Countess Helena.

In many other Italian towns it is the custom on Easter-Eve to have fireworks and bonfires in token of joy at the Resurrection, but in Florence for long the fire was taken from these stones, and it was a popular superstition that he who succeeded in first lighting his torch from this flame, and so could give light to others, would not throughout that year suffer misfortunes.

The car figuring in this Easter custom is of later date than the crusades, yet is no recent innovation. It has ever been a great fancy among Florentines to produce cars and chariots on all possible occasions. All accounts of life in old Florence will show how guilds of tradesmen rivalled one another in the possession of the grandest chariot. It seems to have given opportunity for all kinds of oddities in art; but that some were beautiful is proved by the fact that Andrea del Sarto painted one for the wool-staplers. Piero di Cosimo painted one representing death in all its forms; and to remind his fellow-men of the end, he caused it to be slowly drawn through the city accompanied by singers chanting dirges.

In 1662, all that were left of them were accidentally burnt, and have been replaced only by inferior ones. Before this, however, in Savonarola's time, the reformer's condemnation of all luxuries practically ended the history of the old Florence cars.

MARGARET MUDIE

COUNTESS HELENA.

HELENA'S STORY.

'Oh, I see thee, old and formal, fitted to thy petty part,
With a little hoard of maxims preaching down a daughter's heart.'
HEN the Burgomaster heard that night of the offer of
Count Julius, he was at first greatly amused.

'I wonder the shades of his ancestors did not rise and protest against the Tower being given up to a mere city burgher!' he exclaimed.

'But you forget,' said his wife, that the offer was not made to you, but to Helena, whose race is quite as noble as his, and who was born and brought up in a far more ancient castle than any which he owns. You should have seen how delighted she was at the thought of going there, and I am sure it will be a great disappointment to her if you refuse.'

"Well, that alters the case somewhat,' he replied, in a considering tone. The child certainly came home this evening looking quite rosy. I do not think the town suits her, and a change into the country might do her good.'

You always call her a child, Paul; but you must remember that she is now eighteen, and that it is really quite time to think of getting her settled. What do you say to your friend, Count Julius? He seems to me most suitable in every way. He has rank and wealth: his manners are most pleasing, and I am sure he has the greatest respect for you.'

This diplomatic speech had been well considered by the good lady, who was anxious to make sure of an ally on her side.

Countess Helena.

'I do not know why you should call him my friend,' exclaimed Paul Schmidt, testily. I could not accept a favour from him, and if we make use of his tower, it must be by paying rent like anybody else. And as for Helena, I always thought that Max and she were very good friends, and quite looked forward to seeing a pretty lovematch one of these days; eh, Barbara ?'

'How can you suggest anything so dreadful?' cried his wife, indignantly. I should never have expected to hear such foolish, romantic nonsense from you! Why, Max Eckermann has no position, no fortune worth speaking of. He was studying in the hospitals before he had to serve his time in the army, and I believe his highest ambition is to be a doctor, some day! No, no! I am thankful to say that any danger from that quarter is at an end, as I heard from an officer to-day that Max was one of those who were ordered off to Berlin at once, and that he has gone to-day.'

The Burgomaster shrugged his shoulders and turned away.

Countess Helena.

knew from experience that it was no good arguing with a wilful woman, but he murmured to himself as he lighted his evening pipe,

A very fine fellow is Max; good enough for any girl, Countess though she be! And if the young folk be all grown so wise, I doubt if they be any the happier.'

This conversation had taken place at night, after Helena had gone to her room rather troubled in mind at not having yet found an opportunity of telling her story to her aunt. What if she should hear from some one else of Max's visit, and be grieved by the want of confidence of her adopted child?

A sudden thought struck the girl. She knew that Frau Schmidt often sat up late on Saturday, to add up and settle all the weekly accounts, and would, therefore, probably be alone in the dining-room. Why not go and tell all about it at once? for she felt that she could not sleep with the burden of such a secret on her mind. A few minutes later there was a tap at the sitting-room door, and the Burgomaster's wife was startled by the entrance of her niece.

Why, Helena, what is the matter? Are you ill, my dear?' 'Oh, no, Aunt Barbara; but I wished to tell you something.'

As the good lady looked up at the blushing girl before her, she speedily formed her own conclusions, and it was with quite unusual eagerness and warmth of affection that she welcomed her to a seat by her side, and said in her softest tones,—

'Now, tell me all about it? I think I can guess what it is.'

The Countess Helena looked up in surprise, but at the same time with a sense of relief that her aunt was prepared for the news.

'Oh, then Gretchen must have told you already. I mean that he came to see me this morning to say good-bye.'

'What do you mean? What has Gretchen to do with it?' asked Frau Schmidt, drawing back in alarm and suspicion.

But the young girl was too much engrossed in her subject to notice this sudden change of manner. She only felt that her task was made easier for her by her aunt's unwonted kindness.

"Of course Gretchen has not spoken to you; she knew that I should tell you myself. There was a beautiful white azalea in the market-place which she went out to buy for me, and Max came,he did not expect to find me alone, and he had so much to say.'

Helena paused, and it was well for her that she did not see the black cloud which settled on her aunt's brow at these words, as a first suspicion of the truth dawned upon her. All unconscious, however, of any offence, the girl went on dreamily,

It was so new and strange to hear him talk like that. No one has ever cared for me so much before. My dear father loved me, but I was always a child to him; and you and Uncle Paul are very kind, but Max was different. He seemed to think I was the one person in the whole world who could make him happy.'

Frau Schmidt listened in grim silence to this confirmation of her worst fears. What a fool she had been all this time, to be actually blind to what must have been going on before her eyes! Why, even her old husband had guessed the truth, and had told her of it in that very room not half an hour before, when she had utterly

Countess Helena.

ridiculed the idea! What an irony of fate it was! And she, who had fondly hoped that the girl was going to tell her how Count Julius had followed up the offer of his castle by that of his hand and fortune, how miserably she had deceived herself! Yes, for even in that moment of intense irritation she could not accuse of wilful deception the child who laid bare her heart with such simple trust. Never was woman so mortified. It was only by a strong effort of will that she kept herself outwardly calm, and did not spurn from her the hands which had clasped her own so fondly in an unconscious mute appeal for sympathy. She even nerved herself to ask, with a touch of satire which was quite thrown away upon her hearer,

And what did the Countess Helena say?'

But I

'Dear aunt, what could I say? He seemed to understand without many words. . . . And I have promised to wait for him. have not told you the worst. as there is a rumour of war. do not think there is any real reports, would you?'

He has been ordered to Berlin at once, But, dear Aunt Barbara, tell me ; you danger? You would not believe such

No, indeed; I should feel no anxiety about that,' she replied, with some sharpness, while she thought to herself that war or anything else would be welcome which might remove that troublesome Max out of her way.

What a combination of untoward circumstances had upset her plans! If only she had been at home that morning on guard! Or if Gretchen had been duly warned to prevent such a meeting, and young Eckermann had but gone away without a parting word! Or even if this excursion on the river had taken place before, and Count Julius had been first in the field, and had proposed to this silly girl, who was ready to accept the first comer!

What was to be done now?' she asked herself despairingly. To use compulsion was out of the question, for even the Burgomaster was touched with these romantic fancies, and would be sure to take the part of the young people.

Her only chance of success lay in her own personal influence. She would show no anger, but simply try the effect of ridicule, to which the young and inexperienced are always so sensitive.

As Helena, wondering at this long silence, at length raised her eyes, she was startled to see a strange smile on her aunt's face. Surely there was nothing amusing in what she had said; in this solemn confession of her engagement, which to her was the most serious thing in the whole world? She drew back, confused and hurt, but she was not long kept in suspense.

'Not at all bad for a beginning, my dear child. A very pretty little story and very prettily told! I wonder how many such flirtations you will have before the summer is over?'

The cold mocking words struck her like a blow.

'Aunt Barbara!" she cried in utter dismay.

Yes, dear, I know all about it,' interrupted Frau Schmidt relentlessly. You are very young and have seen so little of the world yet, that you think too much of such things. Why, you would find that most girls of your acquaintance have already had half-adozen love affairs, or what they are pleased to consider as such.'

Countess Helena.

'But this is quite different,' protested the Countess Helena, indignantly. Max and I are both in earnest, and will always be true to each other.'

'So you think now, of course; but wait a little time. Such mere boy-and-girl nonsense cannot be expected to last. Max Eckermann will meet all the beauty and fashion of Berlin; and as for you, there may be many conquests in store for you. It will be time enough to think of anything serious if you meet again in years to come. Why, I was long past thirty before I married your uncle!'

Past thirty! She might just as well talk of a hundred, for both alike sounded like old age and an eternity of waiting to a girl of eighteen !

Poor Helena felt strangely disturbed and bewildered. All her hope of sympathy was gone, and she only longed to escape to her own room, and to be alone with her troubled spirit. She seemed to have passed away from a world of sunshine and music into one of darkness and discord. With a murmured Good-night,' she rose to leave the room.

'Do not look so sad and reproachful,' said her aunt. I have only spoken for your good. And now let us talk of something more pleasant. I hope that I have persuaded your uncle to accept the offer of Count Julius, and that you will be able to spend the summer in that castle on the Rhine which pleased you so much. If we go there you shall have a boat to take you on the river as often as you like.'

'You are very kind,' said the young girl quietly, without a touch of the enthusiasm which she would have shown an hour before.

'You are tired, my child. Kiss me, and go to sleep as soon as you can,' said Frau Schmidt, wisely abstaining from further efforts.

But as she met the parting glance of those soft, wistful eyes, a sudden pang of remorse came over her. What had she done? Had she not cruelly withheld all true comfort and guidance from this young traveller just starting on life's weary way? Was it well to shake her faith in love and constancy, and to teach in their place worldly maxims of heartless self-seeking?

The Burgomaster's wife was a good woman in the sense that she never wilfully neglected any of her duties; indeed, she was a very model to all the city of what a wife and house-mistress should be. And with regard to her niece, she honestly believed that she was doing her best for the girl in persuading her, by any means, to give up a young fellow like Max, and to attain such a position, by marriage, as Count Julius von Krukenburg could offer her.

As to happiness; it seemed to her that-when people had passed the first flush of youth, with all its foolish fancies-one life was very much like another, and the great thing to look to was a comfortable establishment, with plenty of china and plate and house-linen.

These were the things in which Frau Schmidt found her own most lasting satisfaction, and how could she suppose that Helena would not turn out such another woman as herself? How could she know that, at this very moment, the girl was murmuring through her sobs, 'Oh, Max! Max! I will be true to you whatever happens?' (To be continued.)