Aloud he said-- "You can be sure, sir, that there won't be much trouble about the officers who are going to be quartered here. I know all about it from Mamsell Christine. Only a colonel, a major, a couple of captains, and some six lieutenants or so, and perhaps a surgeon-major. None of our princes, and certainly none of theirs. A mere handful for a large place like this; they'll be lost, like currants in a bun. And you can remain in these rooms, where we always have been, and you'll see none of them, for I don't suppose they'll have this blessed man[oe]vre in the garden below." "I do not know at, all what you want with your everlasting man[oe]vres," Bertram exclaimed angrily. He had gone back, to the open window, through which there came a strong current of air. Konski went and closed the door of the adjoining room, then stepped up to within a certain respectful distance of his master, and said modestly, lowering his voice-- "I beg your pardon, sir, but what does it matter, after all, if Miss really comes ..." "What do you mean?" Bertram said without turning round. "What has that to do with my going or staying? Why should the little one not come?" Konski rubbed up his stiff black hair with a certain sly smile, and said-- "Not Miss Erna; the other lady--who is never allowed to come when you are here." "Lydia? Fräulein von Aschhof? Are you mad?" Bertram turned round with the rapidity of lightning, and now uttered these words in a rough tone, whilst his eyes, generally so gentle, shone out in great anger. Konski was frightened; but his curiosity was greater than his terror. He would gladly have at last learned the real truth about the young lady who was not allowed to come when his master came on a visit to Rinstedt, and whom he had therefore never yet seen, although in the course of years he had accompanied his master half a dozen times. But he was once more doomed to disappointment; his master had suddenly become perfectly calm again, or at least preserved the appearance of perfect calmness, and now asked in his usual voice-- "From whom have you got your information? Of course from Mamsell Christine?" "From Mamsell Christine, of course," Konski made answer. "And she got it from My Lady?" "From her Ladyship direct." "And when is the lady expected to arrive?" "This very evening, along with Miss Erna; and there will also come a Baron Lutter or Lotter--I could not quite make the name out; they pronounce things so queerly here in Thuringia." "Well, well!"