"We shall see each other again. You will visit me. I do not leave
for a number of weeks—I doubt if this porcelain comes from
Meissen as Maryan insists. In what year was the factory in
Meissen?"
"In 1709," answered Maryan, and to Kranitski he said:
"Adieu, my good friend, adieu; be well, and write to me sometimes. Thou wilt find the address with Emil."
He turned to the door; Kranitski held him by the hand, however, and looked into his face with eyes which were mist-covered.
"Then it has come to this; for long years! It may be forever!"
"Well, well! See, thou art growing tender," began Maryan, but he stopped, and over his rosy face passed something like a shade of feeling.
"Well, my old man, embrace me!"
And when Kranitski had held him long in his arms, he said:
"La! La! leave regrets! Some ancient poet has told us that man is a shadow that is dreaming of shadows. We have been dreaming, my good friend-.The only cure is to jest at every thing, come what may!"
With these words, Maryan went to the anteroom and put on his overcoat; meanwhile, the baron said: