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freshed himself by a walk in the evening, and finished the day by reading a letter from, or writing one to his second self. An accidental circumstance procured him another amusement shortly after. The rooms next to his in the hotel where he had taken up his abode were occupied by a foreigner, whom he usually encountered at the table d'hôte, where he never spoke; and, after retiring for the night, Casimir used to hear him walking up and down his bed chamber for hours together. The stranger was a pale, elegant young man, apparently about Morn's own age, was attended by two servants, and had lived nearly three weeks in the town, where, however, he seemed neither to know nor wish to know a single individual. He bore the name of Devereux-an Englishman, therefore, Morn concluded, and, one day, addressed him in his native language, partly out of a good desire to enliven the melancholy-looking stranger, and partly because he was glad of an opportunity to practise his English.

The Briton looked at him with surprise and some appearance of pleasure, and answered courteously but briefly, and then fell back into his former silence. During the dinner, Casimir observed the stranger casting penetrating glances towards him, and, when it was over, he came suddenly up to him, saying, "Will you allow me to speak with you a moment alone?"

Casimir took him immediately into his own room.

"I am about to make a very odd request to a stranger," began the Englishman, abruptly; "but it will not be mended by circumlocution. A letter of credit I expected to find here has been delayed by some strange accident. I have a pressing necessity to set out immediately for Amsterdam, and I am without money. Can you, or will you, lend a hundred louis d'ors? On my arrival at Amsterdam, you shall receive it again directly, with what interest you please."

Casimir was taken somewhat by surprise. He expressed none, however; but, after a short pause, said"I have not so much about me; but I could procure it within fourteen days."

"You will oblige me more than I can express; you save me from a most unpleasant embarrassment," returned the Englishman, who shook Morn heartily by the hand, and left him. The whole affair had scarcely occupied five minutes. When he was alone, Casimir began to feel he had been a little over hasty in his promise. A hundred louis d'ors were neither more nor less than the fourth part of his whole property. He shook his head. The Englishman's face announced honesty; he looked like anything but an adventurer; still, a hundred louis were the fourth part of his capital, and to put it at once in the power of a total stranger, on the strength of a pleasing countenance, was rather a thoughtless proceeding." Well," was the conclusion of Morn's soliloquy, "well, my opinion is that he will not deceive me; and if he should ?-well, it will be the first time in my life, and the last."

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Apparently this was not the only grief the stranger had on his mind; for, notwithstanding the promised assistance, Morn heard him at night again pacing his chamber in the same unquiet manner, and uttering heavy sighs, almost groans.

"The man is very unhappy; he must be worse off than I am," thought Morn. "A mere money embarrassment can never cause such heavy sorrow. He shall have the louis, however."

The next day Devereux appeared at table as usual, his countenance overshadowed with a yet deeper melancholy, and he was as silent as before. Morn, who felt unaccountably attached to him, endeavoured, by everything in his power, to enliven him. When he could be induced to talk, Devereux seemed quite a different person-his features brightened, his whole deportment became attractive in no common degree. The two young men went out after dinner to walk together, and Morn was still more charmed with his new acquaintance. Devereux was more than an agreeable companion; his mental powers, considerable in themselves, had received every advantage from cultivation. The stores of ancient and modern literature were familiar to both, and formed, with the fate and laws of nations, their chief topics of discourse. When Casimir had finished his day's task, Devereux came constantly to his room, and remained, till deep in the night, in conversation with him. Of the promised loan not a syllable was said on either side. Morn spoke openly of himself, of his past and present hopes and prospects. His companion was less communicative; but he learnt so much, in return, that Devereux had left his native land in consequence of a tragical occurrence, deeply affecting his future life, and was travelling in the hope of dissipating a heavy sorrow!

The intercourse of the two young men taught Morn, for the first time, the value of a friend. His letters to the fair Romanus were almost as full of praises of his Devereux as of love for herself. His pretty mistress was half jealous of the agreeable stranger. In the meantime, Morn's louis d'ors came to hand, and were immediately carried by him into Devereux's room. The latter gave him, in return, a written acknowledgment of the obligation, and the address of his family in England.

"If I die before I can repay you," said he, that is, within a few weeks, forward the paper, with this letter, directly."

He put a sealed letter into Morn's hands as he spoke, and then turned the conversation to some indifferent sub

ject. They parted shortly after, almost in silence, with a fervent pressure of the hand, and carrying with them remembrances and feelings beneficial alike to both.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ELECTORAL BIRTH-DAY.

The loss of Devereux's society was more felt by Morni than he thought possible after so short an acquaintance. He had parted with a companion whom he really loveda friend, whose views and sentiments harmonised so admirably with his own, that in losing him he seemed to lose the better half of himself. His official labours became more then ever a necessity to him; they served to divert and calm his thoughts. Devereux and Caroline filled his heart entirely. "I am really a most fortunate man,” cried he, in his enthusiasm of love and friendship. "I love, and am loved by two of the noblest beings in the world."

After the lapse of seven busy months, the report of Cabinet and Privy Counsellor, Von Bitterblolt, was ended, and the Commissioners returned to the electoral residence. His Highness, the Elector, was so well content with the work that he bestowed heaven knows what order on the young Count Heinrich Von Bitterblolt, and made

an addition to the pension of the two reverend seniors | diets, hope; through his silent help, others, with not half who had served as ballast to the official vessel. Secretary his talents or acquirements, had gained credit and subMorn was the only person forgotten; he had done nothing stantial reward; young Von Bitterblolt had been made for a recompense, but deserved it. The Counts of Bit- Chamber President for the very service Morn had perterblolt, indeed, father and son, were profuse in expressions formed. He saw that his industry, his talents, his knowof gratitude, and to prove it, invited him to dinner. ledge, availed him nothing. Men who were not only Fraulein Von Bitterblolt also found the Secretary exceed- ignorant and incapable, but known to be so, passed him ingly agreeable; if he had been of noble, instead of ple- everywhere in the race, if they had "connexions," or beian origin, he might, perhaps, have found the daughter had found some surer way of recommending themselves more grateful than the father. So soon, however, as the than by merit and service. Cabinet Counsellor remarked the interest the young lady took in the handsome Secretary, he held it advisable to invite him seldomer, and gradually not at all. Morn found it necessary to put the Minister modestly in mind of his promise of an appointment in the newly-acquired province, whereupon his Excellency clapped him on the shoulder in the most friendly manner in the world, and assured him he would take care of him.

"I have spoken of your talents and services more than ance to his Highness," said he. "Wait till the birthday, when the greatest number of advancements are made; I make no doubt your name will stand first on the list." How could Morn feel less than satisfied? He looked upon his patent as good as made out, particularly when the Minister proceeded to ask him what kind of place would be most agreeable to him. He thought of Caroline, and replied with great frankness that he would certainly prefer remaining in the residence. "It shall be thought farther of," said his Excellency. "I should gladly have seen a man like you, my dear Mr. Morn, in one of the first posts in the new province; but if you prefer remaining with us, I am afraid it will be rather more difficult to provide for you suitably in the capital. However, we shall see. The old Chamber Counsellor, Balder, might, indeed, be pensioned off. Would that suit you?"

To Caroline's hand he must renounce all pretension. By the perversest of all destinies, her constancy and unswerving faith but added to his sorrow. His social creed had received a cruel shock. The egotism of the greater part of mankind, the want of integrity in their relations with each other, appeared in their full hatefulness. The recollection of all the promises made but to be broken, the hollow professions, the false smiles, all the spoken and acted lies of the last six years, made him sick at heart. All that he had hitherto laboured to excuse in others→→ their prejudice, their rapacity, their paltry pride, their envy, their shameful blackening all better and purer than themselves, now shone out in all their native ugli ness. He could no longer deceive himself; the greater part of the employés of looked on their offices and emoluments but as the means of indulging their arrogance, their ambition, and animal excesses.

With respect to his plans for the future, all was uncertainty. Even had he been so inclined, it was no longer in his power, with his diminished resources, to labour gratuitously in his present employment; and it was repugnant to him to seek any other in this city. He longed to flee far away to seek some distant village, where none knew him, and earn a living by the labour of his hands. It was sweet to dream of shunning all mankind as long as life should last, and think only of Devereux and Caroline, as of two nobler spirits among thousands of “Excellent,” said the Minister, and dismissed him miserable creatures, all so many willing sacrifices to the with the best grace in the world.

"I would not wish for more," returned Morn, his face glowing with pleasure.

Gilded by such hopes, the winter glided away. Caroline was as faithful and fair as ever; and if ever mistrust found entrance in Casimir's heart, a look or smile from the opposite window made it summer again. At length came March, the long-looked-for month that had given his Highness, the Elector, to an admiring world. The list of promotions was published; patents for new appointments made out; the streets were full of people riding and driving about to congratulate or be congratulated. Morn made a point of remaining at home, that he might not miss the messenger from the Electoral Chancery. The customary "compliment" for the bearer of the princely graces lay wrapt in paper ready on the table. Noon, evening; still no messenger. His servant was despatched to the court printer for the list--no such name as Morn was to be found, and no messenger came to correct an error of the press. Dinners and balls in honour of the day were given in all parts of the city; the streets were gay with lights and music; nobody troubled themselves about poor Morn and his frustrated hopes. He sat down in the pouting corner of his sofa, and groaned from the bottom of his heart.

Morn had not passed a more unhappy night since his father's death. Six long years had he served the State faithfully and diligently, fed only on the thinnest of all

meanest passions. According to the custom of the place, and the people amongst whom he had lived, Morn ought to have put a good, or at least a smiling face, upon his disappointment, congratulated others on their better fortune, and tried to knit up again the ravelled skein of his claims and expectations; instead of this, he wrote a laconic note to the head of his department to signify his renunciation of the office he held in the service of his Highness, the Elector of —, endorsed all the documents relating to it in his possession, and then went to bed and slept soundly.

The next morning, the servant of the house brought him two notes and a bouquet of snow-drops. He now recollected that it was his birth-day, and breathed a heavy sigh. One of the notes was from Caroline, the other from President Von Bitterblolt. Morn knew the handwriting of both. "First for the bitters," said he, and opened the President's billet. Almost unconsciously to himself, a secret hope had found a corner of his breast to nestle in, that his loss would be regretted, that he would be entreated to do nothing hastily, that he would try to retain him by giving new and surer expectations: he had half His Excelforgiven him already. Nothing of the sort. lency the President "regretted, in courteous terms, that Mr. Morn had taken such a resolution, acknowledged the

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receipt of the documents, and remained his humble servant." 'So that is the reward of six years' gratuitous service," said he, bitterly, and he flung the President's official verbiage aside. Caroline's note accompanying the bouquet was kind as ever, but there was a tone of sadness in it. The same topic of consolation had been so often repeated! He went to the window, Caroline was already at hers: Casimir pressed the flowers to his lips and his heart, and retreated to his musing corner again. This city he must, and would leave, and try his fortune elsewhere. Many were the projects he revolved in his mind. His only grief would be the parting from the angel of his childhood-the tenderly-beloved Caroline. He was still engaged in a long and most touching conversation with her in imagination, when a loud knock at his door, and the voices of several persons without, aroused him from his reverie. The door opened, and four men stumbled in, bearing between them two large and apparently very heavy chests. To the question of where were they to put down their burden, Morn answered by another-where did they get it from? It belonged to the gentleman who had just come post to Morn's first thought was of Devereux; and Devereux himself it was, who entered in his travelling dress, just as the porters left the room.

"I have been long enough away to learn your full value," was Devereux's exclamation, when the first greetings were over; "let me take up my abode with you at once; you will find room for a friend."

Devereux's sudden appearance was balm to the wounded heart of Casimir: joy almost deprived him of speech. "I have but this room and a bed-room," said he; "if you can find accommodation on so small a scale, I shall be but too happy to share them with you."

"But how is it you confine yourself within such narrow limits?" asked the Englishman, greatly astonished. "They are quite as extensive as my means permit," answered Morn, smiling.

'But, I have been greatly deceived. I thought you must be rich, as you parted so readily with a hundred Louis d'ors."'

"A friendly heart is always rich to a friend. It was a fourth of my whole property. If you had asked for more you should have had it. You wanted it."

the unhappy girl had only escaped their persecutions by her sudden death. Whisper of suicide got about. The betrayed and wretched lover forced his treacherous friend into a duel; they fought at Calais, where Devereux had been left for dead upon the field. Many months elapsed before his outward wounds were healed; those of the mind were incurable. His physicians had recommended travelling; all places had become alike to him; and, unable to find rest in any, he had wandered almost all over Europe, when an accidental delay in his remittances had detained him in the town where he had encountered Morn.

It was now Casimir's turn to relate what had befallen him since their meeting, and he had now, at least, the satisfaction of detailing his wrongs to a sympathising ear.

You have been deceived only by the common herd of egotists, the rabble of humanity, but I by the friend of my infancy. Your beloved yet lives, and lives for you—the silent grave hides mine; you may find a remedy, I never You would gladly renounce the world you say-do so, but let me share your solitude. But, I repeat, your case admits of remedy."

can.

"Remedy, what remedy?" echoed Morn. "Good heaven, my dear Devereux, how little you know of people in this country."

"The people in this country are very like the people in every other country," replied Devereux. "I can put it in your power to take a revenge worthy of them at least,'' added he, after a pause, and with a bitter smile. How so?"

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'Only give me your word to throw no obstacle in my way, and I will bring the whole pack on all fours in a very short time. The old miser shall give you his daughter, the Minister shall offer you all the ribbons and trumpery in his gift, and that without witchcraft. Fair and virtuous maidens may be won by other qualifications than beauty or honesty; honours and dignities are not always, or often, the reward of talents, or knowledge, or industry."

"But explain yourself a little-what is it you propose to do?"

"Oh, the means will be very simple. Come, your word that you will not thwart me in my project of making fools of the dignitaries in this good and electoral city. I will use no dishonest means."

Devereux looked at him for some time in silence, and then advancing, grasped his hand with an earnest cordiality more expressive than words. "My servants I will despatch to the next house," said he, "but I remain with you in any corner you can spare. Had I been aware how you were situated, I should not have come upon you with the field before I show my line of battle. As a preso suddenly."

The matter was soon arranged, a bed prepared by the side of Morn's, and a supper bespoken from the next tavern. Before the night was passed, the hearts of both were freely poured out to each other. Devereux related his own history. He had been passionately in love with a young lady who returned his love, but whose family, from some causes too long to explain here, were on the worst terms with his own. A mutual friend of the families, Devereux's oldest and best loved companion, had offered his mediation; and Devereux himself, in the unsuspicious confidence of friendship, had done everything in his power to facilitate his meetings with his mistress. The lady's charms had proved too powerful for the friend's faith; he sought her for himself, and won so far upon her relations, that

"Well, be it as you will, I have little reason to spare them, heaven knows! What is your plan of operations?" "I must first know my men. Let me become acquainted

liminary, however, you will do me the favour to make use of my new carriage; I shall put another pair of horses to it to-morrow; you must drive about, while I keep in the back ground, and draw the public attention on you as much as possible. As to your lovely neighbour, give her to understand that you have had a large sum bequeathed you in England.” Morn shook his head, not altogether pleased, and yet unable to restrain his laughter. He had given his word to humour Devereux's whim, and as to the sentence of the "residence," when the hoax should be known, he troubled himself little about that. Whatever were the results, he had made up his mind to leave the dominions of his Highness the Elector. Perhaps the punch, which had served as a supplement to their repast, might have had

something to do, both with the proposal, and its accept- | meadows, territorial jurisdiction, and you shall have it for

ance.

THE EQUIPAGE.

a hundred and ninety thousand, cash down. Just reflect a little, and only three quarters of an hour's drive from

On the following morning Devereux was early up and the residence. Heavens, what sums it has cost me in imdressed.

"We will begin operations this morning," said he. "Ah, Morn, you may be happy again, but I"-his brow clouded, and he was silent for some minutes. "Well, I must look for consolation in the happiness of my friends henceforth. With you and your Caroline I will hope at least for peace."

provements. I have an account here-ah, no, confound it, I have the worst memory, I must have left it in my desk; but, my dear fellow, why not come and see for yourself-come, give me your promise-name your time."

Much in the same style did the noble count run on for some time longer. Morn perceived that Devereux had really commenced operations, as he said. He promised

Morn would fain have obtained some further explana- gravely to come and look at the estate at his earliest convetion of his strange freak, but Devereux was immoveable-nience, and Count Krebs took leave with the most lavish vanished, he knew not whither, shortly after, and appeared no more for the greater part of the day. Instead of Devereux came his German servant, Felix, to present himself to his new master, and set forth his new qualifications.

"Do not forget the principles, faith and honesty," said Morn, when he had listened to the enunciation of his valet's capabilities.

assurances of regard. At dinner time, Devereux made his appearance, evidently extremely diverted with the farce he was acting. Morn, on the contrary, was more depressed. "You will make mankind yet more contemptible in my eyes," said he. Not a week ago, this very Count Krebs held me unworthy of a look. I was never more surprised than when I saw him enter my room."

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"If men seem more contemptible to you, my friend,"

Honesty, I can promise you, Sir," was the answer, answered Devereux, "the fault is their's, not mine. "and fidelity you will inspire me with."

The answer pleased, and Felix was installed with Morn under the same conditions as those agreed upon with De

vereux.

Towards noon Count Von Krebs's name was announced. The young courtier advanced to Morn with open arms. "My dear fellow, how are you?-It is a whole century since we met. First let me congratulate you on your acquisition, though it is my own loss. Ah! my two glorious bays. But your Homme d'Affaires is a clever fellow up to every point about a horse; you have a glorious purchase. Upon my soul I loved these two creatures as my heart's blood; if I had not outrun my income confoundedly of late the Elector himself should not have had them for his whole stud."

"Have you been paid, my lord count," stammered Morn, his face flushing scarlet, "or must I-"

All right my dear friend, not a word of that," cried the count; "I came with a very different purpose. Baron Ven Wolpern would insist upon my recommending his place, Dreileben, to you, as your agent there says you are on the look out for an investment; but on my honour, though I could not refuse one friend, it goes against my conscience to palm off such a desert on another. It will not bring one-and-a-half per cent., and he asks a hundred and fifty thousand guilders for it. Do you know the place at all ??"

"No," said Morn, curious to hear what would come

next.

"I entreat you, then, by all that is sacred, to go and look at the wilderness; not a hamlet to be seen for some miles round, nothing under your windows in front but the Rhine, nothing behind but mountain and forest. One look will be enough to frighten you off the bargain, unless you have a mind to send a bullet through your head from sheer ennui, before you have lived there a month; then, indeed, you could not do better than buy Dreileben. Now, with the property Dame Fortune has flung in your lap, you are entitled to look for something better. There is my estate, for instance, a real principality you must admit-a splendid locale, in the midst of corn fields, a soil like a garden, right of forest, vineyards,

The witty count was pointed out to me by the master of the hotel where I sent my servants, as having horses which he was desirous of parting with, and the animals are really worth what I gave for them. When the hotelkeeper heard that they were for you, and that you had become a rich man, he praised you up to the skies. When I inquired about an estate, a broker made his bow in less than a quarter of an hour, and offered me ten, at least, every one being, as he swore, a perfect paradise. Count Krebs swore, by all his gods, that you were neither more nor less than a saint; that you deserved, years ago, to be made Prime Minister; that things would have looked very different in the Electorate, and nobody knows what besides. It is long since I have been so much amused. Come, my friend, cheer up, and play out the play. We must make all the puppets dance to the same tune."

In due time, Devereux's splendid new equipage drove up to the door, with Felix behind, in a rich livery. Count Krebs's horses really merited his eulogium; they were superb animals. The whole street was in commotion, almost every inhabitant loitering about the causeway, or standing at their windows, to discover the owner of so magnificent a "turn-out." But, when Morn appeared, and was assisted in by his gaily-attired servant, there was no end of the conjectures and inquiries. It will be easily supposed that the fair Caroline was neither the least anxious nor the least interested.

"I'd give these six kreutzers, ay, that I would, the whole six, to know whom that carriage belongs to," said old Romanus, jingling in his hand the kreutzers he had just received for a red herring.

"That is easily learnt," replied his daughter. "Frau Weber (Morn's landlady) must know."

"To be sure, she must, my child," said the old gentleman, buttoning up his coin in a great hurry, as if he feared to be taken at his word," and I'll go and ask her-that costs nothing."

"O, my heavens, who should it belong to but to the Referendary! Haven't you heard of his extraordinary good luck then? Well, I don't begrudge it him, for he is really an angel of a man, and has just got a whole waggonful of

gold from England. They say he's now the richest man in the dominions of our gracious Elector. His servant told me so himself, and he had it from the English merchant who is stopping in the house."

The old miser stared with leaden eye and open mouth, as if suddenly afflicted with lock-jaw, and, without another word, went home again, and sat himself down in silence in the grimy leather-bottomed chair in the back of his shop. Caroline came dancing down to hear the news. For a long time, her father gave her no answer. He had made it a law to himself never to mention Morn's name.

The father and the son laid their heads together. The Privy Counsellor took the first opportunity of praising the rare talents and services of the ex-Referendary to his Highness the Elector. Such a man must, by all means, remain in the service of the state, particularly as Morn had lately gained a large fortune by some fortunate speculations in England. It would be a shame if so much wealth should be squandered out of the country, &c. &c. "Hum," said the Elector, "I was wondering what made you all so suddenly zealous in Morn's favour. Finance Minister, Rabe, was quite eloquent inh is praise but a little while ago."

The

This speech went like an arrow to the Privy Cour:

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"Oh, Lord!" groaned he, at last, "to think of such a piece of luck befalling a paltry, lounging, good-for-sellor's heart; for the Baron Von Rabe had also a nothing son of a good-for-nothing father, who has cheated daughter to marry, and he, too, wanted money. me out of my whole property; while a poor old honest man like me must toil and moil night and day to scrape a few pence together. Is that justice, is that the reward of honesty?" and he looked ready to cry.

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Rabe even maintained," continued his Highness, "that Morn, as secretary to the commission of survey in the new territory, had done the whole work, while others pocketed the reward and the credit."

The Privy Counsellor smiled with affected indifference, while turning sick with fear and rage; and swore în his heart of hearts, war to the knife to the Finance Minister Von Rabe. Morn, in the meantime, had received an invitation to pay the Finance Minister a visit.

“I am delighted, my dear Sir, that my heartfelt wishes for your advantage seem likely at last to be fulfilled," said the Minister, with his most gracious smile. "There was a strong opposition somewhere. I was never more surprised than when I heard you had been so unaccountably passed over. I felt it my duty to make a representation on the subject to his Highness the Elector himself; in fact, I told him frankly that the post of President of the Chamber, which Von Bitterblolt contrived to appro

"But who knows whether it's true or no?" said the worthy elder, brightening with the thought. Waggon full of money? pooh!—from England? pooh!--by a lucky speculation? pooh, pooh, pooh! I was not born yesterday, Frau Weba." And Herr Romanus plucked off his queer-looking little jasey, twirled it about, as in great mental agitation he was wont, and rubbed his hands together till the dry, withered member threatened to ignite. Many were the conjectures and remarks to which Morn's gay equipage gave rise that day. It had even excited the notice of the Elector, as Morn drove past the palace. On the two succeeding days the " excitement" increased. Devereux had given out that his friend had gained a considerable sum in England; and when he began to inquire about an estate, the word considerable ac-priate to himself, was yours by every rule of justice. In quired a more "considerable" meaning. Count Krebs, who always dealt in superlatives, swore by all the saints in the calendar, that Morn was become the richest individual in that part of Germany; he played with his hundred thousands; he must own whole provinces in the East and West Indies, &c. &c. There is nothing to which people like better to give credit than to the incredible. It is no uncommon thing to see an upright, simple-minded man, held very cheap; but to take a fool or a lunatic for a saint, is the easiest thing in the world. People can find absurdity in the wisest man, with all the facility imaginable; but let a Cagliostro undertake to work a miracle, and he is run after by high and low. If it had been said, Morn had got a hundred thousand guilders, people would have doubted--but millions, that produced conviction at once.

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consequence of my remonstrance, his Highness has been graciously pleased to fix you in my department; and I have now the honour to present Privy Finance Counsellor Morn with the diploma of his appointment.”

Morn laid the diploma on a table near him without opening it; thanked the Minister for his condescension; and with a smile, that was bitter in spite of himself, begged leave respectfully to decline all and every appointment of the kind.

He was scarcely at home again before the carriage of Count Von Bitterblolt stopped at his door.

"You see I have come in search of you myself at last,' said the Count, bestowing a paternal embrace on Casimir. "Where have you hidden yourself this century? We must not forget each other in this way. Von Rabe has played me a shameful trick in getting you appointed in his department instead of mine. I shall never forgive him for it. Apropos, my daughter will never forgive me, if I forget her message. She gives a ball on Wednesday, and charged me to give you a special invitation. You will not fail her, I hope; ladies, you know, will not hear of disappointments on these occasions.”

Countess Ida Von Bitterblolt met with one this time, however. Casimir Morn met the Privy Counsellor's superabundant courtesies with cold politeness; and his Excellency was beaten out of the field for the present, though not absolutely deprived of hope for the future. Morn's misanthropy was on the increase: he despised alike their present flattery, and their former scorn; of the two, the flattery was the more offensive, and the more his would

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