These few words were dearer and more precious to the honest old man than all the jewels in the world could ever have become. But the offer of it and the gift of the gold for the Church's use had confirmed the high opinion in which he and the whole household of Hohenszalras held the departed guest.
'Allow at least that this evening will be much duller than last!' said the Princess, with much irritation.
'Your friend played admirably,' said Wanda von Szalras, as she sat at her embroidery frame.
'You speak as if he were an itinerant pianist! What is your dislike to your fellow creatures, when they are of your own rank, based upon? If he had been a carpet-dealer from the Defreggerthal, as I said before, you would have bidden him stay a month.'
'Dearest aunt, be reasonable. How was it possible to keep here on a visit a French Marquis of whom we know absolutely nothing, except from himself?'
'I never knew you were prudish!'
'I never knew either that I was,' said the Countess Wanda, with her serene temper unruffled. 'I quite admit your new friend has many attractive qualities—on the surface at any rate; but if it were possible for me to be angry with you, I should be so for bringing him as you did into the library last night.'
'You would never have known your spinet could speak if I had not. You are very ungrateful, and I should not be in the least surprised to find that he was a Crown Prince or a Grand Duke travelling incognito.'
'We know them all, I fear.'
'It is strange he should not have his name in the Hof-Kalender, beside the Sabran-Pontêves!' insisted the Princess. 'He looks prince du sang, if ever anyone did; so——'