Maid of Orleans, and that she will perform heroic deeds one day. Oh,
I know my dear beautiful Eliza Wallner, and--"

"Don not speak of me, for I am listening to you," exclaimed Eliza,
entering the balcony.

"Ah, my Lizzie," exclaimed Elza, rising and tenderly embracing her
friend. "Have you come at length, my merry, beautiful lark?"

"Yes, I have, and I am glad that I am here," said Eliza and her
large hazel eyes turned for a moment smilingly to the young officer,
who, like his cousin, had risen on beholding Eliza Wallner. He did
not utter a word of salutation; nevertheless, Eliza blushed on
meeting his glance, and averted her eyes timidly from him, turning
them toward the distant summits of the glaciers which were
glittering around the horizon yonder in wonderful majesty.

"You are glad that you are here, my sweet child? Why did you not
come at an earlier hour?" asked Elza. "You are always expected. My
dear silent cousin, she is always expected, is she not? "

"Most assuredly she is," said the young captain, with a smile; "and
she is as welcome as the first rose of May."

"How impudent you are!" exclaimed Miss Elza, laughing; "you bid my
Lizzie welcome as the first rose of May, and yet I was here before
her!"

"He means only the wild hedge-rose, Elza," said Eliza, smiling
archly, "for you know very well that the beautiful and aristocratic