sort of purring satisfaction as she took his hand and heard his praises
of her, spread like a charm over him, so that he never knew how the time
slipped by as he sat beside her.

Have you ever written to your father since you came here?' asked he one day
as they talked together.

'Yes, sir; and yesterday I got a letter from him. Such a nice letter,
sir--no complainings, no reproaches for my running away; but all sorts of
good wishes for my happiness. He owns he was sorry to have ever thought
of the stage for me; but he says this lawsuit he is engaged in about his
grandfather's will may last for years, and that he knew I was so certain
of a great success, and that a great success means more than mere money,
he fancied that in my triumph he would reap the recompense for his own
disasters. He is now, however, far happier that I have found a home, a real
home, and says, "Tell my lord I am heartily ashamed of all my rudeness with
regard to him, and would willingly make a pilgrimage to the end of Europe
to ask his pardon"; and say besides that "when I shall be restored to
the fortune and rank of my ancestors"--you know,' added she, 'he is a
prince--"my first act will be to throw myself at his feet, and beg to be
forgiven by him."'

'What is the property? is it land?' asked he, with the half-suspectfulness
of one not fully assured of what he was listening to.

'Yes, sir; the estate is in Delos. I have seen the plan of the grounds and
gardens of the palace, which are princely. Here, on this seal,' said she,
showing the envelope of her letter, 'you can see the arms; papa never omits
to use it, though on his card he is written only "of the princes"--a form
observed with us.'