The count replied that a renewal of his lease was not necessary. The new owner of the castle having neglected to serve a notice to quit within the proper time, the old contracts were still valid. Therefore, it was only necessary to secure the naturalization documents, and to purchase a plot of ground on the shore of the lake. The young lawyer arranged these matters satisfactorily, and the count had nothing further to do than to appoint an _absentium ablegatus_ to the Diet, and to take possession of his new purchase, which lay adjacent to the Nameless Castle. The count at once had the plot of ground inclosed with a high fence of stout planks, engaged a gardener, and had it transformed into a beautiful flower-garden. Then, when the first spring blossoms began to open, he said to Marie, one balmy, sunshiny afternoon: "Come, we will take a promenade." He conducted the veiled maiden through the park, along the freshly graveled path to the inclosed plot of ground. "Here is your garden," he said, opening the gate. "Now you, too, own a plot of ground." Count Vavel had expected to see the little maid clap her hands with delight, and hasten to pluck the flowers for a nosegay. Instead, however, she clung to his arm and sighed heavily. "Why do you sigh, Marie? Are you not pleased with your garden?" "Yes; I think it beautiful." "Then why do you sigh?" "Because I cannot thank you as I wish." "But you have already thanked me." "That was only with words. Tell me, can any one see us here?" "No one; we are alone." At these words the little maid tore the veil from her face, and for the first time in many years God's free sunlight illumined her lovely features. What those features expressed, what those eyes flashed through their tears, that was her gratitude. When she had illumined the heart of her guardian with this expressive glance, she was about to draw the veil over her face again; but Ludwig laid a gently restraining hand on hers, and said: "Leave your face uncovered, Marie; no one can see it here; and every day for one hour you may walk thus here, without fear of being seen, for I shall send the gardener elsewhere during that time." When they were leaving the garden, Marie plucked two forget-me-nots, and gave one of them to Ludwig. From that day she had one more pleasure: the garden, a free sight of the sky, the warmth of the sunlight--enjoyments hitherto denied her; but, all the same, the childlike cheerfulness faded more and more from her countenance. Ludwig, who was distressed to see this continued melancholy in the child's face, searched among his pedagogic remedies for a cure for such moods. A sixteen-year-old girl might begin the study of history. At this age she would already become interested in descriptions of national customs, in archaeological study, in travels. He therefore collected for Marie's edification quite a library, and became a zealous expounder of the various works.