weather, which threatened this year to set in early, but also on Frederica's account, or, perhaps, on his own, for now that his love was endangered by Herr von Hahn it had become an actual passion. He entertained, indeed, no doubt of her fidelity, still less of her courage, and relied on her never consenting to her father's mercantile marriage schemes; yet was he tortured in mind by a thousand possibilities. And besides these anxious thoughts, the separation (after his secret engagement) from her, whom he now wholly and passionately idolised, was utterly insupportable. But there was the order, and military law compelled him to obey.

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"Frederica," said he, the day before his departure, when in the dusk of the evening he found himself accidentally alone with the young lady; Frederica, never-never have I quitted Herbesheim and you with such heaviness of heart as now, and although it is but for a few weeks, yet it seems to me as if it were for ever. Something tells me that some dark misfortune is impending, of which my misgivings forewarn me. I could easier bear the certain knowledge that my death was at hand.”

Frederica was frightened at his language; she seized his hand and said, “Are you disturbed about Herr von Hahn, lest he should arrive in your absence, or are you doubtful of my firmness? Do not be afraid-pray do not be afraid; be easy on my account, only take care of yourself, of your own health and life at this unhealthy season of the year, for I, too, acknowledge I never felt so low and nervous at any of our partings as I do now. I cannot tell why, but my mind makes me fear you will never return."

Both continued to express their anxious fears and forebodings— and ventured on this occasion to do that which they dared not openly. With embraces, tears, and kisses they bade each other farewell, both with the oppressive feeling of its being for the last time. Presently a maid-servant entered with a lamp. Waldrich hastened to leave both the room and the house to conceal his tears, and give vent to his grief in the open air. Frederica retired to her room, and pleaded a headache that she might be allowed to go to bed, and remain undisturbed the whole evening.

The captain set off during the night. Herr Bantes had forced him to partake of a good warm bowl of punch. But the punch failed to enliven his spirits, although he forced himself to appear cheerful in Herr Bantes' presence. This did not escape the mother's observation; and when, on the following morning, she came to Frederica's bedside and asked her how she had slept and whether she felt better, she plainly saw that the poor girl looked pale, and that her eyes were red with weeping.

"My child," said she, "I see you are unwell; why do you conceal your ailments from your mother? Have I ceased to be a mother to you; or do I love you less?—or do you love me less since you loved Waldrich? Why do you blush; is it because you feel you have been wrong? I see nothing blameable in your love for him, but I do blame you for not disclosing your inmost heart to me, openly as to God, and as you were wont to do."

Frederica raised herself up, extended her arms, pressed her mother to her heart, and wept.

"Yes, I love him—yes, I am engaged to him, and you know it. I was wrong not to tell my dear mother, but my object simply was to conceal my unhappiness, that I might not before the time be the cause of sorrow to her. Let me delay as long as possible what must come at last, when my father hears that I would far rather never marry than give my hand to the person he has selected. Thus I reflected, and therefore I was silent."

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mis

My child, I am not come to upbraid you; I pardon your trust in that maternal heart which has ever been true to you. Be composed therefore; and as to your and Waldrich's mutual regard for each other, I have long feared it—nay, it could not be otherwise; you could not help yourselves-be patient: hope and pray. God will so order it if He wills it. Waldrich is worthy of you, although his circumstances and position are not those your father approves. I will let your father know how matters stand."

"For heaven's sake, not yet-not now, I entreat!"

"Yes, Frederica, now. It were better to have been done sooner. I must acquaint him, for I am his wife; and as such I ought not to keep any important secret from my husband, neither will I ; and mind that you never have any concealment from your future husband. The first secret kept from the other, either by husband or wife, even in the happiest marriage, brings destruction of all happiness, introduces variance and mistrust with it. There is always a right and a wrong way of acting: it is best to be sincere on every occasion; the appearance of evil is prevented, and even a fault becomes less faulty."

"But what must I do?" said Frederica.

"You! how, and do you not know?

Turn to God in silent

prayer communion with Him, who alike governs the mighty worlds of light above and the minutest atoms here below, will elevate and sanctify your heart and give you peace of mind. You will think and act more soberly, more nobly, and never do amiss; and if you act and speak aright, believe me, nothing ill will ever come of it."

So said Madame Bantes, and then left her to join her husband at the breakfast table.

"What ails the girl?" was his first question.

"She wants confidence in you and me, and yet is this the result of her affection for us both."

“Stupid stuff—and such like, mamma; you have something behind the curtain again. Yesterday she had a headache and to-day she wants confidence."

"She is afraid of giving you pain, that makes her ill."

'Silly nonsense, and such like."

"And she is afraid of your forcing Herr von Hahn upon her whether she likes him or not. She has never yet seen him. She had rather not see him. Her heart has already made its choice: she and Waldrich have a regard for each other; you might have noticed it long ago.

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Stop!" cried Herr Bantes; and he put down his coffee cup, pondered a little, again raised his cup and said, "Go on."

"How go on? I would only add that you should be cautious, and not push on this marriage too hastily, if you do not wish to cause sorrow unnecessarily. It is possible that the commandant may be removed to another garrison, and that time and absence may weaken this first love; then"

"Right, that is just my own opinion. I shall write to his general, he must go to another garrison. What the deuce! Frederica shall never be a captain's wife. I shall write by the next post. How confoundedly provoking!"

;

Madame Bantes had now made a beginning: there followed, in truth, rather a lively discussion; Herr Bantes stormed a little, according to custom, and spoke out his will decidedly enough; nevertheless, he acknowledged he must go cautiously to work-not attempt to stem the torrent, nor offer violence to his daughter's affections Waldrich must by gentle means be removed from Herbesheim; Frederica's regard for him was not to be openly opposed, that she might become more calm, and that thus, by wisely steering his own course, he might, without her being aware of it, gain his own desired object.

"After all, it is an annoying affair," said Herr Bantes in manifest vexation, and he repeated the same when he came to a private understanding with Frederica.

"Now, mark," said he to her, "you are a sensible girl and ought not to let yourself be trifled with, like any silly fool. However, as I said before, I have nothing to say against it; fall in love if you will,

VOL. X., N.S. 1873.

K K

but don't think about marrying. That won't do. You are too young --don't let things go too far; learn to know something of the world; every one has his own good points; consider, therefore, what is fitting for yourself: make Herr von Hahn's acquaintance—if you don't like him, off he shall go. I will not force you to anything, only, on the other hand, do not force me."

Thus was domestic peace restored, and a threatened storm diverted by Madame Bantes's prudence, and changed into a soft genial shower. Former cheerfulness was, as far as could be, restored, and things resumed their ordinary course. Frederica, quite at ease, thanked Heaven that she had so far succeeded, and felt a confident hope of "better things" to come. Herr Bantes, too, anticipated from the future "better things." He was rejoiced that Frederica had resumed her former gaiety, and put his plan into execution of writing to the general. Madame Bantes, who loved with equal tenderness her husband and her daughter, hoped less, feared less; she left events to the guidance of Heaven. She regarded Waldrich as an adopted son; but she also highly valued Herr von Hahn, not only on account of the favourable reports she had received of him, but also on account of her husband's prepossession in his favour. anxious for her daughter's happiness; to her it was means of whom that object was accomplished.

She was only indifferent by

(To be continued.)

L'EMPEREUR EST MORT.

BY THE EARL OF WINCHILSEA AND NOTTINGHAM. ·

F scourge and thong how sore's the need!
Back, yelping curs of Rochefort's breed!
Back, sons of Communistic greed!
E'en hang the head!

From all your treacheries he's freed--
A great man's dead!

His faults, mayhap, were not a few,
But loyal were his aims and true;
He failed as most French rulers do-
But he loved France:

While you, ye fickle, noisy crew,
Eyed him askance.

From first to last, from great to small,
Who rightly answered duty's call?
But Nemesis prepared his fall,

While yours lacked point;

Small creeping maggots bred in all
Times out of joint.

To him was given perhaps no right
For which a chivalry will fight;
But he found France in woeful plight
With none to speed-

Long past the cure of words polite-
And did a deed!

He found her outraged and forlorn,
The shuttlecock of every scorn,
The waif of a late schemer born
Of her old kings,

And dared to promise her a dawn
Of better things.