tors, and whether, when I was a private
in Bulow's foot, my royal relatives had interposed to rescue me, and
whether the cane was smartly administered there,--anything to mortify
me. But, Heaven bless you! I can make allowances for people, and used to
laugh in her face. Whilst her jibes and jeers were continuing, it was my
pleasure to look at poor Magny and see how HE bore them. The poor devil
was trembling lest I should break out under the Princess's sarcasm and
tell all; but my revenge was, when the Princess attacked me, to say
something bitter to HIM,--to pass it on, as boys do at school. And THAT
was the thing which used to make her Highness feel. She would wince just
as much when I attacked Magny as if I had been saying anything rude to
herself. And, though she hated me, she used to beg my pardon in private;
and though her pride would often get the better of her, yet her
prudence obliged this magnificent princess to humble herself to the poor
penniless Irish boy.

As soon as Magny had formally withdrawn from the Countess Ida, the
Princess took the young lady into favour again, and pretended to be very
fond of her. To do them justice, I don't know which of the two disliked
me most,--the Princess, who was all eagerness, and fire, and coquetry;
or the Countess, who was all state and splendour. The latter,
especially, pretended to be disgusted by me: and yet, after all, I have
pleased her betters; was once one of the handsomest men in Europe, and
would defy any heyduc of the Court to measure a chest or a leg with me:
but I did not care for any of her silly prejudices, and determined
to win her and wear her in spite of herself. Was it on account of
her personal charms or qualities? No. She was quite white, thin,
short-sighted, tall, and awkward, and my taste is quite the contrary;
and as for her mind, no wonder that a poor creature who had a hankering
after a wretched ragged ensign could never appreciate ME. It was her
estate I made love to; as for herself, it would be a reflection on my
taste as a man of fashion to own that I liked her.

CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH THE LUCK GOES AGAINST BARRY

My hopes of obtaining the hand of one of the richest heiresses in
Germany were now, as far as all human probability went, and as far as
my own merits and prudence could secure my fortune, pretty certain of
completion. I was admitted whenever I presented myself at the Princess's
apartments, and had as frequent opportunities as I