ys either way doesn't matter
now."

"Of course not. And they'll certainly be well satisfied with your
reports, too. But we've had a few hot days with little time for rest.
Thank God, everything is arranged and we can breathe again! I feel that
I am free to leave the city now for twenty-four hours, so Adelheid and I
will go to Ostwalden."

"Ostwalden is the name of your new country seat? I remember, you
mentioned it yesterday, but I did not understand just where it was
situated."

"It lies about ten miles from Fuerstenstein. When we were there in
September, Schoenau called my attention to it. It is situated in the most
beautiful part of the celebrated forest, and suits me exactly. They
asked a ridiculous price for it, but since my return I've decided to
take it and am going there now to make some final arrangements."

"Ada does not appear too well pleased with your choice. She seems to
dislike the neighborhood of Fuerstenstein," said the Colonel. But
Wallmoden shrugged his shoulders indifferently.

"Just a whim, nothing more. In the beginning Adelheid was in raptures
over Ostwalden, and then later she raised every possible objection to
the place; but I had gone too far to retreat. I shall in all probability
remain some time at my present post, and want to avoid long journeys in
the summer. So that a country seat which can be reached in four hours
from town possesses great attractions in my eyes. The castle has been
sadly neglected of late years, and I'll have to make many altertions.
But I have my plans for rebuilding and altering all arranged, and am
going to make it one of the finest places in the country."

He talked with great satisfaction over all he was to accomplish at
Ostwalden. Herbert von Wallmoden had possessed but a small fortune of
his own, and had been forced to live very circumspectly all his life
long, in consequence. But now he could give free rein to his desire for
splendor and display, and could talk of fine homes in city and country
without thought of the outlay, or any consideration either for the whims
of the young wife whose fortune he was spending with so lavish a hand.

Perhaps Falkenried thought of all this as he listened to his friend
grown almost enthusiastic on the subject, but he said nothing. He had
grown more silent and stonier than ever, if that were possible, during
the last few days. And when he did ask a question concerning the
every-day affairs of life, one felt it was merely