Long, long afterwards she remembered that he shrank a little at the word, and that a flush of colour went over his face.
'I will,' he said simply; 'and it was not the kuttengeier for which I desired to be allowed to revisit Hohenszalras.'
'Well, if the monks starve you or weary you, you can remember that we are here, and you must not give their organ quite all the music that you bear so wonderfully in your mind and hands.'
'I will play to you all day, if you will only allow me.'
'Next time you come—to-morrow, if you like.'
He went away, lying listlessly in the little boat, for he was still far from strong; but life seemed to him very sweet and serene as the evening light spread over the broad, bright water, and the water birds rose and scattered before the plunge of the oars.
Had the sovereign mistress of Hohenszalras ever said before to any other living friend——to-morrow? Yet he was too clever a man to be vain; and he did not misinterpret the calm kindness of her invitation.
He went thither again the next day, though he left them early, for he had a sensitive fear of wearying with his presence ladies to whom he owed so much.
But the Princess urged his speedy return, and the châtelaine of Szaravola said once more, with that grave smile which was rather in the eyes than on the lips, 'We shall always be happy to see you when you are inclined to cross the lake.'
He was a great adept at painting, and he made several broad, bold sketches of the landscapes visible from the lake; he was famous for many a drawing brossé dans le vrai, which hung at his favourite club the Mirliton; he could paint, more finely and delicately also, on ivory, on satin, on leather. He sent for some fans and screens from Vienna, and did in gouache upon them exquisite birds, foliage, flowers, legends of saints, which were beautiful enough to be not unworthy a place in those rooms of the burg where the Penicauds, the Fragonards, the Pettitôts, were represented by much of their most perfect work.