The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-03
I I


On joining the legation, was particu-
larry attracted by my chief, the Minis
ter. His manners were oppressively
polite; and his sense of his own impOr-
lance was not sutllc emily influenced by
diplomatic reserve.
My colleague. the first secretary. was
far more interesting person. Bright,
unaffected. and agreeable, he at once in
terested me when we were introduced
to each other.
We took walk together in the palace
gardens on the evening of my arrival
Reaching Il remote part of the grounds,
we were passed by IA lean sallow sour
looking old man, drawn by a servant in
a chair on wheels. My companion stop
ped, whispered to me, Here is the
Prince" and bowed bareheaded. | fol-
lowed his example asamatterof course.
The Prince ieebly returned our saluta-
ton. as he ill?" asked, when we had
put our hats on again.
Shakespeare" the secretary replied,
tells us that 'one man in his time plays
many parts Under what various as
poets the Princes character may have
presented itself, in his younger days, |
am not able To tell you. Since | have
been here. he has played the part of n
martyr to illness, misunderstood by his
doctors"
"And his daughter, the Princess
what do YOU say of herr"
"Ah, she is not so easily described. |
can only appeal to your memory of
other women like her, whom you Iaust
often have seen-wOmen who are tall
and fair. and fragile and elegant; who
have delicate aquiline noses and melt
ing blue eyes-women who have often
charmed you by their tender smiles and
their supple graces of movement. AS
for the character of this popular young
lady, | must not influence you either
way: study it for yourself"
without hint to guide mel"
with suggestion" he replied,
(which may be worth considering. II
you wish to please the Princess, begin
by endeavoring to win the good graces
of the Baroness"
"Who is the Baronessp'
Zone of the ladies in waiting-bosom
friend of her lIighness, and chosen re-
pository of all her secrets. Personally,
not likely to attract you; short and fat,
and ill-tempered and ugly. Just at this
time, happen myself to get on with
her better than usual. We have dis
covered that we possess one sympathy
in common-we are the only people at
tOuil WIN uoll btlltNt III tllt llilNt .
new doctor"
rs the new doctor a quack?"
The secretary looked round, before he
answered, to see that nobody was near
us.
1T strikes me-" he said, shat the
Doctor is a spy. Mind | have no right
to speak of him in that way; it is only
my impression. lie is in the service of
our nearest royal neighbor, the Grand
Duke; and he has been sent here eX-
pressly to relieve the sufferings of the
Dukes good friend and brother. our in
valid Prince. This is an honorable mis-
sion no doubt And the man himself is
handsome, well-bred, and II don't quite
know whether this is an additional re-
cOmmendation) a countryman of ours.
Nevertheless doubt him, and the Bar
Oness doubts him. You are an indie
pendent witness; | shall be anxious to
hear If your opinion agrees with ours"
/ was presented at Court, toward the
end of the week; and, in the course of
the next two or three days, | more than
once saw the Doctor again. The i'm
preston that he produced on me sur
| prised my colleague. 1t was my opin-
ion that he and the Baroness had mis-
taken the character of worthy and
capable man.
The secretary obstinately adhered to
his own view. wait little" he an
swered, "and we shall see"
lie was quite right. We did see.