of bitterness pierced the
mockery of her tone.

'Ah! heart of mine,' he broke in vehemently, 'would that I could make you
Duchess! You are my wife by all laws of fairest nature and love! This is
a more holy thing than marriage--nay, this is true marriage!' It was the
eternal lie of lovers: the old futile, pathetic, impossible pleading of
those whose love cannot be sanctioned by law. Wilhelmine's face darkened.

'Monseigneur, if you could make Forstner and his sort believe that, I
should not be taunted and insulted. But come, now, we cannot discuss this
here. Will you tell me where you propose to lodge me this night, or shall
I vanish again?' Her gaiety had returned.

'I must ask you to accept the hospitality of my roof to-night,' he said
gravely; 'to-morrow I will seek a fitting abode for you.'

'Ah! a mistress's separate establishment.' Her voice was bitter again.
Was there ever such a difficult woman for lover to deal with? But that
was half her charm.

'Wilhelmine, do not torture me. I will do all I can, and I pray you,
never call your house a mistress's establishment--call it rather the
palace of my heart's queen.'

'Prettily put, and meaning exactly the same!'

She was laughing once more; she loved when Eberhard Ludwig spoke in this
chivalrous tone, as every woman does, thinking it a tribute to her own
especial dignity when it is often only a deft trick of speech. Laughing
and talking and teasing her beloved, she allowed him to lead her away
through the gardens.

Within the castle commotion prevailed. Serving-men and maids ran hither
and thither in an excited and aimless fashion; they started back in
surprise and dismay when they perceived Wilhelmine's tall figure beside
the Duke, but neither his Highness nor the lady stopped to question the
servants on the cause of the disturbance. When they reached the first
floor, where dwelt the Duchess Johanna Elizabetha, and would have passed
on to gain Wilhelmine's apartments, they found themselves confronted by a
group of persons talking in excited whispers. Prelate Osiander, certainly
not one whom Eberhard Ludwig desired as a witness to Wilhelmine's
re-entry; Madame de Stafforth, the Countess Gemmingen, one of the
Duchess's ladies; Dr. Muerger, second court physician; two of her
Highness's waiting-women. Madame de Ruth was also there, and it struck
Wilhelmine as ominous that the lady of many words and ready wit stood
silent and constrained.

'What is this?' quer