Finally Delsarte entered and graciously received his royal visitor. The Prince was most affable and listened to Delsarte's fantastic theories, pretending to be interested in the explanation of the cartoons, and began to discuss the art of teaching, which exasperated Delsarte to the verge of impoliteness.
Prince Oscar offered to sing a Swedish song, a very simple peasant song, which he sang very well, I thought. The Swedish language is lovely for singing, almost as good as Italian. We looked for some words of praise; but Delsarte, adopting regency manners, which he can on occasions, said, in a most insinuating voice: "Your Highness is destined to become a king, one of these days. Is it not so?"
"Yes," answered the Prince, wondering what was coming next.
"You will have great responsibilities and a great deal to occupy your mind?"
"Without doubt."
"You will not have time to devote yourself to art?"
"I fear not."
"Eh bien!" said Delsarte, and we expected pearls to drop from his mouth, "eh bien! If ever I am fortunate enough to visit your country, I hope you will allow me to pay my most humble respects to you."
"How horribly impolite," said the indignant Monsieur Dué. "He ought to have his ears boxed!"
Prince Oscar took it quite kindly, and, giving Delsarte a clap on his back which I am sure made his shoulders twinge, said: "You are right; I shall have other things to think of. There"—pointing to diagram six on the wall, depicting horror, with open mouth and gaping eyes—"is the expression I shall have when I think of music and music-teachers."