et Minister. I was accidentally standing before a glass, when
he upbraided the memory of my dead father, saying he had married a wife
without fortune, instead of following his (my uncle's) example--using
his title as a bait with which to catch an heiress. His Excellency saw
the likeness, too; for he politely turned the conversation, and led me
to his antechamber, where I am sure he gave his footman orders to say
'Not at home' in future, if ever I should trouble to call again. But
tell me more, all you know, about my future wife."

"Well, she has had no education. Her manners are rude----"

"That I have gathered from my aunt's letter; but it is not her
fault, poor girl. I must try to improve her, and be both lover and
schoolmaster to my wife. Who knows--perhaps I must also teach her
music and dancing!"

"At any rate, you will not have to teach her fencing, for she's already
an adept at that--at least, according to Charles Felters' report."

"The deuce she is!" exclaimed Leopold, laughing; "that's almost enough
to frighten one."

"Charles was really frightened. At that time she was a very young girl,
yet she was already generally known in the little garrison-town where
she lived by the nickname of Major Frank."

"The nickname does not sound flattering, I must confess; however,
I will see if there is not some way of enrolling this major under my
colours, and then she shall retire from military life to settle down
as a civilian."

"It does me good to see you treat the matter so lightly, for there
is nothing for it but your making the attempt."

"It has always been my maxim to take a cheerful view of things,"
said Leopold, with a touch of melancholy in his tone; "and, alas! I
have been forced to do so under adverse circumstances hitherto. And
now, my good fellow, let us go and look out for some dinner. I can
recommend Pyl's Restaurant."

"Why not at the Club?" asked Verheyst; "there we shall meet many
friends whom I wish to see before my departure."

"I am no longer a member, my dear fellow. After my father's death I
was obliged to cut down all unnecessary expenses, as my mother had but
a small pension, and I could bear retrenchment better than a person
of her age. It is not the subscription, it is the company one meets
which leads to extravagance, and those quiet little supper parties,
the invitations to which it is impossible to refuse."

At dinner, over a good bottle of wine, William made Leopold promise to