gs
with him, and that he and I are engaged. And--just fancy how awful!
papa says as well, that I must marry this little wretch, because he
belongs to a very grand family. I suppose be very likely does, judging
by his following and the splendid dresses they have on. But the
creature has such a horrible name that, for that alone if it were for
nothing else, I never would marry him. I can't even pronounce the
heathenish words of the name; but one of them is Cordovanspitz,
and it seems that is the family name. Write and tell me if these
Cordovanspitzes really _are_ so very great and aristocratic a
family--people in the town will be sure to know if they are. And the
things papa takes in his head at his time of life I really can't
understand; but he wants to marry again, and this nasty Cordovanspitz
is going to get him a wife that flies in the air. God protect us! Our
servant girl is looking over my shoulder, and says she hasn't much of
an opinion of ladies who can fly in the air and swim in the water, and
that she'll have to be looking out for another situation, and hopes,
for my sake, that my stepmother may break her neck the first time she
goes riding through the air to St. Walpurgis. Nice state of things,
isn't it? But all my hope is in _you_. For I know you are the person
who ought to be, and has got to be, just where and what you are, and
has to deliver me from a great danger. The danger has come, so be
quick, and rescue

"Your grieved to death, but most true and loving _fiancee_,
"ANNA VON ZABELTHAU.

"P.S.--Couldn't you call this yellow little Cordovanspitz out? I'm sure
you could settle his hash. He's feeble on his legs.

"What I implore you to do is to put on your things as fast as you can
and hasten to

"Your most unfortunate and miserable,
"But always most faithful _fiancee_.
"ANNA VON ZABELTHAU."

CHAPTER IV.

IN WHICH THE HOUSEHOLD STATE OF A GREAT KING IS DESCRIBED; AND
AFTERWARDS A BLOODY DUEL AND OTHER REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES ARE
TREATED OF.

Fraeulein Aennchen was so miserable and distressed that she felt
paralyzed in all her members. She was sitting at the window with folded
arms gazing straight before her, heedless of the cackling, crowing, and
queaking of the fowls, which couldn't understand why on earth she
d