‘I, going to the court V ‘You, or who else is the prince’s favorite?
‘The prince’s favorite! Dear Waldau, am I to laugh or to weep at these extravagances?’
‘Auri sacra fames, the thirst of wealth will soon render you incapable of doing either the one or the other.’
‘How can you thus deceive yourself!’
‘He deceived himself too, then—the little man in black, who followed the glittering Weisel under the portico of the palace.’
‘Ha, ha, what charming simplicity!’ cried Maurice, laughing heartily. ‘Still the same honest, excellent, innocent Waldau.—I a courtier, I a favourite! this is indeed an everlasting joke. Know, then, my poor credulous friend, that I am a member of a strolling company who are engaged to play in the hotel of the Count of Felsenbourg. I played yesterday the part of the Confidante, in the new piece; and the little man in black, of whom you speak, is the head tailor, who had just been fitting me with a coat of scarlet serge, covered with tinsel and spangles, and to which habit I am indebted for the respect with which you have overwhelmed me.’
‘God bless me!’ cried Waldau, ‘and are you then a player?’
‘A player, it is true, but of the prince’s company; and, I swear to you, vanity apart, not one of the worst.’
‘Then am I ruined—totally undone,’ ejaculated the town-clerk; ‘the councillor will certainly kill me.’
Maurice ceased to laugh when he saw the terror of Waldau. He soon saw his brother’s letter, which lay upon the table, and, opening it, found not only that Pierre was still the same, but that his last hope—the share of his father’s fortune—was for ever gone. He was burdened with debts, the payment of which could no longer be postponed. ‘Ah! my Louisa—ah, my promised happiness—farewell,’ cried he, mournfully.