'First of all, dismiss those employés who have proved themselves incapable; put men of more power and intelligence in their place. I almost fear that you will have to change the entire staff.' 'Not for the world! Why, that would give rise to perplexities and disagreeables without end. It is painful to me to see all new faces about me, and it would take months before they settled down into harness, and got used to their work. Meanwhile, all the burden would fall upon me. I should have to do everything myself.' 'That is what you are master for. You can at least command those beneath you.' Edmund laughed. 'Ah, if I had your special liking and talent for command! In a month you would have metamorphosed Ettersberg, and in three years you would make of it a model establishment after the pattern of Brunneck. Now, if you were going to stay by me, Oswald, it would be different. I should have some one to back and support me then; but you are determined to go away in the autumn, and here shall I be all alone with unreliable or strange new servants to deal with. Pretty prospect, I must say! I have not formally taken possession yet, and the whole concern has become a worry to me already.' 'As Fate has willed that you should be heir to the estates, you must perforce bear the heavy burden laid upon you,' said Oswald sarcastically. 'But once more, Edmund, it is high time something should be done. Promise me that you will proceed to action without delay.' 'Certainly, certainly,' assented the young Count, who had visibly had enough of the subject. 'As soon as I can find time--just now I have so many other things to think of.' 'Things of more importance than the welfare of your estates?' 'Possibly. But I must be off now. Are you going straight back home?' The question was a particularly pointed one. Oswald did not notice this; he had turned away in evident displeasure. 'Certainly. Are not you coming with me?' 'No, I am going over to the lodge. The forester has my Diana in training, and I must go over and have a look at her.' 'Must your visit be made now?' asked Oswald, in surprise. 'You know that the lawyer is coming over from town at twelve o'clock to-day, to hold a conference with you and your mother on the subject of the lawsuit, and that you have promised to be punctual?' 'Oh! I shall be back long before then,' said Edmund lightly. 'Good bye for the present, Oswald. Don't look so black at me. I give you my word that I will have a thorough good talk with the steward to-morrow, or the day after. Any way, I will have it out with him, you may depend upon it.' So saying, he struck into a side-path, and soon disappeared among the trees. Oswald looked after him with a frowning brow.