it was
mutilated and disfigured like all books that are given to us. Whole
pages had been cut out, and on those remaining were to be found black
spots rendering whole lines and words illegible--a liberty which the
mistress of ceremonies is in the habit of indulging in, in reference to
all the books we read."

"Yes, it is true," sighed the younger archduchess, "we cannot read a
single good book from beginning to end; and we are thus deprived of much
pleasure. What did you do, dear sister?"

"I cast the book aside with horror, and requested her to let me have the
latest newspapers. She brought them to me, but everywhere the same foul
marks; not only all the news from France, but even the local Vienna
items were almost illegible to-day; lines had been cut out, words
erased, and half a column had entirely disappeared. I was almost beside
myself at this treatment. I returned the papers and said, 'Madame, this
is doubtless a mistake. I am sure these papers were intended for the
nursery, that the little archduchesses might learn to spell; as for
myself, I can both spell and read, and I request you, therefore, to give
me legible books and newspapers.'"

"Oh," exclaimed Leopoldine, merrily clapping her hands, "that was
glorious! You acted like a heroine, my dear sister!"

Maria Louisa smiled and added, "'Madame,' I went on to say, 'I cannot
bear any longer this system of surveillance. It is insulting and
repugnant to me to be treated like a child, and considered so weakminded
as to be forbidden books which thousands of girls of my age are allowed
to read. Or do you want to make me believe that all books and newspapers
come to Austria in this mutilated condition? Oh, I know full well that
the people would not submit to such a system of tyranny, and that, in
case such efforts should be made to deprive them of their mental food,
assuredly a revolution would break out, as in France at the time when my
unfortunate aunt, Marie Antoinette, was on the throne.'"

"Did you say so?" asked Leopoldine, in surprise. "But where did you find
the courage and the words?"

"I must avow to you that I had reflected about the matter for three
days, and drawn up, and learned by heart, this little speech in order to
address it to the mistress of ceremonies at the first opportunity. I am
really tired of being treated so childishly, when I am a woman, and may
expect soon to be married."

"Ah, married!" sighed Leopoldine. "Who knows to what dreadf