"Why," said the prince, "I have a high opinion of you, and always had."
I bowed.
"In short, I have great confidence in you, and think you a very clever good creature, besides that you speak and write such excellent French."
"True, prince! I remember that, presuming on this good opinion of yours, some time ago I ventured to address a letter to you in French, requesting you for old acquaintance' sake to send me a little cash, of which I stood much in need; but neither my excellent French nor all my other charming qualities to boot could excite in you the least desire to serve me."
"Quite the contrary," said the prince, "nothing will give me greater pleasure."
"Indeed! Why they say you are at all times the most stingy rich man in Europe."
"I assure you, Harriette," answered the prince, "that you can have no conception of the vast number of letters I receive containing applications for money. It is indeed quite impossible to satisfy them all: but, as to you, as a proof of my goodwill, I beg you to accept what I happen to have about me."
He took out his pocket-book and presented me with a ten-pound note!
This Prince Esterhazy was nothing to me, and never had been, nor could be but a common acquaintance; so I thought I might just as well buy myself some little trinket with his magnificent donation as refuse to accept it.