latter of which he was direct heir after the decease of
his cousin, the present elector. I could almost wish that
he had already succeeded to these possessions: he can
never reign too soon for the happiness of his subjects.

Prince Max had served in France; he was extremely
well looked upon at court both by the king and the prin-
cesses. As for the dauphiness, prejudiced against him
as she was by her mother, she naturally regarded him
with an eye of cool mistrust, and manifested her open
dislike by never inviting him to any of her parties. Prince
Max spoke of this pointed neglect to the king, who im-
mediately summoned the dauphin. "My son," said he to
him, "I see with regret that prince Max is never an in-
vited guest at any of your balls and fêtes. Remember,
he belongs to a family which has been our most ancient
ally, and do not take up the quarrels of a house which,
until your marriage, has ever been disposed in deadly
hatred to us."

If the dauphin was not gifted with a very extensive
capacity, he was possessed of sufficient plain sense to com-
prehend, and to enter into the views of his grandfather,
to whom he pledged his word, that henceforward prince
Max should be treated with more respect; and he kept
his word, for the instant he returned to his apartments,
he commanded the duc de la Vauguyon to add the name
of prince Max to the list of invited persons. When the
paper was drawn out it was carried to the dauphiness,
who was with her husband. She read on till she came
to the name of prince Max, which she desired might be
erased; but the dauphin interfered. "Oblige me," cried
he, "by suffering this name to remain; his ancestors have
for ages been the friends of our family, and his alliance
may one day be useful to us in Germany."

The dauphiness comprehended the signification of these.
words, and her fine eyes were filled with tears. How-
ever, she no longer insisted upon the erasure, when her
husband, who most tenderly loved her, further declared
it to be the king's desire that nothing should be done
which could in any way displease the prince des Deux
Ponts. He was, therefore, from that period invited to

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