Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-10-29


plishments. He came to visit Prince
Rudolf, whose acquaintance he had
made while the prince was at Paris in
the course Of his travels. King Henry
received M. de Merosailles-fo such
was his name-most graciously and
sent guard of honor to conduct him to
the castle of Zenda where the prince
was then staying in company with his
sister Osra. There the marquis on his
arrival was greeted with much Joy by
Prince Rudolf, who found his soiourn
in the country somewhat irksome and
was glad of the society of friend with
whom he could talk and sport and play
at cards All these things he did with
NJ de Merosailles, and great friend
ship arose between the young men, so
that they spoke very freely to one an
other at all times, and most of all when
they had drunk their wine and sat to-
gether in the evening in Prince Rudolf's
chamber that looked across the moat to-
ward the gardens, for the new chateau
that now stands on the site of these
gardens was not then built And one
night M. de Merosailles made bold to
ask the prince how it fell out that his
sister the princess, a lady of such great
beauty, seemed sad and showed no
pleasure in the society of any gentle
man, but treated all alike with GOODNESS
and disdain. Prince Rudolf, laughing,
answered that girls were strange crea-
lures and that he had ceased to trouble
his head about them-of his heart he
said nothing-and he finished by ex-
claiming, ION my honor, 1 doubt if she
80 much as knows you are here, for she
has not looked at you once since your
arrivalp' And he smiled maliciously,
for he knew that the marquis was not
accustomed to be neglected by ladies
and would take it ill that even prin-
cess should be unconscious of his pres
ence. In this he calculated rightly, for
M. de Merosailles was greatly vexed,
aud, twisting his glass in his fingers, he
said:
"If she were not princess and your
sister, sir, would engage to make her
look at me-.
"I am not hurt by her looking at
you," rejoined the prince, for that even
ing he was very merry. "a look is no
great thing"
And the marquis, being also very
merry and knowing that Rudolf had
less regard for his dignity than prince
should have, threw out carelessly:
IA kiss is more, sir"
at is a great deal more" laughed
the prince, Juggling his mustache
"Are you ready for wager, sir?''
NJ IL
the table toward him.
"I'll lay you 1000 crowns to 100
that you do not gain kiss, using what
means you will save force"
"I'll take the wager, SIR" cried the
marquis, "but it shall be three, not
one!'
"Have a care" said the prince
Don't go too near the flame, my lord!
There are some wings in Strelsau singed
at that candle.
Indeed the light is very bright, "
assented the marquis courteously. "That
risk / must run, though, if am to win
my wager. 1t is to be three, then, and
by what means will save force?'
Gwen so,'' said Rudolf, and he
laughed again, for he thought the
wager harmless, since by no means
could NJ. de Merosailles win so much as
one kiss from the Princess Osra, and
the wager stood at three. But he did
not think how he wronged his sister by
using her name lightly, being in all
such matters q man of careless mind.
But the marquis, having made his
wager, set himself steadily to win it,
for he brought forth the choicest clothes
from his wardrobe and ornaments and
perfumes, and he laid fine presents al
the princess feet, and he waylaid heI
wherever she went and was profuse OF
chances, signs and hints, and he wrote
sonnets as fine gentlemen used to do IL
those days, and lyrics and pastorals,
wherein she figured under charming
names These he bribed the princess
waiting women to leave in their mis-
tress' chamber. Moreover, he looked
now sorrowful, now passionate, and hi
ate nothing at dinner, but drank his wine
in wild gulps as though he sought Il
Danish sadness
So that, in a word, there was no de
vice in Cupid's armory that the Marquis
de Merosailles did not practice in thu
endeavor to win look from the Prln
cess Osra. But no look came and he go
nothing from her but cold civility. Ye
abe had looked at him when he looked
not-for princesses are much like othe
maidens-and thought him yer.
pretty gentleman and was highl!
amused by his extravaganza, yet sh
did not believe it to witness any tru
devotion to her, but thought 1T mer'
gallantry.
Then one day NJ. de Merosailles
having tried all else that he could thin
of, took to his bed. He sent for ply
stefan and paid him high fee to fin
the seeds of rapid and fatal disease il
him, and he made his body servan
Whiten his face and darken the room
and he groaned very pitifully, sayin
that he was sick and that he was gla
of it, for death would be better far thal
the continued disdain Of the Princes
Oma. And all this, being told by tn
marquis servants to the princess wait
Ding women, reached Ora's ears als
caused her much perturbation for sn
now perceived that the passion OF u
marquis was real and deep, and she b'
came very sorry for him, and the longf
the face Of the rascally physician gre
the more sad the princess became an
she walked up and down. bewalllng u