"I was once, your Majesty; but fortune deserted me, and I became through necessity a labourer."
"That is sad, perhaps your luck may improve in the future."
"I hope so, your Majesty."
"What made you come to Karena?"
"I had heard of your Majesty's generosity to all artists, and thought that there might be work for me. I always like to be at work in some studio."
"Have you any of your own efforts with you?"
"Unfortunately, no, your Majesty."
"Well, we must see what you can do; there is always room for talent here."
"I thank your Majesty most sincerely."
I opened the portfolio, and the man withdrew. The sketches were of absorbing interest, most of them being the slight personal things an artist sometimes values more than his finished pictures. All were good; evidently Herr Bjornston had spent a great many years getting them together, as some of them were dated ten or twelve years previously. Most of them bore signatures famous throughout the world. I was so interested that I forgot all about the time, and it was only when I had looked at the last sketch, that I remembered, and pulled out my watch--good heavens, it was a quarter to ten! I closed the portfolio, and sat back in the chair to push it away from the table. Herr Bjornston was very late in spite of his man's assurances; still, it did not matter, I had had a pleasant visit, and there was nothing of importance that I wished to say to him.