Year: 1867

promised his inheritance 10 Austria.


Josepha was sad as she thought Of
these things, but she could not suppress
an emotion Of Joy when she saw the brill
liant cOrtege that was coming from vi
enna TO meet her. This proud and hand
some horseman, whose blue eyes shone
like stars, this was her husband, the lord
of her destiny She had seen him once
before, and had loved him from that mo-
ment. True, he had not chosen her from
inclination, but she could not shut her
heart to the bliss Of being his wife, he
who, to-day king, would, in future
years, place an imperial crown upon her
brow.


And now the two cavalcades met; the
carriage Of the princess drew up, and the
King Of Rome, dismounting, came to-
ward her, with q low inclination Of the
head. Around them stood the noblemen
of his suite, whose splendid uniforms
aud decorations dazzled the eye with
their brilliancy They sprang from their
horses, and each one reverentially sa-
luted the bride elect. This done, the
King of Rome assisted her to alight, that
she might mount the magnificent horse



press chief master Of the horse.


When her betrothed held out his hand
to her, Josepha, bushing, looked at him
with a timid and tender glance, which
seemed to implore return of her love.
She could not speak word, but she
pressed his hand.


Joseph, so far from returning the
pressure, looked urprised-almost dis
dainful; and, stepping back, he left to
the master Of the horse, and the other
lords in waiting, the care of assisting
the Princess to mount. She sprang into
the saddle, with perfect confidence, and
grasped her reins with so much skill that
although the beautiful animal reared and
pranced until his bride was covered
with foam, his rider was perfectly ease.


She is, at least, good horsewoman,
said Joseph to himself, as be took his
place by her side.


And now the bells chimed merrily,
and the cannon proclaimed to all Vienna
that the royal pair were about to enter
the city.


Silently they rode through the flower
strewn Streets silently they heard the
Joyous shouts of the multitude, here and
there smiling YEARLY in return; but both
tired of splendor, and both longing for
rest. Neither spoke to the other; what
had they to say TO one another-they
whom policy had chained together for
life?


At the farther end of the city, the
state-coach of the empress awaited the
princess. With an Indifferent and care
less air, Joseph handed Josepha to the
carriage. This time she dared not press
his hand; but, as the door closed upon
herself and her governess, she threw
herself back upon the velvet cushions
and wept bitterly. q


" For the love of Heaven, what mean
these tears, your highness p cried the
governess "Your highness' head dress
will be ruined, and your eyes will be
swollen.


"'Tis true" murmured Josopha, ~
have no right to weep, as other women
do, at such time. ! am nothing but
puppet, that laughs or weeps as etiquette
ordains"


Your highness is excited, and does
not see your destiny in its true light"
replied the lady, with sympathy. Tits
one which any woman on earth might
envy You are about to become the
wife Of the handsomest prince in all
Europe, an emperor in prospect, and son
of the great Maria Theresa whose beauty
and goodness are the theme of the whole
world. And then the lovely and accom-
plished Archduchesses of Austria-they
are TO be your sisters-in-law


Yes, said the princess passionately,
and look at me. You have known me
since my infancy, dear friend, therefore
you need not fiatter me because of my
station. Look at me, and tell me if it is
not enough to break my heart, that
must appear before this beautiful en-
press and her daughters, and that |
must try to win the affections of this
prince, the glance Of whose eye is
enough to kindle love in the heart of
every woman living-oh say, and speak
without reserve-tell me if woman, so
obscure so ignorant, and so destitute Of
charms, can ever hope to be loved or
cherished by such family p


Your highness is worthy of all affec
tion, and deserves the choicest of the
blessings that are in store for you, re-
piled the lady of homer, warmly. No
one, knowing your noble heart, would
say that any station is too exalted for
you.


"Oh who will be troubled with look
ing into my heart in imperial Vienna y |
sobbed the disheartened Josepha. Ex-
ternals are everything in court; and /,
unhappy one, who scarcely dare not utter
my hearts yearnings to those who en-
courage me, what will become of me if |
meet with cold glances or scornful
words ? i feel how little / am skilled to |
win love, and the consciousness of my |
defects heightens them and renders me
still more repulsive."


Your highness is unjust toward your
self No one else would ever dream Of
speaking in such terms of you. BE |
happy, dear lady, and you will soon grow |
too.


Happy" sighed the princess looking |
from the window at the elegant aud
graceful prince, who, cold aud stern as
though he had been following the dead,
not a look toward the car
riage where sat bis bride.


With another sigh, she turned her head. |
Her eyes encountered those Of the gov
erness, fixed upon her in wondering
sympathy. With bitter smile Josepha
laid her hand upon the shoulder Of her
friend.


II must tell you something, Lucy"
SAID she-"someihing terrible and sad
Hear well my words and mark them
| already love my betrothed beyond
power Of expression; but he win never
return my love. shall worship him,
and feel that he will hate me


Blushiug painfully at the sound Of her