Eastern times., 1853-10-20


finished one song, he petitioned for another.
The amiable prima donna sang a duet with
the aide-de-camp, Florival Won Reinsberg, and
then, being further entreated, trio, in which
Similor-master of the horse, barytone, and
Baron Won Kockemburg- part.
Here our actors were at home, and their
success was complete. Deviating from his
usual reserve, Prince Maximilian did not dis
guise his delight and the imprudent little Ba
roness Pippinstir declared that with such
beautiful tenor voice, an aide-de-camp might
aspire to anything. A cemetery on wet day
is cheerful sight compared to the Baron's
countenance when he heard these words.
Upon the morrow, hunting party was the
order Of the day. In the evening there was
dance. 1t had been proposed to invite the
principal families of the metropolis of Niesen-
stein, but the Prince and Princess begged that
the circle might not be incresed
I'VE are four ladies' said the Princess,
glanclng at the prima donna, the singing
chambermaid, and the walking lady, it is
enough for quadrille'
There was no lack of gentlemen. There
was the Grand Duke, the aide-de-camp the
grand chamberlain, the master of the horse,
the misunderstanding, and Prince Maximi-
lian's aid-de-camp, Count Darius Won Sturm-
haube, who appeared greatly smitten by the
charms Of the widowed Baroness Allenzau.
am sorry my court is not more numerous
said the Grand Duke, 'but, within the last
three days, have been compelled to diminish
it by one-half.'
How so q inquired Prince Maximilian.
A dozen courtiers, replied the Grand
Duke Leopold, 'whom | had loaded with IA
vors, dared conspire against me, in favor Of
a certain cousin of mine at Vienna. dis
covered the plot, and the pIotters are now in
the dungeons of my good fortress of Zwingen-
berg
'Well donel' cried the Prince; I like
such energy and vigor. And to think that
people taxed you with weakness of character
How we princes are deceived and calumnia-
ted
The Grand Duke cast grateful glance at
Balthasar. That able minister by this time
felt himself as much at his ease in his new
Office as if he had held il all his life he even
began to suspect that the government of a
grand-duchy is much easier matter than the
management Of company of actors. Incess-
antly engrossed by his masters interests, he
man9uvred to bring about the marriage which
was to give the Grand Duke happiness, wealth,
and safety; but, notwithstanding his skill, not
withstanding the torments with which he had
filled the jealous soul of Pippinstir, the am
bassador devoted the scanty moments Of repose
his wife left him to furthering the object of
his mission. The alliance with the SAKE Toll
pelhausen was pleasing to Prince Maximilan !;
it offered him various advantages; the extinc-
ton of an old lawsuit between the two states,
finally, the commercial treaty. which the per-
fdlous Baron had brought to the court of Me
| senstein, with view of concluding it in favor
of the principality Of Hanau. Invested with
unlimited powers, the diplomatist was ready
to insert in the contract almost any conditions
Prince Maximlian chose to dictate to him.
1t is necessary here to remark that the
Elector of Saxe-Tolpelhausen was desperately
in love with the Princess Wilhelmina.
1t was evident that the Baron would carry
the day if the prime minister did not hit
upon some scheme to destroy his credit or
force him to retreat. Balthasar, fertile in ex-
| pedients, was teaching Florival his part in the
palace garden, when Prince Maximilian met
him, and requested a moments private CONVEX
sation.
/ am at your Highness's orders, respect
fully replied the minister
Il will go straight to the point, Count Lip
andorf,' the Prince began, married my
late wife, princess of -Darmstadt, from
political motives. She has leftm three sons.
l now intend to marry again but this time
| need not sacrifice myself to state con-
| siderations, and am determined to consult my
heart alone
If your Highness does me the honor to
consult me, have merely to say that you are
perfectly justified in acting as you propose
After once sacrificing himselfto to his people 5
happiness, prince has surely right to think
little Of his own
Exactly my opinion Count, | will tell
you secret. | am in love with Miss Won
Rosenthal.
Miss Della I!
| 'Yes, sir; with Miss Della, Countess of
Rosenthal and what is more: | will tell you
that know-eunyhng.'
'What may it be that your Highness knows!
& know who she is
'Ha!'
1t was great secret
9 And how come your Highness to discover
it!'
The Grand Duke revealed tito me-
Il might have guessed as muchl'
He alone could do so, and rejoice that |
addressed myself directly to him. At first,
when questioned him concerning the young
Countesss family, he i'll concealed his embar-
rassment her position struck me as strange !;
young, beautiful, and alone in the world,
without relatives or guardians-all that seemed
to me singular, if not suspicious. | trembled,