e played again. It must be laid aside forever."

The children were frightened and downcast; the emperor turned from them,
and beckoned to the Archduchess Maria Louisa to follow him. "I came to
see you at your rooms," he said; "the mistress of ceremonies told me
that I would find you here. I want to speak to you."

"Your majesty was very gracious to come to me instead of sending for
me," said the archduchess, bowing to her father. "Does your majesty
command me to follow you to your cabinet?"

"No, just step with me into this window-niche," said the emperor; "I
will not detain you long. I wish to show you something." He stepped with
the princess into the last window-niche, and closed the curtain. "Now
look," he said, "I want to show you a miniature, and you must tell me
how you like it." He opened the locket and presented it to the
archduchess. She gazed at it long and musingly, and a blush suffused her
cheeks. "Well! what do you think of this man?"

"Your majesty, he must be a very great and distinguished man," exclaimed
the archduchess. "It is a countenance that makes my heart throb; it is
more than merely fine-looking, it is sublime! How much majesty is
enthroned on that brow, and yet the smile seems petulant and childlike;
but the eyes are magnificent."

"Look at him carefully," said the emperor, "and do not restrain your
feelings, but fall in love with him. For let me tell you a secret,
Louisa; it is the likeness of your future husband."

A deeper blush crimsoned the face of the archduchess, and half ashamed,
half anxious, she fixed her eyes again on the miniature.

"Yes," added the emperor, in a graver tone, "it is the portrait of your
husband, and you will receive this very day his ambassador, who will
apply to you for your hand. He has already received my consent, and I am
sure my daughter knows her duty, and will accept obediently the husband
I have destined for her."

"Yes," whispered the archduchess, "I know that to be my duty, and shall
humbly submit to the will and commands of my emperor and father."

"And it is a grand destiny that Providence offers you," said the
emperor, gravely. "You are to preserve peace to the world, my daughter;
you are to be the bond of reconciliation between those who have hitherto
hated and waged war with each other."

"Sire," exclaimed the archduchess, anxiously, "your majesty did not tell
me whose likeness this is?"

"And whom I have determined to become your husband,"