ons of their spheres. And whilst the
ringing laughter, the joyous mirth, of some is borne upwards by the
breeze, it is mingled with the sobs and bitter weeping of the neglected
and oppressed. Stretching out her soft white hands, she clasps them in
piteous yearning.

'"My soul craves for it," she cries. "Since first I became conscious
of its absence I am longing to find it. If I could devote a lifetime
to it, and obtain it at last, I should die content!"

* * * * * *

'She stands in the deepest recess of a lonely forest. Far away from
the city, no human habitation is near. Her feet are on the
moss-covered ground, soft as velvet to the touch. Above is a canopy of
green, through which the pure blue heavens appear, and the rays of the
setting sun are giving the stately elms and rugged oaks a golden beauty
of its own. She is leaning against a copper beech, and her soft brown
hair is kissing the shining bark. Her blue eyes are turned upwards,
full of expectancy and hope. She stands like a beautiful statue. A
squirrel darts up a tree close by, and rabbits sport amongst the fallen
leaves. The birds are carolling forth their evening hymns of praise,
and Nature seems to be parading its loveliness. But her face is
sorrowful still, and she shakes her head dejectedly. "It is of no
avail," she murmurs; "even here in such a scene I cannot obtain my
heart's desire! I yearn more for it day by day, and yet with the
crushing longing within my breast I seem further away than ever from
it!"

'She turns, and retraces her steps to the home of her forefathers.

* * * * * *

'A luxuriously furnished apartment; cool and refreshing after the glare
of the sun outside. The Venetian shutters are closed. Sweet-scented
flowers are filling the room with their perfume. The sound of
children's happy voices, as they roam through the meadows and play in
the new-mown hay, the humming of bees, sipping their honey from the
full-blown flowers, come in at the open windows. Upon a couch in the
darkest corner of the room lies our princess. She is not asleep; her
hands are folded listlessly across her breast, her lips are moving.
Now burying her face in the cushions, she exclaims:--

'"No, I have it not. Methought I might find it even here. No
happiness for me until I experience it All the gold I possess would I
gladly give to have the exquisite pleasure of obtaining and r