When, at midnight, the cannon were fired to announce the end of one year and the beginning of another, the prince said to me, ’Ah! never can I forget the hours I have just passed; this is not a new year which I am beginning, but a new life which I am receiving.’

This is but one of the many things he said to me; but as he always spoke French, I should find great difficulty, in my present agitated state of mind, in translating his conversation into Polish.

All that I have read in Mademoiselle Scudery, or in Madame de Lafayette, is flat, compared with what the prince himself said to me; but perhaps this may all be nothing more than simple politeness.  Ah! merciful Heaven, if it should be indeed an illusion, a mere court flattery, applicable to all women, or, perhaps,—­a series of empty compliments, due solely to my dress, which became me wonderfully well!  I am a prey to the most inconceivable perplexities, and dare confide in no one; I should not venture to say to any one:  ‘Has he a real preference for me?’

My parents are far away, and the princess does not invite my confidence; I fear her as a cold, severe, and uninterested judge....  The prince palatine is very kind, but can one expose to a man all the weakness of a woman’s heart? ...  I am then abandoned to myself, without a standard of judgment, without experience or advice....  Yesterday, I was at school, studying as a child, and now I am thrown into a world entirely new, and in which I am playing a part envied by all my sex....  I surely dream, or I have lost my reason.

In ten days Barbara will be here, and she must be my good angel; she will guide and protect me:  she is so wise, and has so much judgment!  I will be so glad to lay my soul bare before her; I have no fear of her, she is so compassionate; she is beautiful and happy, and I have always remarked that such women are the best.

I have not seen my dear sister for nine months; but I see from her letters that she is every day more and more loved by her husband, and satisfied with her destiny.

Shall I again see the prince royal?  Will he recognize me in my ordinary dress, and will he still think me beautiful?...

MAIDEN’S DREAMING.

  Fast the sunset light is fading,
    Nearer comes the lonely night,
  On a maid intently dreaming
    Dimly falls the evening light.

  Far into the future gazing,
    Heeds she not the waning light;
  By the fireside softly dreaming,
    Heeds she not the minutes’ flight.

  Heeds she not the firelight flickering
    Bright upon her dark brown hair,
  Tresses where the gold still lingers—­
    Loth to quit a home so fair.

  On her lap a book is lying,
    Clasped her hands upon her knee;
  Dreaming of the distant future—­
    Wonders what her fate will be.

  Dreams of knights of manly bearing,
    Nodding plumes and shining casques,
  Wearing all her favorite colors,
    Quick to do whate’er she asks.