MEN I HAVE PAINTED
how pleased he will be to hear you speak his own beloved tongue.
"On taking leave, the doctor and the Count and Countess were warmly embraced and kissed on both cheeks, and as I stood looking on, I wondered whether the Prince would do the same to me, but he only shook my hand, and said I might come again.
"Two days after I went again, and this time prepared to make a drawing in pastel. Count Herbert Bismarck and his young wife had just arrived from Switzerland, where they had been spending their honeymoon. We sat down en famille. I was the only stranger. This time the conversation was almost all in English—save when private affairs were being discussed—Count Herbert and his wife being ready and fluent in the language.
"The little Princess looked very sweet and gentle, and wore a plain gray walking dress. Count Herbert is rough and ready, and although he was talkative and agreeable to me, I can easily imagine that his reputation for rudeness is well founded.
"Before breakfast I had asked the butler to have my pastels and paper all ready, and as soon as the pipe was lighted I drew back my chair and commenced the drawing. The Prince puffed his pipe, read the newspapers, made comments now and again to the Princess, and sometimes marked passages with an enormous lead pencil, which had been brought to him by one of the servants. I worked about an hour, when the Prince rose, asked to see the sketch, made a criticism or two, and then wished me good-bye. By this time you can imagine that I was in a great state of excitement, and trembling with nervousness. I was very pleased as well, for I had my sketch.
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