A KING'S FAVOURITE.

THE MORGANATIC WIFE OF THE RULER OF BELGIUM. ' Such a violent attack on the private life of King Leopold has jug* appeared in one of the Brussels newspapers that it is causing excitement throughout the country. The writer plainly accuses his ruler of using money wrung from the Congo, and the heavy taxation of his country people, to satisfy the caprices of his morganatic wife. It is feared that the King may be induced to recognise as his legal heir, if not successor, the baby boy to whom the lady has given birth, there being no lavMro prevent tins. The lafcly who now reigns supreme over the fancy of King Leopold is known by the title of Baroness Vaughan — Vog-han, as the Belgians call her. It will b© remembered that her little son was born, to Leopold' 6 intense delight, while she was at. the Rivierajast winter. She then lived in a pretty villa, which ostensibly belonged to Dr Thiriar, hie Majesty's' Brussels physician, j who had charge of the lady' 6 health at the interesting moment. But the royal yacht was lying off the shore close by, and the King, was in constant and devoted attendance. He much amused himself with strangers who tried to get a peep into the villa, and loved to give confusing answers to such as occasionally asked him for information, not knowing who he was. Now the baronets is installed in a beautiful chateau, near Brussels, just over the road from the King's own palace at Laeken, to which access is had by a bridge that crosses from one estate to the other. This bridge, which extends over the- high road and above th© tramlines, ie a light iron construction, always decorated with flowers, and flanked with two small domes. It has rather the air of a cage for that captive of^ove, the old King, who crosses and recrosses it. Four automobiles and a handsome victoria, with black and bay horses, are in the stables of the baroness, and every day sees her in one or the other, with the King beside her, driving in the neighbourhood of Laeken. ' . Naturally such a life puts a strong card in the hands- of the Socialists, who make great use of it. They declare that the King is unfit to govern^ that he is in his dotage, and iiu th<j hands of a rapacious and ambitious woman. Attention is drawn, too-, by the King's detractors to the contrast between the splendid home provided • for the King's' favourite, with all its lux<i*y and. brightness, and the little villa close by, gloomy and badly furnished, which has been assigned to the Princess Clementine, the King's only remaining unmarried daughter. King Leopold is absolutely indifferent to what is said of him, so the scathing newspaper article, with its accusations, is likely to pass unnoticed, unless the editor be brought to book by some question in the House of Representatives. The Baroness Vaughan' s real name is Caroline Lacroix. She is just twentyeight, rather over middle height, with a beautiful natural complexion and skin, and has quantities of chestnux, hair. She is plump but graceful, her principal charm lying in her smile and expression, which has all the innocent candour of a child. Her eyes are clear and modest-looking. In character she is, it ie said, haughty, sharp, irritable and fantastic. Leopold 11. met Caroline Lacroix at the Palace Hotel, Paris, and fell hopelessly in lore at. once, despite his seventy years of age. Hitherto he has been faithless in his friendships, and not even Margot, " Queen of the Congo," as she was called, and who has a i fine house in the Avenue Louise, could keep him true, but Caroline has succeeded, and keeps her royal lover chained to her side. She is exigent about being treated with respect, and anyone in his Majesty's entourage who fails in this feels his displeasure.