The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-26
MARGARET DE VALOIS.
TINE BETROTHAL or AN EMpERORs
son.

y
Wind and rain were holding high carnival
the streets Of the ancient town Of Chen
The rich and luxurious citizens kept cIosel
within doors The streets were almos
deserted Here and there q late way
farer hurried along, closely wrapped In oloa
and hood, or marl-at-arms, In leather jerki
and steel cuIrasa, tramped by, or half-doze
retainers OF some dgnitary clattered along
their torches spluttering and Kissing In tn
rain, their voices drowned by the roaring o
Che wind
The storm was at It's height when travele
pressed down the principal street. He wa
heavily armed, and mounted on strong bacl
charger. and both he and his horse bore Sign
Of q long conflict with wind and weat her. II
scanned oil the houses narrowly as he passo,
along, apparently In search Of a refuge for th,
night. Singing out a large and stately build
Ing somewhat apart from tho rest, he stoppet
before ponderous, Iron-studded door, open
Ing under an archway crowned with turrets
and having strongly fortified towers on either
side. Here he knocked loud and long. but fol
some minutes In vain. AT length grated
wicket In the door was pushed aside and a
gruff voice asked, In no very amiabe accents
"Who are your What do you want at this
hour Of the night. and whence do you come p
"A pretty string Of questions TO answer In
BREATH" retorted the traveller impatiently.
Let me In, man: this is not tho place to
stand parleylng Of what concerns thee not"
Nevertheless, you do not enter without
answering" returned the surly janitor: and
he made motion az II to close the wicket.
marvel that your wisdom must needs
ask me such questions, was the slightly sar-
castle answer, when might and Il pleased
me, answer each one with lie Who m"
Are you alone2' interrupted the warder
peering suspiciously out into the darkness.
"As you may see, an you would but use
.'By what name shall l announce your"
asked the warder.
MAX Theurdank, Knight Of Thuringia."
replied the traveller, and, with q muttered
malediction on the janitors pertinacity, he
led his horse to the shelter Of the penthouse
% await the result OF his application.
The warder crossed q spacious court. yard
and entered a large vaulted hall filled with
servants and retainers. Here he sought out a
grave and digniiied parsonage. whose black
gown and wand of office betokened him sort
81 malor4domo or steward, and. after a few
words OK explanation, wss conducted by him
through several wide corridors and ante
chambers toward suite of rooms much
superior TO the rest In internal decorations
uIluCiHHl upuIlIDeHL WIS ~ large. IOtty
room, hung with tapestry richly embroidered,
the ceiling exquisitely carved IN delicate fret
work, the furniture OF ebony, nlaid with silver.
and carpet-then o rare luxury-covering
part of the floor. A blazing fire burned on the
marble hearth. A young lady was seated on
. carved settee near the fire. She was beau.
tiful girl, with bright, spirited face golden
hair, deep-fringed blue eyes and n complex
Ion exqusitely fair and transparent. Every
turn Of her stately head, every motion of her
HAL
movement Of her slight, tall figure was full |
ut grace, and sort OF gentle, unconscious
dignity, as OF one whose slightest wish was |
ncommand. For the fair. graceful girl, with |
the arch face, and sweet eyes, was Marie de |
Valois Duchess OF Burgundy, Countess of |
Flanders, Artois and Hainault, sovereign lady |
pf hundred free cities, and owner of half-a- |
dozen counties--the most charming woman |
and the greatest heiress In Europe.
The young Duchess was gazing into the |
fire, an expression of intense sad |
Less and perplexty on her expressive face.
Truth TO tell. notwithstanding her beauty |
her high birth, and her immense wealth. her
position at this moment was one Of no little
trouble and anxity. On the death OF her
father, Charles the Bold, nine months before
richest and most influential kingdoms of
Europe; the head Of tumultuous council
whose primary consideration was their own
a turbulent populace. ever on the
watch for rebellion, and powerful enemy
n the person Of King Louis ri, anxiously
waiting the first shadow Of an excuse to
bounce down upon her and her possessions.
In an evil moment Marie-by the advice of
ner etep-mother, Margaret of York. and
ler Chancellors, DE Hugonet and d IIimber-
0slrt-had entered into secret negotiation
With Louis; having for It's object her own
marriage with the Dauphin. The negotiation
'eings divuIged by the crafty monarch for the
xpresa purpose OF embroiling the young
Duchess with her own subjects, excited the
niger Of the citizens OF Ghent Liege and
sruges into furious heat. They openly re-
,olted against her authority, upbraided and
nsulted her In public assembly, and con-
iemned her advisers, De Hugonet and
PHI amn o,,rs to death, giving them only
Az the opening of the door Marie reused
herself, and turned an inguring glance at the
grave and severe face of the Major-domo and
his surly companion
i. A Al our greatly esteemed lord Of the
and our trusty seneschal," she
salu, nalt scornfully. and, turning TO the lat
yer: well, Sir Warder. TO what are we in
a hams icr sight Of your iron vsage at this
The man briefly stated his errard
iheurdank, Knight OF Thuringia - eaid
banner doth he follow p n'' "ho7e
&c was too dark to See" said tho man
And you could not ask. I supnoso 49,
might as well have an owl or a hal for n ; One
Y. VI, SAID Marie, impatiently. Admit him
=. once. marvel you should deem il nene e.,i
sary to ask my permission" "eoes-
May be allowed To remind Your HIGH
ness, began the Maior-domo, that tho can-
mands q the Council are strict that no one
them I" gu oiNei IRON
Am ! TO be controlled and thwarted bv
NY own Council in every insignificant
hing = cried Marie, Indignantly. admit
him, say, without delay
strance, but with low reverence u,itted tha
room. As tie door closed Marie rose and be-
gan 20 pac9k. Groom, the flush OF indignant
Niger 81 face.
sAb she cried .svo,, rroa ii,
pruy one sssrs, Prudeuce iu Hs sa
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