"And why not now?"
"Because Cousin Albrecht stands there pricking his ears most curiously, and the matter is no affair of his. I am sure, papa dear, you will allow Herr Storting and the Herr Candidate to go to-morrow without asking any questions. They will both be back by noon."
"Of course we must all do as you please, you witch," her father replied, stroking back the golden curls from his darling's forehead. "I will ask no questions. Certainly they should both have gone without your interference. I am sure Herr Storting has good reasons for wishing to spend any time away from Osternau during the hay-harvest."
Storting looked a little confused. "Indeed you are most kind, Herr von Osternau. I was perhaps in a trifle too much haste, I might postpone----"
"Do not believe him, papa, he cannot possibly postpone, and I'll tell you in your ear why,--you will allow me, Herr Pigglewitch?"
"No, Fräulein Lieschen, I beg you, on the contrary, to withdraw your request," Egon replied. "I cannot suffer Herr Storting to leave his duty here to do me a favour. The matter in question is a favour to me, Herr von Osternau, and I really cannot see why it should be kept secret. I could not appear at dinner in the only clothes which I possessed. Herr Storting therefore very kindly lent me one of his own suits, and offered to go with me to-morrow to Breslau and help me in the choice of attire suitable for a residence in Castle Osternau. This is the entire mystery."
"A ridiculous trifle!" exclaimed the Lieutenant. "And Herr Storting was to go to Breslau during harvest for this? An extraordinary idea!"
"Which never occurred to me," replied Egon. "Herr Storting offered to accompany me, and I accepted his proposal, not imagining that his short absence could be any disadvantage in the farming operations, which are carried on under the distinguished auspices of Herr Lieutenant von Osternau. Since, however, I am now better informed, I beg to decline his kind offer, and will, with Herr von Osternau's permission, go to Breslau alone."
"For Heaven's sake, do not let him, papa!" Lieschen whispered to her father. "Think of that black coat! No, you must not go alone, Herr Storting must go with you and advise you."
Herr von Osternau laughed at his daughter's zeal, nevertheless the remembrance of the black coat outweighed any objection he might have had to dispensing with Storting's services. The Herr Candidate might be a very accomplished and cultivated man, but he certainly had no idea of how to dress himself. Storting must look after him in this respect. He did not indeed give this as a reason for his ready acquiescence in his daughter's wishes, but cut short a remonstrance on the part of the Lieutenant by declaring that the matter was settled, Herr Storting and Herr Pigglewitch would start on the morrow for Breslau, and if they found their business required more time than was anticipated, they need be in no hurry to return, but could spend the entire day there. When the Lieutenant here ventured to remark that Herr von Wangen would find it difficult to superintend the harvesters alone, his cousin replied, with some asperity, "Then perhaps you, Cousin Albrecht, will have the kindness to take Herr Storting's place, since he is certainly going to Breslau. And now no more of this. We will take our coffee in the billiard-room. Do you play billiards, Herr Pigglewitch? Yes? So much the better, you can take part in our game. There are usually but three of us, Cousin Albrecht, Lieschen, and myself. Four players make the game much more entertaining. We usually spend an hour every day in billiards. When I am kept within-doors, as to-day, it is my only exercise. You must prepare yourself for a hard contest, Herr Pigglewitch, for Albrecht is a master of the game. Fortunately, we play for glory only, and Lieschen and I are always forced to yield this to the Lieutenant."