"Uncle dear, can I have the carriage?"
The major eyes her askance: "What do you want of the carriage?"
"I should like to drive over to Komaritz; Hedwig will think it strange that I have not been there for so long."
"H'm! don't you think Hedwig might do without you for a little while longer?" says the major, who is in a teasing humour.
"Oh, let her drive over," Frau Rosamunda interposes. "I promised to send the housekeeper there a basket of Reine-Claudes for preserving, and Zdena can take them with her. And, Zdena, you might stop at Dobrotschau; I will leave it to your diplomatic skill to worm out the grand secret for us. I protest against assisting on Sunday at its solemn revelation."
"Then shall I refuse the invitation for you?"
"Yes; tell them that we expect guests ourselves on Sunday. And invite the Komaritz people to come and dine, that it may be true," the major calls after the girl.
She nods with a smile, and trips into the castle. It is easy to see that her heart is light.
"Queer little coquette!" thinks the major, adding to himself, "But she's a charming creature, for all that."