"Verily," cried Richter, "I go, like them, straight to Heaven!"
That was true, for Wagner had "commanded" Richter to go and instal himself at Tribschen and await events there.
As we passed through the Maximilian Square, the Master called attention to a statue with which he was unfamiliar.
"It is Goethe, by Widnmann," responded Scheffer.
Wagner lifted his soft felt hat and said;
"I said that for fun, but I could very well have known Goethe, I must have been about fifteen when he died. However I should be pleased to make you believe that I am younger than Richter!'
"You are younger, Master; the Immortals have no age."
At the station we were all reunited. There were Villiers, Schuré, Servais and others. Wagner took them all cordially by the hand and Richter presented to him Franz Servais, whom he did not yet know, but of whom Liszt had often spoken to him.
The train was in readiness, the compartment chosen, some one arranged the luggage.
The Master, in a boyish humour, sat on the floor of the carriage, in the opening of the door, the step serving for his footstool. We ranged ourselves in a circle, which formed a rampart about him.
I always remember him so under his big gray felt hat, with his luminous blue eyes, his laughing mouth, so finely cut above the prominence of the wilful chin, and the neckerchief of yellow satin which he had crossed over his throat because of the chilly morning air.
He reminded us of our promise to go again and greet him at Tribschen on our way back to Paris. He also invited Servais to go when we did.
"Since they have chased me out of Munich," said Wagner "those who love me have nothing further to keep them here."
"We shall remain only a few days," said I, "to keep an eye on the enemy and to see whether, furious at his defeat, he may not prepare some vengeance."
"Bah! the conqueror saves himself and will be out of reach of his blows. But let it be well understood that I triumph in spite of myself, thanks to the generous defection of Betz, that I did not wish in any case to oppose the will of the King nor to prevent the representation. As for you, Richter, do not forget that I only give you time to go and embrace your mother and to strap your trunks ... and then you must come as fast as possible to Tribschen, where your room is prepared."