e latest. But he would not
write to her beforehand, would not write anything whatever about it, it
was to be a surprise for once in a way.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The midday sun at Sestri was hot, but in spite of its gleaming power
the air became agreeable and refreshing just a little before sunset. A
sweet odour poured forth from every plant then, and this streaming
wealth of perfume was so soothing, so delicious. Kate felt her
heart overflow. Thank God, she was still not quite exhausted, not quite
worn-out yet, she still possessed the faculty of enjoying what was
beautiful. If Paul had only been there.

High up, quite at the edge of the outermost promontory on that coast
and surrounded by the white foam of the ardent sea that longs to climb
up to the cypresses and pines, the holm-oaks and the strawberry-trees,
the many sweet-smelling roses, lies the garden of a rich marchese. The
mother and her son were sitting there. They were looking in silence at
the gigantic sun, which hung red, deep purple just above the sea that,
quiet and devout, solemn and expectant in the holy conception of the
light, shone with the splendid reflection of it. It was one of those
hours, those marvellous rare hours in which even mute things become
eloquent, when the hidden becomes revealed, the stones cry aloud.

The woman felt quite startled as she gazed and gazed: oh, there it
was, the same gigantic red sun that she had once seen disappear into
the waves of the wild Venn.

Alas, that that thought should come even now and torture her. She
turned quickly and looked at Wolfgang with timid apprehension--if he
should guess it. But he was sitting on a stone, taking no interest in
his surroundings; he had crossed his legs and his eyes were half
closed. Of what was he dreaming? She had to rouse him.

"Isn't that splendid, grand, sublime?"

"Oh yes."

"It's setting--look how it's setting." Kate had jumped up from the
ivy-clad pine-stump and was pointing at it. Her cheeks were flushed and
she was full of enthusiasm at the sight of the purple sea, the radiant
light that was disappearing in such splendour. The tears came to her
eyes; they were dazzled. When she looked again it struck her
that Wolfgang was very pale.

"Are you cold?" A sudden coolness blew from the sea.

"No. But I"--suddenly he opened his dark eyes wide and looked at her
firmly--"I should like to know something about my mother. Now you c