, among the number,' replied
the Princess, with dignity. 'I have learned, madam, although still so
young, in a hard school, that my own feelings must everywhere come last.'

'O callow innocence!' exclaimed the other. 'Is it possible you do not
know, or do not suspect, the intrigue in which you move? I find it in my
heart to pity you! We are both women after all--poor girl, poor
girl!--and who is born a woman is born a fool. And though I hate all
women--come, for the common folly, I forgive you. Your Highness'--she
dropped a deep stage curtsey and resumed her fan--'I am going to insult
you, to betray one who is called my lover, and if it pleases you to use
the power I now put unreservedly into your hands, to ruin my dear self.
O what a French comedy! You betray, I betray, they betray. It is now my
cue. The letter, yes. Behold the letter, madam, its seal unbroken as I
found it by my bed this morning; for I was out of humour, and I get many,
too many, of these favours. For your own sake, for the sake of my Prince
Charming, for the sake of this great principality that sits so heavy on
your conscience, open it and read!'

'Am I to understand,' inquired the Princess, 'that this letter in any way
regards me?'

'You see I have not opened it,' replied von Rosen; 'but 'tis mine, and I
beg you to experiment.'

'I cannot look at it till you have,' returned Seraphina, very seriously.
'There may be matter there not meant for me to see; it is a private
letter.'

The Countess tore it open, glanced it through, and tossed it back; and
the Princess, taking up the sheet, recognised the hand of Gondremark, and
read with a sickening shock the following lines:--

'Dearest Anna, come at once. Ratafia has done the deed, her husband
is to be packed to prison. This puts the minx entirely in my power;
_le tour est joue_; she will now go steady in harness, or I will know
the reason why. Come.

HEINRICH.'

'Command yourself, madam,' said the Countess, watching with some alarm
the white face of Seraphina. 'It is in vain for you to fight with
Gondremark; he has more strings than mere court favour, and could bring
you down to-morrow with a word. I would not have betrayed him otherwise;
but Heinrich is a man, and plays with all of you like marionnettes. And
now at least you see for what you sacrificed my Prince. Madam, will you
take some wine? I h