All of us, dead with hunger when we reach America, claim to be sons of princes." Madariaga had placed himself on a familiar footing with his Teutonic treasure, not through gratitude as with Desnoyers, but in order to make him feel his inferiority.

He had also introduced him on an equal footing in his home, but only that he might give piano lessons to his younger daughter.

The Romantica was no longer framing herself in the doorway--in the gloaming watching the sunset reflections.

When Karl had finished his work in the office, he was now coming to the house and seating himself beside Elena, who was tinkling away with a persistence worthy of a better fate.

At the end of the hour the German, accompanying himself on the piano, would sing fragments from Wagner in such a way that it put Madariaga to sleep in his armchair with his great Paraguay cigar sticking out of his mouth.
Elena meanwhile was contemplating with increasing interest the singing gringo.