for not having told her father that she had before recognized me. When the concert was over, I followed the aid-de-camp. He led me toward the grand duke, who advanced a few steps to meet me, took me cordially by the arm, and, approaching the Archduchess Sophia, said to her: "I beg of your royal highness the permission to present to you my cousin, Prince Henry of Herkausen-Oldenzaal." "I have already met the prince at Vienna, and I am happy to see him again here," replied the archduchess, before whom I made a profound bow. "My dear Amelia," continued the prince, addressing himself to his daughter, "I present to you Prince Henry, your cousin; he is son of Prince Paul, one of my most venerable friends, whom I much regret not to see to-day at Gerolstein." "Be so kind, sir, as to inform Prince Paul that I share deeply in my father's regrets, for I shall be always happy to become acquainted with his friends," replied my cousin, with a simplicity full of grace. I had not before heard the sound of Princess Amelia's voice; imagine, my friend, the sweetest, the most delicious, the most harmonious tones; in fine, one of those accents which cause the most delicate chords of the soul to vibrate. "I hope, my dear Henry, that you will remain some time with your aunt, to whom I am greatly attached. I respect her as a mother, as you know," said the grand duke kindly to me. "Come often to see us, familiarly, in the morning, at three o'clock. If we are going out, you can join us in our walk; you know I have always loved you, because you have one of the most noble hearts." "I do not know how to express to your royal highness my gratitude for the kind reception you condescend to bestow on me." "To prove to me your gratitude, then," said the prince, smiling, "ask your cousin for the second contra-dance; the first belongs of right to the archduke." "Will your highness grant me this favor?" said I to the Princess Amelia, bowing before her. "Call each other simply cousins, after the good old German custom," said the grand duke gayly; "ceremony is not proper among relatives!" "Will my cousin do me the honor to dance this contra-dance with me?" "Yes, cousin," replied the Princess Amelia. CHAPTER III. PRINCE HENRY D'HERKAUSEN-OLDENZAAL TO COUNT MAXIMILIAN KAMINETZ. "OLDENZAAL, August 25th, 1841.