On one of these spurs the Queen happened to notice a large castle, whose
grim-looking keep and towers were surrounded by a high and far-extending
wall, while at its rear rose a frowning black crag.

"Tell me, Marshal," she said, "whose place is that, and who lives
there?"

"That is Castle Drachenstolz, your Majesty," he said. "It has belonged
for many centuries to a Count who chose, at some time during the
previous reign, to change the original family name to that of von
Rubenfresser. It's present occupant is the last of the race, the young
Count Ruprecht."

"Really!" said the Queen, "considering the Count is so near a neighbour
of ours, he _might_ have had the civility to call, or at least leave
cards, on us before now!"

"He would no doubt be happy to present himself at Court, Madam, if he
were not under strict orders never to go outside his Castle walls."

"But why not?"

"His parents were accused, whether justly or not I cannot say, of
certain malpractices, and the late King, your Majesty's gracious
grandfather, ordered them both to be put to death. Burnt alive, if I
remember rightly. This youth, being a mere infant at that period, was
allowed to live, but in semi-confinement within his ancestral walls,
with a custodian (who is now removed), and a few old family retainers,
who are the only persons he has ever been permitted to see."

"And is there anything against the young Count himself?"

"Nothing whatever," replied the Marshal. "He has been brought up in the
simplest manner and on the strictest principles, and by all accounts, is
a most amiable and excellent young man."

"It seems rather hard that he should have been a prisoner all these
years," said Princess Edna, "for no fault of his own."

"It does seem hard, your Royal Highness, and, in fact, while I was
Regent I was on the point of ordering him to be allowed at large,
when--when I was relieved of all responsibility. However, his lot is not
a very severe one. The estate is large, and he can drive or walk
anywhere within its boundaries. I understand that he spends much of his
time in his kitchen garden, where he has brought the art of forcing
certain vegetables to truly wonderful perfection."

The young Count did not sound from this description particularly
exciting, even to Edna, but still she could not get him and his
undeserved captivity out of her thoughts, and, as soon as she got back
to the Palace, she attacked the King on the subject.