She came late--she who was the empress of the scene, and wore the
emblem of sovereignty on her brow.

She modestly accompanied her parents, and seemed unconscious of her
transcendent beauty.

The Ranger of the Forests, his wife, and daughter, were presented to
me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents; but
before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy, incapable
of speaking a single word.

At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honour my banquet by
presiding at it--an office for which her rare endowments pointed her
out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she
entreated to be excused; but, in still greater confusion than
herself, I respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first
and most devoted of her subjects, and one glance of the count was
the same as a command to the guests, who all vied with each other in
acting up to the spirit of the noble host.

In her person majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty,
presided over this joyous banquet. Minna's happy parents were
elated by the honours conferred upon their child. As for me, I
abandoned myself to all the intoxication of delight: I sent for all
the jewels, pearls, and precious stones still left to me--the
produce of my fatal wealth--and, filling two vases, I placed them on
the table, in the name of the Queen of the banquet, to be divided
among her companions and the remainder of the ladies.

I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing