nd those English decline to do honour to his source. Now tell me, you!'
She addressed me imperiously. 'Are you prosecuting his claims? Are you
besieging your Government? What! you are in the season of generosity,
an affectionate son, wealthy as a Magyar prince of flocks, herds, mines,
and men, and you let him stand in the shade deprived of his birthright?
Are you a purse-proud commoner or an imbecile?'

'My whimsy aunt!' the princess interposed again, 'now you have taken to
abusing a defenceless Englishman.'

'Nothing of the sort, child. I compliment him on his looks and manners;
he is the only one of his race who does not appear to have marched out
of a sentinel's box with a pocket-mirror in his hand. I thank him from
my soul for not cultivating the national cat's whisker. None can imagine
what I suffer from the oppressive sight of his Monsieur Peterbooroo'!
And they are of one pattern--the entire nation! He! no, he has the step
of a trained blood-horse. Only, as Kaunitz, or somebody, said of Joseph
II., or somebody, he thinks or he chews. Englishmen's mouths were
clearly not made for more purposes than one. In truth, I am so utterly
wearied, I could pray for the diversion of a descent of rain. The life
here is as bad as in Rippau. I might just as well be in Rippau doing
duty: the silly people complain, I hear. I am gathering dust. These, my
dear, these are the experiences which age women at a prodigious rate. I
feel chains on my limbs here.'

'Madame, I would,' said I, 'that I were the Perseus to relieve you of
your monster Ennui, but he is coming quickly.'

'You see he has his pretty phrases!' cried the margravine; adding
encouragingly, 'S'il nest pas tant sort peu impertinent?'

The advance of some German or Russian nobleman spared me further
efforts.

We were on shore, listening to the band in the afternoon, when a
sail like a spark of pure white stood on the purple black edge of a
storm-cloud. It was the yacht. By sunset it was moored off shore, and at
night hung with variegated lamps. Early next morning we went on
board. The ladies were astonished at the extent of the vessel, and its
luxurious fittings and cunning arrangements. My father, in fact, had
negotiated for the hire of the yacht some weeks previously, with his
accustomed forethought.

'House and town and fortress provisioned, and moveable at will!' the
margravine interjected repeatedly.

The princess was laid on raised pillows in her swingcot un