228 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book iv.

possibly one of tbe handsomest young men inEurope, and who had distinguished himself both inarmy and navy, became a knight with all the antiqueceremonies, and pronounced the irrevocable oathsin the presence of the Empress and all the Court atVienna. In the first bloom of life, beloved by everyone who knew him, accustomed to a sovereign rank,and with the most industrious habits of attending tobusiness and the public offices on a great scale—(nora more exact accountant ever was), and habituated toa high command, and led the attack of St. JeanD’Acre in Ibrahim’s time—he seemed created onpurpose for the magisterial dignity, and indeed Col-loredo had become locum-tenens with the intention toabdicate ha his favour, and certainly the Arch-dukeFrederick cultivated the idea; and if dislike to quit theimperial service, and perhaps some wild juvenile pas-sions which would soon have disappeared, made himdefer awhile, it was his firm design to procure theorder’s restoration and become its grand master. Ofmany projects on that subject, one (which was read tohim in the arsenal of Venice, where he then com-manded and spent several horns in it every day with re-markable assiduity) seemed to be sure of success. Onfinding himself seated opposite his imperial highness ata small table in a remote room and without any thirdperson, an unknown individual asked him whether