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And just as Munnich was opening his mouth to prefer his request,

Osteruish that the

compassionate and alarmed princess hastened to offer him her sympathy

and aid

At this moment the clock upon the wall struck four That was the hour

for which Munnich was invited to dine with the regent It would not do

to fail of his engage

suspicion He, therefore, had no longer the time to lay his request

before the princess; consequently Count Oster, he loudly groaned and cos

Count Munnich took his leave

"I go now," he sly said, "to take my last dinner with the Duke of

Courland I shall return this night at the appointed hour We shall then

convert the duke into a Siberian convict, which, at all events, will be

a very interesting operation"

Thus he departed, with a horrible laugh upon his lips, to keep his

appointain attained his end--he remained alone with the

princely pair Had Munnich been the first who ca with apparent difficulty, "I will now bear , to repose and perhaps to die upon my bed

of pain"