grees, and let the new
man be unfolded.

From the window of the inn Pranken saw the pilgrims go forth, as he
puffed clouds of smoke from his cigar. Then he went to the station,
bought a ticket, and returned to Wolfsgarten.

CHAPTER IV.

BITTER ALMONDS.

In the country where the tankard rules, the ladies assemble to take
coffee, and wine and coffee are equal in this respect, that they can be
had at all seasons of the year. In spring and summer, it is pleasant to
drink them on a gentle eminence, in a shady arbor where there is a fine
view of the country around; in autumn and winter, in comfortable rooms
furnished with an abundance of sofa-cushions, embroidered in patterns
of parrots or fat woolly dogs.

The coffee-party has the advantage of being given in succession by
various persons, and as the pint of wine is not strictly a pint, but
can be increased at pleasure, so coffee is only a modest expression for
the May-bowls and fruits of the culinary art which follow it; and a
hostess who wishes to do something surpassing the rest sends to the
great city for ice, to be brought over the railroad.

The Justice's wife led off in the spring coffee-parties. The little
garden behind the house was very pleasant, where the lilacs were
blooming in all their glory, but the surrounding houses overlooked it,
and it was better to have the party in the best parlor opening upon the
balcony.

The rustling chintz covers were taken off the sofa-cushions. The
invitations were sent out, among the rest to the Countess Wolfsgarten,
who had returned an acceptance; but the regular course of proceeding
was, that about an hour before the appointed time, a delicately
scented, prettily written note should arrive, in which Frau Bella
expressed her regret that an unfortunate head-ache would deprive her of
the long anticipated pleasure of meeting the highly respected wife of
the Justice, and her much esteemed company.

To-day, contrary to all expectation, the Countess had come herself, and
had indeed arrived before any of the rest of the party, which was not
exactly the thing in fashionable society.

The Justice's wife sent Lina directly into the state parlor to place
one more chair, for they had felt quite sure that the Countess would
not come.

"I expect my brother to-day, he has been down the Rhine," Frau Bella
soon said.

She did in fact wish to carry her brother home fro