"No, no," exclaimed the King eagerly; "you must never represent such a hateful character." He went on to speak of the part of Didier. "When Marion de Lorme was repeated," said he, reproachfully, you wore my sapphire ring in the first act. How could the poor, homeless Didier possess such a costly ornament? It offends against the laws of truth." Kainz excused himself on the plea that he had been informed that his Majesty liked his gifts to be honoured, and that it was for this reason he had worn the ring. The presents which Kainz received from the King were particularly valuable, and none of the parts he played went unrewarded. One evening as he was about to take his departure, having already one foot in the carriage, Ludwig took his studs from his cuffs and handed them to him as a parting gift. He had his own room allotted to him at Linderhof, and he was permitted to drive alone with his royal friend. The marks of favour which were so abundantly showered upon the young hero of the theatre proved to be too much for him, and he became very injudicious. At first Ludwig looked upon his brutality as the outcome of his love for truth. "How good it is to hear the unvarnished truth!" he said to Councillor Bürckel. The latter, who knew the new favourite better, answered shortly: "Your Majesty! truth and impertinence are two different things!" The King desired to make a journey to Spain in company with the actor, [32] but was obliged to abandon the plan because Bürckel, who had the arrangement of the trip, represented to him that the time of year was unfavourable. "It is a pity," said he; "I have a far greater desire to see Spain than Italy, which has no attractions for me. But now when I am about to satisfy my longing, Bürckel comes with his objections; the propriety of which I cannot but acknowledge." "Bürckel, however, is only an adviser," observed Kainz; "your Majesty is lord and master!" "Yes," sighed Ludwig, "but it is not always so easy to be King as it appears to be." "If it is difficult to your Majesty you can give up the sceptre into other hands," remarked the actor. The answer displeased the King, who rose to his feet, thus giving the actor a hint that he must be more careful in the use of his expressions. The recollection of earlier visits to Switzerland entered his mind; he was taken with the desire to see again that idyllic land, and the places associated according to tradition with William Tell. On the 25th of June he wrote to Kainz: