The World's Illusion, Volume 1 (of 2): Eva

A well‑traveled nobleman, Bernard Crammon roams Europe’s grand capitals and country estates, carrying with him a reputation for charm and a taste for the unexpected. In his elegant Viennese townhouse, two devoted, unmarried aunts tend the rooms and relics that speak of his adventures—goblets, agate bowls, and a portrait that hints at a hidden, roguish spark beneath a solemn gaze. Their patient waiting for his return sets a tone of longing and quiet anticipation that permeates the opening of the tale.

Crammon’s encounters reveal a man who blends wit with a touch of mystery: he drifts into sleep at a Baden‑Baden dinner, only to answer a teasing question with a confident, fabricated story, and later, at a Hungarian cattle market, he impulsively purchases a magnificent bull, surprising both peasants and himself. These episodes introduce a world where aristocratic privilege meets ordinary life, inviting listeners to explore the delicate balance between appearance and reality in a society built on illusion.