“You ask me about Count Stephen, and the answer is a short one. I have seen him only once. Our battalion, which was stationed at Laybach, only arrived in Vienna about three weeks ago, but feeling it a duty to wait on our relative, I obtained leave one evening to go and pay my respects. Adolf, who knew of my connection with the Field-Marshal, had lent me two hundred florins; and this, too, I was anxious to pay off,--another reason for this visit. “Well, I dressed myself in my best cadet cloth, and silk sword-knot, Nelly,--none of your 'commissaire' toggery, but all fine and smart-looking, as a gentleman-cadet ought to be,--and then calling a fiacre, I ordered the man to drive to the 'Koertnor Thor,' to the Field-Marshal von Auersberg*s quarters. I 'm not sure if I did n*t say to my uncle's. Away we went gayly, and soon drew up in an old-fashioned courtyard, from which a great stair led up four stories high, at the top of which the 'Feld'--so they called him-- resided. This was somewhat of a come-down to my high-flown expectations, but nothing to what I felt as the door was opened by an old Jager with one leg, instead of, as I looked for, a lackey in a grand livery. “'What is 't cadet?' said he, in a tone of the coolest familiarity. “'The Field-Marshal von Auersberg lives here?' said I. “He nodded. “'I wish to see him.' “He shook his head gravely, and scanning me from head to foot, said, 'Not at this hour, cadet,----not at this hour.' “'Let him see this card,' said I, giving one with my name. 'I 'm certain he 'll receive me.' “I believe if I had presented a pistol at him, the old fellow would have been less startled, as he exclaimed, 'A cadet with a visiting-card! This would serve you little with the Feld, younker,' cried he, handing it back to me; 'he likes to see a soldier a soldier.' “'Tell him my name, then,' said I, angrily; 'say that his grand-nephew, Frank Dalton, has been standing at his door in full parley with a servant for ten minutes.' “The announcement created little of the astonishment I calculated on, and the old soldier merely replied, 'All under field-officer's rank come before eight of a morning. you cannot expect to have the privilege of an archduke.' He was about to close the door in my face as he spoke, but I placed my shoulder against it and forced it back, thus securing an entrance within the forbidden precincts. “'Right about, quick march!' cried he, pointing to the door, while his whole frame trembled with passion. “'Not till you have delivered my message,' said I, calmly.