little pug-dog, which had mixed with this company. Here stood the
greyhound, with his long legs, beside the turnspit. You saw all
varieties, and each had its peculiar and melodious bark. A couple
of peacocks, with bright outspread tails, raised at the same time a
cry, which must have made an impression. The whole court-yard had a
striking air of cleanliness. The grass was weeded from between the
stones; all was swept and arranged in its appointed order. Before
the principal flight of steps grew four large lime-trees; their
tops, from youth bent together and then clipped short, formed in
spring and summer two large green triumphal arches. On the right
stood upon an upright beam, which was carved and formed into a
pillar, a prettily painted dove-cot; and its gay inhabitants
fluttered and cooed around. The peacock-pigeon emulated the peacock
in spreading its tail; and the cropper-pigeon elevated itself upon
its long legs, and drew itself up, as though it would welcome the
strangers with the air of a grand gentleman. The reddish-brown
tiles and the bright window-panes were the only things which had a
modern air. The building itself, from the stone window-seats to the
old-fashioned tower through which you entered, proclaimed its
antiquity. In the vaulted entrance-hall stood two immense presses:
the quantity of wood which formed them, and the artistical carving,
testified to their great age. Above the door were fastened a couple
of antlers.

The Kammerjunker's sister, Miss Jakoba, a young lady of about
thirty, neither stout nor thin, but with a strange mixture of
joviality and indolence, approached them. She appeared to rejoice
very much in the visit.

"Well, you are come over, then!" said she to Wilhelm. "I thought