ine von Graevenitz. These pictures
are very rare, Time and Hatred have hidden them but too well. Indeed, it
is as though all the Swabian virtue had conspired together to obliterate
the memory, with the portraits, of the abhorred 'Graevenitzin.'

For the nonce, life was very peaceful for Wilhelmine in the Jaegerhaus;
and the Duke, entirely enthralled by his mistress, humoured her every
whim. Madame de Ruth said mockingly to Zollern that a more exemplary
young married couple than 'Monsieur et Madame Eberhard Ludwig' she had
never seen. But the feeling against the favourite in Stuttgart grew each
day, and the fact that his Highness had caused much that was of beauty
and value in the castle to be removed to the Jaegerhaus gave umbrage to
the courtiers. Even Zollern remonstrated, but in vain. Meanwhile the
Jaegerhaus had become a splendid abode: rich yellow silken hangings hid
the bare whitewashed walls of the chamber Wilhelmine had selected for her
reception-room; the old wooden floors had been polished till they
appeared to be the finest parquet; gilt chairs deeply cushioned, and also
of that delicate yellow colour which the favourite loved, had been
brought from Paris; a spinet with a beautifully painted case stood near
the window; a quaint sixteenth-century stove which had been in the state
room at the castle had been chosen by her as harmonising well with the
yellow hangings, being made of light blue tiles. In an alcove, especially
constructed by grumbling, slow-handed Stuttgart workmen for the 'Duke's
Witch,' was the pick of the ducal library. The court ladies heard with
jealous rage, that the Graevenitzin had a dressing-room entirely panelled
with mirrors, that her bed was hung with light blue silk, that she had a
silver bath surrounded by mirror screens. How had the Mecklemburg
Fraeulein learnt such things? they asked. How indeed, but in her inborn
genius for luxury! The favourite's servants were magnificently attired in
ducal liveries. The lady had her own carriage with painted panels and
yellow satin cushions. She gave rich entertainments, and the invitations
were coveted, of course, by the good people who were so horrified at
their hostess. The Duchess Johanna Elizabetha would not be present at a
court feast where the Graevenitz appeared? Very well! there _were_ no
court feasts! All the gaiety of the autumn of 1706 and the winter of 1707
took place at the Jaegerhaus.

The Duchess-mother, from her dower-house of St