The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-14
THE NEW AMERICAN DUCHESS.
The La Rochefou cauld-M tcheT Msr-
rage v as Purely a Love Z fair.
r-,-., fts N-ss- vi. g.,

The La Rochefou cauld-M tchen Mr.
rage v as Purely q Love Z fair.
From the Nei1 York sun
! WAsHINGTOS, Feb. 1.-THE marriage Of
| Miss Mitchell and the Duke de la Rocbefou-
cauld is one in which the people of Wash
ington have taken a deep interest. Their
courtship extended over several years
ami was viewed with varying
/ degrees Of interest by friends and acqueint-
ance here. When the young folks first be-
/ gan 80 betray an interest IN each other.
/ further intimacy was discouraged by the
/ young lsdY's parents. Senator and Mrs.
I Mitchell, who preferred that their
/ daughter should we and Ameri-
can. They were naturally fearful in
view Of the constantly increasing
number of undesirable internationally mar
Tiages. that Miss Mattie's happiness might
be impsriled by an alliance with one Of
foreign birth, whose tastes and inclinations,
the result of generations Of training and en-
vironment, would vary SO widely from her
own. The feelings OF the parents were
fully made known to Miss Mitchell and a
perfect understanding was arrived at be-
tween them. Loyalty devoted TO the object
OF her affection; she yet gave abundant
proof Of strong filial love aud promised that
she would wed no one without their consent.
Mrs. and Miss Mitchell returned to the
United States at about this time, the
parents hoping that the daughters affections
might by absepce and change Of scene be
Withdrawn from the gallant young French
man.
I'VE kept her here three years" said the
senator, but time aad distance made no
impression upon her. She and the duke
kept up a correspondence all the while they
were separated, the cable being frequently
used when the mails proved too slow. Our
opposition to the match had also another
element-the attitude Of the dowager
duchess. She had not met my daughter
during Mattie's first visit to France and
earlier acquaintance with her son. A family
alliance between the duke and a cousin had
been planned by his mother, aud until she
should express a desire to have her son wed
our daughter we would not consent to an en-
gagement Last year Mrs. Mitchell was
ordered by her physicians to a famous
French bath II she would regain her health,
and Matte went with her. Soon after her
arrival the duke called aud renewed his
suit. Matte wrote a letter, stating the
facts. and saying: L will be perfectly
frank with you. Frank las she called him
has been to Sec us. and the old question is
before US. As | told you, will marry no
one without your consent. We are old
enough 10 know our own minds, and If
Frank and [ may not marry each other we
have determined that we will never marry
at ALL 1t came then to be question of my
daughters happiness, and determined no
longer TO be bar thereto, and to give my con-
sent to the marriage. She had already won
over her mother If the dowager duchess
were satisfied. So 1 wrote asking what she
thought Of the matter. In the meantime
she had met Matte and became enthusi-
astically in favor Of the match, urging it
upon Mrs. Mitchell and Matte This be-
ing made known to me, there was no longer
any reason for holding out against It and
my consent went over. The dowager
duchess, you will see, gave the diner de
contrat after the civil marriage at her
Paris residence. The duke and his bride
will start on wedding tour, which will in
clude this country, reaching here some time
in the spring.