the midday sun
With that exception , everything was a success , and the crowd which moved hither and thither over the broad , green meadow , near which Bucheneck lay , were in high spirits . The duke , who had handled his fowling piece with more than usual skill , was in the best of humors ; the duchess chatted gaily with the ladies , and the head forester fairly beamed with pleasure , for the prince had congratulated him warmly upon his faculty for doing perfectly all he undertook . Frau von Wallmoden , who kept near the duchess , was the object of much attention ; she was unquestionably the most beautiful woman there ; the others needed for the most part rich toilettes and glittering gems to set off their beauty . Here in the clear light of the midday sun , clad in dark riding habits , which permitted neither color nor adornment , many paled who were at other times very attractive in appearance , but Frau von Wallmoden , with her slender figure and erect bearing , which seemed especially suited to the saddle , her clear skin , large , earnest eyes and wealth of blonde hair so simply coiled , was a picture at which to gaze with unmitigated pleasure . In short , the `` northern light , '' as she was now commonly called at court , the prince having whispered the name , was the admired of all beholders , all the more so when it became known that the cold , statuesque beauty was soon to desert them . Frau von Wallmoden had received a letter from her husband yesterday , stating that his diplomatic business was ended , but that affairs in North Germany connected with the Stahlberg manufactories would detain him for some time longer . It was whispered that there were to be many important changes , great improvements were to be introduced , and in all this Baron von Wallmoden as executor and guardian of the only son , would have a decisive voice .