“_Venez_,” I say to her, “let us go out on to the balcony. Perhaps a bat may fly by for our amusement.” As I gracefully recline upon the parapet I hear a manly tread behind me. It is papa. He, too, leans upon the balcony, and at first says nothing. Then suddenly: “Pussy!” “What, papa?” “What are you doing?” “Questioning the bats, papa.” He laughs. “I’ll tell you something, but, mind, no chattering.” “Oh, no, papa.” “You won’t say a word?” “No, papa.” He looks straight into my eyes. “Not even to mamma?” And then he told me all about the young count’s coming visit. I merely asked did the Kronburgs keep a racing stud? Papa did not know--thought most probably not. Alas! Your MUSCHI. SEBENBERG CASTLE, November 10, 1882. DEAR NESTI: Do not be so impatient. I cannot sit all day long at my writing table keeping you informed as to our doings. We are not nearly so far advanced as you imagine; there is no talk of “congratulations” at present, and I beg above all things that you will not indulge in sentimentalities. The name of the _fiancé_--how ridiculous you are, child--is Carl, like our groom of the chambers, who, ever since the count’s arrival, has been called by his surname. He is not so tall as papa, though a very good height, and would have quite presentable feet if only he had a better bootmaker. But he wears square-toed boots that are simply hideous. He arrived in a kind of cloth tunic, which the poor fellow apparently had made expressly for traveling. I must find out who is his tailor, that I may duly warn all my friends against him. It is unfortunate, too, that he wears gloves like any commercial traveler, or one of the _jeunesse dorée_ of a German novel. Understand from this, Nesti, that I have not, by any means, made up my mind yet. The amusing part of it is the intense amiability displayed by papa and mamma toward him. It is irresistibly funny. Papa even kept quite wide awake last evening; and he, who usually takes no interest in talking to people about anything but their horses or dogs, began inquiring all about the laws of forestry in Swabia; whether land was farmed out there; if owners lived much upon their estates; what kind of hunting there was, et-z-r-a (which stands for “and so on.” I am afraid it is not the right way to write it, but, to tell truth, I never could do it properly).