a word, or give a friendly glance, to a man in his position.  When you speak to him and he attempts to answer, cut short his replies, and command him to be silent; if he strives to win your favor by the most respectful civility, let an unmistakable expression of contempt be written upon your face, and let that be your only answer.  Regulate your conduct for a few days by these rules, and I am convinced you will attain your object.”

“Yes, yes!  I understand, I understand!” said the young girl, clapping her little white hands, and looking up joyously.  “I shall, by my pride and passion, freeze the words in the mouth of my lord ambassador, so that the decisive word cannot find utterance.  Oh! this will be a precious comedy, my sweet sister, and I promise you to carry out my role of heroine to perfection.  Oh, I thank you!  I thank you!  I am indeed happy to have found so wise a sister, so brave a comrade in arms, while surrounded with such perils!”

“She would not have it otherwise,” said Ulrica, laconically, as she found herself again alone.  “If she is without ambition, so much the worse for her—­so much the better for me!  And now, it is high time to think of my toilet—­that is the most important consideration.  To-day I must be not only amiable, but lovely.  To-day I will appear an innocent and unpretending maiden.”

With a mocking smile she entered her boudoir, and called her attendants.

CHAPTER VI.

The tempter.

Princess Ulrica was earnestly occupied with considerations of her toilet.  Amelia had returned to her room, musing and thoughtful.

There were difficulties in the way of the new role she had resolved to play, and by which she expected to deceive the world.  She stood for a moment before the door of her dressing-room, and listened to the voices of her attendants, who were gayly laughing and talking.  It was her custom to join them, and take a ready part in their merry sports and jests.  She must now, however, deny herself, and put a guard over her heart and lips.  Accordingly, with a dark frown on her brow and tightly-compressed lips, she entered the room in which her maids were at that moment arranging her ball toilet for the evening.

“It seems to me that your loud talking is most unseemly,” said Amelia, in a tone so haughty, so passionate, that the smiles of the two young girls vanished in clouds.  “I will be obliged to you if you will complete your work noiselessly, and reserve your folly till you have left my room!  And what is that, Mademoiselle Felicien? for what purpose have you prepared these flowers, which I see lying upon your table?”

“Your royal highness, these flowers are for your coiffure, and these bouquets are intended to festoon your dress.”

“How dare you allow yourself to decide upon my toilet, mademoiselle?”

“I have not dared,” said Felicien, tremblingly; “your royal highness ordered moss roses for your hair, and bouquets of the same for your bosom and your robe.”