g Dorel is coming!--the darling Dorel
is coming!"

The manner in which this endearing designation first came to her ears is
related with affecting simplicity. "It happened," says Master Gierth,
with true German particularity, "on the 10th of September (old style) in
the year of our Lord, 1613;" that being the Feast of St. Sibylla--one of
the duchess's name-saints--and also the second birth-day of her son
George. There was a great feast at the castle; to which the towns-folks
and the children of the High and Guild Schools were invited.

"From the terrace," quoth the chronicler, "the whole procession moved
along a wide, smooth walk before the orangery; where the quality, as
well as the children, were richly treated with strong, spiced wine,
orange-water, and confectionery. Her ladyship did, likewise, lay certain
presents before the young lord, her son; she did, likewise, examine the
children's school-books, and the master's report, wherein the conduct of
the children was noted, and did put apposite questions to them touching
their Christian belief, and the like; and, on receiving right proper
answers, her face did shine like an angel's.

"One little maiden, however, which was weak and ignorant, was not able
to answer the questions aright; whereupon her ladyship did ask:

"'My child, what is your name?' Whereunto she did answer, 'Anna Pohlin.'

"'Well,' asked her ladyship, 'and what is my name?'

"Straightway the little maiden did answer, 'Darling Dorel!'

"Hereupon Master Valentinus Gierth was somewhat affronted, but did
quickly recover himself and, stepping up to her ladyship, did say:

"'Most gracious lady! I trust your ladyship will pardon these words, and
not take them amiss; inasmuch, as it is true that the women of this
town, as well as of the neighboring villages, when they do speak of your
ladyship, do commonly call your ladyship the Darling Dorel.'

"Then did the duchess fold her hands, and, raising them to heaven, did
say:

"'God be praised for such a precious title! the which, as long as I am
in my senses, I would not exchange against 'Your Majesty!'

"The duke did, thereupon, embrace her ladyship, saying:

"'Away with the title, 'princely consort!' I will ever henceforth call
thee by none other save 'Darling Dorel!'"

We by no means intend to follow the good tanner through his minute
records; but merely write thus much, as necessary preface to a quaint
little love story. Premising that the duches