d marches. It was monotonous enough; but it
was better than sitting there and listening to the vexed question
whether "the peoples" were capable of governing themselves. So he turned
to Miss Merlin with a bow and smile, saying:

"Shall we join the promenade? Will you so far honor me?"

"With pleasure, my lord," replied Miss Merlin.

And he rose and gave her his arm, and they walked away. And for the
third time that evening Claudia became the target of all sorts of
glances--glances of admiration, glances of hate. She had been led out by
the young English minister; then by the old President; and now she was
promenading with the lion of the evening, the only titled person at this
republican court, the Viscount Vincent. And she a newcomer, a mere girl,
not twenty years old! It was intolerable, thought all the ladies, young
and old, married or single.

But if the beautiful Claudia was the envy of all the women, the handsome
Vincent was not less the envy of all the men present. "Puppy";
"coxcomb"; "Jackanape"; "swell"; "Viscount, indeed! more probably some
foreign blackleg or barber"; "It is perfectly ridiculous the manner in
which American girls throw themselves under the feet of these titled
foreign paupers," were some of the low-breathed blessings bestowed upon
young Lord Vincent. And yet these expletives were not intended to be
half so malignant as they might have sounded. They were but the
impulsive expressions of transient vexation at seeing the very pearl of
beauty, on the first evening of her appearance, carried off by an alien.

In truth, the viscount and the heiress were a very handsome couple; and
notwithstanding all the envy felt for them, all eyes followed them with
secret admiration. The beautiful Claudia was a rare type of the young
American girl--tall, slender, graceful, dark-haired, dark-eyed, with a
rich, glowing bloom on cheeks and lips. And her snow white dress of
misty lace over shining satin, and her gleaming pearls and sparkling
diamonds, set off her beauty well. Vincent was a fine specimen of the
young English gentleman--tall, broad-chouldered, deep-chested; with a
stately head; a fair, roseate complexion; light-brown, curling hair and
beard; and clear, blue eyes. And his simple evening dress of speckless
black became him well. His manners were graceful, his voice pleasant,
and his conversation brilliant; but, alas, for Claudia! the greatest
charm he possessed for her was--his title! Claudia knew a