"Why, if it were only as a future tutor to your children, he would translate for them from the Greek for Aσκρωνδη right on to λoς."
"Not that," he said; "but I have an idea."
"Upon my word, it does not surprise me."
Whereat the prince began to laugh.
"Do you think he would learn German?"
"He would learn anything you wanted, monseigneur."
"Very well. I will make him a secretary attached to Madame la Duchesse d'Orléans; when he knows German, he will translate the letters she receives from Germany ... that is the only post I have to offer him."
"When will the salary begin?"
"From to-morrow; tell him to call at Asseline's house."