on the walls, with his motto and
his particular sign, such as a mug or a rake (I hope these did not
refer to his personal attributes). One that King Frederick wrote seems
to me to be very pathetic, and makes one think that his friends must
have been ultra-treacherous and false. It reads: "_Mein hilf in Gott.
Wildbracht allein ist treu_." ("God is my help. Wildbracht [the name of
his dog] alone is faithful.") Don't you think that has a sad note in
it?

[Illustration:
AALHOLM. BUILT IN 1100
In 1585 some changes were made and from time to time windows have been
cut through the walls.]

[Illustration:
INSCRIPTIONS IN ONE OF THE ROOMS AT AALHOLM, BEARING THE DATE 1585
Those at the top are: Left: "My hope is in God. Wildtbragt [his dog]
alone is faithful.--Frederick II., King of Denmark and Norway." Right:
"God forgets not His own.--Soffia, Queen of Denmark." Those below were
made by members of the court, who attached their individual marks
instead of signatures.]

MILAN, HOTEL MILAN, _October 17, 1886_.

Dear Aunt M----,--Just think what luck I have had. They say that
everything comes to those who wait, and what I have waited for has come
at last. I have seen and made the acquaintance of Verdi, the famous. He
always stops at this hotel, because he is a friend of the proprietor's,
Mr. Spatz, who, knowing my desire to meet Verdi, said that he would
arrange an interview. This he kindly did. Verdi received me in his
_salon_. He looks just like his photographs--very interesting face
with burning eyes. His welcome was just warm enough not to be cold. The
conversation opened, of course, on music. I said that I admired his
music more than that of any other composer in the world. This was
stretching a point, but it brought a pale smile to his verdigris
countenance (this is unworthy of the worst punster). I told him that I
often had the honor of singing with the Queen, and that we sang many
duets from his operas. He did not seem to be much impressed by this
miracle and received it with amiable indifference.

I longed to hear him talk, but with the exception of a few
"_veramentes_" and "_grazies_" he remained passive and silent. By way
of saying something he asked me if I had heard Tamagno in "Othello."

"Yes," I said. "I cannot think of anything more splendid. I never heard
anything to equal him, and Monsieur Maurel is equally fine, is he not?"

"His singing is well enough," answered Verdi, "but his accent is
deplorable."