The Marquis had felt deeply interested | thors, politicians, especially those who call in this narrative, and as Graham now themselves Republicans. He and the paused, took his hand and pressed it. Prince agree in one thing-viz., the cordial reception they give to the men who would destroy the state of things upon which Prince and financier both thrive. Hillo! here comes Lemercier on his return from the Bois."

"One of our most eminent personages said to me about that time, 'Whatever a clever man of your age determines to do or to be, the odds are twenty to one that he has only to live on in order to do or to be it.' Don't you think he spoke truly? I think so."

"I scarcely know what to think," said Rochebriant; "I feel as if you had given me so rough a shake when I was in the midst of a dull dream, that I do not yet know whether I am asleep or awake."

ered in salute.

Lemercier's coupé stopped beside the footpath. "What tidings of the Belle Inconnue?" asked the Englishman.

66

None; she was not there. But I am rewarded-such an adventure -a dame of the haute volée-I believe she is a duchess. She was walking with a lapJust as he said this, and towards the dog, a pure Pomeranian. A strange Paris end of the Champs Elysées, there poodle flew at the Pomeranian. I drove was a halt, a sensation among the loung-off the poodle, rescued the Pomeranian, ers round them: many of them uncov- received the most gracious thanks, the sweetest smile-femme superbe, midA man on the younger side of middle dle-aged. I prefer women of forty. Au age, somewhat inclined to corpulence, revoir, I am due at the club." with a very striking countenance, was Alain felt a sensation of relief that Leriding slowly by. He returned the salu-mercier had not seen the lady in the tations he received with the careless dig-pearl-coloured dress, and quitted the nity of a Personage accustomed to re- Englishman with a lightened heart. spect, and then reigned his horse by the side of a barouche, and exchanged some words with a portly gentleman who was its sole occupant. The loungers, still halting, seemed to contemplate this parley-between him on horseback and him in the carriage-with very eager interest. Some put their hands behind their ears and pressed forward, as if trying perhaps to a pair of very vivacious ing to overhear what was said.

"I wonder," quoth Graham, "whether, with all his cleverness, the Prince has in any way decided what he means to do or to be."

CHAPTER IV.

"Piccola, piccola! com'è cortese ! another invitation from M. Louvier for next Saturday conversazione." This was said in Italian by an elderly lady bursting noisily into the room-elderly, yet with a youthful expression of face, ow

black eyes. She was dressed, after a somewhat slatternly fashion, in a wrapper of crimson merino much the worse for wear, a blue handkerchief twisted turban-like round her head, and her feet en"The Prince!" said Rochebriant, cased in list slippers. The person to rousing himself from reverie; "what whom she addressed herself was a young Prince?" lady with dark hair, which, despite its "Do you not recognize him by his won-evident redundance, was restrained into derful likeness to the first Napoleon-smooth glossy braids over the forehead, him on horseback talking to Louvier, the great financier ?"

"Is that stout bourgeois in the carriage Louvier - my mortgagee, Louvier ?"

"Your mortgagee, my dear Marquis? Well, he is rich enough to be a very lenient one upon pay-day.”

and at the crown of the small graceful head into the simple knot which Horace has described as "Spartan." Her dress contrasted the speaker's by an exquisite neatness. We have seen her before as the lady in the pearl-coloured robe, but seen now at home she looks much younger. She was one of those whom, encountered in the streets or in society, one might guess to be married - probably a young bride; for thus seen there "Wrong! of course not; he is likely was about her an air of dignity and of to overwhelm you with civilities. Pray self-possession which suits well with the don't refuse if he gives you an invitation to his soirée next Saturday- I am going to it. One meets there the notabilities most interesting to study-artists, au

"Hein !-I doubt his leniency," said Alain. “I have promised my avoué to meet him at dinner. Do you think I did wrong?"

ideal of chaste youthful matronage; and in the expression of the face there was a pensive thoughtfulness beyond her years. But as she now sat by the open window

arranging flowers in a glass bowl, a book | is a sure sign of sluggish intellect and lying open on her lap, you would never coarse perception. Hers is the artist's have said, "What a handsome woman!" ear. Note next those hands - how beauyou would have said, "What a charming tifully shaped! small, but not doll-like girl. All about her was maidenly, in-hands-ready and nimble, firm and nernocent, and fresh. The dignity of her vous hands, that could work for a helpbearing was lost in household ease, the mate. By no means very white, still less pensiveness of her expression in an un- red, but somewhat embrowned as by the troubled serene sweetness. sun, such as you see in girls reared in southern climates, and in her perhaps betokening an impulsive character which had not accustomed itself, when at sport in the open air, to the thraldom of gloves - very impulsive people even in cold climates seldom do.

Perhaps many of my readers may have known friends engaged in some absorbing cause of thought, and who are in the habit when they go out, especially if on solitary walks, to take that cause of thought with them. The friend may be an orator meditating his speech, a poet In conveying to us by a few bold his verses, a lawyer a difficult case, a strokes an idea of the sensitive, quickphysician an intricate malady. If you moved, warm-blooded Henry II., the most have such a friend, and you observe him impulsive of the Plantagenets, his conthus away from his home, his face will temporary chronicler tells us that rather seem to you older and graver. He is ab- than imprison those active hands of his, sorbed in the care that weighs on him. even in hawking-gloves, he would suffer When you see him in a holiday moment his falcon to fix its sharp claws into his at his own fireside, the care is thrown wrist. No doubt there is a difference as aside; perhaps he mastered while to what is befitting between a burly belabroad the difficulty that had troubled licose creature like Henry II. and a delihim; he is cheerful, pleasant, sunny. This appears to be very much the case with persons of genius. When in their own houses we usually find them very playful and childlike. Most persons of real genius, whatever they may seem out of doors, are very sweet-tempered at home, and sweet temper is sympathizing and genial in the intercourse of private life. Certainly, observing this girl as she now bends over the flowers, it would be difficult to believe her to be the Isaura Cicogna whose letters to Madame de Grantmesnil exhibit the doubts and struggles of an unquiet, discontented, aspiring mind. Only in one or two passages in those letters would you have guessed at the writer in the girl as we now see her.

It is in those passages where she expresses her love of harmony, and her repugnance to contest-those were characteristics you might have read in her face.

Certainly the girl is very lovely—what long dark eyelashes, what soft, tender, dark-blue eyes now that she looks up and smiles, what a bewitching smile it is! - by what sudden play of rippling dimples the smile is enlivened and redoubled! Do you notice one feature? in very showy beauties it is seldom noticed; but I, being in my way a physiognomist, consider that it is always worth heeding as an index of character. It is the ear. Remark how delicately it is formed in her -none of that heaviness of lobe which

cate young lady like Isaura Cicogna; and one would not wish to see those dainty wrists of hers seamed and scarred by a falcon's claws. But a girl may not be less exquisitely feminine for slight heed of artificial prettinesses. Isaura had no need of pale bloodless hands to seem one of Nature's highest grade of gentlewomen even to the most fastidious eyes. About her there was a charm apart from her mere beauty, and often disturbed instead of heightened by her mere intellect: it consisted in a combination of exquisite artistic refinement, and of a generosity of character by which refinement was animated into vigour and warmth.

in

The room, which was devoted exclusively to Isaura, had in it much that spoke of the occupant. That room, when first taken furnished, had a good deal of the comfortless showiness which belongs to ordinary furnished apartments France, especially in the Parisian suburbs, chiefly let for the summer — thin limp muslin curtains that decline to draw, stiff mahogany chairs covered with yellow Utrecht velvet, a tall secrétaire in a dark corner, an oval buhl-table set in tawdry ormolu, islanded in the centre of a poor but gaudy Scotch carpet, and but one other table of dull walnut-wood standing clothless before a sofa to match the chairs; the eternal ormolu clock flanked by the two eternal ormolu candelabra on the dreary mantelpiece. Some of this garniture had been removed, others soft

of Beowulf, ought to be familiar to every Englishman whose heart beats at the tale of the naval enterprises and achievements of his countrymen. It runs thus:

with the most perfect instruments, and with the advantage of the charts and observations of three hundred years of skilful and daring toil. But Frobisher and his brave comrades went forth with a gal- "At his appointed time then Scyld delant hardihood into absolutely unknown parted, very decrepid, to go into the peace regions, with ships hardly stouter than of the Lord. They then, his dear comfishing smacks; sailing out like the daunt-rades, bore him out to the shore of the less Norse rovers of a still earlier time sea, as he himself requested, the while with steadfast courage into the Arctic that he, the friend of the Scyldings, the storm and ice. The comparison between beloved chieftain, had power with his Martin Frobisher's "two small barkes words; long he owned it! There upon twentie and fyve and twentie tunne the beach stood the ring-prowed ship, the apeece," and the splendidly equipped ex- vehicle of the noble, shining like ice, and pedition which it is hoped will before long ready to set out. They then laid down leave our shores, marks the difference not, the dear prince, the distributor of rings, let us thank God, in skill, courage, and in the bosom of the ship, the mighty oar self-devotion, but in furniture and appli- beside the mast; there was much of treasances, between the marine of Elizabeth ure, of ornaments, brought from afar. and that of our own day. Arctic matters Never heard I of a comelier ship having are likely to occupy some thought, and been adorned with battle-weapons and perhaps to occasion some debate, during war-weeds, with bills and mailed coats. the present session. It is well worth our Upon his bosom lay a multitude of treaswhile to study the history of the first ex-ures, which were to depart afar with him, peditions which sailed on this daring quest from our harbours. It can hardly fail to enlarge our apprehension of the lusty vigour of the young giant which has grown into the "naval supremacy of England." Nor will the impression be weakened, if the men are suffered, as far as possible, to tell their own tale.

These were the true successors of the Norse Vikings, the most adventurous seamen known to history. Battling with those wild Northern seas, which filled even the steadfast Roman with a vague terror, these Scandinavian rovers found a high and joyful excitement in the conflict, and owned no master even in the fiercest tempests which beat upon their rockbound coasts. None who have read the Northern Sagas or Beówulf will find anything exaggerated in my language. That people found in the storms of the German Ocean an enemy with which they felt themselves fairly matched; and there our early forefathers learned a contempt of minor perils, and a joy in hardy adventure, which has infused its noblest tincture into the blood of the most sober, sensible, industrious, and law-abiding, but, when pressed, the most daring and terrible nation of the earth.

The same gallant spirit breathes in Beówulf, which, however in its present shape it may show traces of a Christian hand, contains perhaps the very earliest revelation which we possess of the native spirit of our race. The passage with which the grand old epic opens, the sublime picture of the burial of the hero, Scyld the father

into the possession of the flood. They furnished him not less with offerings, with mighty wealth, than those had done who in the beginning sent him forth in his wretchedness, alone over the waves. Moreover, they set up for him a golden ensign, high over head; they let the deep sea bear him; they gave him to the ocean. Sad was their spirit, mournful their mood. Men know not, in sooth to say (men wise of counsel, or any men under the heavens), who received the freight." ― Beówulf. Kemble's translation, p. 2.

The people must have had a splendid imagination, the root of all high daring, who could bury their heaven-sent chief like this. Thus our ancestors took possession of these Northern seas as their field of conflict and adventure; much as the patriarchs took possession of their Canaan, by making it the burial-place of their dead.

We get some amusing glimpses of the gossip at Rome when the news of Cæsar's expedition reached the capital. The elements always appeared to the Romans their most formidable enemies in the North-West. Even down to the time of Constantius, when they were more used to our rough seas and tides, the terror was still upon them. Roman courage was as cool and steadfast as any that the world has ever known; but the gallant spirit which loves danger for its own sake, and clasps it as a bride, belongs to another type of character, which is found in its full form among the peoples who are settled along these stormy coasts. Is this the rea

Paris, and adapt the Signora's costume will go ;" and, "but let me choose you to the fashions of the place. But the another dress-a dark-green velvet Signora having predetermined on a trimmed with blonde-blonde becomes Greek jacket, and knowing by instinct you so well." that Isaura would be disposed to thwart that splendid predilection, had artfully suggested that it would be better to go to the couturière with Madame Savarin, as being a more experienced adviser,- and the coupé only held two.

"No, no - I hate green velvet; anybody can wear that. Piccola, I am not clever like thee; I cannot amuse myself like thee with books. I am in a foreign land. I have a poor head, but I have a big heart" (another burst of tears); "and that big heart is set on my beautiful Greek jacket."

As Madame Savarin was about the same age as the Signora, and dressed as became her years, and in excellent taste, "Dearest Madre," said Isaura, half Isaura thought this an admirable sugges- weeping too, "forgive me; you are right. tion; and pressing into her chaperon's The Greek jacket is splendid; I shall be hand a billet de banque sufficient to re- so pleased to see you wear it. Poor equip her cap-à-pie, dismissed the subject | Madre-so pleased to think that in the from her mind. But the Signora was foreign land you are not without somemuch too cunning to submit her passion thing that pleases you."

for the Greek jacket to the discouraging

comments of Madame Savarin. Monop

From The Contemporary Review.

NORTH-WEST.

olizing the coupé, she became absolute mistress of the situation. She went to no fashionable couturière's. She went to a magasin that she had seen advertised THE FIRST ARCTIC EXPEDITION TO THE in the Petites Affiches as supplying superb costumes for fancy-balls and amateur performers in private theatricals. She returned home triumphant with a jacket still more dazzling to the eye than that of the English lady.

When Isaura first beheld it, she drew back in a sort of superstitious terror, as of a comet or other blazing portent.

THE search for the North-West Passage, which Martin Frobisher opened in the days of Elizabeth, ranks among the most heroic exploits of the English race. It is our Iliad, if we have one- this siege of the Arctic ice and night! The siege has not ended yet, but wise men think that the end is near. There is a little "Cosa stupenda!"-(stupendous thing!) band of sailors and scholars of the old She might well be dismayed when the heroic temper, who are bent on making Signora proposed to appear thus attired one vigorous and final assault on the Poin M. Louvier's salon. What might be lar citadel. And there can be little quesadmired as coquetry of dress in a young tion, we imagine, that it is in the heart of beauty of rank so great that even a vul- the English people to help them to make garity in her would be called distingué, the attempt, and soon. It seems to be was certainly an audacious challenge of thought in high places that we are too ridicule in the elderly ci-devant music-poor to send out in one year the Challenteacher. ger with a commission to rove through the

But how could Isaura, how can any one world, and an Arctic Expedition thorof common humanity, say to a woman re-oughly equipped for the solution, if solusolved upon wearing a certain dress, tion be possible, of the mystery of the "You are not young and handsome open Polar Sea. But the ground on enough for that"?-Isaura could only which the immediate equipment of an exmurmur, "For many reason I would pedition is refused, seems almost to pledge rather stay at home, dear Madre." the nation to undertake the enterprise at a more convenient season. Are we too

66

"Ah! I see you are ashamed of me," said the Signora, in softened tones: sanguine in believing that there is so very natural. When the nightingale much resolute purpose in the eminent nasings no more, she is only an ugly brown val and scientific men who urge the expebird: " and therewith the Signora Venosta dition, and so much earnest sympathy seated herself submissively, and began to with it in the public mind, that the Govcry. ernment will be induced by the moral pressure to take the "adventure "in hand at an early period, probably next year?

On this Isaura sprang up, wound her arms round the Signora's neck, soothed her with coaxing, kissed and petted her, and ended by saying, "Of course we

The Expedition when it sails will go forth with the most admirable equipment,

of Beowulf, ought to be familiar to every
Englishman whose heart beats at the tale
of the naval enterprises and achievements
of his countrymen. It runs thus :

-

with the most perfect instruments, and with the advantage of the charts and observations of three hundred years of skilBut Frobisher and ful and daring toil. "At his appointed time then Scyld dehis brave comrades went forth with a gallant hardihood into absolutely unknown parted, very decrepid, to go into the peace regions, with ships hardly stouter than of the Lord. They then, his dear comfishing smacks; sailing out like the daunt-rades, bore him out to the shore of the less Norse rovers of a still earlier time sea, as he himself requested, the while with steadfast courage into the Arctic that he, the friend of the Scyldings, the storm and ice. The comparison between beloved chieftain, had power with his Martin Frobisher's "two small barkes words; long he owned it! There upon tunne the beach stood the ring-prowed ship, the twentie and fyve and twentie apeece," and the splendidly equipped ex- vehicle of the noble, shining like ice, and pedition which it is hoped will before long ready to set out. They then laid down leave our shores, marks the difference not, the dear prince, the distributor of rings, there was much of treaslet us thank God, in skill, courage, and in the bosom of the ship, the mighty oar self-devotion, but in furniture and appli- beside the mast; ances, between the marine of Elizabeth ure, of ornaments, brought from afar. and that of our own day. Arctic matters Never heard I of a comelier ship having are likely to occupy some thought, and been adorned with battle-weapons and perhaps to occasion some debate, during war-weeds, with bills and mailed coats. the present session. It is well worth our Upon his bosom lay a multitude of treaswhile to study the history of the first ex-ures, which were to depart afar with him, peditions which sailed on this daring quest from our harbours. It can hardly fail to enlarge our apprehension of the lusty vigour of the young giant which has grown into the "naval supremacy of England." Nor will the impression be weakened, if the men are suffered, as far as possible, to tell their own tale.

These were the true successors of the Norse Vikings, the most adventurous seamen known to history. Battling with those wild Northern seas, which filled even the steadfast Roman with a vague terror, these Scandinavian rovers found a high and joyful excitement in the conflict, and owned no master even in the fiercest tempests which beat upon their rockbound coasts. None who have read the Northern Sagas or Beowulf will find anyThat thing exaggerated in my language. people found in the storms of the German Ocean an enemy with which they felt themselves fairly matched; and there our early forefathers learned a contempt of minor perils, and a joy in hardy adventure, which has infused its noblest tincture into the blood of the most sober, sensible, industrious, and law-abiding, but, when pressed, the most daring and terrible nation of the earth.

The same gallant spirit breathes in Beówulf, which, however in its present shape it may show traces of a Christian hand, contains perhaps the very earliest revelation which we possess of the native spirit The passage with which the grand old epic opens, the sublime picture of the burial of the hero, Scyld the father

of our race.

over

into the possession of the flood. They
furnished him not less with offerings, with
mighty wealth, than those had done who
the waves.
in the beginning sent him forth in his
wretchedness, alone
Moreover, they set up for him a golden
ensign, high over head; they let the deep
sea bear him; they gave him to the ocean.
Sad was their spirit, mournful their mood.
Men know not, in sooth to say (men wise
Beó-
of counsel, or any men under the heav-
ens), who received the freight."
wulf. Kemble's translation, p. 2.

-

The people must have had a splendid imagination, the root of all high daring, who could bury their heaven-sent chief like this. Thus our ancestors took possession of these Northern seas as their field of conflict and adventure; much as the patriarchs took possession of their Canaan, by making it the burial-place of their dead.

We get some amusing glimpses of the gossip at Rome when the news of Cæsar's expedition reached the capital. The elements always appeared to the Romans their most formidable enemies in the North-West. Even down to the time of Constantius, when they were more used to our rough seas and tides, the terror was still upon them. Roman courage was as cool and steadfast as any that the world has ever known; but the gallant spirit which loves danger for its own sake, and clasps it as a bride, belongs to another type of character, which is found in its full form among the peoples who are settled along these stormy coasts. Is this the rea