insel wings hovered over this family gathering. Symbol of peace and
goodwill, this angel would look down pitifully on the men and women round
the Christmas tree, whose hearts were full of bitterness, of envy and
hatred! Lackeys were fastening candles on to the branches, and Johanna
Elizabetha and Madame de Stafforth were hanging up trinkets and
playthings for the Erbprinz.

The Duchess-mother entered. She glanced round the room. 'Has the enemy
not arrived?' she said humorously.

Johanna Elizabetha sighed.

'No, she has not come yet. It is hard she should spoil our Christmas Eve;
but it is better than meeting her for the first time as Landhofmeisterin
with all her friends to stare at me.'

'She will not enjoy her evening, my dear,' returned the Duchess-mother,
with a grim smile.

At this moment Eberhard Ludwig entered, leading the Erbprinz by the hand.
He sometimes endeavoured to be a kind father, but it was no easy matter
for him. The Duchess-mother's face softened as she greeted her son, and
bent to kiss the little boy, who scarcely responded to the old lady's
embrace. His shining, excited eyes were fixed upon the Christmas tree,
and snatching his hand from the Duke's grasp, he began to dance round in
frantic childish rapture. Johanna Elizabetha forgot her troubles watching
her son's joy, and she commenced cutting off the playthings for him.

'It were fitting to await our guest's arrival, Madame, before you strip
the tree,' said the Duke coldly.

'Nonsense!' interrupted the Duchess-mother, 'surely Elizabetha can give
her child the playthings if she wishes to?'

'Her Excellency the Landhofmeisterin!' announced a page, throwing open
the door, and Wilhelmine appeared on the threshold.

His Highness hurried forward to greet her, while Johanna Elizabetha
instinctively drew nearer to the Duchess-mother, catching the Erbprinz by
the arm.

Wilhelmine bent low in an elaborate courtesy. Her Highness held out her
hand shyly for her rival to kiss. The Duchess-mother watched the comedy
for an instant, then turning to the Duke who stood behind Wilhelmine,
nervously fingering his rapier-hilt, she said:

'Serenissimus will have the kindness to present to me the
Landhofmeisterin, as I have not the pleasure to know her.'

'Madame, my mother permits me--This is Madame la Comtesse de Wuerben,
Landhofmeisterin,' he stammered, and the Duchess-mother threw him a
contemptuous glance.

'Ah, Madame de Wuerben! how sad it must be