Georg tells Max. "Play host for me. I need to go upstairs for a minute."

Max didn't notice the concerned look on his face. The guest didn't notice Georg had disappeared.

He climbed the stairs quickly and went straight to Maria's room. He saw Elsa leaving her room and heard her comment. "I'm sure you'll make a fine nun."

Georg stood there claring at her as his temper rose. "Elsa." She stopped suddenly when she heard his voice; he was the last person she expected to see.

Georg asked sternly as he walked closer to her. "Why were you in Maria's room?"

"Only helping her decide on a dress to wear."

"I believe Maria is old enough to pick out a dress to wear. I'll speak to you in a minute in your room."

"Georg knocked on Maria's door but opened it at the same time. He saw her bent over her bed crying.

"Maria, what's wrong?"

"Captain, please leave so I can get dressed." She stood up and held her robe in front of her.

"Maria, why is your carpetbag open?"

"I must leave her before I ruin everything."

In a softer tone Georg asked. "What did Elsa say to you?"

He sensed her uneasiness. "Did she tell you I was in love with you?"

All Maria could do was nod.

"Maria, I want you to get dressed for dinner. I'll be back to escort you there."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure.

After leaving her room, he walked to directly to Elsa's room. As soon as he opened the door he exclaimed.

"Elsa, I know you purposely went to Maria's room to scare her into leaving. But she's not the one leaving; you are. Pack your bags and Franz will take you to the train station to take the late train back to Vienna."

"Georg, you can't be serious. Maria's a postulate."

"I know that. It's a period of time during which she can change her mind. Maria loves my children and I believe she loves me too; she's too shy to admit it. Besides you don't hold my distain for the Nazis. I will leave my country rather than serve in their navy. Goodbye Elsa."

He closed the door forcibly behind him. And Elsa spoke to the room.

"I'm certain I can find a man who needs my money. And we can travel the world without any responsibilities. Those children would have taken up too much of Georg's time."

Georg raced down the back stairs to find Franz. He told him what he needed to do. He also had a thought. I wonder what happened.

Georg then hurried back upstairs and quietly knocked on Maria's door. She opened it immediately.

"Your dress is perfect. She was wearing the dress from the puppet show,

"Please take my arm and together we will go to dinner."

Maria smiled and thought, I feel like I'm Cinderella going to the ball with my prince.

Before entering the dining room, Georg spoke to one of the servers. "Please remove the place setting next to Max; it won't be needed."

"I'll do it immediately sir."

"Maria, take a deep breath; I can feel you shaking."

"I'll be okay once I sit down."

The other guests were either drinking another cocktail or speaking quietly with those around them. They didn't see them enter the dining room.

Georg pulled the chair away from the table so she could easily walk in front of to sit. He whispered. "There's no pinecone."

She laughed quietly and again sat as Sister Margareta had taught her. Georg smiled and remained standing. Soon everyone saw him and the room went quiet.

"T regret to inform the Baroness is ill; she will not be joining us for dinner. And let me thank you now for being my guests this evening."

The first course had already been served. It was a small bowl of soup with one large dumpling floating on top. The guests all waited for Georg to begin to eat. As people finished their soup they began to speak quietly to people around them.

A sipping wine was served next. It cleared one's palate before the next course was served. Georg watched Maria out of the corner of his eye; he knew she probably felt a little uncomfortable. He was sure this was the first really fancy dinner she had ever been to.

So he whispered to her. "You only need to take a sip of wine."

She nodded in relief. And Max thought. Elsa wasn't ill. Something else happened.

The second course was the main meal. Everyone's plate had one large breaded pork chop which had been baked. Also on the plate was a serving of green beans and a small serving of potatoes. A dinner wine was placed on each table.

"Maria, this is a light wine. You might like it."

Georg only filled her glass half full. He waited for her to take a sip.

"It's very fruity tasting. And you're right it doesn't seem to have too much alcohol. I'll finish it with my meal?"

When the servers saw most everyone was finished; the plates were collected. They were replaced with a smaller plate; the baskets of breads and platters of cheeses were placed on each table. And other wine was served.

Maria shook her head and smiled. "A person could get drunk after a meal like this."

Georg smiled. "Yes, it does happen occasionally."

Maria was already full. She only ate one piece of cheese and a small bread stick. She didn't even take a sip of this wine. She was delighted when the meal ended with desert and coffee.

Desert was a small piece of cake made from a tender buttery dough layered with a rich vanilla pastry cream and topped with sticky sweet almonds.

"This cake is very good, Captain."

"I'm glad you liked it. I see most people have finished eating. I'll stand; a sign the party is over."

The guest knew too and began to leave the dining room for the Great Hall. The road and the circle were crowded with cars and horse drawn carriages.

Maria and the Captain had watched them leave. "Will I see you at breakfast?"

"I'll be there with the children but I doubt I'll eat very much; I've never eaten that much food at one meal."

Georg watched her walk up the stairs thinking now I can court her properly.