Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/255

 the Count was a fish of another description, who must be played with cautiously, if she desired to have the honour of effectually hooking him. On his part, Ulric was simply ambitious of haying an affair of gallantry with the beautiful maid of honour, in order that, by eclipsing all his competitors, he might show how superior he was to them in the art of love, in the knowledge of the female heart. With these respective views the belligerent powers opened the campaign.

The lady experienced no small triumph, nay was, with all her airs, not a little flattered when she saw the darling of the Court, he who hitherto had shown himself proof against all serious impressions, doing homage to her charms. Now would she take full vengeance for his past indifference. His eyes, which heretofore had never rested on Lucretia, were now constantly fixed upon her alone; he followed her everywhere, as the day the sun. Every fête which he gave had immediate reference to her, no taste but hers was consulted in all his arrangements; he hesitated at no expense to carry out her suggestions, and did she disapprove of any contemplated feature, it was at once abandoned, even though the Empress herself had given it her sanction. It soon became obvious to what goddess all his sacrifices were offered, and it was openly said among the courtiers, that the Court had become a horn which played just