the Grand Duke.

Thus, then, our designing pair were established at the court of
Gerolstein, agreeably and securely placed without any reference to
Rodolph. By a lucky chance, some days after the arrival of Sarah, the
young prince had gone away to the inspection of troops, with an
aide-de-camp and the faithful Murphy. This absence, doubly auspicious to
the views of Sarah, allowed her to arrange at her ease the principal
threads of the fillet she was weaving, without being deterred by the
presence of the young prince, whose too open admiration might, perhaps,
have awakened the suspicions of the Grand Duke. On the contrary, in the
absence of his son, he did not, unfortunately, reflect that he was
admitting into the closest intimacy a young girl of surpassing beauty,
and of lively wit, as Rodolph must discover at every moment of the day.

Sarah was perfectly insensible to a reception so kind and generous,--to
the full confidence with which she was introduced into the very heart of
this sovereign family. Neither brother nor sister paused for a moment in
their bad designs; they determined upon a principle to bring trouble and
annoyance into this peaceable and happy court; they calmly calculated
the probable results of the cruel divisions they should establish
between a father and son, up to that period so tenderly united.

* * * * *

A few words concerning Rodolph's early days may be necessary. During his
infancy, he had been extremely delicate. His father reasoned thereon in
this strange manner: "English country gentlemen are generally remarkable
for their robust health. This advantage results generally from their
bodily training, which is simple, rural, and develops their full vigour.
Rodolph must leave the hands of women; his temperament is delicate, and,
perhaps, by accustoming this child to live like the son of an English
farmer (with some few exceptions), I shall strengthen his constitution."

The Grand Duke sent to England for a man worthy of the trust, and
capable of directing such a course of bodily culture, and Sir Walter
Murphy, an athletic specimen, of a Yorkshire country gentleman, was
entrusted with this important charge. The direction which he gave to the
mind and body of the young prince were such as entirely coincided with
the views and wishes of the Grand Duke. Murphy and his pupil lived for
many years in a beautiful farmhouse, situated in the midst of woods and
fields, so