1.] THE LOST PRINCE. Il

she seemed born to command, and there was no
reason to doubt the goodness of her heart. Her
younger sister, however, was entirely different. She
was one of those creatures whom you could not better
describe than as a little fairy. Somewhat below the
average height of women, her figure was the most
graceful you can imagine, her limbs exquisitely
moulded, her light tresses had a special beauty of
their own, and if her features were not regularly
handsome, there was an expression of happiness and
heart-cheerfulness in them which made her face lovely
to look upon, and her whole being seemed to sparkle
like the morning light of a summer day. Pettina was
as much loved as Malvina was admired ; and the King
and Queen might well be, as indeed they were, proud
of their charming daughters, though even in the
pleasure thus afforded them they could never forget
the lost hope of their ancient house.

At the time of which I write the two Princesses
had reached the respective ages of eighteen and
seventeen, and were daily growing more beautiful and
accomplished. As may well be believed, no pains
had been spared upon their education. They played
excellently well upon several musical instruments,
their singing was something quite out of the common
way, they spoke modern languages with a facility and
fluency which was really wonderful, and in their
knowledge of history, geography, and other branches
of education their proficiency was far above the
average.

It is not surprising that under these circumstances
the suitors for the hands of the two Princesses should