She did not wish that there should be any solemn or formal procession, and they found their way in little parties, broken up, as they pleased, without rule or order, to the scene of action.  Charlotte staid behind with Ottilie, and did not improve matters by doing so.  For Ottilie being really the last that appeared, it seemed as if the trumpets and the clarionets had only been waiting for her, and as if the gaieties had been ordered to commence directly on her arrival.

To take off the rough appearance of the house, it had been hung with green boughs and flowers.  They had dressed it out in an architectural fashion, according to a design of the Captain’s; only that, without his knowledge, Edward had desired the Architect to work in the date upon the cornice in flowers, and this was necessarily permitted to remain.  The Captain had arrived on the scene just in time to prevent Ottilie’s name from figuring in splendor on the gable.  The beginning, which had been made for this, he contrived to turn skilfully to some other use, and to get rid of such of the letters as had been already finished.

The garland was set up, and was to be seen far and wide about the country.  The flags and the ribands fluttered gaily in the air; and a short oration was, the greater part of it, dispersed by the wind.  The solemnity was at an end.  There was now to be a dance on the smooth lawn in front of the building, which had been inclosed with boughs and branches.  A gaily-dressed working mason took Edward up to a smart-looking girl of the village, and called himself upon Ottilie, who stood out with him.  These two couples speedily found others to follow them, and Edward contrived pretty soon to change partners, catching Ottilie, and making the round with her.  The younger part of the company joined merrily in the dance with the people, while the elder among them stood and looked on.

Then, before they broke up and walked about, an order was given that they should all collect again at sunset under the plane-trees.  Edward was the first upon the spot, ordering everything, and making his arrangements with his valet, who was to be on the other side, in company with the firework-maker, managing his exhibition of the spectacle.

The Captain was far from satisfied at some of the preparations which he saw made; and he endeavored to get a word with Edward about the crush of spectators which was to be expected.  But the latter, somewhat hastily, begged that he might be allowed to manage this part of the day’s amusements himself.

The upper end of the embankment having been recently raised, was still far from compact.  It had been staked, but there was no grass upon it, and the earth was uneven and insecure.  The crowd pressed on, however, in great numbers.  The sun went down, and the castle party was served with refreshments under the plane-trees, to pass the time till it should have become sufficiently dark.  The place was approved of beyond measure, and they looked forward to a frequent enjoyment of the view over so lovely a sheet of water, on future occasions.