ness heard an approaching footstep. He
turned quickly, in his excitement not noting that the steps came from the
direction of the castle garden. He started forward with outstretched
arms. Forstner stood before him, a ridiculous figure as usual; his large,
tiresome nose shadowed on the wall by the uncertain light of the hanging
lanterns.

'Really, Monsieur de Forstner!' broke out the Duke angrily, 'it is
intolerable to be thus followed! Am I not at liberty to take a stroll
unquestioned?'

The astonished courtier attempted to explain that he had not known his
Highness to be wandering near the Judengasse, but Eberhard Ludwig cut him
short and desired him to go on his way. Forstner begged to be permitted
to accompany his Highness. 'This is not a part of the town where it is
fitting your Highness should be alone at night.' The reproving tone of
the schoolmaster (that inextinguishable dweller of the innermost which
abides for ever in the breast of every honest German) crept into the
words, and Eberhard Ludwig's irritation was the more aroused.

'Will you go and leave me to myself, Forstner, you insufferable ass!' The
words broke forth half fiercely, half humorously.

Forstner drew himself up with a certain stiff dignity. 'Were that term
applied to me by any but my Prince, I should answer with the sword,' he
said.

The Duke laughed impatiently. 'I retract--I apologise--I beg your
forgiveness; you are an excellent fellow, a dear friend--only for God's
sake, man, go away!'

'But your Highness--I beg you to consider----' the other began.

'Look here, Forstner,' the Duke interrupted, 'if you don't go--now, at
once, and leave me alone, upon my soul I will run you through!' He
half-drew his sword.

'Really, Monseigneur,' replied Forstner, 'I am ready to obey your
Highness, but----'

'Well, then, _go_!' The Duke was getting beyond himself; each moment he
feared Wilhelmine would appear, and Forstner was not a person he desired
as witness either to his meeting with his beloved, or to her advent from
the lowest part of the town.

The estimable Forstner had at length commenced his departure, but he was
distant only a few paces when the Duke heard a laugh coming from the
gloom of the shadowed Judengasse. It was a laugh which, though
low-pitched and quiet, had a resonant distinctness which caused it to
carry a long way.

'Wait, for Heaven's sake, till he is gone,' his Highness whispered over
his shoulder into the darkness, o