Frederick the Great and His Cou

last accepted him, and the happy father, delighted at the prospect of soon becoming father-in-law to a count, busied himself with the preparations for the a

s Rhedern would have to form new friendships and seek other society than that to which she had been accustomed as Mademoiselle Orguelin. But M. Orguelin desired to exhibit to his associate

he, the marshal of the queen, and a cavalier of old nobility, had played this role at a fete of the bourgeoisie, and had conversed, eaten, and danced with manufacturers and tradespeople. That could not and should not be. To preserve the prestige of his house, a nobleman might marry the daughter of a merchant, if she possessed a million, but he could not stoop so low as to consider himself a member of her family, and to recognize this or that relative. Count Rhedern thought of some plan by which he could frustrate this scheme of his father-in-law in regard to the wedding festivities, which would bring him into such undesir

tonishment and admiration of these proud merchants. It is quite easy to surprise one of your barons or counts; you are delighted when entertained with champagne or fine Holstein oysters, but a rich merchant turns scornfully from turtle-soup and Indian birds'-nests. Nevertheless, my proud guests shall be surprised; they shall have a fine dinner, the like of which they have never seen. For this purpose I have ordered two of the best cooks from Paris, wh

sts will understand a word of these Frenc

d it will attract attention if we have a French play. And you, m

sh to defer the weddin

for you, my daughter. Lo

ine to the altar, but because I should thereby lose the pleasure of presenting her to the court as my

ine Orguelin, with vivacity. "The king has,

now at an end, the king will give a brilliant masquerade b

claimed his bride; "and

mother has already promised me an invitation for my wife, and r

ve the wedding any sooner?"

sible," said

s, be married quietly, and have the festival at a later day? These noisy weddings are a little out of fashion at the present day, and it would be said at cour

do that!" exclaimed M. Org

Orguelin, with all her acquaintances, had rejoiced over the inestimable happiness of becoming the wife of a count. I wi

mined that a quiet wedding should take place in a few days, to be follow

thought Count Rhedern, while he expressed h

the king at the approaching masquerade. There was now wanting but one thing, and that was a suitable costume for this important occasion, and Count Rhedern assured her, with a sigh, that

n deaf to all entreaties for the last week. They take no more orders for the masquerade, and it was only yesterday that I met Countess Hake, who had been with the pretty Blanche while

make me this reply," said Caroline Orguelin, proudly, "but that he would make whate

or we have no time to lose, and you can well imagine that I would be inconsolable if, after

after a few minutes, Caroline Orguelin and the count were alone in the carriage, she turned to hi

e, and on that day I wil

rs, "were then becoming so pressing that you sudd

count; "I do not underst

I am neither young nor pretty enough to awaken a passion in the breast of so noble and excellent a cavalier as Count Rhedern. You are poor, but rich in debts, and you needed therefore a rich wife; and as I happened to have more money than any of the beautiful and noble ladies of the court, you determined to mar

very curious, highly original," said

just that I should inform you why I so ardently desire to become a lady of quality, that is, why I wish to be able to ap

wish by no means a silly

lthough like the moth I could only flutter round the brilliant and dazzling light until it burned me to death. I told you I was no longer young. I, however

nfessions, which are certainly rarely made before, but generally after marria

gazed in those wondrous eyes, until I had seen the smile, so proud, and y

n that you formed the genial

allen at his feet and have said to him: 'I accept you as my master and my divinity; you are my ideal, and I will adore you as such with a pure and noble worship.' But I was far off, and could only pray to him in thought. I determined that I would be near him at some day; and I, who had wished to remain single, determined at this moment to marry-but to marry only a cavalier of the court. I i

ngenious view of the matter," sa

rader on this occasion, for you see he purchased the goods we desired, and the business transaction has been concluded. Count, you will now und

s shop to the royal palace, as I will make use of you to pay my debts, and to enable me to live a life worthy of a count. Ah, now tha

arly a marriage, but mainly because the count considered it beneath his dignity to take part in the festivities of manufacturers and merchants. But I must inform you, dear sir, that I shall never forget that my father is a merc

ed the count, "yo

e on your estates, amount to two hundred thousand, and my trousseau, diamonds, and the furnishing of my house will cost about the same sum. There will remain, therefore, but six hundred thousand, of which you will enjoy the benefit, according to our marriage cont

th reverence. "You then think that we could not live on

ss, and I shall only receive the interest in monthly payments. I must, however, remark that this interest is not a part of my dowry, but is my personal property, with which I can do as I see fit. I can, if I wish, give fetes with this money, pay your debts, purchase horses and equipages for you, or I can give

and, and a dutiful son to your father," exclaimed the

so desire to be properly esteemed and respected by you. You must never think you have honored me by making me a countess, but must always remember that my father is a millionnaire, whose only daughter and heiress pays you for your amiability

ng her hand to his lips. "You are the most discreet and charming of

e commiseration, for I shall certainly never fall in love with

slow one," said the count, jumping out of the ca