ndescended to receive small sums from Friedrich
Graevenitz, regardless of the fact that the money actually came from
Wilhelmine, she remained sternly disapproving to the end of her days.

It was but a small court, and Wilhelmine found it all insufficient, so
she selected from among the Tuebingen students half a dozen youths of
undistinguished birth but undoubted intelligence, and caused them to be
given minor court appointments. Stafforth was dismissed; his wife was
Johanna Elizabetha's friend, and the Countess disliked him. Knowing him
for an unscrupulous adventurer himself, she judged him capable of gauging
the small social standing and slightly veneered vulgarity of Sittmann,
Schuetz and company. So Stafforth's Oberhofmarshall's baton was conferred
on Friedrich Graevenitz, together with a considerable income. Sittmann was
made a baron (of Wirtemberg, not of the Empire); Schuetz became Geheimrath
and personal secretary to his Highness; Madame de Ruth was
Oberhofmeisterin--'Dame de Deshonneur,' Wilhelmine called her in
private--and the two ladies laughed much at the recollection of this,
poor Johanna Elizabetha's solitary witticism. The Sittmann was Dame du
Palais, her stepsons were Kammerjunker (equerries) to the Duke. Pages
were chosen from among the younger Tuebingen students, and any chance
visitor was given a high-sounding title and a sham office. The only work
of the whole heterogeneous collection was to be gorgeously attired; but
this was easy, as the Duke paid all expenses; to be young and gay, or you
were even permitted to be old, could you be witty; and before every other
duty came the obligation of treating the Countess of Urach with all the
ceremony and adulation which the world is accustomed to offer to queens.

The Duke's own guard was commanded to Tuebingen, and so much silver was
added to their uniforms that the regiment now thoroughly earned its
appellation of Silver Guard. Many Tuebingen students were enrolled in the
corps; indeed, it was imperative there should be a leaven of
Wilhelmine's adherents in the troop, for Zollern said that he did not
trust the old guard where she was concerned.

An erstwhile strolling company of Italian comedians was installed as
court play-actors; a number of French fiddlers and singers arrived, and
were officially entitled 'The Countess of Urach's Musicians.'

It was all very absurd, without doubt; a mock court, but gay, brilliant,
lavish, and gradually various members