New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-19
THE RUMANIAN ROMANCE.
IT'S HEROINE A FORMER PR0TEGE OF VIC
TOR HUGO.

ITS HEROINE A FORMER PROIEGE Of VIZ
TOR HUGO.
Paris, July T.
Mile Helen Vacaresco, the heroine, or Vctm' OIL
the royal romance in Rumania, is well known IN
this CITY. She used to be sort of protege OF
Victor Hugo. one of the circle Of bright-mlnded
vounp people that the great man loved to gather
about him In his old age. 1t is an open question
whether he did so through benevoence or vanity
or some other motive Perhaps he found his own
youth renewed or his twilight years frightened BY
assccating with young folks. Perhaps be wished
TO benefit them with sage advice ana give thenl
the pleasure of meeting him. Perhaps he enjoyed
The hero-worshlp they lavished upon him. Perhaps
there was a nlingling of all three motives. But
tho fact remains And among oil those whom ne
delighted TO gather about him, there was none TO
whom he paid quite so much attention as ME-
Vacaresco She used to write poetry, ana he
was eager to read her verses, and sometimes correct
and improve them little, with touches here ana
there "She is true poet he once said
volume of her poems was prlhteu' puV ohIs
privately circulated.
At Victor Hugos she became acquainted with
great many literary and artistic people. AS the
venerable poets favorite friend she would at any
rate have commanded their high esteem. But her
own grace of person and mind also commended her.
and made her exceedingly popular. In the sum
mer time she lived with her parents at Archachon,
| and there she continued her intimacy with many
| of her literary friends. Especially was she adj
| mired for her readiness of wit and the rapdlty
| with which she could accomplish literary results
| OF real value. During O picnic one day at cape
Ferret she was called on to compose some verses
on the company. size asked for eight minutes TO
do il. but was allowed ten. AZ the end Of nine
minutes she rejoned the party with satire,
which was full Of real wit and displayed admirable
poetic form. 1t wos this among other incidents
| that brought her to the attention of the Queen
| of Rumana. That sovereign is not only dabbler
in literature herself, but she loves TO be regarded
as a great patron of arts and letters, and wants
70 make her little court an intellectual centre. So
she sent for Nile. Vacaresco to come to Bucharest
and be one of her maids of honor. 81 have not
forgotten you," wrote Mile. Vacaresco to a French
friend Il often think of Archachon and our trip
TO Cane Ferret. My life has changed considerably
since then am separated from my parents by
the affection of my adorable Queen, by the side
Of whom lead an existence happy, brilliant and
| full of occupation"
The Queen was not only adorable but adoring.
She lavished upon Mile Vacaresco every possible
token of love and confidence, holding her in higher
| esteem than any other lady of the court How
| strong was the Queens attachment to the maid
| of honor may he judged from letter written by
| Her Majesty short time ago, before the UNI
happy ending of Mile Vacarescos romance. In
this century Of prose and reality she wrote,
| love has again marifested its power in spite Of
all opposition; and il is from the land Of the
sun. from the land Of Carmen Sylvia, who sings
of the heart and soul-it is from Rumania that
this ray of light comes Down yonder young
man and young girl love each other as in the
days of chivalry 1t is Prince Ferdinand and
Mile. Helen Vaoaresco who set before us this
precious example OF valiant love Drawing the
thousand storms raised by the shadow of tllat
| crown which hOvers over the head OF the young
Prince The Rumapian Nation will applaud this
union, and all really patriotic hearts will beat
with Joy when the happy couple plight their trotll
| ct the hymcDeal altar
Tie Queens heart was fully set upon the mar
rage of Mile. Vacaresc0 and Ferdinand of lIohen-
zollern, the Crown Prince of Rumana. She en-
couraged their wooing in every possible way She
went about with them, and had her photograph
taken with them sitting at her feet, their hands
claspcd in hers King Charles himself also strongly
favored the match And certainly the two youns
people were most sincere in their devotion to eocl
other But questions Of State arose. The leadin,
men Of all parties stood together in assuring tin
King that Prince Ferdinand must rcnouncc hi
hopes Of Iegning il he married Mile Vacarsco
Their reason for saying this was that the pro
posed match would simply replunge Rumanio int
the disorderly condition from which it was res
cued by the ACCESSION Of n foreign Prince twenty
five years ago. Rumania was too long given owe
10 the intrigucs and Quarrcls of the rival Boyar
families, and the sensible part Of the population
fully appreciate the boon which the country Ina
enjoyed since it has been governed b.
foreign King and Queen, who, bein
above all the families in the land and unconnecte
with any Of them were not exposed 20 clannis
ealousies Ministerial council held {
consider the case, at which the King strong
urged that the Prince he allowed TO marry Mile
vacaresco. But his Ministers bluntly Said Well
; sire, he can marry ne wishes; but if he does
he will never reign, and the marriage will b
fatal TO your dynasty" This settled the matter
The King and Queen still personally desired tn
, wedding 10 take place, ana 80 did the genera
public. But the final decision was against II
! | Prince Ferdinand swGre that he would not Civ
, | up his fiancee, but would resign his claims (
the succession first. lie was prevailed upon no
TO take this STEP however, at least for the present
though there are those who think he is still llSel
TO do so. lie has gone to Germany, and will no
return TO Rumania for a long time. Mile. Vaca
resco has also given up her place at Court and re
5 turned TO her parents.