A few days after the celebration at the castle the district attorney’s wife came to call on Mrs. Maxa.  She lost no time in telling her hostess that she counted on Baron Salo’s son joining the other three lads in town and that her husband had agreed to look up another room for him.  She had no doubt that the sons of the three most important families of Nolla ought naturally to live and study together, and she knew that every effort would be made to find Salo a suitable room, even if the application came rather late.  Mrs. Maxa did not need to mind these annoying negotiations now, but calmly replied that the Baron would send his nephew to the high school in the city and would undoubtedly make his own arrangements.  Mrs. Knippel, after remarking that her husband counted on seeing the Baron himself, withdrew.  A moment after she left Loneli came into the house to see Mea.

“Just think, Mea,” the peace-loving Loneli said to her, “I have a message for you from Elvira; she wants you to know that she is willing to forgive you on condition that she may meet Leonore.  She wants to be her friend and sit beside her in school.”

“It’s too late now, and it won’t help her.  I don’t care whether she wants to make up with me or not,” Mea said placidly.  “Neither Leonore nor I are going to school.  You won’t have to go either, Loneli, because a lady is coming to the castle to teach us all.  Baron Wallerstaetten and mama have settled it, so I know it.”

Loneli could hardly believe her ears, the surprise seemed too great.  “Then I shan’t have to sit on the shame-bench any more,” she said with a beaming face, for a heavy trouble was removed from her heart.

“You can ask Leonore if she wants to meet Elvira,” said Mea, for Leonore had stepped up to them.

But Loneli’s message held no interest whatever for Leonore, who wished for no new acquaintances.  She only desired to give the time she was not spending with her uncle to Mea and her brothers and sisters.  Least of all she wished to meet a girl who had been so disagreeable to her beloved Mea.

Uncle Philip had been away on a business trip.  On his arrival home he received the following note from his sister:  “If you still want to see Leonore with us, come as soon as possible.  She is going to live with her uncle at the castle in a very few days.  I shall tell you all about it when you come.”

He arrived the very next morning, and as soon as he met his sister, he exploded:  “I was quite sure, Maxa, that you would immediately deliver the little dove into the vulture’s claws.  I wish I had never put her in your care!”

“Come in, Philip and sit down,” Mrs. Maxa said composedly.  “We are going to have dinner in a moment, and then you will have the chance to ask the dove herself what she thinks of the vulture’s claws.”

Uncle Philip opened the door and found the children absolutely immersed in the recent events.  The instant he stepped over the threshold they rushed up to him and fairly flooded him with news.  Their speeches came thick and fast, and he heard nothing but manifestations of love for the dear, good Baron, Leonore’s charming uncle, the good, kind Castle-Steward.  Maezli had not given up this title even now.