caparisoned horses ready for Leopold and Ludowico. Count Petrowitz gave Leopold a letter of introduction to Colonel Zulmandorf, and, also presenting him with a purse of gold ducats, told him, that whenever he wanted more, the Colonel would furnish him, as he had requested him to do so in the letter. Leopold, whose heart was too full to permit utterance to his gratitude, was going to throw himself on his. knees to the Count, who prevented him by catching him in his arms, and having embraced him, recommended him to Heaven. Leopold was retiring, when he met Rhodiska, whom he did not expect to see so early in the morning,

"I am going to leave you, Madam," said he.

"So my father has informed me," said Rhodiska, with an unsteady tone.

"And I wished for this opportunity of paying my respects to you," added he— "Whatever fortune may have in store for me, believe me, I shall never fail to en

5

tertain

tertain a proper sense of the condescension of the Count and yourself towards me. Pardon my presumption-but this bracelet, which I received from your fair hands, shall never be separated from me till death: I shall, as I view it night and morning, offer up my prayers for the lovely original, who will be my spur to deeds of gloryWould I dared to say, that she would be my sole object of success!"

"Go," said Rhodiska, with her face half averted, to conceal the gushing tear," and do not doubt that I shall pray Heaven to grant it you, and to permit you to return in safety."

Rhodiska then held out her hand, which Leopold kneeled to receive, and imprinting a fervent kiss, said, in a low tone, "Heaven preserve her, who is dearer to me than life!"

Rhodiska hurried away, being no longer able to contain a burst of grief; and Leopold had no sooner lost sight of her, than he went to the gateway, where the horses

and

and his companions were waiting for him. He threw his arms round the neck of the worthy Byloff, whom he called his " dear father;" and then, bidding him adieu, hastily mounted, and rode off with Ludowico and the messenger.

CHAP. III.

As soon as Leopold and Ludowico arrived at the head-quarters, they were conducted by the messenger to Colonel Zulmandorf, to whom Leopold delivered the Count's letter. The Colonel had no sooner perused it, than he told Leopold, that he should have been inclined to have favoured two youths, of the appearance of himself

and

and his companion, in the pursuit of military glory, even if Count Petrowitz, for whom he had had a friendship of long standing, had not prepossessed him in their favour. Leopold thanked him for the favourable opinion which he had been pleased to entertain of himself and his brother, of which, he said, it would be their chief happiness to prove themselves worthy.. The Colonel immediately sent for the serjeantmajor of his regiment, to whom he recommended the two youths, and desired him to procure them good quarters, and to superintend, in person, their improvement in the usual manœuvres.

The serjeant-major was inclined to pay the greatest attention to the request of his Colonel, but he found his two pupils so expert in the horse and sword exercise, that he had nothing more to do than to teach them manoeuvring with the troop.

In a fortnight after Leopold and Ludowico had joined the regiment, there was to be a grand review by the king in person,

preparatory

preparatory to the march of the army. The Colonel was excessively surprised to see these two young men already in the ranks, on so extraordinary an occasion. He watched them narrowly, and his astonishment was increased by the manner in which they acquitted themselves, which was not inferior to the oldest veterans in the regiment. After the review he sent for them, and expressed his pleasure and astonishment at their progress. Leopold modestly answered, that he would cease to wonder at it, when he should know that their father had destined them, from their earliest infancy, for a military life; and, having been himself a veteran, had taken the utmost pains to instruct them in the necessary exercises. The Colonel offered Leopold a cadetcy, which was then at his disposal; but he begged leave to decline it, as he wished not to be separated from his brother, but to fight side by side. The Colonel gave them the greatest encouragement, and dismissed then with assurances

of