n his turn went to visit them; the empress was coughing, the little
prince had a temperature; there was never so much illness about as now,
the doctors declared. And a melancholy continued to brood through the
halls of the Imperial, through the whole town, where the imperial family
were no longer seen at the opera and at parties. Never had the daily
dinners at the Imperial been so short, with so few guests; and it made
an insurmountably sad impression not to see the empress seated next to
the emperor, delicate, distinguished, august, but in her stead the
Princess Thera, who seemed quite incapable of bringing a smile to
Oscar's grim and peevish features.

Othomar did not even know that those about the empress were anxious on
her behalf: she always received him with all the cheerfulness that she
could muster, in spite of the pain on her chest; the doctors told him
nothing, no one gave him the bulletins, every one tried to spare him;
and besides there was really less anxiety in the Imperial than in the
town and throughout the country. But the little prince received Othomar
with less meekness than did the empress; and every day there were silent
rages, sulking displays against the doctors for keeping him in bed.

Once, when the crown-prince came to see Berengar, the doctors were with
him; the fever had increased, but the little prince wanted to get out of
bed; he was naughty, used ugly names, had even struck the good-natured,
big-headed doctor and pummelled him with his little clenched fist.

"As soon as you're better, Berengar," said Othomar, after first
reproving him, "I shall make you a present."

"What of?" asked the boy, eagerly. "But I am better now!"

"No, no, you must do what the doctors tell you and not vex them."

"And what will you give me then?"

Othomar looked at him long and firmly.

"What shall I have then?" repeated the child.

"I mustn't tell you yet, Berengar; it's really rather big for you
still."

"What is it then? A horse?"

"No, it's not as big as a horse, but heavier. Don't ask any more about
it and also don't try and guess what it is, but be obedient: then you'll
get better and then you shall have it."

"Heavier than a horse and not so big!..." Berengar pondered, with
glowing cheeks.

With his head bowed on his breast, dragging his footsteps, Othomar
returned to his room. He stayed there for hours, sitting silently,
gloomily, in the same attitude; as usual, he did not appear at dinner