orrified her mother by appearing in a male
character, with a riding-whip and a little beard, which she twisted
about in the most fascinating way. But she looked so wondrously lovely,
even thus attired, that her mother could not chide in earnest.

If, however, there was any one not entirely satisfied with this way of
life, it was the baroness. A certain preoccupation and restlessness had
stolen over her husband--the cloudless serenity of former years was
gone. It was but a slight change, visible only to the wife's eyes; and
even she owned to herself that she was hardly justified in grieving over
it.

Just at this time, too, a great joy awaited her. Eugene had passed his
examination, and promised them a visit to show them his epaulettes. His
mother had his room newly fitted up, and his father placed some
first-rate guns and a new hunting-dress in it as a present for him. On
the day of his arrival he rode out to meet him, and it was a pleasant
sight to see the two noble-looking men embrace, and then ride home
together.

"We will surprise the ladies," said the baron, and soon the baroness
clasped her son in her arms. This was the climax of happiness at the
castle. Both parents' eyes glistened whenever they rested on their son.
True, some of his expressions and gestures savored of the riding-school,
but the baroness only smiled at them all. From time immemorial, indeed,
the stable has been for the young cavalier the ante-chamber of the
saloon. Eugene soon became supreme among the band of young ladies; he
paid visits all around, invited friends in return; in short, one gayety
succeeded another.

To all this there was only one drawback of which the baron was
conscious. He could no longer live within his income. What had been
possible for twenty years now became manifestly an utter impossibility.
The winter residence in town, the epaulettes of his son, Lenore's gauzes
and laces--even the additional interest of his promissory notes, all
tended to embarrass him. The returns from his property were eagerly
expected, and already in part forestalled; nor were they increased. Nay,
many a projected improvement of former years remained unaccomplished. He
had once meant to plant a sandy waste at the extremity of his estate,
but even that small outlay was inconvenient, and the yellow sand still
glistened in the sun. Again he was obliged to open the inlaid casket,
and take out some of the fair parchments, and again his brow grew
cloud