ike a sudden gleam of brilliancy, flashing in the daylight from the
long tables on which the presents stood surrounded by flowers: the
heavily-gilt candelabra, gilt and crystal table- and tea-services, gilt
and silver caskets from various towns, an Altara Cathedral in silver,
silver ships with delicate, swelling sails from naval institutions and
jewelled gifts from all the royal friends and relations in Europe. On a
satin cushion lay, like a fairy trinket, a sparkling duchess' diadem of
big sapphires and brilliants, one of the presents of the bride's future
parents-in-law. And very striking was Princess Thera's present: the Duke
of Xara's portrait, a work of art that had already been seen at
exhibitions in both capitals. But it had little likeness to the original
left and was therefore the despair of the princess. It was younger, more
indecisive, feebler than the prince looked now: a little thinner than of
old, but with a fuller moustache and a lightly curling beard on his
cheeks. The melancholy eyes had acquired more of the Empress Elizabeth's
cold glance; in other respects too Othomar resembled his mother more
than before. But what was still noticeable in the young prince, in his
nervous refinement, was the look of race, his trenchant distinction, his
air of lawful haughtiness. He had lost much of his rigidity, his stiff
tactlessness, and had gained something more resolute and assured; and,
in spite of his colder look, this inspired more confidence in a
crown-prince than his always winning but somewhat feeble presence of
former days. The thoughts seemed to be more sharply outlined on his
features, the words to come more pointedly from between his lips; he
seemed to have more self-reliance, to care less for what others might
think of him. It was, although not yet quite consciously, that unique
princely feeling awakening within him: his simple, proud, innate
confidence in the single drop of golden blood which ran through his
veins and gave him his rights....

It was Professor Barzia especially who, attached as he was to Othomar
and treating him personally every day, had aroused this self-confidence
with his words, which were prompted both by his knowledge of mankind and
by his love for the dynasty, as well as by a personal affection for the
crown-prince. The cold-water douches had braced the prince up, but the
suggestions of the professor, who had aroused Othomar's latent practical
qualities as it were from their subcons