the rewrite is more interesting, the original is still a bit misogynistic - the snopes sight is right, it seems as if the story is that outward appearance doesnt matter, but Blanchard is creastfallen when he sees the (old groan over 40) slightly dumpy woman, and is jumping with inner joy when she tells him its some kind of test and he gets the blond..so its all about appearance anyway.

if the moral is that the guy gets the blond, then its a rewrite of the old Round Table fairy tale
where the Knight who marries the hag ends up with beautiful maiden.
It should not be about appearance.

Jerry R. is right, its not the romance.. its the years living together afterwards. true love stands the test of time.
Petr