"'Is it possible?' said she. 'Have you been so long in Vienna, chevalier, and yet never seen the great attraction of the day--the Wallachian fawn, as that foolish Count Kronthaler calls her? I declare I begin to believe that you men of science are absolutely born blind!' "'Not so, beautiful Lucchesini! But remember that ever since my arrival I have been constantly gazing on a star.' "'You flatterer! But seriously, I thought every one knew the Margravine of Kalbs-Kuchen. She is the greatest heiress in Europe--has a magnificent independent principality, noble palaces, and such diamonds! That personage beside her is her relation, the Duke of Kalbs-Braten, the representative of a younger branch of the house. He is at deadly feud with the Esterhazys, and the Emperor is very apprehensive that it may disturb the tranquillity of Hungary. I am sure I am glad that my own poor little Duchy is at a distance. I wish he would not bow to me--I am sure he is a horrid man. Only think, my dear chevalier! He has already married two wives, and nobody knows what has become of them. Poor Clara von Gandersfeldt was the last--a sweet girl, but that could not save her. They say he wants to marry his cousin--I hope she won't have him.' "'Does he indeed presume!' said I, 'that dark-browed ruffian, to aspire to such an angel?' "'I declare you make me quite jealous,' said the Lucchesini; 'but speak lower or he will overhear you. I assure you Duke Albrecht is a very dangerous enemy.' "'O that I might beard him!' cried I, 'in the midst of his assembled Hulans! I tell you, Duchessa, that ere now a Mandeville----' "'_Potz tausend donner-wetter!_' said the Emperor, good-humouredly turning round; 'what is that the Chevalier Mandeville is saying? Why, chevalier, you look as fierce as a roused lion. We must take care of you old English fire-eaters. By the way,' added he very kindly, 'our Chancellor will send you to-morrow the decoration of the first class of the Golden Bugle. No thanks. You deserve it. I only wish the order could have been conferred upon such a field as that of Lutzen. And now come forward, and let me present you to the Margravine of Kalbs-Kuchen, whose territories you must one of these days traverse. Margravine--this is the Chevalier Mandeville, of whom I have already told you.' "She turned her head--our eyes met--a deep flush suffused her countenance, but it was instantly succeeded by a deadly paleness. "'_Eh, wass henker!_' cried the Emperor, 'what's the meaning of this?--the Margravine is going to faint!' "'Oh no--no--your Majesty--'tis nothing--a likeness--a dream--a dizziness, I mean, has come over me! It is gone now. You shall be welcome, chevalier,' continued she, with a sweet smile, 'when you visit our poor dominions. Indeed, I have a hereditary claim upon you, which I am sure you will not disregard.' "'_Hagel und blitzen!_' cried his imperial Majesty--'What is this? I understood the chevalier was never in Germany before.'