The answer to her taunt was even more unexpected and astonishing than the
conversational outbreak which had provoked it.

"I am a von Cernogratz myself," said the old woman, "that is why I know
the family history."

"You a von Cernogratz? You!" came in an incredulous chorus.

"When we became very poor," she explained, "and I had to go out and give
teaching lessons, I took another name; I thought it would be more in
keeping. But my grandfather spent much of his time as a boy in this
castle, and my father used to tell me many stories about it, and, of
course, I knew all the family legends and stories. When one has nothing
left to one but memories, one guards and dusts them with especial care. I
little thought when I took service with you that I should one day come
with you to the old home of my family. I could wish it had been anywhere
else."

There was silence when she finished speaking, and then the Baroness
turned the conversation to a less embarrassing topic than family
histories. But afterwards, when the old governess had slipped away
quietly to her duties, there arose a clamour of derision and disbelief.

"It was an impertinence," snapped out the Baron, his protruding eyes
taking on a scandalised expression; "fancy the woman talking like that at
our table. She almost told us we were nobodies, and I don't believe a
word of it. She is just Schmidt and nothing more. She has been talking
to some of the peasants about the old Cernogratz family, and raked up
their history and their stories."