On my word of honour as a man and a gentleman, I pity the margravine--my poor good Frau Feldmarschall! Now, here, Richie,'-- my father opened a side-door out of an elegant little room into a spacious dark place, 'here is her cabinet-theatre, where we act German and French comediettas in Spring and Autumn.

I have superintended it during the two or more years of my stay at the Court.
Humph! 'tis over.' He abruptly closed the door.

His dress belonged to the part of a Spanish nobleman, personated by him in a Play called The Hidalgo Enraged, he said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder at the melancholy door, behind which gay scenes had sparkled.
'Papa!' said I sadly, for consolation.
'You're change for a sovereign to the amount of four hundred and forty-nine thousand shillings every time you speak!' cried he, kissing my forehead.
He sparkled in good earnest on hearing that I had made acquaintance with the little Princess Ottilia.

What I thought of her, how she looked at me, what I said to her, what words she answered, how the acquaintance began, who were observers of it,--I had to repair my omission to mention her by furnishing a precise description of the circumstances, describing her face and style, repeating her pretty English.
My father nodded: he thought I exaggerated that foreign English of hers; but, as I said, I was new to it and noticed it.

He admitted the greater keenness of attention awakened by novelty.
'Only,' said he, 'I rather wonder--' and here he smiled at me inquiringly.