circle around me, and should like to be introduced into it, or, still better, let it come to me, without any trouble."

'Ah, then you have just applied to the right person," said Selma, with comic dignity; " and now in order to commence as mistress of the ceremonies,-whom shall I have the honour of presenting to you first in this assembly?"

"The stately lady there with the waving bird of paradise in that turban of silver gauze and black velvet robe, who is now talking to your mother and laughing -a beautiful lady-she might represent the queen of the night."

"So she is, indeed," rejoined Selma, laughing. "" Signora Luna, as we sometimes designate her, or 'our bright-eyed lady,' is lady of honour with her Majesty the queen, where the night, as is well known, is turned into day. You will be pleased with her; she is one of our very best acquaintances; and this evening Signora Luna is in her new moon. Shall I now immediately. . . ."

"No, no, not this evening. Signora Luna is at this hour too dazzling for me. Who is that tall gentleman, who is now addressing her? Also a stately personage, but a little ostentatious."

"Respect, I beg, for-Alexander the Great, or the Great Alexander-he has translated Aristotle's Logic and Rhetoric; a very learned man, and is the husband of fair lady Luna."

"Most obedient servant! But, my dearest, here seems to be the most extraordinary society in the world-Signora Luna, Alexander the Great. I am curious to know what superhuman greatness I shall

now have the honour to form the acquaintance of; that military man, for instance, I should like to know by name; he is now discoursing with a gentleman, wearing a star on his breast; but he appears to me, at least, a creation of earth."

"Not altogether, for he is more connected with the sea. We call him the 'Viking;' besides he is Commodore Brenner-a very nice and distinguished characters Do you know to whom he is speaking?

"No, but I should like to know. His name most assuredly must be Aristides, or Axel Oxenstjerna. I fancy I have seen him before."

"That is Baron Thorsten Lennartson; you will frequently see him here; he has been Felix Delphin's guardian, and is at this present time Flora's guardian."

"He is the same whom I thought I recognised again. You have not given him any name of character, Selma. But I will give him one."

"And what will that be?"

"I will christen him the lordly Baron in contradistinction from a number of other barons; for he looks to me as if he could be lord over himself. What think you?"

"Excellent! One would fancy you had known him a long time already."

"I saw him once a long time ago, and . . . . But there stands a person, which methinks I have also seen before, a regular, but marble-cold expression, somewhat sallow, with the features of a Voltaire."

"Another relation of yours. Your and my brotherin-law, L'Envoyé, St. Orme, who arrived here a few months ago from Paris."

"Virginia's husband. Ah, I recognise him again. But it is more than ten years since I saw him at Virginia's wedding. How beautiful she was! and to leave this world so soon-a year after her marriage."

"Yes, on the anniversary of her wedding-day," said Selma, with a voice betokening painful recollections. I therefore inquired further:

"And who is that young officer with whom you were dancing just now-an uncommonly handsome young man?"

"Again another relative, Felix Delphin, Flora's brother. Is not Flora very beautiful?"

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"Yes, very beautiful."

"And how full of spirit and richly endowed. She is possessed of at least a dozen talents."

"That's almost too much," rejoined I, laughing. "And now, thanks, sweet Selma, for having entertained me so agreeably. I now perceive a gentleman approaching you with dancing intentions, and you must not drive the dancers any longer into despair on my account. Do not make yourself uneasy about me; I shall be highly delighted with looking at the dance, and noticing the new and interesting acquaintances I have made-Signora Luna, Alexander the Great, the Baron...."

"Deign to glance also at the Philosopher," said Selma, archly, pointing at one of the servants in the family livery, who with a tray full of ices came up to us, and had a very serious face, with the features of a parrot."

"Take care, Jacob," continued she, turning herself jestingly, to the footman, "and mind that we don't waltz over you."

"Ah, heaven forbid, Fräulein," answered the philosopher, with suppressed voice, while a sudden radiance passed over his countenance, which, however, immediately again assumed its former gloom, when with his waiter he stepped before me.

The Fräulein soon floated along in the waltz as light as a bird.

Immediately after came my stepmother with the "rich bachelor" to me, and presented him with the words: "Your uncle, Court-Chamberlain X-"

My uncle seated himself beside me, and with much complacency commenced a conversation, which from a few compliments paid to me, passed from one criticisin to another, tolerably witty in tone, but not savouring of a good digestion in a mental sense. Whether I was tired with my journey and the din of the ball, or affected by the conversation I had just had I know not; but certain it is that a dull veil came over my eyes and the splendid and animated scene. Notwithstanding, I was pleased to hear him speak in high terms of my stepmother.

"A most excellent lady," said my uncle: "I do not know any person in whom I could repose so much confidence, nobody on whom I could so implicitly rely. If at any time I wish to do a little good privately, so that it may not come to light, I always apply to her."

The Viking had left the company, and before quitting the room cast a half-farewell glance at me, which like a little point of light remained alive in my recollection. "Signora Luna's" splendid appearance vanished from our horizon, to make her entrance into the palace, where she at present had her post of duty.

B

Selma I only saw, when during the intervening pauses of the dance she came skipping to me with some pleasant word or question; in the same manner I saw her approach her mother and some other senior member of the company, ever cheerful and attentive, as if anxious to please every body.

After supper something occurred that made a lasting impression on me. In the saloon an active movement took place, and I beheld my sister lifted up in her arm-chair under the chandelier, whose brilliant light reflected its radiance around her: to this resounded an enthusiastic "Vivat" from the surrounding gentlemen.

The "Baron was one of the party who assisted in elevating the young heroine of the festival. Beautiful and like a princess she sat there in the bright lustre of the lights, beaming with youthful charm and modest oy. A shout of admiration and homage passed through the whole of the assembly. Casting down my eyes from the almost dazzling sight, they fixed themselves upon another countenance, whose expression pierced my very heart: it was Flora's. Vexation, envy, and indignation appeared in the almost convulsive movement which passed over and distorted her beautiful features, but only for a moment; for when her eye met mine her expression changed, and immediately after she laughed and jested with St. Orme, who seldom moved from her side, and whose cold observing look had something about it that annoyed me.

On attempting to steal away from the scene of festivity, my stepmother made a strong demonstration to me, expressive of her intention to accompany me to my room, but suffered herself to be persuaded by my warm