gs upon political
economy; and the man whose saintly turn of countenance persuades its
owner into the belief of a corresponding character within, forthwith
abjures the pomps and vanities of the world, and aims at reforming his
brethren by his pulpit eloquence. Now, ambition being Sarah's ruling
passion, and her noble and aristocratical features well assisting the
delusion, she smiled as the word "diadem" crossed her thoughts, and lent
a willing ear to the predictions of her Highland nurse, and firmly
believed herself predestined to a sovereign destiny. Spite of the
trifling embonpoint that gave to her figure (which, though fatter than
Madame d'Harville's, was not less slender and nymph-like) a voluptuous
gracefulness, Sarah boasted of all the freshness of early youth, and few
could long sustain the fire of her black and piercing eyes; her nose was
aquiline; her finely formed mouth and rich ruby lips were expressive of
the highest determination, haughtiness, and pride.

The marquise and Sarah had recognised Rodolph in the winter garden at
the moment they were descending into it from the gallery; but the prince
feigned not to observe their presence.

"The prince is so absorbed with the ambassadress," said Madame
d'Harville to Sarah, "that he pays not the slightest attention to us."

"You are quite mistaken, my dear Clemence," rejoined the countess; "the
prince saw us as quickly and as plainly as we saw him, but I frightened
him away; you see he still bears malice with me."

"I am more than ever at a loss to understand the singular obstinacy with
which he persists in shunning you,--you, formerly an old friend.
'Countess Sarah and myself are sworn enemies,' replied he to me once in
a joking manner; 'I have made a vow never to speak to her; and you may
judge how sacred must be the vow that hinders me from conversing with so
charming a lady.' And, strange and unaccountable as was this reply, I
had no alternative but to submit to it."

"And yet I can assure you that the cause of this deadly feud, half in
jest, and half in earnest as it is, originates in the most simple
circumstance. Were it not that a third party is implicated in it, I
should have explained the whole to you long ago. But what is the matter,
my dear child? You seem as though your thoughts were far from the
present scene."

"Nothing, nothing, I assure you," replied the marquise, faintly; "but
the gallery is so very hot, it gave me a violent headache. Let u