uke, and, as
we have just seen, felt himself in spite of this office but ill-rewarded
for having taken domicile in Wirtemberg.

'The Church, Madame,' said the Duke of Zollern, 'is in so sorry a plight
in this country, that she will certainly be ready to assist herself by
the means you mention. But, in this case, we are not sure if the "means"
be willing; for I fear Mademoiselle de Graevenitz, like her brother, is
of the Protestant sect? Is that not so, Graevenitz?'

'Monseigneur, my sister is not made of martyr stuff. I fancy that she
would be willing to further the aims of the Church, were it in her power
to do so, and if it were clearly to her advantage. We are talking
openly,' he added with a slight flush, for he was still young, only
four-and-twenty, and more used to the ruder if more honest code of the
camp, than to court manners and customs.

'Now let us consider our strategics,' said Madame de Ruth. 'Bonte divine!
How it refreshes one to have a scheme on hand! Stafforth, you say
nothing? Marie, you are shocked; how foolish in this workaday world! Why,
girl, each does what he can; and, believe me, it is not a lazy life I
propose for your sister-in-law. God does not forgive the lazy--it is one
of the deadly sins--especially at court. Allons! Let us consider:
Monsieur de Stafforth remind us of the dates of the coming court
festivities! A ball? No! A ball is useful during a well-started intrigue.
I have it! there will be theatricals in the Lusthaus on the 29th of
April. Three days? Perfect! And your sister sings? Graevenitz, how does
she sing?'

'Well, Madame, divinely well; but her voice is deep, very low--a dark
rich voice that mad old dreamer, the schoolmaster at Guestrow, calls
it----' he began, but the garrulous lady interrupted eagerly:

'Heaven guard the boy for a simpleton! Do you not know the invincible
thrill of the new, the unaccustomed? We are all sick to death of the
Geyling's shrill pipe; your sister's voice would be invaluable, as a
contrast.'

'When Madame de Ruth talks it is like the ripple of the brooks,' said
Zollern laughing; 'your pardon, dear friend, that I interrupt! Your plan
is admirable, but first let us get the lady here, see her, hear her, and
then we shall know what to do. Meanwhile I must go homewards. Monsieur de
Berga, my old friend, who bores me with his virtue but holds me by his
well-tried affection, awaits me for supper, and I have a long road before
me ere I get to my house