The Grand Marshal, much discomposed, answered:
"I assure your Highness, with the greatest respect, that I know how to value your confidence, yet this commission fills me with consternation; for it exposes me to the danger of exciting the displeasure of my gracious master. I have had opportunities of remarking that one cannot count upon gratitude from these people."
"You must not offer him anything; only endeavor to make him express some wish," replied the Sovereign dryly.
"But if this wish should exceed the bounds of moderation?" asked the Marshal hesitatingly.
"Take care not to object to it; leave it to me to decide whether I consider it immoderate. Send me a report immediately."
The Sovereign gave the signal of dismissal; watched sharply his bow and departure, and looked after the departing gentleman and gravely shook his head.
"He is not old, and yet the curse has overtaken him; he becomes grotesque. Here is another riddle of human nature for you learned gentlemen: the person who has every hour to control his countenance and manner, to whom the most rigid tact and correct forms are necessary in his daily intercourse, should, just when he becomes older, lose this best acquisition of his life, and become troublesome by his weak chattering and unrestrained egotism. You know how to answer. Emperor Tiberius, why your service, clever man, gradually made your servants caricatures of your own character? Now they have revenged themselves on you; it is all right. There is a desperate rationality in the links of the world. O misery, misery, that we should both have so little cause to rejoice at it!"
He groaned, and again buried his head in his hands.
Shortly after Ilse received the latest letters from home.