is that Richie has been introduced here, and I intend
him to play a part here. The grandson and heir of one of the
richest commoners in England--I am not saying commoner as a term of
reproach--possessed of a property that turns itself over and doubles
itself every ten years, may--mind you, may--on such a solid foundation
as that!--and as to birth, your Highness has only to grant us a private
interview.'

Temple was dazed by this mystifying address to him; nor could I
understand it.

'Why, papa, you always wished for me to go into Parliament,' said I.

'I do,' he replied, 'and I wish you to lead the London great world.
Such topics are for by-and-by. Adieu to them!' He kissed his wafting
finger-tips.

We fell upon our random talk again with a merry rattle.

I had to give him a specimen of my piano-playing and singing.

He shook his head. 'The cricketer and the scholar have been developed
at the expense of the musician; and music, Richie, music unlocks the
chamber of satinrose.'

Late at night we separated. Temple and I slept in companion-rooms.
Deadly drowsy, the dear little fellow sat on the edge of my bed
chattering of his wonder. My dreams led me wandering with a ship's diver
under the sea, where we walked in a light of pearls and exploded old
wrecks. I was assuring the glassy man that it was almost as clear
beneath the waves as above, when I awoke to see my father standing over
me in daylight; and in an ecstasy I burst into sobs.

'Here, Richie'--he pressed fresh violets on my nostrils--'you have had
a morning visitor. Quick out of bed, and you will see the little fairy
crossing the meadow.'

I leapt to the window in time to have in view the little Princess
Ottilia, followed by her faithful gaunt groom, before she was lost in
the shadow of the fir-trees.

CHAPTER XIX. OUR RETURN HOMEWARD

We started for England at noon, much against my secret wishes; but my
father would not afford the margravine time to repent of her violent
language and injustice toward him. Reflection increased his indignation.
Anything that went wrong on the first stages of the journey caused him
to recapitulate her epithets and reply to them proudly. He confided to
me in Cologne Cathedral that the entire course of his life was a grand
plot, resembling an unfinished piece of architecture, which might, at a
future day, prove the wonder of the world: and he had, therefore, packed
two dozen of hoar old (uralt: he used comical Germ