“Well, I’m not at all surprised he had a heart attack,” my mother said, loudly and cheerfully. “That bloated red face is always a sign. And the way he ate and drank.”

“He is a peasant. What can you expect,” Siegfried said. “Nothing good ever comes of elevating these people to positions of power. It goes to their heads. Let those who are bred to rule do the ruling—that’s how I was brought up.”

“Siegfried, you are so stuffy,” Matty said. Then she stood up. “I’m sorry the poor man has been taken ill, but enough gloom for one evening. It is my wedding celebration after all. Let’s bring in some music and dance a little.”

“Maria, do you think that’s seemly?” Siegfried asked.

“Oh, come on, Siegfried, it’s not as if there’s been a death in the house. He may be right as rain by tomorrow and he won’t be disturbed by us down here. These friends have come from all over Europe to celebrate with me and I want to dance.”

She gave a command and the carpet was rolled back. A pianist and violinist appeared and soon a lively polka was played. I stood beside Siegfried as Matty dragged one of the young counts onto the dance floor. Siegfried always looked as if there were a bad smell under his nose. At this moment the expression was exaggerated. Then he turned to me and clicked his heels.

“I should see if the patient requires anything of me,” he said. “After all, I am the host in my father’s absence. It is not right that I neglect Prince Nicholas in his hour of need.”

“Oh, I think that Dragomir has organized everything beautifully,” I said. “He’s a good man. Everything runs like clockwork here.”

“Yes, he is a good man,” Siegfried said.

“Is the administration of this castle his only responsibility, or is he usually in Bucharest with the royal family?”

“No, his duties are confined to this place,” Siegfried said. “He is not of Romanian birth, which would make him unpopular with the people.”

“But you are not of Romanian birth either,” I said, laughing. “None of the royal families in this region are natives of their countries.”

“Ah, but we are of royal blood. That is what matters. People would rather be ruled by true royalty, wherever they come from, than by upstarts who would abuse their power.”

“So where does Count Dragomir come from?”

Siegfried shrugged. “I can’t quite remember. One of those border areas that has changed hands many times, I think. Just as Transylvania itself used to be part of the Hapsburg Empire.”

“Interesting,” I said. “The history of this whole area is fascinating, don’t you think?”