led; no, I had rather be the richest
commoner all up and down the Rhine, than the newest noble. I wouldn't
flatter the nobility so much. If one has money, he is noble enough."

Everybody sneered at the forward fellow, and the head gardener looked
at him with a patronizing air, nodding, his features saying at the same
time, "I would never have given the simpleton credit for such an idea."

They now began to discuss what sort of livery the master would adopt,
and whether he would have a "_von_" before his old name, or whether he
would take an entirely new name. Finally the conversation turned upon
Pranken's marriage. The fat cook reminded them that when Eric first
came to the house, the old kitchen maid had prophesied that Eric would
be the son of the house; now the reputation she had as a prophetess was
gone, for the marriage was a fixed thing, and they were only delaying
the announcement of it till the Fraeulein was ennobled. Old Ursel made a
wry face, looked about her and winked, pressed her apron against her
mouth, and nodded triumphantly; at length she began to make her
explanation:--

"I don't believe yet, that she will marry the light, twisted moustache.
Remember what I say."

The laundress told the fat cook in confidence, that Joseph, the
valet--she had observed it the whole winter through--was making love to
the daughter of the landlord of the Victoria.

The conference in the basement lasted a long while; it was not broken
up until a voice from overhead fell upon their ear with the message,
that the horses would have to be harnessed again, night as it was, for
the gracious Frau wished to drive out.

Where? No one knew.

CHAPTER XI.

THE FIRST NIGHT OF A BARONESS.

"Yes, it's all very nice for him, he goes off on his pleasure, and
leaves me here alone! What am I to do now?"

Thus Frau Ceres was complaining to Fraeulein Perini, when Sonnenkamp,
Pranken, and Roland were gone. With the hurry and restlessness of fever
she was walking up and down the room, every now and then asking whether
there was nothing to be done, and begging Fraeulein Perini to tell her
what she ought to do. The latter urged her to be composed, and asked
her to sit down by her side, and fill out the ground at the other end
of her embroidery.

"Yes," exclaimed Frau Ceres suddenly, "now I have it. I'll do something
that will please him too; I'll embroider a sofa-cushion with ou