“We know that Sigismund hath been of service to thee,” observed Marguerite, who always addressed her gay companion with the familiarity that belonged to her greater age, rather than with the respect which Adelheid had been accustomed to receive from those who were of a rank inferior to her own.  “The brave boy hath spoken of it, though he hath spoken of it modestly.”

“He had every right to do himself justice in his communications with those of his own family.  Without his aid, my father would have been childless; and without his brave support, the child fatherless.  Twice has he stood between us and death.”

“I have heard of this,” returned Marguerite, again fastening her penetrating eye on the tell-tale features of Adelheid, which never failed to brighten and glow, whenever there was allusion to the courage and self-devotion of him she secretly loved, “As to what thou say’st of the intimacy of our poor boy with those of his blood, cruel circumstances stand between us and our wishes.  If Sigismund has told thee of whom he comes he has also most probably told thee of the manner in which he passes, in the world, for that which he is not.”

“I believe he has not withheld any thing that he knew, and which it was proper to communicate to me;” answered Adelheid, dropping her eyes before the attentive, expectant look of Marguerite.  “He has spoken freely, and—­”

“Thou wouldst have said—­”

“Honorably, and as became a soldier;” continued Adelheid, firmly.

“He has done well!  This lightens my heart of one burthen at least.  No; God has destined us to this fate, and it would have grieved me that a son of mine should have failed of principle in an affair, of all others, in which it is most wanted.  You look amazed, lady!”

“These sentiments, in one so situated, surprise as much as they delight me!  If any thing could excuse some looseness in the manner of regarding the usual ties of life, it would surely be to find oneself so placed, by no misconduct of our own, as to be a but to the world’s dislike and injustice; and yet here, where there was reason to expect some resentment against fortune, I meet with sentiments that would honor a throne!”

“Thou thinkest as one more accustomed to consider thy fellow-creatures through the means of what men fancy, than through things as they are.  This is the picture of youth, and inexperience, and innocence; but it is not the picture of life.  ’Tis misfortune, and not prosperity that chasteneth, by proving our insufficiency for true happiness, and by leading the soul to depend on a power greater than any that is to be found on earth.  We fall before the temptation of happiness, when we rise in adversity.  If thou thinkest, innocent one, that noble and just sentiments belong to the fortunate, thou trustest to a false guide.  There are evils which flesh cannot endure, it is true; but, removed from these overwhelming wants, we are strongest in the right,