d been removed, the Montagnes-Russes became
the amusement of the day, and the sledges were galloping about in every
direction. For more than a month O'Donahue continued his pretended
addresses to the fair cousin of the princess, and during that time he
did not once see the real object of his attachment: indeed, the dwarf
never made his appearance, and all communication, except an occasional
note from her to the countess, was, from prudence, given up. The widow
was rich, and had often been pressed to renew her bonds, but had
preferred her liberty. O'Donahue, therefore, was looked upon as a
fortunate man, and congratulated upon his success. Nor did the widow
deny the projected union, except in a manner so as to induce people to
believe in the certainty of its being arranged. O'Donahue's equipage
was always at her door, and it was expected that the marriage would
immediately take place, when O'Donahue attended a levee given by the
emperor on the Feast of Saint Nicholas. The emperor, who had been very
civil to O'Donahue, as he walked past him, said, "Well, Captain
O'Donahue, so I understand that you intend to run away with one of our
fairest and prettiest ladies--one of the greatest ornaments of my
court?"

"I trust that I have your Majesty's permission so to do," replied
O'Donahue, bowing low.

"Oh, certainly you have; and, moreover, our best wishes for your
happiness."

"I humbly thank your Majesty," replied O'Donahue; "still I trust your
Majesty does not think that I wish to transplant her to my own country
altogether, and that I shall be permitted to reside, for the major part
of the year, in your Majesty's dominions."

"Nothing will give me greater pleasure; and it will be a satisfaction to
feel that I shall gain instead of losing by the intended marriage."

"By the powers! but I will remind him of this, some day or another,"
thought O'Donahue. "Haven't I his permission to the marriage, and to
remain in the country?"

Everything was now ripe for the execution of the plot. The countess
gave out that she was going to her country-seat, about ten miles from
Saint Petersburg; and it was naturally supposed that she was desirous
that the marriage should be private, and that she intended to retire
there to have the ceremony performed; and O'Donahue advertised his
departure in the _Gazette_.

The Princess Czartorinski produced a letter from the countess,
requesting her, as a favour, to obtain leave from the emp