Such had been the life of this house for generations, and good Duke Frederick neither would nor could break away from it.
Of all these painful conditions young Max was a suffering victim.

Did he sally forth to stick a wild boar or to kill a bear, the Master of the Hunt rode beside him in a gaudy, faded uniform.

Fore-riders preceded him, and after-riders followed.

He was almost compelled to hunt by proxy, and he considered himself lucky to be in at the death.

The bear, of course, was officially killed by Maximilian, Count of Hapsburg, no matter what hand dealt the blow.