er to the 'Herr Hauptman von Gauss,
2ten Compagnie, 3 Linien Bataillon, Franz Carl Infanterie.' Don't forget
this long address, nor to add a line to the captain himself, who is a
good-looking fellow, but somewhat conceited.

"I have just heard old Auersberg is to have a command again. I 'm
heartily sorry for it. So much for family influence!"

If the reader's patience has lasted through this long letter of Frank's,
it was more than Peter Dalton's did. For what between his ecstasy at
Kate's good fortune, his own rambling speculations on all that should
follow from it, and, above all, what from the slurring monotonous tone
in which Nelly passed over such portions as she did not wish him to
hear, he grew gradually more abstracted and dreamy, and at last fell off
into a deep and most happy slumber. Not a syllable did he hear of the
old Feld's reception of Frank; nor did he even awake as little Hans
stumped into the room, with a staff in either hand,--aids that, since
his accident, he could never dispense with.

"I heard that you had letters, Fraeulein," said he. "Do they bring good
tidings?"

"Some would call them so, Hanserl," said she, with a sigh. "Kate is
about to be married."

Hanserl made no reply, but sat slowly down, and crossed his arms before
him.

"The great Russian Prince Midchekoff, of whom you may have heard."

"I have seen him, Fraeulein; he was here in Baden, three years ago."

"Oh, then, tell me, Hanserl, what is he like? Is he young and
frank-looking? Seems he one that should have won a maiden's heart so
suddenly, that----that--"

"No, not that she could n't have written to her sister and asked for
counsel, Fraeulein," said Hans, continuing her sentence. "The Prince is
a cold, austere man, proud to his equals, I believe, but familiar enough
to such as me. I remember how he asked me of my life, where I came from,
and how I lived. He seemed curious to hear about the train of thoughts
suggested by living amid objects of such childish interest, and asked
me, 'If I did not often fancy that this mock world around me was the
real one?' 'You are right, Herr Prints,' said I; 'but, after all, here,
at least, we are equals.' 'How so?' said he. 'That _your_ real world
is as great a mockery as mine.' 'Thou are right, dwarf,' said he,
thoughtfully, and fell a-musing. He should not have called me dwarf, for
men know me as Hans Roeckle,--and this is your sister's husband!"

"Is he mild and gentle-mannered?" as