Then wishing, undoubtedly, to change a subject of conversation that embarrassed her, she said to me, "What a wonderful talent M. Liszt possesses! do you not think so?" "Wonderful! With what pleasure you listened to him!" "Because, indeed, it seems to me there is a double charm in music without words; not only is it played with excellent execution, but we can in a moment apply our own thoughts to the melodies that we hear, and which become, so to speak, their accompaniment, I know not if you understand me, cousin?" "Perfectly. Our thoughts are, then, the words that we adapt mentally to the air that we hear." "Just so, just so; you understand me," said she to me, with an expression of pleased satisfaction; "I fear I should explain but ill what I felt just now, while listening to that melody, so plaintive and so touching." "God grant, my cousin," said I to her, smiling, "that you may have no words to put to an air so sad!" Either because my question was indiscreet, and she wished to avoid answering me, or because she had not understood it, the Princess Amelia immediately said to me, pointing out the grand duke, who, giving his arm to the Archduchess Sophia was then traversing the dancing gallery: "Cousin, look at my father: how handsome he is! how noble and fine his air! how eagerly all glances follow him! It seems to me he is more beloved even than he is revered." "Ah!" I exclaimed, "it is not only here, in the midst of this court, that he is cherished. If the blessings of the people should be echoed to posterity, the name of Rudolph of Gerolstein would be, with justice, immortal." In speaking thus, my enthusiasm was sincere; for you know, my friend, that the dominions of the prince are, with good reason, called the Paradise of Germany. It is impossible to paint to you the grateful glance my cousin threw upon me on hearing me speak in this manner. "To appreciate my father thus," said she to him, with emotion, "is to be worthy of the attachment he bears to you." "And can no one but myself love and admire him! Beside those rare qualities that make great princes, has he not the genius of kindness that makes princes adored?" "You know not how truly you speak," exclaimed the princess, still more moved. "Ah, I know--I know it, and all those whom he governs know it as I do. They love him so much that they mourn in his sorrows, as they rejoice in his happiness; the eagerness of all to come and offer their homage to the Marchioness d'Harville is bestowed on the choice of his royal highness, as well as the true worth of the future grand duchess." "The Marchioness d'Harville is more worthy than any one of the attachment of my father; this is the highest praise of her I can give you." "And you can, doubtless, appreciate her justly. Have you not known her in France, my cousin?"