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. "I have my man," thought the prince, and he replied aloud: "Do you know that the banker, Tortolia, is a great dignitary in one of the most coveted orders?" "It would be possible, monseigneur." "It is not only possible, but it is an actual fact, my dear M. Pascal. Now, I do not see why what has been done for M. Tortolia cannot be done for you." "Could that be, monseigneur?" "I say," repeated the prince, with emphasis, "I say I do not see why an illustrious title and high dignities should not recompense you also." "Me, monseigneur?" "You." "Me, monseigneur, I become Prince Pascal?" "Why not?" "Come, come, monseigneur is laughing at his poor servant." "No one has ever doubted my promise, monsieur, and it is almost an offence to me to believe me capable of laughing at you." "Then, monseigneur, I would laugh at myself, very heartily and very long, if I were stupid enough to desire to pose as a prince, or duke, or marquis, in Europe's carnival of nobility! You see, monseigneur, I am only a poor devil of a plebeian,--my father was a peddler, and I have been a day-labourer. I have laid up a few cents, in attending to my small affairs. I have only my common sense, but this good common sense, monseigneur, will always prevent my decking myself out as the Marquis de la Janotière--that is a very pretty story by Voltaire, you ought to read it, monseigneur!--or making myself the laughing-stock of those malicious people who amuse themselves by creating marquises and princes out of poor folk." The archduke was far from expecting this refusal and this bitter retort; however, he put a good face on it, and replied, significantly: "M. Pascal, I admire this rough sincerity; I admire this disinterestedness. Thank God, there are other means of proving to you my gratitude, and, one day, my friendship." "Your friendship, monseigneur?" "It is because I know its worth," added the prince, with imposing dignity, "that I assure you of my friendship, if--" "Your friendship for me, monseigneur," replied Pascal, interrupting the prince, "your friendship for me, who have, as the wicked ones say, increased my little possessions a hundredfold by dangerous methods, although I have come out of these calumniating accusations as white as a young dove?" "It is because you have, as you say, monsieur, come out of these odious calumnies, by which all who elevate themselves by labour and merit are pursued, that I would assure you of my affectionate gratitude, if you render me the important service I expect of you."