Von Glauben hastily drew back, De Launay also, to allow the Prince to pass. He was walking slowly, and reading as he came. Looking up from his book he saw, them, and as they saluted him profoundly, bade them good-day. “You are up betimes, Professor,” he said lightly; “I suppose your scientific wisdom teaches you the advantage of the morning air.” “Truly, Sir, it is more healthful than that of the evening,” answered Von Glauben in somewhat doleful accents.--“For example, a sail across the sea with the morning breeze, is better than the same sort of excursion in the glamour of the moon!” Prince Humphry looked steadfastly at him, and evidently read something of a warning, or a suggestion, in his face, for he coloured slightly and bit his lip. “Do you agree with that theory, Sir Roger,” he said, turning to De Launay. “I have not tested it, Sir,” replied the equerry, “But I imagine that whatever Professor von Glauben asserts must be true!” The young man glanced quickly from one to the other, and then with a careless air turned over the pages of the book he held. “In the earlier ages of the world,” he said,--“men and women, I think, must have been happier than they are now, if this book may be believed. I find here written down--What is it, Professor? You have something to say?” “Pardon me, Sir,” said Von Glauben,--“But you said--‘If this book may be believed.’ I humbly venture to declare that no book may be believed!” “Not even your own, when it is written?” queried the Prince with a smile; “You would not like the world to say so! Nay, but listen, Professor,--here is a thought very beautifully expressed--and it was written in an ancient language of the East, thousands of years before we, in our quarter of the world, ever dreamt of civilization.--‘Of all the sentiments, passions or virtues which in their divers turns affect the life of a man, the influence and emotion of Love is surely the greatest and highest. We do not here speak of the base and villainous craving of bodily appetite; but of that pure desire of the unfettered soul which beholding perfection, straightway and naturally flies to the same. This love doth so elevate and instruct a man, that he seeketh nothing better than to be worthy of it, to attempt great deeds and valiantly perform them, to confront foul abuses, and most potently destroy them,--and to esteem the powers and riches of this world as dross, weighed against this rare and fiery talisman. For it is a jewel which doth light up the heart, and make it strong to support all sorrow and ill fortune with cheerfulness, knowing that it is in itself of so lasting a quality as to subjugate all things and events unto its compelling sway.’ What think you of this? Sir Roger, there is a whole volume of comprehension in your face! Give some word of it utterance!” Sir Roger looked up.