ew with Seraphina, it
is not too much to say that she was beginning to be terribly afraid. She
paused in the corridor and reckoned up her doings with an eye to
Gondremark. The fan was in requisition in an instant; but her disquiet
was beyond the reach of fanning. 'The girl has lost her head,' she
thought; and then dismally, 'I have gone too far.' She instantly decided
on secession. Now the _Mons Sacer_ of the Frau von Rosen was a certain
rustic villa in the forest, called by herself, in a smart attack of
poesy, Tannen Zauber, and by everybody else plain Kleinbrunn.

Thither, upon the thought, she furiously drove, passing Gondremark at the
entrance to the Palace avenue, but feigning not to observe him; and as
Kleinbrunn was seven good miles away, and in the bottom of a narrow dell,
she passed the night without any rumour of the outbreak reaching her; and
the glow of the conflagration was concealed by intervening hills. Frau
von Rosen did not sleep well; she was seriously uneasy as to the results
of her delightful evening, and saw herself condemned to quite a lengthy
sojourn in her deserts and a long defensive correspondence, ere she could
venture to return to Gondremark. On the other hand, she examined, by way
of pastime, the deeds she had received from Otto; and even here saw cause
for disappointment. In these troublous days she had no taste for landed
property, and she was convinced, besides, that Otto had paid dearer than
the farm was worth. Lastly, the order for the Prince's release fairly
burned her meddling fingers.

All things considered, the next day beheld an elegant and beautiful lady,
in a riding-habit and a flapping hat, draw bridle at the gate of the
Felsenburg, not perhaps with any clear idea of her purpose, but with her
usual experimental views on life. Governor Gordon, summoned to the gate,
welcomed the omnipotent Countess with his most gallant bearing, though it
was wonderful how old he looked in the morning.

'Ah, Governor,' she said, 'we have surprises for you, sir,' and nodded at
him meaningly.

'Eh, madam, leave me my prisoners,' he said; 'and if you will but join
the band, begad, I'll be happy for life.'

'You would spoil me, would you not?' she asked.

'I would try, I would try,' returned the Governor, and he offered her his
arm.

She took it, picked up her skirt, and drew him close to her. 'I have
come to see the Prince,' she said. 'Now, infidel! on business. A
message from th