han
thus dreamily to rest beneath the trees and flowers of this terrestrial
paradise.

At the end of this winter garden were placed immense divans beneath
canopies of leaves and flowers; the subdued light of the hothouse
forming a powerful contrast with the gallery, the distance seemed filled
with a species of gold-coloured, shining fog, in the midst of which
glittered and flickered, like a living embroidery, the dazzling and
varied robes of the ladies, combined with the prismatic scintillations
of the congregated mass of diamonds and precious stones. Rodolph's first
sensation upon arriving at this enchanting triumph of art over nature
was that of most unfeigned surprise.

"This is, indeed, a wonderfully beautiful carrying out of a poetical
idea," said he, almost involuntarily; then, turning to the ambassadress,
he exclaimed, "Madame, till now, I had not deemed such wonders
practicable. We have not in the scene before us a mere union of
unbounded expense with the most exquisite taste, but you give us poetry
in action. Instead of writing as a master poet, or painting as a
first-rate artist, you create that which they would scarcely venture to
dream of."

"Your royal highness is too indulgent."

"Nay, but candidly, all must agree that the mind which could so
faithfully depict this ravishing scene, with its charm of colours and
contrasts,--beyond us, the loud notes of joy and mirthful revelry, here
the soft silence and sweet, gentle murmurs of distant voices, that lull
the spirit into a fancied flight beyond this fitful existence,--surely,
surely, without suspicion of flattery, it may be said of the planner and
contriver of all this, such a one was born a poet and a painter
combined."

"The praises of your royal highness are so much the more dangerous from
the skill and cleverness with which they are uttered, and which makes us
listen to them with delight, even in defiance of our sternest
resolutions. But allow me to call your royal highness's attention to the
very lovely person who is approaching us. I must have you admit that the
Marquise d'Harville must shine preeminently beautiful any and every
where. Is she not graceful? And does not the gentle elegance of her
whole appearance acquire a fresh charm, from the contrast with the
severe yet classic beauty by whom she is accompanied?"

The individuals thus alluded to were the Countess Sarah Macgregor and
the Marquise d'Harville, who were at this moment descending t