was growing up to be a very fine fellow and would be rich--Greifenstein
did not state the amount of his fortune. He apprehended that his cousin
would consider Greif a good match from a worldly point of view.
Furthermore, though barely twenty, the young man was deeply attached to
Hilda, who was just fifteen, The attachment was evidently likely to
turn into love when both should be three or four years older. If Frau
von Sigmundskron would consent, a preliminary, verbal agreement might
be made, subject to the will of the two children when the right time
should come, it being essentially necessary, as Greifenstein remarked
in his stiffest manner, that two young people should love each other
sincerely if they meant to marry.

The baroness opened her clear blue eyes very wide, as though she had
seen a coach and four laden with sacks of gold driving through the old
gates of the castle. But she was far too well bred to burst into tears,
or to exhibit any embarrassment, or even an improper amount of
satisfaction. She replied that she was much obliged; that she was poor,
and that Hilda would inherit nothing whatsoever except Sigmundskron, a
fact which her cousin must please to understand from the first; that,
if the absence of any dower were not an obstacle, it was not for her to
create difficulties; and, finally, that she believed Hilda to be quite
as much attached to Greif, as Greif to her. Thereupon Berbel was sent
to fetch a bottle of wine--there had been half a dozen bottles in the
cellar thirteen years ago, and this was the first that had been opened--
and Greifenstein refreshed himself therewith and departed, as stiffly,
courteously and kindly as he had come.

Greif had come over as often as he pleased during his vacations, and
had written whenever he liked during his terms. Never having seen any
one at home or abroad whom he considered comparable with Hilda, he had