“Bless me, they have driven quickly!” exclaimed her father, whose face had cleared at the news.  “Are the guest chambers in order?”

Toni nodded composedly, as if to say her duties were never neglected; then, as her father left the terrace to watch the approach of the guests, Frau von Eschenhagen, with a glance at the basket which the girl carried on her arm, said: 

“Well, Toni, you are always busy.”

“I have been in the kitchen-garden, dear auntie.  The gardener declared there were no more ripe pears, so I went out to see for myself, and picked a whole basket full.”

“That’s right, my child,” said her future mother-in-law, highly pleased, “you must keep an eye on the servants and use your hands, too, occasionally, if you want to get on in this world.  You’ll make a fine housekeeper.  But come, now, we must go to meet your uncle, too.”

Herr von Schoenau was already far across the terrace, and was just starting down the broad flight of stone steps which led from the castle court, when a man stepped out from one of the side buildings, and stood, respectful and silent, with his hat off.

“Well, Stadinger, is that you?  What’s brought you to Fuerstenstein?” the head forester called out.  “Come here!”

Stadinger approached as commanded; in spite of his snow-white hair he came forward with a firm, erect step, while a pair of sharp, dark eyes peered out from his brown, weather-beaten face.

“I was with the castellan, Herr von Schoenau,” he explained, “and have been asking him to lend us a few of his servants to help us, for we’re busy up to our eyes at Rodeck, and have not people enough for all the work.”

“Ah, yes, Prince Egon is back from his Oriental tour.  I heard that before,” said Schoenau.  “But how does it happen that he’s come to such a small place as Rodeck, with little room and less comfort?”

Stadinger shrugged his shoulders.  “Heaven knows!  But our young prince follows his own sweet will, and no one dare ask why.  One morning the news came, and the castle people hardly know whether they are standing on their heads or their heels.  I had enough trouble to get the place ready in two days.”

“I can believe that; no one has visited Rodeck for years, but the prince’s visit will put some life in the old walls, at any rate.”

“Well, it turns everything topsy-turvey,” growled the castle steward.  “If you only knew how we have been upset, Herr Schoenau.  The hunting-room is crammed full of lion and tiger skins, and all sorts of stuffed animals, and monkeys and parrots are sitting around in all the rooms.  The whole place is in such an uproar from them that one can’t hear one’s self speak.  And now his highness has just announced to me that there are a troop of elephants and a great sea-serpent on the way.  I think I struck a blow at them, though.”

“What is on the way?” inquired the head forester, who did not believe he had heard aright.