urse of
this temporary obscuration, you have found me discharge my part with
suitable respect and, I may add, tact? I adopted purposely a
cheerfulness of manner; mirth, it appeared to me, and a good glass of
wine, were the fit alleviations.'

'Colonel,' said Otto, holding out his hand, 'your society was of itself
enough. I do not merely thank you for your pleasant spirits; I have to
thank you, besides, for some philosophy, of which I stood in need. I
trust I do not see you for the last time; and in the meanwhile, as a
memento of our strange acquaintance, let me offer you these verses on
which I was but now engaged. I am so little of a poet, and was so ill
inspired by prison bars, that they have some claim to be at least a
curiosity.'

The Colonel's countenance lighted as he took the paper; the silver
spectacles were hurriedly replaced. 'Ha!' he said, 'Alexandrines, the
tragic metre. I shall cherish this, your Highness, like a relic; no more
suitable offering, although I say it, could be made. "_Dieux de l'immense
plaine et des vastes forets_." Very good,' he said, 'very good indeed!
"_Et du geolier lui-meme apprendre des lecons_." Most handsome, begad!'

'Come, Governor,' cried the Countess, 'you can read his poetry when we
are gone. Open your grudging portals.'

'I ask your pardon,' said the Colonel. 'To a man of my character and
tastes, these verses, this handsome reference--most moving, I assure you.
Can I offer you an escort?'

'No, no,' replied the Countess. 'We go incogniti, as we arrived. We
ride together; the Prince will take my servant's horse. Hurry and
privacy, Herr Oberst, that is all we seek.' And she began impatiently to
lead the way.

But Otto had still to bid farewell to Dr. Gotthold; and the Governor
following, with his spectacles in one hand and the paper in the other,
had still to communicate his treasured verses, piece by piece, as he
succeeded in deciphering the manuscript, to all he came across; and still
his enthusiasm mounted. 'I declare,' he cried at last, with the air of
one who has at length divined a mystery, 'they remind me of Robbie
Burns!'

But there is an end to all things; and at length Otto was walking by the
side of Madame von Rosen, along that mountain wall, her servant following
with both the horses, and all about them sunlight, and breeze, and flying
bird, and the vast regions of the air, and the capacious prospect:
wildwood and climbing pinnacle, and the soun