It is a very peculiar kind of cramp. One is drawn entirely into himself, into the merest speck, into the plexus solaris of the soul. There is no danger in the case--before one can turn round, it is over. I shall be extremely sorry if such a trifle has alarmed you, ladies."

I thought I had invented an extremely plausible lie; but the old duchess shook her head, and after a few moments, said, her anxious glance resting, meanwhile, upon her daughter, "But this cramp is a terrible thing; you should consult our physican. It is of very little consequence as long as you are single; but if, when you are a husband and father, you should be seized with your plexus solaris, or whatever you call the thing, and should not be able to recover from it—think what a dreadful thing it would be for your poor family. And what respect could any children have for a father who, perhaps, in the middle of some edifying reproof, was to vanish from their eyes, and then, just as suddenly, shoot up before them again, like a mushroom. You must take something, marquis; you must confine yourself to a solid, strengthening diet, that your body may gain such force as to be able to resist this plexus solaris of the soul. will send you some chocolate, and some of the wonderful plant, Anakatscha; and I hope to see you well in a few weeks."

I

not appear to notice me, but bowed humbly to the ladies, and begged their forgiveness for intruding himself without an invitation; being driven to San Solario, as he said, by the desire to know whether they were satisfied with the Viennese chariot and Andalusian ponies. His whole manner expressed that tender sensibility which is in such favor with the ladies of the present day. They appeared delighted to see him. The lovely princess, sweet innocence, began, in her winning way, to admire the ornaments with which the doctor was adorned. She admired the diamonds and the rings; but when she saw the ruby, she broke out in most musical laughter, and declared that it must have belonged to Gulliver's Ghlumdalelitch, for none but the queen of the giants could wear such a stone.

"O, gracious princess," said I, casting a scornful glance upon Doctor Joannes, "these stones are never worn by ladies. They are marks of distinction among the Chinese mandarins; and I do not think such a one is to be found anywhere but in the imperial treasury at Peking."

The doctor colored slightly, and his glance threatened me with revenge and ruin. But he soon turned quietly to the ladies, smiled himself at the great size of the stone, and confessed that it was this very peculiarity which had induced him to purchase it of a mandarin, who had left Rio Janeiro this very after

noon.

I was obliged to acknowledge that he had extricated himself from the difficulty well, and to leave him in peace for the present.

It was a magnificent afternoon, and the villa San Solario was a place of perfect enchantment. All the public gardens and squares in Gelnhaus and Heidelberg, were as common linen to cashmere, compared with San Solario. In Gelnhaus, if I chanced to hear a nightingale chirp, or a cricket sing, I fell imme

In the anguish of my soul I promised every thing; I would drink the chocolate, avoid all hasty movements, and take a three hours siesta every day. Angelica's innocent spirit had already found something else to busy itself with, which absorbed all her attention. While the duchess was talking, I had taken out a little bonbonniere of gold, which I had bought for my own use in the morning. The bonbonniere was musical, that is, it played the bridal chorus from "Der Freischütz," and the Barcarolle from "La Muette de Portici." I offered bonbons to the ladies, and made the box play these little airs.diately into a poetical ecstasy; and here there was a The charming princess was delighted; she touched the pretty toy, gazed wonderingly at it, and then held it to her ear, exclaiming, "Ah, how delightful to possess such a darling; how charming to have it in one's boudoir, always ready to beguile the weary hours with music." Of course, the bonbonniere was instantly declared to be her own. She blushed, cast down her eyes, and assured me that nothing but her great esteem for me would permit her to receive this gift, after all the costly presents of the morning; but I was thankful that the chapter of the plexus solaris was over, and that the villa of San Solario was at hand.

CHAPTER V.

At the grated gate of the park Doctor Joannes received us. He was dressed with much more care

than on the preceding evening, for, although he still wore the same common black dress, and his hair hung in simple curls on either side of his pale face; in his lace jabot sparkled a diamond of the first water; his fingers were loaded with costly rings, and upon his light cane of bamboo shone in all its native splendor, a ruby as large as a billiard-ball. He did

whole orchestra of woodland musicians performing overtures and symphonies on the boughs of the cedars and palms, while gorgeous birds were flitting about like animated flowers.

That rascal Joannes took his place by Angelica's side, and, while the ladies were occupied with some sentimental love story, I gave myself up to my strange, wild, poetical dreaming. But I was wakened from my profound reverie by the sharp tones of the duchess. "Have you another attack, my lord mar quis?" said she; "you indulge in strange reveries. Why do you not listen to the exquisite story which the doctor is relating to us-it would melt a heart of stone. But you are so buried in thought, that you hear not a word of it; and if we did not pardon much to the weakness of your nerves, we should really be offended." The doctor looked at me with the most impudent malice, and the princess Angelica smiled strangely, as if she suspected that I was not all right in my mind, or that I was an unrefined sort of person, who had yet to learn how to conduct himself toward people of rank; but I collected myself, and said, "These affecting stories have an injurious effect upon my nerves, it is true, and the physicians have

forbidden me to listen to them. Even in early childhood my nurse's tales always affected me strangely, and the story of a doctor who journeyed through the air upon a fiery dog, to visit the Emperor of China, or rather his treasury, made such an impression upon me, that it always seems to me as if it had really occurred only yesterday."

Now, it was my time to stare maliciously at the doctor. Astonishment, rage, and curiosity were painted in his countenance. He had a hard struggle to prevent a self-betrayal; the veins in his forehead swelled fearfully, his cheeks glowed, and his eyes would have killed me if they could. But he recovered his composure again before the ladies noticed his confusion, and became just as interestingly pale as before-gentle and retiring as a young maiden, who is just entering the gay world; he coincided with them in their observations upon the beautiful country, and especially praised the situation of the villa, and the plan upon which the grounds were laid

out.

| than all, there was the genuine fruit of Rhineland-
the delicious grape. My heart leaped up within me,
and I could scarcely refrain from singing-
"The Rhine, the Rhine, 'tis there our vines are blooming."
"Does it please you, most honored friend?" asked
the doctor, with extreme politeness, as he pointed to
the rich, full bunches. "Pluck them yourself,
while I wait upon the ladies. You will find them of
the finest species, and just in the right state for eating."

I could not withstand him. I plucked and eatand the more I eat the greater became my hunger for them. Oh! how my spirits warmed, as I tasted the well-known Rutland grape, the Orleans, Riesling, Traminer, and the delicious, cooling Muscatel. The world around me vanished, and this fruit of the Rhine was-for the moment-life and love. A loud laugh from the ladies and the doctor awoke me from my dream of delight. Amazed, I looked up and around. Angelica pointed maliciously to the stripped vines, and I saw, to my horror, that I had eaten all the fruit, and that I was just stretching out my hand

This pleased the duchess-for the plans were her for the last grape upon the arbor. I was deeply mor

own.

We had now reached a spot where the whole beauty of the park and the surrounding country was spread out before us; but so oppressive were the rays of the evening sun, that it was almost impossible to remain for a moment in contemplation of the glorious landscape. The duchess declared that she would erect a public pavilion here, which should enable people to enjoy the charming scene without, undisturbed by the burning heat.

"In the meanwhile, I can assist you for the moment, with a little piece of chemical art," said Joannes, very gently, as he detained the ladies. "It were a pity not to remain here until evening, and enjoy all the beauties of the sunset." With these words he opened a box, which he took from his pocket. I regarded it curiously, but could discover nothing but common snuff. With a solemn air he scattered a few grains of the brown dust in a semicircle on the ground; and, lo!—in a moment-roses and jessamines, vines and fig-trees, peach-trees and dwarf-palms sprouted up from the earth. They soon grew to a convenient height, and then arched themselves overhead in a roof, the green of which was charmingly relieved by many gay-colored flowers. But the doctor performed even more than he promised. With the arbor, there appeared also luxuriant ottomans, and an elegant table, upon which were crystal dishes, filled with the most delicious confitures, and glasses of lemonade and almond milk. The ladies appeared entirely satisfied with every thing; were not much surprised, and were very glad that the knowledge of natural.magic had been carried so far, because it permitted one so easily to serve a friend in time of need.

I was vexed, and another cutting remark was upon my tongue, when an unexpected sight filled me with sweet memories of my home upon the Rhine, and excited my appetite. The arbor had borne fruits. Juicy figs and magnificent peaches were seen among the dark green leaves; but, better

tified, but in the next moment my mortification was changed into dismay. What had I done? How could I have so forgotten myself as to enjoy the fruits of the witchcraft of my rival: I was-if not poisoned-at least bewitched. He gazed at me maliciously; and as he laughed contemptuously, the wicked fire that he had stolen from hell darted from his eyes.

"What is the matter, my lord?" began the duchess, who must have noticed the change in my manner and countenance. "Are you bewitched? Are you going to have another attack?"

"How bewitched? What attack?" cried I, almost beside myself. "We-all three-your gracious highness, the heavenly Angelica, and I—I, the Marquis Della Mostarda, are bewitched by the devil's arts and a cursed dog. Doctor Joannes will lure on our poor souls into the power of his poodle, with Nüremburg gingerbread, delicious confectionary, and magic fruit. But his power reaches not to me-I am under mightier protection."

I rushed away, and directed my steps toward the shadiest part of the garden. "What a pity that the poor man suffers from such attacks," I heard the duchess say behind me. "What a pity," echoed the princess, sweetly. But the doctor was well content that I had left the field clear for him.

CHAPTER VI.

In the shady palm-forest, I walked wildly up and down. What was the use, to me, of my wondrous gifts, if this doctor, with his witchcraft, always contrived to humble me, and to obliterate from the minds of the ladies all that I might effect by my gold and rich presents. I could no longer spare him. The duke and duchess were worthy, God-fearing people; and Angelica went every day to mass, and every week to confession. They should know who they were entertaining as a friend—who was luring their lovely daughter on to her destruction. But what could I adduce against him? That he had

cast my eyes, I recognized in Faust and his Demon Doctor Joannes-my rival, the wooer of the heavenly Angelica-and his hateful poodle, who was now figuring as coachman to the Duke of Silvio Cremonio. My glimmering recollection became a living picture; and I understood well, why the doctor had defied the demon dog-"because the old fellow in Weimar had not completed him." And because he was as yet only a fragment-because M. von Goethe had delayed his conclusion he was permitted to live in the world, and make me and my Angelica miserable. I would write to Weimar, to M. von Goethe, instantly, and represent to him the dreadful consequences of his delay. No-it were much better, by virtue of my cap, to present myself before him, and plead my own cause in propriâ persona.

journeyed to China upon a poodle-dog, and there | dreaming?-No. In the first picture upon which I stolen money and precious stones from the emperor's treasury? Good Heavens! If I had advanced such a statement Angelica would have looked suspiciously at me, and the duchess would have felt my pulse, and anxiously asked-" Are your nerves again excited? Is this a fresh attack, my lord?" No, no; nothing was to done in this way. Only some mighty blow at his credit could free me from my rival. How was it, that from the depths of my soul I seemed to hear a distinct voice, saying-" You know well both him and his poodle; bethink yourself where you have seen them before; he is a person of distinction, well known throughout Europe." But I thought until my head ached, and could remember nothing. Suddenly, a plan occurred to me, which would put an end to all my embarrassment. Was not the doctor occupied at this moment in creating arbors for the ladies-and was not his poodle sitting upon the coach-box, whistling Caspar's song from Der Freischütz? Could I not instantly repair to the doctor's studio, and procure proofs of his dealings with the evil one?

No sooner thought than done. I set my cap more firmly upon my head, and in the next moment I was sitting in the doctor's studio, surrounded by the most ordinary articles of furniture and dress. The papers upon the table were of no consequence, but the handwriting appeared to me remarkable. The ancient form of the letters, and the various flourishes with which they were adorned, belonged to the Middle Ages. I stepped up to another table, upon which lay several books and a map.

"He loves reading," thought I: "from the reading in which a man delights, one can easily discover the bent of his mind; and perhaps he has made marginal notes which will betray him, and afford sure proofs of his guilt." The first book that I opened was the earliest edition of Faust-it was the merest fragment; and nowhere through the book could I find a scrap of writing except at the end, where, in red ink, in the doctor's easily-recognized handwriting, was the single word, "good." Did this word refer only to the masterly genius of Goothe, or did it characterize the escape of Faust from his well-merited punishment; an escape which probably filled the doctor with hope that he also might continue unharmed in his league with the Evil One. I opened another book it was another edition of the same work, with the same blood-red "good" at the end. It was the same with every book that I could find nothing but Faust, with the same comment at the end. In the latest edition, however, where Faust and Mephistophiles leave Margaret in prison, in the last scene, there was a distinctly-written "very good" at the end.

This " very good" made the strangest impression upon me. At last I lighted upon a handsomely bound book, which proved to be an edition of the admirable drawings with which Ramberg has illustrated Goethe's great work. As I held this book in my hand I had the distinct impression that the riddle was about to be solved-and so it proved. Was I

But now the most tormenting fears took possession of me. I seemed to hear in the distance Angelica's cry for help, and the shrill tones of her mother entreating my aid. O, Goethe, Faust, and Mephistophiles! I feared the worst. In a flash I was at San Solario. The coach was no longer there; and the old gardener informed me that, at the approach of evening, the ladies had returned to town, accompanied by Doctor Joannes. I still seemed to hear Angelica's cry for help, and the entreaties of her mother. A moment more, and I stood in the door-way of the palace of Silvio Cremonio; and, looking into the court, saw the direst confusion reigning everywhere. Footmen were running hither and thither with burning torches, and I heard Angelica's name pronounced in tones of pity, and the doctor's accompanied with curses. 1 pressed through the bewildered crowd, rushed up the marble steps, and into the drawingroom. There stood the stout old duke, who came toward me with outstretched arms, but unable to articulate a word. The duchess came also; and with the rage of a lionesss robbed of her young in her face and manner seized my hand, and said—

"O, welcome, marquis; more welcome now than ever. Angelica has been torn from us by that demon doctor. You warned us, but I was foolishly deaf to your warnings! O, help us; for you, too, possess the most wonderful natural gifts—else, where could you have procured the beautiful jewels and rich lace!"

"Torn from you by the doctor?" cried I, almost frantic. "Is it possible that this miserable villain. who only exists in print and copperplates, has dared to carry off a Brazilian princess?"

"Dared it before my very eyes!" replied the duchess. "He was this afternoon, as you saw, extremely polite, and more charmingly pale than ever. He as sisted me into the coach; but when Angelica was about to enter he flung to the door, seized her, and seating himself with her upon the box, drove through the streets in the wildest manner. Just the other side of the city gates the horses reared, snorted fire, and something like a fiery chariot bore away the doctor, Angelica, and the coachman to the east, where they vanished in that thunder-cloud that you see there."

The bride is mine," cried I, boldly; and in an instant I laid her at the feet of her parents, who were expecting us at the chapel door. As if awakening from a dream, the beautiful being lifted her head, and stroking back her curls, cast an inquiring Pale, and trembling in all my limbs, with the asglance around. But this was no time for explana-sistance of my friends 1 reached Van Delpt's room, tion. The storm had broken fearfully over the pa- where we spent the night in drinking strong coffee, lace, and the duchess foreboded danger.

THE TUTOR'S DAUGHTER.

BY MRS. M. A. FORD.