of unmingled
pleasure Methinks the helmet of ;ise knight
siis witt lof,ier grace upon his brow when nd |