old soldier, especially as he happens to be your relation?"

A burning glow of indignation deepened on Genevieve's cheek; but with a strong effort she overcame the emotion.

"I beg of you, Sergeant-Major Meissen, once for all, to use more reserve in your language towards me," she replied, in a subdued yet resolute tone. "It is true that Albert Stralenheim is my affianced lover," she continued; " and, in spite of my low station, his intentions are pure and honorable; nay, were they not, I would reject them without a pang. In the broad face of day he sought my maiden love. His affection for me is disinterested, untainted by one sinful thought, and, notwithstanding the distance that exists between us—'

Meissen broke into a rude, coarse laugh, and regarded Genevieve with a look of withering contempt.

"Wherefore that joyless laugh, man?" she asked, indignantly.

"Bah! you girls are all alike," was his derisive reply "pretty and vain while youth lasts; when that fades you grow bitter and jealous. You have not the slightest idea what queer pranks Dame Fortune plays on her seesaw. Up and down, up and down, and away you go into the mire!"

"It is you who are envious and bitter," she retorted "despicably so to me! But," she added, proudly, "I have my Albert's promise that before two days have passed he will not only acknowledge me before the world as his

affianced wife, but ask his father's consent to our union."

"Which he will find very hard to obtain," sneered Meissen.

66

Why should he?" was her artless question. "Bah! I was mistaken, girl," he replied, with a fierce chuckle. "The haughty family of Count Stralenheim will feel honored to receive as a daughter the child of" He stopped short before her brave, fearless look, and, in a less jeering tone, he added, Well, well, sure as you are of your success, I am even more so of mine. I have only to pronounce one word-one little, insignificant word, and the road to many honors, the path to fame and fortune, lies clear and open before me."

"Indeed!" retorted Genevieve, with a demure expression of incredulity on her face. "It is strange that you have not uttered it before to-day."

"I bide my time," he replied, with biting sarcasm. "But it is fast approaching now. Every minute brings my long-coveted prize closer to my grasp. Before to-morrow night I shall wear a lieutenant's epaulettes. What say you now?"

'If you merit the distinction you have my good wishes," she replied.

"No doubt," said he. "If there is nothing to prevent you from becoming the daughter-inlaw of the noble Count Stralenheim, surely there is less to prevent a soldier of thirty years' service from becoming a lieutenant."

"Am I to understand that you meditate mak

66

ing my relationship to you a stepping-stone to your promotion?" she asked in a tone of fear. Why, what a memory you have, child!" he cried, mockingly. "Did I not tell you a minute since that I had to speak but one little word? Ah, you don't know what a golden key I carry about me.

A feeling of loathing and dread, which she vainly tried to suppress, filled Genevieve's heart. The man's laugh, his voice, his glance, nay, even his very shadow, seemed to cast a blight upon her innocence. He stood in that

little home of purity like a rank weed, throwing its cankerous breath around. Unable longer to bear his presence, she turned her sweet, sad face to the window, and directed her thoughtful gaze over the flower-garden. After a short

silence a cry of joy broke from her lips, and clapping her hands in a transport of exuberant glee, she exclaimed, "Thank Heaven, he is

here!"

"He! Who?" inquired the sergeant-major, starting to his feet.

"My Albert," was the proud, smiling reply. "Now speak your boasting words to him, and hear how he will answer them."

"No, no," he said, hurriedly buckling on his sword, "I won't interrupt you. Here, dame, show me the back door; I will retreat that way."

'Nay, you had better remain," said the dame, good-naturedly; "you have nothing to fear from him."

"Fear!" he echoed, in contemptuous scorn.

"Bah! Now, Genevieve, whilst the son is with you," he continued, "I will find the father, and we'll see who will arrive at their schemes first; you or I; adieu."

Genevieve turned shudderingly away from his savage look of triumph, and heard with a grateful sigh of relief the outer door at the rear of the cottage close behind him. A moment longer only was her bright face darkened by a transient shadow, the next instant her lover crossed the threshold, and, clasping her in his arms, left a chaste kiss upon her pure brow.

"Can you guess, dear Genevieve, why I have come to visit you thus early?" he asked.

"I think I can," she replied, with a winning smile; "you have some grand scheme in your mind, and before you put it into execution you wish to consult me."

"You are a sorceress," he said, gaily; "a perfect little sorceress."

"But is it not so?" she asked, playfully.

“Yes, you charming little witch, you have augured rightly," he smiled, "and should I succeed, it will open to me a career of independence and usefulness. If I possess talents, and I believe I do, the position which the duke has almost promised to confer upon me will give me a genial sphere of action."

66

Oh, what position is it, Albert?" she asked, half proudly.

“Private secretary to his highness,” replied Albert. "I am to have an interview with him this very day. At least, I have solicited one, and if he consents, I shall urge him to grant

me his long-promised appointment forthwith. And then-————”

Genevieve blushed beneath his fond gaze as she softly murmured, Yes, Albert, and then

"I shall dispel forever your fears, dearest, and fulfil my promise to you," he replied, proudly. "Then I shall ask at once my parents' blessing on our love."

Genevieve's heart quickened its pulsation as she reflected how formidable was the fortress of pride and ambition against which her lover would have to fight.

66

Nay, nay, fear not," he said, cheeringly, as he noticed the unusual pallor of her face; “although my father is of noble lineage, he is likewise a man whose soul is filled with human sympathies. His long career has been distinguished by undeviating rectitude, and all who know him praise and esteem him. You would wrong him, Genevieve, if for one moment you believed that to me, his only son, he would act unjustly. Believe me, he could not."

"I only fear, Albert, lest he should doubt the purity of my affection, attributing it to a vain, selfish pride," she said meekly. "It may seem very weak-very foolish, perchance, but I often wish that you, like myself, were poor and humble."

"Were it so, our mutual love could not be greater," he replied. "Even were I seated in the ducal chair, I should feel an honest pride in raising you to share that lofty station. Man, however powerful, need never blush to honor