It was in this
room, thus crammed with books, that he used to entertain the little
parties he invited to sup with him. The repast was always frugal; the
conversation, on his part, such as might have gone into print. A
man-servant brought in the refreshments on a tray; or, sometimes, one of
his pupils officiated. His only sister, who kept house for him during the
greater part of his life, never made her appearance at these exclusively
masculine entertainments. He himself rarely paid any attention to the
progress of the meal, but seemed to be as much a visitor as any of his
guests. The little he needed was soon dispatched, and his thoughts were
again afloat, sounding along from theme to theme.
He never married, and, at the time I speak of, was almost alone in the
world. Neither father, nor mother, nor any other near relative remained to
him, save his sister, Johanna, whose care of him had need to be almost
maternal. Well-nigh every day in the year these two might be seen walking
out together to take the air. They went always arm in arm, a beautiful
embodiment of the tenderest affection. Hardly the king himself attracted
more attention in the street.
Pages:
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140