They were giving
her a world of staid counsel how to deport herself, what to say,
and in what manner to receive the expected lover.
The baron was no less busied in preparations. He had, in truth,
nothing exactly to do; but he was naturally a fuming, bustling
little man, and could not remain passive when all the world was
in a hurry. He worried from top to bottom of the castle with an
air of infinite anxiety; he continually called the servants from
their work to exhort them to be diligent; and buzzed about every
hall and chamber, as idly restless and importunate as a
blue-bottle fly on a warm summer's day.
In the mean time the fatted calf had been killed; the forests had
rung with the clamor of the huntsmen; the kitchen was crowded
with good cheer; the cellars had yielded up whole oceans of
Rhein-wein and Ferre-wein; and even the great Heidelberg tun had
been laid under contribution. Everything was ready to receive the
distinguished guest with Saus und Braus in the true spirit of
German hospitality; but the guest delayed to make his appearance.
Hour rolled after hour. The sun, that had poured his downward
rays upon the rich forest of the Odenwald, now just gleamed along
the summits of the mountains.
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