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J. Passepartout & Vincent Julien: The main reason I didn't use George was that his personality and history is a bit too well known, and I wanted someone I could write my own character into (with apologies to the real Victor Bonaparte!)
prussiablue: I guess so!
Blame my love of Dallas...
BBBD: Well read on to discover...
Part 42: The 31 of '91
Above: The interior of the Montreal Palace
Halifax found himself summoned to a meeting with the Regent at the beginning of February. They had of course met before, but the Regent's note had made it clear that this was to be a disscussion about policy.
While waiting in the sumptuous waiting room he noticed a young man in the uniform of a cavalry officer admiring some of the paintings in the Blue Hall, across the way. For a moment he almost greeted the young lieutenant, but then realised this man was a stranger. His face was extremely familiar (though he was certain they had never met), yet he couldn't quite place it...
Intterupted from these musings he entered the Regent's office and attempted to avoid an instinctive wince of disdain. An instinctive puritan (in personality if not church), he felt ill at ease with the tasteless grandeur the Regent had chosen to surround himself with. True the old Emperor had been appropriately lavish in his surroundings, but he had also possessed taste and appreciation for talent. Which was not a flaw shared by Prince Victor, judging by the enormous, garish portrait of the first Napoleon at some battle (it was unclear which) that the cretinous painter had somehow managed to make both dull and ugly (the great man looked like nothing so much as a bloated invalid in the throes of jaundice waving a sabre in a manner the artist clearly hoped to look heroic, but rather came across as petulant.)
Things went badly at once: "I have decided," spoke the Regent in accented French (that is to say not the Quebec accent practically everyone who spoke French in Canada these days used), "that the former Ligue de Napoléon members in gaol or exile are to recieve an Imperial Pardon. As far as I can see they were brave men who served their country and Emperor, and deserved better than to rot behind bars. Unfortunatly I believe 5 of them passed on, but that still leaves 31 to be released, and others to be recalled."
Halifax nodded politely yet coolly. "I'm sure His Majesty knows what he was doing. Nevertheless surely this is a matter for the goverment..."
The Regent waved his hand dismissively. "I have decided, and that is that. The powers of the Imperial throne are invested in me Prime Minister, not in the House."
An uneasy silence followed, before Prince Victor spoke again: "I intend to issue a Decree raising rural taxes by 5%. According to reports I have recieved the police is grossly underfunded as it is and I see no recourse other than to take it to the peasants..."
This was too much. "Your Majesty taxation is the perogative of the Parliament and Cabinet! The Monarch must remain above politics!"
"I have examined our Constitution throughly Prime Minister, and I believe the time has come for a little more Monarchy and a little less Constitutionalism. You are dissmissed sir. I shall send for you."
Above: The Younger Boulanger (Jean Belaouf)
As a fuming Halifax walked out of his audience he again caught a glimpse of the oddly familiar fellow in the distance. Summoning a nearby servant he asked him who the stranger was.
"That is Lieutenant Belaouf sir, a close friend of His Majesty."
"Belaouf... curious name," mused the Prime Minister.
"Mohammeden I believe," said the servant disdainfully, "his mother was an Algerian I believe. His father was a French officer - huh an illegitimate!"
Halifax gasped as the resemblance hit home. He could see it clearly now: "Lieutenant Belaouf" could be none other than a son of the late, unlamented General Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger.
prussiablue: I guess so!
Blame my love of Dallas...BBBD: Well read on to discover...
Part 42: The 31 of '91
Above: The interior of the Montreal Palace
Halifax found himself summoned to a meeting with the Regent at the beginning of February. They had of course met before, but the Regent's note had made it clear that this was to be a disscussion about policy.
While waiting in the sumptuous waiting room he noticed a young man in the uniform of a cavalry officer admiring some of the paintings in the Blue Hall, across the way. For a moment he almost greeted the young lieutenant, but then realised this man was a stranger. His face was extremely familiar (though he was certain they had never met), yet he couldn't quite place it...
Intterupted from these musings he entered the Regent's office and attempted to avoid an instinctive wince of disdain. An instinctive puritan (in personality if not church), he felt ill at ease with the tasteless grandeur the Regent had chosen to surround himself with. True the old Emperor had been appropriately lavish in his surroundings, but he had also possessed taste and appreciation for talent. Which was not a flaw shared by Prince Victor, judging by the enormous, garish portrait of the first Napoleon at some battle (it was unclear which) that the cretinous painter had somehow managed to make both dull and ugly (the great man looked like nothing so much as a bloated invalid in the throes of jaundice waving a sabre in a manner the artist clearly hoped to look heroic, but rather came across as petulant.)
Things went badly at once: "I have decided," spoke the Regent in accented French (that is to say not the Quebec accent practically everyone who spoke French in Canada these days used), "that the former Ligue de Napoléon members in gaol or exile are to recieve an Imperial Pardon. As far as I can see they were brave men who served their country and Emperor, and deserved better than to rot behind bars. Unfortunatly I believe 5 of them passed on, but that still leaves 31 to be released, and others to be recalled."
Halifax nodded politely yet coolly. "I'm sure His Majesty knows what he was doing. Nevertheless surely this is a matter for the goverment..."
The Regent waved his hand dismissively. "I have decided, and that is that. The powers of the Imperial throne are invested in me Prime Minister, not in the House."
An uneasy silence followed, before Prince Victor spoke again: "I intend to issue a Decree raising rural taxes by 5%. According to reports I have recieved the police is grossly underfunded as it is and I see no recourse other than to take it to the peasants..."
This was too much. "Your Majesty taxation is the perogative of the Parliament and Cabinet! The Monarch must remain above politics!"
"I have examined our Constitution throughly Prime Minister, and I believe the time has come for a little more Monarchy and a little less Constitutionalism. You are dissmissed sir. I shall send for you."
Above: The Younger Boulanger (Jean Belaouf)
As a fuming Halifax walked out of his audience he again caught a glimpse of the oddly familiar fellow in the distance. Summoning a nearby servant he asked him who the stranger was.
"That is Lieutenant Belaouf sir, a close friend of His Majesty."
"Belaouf... curious name," mused the Prime Minister.
"Mohammeden I believe," said the servant disdainfully, "his mother was an Algerian I believe. His father was a French officer - huh an illegitimate!"
Halifax gasped as the resemblance hit home. He could see it clearly now: "Lieutenant Belaouf" could be none other than a son of the late, unlamented General Georges Ernest Jean-Marie Boulanger.
I like this new emperor, now I demand that he ban all parties except the CIP!.
Great update RossN
Great update RossN
I don't. i think the new regent is pushing the wrong person here. Halifax should act now before it's too late. It's one thing to keep him on the throne but it's another when he starts to think he is the throne. After all he may reign but he shall not rule...
BTW : The title of your AAR is .."The Republic of Canada". Now it's the time and chance to abolish this useless monarchy system.
BTW : The title of your AAR is .."The Republic of Canada". Now it's the time and chance to abolish this useless monarchy system.
Victor Napoléon looks pernicious. I propose that he fall down the stairs one day and break his neck, and then King George becomes regent. Or some other reputable character.
BBBD: Regent, not Emperor. We'll see...
prussiablue: I'm afraid you may be dissapointed. Mistitled though this AAR may be (because this absolutely was the way I planned to go when I started it....) Halifax, a Conservative monarchist is certainly not going to do away with the Empire!
J. Passepartout: But reputable characters are such dull dogs!
Part 43: Wheels within wheels
Though the Conservatives and Liberals fumed and many an editorial took a harsh line the Trente et un did indeed walk free, to scenes of wild acclimation. The Ligue was not what it was, but they still managed to russle up a thousand supporters to welcome the released men in the Emperor Louis Railway Station in Montreal. Amongst them was that familiar young man, the Younger Boulanger.
He could hardly claim any great history with the Ligue, and his youth told against him. Yet he had two things such tough old hands as Pascal Aiton or Claude Devereux lacked: great personal charm and a great name behind him. Therefore it was perhaps not all that suprising that a half-Algerian illegitimate was elected new Chairman of the re-established Ligue de Napoléon at a meeting on the 8th of February in Montreal's famous Hôtel Impérial.
Above: The Ligue leadership in meeting, 8th February 1900
After accepting the thanks from his fellows and proposing a toast to both the living Regent and his late father, the Younger Boulanger got down to business.
"The problem as I see it mes amis, is that Canada has been without strong goverment so long the people have become hoodwinked in thinking that Conservative or Liberal, or, Lord forgive us, Socialist. I aim to change that - not with the threat of the sabre and the bomb as in my fathers day, but with words, pamphlets and votes."
From the other side of the table came a sceptical snort. Aiton. The tough old ex-Colonel, veteran of Metz and Boulangerist to the death disliked this too dashing, too brilliant young sprog of the great man. "With respect," he drawled, "our candidates haven't won a seat in nine years. We are locked out of Parliament."
"Then, perhaps it is a good idea I don't intend to fight a bye-election," said the young man with a cold smile, "we need something grander, with more national appeal, without being an automatic lock out. As it would happen just such an oppurtunity is coming."
He took on a solemn, dutiful expression. "Gentlemen, meet the next Mayor of Quebec City"
We'll see...prussiablue: I'm afraid you may be dissapointed.
Mistitled though this AAR may be (because this absolutely was the way I planned to go when I started it....) Halifax, a Conservative monarchist is certainly not going to do away with the Empire! J. Passepartout: But reputable characters are such dull dogs!
Part 43: Wheels within wheels
Above: Two newly freed Ligue members in a friendly duel.
Though the Conservatives and Liberals fumed and many an editorial took a harsh line the Trente et un did indeed walk free, to scenes of wild acclimation. The Ligue was not what it was, but they still managed to russle up a thousand supporters to welcome the released men in the Emperor Louis Railway Station in Montreal. Amongst them was that familiar young man, the Younger Boulanger.
He could hardly claim any great history with the Ligue, and his youth told against him. Yet he had two things such tough old hands as Pascal Aiton or Claude Devereux lacked: great personal charm and a great name behind him. Therefore it was perhaps not all that suprising that a half-Algerian illegitimate was elected new Chairman of the re-established Ligue de Napoléon at a meeting on the 8th of February in Montreal's famous Hôtel Impérial.
Above: The Ligue leadership in meeting, 8th February 1900
After accepting the thanks from his fellows and proposing a toast to both the living Regent and his late father, the Younger Boulanger got down to business.
"The problem as I see it mes amis, is that Canada has been without strong goverment so long the people have become hoodwinked in thinking that Conservative or Liberal, or, Lord forgive us, Socialist. I aim to change that - not with the threat of the sabre and the bomb as in my fathers day, but with words, pamphlets and votes."
From the other side of the table came a sceptical snort. Aiton. The tough old ex-Colonel, veteran of Metz and Boulangerist to the death disliked this too dashing, too brilliant young sprog of the great man. "With respect," he drawled, "our candidates haven't won a seat in nine years. We are locked out of Parliament."
"Then, perhaps it is a good idea I don't intend to fight a bye-election," said the young man with a cold smile, "we need something grander, with more national appeal, without being an automatic lock out. As it would happen just such an oppurtunity is coming."
He took on a solemn, dutiful expression. "Gentlemen, meet the next Mayor of Quebec City"
That's just what Canada needs right now, good strong leadership. Restore the monarchy to its rightful place!
As always a brief but absolute gem of an update. Mayor of Quebec..heh. Surely a stepping stone for something bigger. Should Halifax be worried? I think yes.
hurricanehunter: I'm sure there are many who are with you on that!
J. Passepartout: Well not quite yet! They haven't even buried the old mayor yet!
prussiablue: A planned stepping yes... but surely Halifax with his years of experience, majority in parliament and great resources of the Conservative Party of Canada behind him has nothing to worry about. Right?
Part 44: House of Cards
Felix Laroche, born in Quebec City in 1839 had been famous for most of his life. He had flown ballons in the late 50's and early 60's, establishing and breaking many records. He had attempted twice (unsuccessfully) to cross Canada by balloon in '62 and '64, but his dashing failure gave him almost as much fame and celebrity as a success. After the Fenian Invasion, he had largely retired from his youthful exploits to begin a second career: writing about birds. Though an amateur ornithologist he had penned several well regarded pieces on the subject, especially his iconic Raptors of Canada, wildly considered the gold standard on the subject. His controversial 1880 essay: The Decline of the Passenger Pigeon on the other hand won few friends with his claim that the Passenger Pigeon - the most populous bird on Earth! - was in danger of extinction within a generation.
Fortunately events distracted him from a reputation damaging public row over his theories as the Napoleonic Tide of '82 swept across the nation, and swept Felix right along with it into a third career of politics. After a meeting with the Prince Imperial during that groundbreaking election Felix had become an enthusiastic and successful Imperialist: serving first as an MP (83-84), then Mayor (85 onwards). He had after much agonising choice followed his good friend Taillon (now Minister of Defence) into the Conservatives. A wise choice it had turned out.
But now Felix's streak of luck was finally at an end - he was at deaths door with consumption. In truth he had not been quite the same since the death of his wife (also from consumption), but his loss would still be profoundly felt. Which meant an election.
"Who looks like they are going to run?" asked Halifax of Tallion as they dined at the Arcadian Club.
The Minister of Defence, a little red eyed (he had visited his dear friend Felix the previous morning and wept unmanfully at his condtion) handed over a list of names: "The Liberals are going with Bernard Hogan - the MP's son I believe, while the Socialts are probably going to field Étienne Daly. Oh and I've heard a disturbing rumour: the Younger Boulanger might run."
Halifax's impressive eyebrows nearly dissappeared into his tatch of graying hair. "Does he seriously think he can win?"
Tallion shrugged: "He's young. They always think they can win."
J. Passepartout: Well not quite yet! They haven't even buried the old mayor yet!
prussiablue: A planned stepping yes... but surely Halifax with his years of experience, majority in parliament and great resources of the Conservative Party of Canada behind him has nothing to worry about. Right?
Part 44: House of Cards
Above: Felix Laroche (seen here on a hunting trip with his wife in 1892), Mayor of Quebec from 1885 to 1900
Felix Laroche, born in Quebec City in 1839 had been famous for most of his life. He had flown ballons in the late 50's and early 60's, establishing and breaking many records. He had attempted twice (unsuccessfully) to cross Canada by balloon in '62 and '64, but his dashing failure gave him almost as much fame and celebrity as a success. After the Fenian Invasion, he had largely retired from his youthful exploits to begin a second career: writing about birds. Though an amateur ornithologist he had penned several well regarded pieces on the subject, especially his iconic Raptors of Canada, wildly considered the gold standard on the subject. His controversial 1880 essay: The Decline of the Passenger Pigeon on the other hand won few friends with his claim that the Passenger Pigeon - the most populous bird on Earth! - was in danger of extinction within a generation.
Fortunately events distracted him from a reputation damaging public row over his theories as the Napoleonic Tide of '82 swept across the nation, and swept Felix right along with it into a third career of politics. After a meeting with the Prince Imperial during that groundbreaking election Felix had become an enthusiastic and successful Imperialist: serving first as an MP (83-84), then Mayor (85 onwards). He had after much agonising choice followed his good friend Taillon (now Minister of Defence) into the Conservatives. A wise choice it had turned out.
But now Felix's streak of luck was finally at an end - he was at deaths door with consumption. In truth he had not been quite the same since the death of his wife (also from consumption), but his loss would still be profoundly felt. Which meant an election.
Above: The luxurious interior of the elite Arcadian Club, Montreal
"Who looks like they are going to run?" asked Halifax of Tallion as they dined at the Arcadian Club.
The Minister of Defence, a little red eyed (he had visited his dear friend Felix the previous morning and wept unmanfully at his condtion) handed over a list of names: "The Liberals are going with Bernard Hogan - the MP's son I believe, while the Socialts are probably going to field Étienne Daly. Oh and I've heard a disturbing rumour: the Younger Boulanger might run."
Halifax's impressive eyebrows nearly dissappeared into his tatch of graying hair. "Does he seriously think he can win?"
Tallion shrugged: "He's young. They always think they can win."
Frequently they think they can will because they can. But not always.
Laroche is a good man, but you can't have a half dead guy as your mayor.
Laroche is a good man, but you can't have a half dead guy as your mayor.
Bah. This political bungling by the regent will only create instability. Someone should tell this rabble of parvenus to bugger off to a hut on the far side of Manitoba and not to show themselves again in Quebec if they value their goolies.
prussiablue: And perhaps what Blair says of Cameron?
J. Passepartout: Indeed. Luckily the Conservatives have a potential candidate waiting in the wings.
Vincent Julien: Am I to take it you don't intend to vote Boulangerist in the election then?
Part 45: At the gates
Technically the next Mayoral election was not due until April of 1901, but the general political consensus held that Laroche wouldn't see the New Year, so the parties began planning their candidates several months early.
The CIP had hoped to run popular Artic War hero Major Mackenzie for Quebec, but unfortunatly he had already set his sights on winning a seat in the next al Election (due in early 1902, so about a year and a half away). After considerable debate they finally picked a dull but honest councilman named Jean-Baptiste Louimet and hoped to trade on his experienced record and inncorruptability.
The Socialists on the other hand had fielded without hesitation Étienne Daly. A young man himself (though not so young as the Younger Boulanger) Daly was the son of an old Fenian and a French-Canadian mother (a common enough background it has to be said), who had departed a promising future in studying law to join Jim Connolly's party. An impassioned orator and brilliant political thinker he was considered a very strong candidate indeed, even by those inclined to discount the Socialists.
The Liberals had little choice but to pick Bernard Hogan jr. Bernard Hogan snr was a powerful and wealthy local MP and party boss and so now that his son was of appropriate age it was natural that Junior should run for something important. Bernard Hogan jr was not entirely unhandsome and had pleasant manners and that was about all that could be said of him given that he was a vapid dandy entirely unburdened by any great depth of thought. Still he had a name and lots of money behind him.
Meanwhile the Conservatives had decided on a different strategy. Gédéon Ouimet was 77 and half deaf, but he was also a poltical legend in Quebec as the leader of the Québécois in the prehistoric days of the Fenian Republic. He had negotiated an extremely favourable treaty with President O'Neill in 1870 (which lasted until the establishment of the Empire) and had ran for President himself in 1873 in the very first Canadian Presidential Election. Though visibly frail he'd retained his wits and after a personal appeal to his patriotism by Halifax had left a comfortable retirement of two decades to accept the Conservative nomination. The hope of course was the age, experience and fame could beat youth, dash and vigour.
Thus was the state of the main parties on the 24th of September 1900, when Felix Laroche at last passed into the next world to be united with his beloved wife.
J. Passepartout: Indeed. Luckily the Conservatives have a potential candidate waiting in the wings.
Vincent Julien: Am I to take it you don't intend to vote Boulangerist in the election then?
Part 45: At the gates
Above: Candidates for the race: Bernard Hogan jr (Liberals, left) and Jean-Baptiste Louimet (CIP, right) with Étienne Daly (Socialist, back)
Technically the next Mayoral election was not due until April of 1901, but the general political consensus held that Laroche wouldn't see the New Year, so the parties began planning their candidates several months early.
The CIP had hoped to run popular Artic War hero Major Mackenzie for Quebec, but unfortunatly he had already set his sights on winning a seat in the next al Election (due in early 1902, so about a year and a half away). After considerable debate they finally picked a dull but honest councilman named Jean-Baptiste Louimet and hoped to trade on his experienced record and inncorruptability.
The Socialists on the other hand had fielded without hesitation Étienne Daly. A young man himself (though not so young as the Younger Boulanger) Daly was the son of an old Fenian and a French-Canadian mother (a common enough background it has to be said), who had departed a promising future in studying law to join Jim Connolly's party. An impassioned orator and brilliant political thinker he was considered a very strong candidate indeed, even by those inclined to discount the Socialists.
The Liberals had little choice but to pick Bernard Hogan jr. Bernard Hogan snr was a powerful and wealthy local MP and party boss and so now that his son was of appropriate age it was natural that Junior should run for something important. Bernard Hogan jr was not entirely unhandsome and had pleasant manners and that was about all that could be said of him given that he was a vapid dandy entirely unburdened by any great depth of thought. Still he had a name and lots of money behind him.
Above: Gédéon Ouimet (born. June 2, 1823), the GOM of Quebec
Meanwhile the Conservatives had decided on a different strategy. Gédéon Ouimet was 77 and half deaf, but he was also a poltical legend in Quebec as the leader of the Québécois in the prehistoric days of the Fenian Republic. He had negotiated an extremely favourable treaty with President O'Neill in 1870 (which lasted until the establishment of the Empire) and had ran for President himself in 1873 in the very first Canadian Presidential Election. Though visibly frail he'd retained his wits and after a personal appeal to his patriotism by Halifax had left a comfortable retirement of two decades to accept the Conservative nomination. The hope of course was the age, experience and fame could beat youth, dash and vigour.
Thus was the state of the main parties on the 24th of September 1900, when Felix Laroche at last passed into the next world to be united with his beloved wife.
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Hmm, I would say that on paper the best candidate is the socialist Etienne Daly. All the other candidates (except possibly Boulanger) seem fairly weak.
so, what party banner does the Younger Boulanger run under?RossN said:
excellent updates! ! ! !
Whoever gets the most votes should win. I suspect, however, this will not be the case, and many citizens will embark on a campaign of civil disobidience in protest, which will hopefully culminate in the regent being dragged into internal exile in Newfoundland to take up a new position as a cow shit shoveller.
Well, RossN, I have finally read through the entire AAR suffering a few stops and starts over time (and no fault of yours or the work itself - just due to my time.) It is quite good! I love how you have focused so much time on the domestic issues of this Canada, especially the elections and parties. And one of the things I love about Victoria is the short time span that allows for certain characters to stick around for most of the period, and your Parnell and Devoy, among others, have certainly become memorable. Napoleon too - and so strange, yet very well explained and believable, that he should have become Emperor.
Sorry it took so long to become a regular reader, but that I will be going forward! Great stuff!!
Sorry it took so long to become a regular reader, but that I will be going forward! Great stuff!!
Fiftypence: Hmm, well 'on paper' has often not worked out so well. Perhaps Jean-Baptiste Louimet is merely pretending to be a dreary non-entity and will dazzle us all. (Probably not though)
GhostWriter: I'll reveal it shortly. Suffice to say our young man is going to aim for something a little more respectably conservative (in appearance anyway) than the old Ligue.
Vincent Julien: What on Earth has happened to provoke such cynicism?
J. Passepartout: Interesting choices. Of course a week is a long time in politics...
coz1: Well welcome aboard and thank you very much.
I was always a little uncertain about this AAR as it is both my first Victoria AAR and my first serious AAR. I'm paticularly glad you like the characters - most of whom are of course historical (though heavily fictionalised), and I agree that the limited time span of Victoria is perfect for getting some characterisation in.
I hope people are finding the entirely fictional characters (like Josephine, Victoria and the Younger Boulanger) ok too, especially with the more narrative episodes I find myself doing these days.
Speaking of which...
Part 46: Palace Intrigue
Above: Empress Joséphine I (left), and Princess Victoria Beatrice, Grand Duchess of Québec (right)
The Regent hosted a dinner party on the 1st of October. Amongst those inivited were the Spanish Ambassador Don Juan D'Alema, a short and clever looking Catalan with a trim mustache and beard, over to discuss the proposed, eventual, marriage of Princess Victoria-Beatrice to King Alfonso (which if agreed would not take place until 1904 at the earliest when both parties were 18). Also present was Jean Belaouf, taking a risk in taking time off from the busy campaign.
The dinner was a considerable success, with the young Empress (who had turned 16 on St. Patrick's Day) giving a favourable impression to all. A rather serious and prim young lady no would could accuse Joséphine of an excessive imagination or sense of humour, but her sense of duty, virtuousness and good nature seemed sterling qualities in a future constitutional monarch as D'Alema noted.
"However," he said to the Regent after dinner as he was preparing to leave, "I was dissapointed not to see the little Infanta. I hear she is growing up to be very pretty."
"She is indeed," said the Regent with perfect truth. Young Victoria-Beatrice who would turn 14 next month was quite clearly turning into a famous beauty, with long red hair, sparkling blue eyes and flawless skin. "Alas she was unwell..." he lied.
"I understand Your Majesty," said the Catalan smoothly, with an almost invisible arch to his eyebrow indicating he knew a front when he saw it. "I only hope I shall be afforded a chance to see her before I leave."
After he'd left the curious Belaouf raised an eyebrow of his own. "What's really the matter with the Princess?"
"Nothing a brain transplant couldn't sort out. She's in a terrible sulk and I didn't think it wise to present her to D'Alema in that state. Not that she won't have another crisis soon enough! The problem my friend is that my dear cousin has nothing whatsoever between her ears."
The Younger Boulanger almost choked on his brandy. "You mean she's... feeble?" he whispered.
"I almost wish," replied Prince Victor coldly, "at least then we could hide from the public. No she's merely spoilt, ferociously vain, shallow as a butter dish, boy crazy, willfully ignorant and a total featherhead. The kitchen servants call her the 'Heirhead Apparent' or 'Princess Moronica' behind her back. Or did till I had them replaced anyway."
Belaouf risked a quip: "Frankly my dear Victor I think you protest too much, though I admit I haven't met the girl. It's a well known fact that the only people more scatter witted than a young girl is a young man. Give her couple of years."
"Well I hope you're right, but the evidence is less than encouraging. The reason for this latest sulk concerns you in fact."
The younger man gave him a startled look. "I'm sorry?"
"Well earlier I was in an extended arguement with Her Grace the Grand Duchess of Québec after I noticed a newspaper cutting plastered on her wall. It seems Victoria has a crush on none other than your opponent: Étienne Daly, Socialist Candidate for the City of Quebec."
GhostWriter: I'll reveal it shortly. Suffice to say our young man is going to aim for something a little more respectably conservative (in appearance anyway) than the old Ligue.
Vincent Julien:
What on Earth has happened to provoke such cynicism?J. Passepartout: Interesting choices.
Of course a week is a long time in politics...coz1: Well welcome aboard and thank you very much.
I was always a little uncertain about this AAR as it is both my first Victoria AAR and my first serious AAR. I'm paticularly glad you like the characters - most of whom are of course historical (though heavily fictionalised), and I agree that the limited time span of Victoria is perfect for getting some characterisation in.
I hope people are finding the entirely fictional characters (like Josephine, Victoria and the Younger Boulanger) ok too, especially with the more narrative episodes I find myself doing these days.
Speaking of which...
Part 46: Palace Intrigue
Above: Empress Joséphine I (left), and Princess Victoria Beatrice, Grand Duchess of Québec (right)
The Regent hosted a dinner party on the 1st of October. Amongst those inivited were the Spanish Ambassador Don Juan D'Alema, a short and clever looking Catalan with a trim mustache and beard, over to discuss the proposed, eventual, marriage of Princess Victoria-Beatrice to King Alfonso (which if agreed would not take place until 1904 at the earliest when both parties were 18). Also present was Jean Belaouf, taking a risk in taking time off from the busy campaign.
The dinner was a considerable success, with the young Empress (who had turned 16 on St. Patrick's Day) giving a favourable impression to all. A rather serious and prim young lady no would could accuse Joséphine of an excessive imagination or sense of humour, but her sense of duty, virtuousness and good nature seemed sterling qualities in a future constitutional monarch as D'Alema noted.
"However," he said to the Regent after dinner as he was preparing to leave, "I was dissapointed not to see the little Infanta. I hear she is growing up to be very pretty."
"She is indeed," said the Regent with perfect truth. Young Victoria-Beatrice who would turn 14 next month was quite clearly turning into a famous beauty, with long red hair, sparkling blue eyes and flawless skin. "Alas she was unwell..." he lied.
"I understand Your Majesty," said the Catalan smoothly, with an almost invisible arch to his eyebrow indicating he knew a front when he saw it. "I only hope I shall be afforded a chance to see her before I leave."
After he'd left the curious Belaouf raised an eyebrow of his own. "What's really the matter with the Princess?"
"Nothing a brain transplant couldn't sort out. She's in a terrible sulk and I didn't think it wise to present her to D'Alema in that state. Not that she won't have another crisis soon enough! The problem my friend is that my dear cousin has nothing whatsoever between her ears."
The Younger Boulanger almost choked on his brandy. "You mean she's... feeble?" he whispered.
"I almost wish," replied Prince Victor coldly, "at least then we could hide from the public. No she's merely spoilt, ferociously vain, shallow as a butter dish, boy crazy, willfully ignorant and a total featherhead. The kitchen servants call her the 'Heirhead Apparent' or 'Princess Moronica' behind her back. Or did till I had them replaced anyway."
Belaouf risked a quip: "Frankly my dear Victor I think you protest too much, though I admit I haven't met the girl. It's a well known fact that the only people more scatter witted than a young girl is a young man. Give her couple of years."
"Well I hope you're right, but the evidence is less than encouraging. The reason for this latest sulk concerns you in fact."
The younger man gave him a startled look. "I'm sorry?"
"Well earlier I was in an extended arguement with Her Grace the Grand Duchess of Québec after I noticed a newspaper cutting plastered on her wall. It seems Victoria has a crush on none other than your opponent: Étienne Daly, Socialist Candidate for the City of Quebec."
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