A Royal Romance.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 7071, 17 February 1893, Page 2

A Royal Romance.

Next to the annual tableaux vivante, which, as usual, Colonel Collins has in hand, the chief topic of conversation at Osborne just now is the obstinacy of the Queen of fioumania who flatly refuses to attend her son’s marriage with Princess Marie of Edinburgh. “ Carmen Bjlva" still clings to, or, rather, sticks to Helene Yacaresco, whom she tried so hard to secure as a daughter-in-law, and openly states she considers Ferdinand acted scandalously to her protege. Really, the young man was not to blame. After being brought up with the greatest austerity on an ancestral domain in Germany, where sport and literature were his sole relaxations, the Prince was suddenly thrown into the constant society of Helene Yacaresco The (several years hie senior and a trifle embonpoint) had lovely eyes, with which she did rare execution. The Queen encouraged a mutual attachment, and, before poor Ferdinand had ever been out into the world or sera “ fair women and brave men ’’ ho was engaged to hia mother’s protegi The Sing of Roumama waxed extremely wrath over his wife's folly, and, after an interview with Ferdinand, in the course of which the latter vowed eternal fidelity to the beauteous Helene, sent the boy abroad to travel and forget. Naturally the affair took the usual course cf calf loves. The prince soon discovered he had never cared a row of pins for Mdlle. Yacaresco, but, like most young men similarly placed, he nominally stuck to her till he realy fell in love. This occurred {bring a visit to the Duke of Edinburgh at >. obu>g. The Princess Maiie all who knew her consider a simple, unaffected English girl, j thoroughly wed brought up. The Duke and Duche.-s of Edinburgh may not be popular royalties, but their bitterest enemies admit they are devoted to their children. Princess ! Marie was educated with the greatest care, and is highly accomplished. She voluntarily learnt shorthand, type-writes her own verses, can compose a little, and paint a little. Her forte, however, is art needlework, for which she has, under a nom de plume, gained many prizes at South Remington. When Prince Ferdinand proposed to Princess Marie he told her, with the Duke of Edinburgh’s consent all about Helene Vaeareeco. As Her Royal Highness loved the lad, it was not hard to forgive him the iniisoretion. Possibly, however, her “ Yes” might have been longer coming if Mdlle, Yacaresco, hoping with spleen and jealouiy, had not begun sending the Prince’s letters to his old lave to the new oue to read. Tbe pettiness of this aot disgusted the Princess and convinced her Ferdinand had in his innocence and ignorance of the world been entrappfd by a designing woman. She hesitated no longer, and the engagement was announced. “Carmen Sylva" and her "adopted daughter,” as she called Mdlle. Yacaresco, are still inseparable. The Queen will act very foolishly if she persists in affronting her son and new daughter-in law. «. ur Queen calls "Carmen Bylvu ” crazed, and affects relief that it is her whim to ignore tha wedding.—(Dunedin Star.)