Year: 1871

only person in the world III whose
presence the Olympian gravity OF his
features gave way to a radiant
cheerfulness, which made his manly
beauty perfectly irresistible.


In such moments his magnificent
brow. always the seat of meditation
and thought, exhibited the serene
beauty and Attic grace of a young
Athenian-the serious Pericles seem
ed, by the invisible wand of magi-
elan, to have, been transferred into
the youthful Alcibiades.


Such is the fiattering picture which
his cotemporaries have drawn OF the
personal appearance Of the Grand
Duke Nicholas at the time OF his
arrival at Berlin.


At that time, however, the match
less personal charms of the Grand
Duke were not enhanced by political
prospects of the most exalted char
acter. He was not even eventually
considered an heir to the imperial
crown of Russia. 1t is true Alex
ander the First, his brother, had no
children, but in the case Of his
death, which could not he expected
soon, the Grand Duke Constantine
was to inherit the throne of Peter
the Great, and leave to Nicholas at
best but the position of q Prince of
the first blood. Nevertheless, Ere
derrick William, charmed alike by
the beauty and intellect of his guest,
and by the hope of uniting the SOY
ereign houses Of Prussia and Russia
by the close ties of a family union,
greeted the prospect OF a marriage
between the Grand Duke and his
daughter with enthusiasm, especially
when he discovered that the young
folks themselves were very fond of
each other.


The King then delicately insi
nuated to his daughter that if she
had taken a liking to the Grand
Duke, and had reason to believe that
the Prince entertained similar feel
ings toward her, their marriage
would meet with no objection on his
part.


But the young Princess, although
secretly delighting in a hope which
so fully responded to the secret
wishes of her heart, was either too
proud or too bashful to confess to
her father her love for the Grand
Duke, who had not yet made any
declaration to her.


In this manner the day approached
on which the Grand Duke was to
leave Berlin. On the eve of his de-
parture grand gala supper was
given in his honor at the Royal
Palace, and, by way of accident or
policy, the young Princess Char
lotte was seated by the side of her
distinguished admirer.


The Grand Duke was uncommOnly
taciturn during the evening. His
high forehead was clOuded, and his
gloomy eyes seemed to follow in the
space-vague phantoms fitting be-
fore his imagination. Repeatedly he
neglected to reply to questions adj
dressed to him, and when he was
asked to respond to a toast which
one of the royal Princes had pro-
posed in his honor, he seemed to
awake from a profound dream which
had entirely withdrawn him from
his surroundings,


Suddenly, as if by a mighty effort
i of his will, he turned to his fair
neighbor, and whispered so as only
to be understood by her


$50 I shall leave Berlin to-mor-
row."


He paused abruptly and looked at
the Princess as if he was waiting
for an answer which expressed sor-
row and grief on her part. But the
! Princess was fully as proud as the
Grand Duke, and overcoming the
violent throbbing OF her ilaaEt, she
said politely to him;


| 1--WE are very sorry to see youl


Imperial Highness leave us so soon
! Would it not have been possible fol


YOU to defer your departure?"


s.You will all be very sorry


muttefed the Grand Duke, not EN-
\ tirely satisfied with the yagueness q


sorrow which those words Of the
4 Princess implied "But you in par


ticular. madame ," he added, after


some hesitation. ssFor it will depend
| on you alone whether / shall stay
| here or depart


Ah!a repliel Charlotte, with hel


sweetest smile, "and what have
to do to keep your Imperial High
ness here z"


You must permit me to address


nv admiration and homage to YOU
ais that all ~


/ Il And yop must encourage me tt
please yQn.'


s.That is much more. difficult,
| said the Princess, with deep blush
but at the same time her eyes beam
ed forth so much affection and deligh
that the Prince could see at a glanc'
!, that his fondest hopes had beel
realized beforehand.


N !During my short stay in Berlin,
! the Grand Duke continued in TIN
, same tone of voice, 1sI have takel
, pains to study your character ant
your affections, and this study la
| satisfied me that yol would rende
me very happy, while on the othe
hand / have some qualities which
would secure your own happiness.