"No more, Monsieur; no more." And nothing could induce the German to touch the weapon; but screwing himself in the corner, into the smallest possible space, prayed and entreated to be allowed to go. The Count, however, did not seem to understand a syllable, so intent was he on practice.

"Beautiful weapon,-cut right through a man's body at one sheer,-sharp as a razor:now M. Kirchman, just pass your finger across its edge, you will be delighted."

The tailor could stand it no longer, he thought surely his hour was

come,- -one

thought alone animated him, and that was how to escape.

"What are you looking for, M. Kirchman -the sabre?"

66

No, Monsieur, for my hat!" And making a desperate bound, he rushed at the door, nearly upsetting Leblond, and capsizing, on his road, several articles of furniture; he disappeared through the aperture, with the expedition of a furtive puppy-dog, pursued by the scalding contents of the cook's ladle.

EPIGRAM.

'Come hither, Sir John, my picture is here, What say you, my love, does it strike you? "I can't say it does just at present, my dear, But I think it soon will, it's so like you.'

THE SOVEREIGN AND THE SUBJECT

OR THE RIVAL SUITORS.

"SHOULD you like to be a queen, Christina?" said Count Piper, in a tone of affected carelessness, to his beautiful young daughter, who was reclining upon a couch, nursing a lap-dog. "Queen of hearts," said the petite Venus, without raising her head.

"That empire is your own already," returned the politician.

"Then I have no ambition to extend my dominions. I have more subjects, at present, than I well know how to manage.'

"How! I was not aware, madam, that you had lovers. Surely you are too prudent to encourage their addresses."

"Indeed! I am not so obligingly grateful for homage which I consider as my due. There is only one man in the world for whom I feel the least tender regard." The brow of the prime minister of Sweden darkened.

"And pray who is the favoured Adonis ?" Christina blushed, looked enchantingly simple, and redoubled the caresses she was bestowing upon her dog. The count repeated the question.

"My cousin, Adolphus Von Hesse."

"You have not been so foolish as to fall in love with that boy?"

66

Boy, indeed! No, I walked into love with

THE SOVEREIGN AND THE SUBJECT, &c. 29

him; for I cannot remember the day when he first appeared lovely in my eyes."

"Nonsense! You have been brought up together. 'Tis a mere sisterly regard."

I should be very sorry if Adolphus were my brother."

"But the youth is portionless;-has no other maintenance than his commission and my bounty."

"He is handsome and brave; and when I discovered that he had fine eyes, and that they spoke the most eloquent language in the world, I never examined the depth of his purse."

66

My dear girl, you must forget him,” said the count, passing his arm tenderly round her waist.

"My dear sire, I don't mean to try. You are not indifferent to his amiable qualities, and love him yourself."

"Not well enough to make him my heir." "And you will not render us the happiest couple in the world?" said Christina, her fine eyes sparkling like sapphires through her tears.

"Christina, you have been a spoilt child. I have given you too much your own way, and now you demand impossibilities. You are not old enough to choose a husband for yourself. Be a good girl, and your aunt shall introduce you at court; and then you will see our brave young king."

"The rude monster! see him. Besides, he hates women."

I have no wish to

""Tis a libel. He is in love with you." "With me! I never saw him in my life." “But he has seen you, and he says

66

Ah, my dear father, what does he say?" "You do not care for the opinion of a rude monster, and a woman-hater?"

66

Ah, but he is a king. What did he say?" But the count was determined to keep the secret; and no coaxing, in which feminine art the little flirt was a perfect adept, could wheedle it out of him.

"Christina, I shall bring an officer home to with me: you must treat him with respect, as I intend him for your husband."

sup

66

"If I

"But I will never have him," said Christina, laughing, as the count left the room. do not marry my soldier, I will die a maid." Bravely resolved, sweetheart," cried Von Hesse, stepping from the arras. "It is worth playing at hide and seek, to hear you advocate a cause so hopeless as mine."

66

Hopeless!-why the battle is half-won. My father's anger is like the dew upon the grass, which the first sunny smile evaporates. Praythee, do not sigh, and fold your arms, and look so sentimentally solemn. Love will pay the piper, and we shall yet dance to a merry

tune."

"You suffer hope to deceive you, Christina. I know your father better. Ah, Christina! you will not be able to refuse the magnificent bribe he will offer in exchange for the warm

heart and devoted attachment of your cou sin."

"I perceive that you are determined that I shall increase the list of faithless lovers," said Christina, pouting, "in spite of the late convincing proof you so treacherously obtained of my constancy."

"Dearest love, you mistake my meaning. Dry these tears, Christina; I am not stoic enough to withstand such eloquence.

Why did you cause them to flow?" said Christina still sobbing. "Was it merely to indulge in the levity of kissing them away; or were you jealous of some imaginary rival? What think you of that antidote to the tender emotions of the heart, Count Ericson!" "Ah, Christina?"

"Why that sigh, Adolphus?"

"Your father will introduce to you, to-night, a new lover, and I-I shall be forgotten." "You deserve the fate you anticipate, for entertaining these unjust suspicions, But, you are a man—and I forgive you."

"Then you really love me, Christina?"

"Am I to tell you so a hundred times! You must be tired of the repetition of that word."

"On the contrary, 'tis ever new to me."

"We love each other," said Christina: “but my father will not at present give his consent to our union; and we must wait patiently till he does."