ing superior to them in birth.
This, however, is always a difficulty to a foreigner; they
have no idea of untitled nobility; and I saw his chagrin
the other day when I told him to address papa as plain
Monsieur. Since yesterday morning I am called Princess; and
I cannot conceal from you the throb of delight the sound
still gives me! I often stop to ask myself if this be all a
dream, and shall I wake beside the fire and see dearest
Nelly bending over some little group, and Hans with
wondering eyes staring over her shoulders.

"The Prince only intends to spend one winter in Russia.
Madame de Heidendorf says that he will be named Ambassador
at Paris; but I hope and trust not: I feel too acutely my
inferiority for such a position. This she laughs at, and
merely says, 'Nous verrons.' Of course, wherever I am, you
will both be with me; meanwhile, what would you wish to do?
I told Monsieur Rubion, the Prince's secretary, that I
wanted money, and he gave me these bills, so he called them,
on Baden and Carlsruhe, as easily negotiable in that
neighborhood; pray, say if they be serviceable. The Prince
intends to visit you at Baden; and I suppose you will like
to see him. His manners are perfect, and except a degree of
constraint in first acquaintance, he is generally thought
very agreeable. Such preparations as they are making for my
journey, you 'd fancy I was a queen at the very least All my
_trousseau_ is to come from Paris direct; and up to this I
have merely what Madame de H. calls the strictly
'indispensable;' which, shall I own? contrives to fill two
large fourgons and a heavy travelling-carriage. Nina is in a
perfect ecstasy at everything, and is eternally 'draping' me
in Brussels lace and Chantilly; so that, even while I
write, these flimsy tissues are floating around me; while
caskets of jewels and precious gems dazzle my eyes wherever
I turn them.

"The whole is like a gorgeous vision; would that it might
remain ever thus, for I almost tremble to take a step
further. Are these unworthy fears? I hope they are."

Nelly paused, and laid down the letter on her knee. "Well, may I never
see grace, if that letter isn't enough to confuse a bench of bishops!"
cried Dalton. "She's marrying the first man in Europe,--be the other who
he will,--and