He went to work also, though with his defective training he had not the least hope of success.

When he sent off the finished drawing he avoided taking his mother into his confidence in order to protect her from disappointment.
On the day the prize was to be awarded the wish to see the work of the successful competitor drew him to Antwerp, and what was his surprise, on entering the hall, to hear his own name proclaimed as the victor's! His mother supported herself and him by a little business in soap.

To increase her delight he had changed the gold paid to him into shining five franc pieces.

His pockets almost burst under the weight, but there was no end to the rejoicing when he flung one handful of silver coins after another on the little counter and told how he had obtained them.
No one who heard him relate this story could help liking him.
Another distinguished visitor at Hirsau was Prince Puckler Muskau.
He had heard that his young Kottbus acquaintance had begun to devote himself to Egyptology.

This interested the old man, who, as a special favourite of Mohammed Ali, had spent delightful days on the Nile and made all sorts of plans for Egypt.