n the first reception-room until the arrival of Rodolph, who now
entered, followed by Murphy and M. de Grauen.

Rodolph was then in his thirty-sixth year, in the very prime and
perfection of manly health and strength. His regular and handsome
features, with the air of dignity pervading his whole appearance, would
have rendered him, under any circumstances, a strikingly attractive man;
but, combined with the _eclat_ of high birth and exalted rank, he was a
person of first-rate importance in every circle in which he presented
himself, and whose notice was assiduously sought for. Dressed with the
utmost simplicity, Rodolph wore a white waistcoat and cravat; a blue
coat, buttoned up closely, on the right breast of which sparkled a
diamond star, displayed to admiration the light yet perfect proportions
of his graceful figure, while his well-fitting pantaloons, of black
kerseymere, defined the finely formed leg and handsome foot in its
embroidered stocking.

From the rareness of the Grand Duke's visits to the _haut monde_, his
arrival produced a great sensation, and every eye was fixed upon him
from the moment that, attended by Murphy and Baron de Grauen, he entered
the first salon at the embassy. An attache, deputed to watch for his
arrival, hastened immediately to appraise the ambassadress of the
appearance of her illustrious guest. Her excellency instantly hurried,
with her noble husband, to welcome their visitor, exclaiming:

"Your royal highness is, indeed, kind, thus to honour our poor
entertainment."

"Nay, madame," replied Rodolph, gracefully bowing on the hand extended
to him, "your ladyship is well aware of the sincere pleasure it affords
to pay my compliments to yourself; and as for M. le Comte, he and I are
two old friends, who are always delighted to meet. Are we not, my lord?"

"Your royal highness, in deigning to continue to me so flattering a
place in your recollection, makes it still more impossible for me ever
to forget your many acts of condescending kindness."

"I assure you, M. le Comte, that in my memory the past never dies; or,
at least, the pleasant part of it; for I make it a strict rule never to
preserve any reminiscences of my friends but such as are agreeable and
gratifying."

"Your royal highness has found the secret of being happy in your
thoughts, and rendering others so at the same time," rejoined the
ambassador, smiling with gratified pride and pleasure at a conference so
cordially car