She talked freely during the interview, but with an evident anguish of spirit, which seemed only the more sad from her effort at control.

During this interview, while speaking of the childhood of her son, the prince, she unconsciously revealed the trait in his character that had caused all this woe,—­to her, wrecked hopes and a broken heart; to him, the probable loss of a throne, an earthly future, and his life.

After describing her as still lovely in her lonely grief, the writer from whom we quote said:—­

“The empress had now risen and stood, slightly trembling with emotion, when, stepping rapidly and gracefully across the room, she opened a cabinet, from which she took a pocketbook, and read therefrom on a leaf, ’Going with Carey,’—­the last words ever written by the prince; then she added,—­’Of all that Captain Carey has ever written in regard to my son, those fatal ten minutes alone, I hold to be true.  It was ever his habit,’ she continued, ‘to plead for ten minutes’ delay; so much so that I used to tell him they ought to call him Monsieur Dix Minutes.’

“’He always begged for ten minutes more sleep in the morning; ten minutes more at night to sleep in his chair; and when too much overcome with sleep to speak, he would hold up his two little hands, the ten fingers representing the ten minutes more for which he pleaded.’”

The habit of procrastination is a deadly foe to all prosperity in temporal or in moral affairs.  We ought to do every duty as soon as it can be done.

* * * * *

I have a secret which I should like to whisper to the boys and girls if they will put their ears down close enough.  I don’t want father and mother to hear—­for it is to be a surprise on them.

You have long wanted your own way.  You have become tired of hearing mother say, “Come right home after school.”  “Don’t be late.”  “Be sure to tell the teacher.”  It is “Do this” and “Don’t do that” all the time.  You are sick of it, and would like to have your own way.  Well, put your ears down while I whisper one word, “Obey.”

Oh, you think I am making fun.  No, I am not.  I know a boy who decided to do just what his father said.  He never offered excuses, never tried to get out of work, until finally his father came to trust him perfectly.

His father said, “I know that Harlie will do what is right.”  When he went out nights, or to school, or to play, his father never said a word, for he had come to have perfect confidence in his boy.

Honestly, obedience is the road to freedom.  If you want to have your own way, just begin to obey.

[Illustration]

THE PREMIUM

“I think I am sure of one premium at least,” said Edward, as he stood among his schoolfellows.

It was examination day, and many a young heart was beating quick with the hope of approbation and reward, or with the fear of disgrace.