"Because there is to me a double charm in music without words. Not only you hear the execution, but you can adapt your thoughts to the melody. Do you understand me?"
"Perfectly; your own thoughts become words to the air."
"Yes, you quite comprehend me," said she, with a gesture of satisfaction. "I feared I could not express what I felt just now."
"I thank God, cousin," said I, smiling, "you can have no words to set to so sad an air."
I know not whether my question was indiscreet or whether she had not heard me, but suddenly she exclaimed, pointing out to me the grand duke, who crossed the room with the archduchess on his arm, "Cousin, look at my father, how handsome he is! how noble! how good! Every one looks at him as if they loved him more than they feared him."
"Ah," cried I, "it is not only here he is beloved. If the blessing of his people be transmitted to their posterity, the name of Rodolph of Gerolstein will be immortal."
"To speak thus is to be, indeed, worthy of his attachment."
"I do but give utterance to the feelings of all present; see how they all hasten to pay their respects to Madame d'Harville!"
"No one in the world is more worthy of my father's affections than Madame d'Harville."
"You are more capable than any one of appreciating her, as you have been in France."