the rest of the company. Indeed, the
intrigue had assumed proportions which alarmed Wilhelmine's allies. Her
brother had learned to fear her--he was jealous of her now. Stafforth,
having been foolish enough to incur her displeasure by tactless amorous
advances, feared that once her position became unassailable she would
cause him to be dismissed from court. Marie Graevenitz was horrified at
the idea of her sister-in-law's great success; she said it was sinful.
Poor soul, she was very jealous. Zollern, however, regarded the strange
marriage with favour. He foresaw the complications ahead, and intended to
steer for a happy landing of the Prince and his new bride on the eternal
shores of Roman Catholicism. The Pope would declare Eberhard Ludwig's
former alliance with Johanna Elizabetha to be null and void, and, in
return, the Duchy of Wirtemberg would be gathered back to the Holy
Church.

Madame de Ruth alone rejoiced honestly in the brilliant ending of the
'great intrigue,' and if there was another thought in her mind, it was
delight at the discomfiture of the dull Duchess; but chiefly the old
courtesan was happy that this honour befell her friend. She had conceived
a real affection for Wilhelmine.

Zollern tapped his cane on the parquet floor, rhythmically, persistently.
To Madame de Ruth the tapping sound seemed to beat on her brain, and she
put out her hand imploring silence. 'How gay, my friends!' she exclaimed;
'really, we owe our friend a little merriment on her wedding day!'

'I do not think I can permit my sister to go through this marriage
ceremony. It would show a nicer spirit towards me, the head of her
house, if she considered the difficulties she may land me in----'

'Bonte divine! Graevenitz, what foolishness!' said Madame de Ruth sharply.
'If you could manage to forget your own important existence for a
time----' She was interrupted by the entry of a personage of clerical
appearance. Madame de Ruth rose to greet the new arrival. 'Hochwuerden,'
she said in German, 'you received my letter? and you are ready to do as I
require--ask no questions and marry a couple, you may know who, but on
that head silence until your testimony is necessary; and then you are
prepared to swear you have married them in all legal and religious form?
In return a hundred gulden, and I undertake also to have the Pfarrhaus
repaired. Is that well? yes?--well, let me present you: Monseigneur de
Zollern you have the honour to know al