CHAPTER II.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2048, 22 August 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER 11.

Oil joining the legation, I was not particularly attracted by my chief, tho Minister. Ilia manners were oppraisively polito; and hi* spnsa of his own importance was not suftiiiontly influenced by diplomatio reserve. I tenturfl to describe him (montally speaking) as an empty man, oarofully trained to look full on publtc occasions. My colloagae, the first oecretary, wa* a far more interesting paraon. Bright, unaft ctcd, and agreeable, he at onc9 interested ma wlvm we were introduced to each other. I pay mysalf a compliment, as I consider, when I add that he bsoatne my firm and true friend. We took a walk together iv the palace gardens on the evening oi my arrival. Reaching a remote part of tho grounds, we were passed by a lean sour-looking old man. drawn by a servant in a chair on wheels. My companion stopped, whispered to me, " H?re is the Prince," and bowed bareheaded. I fallowed hi 9 example as a matter of course The Prince feebly returned our salutation. "la he ill?" I asked, when we had put our hats on again. " Shakespeare," the secretary replied, II tells us that, ' ona man in his lini9 plays many parts." Under what various aapeeti the Prince'd character may hav6 presented itself, in his younger days. lam not able to tell you. Since I havo been here, he has played the part of a martyr to illness, misunderstood by hia doctors." " And hie daughter, the Prince 33 — what do you say of her ?" " Ah. she ia not bo easily described I I can only appeal to your memory of other women like her, whom you mu3t. often have peon — women who are tall and fair, and fragile and elegant ; who have delicate aquiline noses and melting blueeye 1 ! -woinea who havo often charmed you by their t:ndsr srnilee and their supple graces of movement. As for tho oharacter of thia popular young lady, I muafc not influence you either way ; study it for yourself," " Without a hint to guide me ?" " With a suggestion," he replied, " which may be worth considering. If you w'i3h to please the Princess, begin by endflavouring to win the good graces of the Baroness." " Who is tho Baroness ?" 11 One of tho ladies in waiting— bosom friend of her Highneis, and chosen repository of all her secrets. Personally, not likely to attract you ; short and fat, and ill tern pered and ugly. Just at this time, I happen myself to get on with her better than usual. We have discovered that we possess one sympathy in common— we are the only people at Court who don't believe in tho Prince's new doctor." " Is the new doctor a quack ?" Tha secretary looked round, bafore he answered, to see that nobody was near U 3. " It strikes me," he said, "that the Dootor is a spy. Mmd 1 I have no right to speak of him in that way ; it is only my improasion — and I onght to add that appearances are all in his favour. He is in the service of our nearest royal neighbour, the Grand Duke ; and he has been sent hero expressly to relieve the sufferings of the Duke's good friend and brother, our invalid Punce. This is an honourable mission no doubt. And tho man himself is handsome well bred, and (I don't quite know whether tuia is sn additional recommendation — a country mau of oura. Neveithelcss I doubt him, and the Baroness doubts him. You are an independent witness ; I shall be anxious to bear if

yo'iv ojviv Ji ,\^r3"S w. Ll i our* " I was ]>r<Heiitr i lit C ) irt, toward* the end of tuo w:ete ; m-J, in ih; cjur«e of cli'T n"*t twj or three day?, I raoro than oncd euw lua D)Otorßqain. Tno impression that he pro rimed on mo surprised my co!lea^'a>. Is was my opioion thni he and the Baionenj had mi >taken the character of a worthy and capable man. Tno necretarv obilinately adhcrol to hi i own view " Wai 6 a littlo," he ausv/jrdd, " and wo shall " Ha was quite right, W<j did sse.