th enthusiasm.

"Indeed! So you are a grand-nephew to the Graf von Auersberg," said the
Count, taking a more deliberate view than he had yet bestowed upon him.
"Then how comes it you are travelling in this fashion, and on foot?"

"I have not asked you why you journey in a caleche with three horses,"
said Frank, insolently.

"It's my habit to do so."

"This, then, may be mine, sir," said Frank, throwing his knapsack on his
shoulder, and preparing to depart.

"Is not the Franz Carl at Vienna?" said the Count, not seeming to notice
the irritation of his manner.

"I believe so."

"Well, then, as I am going thither, perhaps you will accept of a seat in
my caleche?"

There was a frankness in the way this offer was made that suddenly
routed the ill-temper Frank had fallen into. No one was less disposed
than himself to accept of a favor from a perfect stranger; but the tone
and manner of the proffer had, somehow, disarmed it of all appearance of
such; and as he stood uncertain what answer to make, the Count added:
"I 'm always lucky. I was just wishing for a travelling companion, and
fortune has thrown us into acquaintanceship."

"I don't know I can scarcely tell," said Frank, hesitating, "how or what
to answer."

"You forget that we are comrades, Dalton or shall be, at least, in
another day or two," said the Count, familiarly; "so step in, and no
more about it."

The caleche had drawn up as he spoke, and the courier stood, cap in
hand, beside the door, so that Frank had no time for any but an abrupt
refusal, and that he could not give; he therefore bowed his head, and
sprang in. The door was slammed sharply to, and the next moment the
horses were rattling along over the snow, the merry bells of the harness
jingling pleasantly as they went.

Probably no two beings could present a much stronger contrast than the
two who now journeyed along side by side. The one, rich, highly placed,
and distinguished with every gift of fortune at his command, and yet
pleasure-sick, weary, and discontented; the other, poor, and almost
friendless, full of hope, and ardent with all the buoyancy of youth. The
Count was as jaded and tired of life as the cadet was eager to enjoy it.
Notwithstanding perhaps we should rather say in virtue of these strong
contrarieties, they made admirable travelling companions, and the road
slipped away unconsciously to each.

At Innspruck they halted for a day or two, and Frank accompanied his new
fri