erg, an event of considerable importance had
occurred. This was nothing less than the arrival of the Countess of
Grillyer upon a visit both of affection and state. So important was she,
and so great the attachment of her daughter, that the preparations
for her reception would have served for a reigning sovereign. But the
Countess had an eye as quick and an appetite for respect as exacting as
Queen Elizabeth, and she had no sooner embraced the Baroness and kissed
her ceremoniously upon either cheek, than her glance appeared to seek
something that she deemed should have been there also.

"And where is Rudolph?" she demanded. "Is he so very busy that he cannot
spare a moment even to welcome me?"

The Baroness changed color, but with as easy an air as she could assume
she answered that Rudolph had most unfortunately been summoned from
England.

"Indeed?" observed the Countess, and the observation was made in a tone
that suggested the advisability of a satisfactory explanation.

This paragon among mothers and peeresses was a lady of majestic port,
whose ascendant expression and commanding voice were commonly held to
typify all that is best in the feudal system; or, in other words, to
indicate that her opinions had never been contradicted in her life.
When one of these is a firm belief in the holder's divine rights and
semi-divine origin, the effect is undoubtedly impressive. And the
Countess impressed.

"My dear Alicia," said she, when they had settled down to tea and
confidential talk, "you have not yet told me what has taken Rudolph
abroad again so soon."

On nothing had the Baron laid more stress than on the necessity of
maintaining the most profound secrecy respecting his mission. "No, not
even to your mozzer most you say. My love, you vill remember?" had been
almost his very last words before departing for St. Petersburg. His
devoted wife had promised this not once, but many times, while his
finger was being shaken at her, and would have scorned herself had she
thought it possible to break her vows.

"That is a secret, mamma," she declared.

Her mother opened her eyes.

"A secret from me, Alicia?"

"Rudolph made me promise."

"Not to tell your friends--but that hardly was intended to include your
mother."

The Baroness looked uncomfortable.

"I--I'm afraid----" she began, and stopped in hesitation.

"Did he specifically include me?" demanded the Countess in an altered
tone.

"I think, mamma, he did,