"Monseigneur—"
"I repeat it, my dear M. Pascal, of my gratitude, since, in making a successful speculation, you would render me an immense service, for you cannot know what the results of this loan I solicit from you would be to my dearest family interests."
"Monseigneur, I am ignorant of—"
"And when I speak to you of family interests," said the prince, interrupting M. Pascal, whom he hoped to bring back to his views, "when I speak of family interests, it is not enough; an important question of state also attaches to the transfer of the duchy that is offered me, and which I can acquire only through your powerful financial aid. So, in rendering me a personal service, you would be greatly useful to my nation, and you know, my dear M. Pascal, how great empires requite services done to the state."
"Excuse my ignorance, monseigneur, but I am altogether ignorant of the whole thing."
The prince smiled, remained silent a moment, and replied, with an accent he believed irresistible:
"My dear M. Pascal, are you acquainted with the celebrated banker, Tortolia?"
"I know him by name, monseigneur."
"Do you know that he is a prince of the Holy Empire?"
"Prince of the Holy Empire, monseigneur!" replied Pascal, with amazement.