This cousin of Franzchen’s whom they spoke of visiting, was a good-natured, but high-tempered woman, who had never been able to bear with Monsieur Deshalbens’ perverse and irritable temper; but at his death she would gladly have taken charge of her little cousin; Magda however would never consent that she should be separated from her, and they compromised the matter by going often to pay her a long visit, but this might easily be delayed on so important an occasion as the present. “We shall want a good many things,” said Magda, with a prudent and business like air, after a few minutes consideration; “I shall go at once to my father and get a draft for each of us. Shall I manage every thing myself?” “Pray do,” said Franzchen, who was still thinking of Carl Engleford. Magda found plenty to occupy her, and busied herself with preparing and packing; but at length the eventful day arrived, and with it the baroness’s carriage. “Is Lisette to go with us?” asked Franzchen, as she saw the girl descending the stairs, bonnet on and band-box and parcel in hand. “Certainly. We must have a waiting-maid at Radgardin castle,” answered her companion. They set off in high spirits. After a long and somewhat wearisome ride they approached the castle. It was a magnificent building, situated upon a winding river, which swelled out into a little lake before it. The commencement of the water was hidden from view by deep, dark woods, terminated by a distant range of blue mountains. Franzchen was fairly enchanted, as the coachman, exciting the spirited horses, whirled them at full speed along the smooth, level road entering the extensive pleasure-grounds. “Oh, Magda, look, look!” she cried, “what beautiful glimpses we catch of the water as we pass among the trees, and how finely the road winds down to the river!” Magda had been there before, but she now joined heartily in her friend’s admiration. Soon they drew up at the gate of the castle, were ushered up stairs, and received in the vestibule by the baroness. “Oh, my dear Magda, how delighted I am to see you—I knew you would come. Although I am rusticating here in the country just now, we shall not be very dismal, I can assure you. I have a delightful party coming to see me. The Margrave and Margravine of Baralt, the Landgrave of Durathor, the Dowager Countess of Hinkle, Baron Logrum, and better than all—” Here she was interrupted by her niece, who drew Franzchen forward to introduce her to her aunt, who immediately drew herself up—“was much gratified at the honor Mademoiselle Deshalbens had done her in accompanying her niece to her little country-house”—“hoped she was not fatigued by the journey,” and so on.