THE DUKE'S PRIZE.

A STORY OF ART AND HEART IN FLORENCE.

BY LIEUTENANT MURRAY.

NEW YORK:






PREFACE.





THE scenes of the following story are laid in Italy, that land of
the sun. They are designed to impress a goodly moral, as well as to
amuse the reader--to show that patience and perseverance will conquer
all things--and that a poor coat may cover a rich heart. The reader
will find also herein, that love raises the humblest; and that true
merit, like true genius, tramples upon misfortunes; and that "some
falls are means the happier to rise."