Match-making. 271 



I, of course, had taken care to inform Miss von D of the 



sickness of the poor man, and though she was at that time not 

 in love with him, she hked him much, and I was justified in 

 my belief that he would not be refused. 



To propose in writing would not do, and it was at last 

 resolved that the Colonel should remember an invitation of 

 the Baron's, made to us all at a dinner, to come and visit him 



in Kurland. This Lieut.-Colonel O really did, somewhat 



to the embarrassment of the Baron, who probably suspected 

 his intention, and did not want to part with his lovely daughter, 

 for he took the utmost care not to leave him alone with her 

 for a single moment. Thus the day of departure approached 

 without the Colonel having had an opportunity of making a 

 declaration to the lady. He was in despair, when at last a 

 chance was offered. The Baron had to leave the room for a 

 few moments, and when he returned the proposal of the 

 Colonel had been accepted by his daughter. He stormed and 

 fumed, but the young lady had a will of her own, and the 

 Colonel returned to Coblentz a happy man. 



When the weather was fine we made visits in the country, 

 either riding there on horseback or going by rail or steamer. 

 An Irishman, Mr. ]\Ioriarty, had bought the old Castle of 

 Lahnstein, a short distance from Coblentz, and restored it in a 

 splendid manner. He was an agreeable man ; we became 

 acquainted with him and savv him often, either in Coblentz or 

 at his castle, where he used to receive us in the most friendly 

 and hospitable manner. 



Another castle not far from Coblentz belonged to the 



princely family of S W , and was occupied by the 



Princess Dowager of W . She had been once a great and 



celebrated beauty, and was still a strikingly handsome, very ac- 

 complished, and most amiable woman. Her castle was 

 splendid, and its church and chapels quite delighted me. 

 With all this and all her riches she was not happy, for her 

 sons gave her a great deal of trouble. The eldest son and 

 heir was such a scapegrace that he was judged unfit to become 



the head of that branch of the house of \V . He was 



therefore induced to renounce his birthright in favour of his 

 second brother. But, alas ! this second son turned out no 

 better, and both these brothers shocked the whole high nobility 

 by marrying to Jew girls — sisters, daughters of a Berlin usurer. 



