on her previous visits, and the distinguished gentlemen will amuse
themselves by shooting at a target, as they're too tired to follow the
hunt. I thought therefore the countess might perhaps desire to receive
the news at once. If I was mistaken, it's the same as if I'd said
nothing. No one at the castle knows what road I took."

A slight shadow had darkened Toinette's beautiful face. "Why to-day!"
she murmured to herself, then with a slight bend of her head to the
officious messenger, she added aloud: "Very well, Doctor, I thank you.
Ride on to the ranger's house, but let your horse have time to breathe.
It's not at all necessary for you to overtake the hunting party, until
the gentlemen have had time to breakfast quietly; do you understand?
With me, of course, it's rather a different matter. I shall return
immediately. Adieu, Doctor. You've again shown what a diplomat is lost
in you; perhaps Prince Bataroff can help you to a career in Russia.
I'll recommend you to him."

The little gentleman bowed with a constrained smile, evidently not
feeling exactly flattered, as he probably detected an under current of
meaning in the words, then for the first time greeted Edwin with a wave
of the hand, and, as his horse was already moving forward, drew his hat
again over his high forehead, which despite the rain, he had bared.

The countess stood a moment lost in thought. Not until the doctor,
whose horse had proceeded on a walk, had ridden a long distance into
the forest, did she suddenly look up. "Yes," she said, "we're still
here!" Then turning to Edwin with a bitter smile: "do you see how
difficult it is for me to get into practice in the art of being happy?
I'm not even allowed half a day with an old friend. Perhaps it's best
not to accustom myself again to a kindly voice. My aristocratic
sister-in-law--but you are not yet aware that the prince is my brother;
I mean my father's son, though of course that is a profound family
secret, which however everybody knows. I'm very fond of this brother,
and on closer acquaintance confess I felt ashamed of the by no means
flattering description I gave you of my princely admirer. You'll see
that he's a thoroughly manly gentleman; dear me, he might become still
more, but the cares of government his little wife imposes upon him,
give him no time. I ought to say nothing about this ph[oe]nix, but put
you to the test at once, though to be sure if she only stays one day,
she'll bewitch you an