The coach stopped, and it was discovered that no one occupied it; only the discarded shawl and traveling-wraps told that women had been riding in the conveyance.
The general consternation which ensued was ended by the agent from Vienna, who drove up in a second vehicle.

He explained that the baroness and her companion had alighted at the park gate, whence they would proceed on foot up the shorter foot-path to the manor.

And thus ended all the magnificent preparations for the reception! A servant now came running from the village, his plumed _czako_ in one hand, and announced that the baroness awaited the dignitaries at the manor.
This was, to say the least, exasperating! A whole week spent in preparing--for nothing! You may be sure every one had something to say about it, audibly and to themselves, and some one was even heard to mutter: "This is the _second_ mad person come to live in Fertoeszeg." And then they all betook themselves, a disappointed company, to their homes.
The baroness, who had preferred to walk the shorter path through the park to driving around the village in the dust for the sake of receiving a ceremonious welcome, was a lovely blonde, a true Viennese, good-humored, and frank as a child.

She treated every one with cordial friendliness.

One might easily have seen that everything rural was new to her.