But
she only laughed at him.

"You are very cruel," he stammered in confusion.

"I? What are you thinking about?" Wanda replied, still smiling; "all I
mean is that you have directed your love to the wrong address, for
Countess--"

"Do not speak of her; she is engaged to another man."

"As long as I choose to permit it," she said; "but what will you do if
I bring her back to your arms? Will you still call me cruel?"

"Can you do this?" the young officer asked, in great excitement.

"Well, supposing I can do it, what shall I be then?"

"An angel, whom I shall thank on my knees."

A few days later, the rivals met at a coffee-house; the Greek prince
began to lie and boast, and the Austrian officer gave him the lie
direct. In consequence, it was arranged that they should fight a duel
with pistols next morning in a wood close to Baden. But as the officer
was leaving the house with his seconds the next morning, a Police
Commissary came up to him and begged him not to trouble himself any
further about the matter, but another time to be more careful before
accepting a challenge.

"What does it mean?" the officer asked, in some surprise.

"It means that this Maurokordatos is a dangerous swindler and
adventurer, whom we have just taken into custody."

"He is not a prince?"

"No; a circus rider."

An hour later, the officer received a letter from the charming
Countess, in which she humbly begged for pardon. The happy lover set
off to go and see her immediately, but on the way a sudden thought
struck him, and so he turned back in order to thank beautiful Wanda, as
he had promised, on his knees.

THE FALSE GEMS

M. Lantin had met the young woman at a soiree, at the home of the
assistant chief of his bureau, and at first sight had fallen madly in
love with her.

She was the daughter of a country physician who had died some months
previously. She had come to live in Paris, with her mother, who visited
much among her acquaintances, in the hope of making a favorable
marriage for her daughter. They were poor and honest, quiet and
unaffected.

The young girl was a perfect type of the virtuous woman whom every
sensible young man dreams of one day winning for life. Her simple
beauty had the charm of angelic modesty, and the imperceptible smile
which constantly hovered about her lips seemed to be the reflection of
a pure and lovely soul. Her praises resounded on every side. People
were never tired of saying: "Happ