The morning call., 1893-10-15

Ludwig retired to the mountains, but
neither would give any explanation OF the
quarrel. Because the lovers themselves
would explain nothing, friends tried to dis
cover the reason for so serious a separa-
ton, and at last it was said that an enemy
of the Duchess had Informed the King that
his fiancee really loved man of low degree.
OF course, Ludwig was unreasonable and
of most violent temper; he believed the re-
port and insulted his cousin. while she
was powerless to defend herself before an
insane lover.
There was not one word of truth in the
report. for although the five beautiful
daughters of Duke Macmillan detested
court life, although they preferred horses
and dogs to courtiers, they were honest
and true, bold and brave. They were not
much troubled with tutors and governesses
and were oftener in the stables or riding
over the country than In their palaces.
The Duchess Sophie was terribly shocked
at her cousins accusation, and told him
that under no conditions would she marry
him and that she would not give herself
the trouble to refute the charge. The rel
atiyes tried to make peace, but even then
Ludwig was almost a madman, and the
Duchess SOPHIE a proud. sensitive girl.
They were separated forever and the rO-
nance became an historical tragedy, its
elimination the King of Bavaria's mys-
lerious death. Since that trouble the
Duchess Sophie has not been strong
mentally nor physically.
The news of King Ludwig's death deeply
affected her, and her mental agitation
alarmed the family. She was placed under
the care Of her brother, Prince Charles
Theodore, who is skillful physician. and
by his advice the Duchess of d'Alencon
was sent to a private asylum near Gratz.
The Duke d'Alencon was not allowed to
accompany his wife, but he took house
in the neighborhood of the asylum. The
apartment of the Duchess was entirely
separate from that of the other inmates.
and the servants who waited upon her
wore the d'Alencon livery. Now the
Duchess is completely restored to health
and when in Paris has her home at the
Hotel Campbell. A few years ago the
Duke d'Alencon occupied the residence 9
Avenue Kleber. but that is now the home
of his father. the Duke de Nemours.
Those who knew the five daughters of
Duke Maximilan of Bavaria in their
youth say that they were all remarkably
handsome. One who met them in Rome
tells me: II never saw such beautiful
women as those five princesses OF the Ba "
arian Wittelsburg ducal house, and each
one had romance" They are the ex-
Queen of Naples, the Countess de Trani,
whose husband WAS brother of the King
of Naples. the Princess of Thurn and
Taxis. the Empress Of Austria, and the
Duchess d'Alencon.
The ex-Queen of Naples is well known
to Parlsians. With the King. Queen Marie
lives in the fourth story of the Hotel Vou-
illemont. Rue b issy d'Anglas, and sie
royal couple prefer to be known as Duke
and Duchess de Castro. They live in the
Quetest manner, visiting no one, aud re-
ceiving only members Of the family. The
Queen never goes to the theater. but
the King is happiest when he can
conceal himself in dark corner
of box at the Opera and listen quietly to
the music. King Francis always goes to
the o'clock mass at the Church of the
Madeleine, and his Majesty never drives.
When the Champs Elysees are filled with
brilliant equipages at O'Clock in the after
noon, no one would recognize in the quiet
pedestrian StrOlIlng up and down de-
scendant of Louis XIV. The Queen. how
ever, is as fond of horses as her sister. the
Empress of Austria. and it is said that
when she was in Rome she was always on
horseback.
The sculptor Miss Hosmer was one OF
the Queens esteemed friends, and a bond
of union was their love for horses. The
Queen visited Miss Hosmer at her studio,
and then the two would go to the scnlp-
tors stable, sit in the loose box and chat
on all subjects in which they were In
terested. About three years ago the King
and Queen of Naples celebrated their sill.
yer wedding. and then it was the Duchess
d 'Alencon who presided over all the 1eteS.
The Duke d. 'Alencon's brother. the Count
d'Eu. is married to the daughter of the
late Emperor of Brazil. The Countess
d 'Eu won the respect of tile world by abol-
ishing slavery in Brazil during her re-
gency The Duke de Nemours. father Of
the Duke d'Alencon, is one OF the most
interesting members OF the Orleans fam
lily. He IS strikingly handsome, even at
the age of 70. and on horseback he might
be taken for man Of so. At the time OF
the revolution of 1S48 the Duke de Ne
mours went TO England, but since 1871 his
home has been in France. For some time
he lived in the palatial residence Avenue
du Bois de Boulogne, now occupied by
| Nine. Ephrussi (nee Rothschild). but few
years ago he transferred his LaIes and
| Penates TO The late home OF the Duke
d'Alencon. The Duke de Nemours IS the
only living member Of the Order OF tho
holy Ghost-an order now abolished.
BARONESS ALTHEA SALVADOR.