heir contemporaries among the noblemen of the Latin races, and
it is interesting to find that among the old German courts where art
was loved in this isolated fashion was that of the Palatine house, which
ultimately became related by marriage to the Royal Stuarts, a dynasty as
eminently artistic as the Medicis themselves.

This Palatine house was regnant for many generations at Heidelberg
Castle, and there, at a remote medieval date, reigned a prince named
Louis III, who esteemed literature and painting. A fond parent he was
besides, devoted to his two sons, the elder called Louis and the younger
Frederick; and from the outset he attended carefully to the education of
the pair, choosing as their tutor a noted scholar, one Kenmat, while
he allowed this tutor's daughter Eugenia to be taught along with the
princely pupils, and he also admitted to the group an Italian boy,
Rafaello. These four children grew up together, and the Palatine prince
was pleased to mark that Frederick, though full of martial ardour,
showed intellectual tastes as well; yet the father did not live long to
watch the growth of the boy's predilection therein, and there came a day
when the crown of Louis III was acquired by his heir, Louis IV. Still
quite young, the latter was already affianced to Margaret of Savoy; and
this engagement had incensed various nobles of the Rhine, especially
the Count of Luzenstein. He was eager that his own house should become
affiliated with the Palatinate, and while he knew that there was little
hope of frustrating Louis' prospective wedding, this did not nullify his
ambitions. For was it not possible that the marriage might prove without
issue? And, as that would ultimately set Frederick on the Palatine
throne, Luzenstein determined that his daughter Leonora should wed the
younger of the two princes. She herself was equally eager for the union,
and though the affair was not definitely arranged in the meantime, it
was widely understood that at no very distant date Leonora's betrothal
would be announced.

At length there came a day when the noblesse of the Rhine assembled at
Heidelberg to celebrate the nuptials of Louis and Margaret. For a space
the rejoicings went forward merrily, but, as Louis scanned the faces of
his guests, he was surprised to find that Frederick was absent. Why was
this? he mused; and going in search he soon found his brother in one of
the smaller rooms of the castle, attended by Rafaello. Now the la