The Captain had done his best to oppose the plan of throwing the three ponds together into a single sheet of water.  The lower embankment would have to be made much stronger, the two intermediate embankments to be taken away, and altogether, in more than one sense, it seemed a very questionable proceeding.  However, both these schemes had been already undertaken; the soil which was removed above being carried at once down to where it was wanted.  And here there came opportunely on the scene a young architect, an old pupil of the Captain, who partly by introducing workmen who understood work of this nature, and partly by himself, whenever it was possible, contracting for the work itself, advanced things not a little, while at the same time they could feel more confidence in their being securely and lastingly executed.  In secret this was a great pleasure to the Captain.  He could now be confident that his absence would not be so severely felt.  It was one of the points on which he was most resolute with himself, never to leave anything which he had taken in hand uncompleted, unless he could see his place satisfactorily supplied.  And he could not but hold in small respect, persons who introduce confusion around themselves only to make their absence felt and are ready to disturb in wanton selfishness what they will not be at hand to restore.

So they labored on, straining every nerve to make Ottilie’s birthday splendid, without any open acknowledgment that this was what they were aiming at, or, indeed, without their directly acknowledging it to themselves.  Charlotte, wholly free from jealousy as she was, could not think it right to keep it as a real festival.  Ottilie’s youth, the circumstances of her fortune, and her relationship to their family, were not at all such as made it fit that she should appear as the queen of the day; and Edward would not have it talked about, because everything was to spring out, as it were, of itself, with a natural and delightful surprise.

They, therefore, came all of them to a sort of tacit understanding that on this day, without further circumstance, the new house in the park was to be opened, and they might take the occasion to invite the neighborhood and give a holiday to their own people.  Edward’s passion, however, knew no bounds.  Longing as he did to give himself to Ottilie, his presents and his promises must be infinite.  The birthday gifts which on the great occasion he was to offer to her seemed, as Charlotte had arranged them, far too insignificant.  He spoke to his valet, who had the care of his wardrobe, and who consequently had extensive acquaintance among the tailors and mercers and fashionable milliners; and he, who not only understood himself what valuable presents were, but also the most graceful way in which they should be offered, immediately ordered an elegant box, covered with red morocco and studded with steel nails, to be filled with presents worthy of such a shell.  Another thing, too, he suggested to Edward.  Among the stores at the castle was a small show of fireworks which had never been let off.  It would be easy to get some more, and have something really fine.  Edward caught the idea, and his servant promised to see to its being executed.  This matter was to remain a secret.