“That might easily be effected,” the Captain said.  “In early times they must have formed all one lake among the hills here.”

“Only I must beseech you to spare my clump of planes and poplars that stand so prettily by the centre pond,” said Edward.  “See!” He turned to Ottilie, bringing her a few steps forward, and pointing down—­“those trees I planted myself.”

“How long have they been standing there?” asked Ottilie.

“Just about as long as you have been in the world,” replied Edward.  “Yes, my dear child, I planted them when you were still lying in your cradle.”

The party now betook themselves back to the castle.  After dinner was over they were invited to walk through the village to take a glance at what had been done there as well.  At a hint from the Captain, the inhabitants had collected in front of the houses.  They were not standing in rows, but formed in natural family groups; part were occupied at their evening work, part out enjoying themselves on the new benches.  They had determined, as an agreeable duty which they imposed upon themselves, to have everything in its present order and cleanliness, at least every Sunday and holiday.

A little party, held together by such feelings as had grown up among our friends, is always unpleasantly interrupted by a large concourse of people.  All four were delighted to find themselves again alone in the large drawing-room, but this sense of home was a little disturbed by a letter which was brought to Edward, giving notice of fresh guests who were to arrive the following day.

“It is as we supposed,” Edward cried to Charlotte.  “The Count will not stay away; he is coming tomorrow.”

“Then the Baroness, too, is not far off,” answered Charlotte.

“Doubtless not,” said Edward.  “She is coming, too, tomorrow, from another place.  They only beg to be allowed to stay for a night; the next day they will go on together.”

“We must prepare for them in time, Ottilie,” said Charlotte.

“What arrangement shall I desire to be made?” Ottilie asked.

Charlotte gave a general direction, and Ottilie left the room.

The Captain inquired into the relation in which these two persons stood toward each other, and with which he was only very generally acquainted.  They had some time before, both being already married, fallen violently in love with each other; a double marriage was not to be interfered with without attracting attention.  A divorce was proposed.  On the Baroness’s side it could be effected, on that of the Count it could not.  They were obliged seemingly to separate, but their position toward each other remained unchanged, and though in the winter at the Residence they were unable to be together, they indemnified themselves in the summer, while making tours and staying at watering-places.

They were both slightly older than Edward and Charlotte, and had been intimate with them from early times at court.  The connection had never been absolutely broken off, although it was impossible to approve of their proceedings.  On the present occasion their coming was most unwelcome to Charlotte; and if she had looked closely into her reasons for feeling it so, she would have found it was on account of Ottilie.  The poor innocent girl should not have been brought so early in contact with such an example.