"This very day, if Uncle Franz will lend me a horse and you will furnish me with money. I can go to Fulda to-night, and see the count to-morrow morning. Then I can set out on my journey to Waldeck to-morrow afternoon." "I wish I could go," said Gustaf. "You must stay at home and take care of the mother and Greta," answered Philip, his spirits rising, as they always did when he found anything to do. "But if mother is willing, you shall come with me to Uncle Franz to see if he will lend me the old gray." "You are very confident," said Greta, feeling a certain degree of vexation for which she would have found it hard to account. "I don't believe you will find it so easy to gain access to all these grand people as you think. If you could persuade Louis Rosekranz to go—" She paused, and was provoked to find herself colouring under Philip's look and smile. "Louis Rosekranz is a good fellow, but I prefer to do my own business myself, little sister," said Philip. "I know all the good old count's ways exactly, even to the sunny terrace where I shall find him pacing up and down with two dogs after him at nine o'clock to-morrow morning. He never refuses to hear the poorest woman or child on his estate who comes to him with a petition.—Come, Gustaf; there is no time to lose." Philip found his uncle overflowing with rage at Captain Burger, and quite ready to lend him not only his best horse, but his best pair of pistols into the bargain. Another good fortune awaited him at the lodge in the person of his old friend, Count Maurice, who had come down for a few days' shooting. Count Maurice had grown older and graver, and was dressed in mourning. He remembered Philip directly, and on hearing the object of his journey, he at once offered his assistance. "I know Von Falkenstein, and will give you a note to him, which will save you so much time. He is a good-natured old man at heart, but you must not be discouraged if he is crabbed at first. He is a good deal like some of the stones of the mountain here—rough and hard without, but pure and clear within.—I hear that your mother is living and doing well. Does she still keep up her intention of going to America?" "Yes, Your Highness, but we do not speak of it yet. I hope Count Victor is well?" Maurice's face saddened. "Victor has left me," said he. "He died in great peace and hope a year ago. I may well do all I can for you, Philip, since to you was indirectly owing the comfort which brightened my dear brother's last days. But I cannot talk of it now. I am coming to see your mother before I leave. Here is your uncle with the horse; and a grand old fellow he is, with plenty of fire in him still. Are you sure you are equal to managing him?" "I think so, Your Highness!"