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sending him to you where I know he will be very thrilled with your horses and learn to ride as brilliantly as you do yourself.
    It is also most important for him to get to know all about the three Austrian Principalities that are still free of the Prussian yoke.
    But to mix with people it is wiser for him not to use his real title. He will therefore just be the Count Franz von Hofmannstall .”
    Prince Lászlé had welcomed Count Franz to Opava with open arms, but he was just a little perturbed that his daughter was now taking him away with her.
    â€œI will not keep him long, Papa,” Zoleka said as she read his thoughts, “but it will be very good for him to see what Krnov is really like and it is he who will be bringing you the most secret reports I will be sending you.”
    â€œI see your reasoning, my dearest, and of course it is most astute of you.”
    â€œThank you, Papa. I have asked the Count to ride in charge of my Mounted Escort.”
    She paused for a moment before she added,
    â€œI have also asked him to choose the six men who will form the Escort.”
    The Prince threw back his head and laughed.
    â€œYou are certainly doing it in style, dearest, but you are quite right! Let them see from the very beginning that you intend to behave as Royalty which, from what I hear, they are not doing in Krnov.”
    They did not hurry over breakfast because the border was only three hours drive away and if they were to arrive at luncheon time, there was no reason to leave before ten o’clock.
    Zoleka made the most of the time with her father.
    Only when it was nearly ten did she go upstairs to put on her hat and make sure Marla had packed everything they required.
    When she came down again, the two carriages were outside the door.
    The one Zoleka was to travel in was large and most imposing. It was the one her father always used on State occasions and was drawn by four perfectly matched white stallions.
    The coachman and footman were dressed in Opava State livery and looked extremely smart.
    Zoleta had already told the Count that they were to arrive with a flourish and all flags flying!
    He too was dressed in his smartest uniform with a splendid feathered hat and he was riding one of her father’s most spirited and best-bred horses.
    The Escort consisted of six uniformed Cavalrymen who were also beautifully turned out.
    There was a distinct smile and a twinkle in the eyes of Prince Lászlé when he saw his daughter off.
    â€œGoodbye, darling Papa,” she called. “I am trying to think of this as the beginning of an adventure, but I keep wishing you were coming with me.”
    â€œI would find it very amusing. You must write and tell me all about their reactions to your appearance. It will undoubtedly be a shock to the Krnovians!”
    â€œThat is just what I intend it to be!”
    She put her arms round her father’s neck.
    â€œPlease, darling Papa, think of me and pray for me. Without you it is all rather frightening.”
    â€œYou can be sure I shall be praying for you every day and missing you.”
    He kissed her again as she stepped into the carriage.
    Pieter Seitz, also smartly dressed, was in attendance and they drove off.
    Zoleka waved to her father until they were out of sight.
    She could see with some satisfaction that they were being followed by another large carriage in which Marla was sitting with all the luggage.
    *
    The horses were fresh and they moved swiftly over the roads which the Prince had insisted must be improved all over Opava.
    â€œIf there is one thing I dislike,” he had often said, “it is rough rocky roads when they need not be so.”
    He had therefore given a great deal of employment to men out of work and they had widened and resurfaced the roads in every part of the Principality.
    As they drove along, Zoleka said to Pieter Seitz,
    â€œI know my Papa has told you why we are going and how important our mission is,