Und schwuren beim heiligsten Namen,
Zu stürzen die Zwingherrenbrut!”
They went almost every evening to a neighbouring inn where they partook of a meal, the King being exceedingly modest in his demands, and not even requiring dinner-napkins or a tablecloth. He was in the habit of talking much to the landlord, whom he liked to give him information as to the mode of life of the Swiss peasantry.
The King’s relations with Kainz became somewhat cooler on the former’s side towards the end of their stay in Switzerland. One evening at Rütli Ludwig asked him to recite something from Schiller’s Wilhelm Tell. The actor was willing to do this, but put it off till later. At two in the morning Ludwig repeated his request, when Kainz replied that he was too tired to recite anything. Ludwig looked at him a moment in astonishment and was silent. At last he said: “Oh, you are tired, are you? Rest, then!” and turning on his heel walked away.
Hesselschwerdt and the landlord went with him to the steamer. When they were on board the landlord said: “Herr Marquis, Herr Didier has not yet come!” “Let him rest,” answered Ludwig; “we will go on.”
Kainz had himself rowed across to Brunnen, but the King had left when he arrived there. The actor followed him to Lucerne, and prayed Hesselschwerdt to announce him to the King. The former returned and said that his Majesty would receive him in the garden, if he did not wish to make up for his lost night’s rest. Ludwig appeared shortly afterwards. Kainz made several excuses, which the King interrupted, assuring him that he was glad to see him again, and that he regretted his own want of spirits. Although Ludwig treated him with familiarity, his extreme sense of self-esteem could not endure that a seemly line of demarcation should be passed by his young friend.
After the return from Switzerland he did not invite him again; nor did he ever again witness any performance of his on the stage, but for a short space of time he continued to carry on a correspondence with the actor. His last letter, in which he thanks Kainz for good wishes which the latter had sent him, concludes with the following words:—
“Probably Didier sometimes thinks kindly of his Saverny. My hearty greetings to you. All good spirits bless you. This is wished you with all his heart by your friendly,
“Ludwig.
“The Swiss châlet at Hohenschwangau, the 31st July, 1881, at night.”