these few hours. Splendour and abundance vied with each
other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that I felt quite
safe: the zeal of my servants met every exigency, and merited all
praise.

Evening drew on, the guests arrived, and were presented to me. The word
_majesty_ was now dropped; but, with the deepest respect and humility,
I was addressed as the _count_. What could I do? I accepted the title;
and from that moment I was known as Count Peter. In the midst of all
this festivity my soul pined for one individual. She came late--she who
was the empress of the scene, and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her
brow.

She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her
transcendent beauty.

The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to
me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but
before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded school-boy, incapable
of speaking a single word.

At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by
presiding at it--an office for which her rare endowments pointed her
out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she
entreated to be excused; but in still greater confusion than herself, I
respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first and most
devoted of her subjects; and one glance of the count was the same as a
command to the guests, who all vied with each other in acting up to the
spirit of the noble host.

In her person, majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty,
presided over this joyous banquet. Minna's happy parents were elated by
the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I abandoned myself
to all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all the jewels, pearls,
and precious stones still left to me--the produce of my fatal wealth;
and filling two vases, I placed them on the table in the name of the
Queen of the banquet, to be divided among her companions and the
remainder of the ladies.

I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing
among the happy multitude.

Next morning Bendel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had
long entertained of Rascal's honesty were now reduced to a certainty:
he had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold.

"Never mind," said I; "let him enjoy his paltry booty. _I_ like to
spend it--why should not he? Yesterday he, and all the newly-engaged
servants whom you had hired, served me honourably, and cheerf