calling loudly: 'Fraeulein Wilhelmine! Fraeulein Wilhelmine! there
is a letter from your brother! Come and tell us the news of the army. He
may tell when to expect our soldiers' return.'

Wilhelmine, who had dressed hurriedly on hearing the post arrive, came
slowly down the street. She looked angrily at the woman, for she hated
the familiarity of the townsfolk and resented their open curiosity. Did
they expect her to read her brother's letter aloud to a gaping group, as
though it were a public gazette? But she wanted the letter, and wished to
get it before her mother, hearing the tumult, could come and snatch it
from her. The people eyed the proud girl with no good will. She was
reserved and haughty, and some said she had the evil eye.

The messenger handed her the letter and she walked quickly away, followed
by many a disapproving grunt and sarcastic comment from the crowd. She
gained the door of her mother's house and, springing up the creaking
stair, went quickly into her room, shutting and bolting the door behind
her.

* * * * *

'DEAR SISTER,'--she read--'Since last I wrote to thee, I have
left my Lord of Marlborough's army, being invited to visit the
court of my honoured brother in arms, Monseigneur le Duc de
Wirtemberg. This happened six months since; meanwhile I have
married Mademoiselle Marie von Stuben, a lady of Rottenburg (a
small town on the borders of my Lord Duke's territory). I have
been appointed Kammerjunker at court, and shall not be returning
to Guestrow for some time. I write this news so that thou mayst
break it gently to our mother, who, I fear, may be disappointed
in that I do not return immediately to visit her. But assure her
that I will ride North to see her whenever I can, and that
shortly I hope to be in a position to offer her hospitality in
Stuttgart.

'I am convinced that it would be to thine advantage, dear sister,
if thou camest immediately to visit us. Tell our mother that I
know many rich noblemen here, and that I will endeavour to
arrange a marriage for thee, more fitting than the alliance of
our sister Sittmann. The great thing is that thou shouldst set
forth soon, for there will be court festivities in the spring.
After which, there is usually little gaiety until the late
autumn.

'A good friend of mine, Madame de Ruth of Oberhausen, i