Within the week, one cold winter morning, the carriage of Herr von Wallmoden stood at his palace door. It seemed to be preparing for a long excursion, for servants were carrying furs and travelling rugs to it, while upstairs in the room where they had just breakfasted, the Ambassador was taking leave of Colonel Falkenried.
"Until to-morrow evening, _auf wiedersehen_," he was saying as he shook hands. "We shall be back by that time without fail, and you will surely remain a few days longer?"
"Yes, since the Duke wishes it so particularly," answered the Colonel. "I have so reported it to Berlin, and my report left on the same train that carried yours."
"Yes, I believe they will be satisfied with these reports; but it has been a hot time. We had no rest all those days. Now, fortunately, everything is arranged, and I can afford to absent myself for twenty-four hours to drive to Ostwalden with Adelaide."
"Ostwalden is the name of your new country home? I remember that you spoke of it yesterday. Where is it situated?"
"About two miles from Furstenstein. Schonan drew my attention to it while we were with him and I looked at the place at that time. It is rather an extensive possession in the famous Wald, beautifully situated, but the price was too high at first, which has delayed the settlement. We have but now come to a final understanding."
"I believe Ada is not quite satisfied with your selection. She seems to have something against the vicinity of Furstenstein," interrupted Falkenried, but the Ambassador only shrugged his shoulders carelessly.
"A caprice, nothing more. At first Adelaide was quite delighted with Ostwalden, but later she raised all sorts of objections--but I cannot pay any attention to that. I shall probably remain there for considerable periods, as I no longer like to travel far in the summer. A country seat which is only four hours removed from town is therefore of great value to me. The castle itself is in rather a dilapidated condition at present, but something can be made of it. With appropriate changes and additions it can be made a really superb residence, and I intend doing that. I shall therefore look it over carefully, so that the plans can be finished as soon as possible. I have not been there as yet since I bought it."