"Well, Adolphe, what can I do for you to-day? If you want books, take them out of my library; or instruments—order them, and send me the bill. Speak to me freely, and tell me if you want any thing."
"On the contrary, sir, I come to thank you for your past kindness, and to say that I must in future decline receiving your gifts."
"You are, then, become rich?"
"I am as poor as ever."
"And your college?"
"I must leave it."
"Impossible!" cried Staszic, standing up, and fixing his penetrating eyes on his visitor. "You are the most promising of all our pupils—it must not be!"
In vain the young student tried to conceal the motive of his conduct; Staszic insisted on knowing it.
"You wish," said Adolphe, "to heap favors on me, at the expense of your suffering family."
The powerful minister could not conceal his emotion. His eyes filled with tears, and he pressed the young man's hand warmly, as he said: