country. Ambrosius Bolland was his sole
counsellor, with whom he transacted business with closed doors. Many
messengers were observed to arrive and depart, but no one could learn
what was going on. Judging from the Duke's cheerful mood, it was
thought in Stuttgardt that affairs were in a prosperous state; for when
he rode through the streets, followed by a brilliant suite, saluting
all the pretty females, and joking and laughing with his attendants who
rode by his side, every one said, "Duke Ulerich is as merry as he was
before the days of 'the Poor Conrad insurrection.'" He established his
court in its former magnificence. Though it was no longer the point of
reunion of the Bavarian, Swabian, and Franconian counts and nobles, nor
the gay assemblage of princesses who formerly attracted such a splendid
train of blooming beauties around them, there was still no lack of
handsome women and gay-dressed knights to adorn his court. The
atmosphere of the town appeared also to impart additional lustre to the
beauties of Stuttgardt at that time, for, when they congregated in the
saloons and halls of the castle, the assembly had more the character of
a select choice of the fairest belles of the land than one of ordinary
occurrence.

The dance and tournament were re-established in all their former
spirit. Feast followed feast in such rapid succession that Ulerich
seemed to wish to make up for the time he had lost in the misery of
banishment. Not the least of these gay doings was the wedding of Albert
von Sturmfeder with the heiress of Lichtenstein.

The old knight was some time before he could make up his mind to put
his promise into execution, not that he had any objection to the choice
of his daughter, for he loved his future son-in-law with the affection
of a father; he even felt his younger days revive again as it were in
his own person, and could not forget the disinterested sacrifice Albert
had made in sharing the exile of the Duke; but, like as the horizon of
Ulerich's affairs was enveloped in darkness, so was the old man's brow
clouded by anxious misgivings, apprehensive lest circumstances should
not long remain in the state they were. He was deeply hurt also that
the Duke, who gave his confidence exclusively to the crafty chancellor,
did not admit him to his council in the many weighty matters now in
agitation. Indecision and anxiety of mind, had caused him to put off
the day of joy; but, moved by the expressive eyes of h