idst of a most interesting conversation with Frau von Stein,
Goethe was informed that some one awaited him in the anteroom. He went
out quickly, and upon returning he whispered to the duke, who nodded,
and answered him in a low tone, and then Goethe betook himself to the
Duchess Amelia.

"What is it?" the latter asked. "Have important dispatches arrived?"

"No; I come to your highness as courier from your son. The duke begs
that you will lock the door of your anteroom when you retire, and that
you will upon no condition open it, no matter how much Thusnelda may beg
and implore."

"Will you not injure my poor Goechhausen, you wanton fellow?"

"No! it is not very dangerous, duchess. It is only a harmless surprise,
which the duke promised Fraulein von Goechhausen."

"Very well, then, it can take place; I promise to be quite deaf to all
Thusnelda's knocking and thumping, and I shall be glad to be informed
to-morrow what the trick is. I prefer not to inquire to-day, as I might
feel obliged to veto it if it were too severe. But look, the Duchess
Louisa will break up; does she know any thing about the affair?"

"No, your highness, you know very well that the young duchess--"

"Is much more sensible than the old one, and shakes her head
disapprovingly when she hears of your ingenuous tricks. Perhaps it would
be well if I were equally sensible, but there is no help for it. I like
bright, happy people, and I think when youth vents itself, old age is
more sedate and reasonable."

"You are quite right, duchess. Mankind resembles new wine. If the must
does not ferment and foam well, no good wine will come of it. But
look at our Charles, with the saucy jest upon his lip, and the fire of
inspiration in those bright brown eyes. One day a fine, strong wine will
clear itself from this glorious fermenting must."

"I hope so, Goethe, and if the gods grant it, the great merit will
belong to you, who have proved yourself a good vintager, and we will
rejoice together in your glorious success."

CHAPTER XXIII. WITCHCRAFT

An hour later the palace Belvedere was silent and deserted; the guests
had taken their departure. The duchess had her suite and commanded them
to retire. Fraulein von Gochhausen alone remained with her mistress,
chatting by the bedside, and recapitulating in her amusing style all
important and unimportant events of the soiree, The duchess smiled at
the mischievous remarks with which she ornamented her rela