"That is an interesting old court!" exclaimed Otto.

"O, that is not to be compared with the Kammerjunker's!" returned
Wilhelm: "you should first see his!"

"Yes, you must come over some of these days," said the
Kammerjunker. "Silence, Fingal! Silence, Valdine!" cried he to the
barking dogs. A couple of turkey-cocks spread their feathers out,
and gobbled with all their might. Men and women servants stood at
the door: that was their reception!

"Thostrup will have the red room, will he not?" said Wilhelm, and
the friends ascended the stairs together.

A pale young girl, not free from freckles, but with eyes full of
soul, hastened toward them; this was Wilhelm's youngest sister. She
pressed her brother to her breast, and took Otto's hand with
kindness. She is not beautiful! was the first impression she made
upon him. His chamber was vaulted, and the walls painted in the
style of Gobelin tapestry; they represented the whole of Olympus.
On the left was an old fire-place, with decorations and a gilt
inscription; on the right stood an antiquated canopy-bed, with red
damask hangings. The view was confined to the moat and the interior
court. But a few minutes and Otto and Wilhelm were summoned to
table. A long gallery through two wings of the hall, on one side
windows, on the other entrances to the rooms, led to the dining-room.
The whole long passage was a picture-gallery. Portraits the size
of life, representing noble knights and ladies shining forth in
red powdered periwigs, children adorned like their elders, with
tulips in their hands, and great hounds by their sides, together