Frederick von Austerheim, a cold and disciplined Imperial general, had just returned from months of military service when he saw a beautiful girl riding a bicycle—later revealed as a servant's daughter. Intrigued, he wandered into the estate garden, sat briefly, and heard rustling above. Suddenly, she fell from a tree onto him. For the first time in years, he laughed, teasing her sharply, suspecting she had been secretly watching him.