f. Dear Doctor, be noble, be
sublime, come down with me just as you are. Otherwise I'll conjure up
all the powers of heaven and hell, and induce the mistress of the
castle to come in person to coax you away from your inkstand. Can that
alone satisfy your pride, or will you say even to this divine vision:
'Be kind enough not to stand in my light, Countess.'"

Edwin could not help laughing.

"You laugh!" exclaimed the gay young fellow. "That is, you'll yield.
That's the secret of all victories over the obdurate of both sexes;
it's only necessary to make them laugh. Oh! my proud, grave cousin! If
the brightest fire of my wit had ever allured anything more than a
gracious smile to her lips! But now come down to where you're eagerly
awaited. Only take care that you're not converted by the blue eyes of
the innocent high-born missionary. There's more joy in heaven over one
philosopher that repenteth, than over ninety and nine frivolous
children of the world of my stamp."

Still talking in the same strain, he seized Edwin by the arm, scarcely
gave him time to wash his hands, and then dragged him along the
brilliantly lighted corridors and down the broad carpeted steps of the
marble staircase.

When they entered the little _salon_ adjoining the dining hall, the
master of the house hastened toward them, greeted Edwin with his
stereotyped cordiality, and apologized for not having been able to see
his guest all day. The hunting party, from which he had unfortunately
missed him at the rendezvous, and his duties toward his new visitors,
had occupied all his time. Edwin bowed absently. His eyes were
wandering toward the new faces which he saw by the flickering light of
the wax candles. The tall, broad shouldered gentleman with the bald
head and long blond beard, who had been talking to the chevalier by the
window, and now cast a cold glance from his narrow grey eyes at the new
comer, was undoubtedly the Russian prince. On the blue silk sofa,
beside the countess, who had exchanged her velvet riding habit for a
heavy black satin dress, sat a little, dainty, fair-haired creature in
a most tasteful fanciful toilette, who, seen from behind, looked like a
half grown girl. When, as the count introduced Edwin to her, she turned
and raised a pair of laughing blue eyes to his, he could easily
understand that this fairy-like vision must exercise no little power in
converting unbelievers. Now, to be sure, beside the far nobler beauty
of the