The Nameless Castle

of green boughs-at the top of which gleamed the word "Vivat" in yellow roses-spanned the road, on either side of which were ranged twelve little girls in white, with flower-baskets i

ill. In the shadow of a spreading beech-tree were assembled the official personages: the vice-palatine, the county surveyor, the village pastor, the district physician, the justice of the peace, and the different attendants, county and state

h at the side of the road. They did not seek the shadow of a tree, because they wished peo

nn a gypsy band were tuning their instruments, while at the window of the church tower might have been seen two or three child faces; they were on the lookout for the new lady of the manor, in order that they might be ready to ring

long hair brushed back from the temples and held in place by a curved comb. The young men had thrust into the sides of their lambskin c

ing pleasantly enough. Maple wine mixed with mineral water was a very refreshing drink in the

e middle bench, drawing through the stem of his huge carved meerschaum the smoke of the sweet Veker tobacco. His figure was the living illustration of the ever true axiom: "Extr

the other, one eyelid was elevated above its fellow, and only one half of his mouth opened when he gave utterance to a remark. His part in the festive ceremony was the performance of the beneventatio; and although he had committed the speech t

r one on cookery, and he did not notice it until he began to read in the pulpit: 'The vinegar was-' Then he saw that he was reading a recipe for pickled gherkins. He had the pres

" returned the pastor, meekly, "if only I

he vice-palatine. "What is it? I hav

von Landskn

ed mustaches essayed to g

reat deal from a body at one time!" he c

mily name. The last Diet recognized her

he vice-palatine, and was clad in snuff-colored clothes. His face was cove

h the family, doctor?"

ther, who was a Markoczy. The baron sold the estate to his niece Katharina. You, Herr Surveyor, m

s profession, but little given to conversation. When he did open his l

could remember what he wanted to remark, the doct

hundred thousand florins for the

handsomer, it is said the new proprietress intends to take up a permanent

f rubbing together the palms of his hands, as i

some beautiful furniture from Vienna; also a piano, and a tuner to tune it. All the rooms at t

en invited here to meet her. It is as if she intended to let them know in advance that she did n't want their acquaintance. At any other celebration

over the mouthpiece of the

lighten you," res

ock' could tell us something about it,"

y clock." "They say that the baroness was betrothed to a gentleman from Bavaria, that th

ed the justice; "the se

bidden in Vienna and in Bavaria, the bridegroom withdrew from the engagement. In her grief over the affair, the sposa repudiata said farewe

ng worn only by H

egan to ring. It was followed by a

the highway; and soon afterward there appeared an outrider with three ostrich-plumes

st time took his little black book from his pocket, and satisfied himself that his speech was still in it. The coach stopped, and it

He explained that the baroness and her companion had alighted at the park gate, whence they would proceed on

plumed czako in one hand, and announced that th

exasperating! A whole week s

to say about it, audibly and to themselv

mad person come to

themselves, a disappointe

ly have seen that everything rural was new to her. While walking through the park she took off her hat and decorated it with the wild flowers which grew along the path. In the farm-yard she caught two or three little chickens, calling them canaries-a mistake the mother hen sought in the most emphatic

tallation dinner." Then she proceeded at once to inspect every corner and crevice-the kitchen as well as the dining-ro

s or feathers,' with no incense save that which rises from burning tobacco! This is why I avoided your parade out yonder on the highway. I want nothing but a cordial shake of your hands; and as regards the official formalities of th

ice-palatine gave utterance t

-ti-h

he baroness, "yo

arkocz. When our glorious Queen Maria Theresa recovered from the chicken-pox, she was bemoaning the disfiguring scars left

ntleman who has an anecdote to suit every occasion. I have

, our parish clergyman. He has a beautiful speech prepared to receive your ladyship; but h

will listen to your sermons on Sundays. I intend t

of Fert?szeg, who is celebrated not only for his surgical and medical skill, but is acknowledged here, as

ness. "I am devoted to gossip; and I shall manage to have some a

the survey

d expert mathematician. He will measure for you land, water, or

dy, indicating the vice-palatine's assistant, wh

t say: 'Audiat!' He is one of those persons of whom Cziraky said: 'My lad, don't trouble yourself to i

to draw back his head and se

vice-palatine of this county, and am cal

, laughing heartily, "I could n't comm

e way your ladyship

h other with our unpronounceable names, let us at once adopt th

rhood' of that sort, I always kiss th

roness, proffering, without affectation of maidenly coyness, the ceremoni

ask the gentlemen to go into the agent's office and conclude our official busin

exclaimed the justice, when their

h a malicious grin, "if the vice-palatine's wife shoul

he Scythians at these word

l be honorable enough not to g

ld succeed in getting beyond 'I say,' I won't answer for the safety of your secret, Herr Vice-palatine! When your wife hears,