44 TEN" YEAES LATER. "Do not forget, my lord," said De Gniche, frowning slightly, "you .require me to speak the truth?" "Certainly," said the prince tremblingly. "Well, and I shall tell it you." "Do not be in a hurry, Guiche," exclaimed the prince, "you have plenty of time; look at me attentively, and try and recollect madame. Besides, her portrait is here. Look at it." And he held out to him a miniature of the finest possible execution. De Guiche took it, and looked at it for a long time attentively. "Upon my honor, my lord, this is indeed a most lovely face." "But look at me, count, look at me," said the prince, en- deavoring to direct upon himself the attention of the count, ivho was completely absorbed in contemplation of the portrait. "It is wonderful," murmured Guiche. "Really, one would almost imagine you had never seen this girl before." "It is true, my lord, I have seen her, but it is five years ago; there is a great difference between a child twelve years old and a young girl of seventeen." "Well, what is your opinion?" "My opinion is that the portrait must be flattered, my lord." "Of that," said the prince triumphantly, "there can be no doubt; but let us suppose that it is not flattered, what would your opinion be?" "My lord, your highness is exceedingly happy to have so charming a bride." "Very well, that is your opinion of her, but of me?" "My opinion, my lord, is, that you are far too handsome for a man." The Chevalier de Lorraine burst out laughing. The prince understood how severe toward himself this opinion of the Comte de Guiche was, and he looked somewhat displeased, saying, "My friends are not overindulgent." De Guiche looked at the portrait again, and, after lengthened contem- plation, returned it with apparent unwillingness, saying, "Most decidedly, my lord, I should rather prefer to look ten times at your highness than to look at madame once again." It seemed as if the chevalier had detected some mystery in these words which were incomprehensible to the prince, for he exclaimed: "Very well, get married yourself." Mon-
