and prints were gathered in portfolios, and all the requisites for study were spread on the tables, interspersed with a profusion of rare objects of virtù and antiquity.

The Prince was employed in occasionally examining papers before him, and addressing, from time to time various observations to his companion. A large and very beautiful map of Europe lay unfolded on the table, over which he was bending, and he had gradually drawn it closer in the course of desultory conversation, and was now sedulously following with his eye the slow undulating motion of his finger, as it wandered cautiously over the varnished surface, stopping and hesitating here and there, as if to allow of momentary contemplation.

An involuntary sigh interrupted the mechanical progress of the youth's occupation, and hot a single movement or expression escaped the notice of the Jesuit, who waited with professional humility until his highness should please to break the silence.

"Father," quoth the latter, after a long

pause and without raising his downcast eyelids, "father, I should like to travel, to visit foreign countries, I am tired of Schoenbrunn."

My son, your wishes shall be intimated to the Emperor," replied the confessor, with a smile that beamed any thing but sincerity.

"I should delight to visit Italy," continued the Duke, "what pleasure it would be to bask under its sunny skies, and indulge my imagination with its glorious associations."

Rightly judged," returned the priest, your exemplary piety naturally selects the ancient seat of St. Peter, as a primary object of interesting research."

A slight blush mantled on the cheek of the youth, and extended to his transparent temples.

"Do you think my grandfather will sanction the desire I venture to express?" inquired he.

"Perhaps," replied the other evasively," his Imperial Majesty might prefer that you should

try the healthful springs of Carlsbad, ere your highness proceeds on a more distant journey."

"Waters, waters," muttered the Prince, in a low discontented tone, that scarcely reached the attentive ears of his companion, "oh, give me air! the air of freedom!"

66

Change of air will probably prove of the greatest service," observed father Clement, affecting to understand, or rather to mis-understand, the Duke's ejaculations.

"The natal air might," returned he with a look of deep melancholy," but there is no hope of again beholding the land of my birth. It is useless to repine, I am sick, so sick of Schoenbrunn, that I languish for variety. I require something besides the Opera and the Prater, with its wearying monotony," continued the youth sullenly.

The jesuit remained silent for a moment, and busied himself searching amongst the scattered volumes piled in different parts of the room.

"Has your highness finished the biographi

cal sketches that I had the honour of submitting to your perusal ?" inquired he after a pause.

"Yes, but your books cease to amuse me; they disappoint my imagination," replied de Reichstadt.

"Of late, Monseigneur, you have sadly neglected your classics," observed the ecclesiastic, in a tone of remonstrance.

"I do not like reading now, and your long controversial disquisitions have quite given me a distaste for study," said the Prince peevishly.

"In that impatient retort, I can scarcely recognize the humble piety that has ever been characteristic of the house of Austria. We once had hoped to have witnessed the holy ceremony which would have consecrated your Highness's youth and talents to the service of our revered mother church. Such fond expectations are frustrated"-as the confessor spoke, he fixed his keen eye full on his pupil, who quailed instinctively under the penetrating glance.

"I have said it,-I will not pronounce the

vows," exclaimed the youth, trembling as he raised his voice above the usual key, "my heart recoils from the sacrifice, and I cannot pollute the sanctity of that altar I have been taught to venerate, by mere external worship; the service of God should be joyfully and willingly performed."

"Beloved Prince, forgive my zeal,” replied the jesuit in his blandest accents; "your welfare, your eternal welfare is the object of my daily occupation and nightly prayer. Having myself found that salutary peace which the world can neither give nor take away, in the observances and austerities of a monastic life, I hoped to have directed your Highness's steps through the same bright path of everlasting glory. My hope was vain; but enough of this, your heart will yet soften under the benign influence of pious instruction and holy exercises. We must not contemplate ultimate results, but confine our efforts to present improvement."

De Reichstadt pressed his hand to his side,