wood-inlayer's art, the chairs and tables were of
gilt or of inlaid rosewood. It was a house of sunshine: all Wilhelmine's
windows looking full southward or westward, while on the colder north and
east sides were the domestics' apartments.

At length, in the July of 1711, the Corps de Logis and the small
adjoining pavilions were ready for occupation, and the long eastern and
western side-wings were so nearly completed that it was possible to lodge
the chief personages of the court, and the army of serving men and
women. The garden terracing was terminated, and the water for the
numerous fountains laid on.

La Favorite was ready for its capricious namesake, and the town of
Ludwigsburg counted some two hundred new houses. The old posting inn,
formerly a dilapidated peasant's habitation, barnlike and unpromising
enough to the traveller, had become a fine mansion with many guest
chambers. The peasant innkeeper, who regarded every foreigner as an
intruder, was replaced by a magnificent gentleman with condescending
manners.

Enterprising venders of all sorts hurried to the new centre of opulence.
Already an obsequious personage from Paris had taken up his abode in a
room of one of the new houses, and a painted board hanging from his
window informed the passers-by that he was permitted to style himself
Coiffeur to her Excellency the Landhofmeisterin, to Serenissimus the
Duke, and to the court in general. Along with this gentleman arrived
several spruce ladies, one of whom was reported to be his wife, but
opinions varied as to which of the eight possessed this honour. These
demoiselles were expert dressmakers, and plied many other trades
necessary for the beautifying of court ladies. A French corset-maker
appeared on the scene, and a famous vender of cosmetics. In fact, there
were not wanting all the elements which must ever be at hand for serving
the whimsies and necessities of noble dames. The titles of these court
purveyors were in the Landhofmeisterin's keeping, and were only
procurable by payment of a good round sum.

* * * * *

The sun was sinking in a glory over the grim mount of Hohenasperg, that
sinister, frowning fortress-prison which threatened conveniently near to
Ludwigsburg, ready to lodge those unfortunate enough to incur the
displeasure of Serenissimus, or, more accurately, of her Excellency the
Landhofmeisterin. The departing sun left a flaming radiancy which hung
over the