“And you are acquainted with that Prince?” said Perdita. “Yes--for in this morning’s newspaper I read, amongst the Fashionable Intelligence, that his Royal Highness had yesterday partaken of a banquet at the mansion of the Earl of Ellingham in Pall Mall.” “Oh! he is a great and illustrious Prince, Perdita!” cried Charles, his cheeks suddenly glowing with animation. “But he is not so handsome as you, Charles?” said Perdita, half enquiringly--half playfully. “He is very handsome, dearest,” was the reply: “but his heroic deeds--his noble disposition--his boundless philanthropy--and his staunch support of the Rights of Man, constitute attractions which, were he ugly as Satan, would render him adorable as an angel.” “And have you none of those qualities, my Charles?” demanded Perdita. “Are you not gloriously handsome?--have you not a proud title, which you can claim when you will--aye, and which you will claim shortly?--and will you not some day be a Peer of the Realm, and able to electrify the senate with your eloquence? For that you would be eloquent, Charles, I am convinced;--and, oh! what pleasure--what unfeigned, heart-felt pleasure would it give your devoted Perdita to occupy even the humblest, most secluded nook in the place where you were delivering yourself of the burning thoughts and splendid ideas----” “Oh! Perdita--do you too hope that I shall yet create for myself a great and a glorious reputation?” demanded the young man, surveying his beauteous companion with joy and surprise. “Yes, Charles: for do I not love thee?” she asked, in her dulcet, silvery tone. “Now--oh! now can I understand how the image of the Princess Isabella might cheer and hearten on the once obscure Richard Markham to the accomplishment of those great deeds which have placed him on so proud an eminence! Now,” continued the enthusiastic, infatuated Charles,--“now can I comprehend how gallant knights, in the days of chivalry, would dare every peril--encounter every danger, at the behest or command of their ladye-loves! And you, my Perdita,--you shall be as a Princess Isabella in my eyes--you shall be my ladye-love;--and animated by thy smiles, will I yet carve out for myself a glorious career in the world.” “I long to see thee in possession of thy titles, Charles--to behold thee, too, occupying thy place in the House of Peers,” said Perdita. “But, hark--the clock strikes two; and now I am compelled to accompany my mother into the City----” “To her attorney’s?” asked Charles, a sudden fear seizing upon him.