I had to give him a specimen of my piano-playing and singing.

He shook his head.  ’The cricketer and the scholar have been developed at the expense of the musician; and music, Richie, music unlocks the chamber of satinrose.’

Late at night we separated.  Temple and I slept in companion-rooms.  Deadly drowsy, the dear little fellow sat on the edge of my bed chattering of his wonder.  My dreams led me wandering with a ship’s diver under the sea, where we walked in a light of pearls and exploded old wrecks.  I was assuring the glassy man that it was almost as clear beneath the waves as above, when I awoke to see my father standing over me in daylight; and in an ecstasy I burst into sobs.

’Here, Richie’—­he pressed fresh violets on my nostrils—­ ’you have had a morning visitor.  Quick out of bed, and you will see the little fairy crossing the meadow.’

I leapt to the window in time to have in view the little Princess Ottilia, followed by her faithful gaunt groom, before she was lost in the shadow of the fir-trees.

CHAPTER XIX

OUR RETURN HOMEWARD

We started for England at noon, much against my secret wishes; but my father would not afford the margravine time to repent of her violent language and injustice toward him.  Reflection increased his indignation.  Anything that went wrong on the first stages of the journey caused him to recapitulate her epithets and reply to them proudly.  He confided to me in Cologne Cathedral that the entire course of his life was a grand plot, resembling an unfinished piece of architecture, which might, at a future day, prove the wonder of the world:  and he had, therefore, packed two dozen of hoar old (uralt:  he used comical German) Hock for a present to my grandfather Beltham, in the hope of its being found acceptable.

‘For, Richie,’ said he, ’you may not know—­and it is not to win your thanks I inform you of it—­that I labour unremittingly in my son’s interests.  I have established him, on his majority, in Germany, at a Court.  My object now is to establish him in England.  Promise me that it shall be the decided endeavour of your energies and talents to rise to the height I point out to you?  You promise, I perceive,’ he added, sharp in detecting the unpleasant predicament of a boy who is asked to speak priggishly.  So then I could easily promise with a firm voice.  He dropped certain explosive hints, which reminded me of the funny ideas of my state and greatness I had when a child.  I shrugged at them; I cared nothing for revelations to come by-and-by.  My object was to unite my father and grandfather on terms of friendship.