After  the  discovery  of  his  daughter,  until  the  proofs  of
her  identity  were  legally  complete,  Mrs.  Stewart  was
requested  to  receive  Marie  into  her  household.  That
lady  at  first  objected,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  pres
ence  of  her  son.  The  Prince  laughed  at  the  scruple,
saying,  that  Russian  royalty  might  do  worse  than
recruit  its  ranks  from  republican  kings.  Mrs.  Stewart
yielded  against  her  judgment.  The  girl  was  provided
with  the  best  pirvate  teachers,  and,  under  the  influence
of  a  refined  home,  bloomed  into  the  beauty  of  an  ideal


580  KNIGHTS   OF   LABOR.
womanhood.  She  was  such  a  creature  as  any  father
might  adore.
Who  can  describe  the  joy  in  those  two  breasts,  when
the  acknowledgment  of  the  sacred  tie  was  made  ?
What  sobs  and  tears  !  What  smiles  of  gratitude  and
love  !  What  words  and  looks  and  endearments  !  It  was
a  moment  of  almost  celestial  bliss.  A  new  world  of
the  affections  was  opened  in  those  souls.  The  past
melted  away.  Hereafter,  the  father  and  the  daughter
were  as  if  they  had  never  been  apart.  But,  as  the
time  of  her  departure  drew  near,  a  cloud  was  observed
on  the  Princess.  The  fears  of  the  father  were  excited.
It  was  not  long  before  he  had  the  embarrassing  secret.
One  day,  the  Prince  said,  smilingly,  to  Mrs.  Stewart :

"Madam,   the  maternal  instinct  is  infallible."

"Ah!  your  Highness,"  answered  Mrs.  Stewart,  "you
then  acknowledge  it  to  be  so.  I  fear  your  confession
comes  too  late."

"That  depends  on  you,  madam,  and  your  esteemed
son,"  replied  the  Prince,  gravely.
"  I  had  a  clear  prescience  of  the  result,  and  put  your
Highness  on  your  guard,"  answered  Mrs.  Stewart,  with
dignity.
