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 said, with such a sad accent that the Emperor suddenly stopped, forgetting, in view of the sadness of the Count, the lady that he was seeking.

“I see that something really worries you,” he said with sympathy. “Trust it to me, dear Count; you see that I am as devoted to you and your family as you are to me. Speak frankly; do not think that you will tire me. We are left alone, where no one can overhear us. Have you really cause to complain of your daughter’s behavior?”

The Count struggled with his overwrought feelings.

“Oh, who would have foretold to me that the moment when I should stand with my only child before my gracious master, commending her to his sublime friendship, would not be the happiest of my life—that I should tremble and do all I could to postpone it? It would have grieved me to death,” he passionately added. “Yes, I linger, I tremble to introduce my daughter lest she awaken your dislike, not by her personal appearance, but by