after being observed on the other side of the barrier at one instant, in another she was beheld close beside the spectator.  In such moments, when her eyes sparkled, her cheeks reddened, and her whole frame became animated, it was pretended that the opal clasp amid her tresses, the ornament which she never laid aside, shot forth the little spark, or tongue of flame, which it always displayed, with an increased vivacity.  In the same manner, if in the twilight hall the conversation of Hermione became unusually animated, it was believed that the jewel became brilliant, and even displayed a twinkling and flashing gleam which seemed to be emitted by the gem itself, and not produced in the usual manner, by the reflection of some external light.  Her maidens were also heard to surmise, that when their mistress was agitated by any hasty or brief resentment (the only weakness of temper which she was ever observed to display,) they could observe dark-red sparks flash from the mystic brooch, as if it sympathized with the wearer’s emotions.  The women who attended on her toilette farther reported, that this gem was never removed but for a few minutes, when the baroness’ hair was combed out; that she was unusually pensive and silent during the time it was laid aside, and particularly apprehensive when any liquid was brought near it.  Even in the use of holy water at the door of the church, she was observed to omit the sign of the cross on the forehead, for fear, it was supposed, of the water touching the valued jewel.

“These singular reports did not prevent the marriage of the Baron of Arnheim from proceeding as had been arranged.  In the course of twelve months the lovely baroness presented her husband with a daughter, which was to be christened Sibylla, after the count’s mother.  As the health of the child was excellent, the ceremony was postponed till the recovery of the mother from her confinement; many were invited to be present on the occasion, and the castle was thronged with company.  It happened that amongst the guests was an old lady, notorious for playing in private society the part of a malicious fairy in a minstrel’s tale.  This was the Baroness of Steinfeldt, famous in the neighbourhood for her insatiable curiosity and overweening pride.  She had not been many days in the castle, ere, by the aid of a female attendant, who acted as an intelligencer, she had made herself mistress of all that was heard, said, or suspected, concerning the peculiarities of the Baroness Hermione.  It was on the morning of the day appointed for the christening, while the whole company were assembled in the hall, and waiting till the baroness should appear, to pass with them to the chapel, that there arose between the censorious and haughty dame whom we have just mentioned, and the Countess Waldstettin, a violent discussion concerning some point of disputed precedence.  It was referred to the Baron von Arnheim, who decided in favour of the countess.  Madame de Steinfeldt