For the next while, I came when the Emperor set time aside for me. Quite often he had none when I wished to see his face, to return to my mind the precise angle of his cheek; then on other occasions he seemed to have nothing to do, and we spent hours in silence, always with him pantomiming fatherly concern or spiritual contemplation, masculine power or regal pride. Never, in six months, did he say one word to me. I think it was meant as a sort of kindness.