unrecognizable, like the gay
figures of a magic-lantern; at times some of them leaned out of the
windows and looked down into the garden. In front of the castle the
brilliant light gilded the grass, the shrubbery, and the trees, so
that the flowers and the birds seemed to be aroused by it. All around
and below me, however, the garden lay black and still.

"_She_ is dancing there now," I thought to myself up in the tree,"
and has long since forgotten you and your flowers. All are gay; not a
human being cares for you in the least. And thus it is with me, always
and everywhere. Every one has his little nook marked out for him on
this earth, his warm hearth, his cup of coffee, his wife, his glass of
wine in the evening, and is perfectly happy; even the Porter with his
big nose is content. For me there is no place, I seem to be just too
late everywhere; the world has not a bit of need of me."

As I was philosophizing thus, I suddenly heard something rustle on the
grass below me. Two soft voices were speaking together in a low
tone. In a moment the foliage of the shrubbery was parted, and the
lady's-maid's little face appeared among the leaves, peering about
on all sides. The moonlight sparkled in her saucy eyes as they
peeped out. I held my breath and stared down at her. Before long the
flower-girl did actually appear among the trees, just as the maid had
described her to me yesterday. My heart throbbed as if it would burst.
She had on a mask, and seemed to be gazing around in surprise. Somehow
she did not look to me as slender and graceful as she had been.
At last she reached the tree, and took off her mask. It was the
other--the elder lady!

How glad I was, when I had recovered from the first shock, that I was
up here in safety! How in the world did she chance to come here? If
the dear, lovely Lady fair should happen to come at this instant
for her flowers, there would be a fine to-do! I could have cried for
vexation at the whole affair.

Meanwhile the disguised flower-girl beneath me began: "It is so
stifling hot in the ball-room, I had to come out to cool myself in
this lovely open air." Thereupon she fanned herself with her mask
and puffed and blew. In the bright moonlight I could plainly see how
swollen were the cords of her neck; she looked very angry and quite
scarlet in the face. The lady's maid was all the while searching
behind every bush, as if she were looking for a lost pin.

"I do so need more fresh flow