The herald., 1896-03-29
figures will be used in the proceedings
against King Leopold.
HOPELESS IMBECILE

HOPELESS IMBECILE
Carlotta's household at Bouchoute is
run on very modest plan. As the
queen is hopeless imbecile there is
no excuse for show of any kind. OF
late years she has had no lucid mo-
ments, her mind being complete
blank from one days end to the next.
Only the necessary servants and
nurses are in the castle and one lady
of honor. A number of ladies be-
longing to the nobility of Bel
GUM have formed little society,
the purpose of which is to supply
q lady of honor to poor Carlotts.
These ladies take turns at the service,
each staying week at Bouchoute. The
service is most disagreeable,a as Carlotta
regards every one with suspicion. and,
moreover, has demoniacal fits, which
endsnger the safety of every one who
may be near her. She used to be one
of the vainest and best dressed women
in Europe, rivaling even the splendor
Of the Empress Eugene, but now she
goes to extremes in the opposite direc-
ton.
Leopold, while bothered immensely,
still continues his hirtations with the
concert hall queens Of Europe. Emil
lenne d'Alencon of the Folies Bergere
in Paris is still on friendly terms with
him. although his ready cash is ex-
tremely small. The d'Alencon for a
time was one of the favorites of the late
Max Lebaudy, add it was he who gave
her enough money to spend 100000
francs year for the rest of her life if
she manages her finances carefully.
She ranks as one of the deml-monde
whose presence at public events is
duly chronicled in the public prints.
After the names of people of society
mentioned as attending the opera,
races or theater, the papers note the
presence among the demi-monde of
Mile. d'Alencon. She has numbered
among her admirers members of the
nobility, and one scion of house
whose history dates back to Charlie.
magne was packed away to China to
break off his infatuation for her. He
died there, and she mourned him gar
ishly before all Paris.
AN HUMBLE DEBUT
Mile. d'Alencon's photograph has
been in the shop windows of Paris for
several years. She was first heard of
some half dozen years ago at the Cirque
d'Ete in the Champs Elysees, where
she eXhlblted some trained raDDlts.
The story goes that she had worked in
provincial hotel, where wealthy
man noticed her. She was not beauti-
full. but she was. pretty and her figure
was attractive.
He brought her to Paris. and as a
pretext installed her as the exhibitor
Of performing rabbits at the summer
circus. She appeared in bloomers and
put the rabbits through some OF the
old tricks of performing dogs. They
bowed and rolled over. The rabbits
were voted very intelligent; not SO
Mile. d'Alencon. She was put down as
very stupid. But she did not hide her
light nor bury her talent; she wore
blOomers.
She had come to Paris poor, but in q
short time she had horses and carriages
and hotels, and she drove in the Bois
with the rest of Paris. She was still
called stupid, but she was fashionable
and she had admirers and wanted
more. She danced at the Folies and
in the Champs Elysees, not OF neces
sity but for exploitation.
Leopold will be 81 years old on April
9 next. The kings mother was French
! ! lie was grandson Of the Queen
Of Louis Philippe, and he Is