go to Herstädt, but in fact I arrived in Paris. Felix followed me, and since the day before yesterday I have been the Baroness Erlenbusch of Erlenbusch of Veldes on the Saar. "Thank heaven! there it is at last on paper, and off my mind! And now, dear, darling, heavenly aunt, be kind. Please! please! I fold my hands and bend my knees, and, look! there is a real genuine tear just fallen on the paper; for in spite of the frivolity which, through no fault of mine, I have inherited, I love you all, you odd, proud, honest, serious Dönninghausens; and if I do not any longer live among you, I prize my right to a home within your old walls. You then must contrive, _carissima_, to have me come to you some day with Felix. Don't be afraid. He is perfectly presentable: tall, slender, elegant,--with a little more repose he would really look distinguished. Is he so, in fact? _Qui vivra verra!_ At all events, he is very much of a gentleman. A connoisseur in all branches of sport; in horses, in the ballet, and in _ballerine_. He plays, bets, owns magnificent racers, and can dissipate his father's speedily-acquired millions as speedily in a thousand ways. You would remind me of poor Wilfried, and would ask how I can stake my happiness upon the same card again? Dearest aunt, I was famished for pleasure, life, movement, splendour, beauty, love,--for all that I have foregone these many years. Now I am drinking deep of all of them. We shall spend our honeymoon here in Paris, the _paradis des femmes_, and then go back to Vienna. But before that I must hear from you,--one word of love, of forgiveness, of hope, addressed to 'Baroness Magelone of Erlenbusch, _poste restante_, Paris.' "The name is not beautiful, neither is it ancient; but make up your mind to it, and accept it and the new grandson and great-nephew, as I must accept my father- and mother-in-law. Ye saints above! fancy them in my drawing-room! But I shall clinch my teeth and be amiable. Mother-in-law's diamonds will cover many a _faux pas_, and a man who wallows in millions, as does my father-in-law, need my new pathway in life is not without its thorns. Wherefore I fervently entreat you to obtain grandpapa's forgiveness for me, that I may at least flee to you in thought if----but, Magelone! should thoughts such as these be entertained by a young and adored wife? Oh, if I could only show you my wedding-dress, dearest aunt! 'I've glittering diamonds and jewels, I've all that the heart could desire, And mine are the loveliest eyes, too----' "And if you will only forgive me, all is well, and I am forever your happy MAGELONE."