near the Elbe had been so unusually thick that it resembled the famous Rhine mist, had also not spared the Moldau Valley; and in the narrow-built town of Prague it had lasted till far on in the day, penetrating everything with its wet cold. In addition to this Hertz had for hours been in a loft, where this dampness had been accompanied by a dreadful draught.
Nobody had shown sufficient forethought to have the contents of this extraordinary chest removed to more habitable rooms, and besides there were also many bookcases and boxes which had not allowed Hertz any peace, and in which he had also succeeded in discovering one thing and another. Notes from Carl August and Archduchess Amalia, original copies of a couple of books by Wieland and Herder with dedications, theatre programmes, etc. A few of these things he had managed to buy, and he showed them to us with great joy when, a little before sunset, we went into the house. But we could not hear this cough, which constantly interrupted his gay remarks, without the fear that he might have bought his treasures too dearly.
When we were going homewards, a little earlier than usual, Minna gave way to her distress—
"Hertz is weak, and he cannot stand much."
"It may be so, but that is no reason to fear the worst."
"Well, I am like that, Harald! Your cheerful disposition will be thoroughly tried by me. I always meet troubles half-way, and it seems to me it does not make the way shorter. Just look at me, I am now in reality as depressed as if the dear old man had gone already."
"Indeed it would be a hard trial, not only for his good wife, but also for my friend Immanuel. I have never seen so charming an intimacy between father and son. It reminds me of the patriarchs."
