“What are you going to wear with this gown?” asked Marietta.  “Roses of course, white or very delicate ones.  They will suit admirably with this faint blue.”

“No, I can’t get roses,” Toni declared.  “I shall wear china asters.”

“Better wear sunflowers.  Why should you, a young girl, just affianced, too, wear such autumnal flowers?  I do love roses so, and wear them whenever opportunity offers.  I was so disappointed that I couldn’t have one for my hair for the burgermeister’s party to-night, but there isn’t one to be had in Waldhofen.  It is getting late in the year for them.”

“The castle gardener has a rose tree in bloom in one of the hot-houses,” said Antonie in her sleepy manner, which formed so decided a contrast to her friend’s sharp, decisive tones.

Marietta shook her head with a laugh.  “They’re for the duchess without doubt, so we cannot beg for them, and must think of something in their stead.  And now that we are entering upon the toilet question, your presence, Herr von Eschenhagen, is quite unnecessary.  You don’t know anything about such matters, and our chatter must weary you greatly.  But in spite of all, you don’t desert us, and what have I done so very remarkable, pray, that you stare at me all the time?”

The words sounded very ungracious.  Will was startled, for the last question was only too true.  He had just been thinking how well a fresh, half-blown rose would look peeping from those dark, curly locks.  Toni, who had not observed how attentively he was gazing at her friend, now said good-naturedly: 

“Yes, Will, do go.  You’ll be wearied to death with our gossip, and I’m not half through yet—­I have a great deal to tell Marietta.”

“As you will, dear Toni,” answered her lover, hesitatingly.  “But I may come back again?”

“Of course, whenever you wish.”

Willibald went.  It did not annoy him in the least, this having to desert his post of observation.  He was thinking of something quite different as he stood for a moment alone in a little ante-room.  The result of his thoughts was that he left the castle a few minutes later, and directed his steps toward the head gardener’s quarters.

Scarcely had he left the room when Marietta sprang up exclaiming: 

“Heavens, but you’re a pokey pair of lovers!”

“But, Marietta,” said Toni, vexed.

“Yes, whether you are vexed with me or not, I must say it.  I had expected such a jolly time when I heard you were engaged.  You never were particularly lively, but as for this fiance of yours he don’t seem to know how to talk at all.  What in the world did he say when he proposed to you?  Or did his mother do it for him?”

“Don’t jest all the time,” said Toni, really angry now.  “It’s only in your presence he’s so silent; when we’re alone he can talk glibly enough.”

“Yes, over the new threshing-machine which he has invented himself.  I heard him talking about it just as I came in, and you were listening all ears.  Oh, you’ll be a pattern man and wife, and rule Burgsdorf in a most exemplary manner, but heaven protect me from such a happy marriage.”