was both
distressed for the sake of his old friend's pain, and much disturbed that
the projected departure could not take place, for he did not consider
Wilhelmine safe in Stuttgart. He knew that the feeling against her
increased each day, owing chiefly to the gossip concerning her witch
practices. It was her habit to read late at night, and the people
believed she was occupied in brewing magic philters and composing
incantations. They vowed they had seen two shadows on her window-blinds,
which of a truth they may have seen, for often old Frau Hazzim came to
visit her secretly at night. The Jewess was entirely under the spell of
Wilhelmine's attraction, and the Graevenitz was learning many things from
her nocturnal visitor, who had a vast knowledge of herbs and medicaments,
the traditional code of doctoring handed down in her family. Strict
Jewess though she was, she had many receipts for love potions, and she
knew much of various poisons. Thus the Stuttgarters were not mistaken
when they averred they had seen a second shadow on the blind, and
considering Frau Hazzim's grotesque features, it is hardly surprising
that the superstitious and fearful observers believed that this second
shadow was the witch's familiar spirit.

Wilhelmine's servants were questioned at the market, and they replied
that their mistress received no visitors in the dead of night, for
Wilhelmine was naturally careful that even her servants should not be
aware of Frau Hazzim's visits, which, considering the ill fame of the
Jews in those days, was absolutely necessary. She therefore was wont
herself to admit her visitor by a small door which opened on to the
garden at the back of the Jaegerhaus. So the terrified, fascinated
watchers saw, with horror, this mysterious second shadow on the closed
blind, and it was said that by incantations the witch summoned this evil
being, for her own servants must know had any person from the mortal
world been in the house!

Of this story Zollern was not aware, but he knew enough to recognise the
dangerous reputation which his friend enjoyed. Wilhelmine herself was
perfectly conscious that there was an element of danger for her, and she
was disturbed that by Madame de Ruth's untoward accident she was obliged
to remain in Stuttgart. That she was a reputed witch she knew, but far
from being alarmed she was slightly flattered and amused at the notion,
and deeming herself secure in the Duke's powerful protection she had