ly pleased you?"

"Oh, yes!" said the poet, in a tone that sounded like Oh, no!

"I don't believe it," said the Duke. "Come, now, could you, if you
were asked, describe the happiest and proudest hour of your life?"

A new expression came into the poet's eyes, and lighted up his gaunt
intellectual face. Some old memories awoke within him, and it is
doubtful if he saw the landscape at which he was gazing. But the Duke
was not quick, though kind; he thought that Friedrich had not heard
him, and repeated the question.

"Yes," said the poet. "Yes, indeed I could."

"Well, then, let me guess," said the Duke, facetiously. (He fancied
that he was bringing his crusty genius into capital condition.) "Was
it when your great tragedy of 'Boadicea' was first performed in
Berlin, and the theatre rose like one man to offer homage, and the
gods sent thunder? I wish they had ever treated my humble efforts with
as much favour. Was it then?"

"No!"

"Was it when his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of ---- was pleased to
present you with a gold snuff-box set with diamonds, and to express
his opinion that your historical plays were incomparably among the
finest productions of poetic genius?"

"His Imperial Majesty," said Friedrich, "is a brave soldier; but,
a--hem!--an indifferent critic. I do not take snuff, and his Imperial
Majesty does not read poetry. The interview was gratifying, but that
was not the occasion. No!"

"Was it when you were staying with Dr. Kranz at G----, and the
students made that great supper for you, and escorted your carriage
both ways with a procession of torches?"

"Poor boys!" said the poet, laughing; "it was very kind, and they
could ill afford it. But they would have drunk quite as much wine for
any one who would have taken the inside out of the University clock,
or burnt the Principal's wig, as they did for me. It was a very
unsteady procession that brought me home, I assure you. The way they
poked the torches in each other's faces left one student, as I heard,
with no less than eight duels on his hands. And, oh! the manner in
which they howled my most pathetic love songs! No! no!"

The Duke laughed heartily.

"Is it any of the various occasions on which the fair ladies of
Germany have testified their admiration by offerings of sympathy and
handiwork?"

"No!" roared the poet.

"Are you quite sure?" said the Duke, slyly. "I have heard of
comforters, and slippers, and bouquets, and locks of hair, b