In an hour’s time, the party again met at dinner in the saloon. By the joint exertions of Ernstorff and Mr. St. George’s servants, the Baron, Vivian, and the Chevalier de Boeffleurs were now seated next to the party of Lady Madeleine Trevor. “My horses fortunately arrived from Frankfort this morning,” said the Baron. “Mr. St. George and myself have been taking a ride very far up the valley. Has your Ladyship yet been to the Castle of Nassau?” “We have not. The expedition has been one of those plans often arranged and never executed.” “You should go. The ruin is one of the finest in Germany. An expedition to Nassau Castle would be a capital foundation for a pic-nic. Conceive a beautiful valley, discovered by a knight, in the middle ages, following the track of a stag. How romantic! The very incident vouches for its sweet seclusion. Cannot you imagine the wooded mountains, the old grey ruin, the sound of the unseen river? What more should we want, except agreeable company, fine music, and the best provisions, to fancy ourselves in Paradise?” “I wish the plan were practicable,” said Mr. St. George. “I take the whole arrangement upon myself; there is not a difficulty. The ladies shall go on donkeys, or we might make a water excursion of it part of the way, and the donkeys can meet us at the pass near Stein, and then the gentlemen may walk; and if you fear the water at night, why then the carriages may come round: and if your own be too heavy for mountain roads, my britzska is always at your command. You see there is not a difficulty.” “Not a difficulty,” said Mr. St. George. “Madeleine, we only wait your consent.” “I think we had better put off the execution of our plan till June is a little more advanced. We must have a fine summer night for Violet.” “Well, then, I hold the whole party present engaged to follow my standard, whenever I have permission from authority to unfold it,” said the Baron, bowing to Lady Madeleine: “and lest, on cool reflection, I shall not possess influence enough to procure the appointment, I shall, like a skilful orator, take advantage of your feelings, which gratitude for this excellent plan must have already enlisted in my favour, and propose myself as Master of the Ceremonies.” The Baron’s eye caught Lady Madeleine’s as he uttered this, and something like a smile, rather of pity than derision, lighted up her face. Here Vivian turned round to give some directions to an attendant, and to his annoyance found Essper George standing behind his chair. [Illustration: frontispiece] “Is there anything you want, sir?” “Who ordered you here?” “My duty.” “In what capacity do you attend?” “As your servant, sir.” “I insist upon your leaving the room directly.” “Ah! my friend, Essper George,” said Lady Madeleine, “are you there? What is the matter?” “This, then, is Essper George!” said Violet Fane. “What kind of being can he possibly be? What indeed is the matter?”