The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-02-10
A FRENCH FIANcEE AND BRIDE.
The Wife Of n Famous Novelist Re-
lntes Her Emotions in These Roles


lntes Her Emotions in These Roles
The betrothal and marriage of Nine.
Octave Feuiliet is told by herself. with
charming naivette and wit in "Queloues
Annees de Ma Vie"
was nearly 10 years old. Ny mother
insisted that I must marry Every week
she presented a new aspirant. but when.
after each interview. she asked. Does
this one suit you?" I replied: ''No. not
this one"
Ny father urged me also. It was gener-
ally during our horseback rides in the
country, while we let our horses walk
along the pretty routes, that he undertook
my conversion.
I know some one" he said one day.
who loves you. and who this morning has
asked for your hand
Another? Good heavens
yes, another; but I hope you will not
rebel when you hear the name Of this
one"
Tell me, my father, who is it?"
1T is your cousin, Octave Feuillet"
What, my cousin! Is it possible that
he loves me! He hardly knows me, living
so far away. / have perhaps danced
three times with him, and that is all"
Very well. that is sufficient. He desires
you to become his wife. He desires it
ardently. Your mother and would be in
despair should you disappoint him with a
refusal"
My father. let me have q little time for
reflection"
Not too long" answered my father.
and may God inspire you"
God inspired me that same night to think
my cousin charming. Again, in imagina-
ton. I saw him at those three balls VIII ere
1 had danced with HIM, and had recalled
his handsome figure and bearing. his dis
tinguished-looking features and his slight
ly naughty air. I remembered the grace
with which he bowed to q woman. particu-
larly to my mother. l recalled the words
he had spoken TO the music Of the orchee-
ira during the quadri les-words which
did not resemble in any way the trivial
phrases I was accustomed to hear. lie
talked as well as he wrote. lie had al
ready great literary reputation among
literary persons, and his novels and poems
were making a sensation in the world
And was il who was destined to become
the wife OF this poet, of this gentleman?
I could not believe in such good fortune.
In accepting II I felt uneasy. It seemed
to ME impossible not to dsappoint the
ACCOMPLISHED beng who had degned to
choose me When 7 thought of his worth
I felt my own infer GRITTY. I found myself
provincial and ignorant. Nevertheless,
nv father had said that he loved me. He
loved me in spite of all my deficiencies. II
remained for me to recompense him by
working for Reinforcement After
having devoted my thoughts exclusively to
him, I turned in imagination to the exist
ence we would lead. We should doubtless
live in Paris this beautiful Paris VIII en-
I had not seen since the journey with The
ladies Of -. No more visits to the tombs
of St Denis but presentations to the
friends of my husband And drives Ii
facres from museums TO churches, and
from churches to museums. And then,
the installation of our apartment. and the
purchasing of elegant furniture which
would make it charming. How beautifm
did all these dreanls appear when l COM
nared them with the monotony of the pres
ent.
sleep till morning.
shall never forget that evening when
nv cousin came the first time as a iance
We waited him in my mothers room. My
"a +her walked up and down, giving me his
arm. Ny brothers were on the staircase
ready to fall on the neck of the visitor.
when | heard the bell ring, which caused
conmotion throughout the house, ] was so
soitated. SO troubled, so nervous over the
nv role assigned me that, losing all
thought of propriety, all desire TO please
nv lance. I ran toward the window and
e1valoned myself ia the curtains. There
Sbo11I5 have remained intrenched behind
tbeea curtain, a position which would
bavA given me confidence. had not my
father Indignantly unrolled me and
to-ovvn me into the arms of my cousin,
vrho appeared a little surprised at this
ut IS timidity,' said my mother, in a
1o7v voice. at the same time smoothing my
r1ffIed hair. she loves you, am sure.
This undigniied reception did not dis
oour7ge my fance. He made me pretty
sneeches all the evening, and happy prom
isas re- which I listened with down-cast
a,-as The next day came some charming
,,sr-es from him. addressed to my mother
b,,+'which had inspired.
ON the 18th of March, 1857, I awakened
~ an early hour. being unable to sleep
IN account of my emotion. 1t was the
6av I was to leave the paternal home
and take in the presence Of Cod my title
as madame.
Midnight was the customary hour for
Marriages in our part of the country.
vas in hopes of having the day to myself,
but l was obliged to busy myself in all
sorts Of ways, to try on for the last time
NV wedding gown, 70 arrange flowers, and
SO forth