p so high, or as if she were the money-sacks of her son-in-law!"

Trude was right; her shrill voice was heard ordering the steward, who
had but just arrived. "It is abominable, it is unheard of!" she cried,
as with a heavy push she burst open the door; "this man presumes to
contradict me, and--ah, there you are, Trude!"

"Here I am," she answered; "were you looking for me?"

"Yes, and I would ask you if my orders are not the same as if given by
Herr Ebenstreit von Leuthen or his wife, or have you instructed the new
steward otherwise, which, it is laughable to say, you have engaged?"

"No, I have not instructed him thus. Dear Marie has not ordered it in
her letter."

"Dear Marie," repeated Frau von Werrig. "How can you permit yourself to
speak so intimately of the rich Baroness von Ebenstreit?"

"Very true, it is not right," sighed Trude; "I beg pardon."

"I came here to see if every thing was in readiness, and ordered the
steward to ornament the doors and corridors with garlands of flowers; he
has had the boldness to tell me he dares not do it!"

"He is right, Frau von Leuthen. Baroness Ebenstreit von Leuthen (have I
got the title right?) wrote and expressly forbade any festivity to greet
her arrival. Here is the letter--I carry it around with me; I will read
it to you: 'I expressly forbid any manifestation whatever to be made at
our return, whether of garlands or flowers, as they are only hypocrisy
and falsehood. I wish no one there to receive me--remember, Trude, no
one! Inform my family that, as soon as I have recovered from the fatigue
of the journey, I will make them the visit of duty with the baron.'"

"What cold, heartless words are these! One could hardly believe that a
daughter was writing of her parents."

"On her wedding-day she perhaps forgot that she had any," said Trude,
shrugging her shoulders, "and she should not be at once reminded of that
trying occasion on her return. I expect her every moment, as the courier
has already arrived an hour ago, and it would be better--"

"You cannot be so impudent as to tell me to leave? Indeed, I will not be
prevented from waiting to receive my only child that I have not seen for
three years. One can well believe that a mother would be impatient to
embrace her dear daughter! I have no other happiness but my beloved
child, and I long, unspeakably, to press her to my heart and tell her my
sorrow."

"Sorrow! is it possible that Frau von Werrig has any griefs? I