1827,] Biographical Sketch of Mile. Sontag. 275 



" I am not a man of many words ; nor will I now attempt to deny that it is 

 chiefly on your account, lovely Henrietta, I am at present in Berlin, Our 

 Prince, a man in his best years, has found it necessary, from political considera- 

 tions, to take a step repugnant to his taste, and is about to marry. He antici- 

 pates in his spouse those charms of society which he seeks. In short, he has seen 

 you. 1 ' 



" Proceed no further, I entreat, Count !'' exclaimed Henrietta, shrinking; " I 

 believe I anticipate what you would say." 



" Perhaps you consider the affair in a false light. The Prince will avow that 

 he not only loves but also honours you. Can you blame him if, in spite of the 

 duties his state imposes, he still feels he has a human heart ?" 



The fair girl rose from her seat : her bosom heaved tumultuously : she took 

 hastily from her finger the jewel which Count Klannheim had previously fixed 

 there, and returned it him " I know now," cried she, " the object of this gift;'' 

 and the starting tears prevented further speech. 



The Count, visibly moved, was silent a few minutes, during which Henrietta 

 stood as if expecting him to retire. At length he resumed " Well, then, I will 

 proceed to unfold to you the whole of my commission." 



" Not another word, I pray," answered she: " I dare not I will not hear 

 you ! ' 



" You dare ! you must ! The Prince anticipated your reply, and was prepared 

 to meet it. So entire is his devotion to you, Henrietta, that he is even willing, 

 since the laws of the state forbid his offering you his hand while he continues to 

 reign, to resign in favour of his brother ; and, in lawful possession of you, whom 

 he accounts his greatest treasure, to retire from a throne to the private station. 

 Say but the word, and I greet you the wife of my prince." 



Henrietta paused one moment, as if hesitating in what terms to couch her 

 reply. She then said " Count, I am indeed grateful for this proposal, and I 

 honour and esteem the party from whom it springs. But I will not deprive his 

 country of such a man. Nay, I will go further, and own to you, in confidence, 

 that, even could your prince raise me to his throne, I should not be at liberty 

 I should not be desirous to share it with him. You are too thoroughly a gen- 

 tleman, I am sure, to press me farther !" 



The Count, during this address, had observed his fair companion with eyes 

 beaming with joy. At its conclusion, he could restrain himself no longer, 

 but tenderly catching the astonished maiden in his arms, he cried "Noble, 

 excellent girl ! come to my heart ! You shall be my daughter!*' and, at the same 

 moment, the door sprang open, and Werner, rushing toward the old man, 

 exclaimed " Henrietta, my father !" 



The riddle now is easy to solve. The Young Count Klannheim had been 

 travelling some two or three years incognito, and during that interval had con- 

 tracted an irrepressible passion for Henrietta. Of. this he apprised his father, 

 who, as might be expected, opposed it inexorably. Finding, however, that his 

 son's happiness was positively at stake, he, like a wise parent, set about proving 

 the worthiness of the object ; and the prosecution of this purpose will at once 

 explain the visit of the old minister, and the mock proposal on the part of the 

 prince. Werner had, indeed, like a dutiful son, determined to marry his beloved 

 at any rate, and seek his own fortunes, in case his father should disinherit him. 



What remains ? but that the nuptials of Werner (no longer the poor musi- 

 cian) and Henrietta (no longer the popular actress) were celebrated with all due 

 publicity and splendour ; and that our old friends of the Restaurateur, &c., being 

 each necessitated to sink the admirer, were happy to mix in the gay circle as 

 respectful guests, 



2 N 2 



