Year: 1859

ascending the grand staircase. SQUIRE ---
felt himself becoming still more nervous. and
when the folding doors Of the saloon were
thrown 0pon he had some difficulty in main
tanning his equilibrium. The room was filed
with numerous personages including MANY
military officers. The Squire ga1ed timidly
r1und the apartment, but nowhere could he see
his old friend Of the Cheshire hunt. At last the
crowd gradually opened, and from the midst of
gay and handsome uniforms the Emperor ad-
vanced and came straight up to where the
squire was standing; and seeing that he hesi-
,ated to take his hand he grssped his with
! 9th, and shook him warmly. All eyes were
now turned on the trembling squire, which
only added to his perplexity. "Gentlemen, -
said the Emperor, turning to bis suite "allow
me 10 INTRODUCES to your notice Monsieur -
very old friend Of mine, when your Emperor
stood in need of friends" Every one now
moved towards them. and when the SQUIRE was
presented seyerally to. Field Marshal That,
Count This, and General So and SO, the climax
OF his position had arrived, and had it not been
for the support of the arm of the Emperor,
who was leading him up the saloon, he must
.sinIy have measured his length on the pol
i.hed floor. After making the tour of the room,
the Emperor dismissed his after lants, and led
ms friend, the squire, to his private cabinet
Here the memories Of days gone past were re.
viyed, and in the affable and pleasant conyer-
sation Of the Emperor, Squire - forgot his
embarrassment, and was himself again. At
length he rose to take his leave. .iBy-the-
by, ssid the Emperor, "where are you stay
ing The squire gave his address, and the
Emperor rang the bell, which was quickly an
swered by magnificent specimen OF the plush
family, who was ordered to send for Monsieur g
things and prepare a room for him in the pal
ace: The squire looked aghast, and said he
could not think of such q thing. my dear
SIR, SAID the Emperor, "you must oblige me
IN this instance-it is the only way of return
ing the many fayors / received while in Eng
land" Again the squire expostulated, but the
Emperor would take no denial. and the squire
was shown to his apartment. For three weeks
did he occupy the same, and during the whole
OF this time the squire has been heard to say it
was whirfwind Of pleasure. What with the
osrquets, the balls, the reviews, and all the
other devices Of luxurious courts, the squire
was beginning to forget all his old friends in
England, and even the geographical. situation
OF that Island. But business must be attended
to, and one day the squire mentioned to the
Emperor that he really must get back
Nonsense" said his majesty, "pray don't
entertain the idea for an instant" '" Your
Majesty overwhelms me with kindness, but
really must 90 home" replied the Squire. OF
course the Emperor would not insist upon his
remaining, if business was in the way; but,
said be, laughing, Mind, you, it is only tenn.
porary leave Of absence" During the whole
OF these pleasant three weeks, not word had
been spoken about the fl00 the Squire had lent
his imperial friend; but on the morning of bis
departure, the comptroller of the royal house
hold called him into his bureau, and said he had
directions from the Emperor to hand Monsieur
cheque. The Squire looked up surprised, for
he had entirely forgotten the transaction But
there was the cheque for the veritsble amount,
dated from that memorable day of the Cheshire
hunt to the present time. The moment of de-
parture came, and the Emperor, taking him by
the arm, led the Squire to the carriage himself.
Before driving off, his Majesty put his head in
at the window. and said . I think once told
You that believed in my destiny; you smiled
then, but who is in the right now?" "Well,
upon my soul, replied the Squire, his honest
face lighted up with smiles, seeing is believ-
ing"