“Family secret, papa. If you betray it, it’s at your own cost.” Three days later, the count went home to make all necessary preparations for the reception of his young wife, to whom he is to be married during Carnival. His departure was quickly followed by that of the Aarheims. The lovers’ parting was, Heaven be praised, accomplished without a scene. He held her hand for a long pressure in his, looking at her as if to say, “Trust me.” She, in the same language, made answer, “Unreservedly.” It was a parting thoroughly _comme il faut_, and I thought to myself--but why always confess to you all that I think? Farewell, dear girl, and observe that it is not always as pleasant as it looks to be a sporting countess, pure and simple. Yours, MUSCHI. [Illustration: Decorative image] COUNTESS PAULA. We had quite a crowded reception last night after the theater. He was there--more reserved and silent than ever. He is going away--about to be transferred to some other legation--probably to Serajewo. My friends say it is the very place for him; they are merciless to any man who happens to be deficient in “style”; absolutely merciless. Countess Albertine was for some time in conversation with the secretary of the French Legation, by whom he was standing. I heard the secretary remark that our German literature, otherwise so rich, was curiously deficient in memoirs. The countess, evidently not greatly impressed by this fact, murmured “Ah,” and smiled as sweetly as if the greatest homage had been offered at her shrine. But he whom I like so well and esteem so highly, he, who is so gifted and patriotic, replied: “Yes; unfortunately it is too true.” Oh, thought I, then the Frenchman is right; and I formed a resolution: If I do not marry--and I do not mean ever to marry--there shall I be my whole life without a single occupation. Were it not a worthy aim to devote my poor abilities to help supply so deplorable a deficiency? At least I will try. I enter, then, upon this work with a due feeling of its solemn import. May Heaven prosper it! MY MEMOIRS. The 15th of May, 1865, witnessed my entry into this world, to the anything but satisfaction of my parents. My sister was already married, my brother preparing for his final examination. During the first year of my existence my father never deigned to look at me. But I, nothing daunted, grew big and plump. Big, or rather tall, I am still; but plump, Heaven be praised, I am not. And as for my dear old father, if at first he did not love me, there is no trace of any such want now. He would do anything for me, and I have quite given up asking his permission to anything beforehand; his one and only answer being always, “Do whatever you like!”