he box; and,
as he had forgotten to bring the key with him, he went to the door for a
moment, saying, "Weissenborn perhaps has it;" but seeing over the stove
one of the General's couteaux de chasse, he took it down, and said,
"That will do," and fell to work to burst the red trunk open with the
blade of the forest knife. The point broke, and he gave an oath, but
continued haggling on with the broken blade, which was better suited
to his purpose than the long pointed knife, and finally succeeded in
wrenching open the lid of the chest.

'"What is the matter?" said he, laughing. "Here's the matter;--read
that!--here's more matter, read that!--here's more--no, not that; that's
somebody else's picture--but here's hers! Do you know that, Magny? My
wife's--the Princess's! Why did you and your cursed race ever come out
of France, to plant your infernal wickedness wherever your feet fell,
and to ruin honest German homes? What have you and yours ever had from
my family but confidence and kindness? We gave you a home when you
had none, and here's our reward!" and he flung a parcel of papers down
before the old General; who saw the truth at once;--he had known it long
before, probably, and sank down on his chair, covering his face.

'The Prince went on gesticulating, and shrieking almost. "If a man
injured you so, Magny, before you begot the father of that gambling
lying villain yonder, you would have known how to revenge yourself. You
would have killed him! Yes, would have killed him. But who's to help
me to my revenge? I've no equal. I can't meet that dog of a
Frenchman,--that pimp from Versailles,--and kill him, as if he had
played the traitor to one of his own degree."

'"The blood of Maxime de Magny," said the old gentleman proudly, "is as
good as that of any prince in Christendom."

'"Can I take it?" cried the Prince; "you know I can't. I can't have the
privilege of any other gentleman in Europe. What am I to do? Look here,
Magny: I was wild when I came here; I didn't know what to do. You've
served me for thirty years; you've saved my life twice: they are all
knaves and harlots about my poor old father here--no honest men or
women--you are the only one--you saved my life; tell me what am I to
do?" Thus from insulting Monsieur de Magny, the poor distracted Prince
fell to supplicating him; and, at last, fairly flung himself down, and
burst out in an agony of tears.

'Old Magny, one of the most rigid and cold of men on comm