rld, and that all the world takes an interest in this war in which
a single hero battles against so many powerful enemies. Yes, yes,
there are Prussians in all Europe, and the great Frederick is joyfully
welcomed everywhere; but nowhere more joyfully than in our beautiful
Italy; and nowhere in Italy is he more welcomed than in our beautiful
Venice. The nobles and the gondoliers decide for or against, and Venice
is divided into two great parties: the first for the King of Prussia,
the latter for the Austrian empress, Maria Theresa. But I assure you
the Teresiani are mean and despicable, bought enthusiasts, and cowardly
fools."

"Consequently, you do not belong to them, signor," said the stranger,
smiling; "you are a good Prussiano."

"I should think so," cried the host, proudly; "I am a good patriot, and
our watchword is, 'Chi non e buon Prussiano, non e buon Veneziano.'"

"If that is so," cried the stranger, gayly, as he kindly offered the
host his hand, "I congratulate myself for having stopped here, and these
small, mean rooms will not prevent my remaining. I also am a Prussian,
and say, like yourself, what care we for the battles of Kunersdorf and
Mayen? Frederick the Great will still triumph over his enemies."

"Ah, signor, you are a Prussian" cried the host, with a true Italian
burst of joy. "You are heartily welcome at my hotel, and be convinced,
sir, that I shall do every thing to deserve your approval. Come, sir,
these rooms are too small, too mean, for a follower of Frederick; I
shall have the honor of showing you two beautiful rooms on the first
floor, with a view of the Canale Grande, and you shall pay no more for
them. Follow me, sir, and pardon me that you were not at once worthily
served. I did not know you were a Prussiano, and it would have been most
dangerous and impolitic to have received a stranger who might have been
a Teresiano; it might have deprived me of all the Prussian custom. Have
the goodness to follow me."

He stepped forward briskly, and conducted the stranger across the
passage through the grand saloon into the hall. The head waiter was
standing there engaged in an excited conversation with the gondoliers
who, having placed the traveller's trunk in the hall, were cursing and
crying aloud for their money. While the waiter was assuring them, that
it was not decided whether the stranger would remain with them or not,
and perhaps they would have to carry his trunk farther, the host nodded