18 
maddened with grief and anxiety, I left my 
native land. and for years in this quiet spot 
I have not ceased to labor and to pray for her 
return to me, or the positive proof that she is 
no more. 
But enough; my record is true, my hope is 
yet strong; my desire is to win your esteem 
and confidence. As to your credentials, based 
on the unstable estimates of social position and 
family relationships I care nothing; I hate the 
frigid, heartless, conventionalities of selfish so- 
ciety. Your face is a reliable index of your 
true character ; future associations between us 
will prove conclusively to my perfect satisfac- 
tion, that I have made no error of judgment in 
taking you to my bosom as a beloved and 
trusted intimate companion. To me you shall 
be simply, Fritz; to you I shall be simply, the 
Count. Give me all the companionship of your 
genial nature that circumstances will enable 
you to steal away from the selfish exactions of 
the outside world. I need your presence; you 
may profit by my companionship; time will 
tell. Yonder beautiful face is the image of my 
lost idol, I will tell you something of her 
history in the near future; not to-day, my 
dear Fritz, not to-day. 
HIS ISLAND RETREAT. 
“But come, you have finished your pipe, let 
me show you my kingdom. Pluto, here sir; 
