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ZIMMERMANN on the bill before him。 He was becoming impatient。 And
the performance evidently was waiting。 A stir in the outer
gallery； the clatter of sabers； the filing of uniforms into the
royal box； and a triumphant burst from the orchestra showed the
cause。 As a few ladies and gentlemen in full evening dress emerged
from the background of uniforms and took their places in the front
of the box； Hoffman looked with some interest for the romantic
Princess。 Suddenly he saw a face and shoulders in a glitter of
diamonds that startled him； and then a glance that transfixed him。
He leaned over to his neighbor。 〃Who is the young lady in the
box？〃
〃The Princess Alexandrine。〃
〃I mean the young lady in blue with blond hair and blue eyes。〃
〃It is the Princess Alexandrine Elsbeth Marie Stephanie； the
daughter of the Grand Dukethere is none other there。〃
〃Thank you。〃
He sat silently looking at the rising curtain and the stage。 Then
be rose quietly； gathered his hat and coat； and left the box。 When
he reached the gallery he turned instinctively and looked back at
the royal box。 Her eyes had followed him； and as he remained a
moment motionless in the doorway her lips parted in a grateful
smile； and she waved her fan with a faint but unmistakable gesture
of farewell。
The next morning he left Alstadt。 There was some little delay at
the Zoll on the frontier； and when Hoffman received back his trunk
it was accompanied by a little sealed packet which was handed to
him by the Customhouse Inspector。 Hoffman did not open it until he
was alone。
There hangs upon the wall of his modest apartment in New York a
narrow； irregular photograph ingeniously framed； of himself
standing side by side with a young German girl； who； in the
estimation of his compatriots； is by no means stylish and only
passably good…looking。 When he is joked by his friends about the
post of honor given to this production； and questioned as to the
lady； he remains silent。 The Princess Alexandrine Elsbeth Marie
Stephanie von Westphalen…Alstadt； among her other royal qualities；
knew whom to trust。