After a few minutes he himself came, having just returned from his morning walk. He wore plain clothes, in which I had not previously seen him--black coat, waistcoat, and trousers, and a white necktie with blue and red spots. He shook hands, and was very friendly. After he had sat down and eaten a few mouthfuls he observed: “As I was walking in the wood and heard your horn, doctor, I thought to myself, that is certainly some Croat or Magyar who wishes to discuss politics with me, and come to my assistance with his advice. I was just on the point of making myself scarce when I remembered that you had written from Leipzig that you were coming. Once a man came to see me who sent word that if I would not receive him he would hang himself. My reply was, that if he must needs do so, I would have the newest and strongest rope brought down from the garret for his use. He did not get to see me all the same, and went off again without, so far as I am aware, doing himself any harm.” While he drank his milk and black coffee he read the letters, reports, and telegrams received that morning, and instructed his son as to the replies, at the same time discussing matters with Tiedemann, who, as I afterwards learned, acted as kind of second amanuensis, principally in administrative affairs. The Prince looked fresh and strong, and seemed also to be in good humour. In reply to my question how Gastein had agreed with him, he said that up to the present it was highly satisfactory, and in particular that he slept better than formerly. “It would have been still better,” he continued, “if a great deal had not happened between Gastein and here. The next time I have to go to Gastein, I shall let the King do what he likes afterwards, and come straight back here, where I have no need to worry myself over preconceived notions that cannot be altered.” As we stood up, observing that I was in evening dress, he smiled and said: “Dress clothes!” and then invited me to accompany him to the new wing that had been added to the house, and in which he had taken up his own residence. After he had shown me those rooms, I asked if he had received the “friction” articles in the _Grenzboten_, and if he was satisfied with them. He replied: “Yes; only they followed each other too rapidly, and in one of them you allowed it to be seen too clearly in what quarter you had received your information.” I expressed my regret, excusing myself by stating that Dietze’s communication in the _Magdeburger Zeitung_ would have considerably weakened their effect upon the public if I had passed it over in silence.