und the
baron), and so do the children, the castle, and our silver
candlesticks."

"The new ones are only plated," suggested the baron.

"Never mind; no one finds it out," cried she, merrily. "When I look at
our own dinner-service, and see your and my arms on the plates, two
spoonfuls give me ten times more satisfaction than all the courses of
the court dinner ever did."

"You are a bright example of contentment," said the baron; "and for your
and the children's sake, I wish this property were ten times larger, so
that I might keep a page and a couple of maids of honor for my lady
wife."

"For heaven's sake, no maids of honor; and as for a page, I need none
with such an attentive knight as yourself."

And so the pair walked on to the house, Lenore having taken possession
of the horse's bridle, affectionately exhorting him to raise as little
dust as possible.

"I see a carriage," said the baron, as they drew near the door; "have
any visitors come?"

"It is only Ehrenthal, who wished to see you," replied his wife, "and
meanwhile expended all his pretty speeches upon us. Lenore was so
arrogant that it was high time I should carry her off--the droll man was
quite put out of countenance by the saucy girl."

The baron smiled. "I like him the best of his class," said he. "His
manners are at least not repulsive, and I have always found him
obliging. How do you do, Mr. Ehrenthal; what brings you here?"

Mr. Ehrenthal was a portly man in the prime of life, with a face too
yellow, fat, and cunning to be considered exactly handsome. He wore
gaiters, and a large diamond breast-pin, and advanced with a series of
low bows toward the baron.

"Your servant, good sir," said he, with a deferential smile; "although
no business matters lead me here, I must sometimes crave permission to
look round your farm, it is such a treat and refreshment to me; all your
live-stock is so sleek and well-fed, and the barns and stables in such
perfect order. The very sparrows look better off here than elsewhere. To
a man of business, who is often obliged to see things going to wrack
and ruin, it is a delight, indeed, to contemplate an estate like yours."

"You are so complimentary, Mr. Ehrenthal, that I can but believe you
have some weighty business on hand. Do you want to make a bargain with
me?" asked the count, good-naturedly.

With a virtuous shake of the head in refutation of the charge, Mr.
Ehrenthal went on: "Not a word of business, b