Eastern times., 1853-10-13

Aoi ~ Du' " ACsulh " rance, InOugnt bal
thasar, after making the circuit of the CITY !:
then he looked at his watch, and deeming the
hour suitable, he took the road to the palace.
which he entered with as little ceremony as
upon the preceding evening. The faithful
Sigismund, doing duty as gentleman-in-wait-
ing, received him as an old acquaintance, and
forthwith ushered him into the Grand Duke's
presence. His Highness seemed more de-
pressed than upon the previous day. He was
pacing the room with long strides, his eyes
cast down, his arms folded. In his hand he
held papers, whose perusal it apparently was
that had thus discomposed him. For some
moments he said nothing then he suddenly
stopped before Balthasar.
You find me less calm,' he said, 'than /
was last night. have just received unpleas-
ant news. | am heartily sick of these perpet-
ual vexations, and gladly would 1 resign this
poor sovereignty, this crown of thorns they
seek to snatch from me, did not honour com
mand me to maintain to the last my legitimate
rights. Yes,' vehemenrly exclaimed the
Grand Duke, 'at this moment tranquil exis-
tence is all l covet, and would willingly give
up my Grand Duchy, my title, my crown, to
live quietly at Paris, as private gentleman,
upon thirty thousand francs year.
believe SO, indeed y cried Balthasar,
who, In his widest dreams of fortune, had
never dared aspire 50 high. His artless ex-
clamation made the prince smile. 1t needed
but trife to dissipate his vexation, and to
restore that upper current of easy good tenn
per which habitually floated upon the surface
of his character.
You think he gaily cried, shat some, in
my place, would be satisfied with less, and
that thirty thousand francs year, with indie
pendence and the pleasure of Paris, compose
lot more enviable than the government Of
all the Grand Duchies in the world. NV
own experience tells me that you are right !;
for, ten years years ago, when was but he
reditary prince, passed six months at Paris,
rich, Independent, and careless and memory
declares those to have been the happiest days
Of my life
Well! if you were to sell all you have,
could you not realize that fortunel Besides,
the cousin, of whom you did me the honor to
speak to me yesterday, would probably gladly
insure you an income if you yielded him your
place here. But will your Highness permit
me to speak plainlyr
BY all means
The tranquil existence Of private gentle
man would doubtless have many charms for
you, aid you say so in all sanctity of heart ;
but, upon the other hand, you set store by
your crown, though you may not admit it to
yourself. In moment of annoyance it is
easy to eXaggerate the charms of tranquility.
and the pleasures of private life but throne,
however rickety, is seat which none will
hngly quit. That is my opinion, formed at
the dramatic school; it is perhaps, remin-
iscence Of some old part, but truth is some
times found upon the stage. Since, therefore,
all things considered, to stay where you are
is that which best becomes you, you ought
But | crave your Highness's pardon, am
perhaps speaking too freely
Speak on, my dear manager, freely and
fearlessly; | listen to you with pleasure. l
ought-you were about to say!-'
Instead of abandoning yourself to despair
and poetry, instead Of contenting yourself with
succumbing nobly, like some ancient Roman,
you ought boldly to combat the peril. Cir
cumstances are favorable; you have neither
ministers nor state councillors to mislead you,
and embarrass your plans. Strong in your
good right, and in your subjects love, it is
impossible you should not find means of re-
trieving your finances, and strengthening your
position
There is but one means, and that is-a
good marriage
Excellent had not thought of it. You
are bachelor! A good marriage is saliva
ton. 1t is thus that great houses, menaced
with ruin, regain their former splendor.-
You must marry an heiress, the only daugh-
ter of some rich banker
You forget-it would be derogatory. 1
am free from such prejudices, but what would
Austria say if | thus condescendedl 1t would
be another charge to bring against me. And
then bankers millions would not suffice
must ally myself with powerful family,
whose influence will strengthen mine. Only
few days ago, thought such an alliance
within my grasp. A neighboring prince,
Maximilian of Haynau, who is in high favour
at Vienna, has sister to marry. The Prin-
cess Wilhelmlna is young, handsome, amia-
BILE, and rich have already entered upon
the preliminaries Of a matrimonial negoua-
ton, but two dispatches, received this morn
ing, destroy all my hopes. Hence the low
spirits in which you find me-
'Perhaps,' said Balthasar, 'your Highness
too easily gives way to Encouragement
Judge for yourself have rival, the
Elector of Tolpelhausep his territories
are less considerable than mine, but he is
more solidly established in his little electorate
than am in my grand-duchy.
Pardon me, your Highness / saw the
Elector of SAKE Tolpelhausen last year at
Baden-Baden, and without fattery, he cannot
for an instant be compared with your High
ness. You are hardly thirty, and he is more
than forty you have good figure, he is
hoavu o1,poe1, ocd 1,or, oounfc-