Eastern times., 1853-10-20

Oh TlpplnSur; 1 Will tl1h6 MIN into the sum-
merhouse; closet iss there, where Won can
hide yourself to hes1 s1mhat passes, and then
you shall decide my fate
Della went into the summerhouse, and hid
herself in the closet. There she overheard
the following conversation -
What have you TO say to me, Colonel q
asked The Baron.
4 lwish to speak TO yonr ExceIency of an
affair that deeply concerns yon.'
i am all attention. but beg You to be brief;
| am expected elsewhere
'SoamI'
4 must 90 TO the prime minister, to return
him this draught Of commercial treaty, which
cannot accept
And must 60 to The rendezvous given me
in this letter.
The Baroness writing y
Yes, Baron. Your wife has done me the
honour to write to me. We set out together
tonight the Baroness is waiting for me in a
post-chaise.'
'And it is to me you dare acknowledge this
abominabIe project q
4 am less generous than you think. You
cannot but be aware that, owing to an irregu-
larlty in your marriage-contract, nothing would
be easier than TO get it annulled. This we will
have done we then obtain a divorce, and |
marry the Baroness. You will, Of course, have
TO hand me over her dowry-a million of forms
composing, if do not mistake, your entire
fortune
The Baron, more dead than alive, sank into
an armchair. He was struck speechless.
we might, perhaps, make some arrange
ment, Baron continued Florival Il am not
particularly bent upon becoming your wife's
second husband
'Ah, sir ! cried the ambassador, you restore
me to life :.
Yes, but will not restore you the Baroness,
except on certain conditions
Speak ! What do you demand =
First, that treaty Of commerce, which you
must sign Just as Count Lipandorf has drawn
il up
Il consent to do so.'
That is not all you shall take my place at
the rendezvous, get into the post-chase, and run
away with your wife but first you must sit
down at this table and write letter, in due d.
plomatic form, TO Prince Maxim:ian, informing
him that, finding it impossible TO accept his
stipulations, you are compelled to decline, in
your sovereign's name, the honor Of his august
alliance
But, Colonel, remember that my instruc
| tions -
very well, fulfil them exactly be dutiful
ambassador and a miserable husband, ruined
without wife and without dowry. You will
never have such another chance, Baron A
pretty wife and million of forms do not fall
10 mans lot twice in his life. But | must
take my leave Of you. l am keeping the Baron
ess waiting
Il will go to her. Give me paper, a
pen, and be SO good as TO dictate | am so agi-
tated -
The Baron really was in dreadful fuster.
The letter written, and the treaty signed,
Florival told his Excellency where he would
find the post-chaise.
'One thing more you must promise me- said
the young man, 'and that is, that you will be-
have like gentleman to your wife, and not
scold her over-much. Remember the flaw in
the contract. She may find somebody else in
whose favour to cancel the document Suitors
will not be wanting
'What need Of promise 2 replied the poor
Baron. You know very well that my wife
does what she likes with me ! shall have 10
explain my conduct, and ask her pardon
Pippnstr departed. Della left her hiding
place, and held ont her hand to Florval.
You have behaved well, she said.
THAT is more than the Baroness will say
She deserves the lesson II is your turn to
go into the closet and listen the Prince will
be here directly
'Ihear his footsteps And Florival was
quickly concealed.
Charming Countess = said the prince on
entering, come to know my fate
= What does your Highness mean = said
Della, pretending not TO understand him.
How can you ask ! Has not the Grand
Duke spoken to you g
No, your Hghness.'
Nor the prime minister =
Not word. When received your letter,
I was on the point Of asking you for private
interview. have favor-a service-to i'm
plure of your Highness.'
: 1t is granted before it is asked. place my
whole influence and power at your feet, charm
ing Countess !
"A thousand thanks, .illustrious prince. You
have already shown me so much kindness, that
venture 10 ask you TO make communication
to my brother, the Grand Duke, which / dare
not make myself. want yon to inform him
that have been for three months privately mar
ried to Count Reinsberg.'
Good heavens = cried Maximilan, falling
into the armchair in which Pippiusiir had re-
Gently reclined. On recovering from the shock,
the prince rose again 10 his feet.
''Tis well, madam he said, in faint voice.
''Tis well =
And he left the summerhcuse.
After reading Baron Pippinstir's letter Prince
Maximilian fell a-thinking. Il was not the
Grand Dukes fault if the Countess of Rosenthal