The painter gave him a long, astonished gaze. "You forgive me, your excellency," he said; "you accept my high estimate, although you know that I have cheated you and that this is only a copy?" "What difference does that make? The picture is beautiful, and it gives me pleasure to look at it, and that is the only thing, after all, that I can require of a painting." Master Nietzel hastily seized the count's hand, and pressed it to his lips. "Most gracious sir," he cried, "you have purchased my Venus with your money, my heart with your magnanimity! Henceforth I am yours, body and soul, and it is just, as if--" "As if you had leagued yourself with the devil, is it not?" laughed the count. "No, as if I had no longer any other will than yours--that is what I wished to say, most gracious lord. Only command me, say what I must do, and it shall be done." "You go, then, to Holland, and purchase pictures there for me, and study the Flemish painters?" "I will go to Holland, your excellency." "You will seek to gain access to the Electoral Prince, to acquire influence over him, and to cheer him up a little?" "I shall do as your grace directs." "You will send me weekly a written statement of all that you see and hear there?" "I shall send you a written statement," replied Gabriel, with downcast eyes and a hardly suppressed sigh. The count saw it and smiled contemptuously. "You will write these reports to me in ciphers, which I shall acquaint you with, and swear to me that you will give the key to these ciphers to no human being?" "I swear it, your excellency." "Now, since you are so docile and obedient, my dear Master Gabriel, I shall raise your salary. I had promised you an annuity of five hundred dollars--I shall now make it six hundred dollars. Hush! no word of thanks; I can imagine them all or read them in your countenance, and that satisfies me. Only one thing remains to be decided. From whom will you receive letters of recommendation to the Electoral Prince?" "Your excellency, I believe the Electress will have the kindness to furnish me with a letter of recommendation to her son. Her most gracious highness is very favorably inclined toward me because I painted from memory a miniature of the Electoral Prince, and presented it to her. Since then she has been very condescending to me, and never refuses me admittance to her presence, and I may as well acknowledge to your excellency that a few days ago the Electress hinted at the probability of a position being offered me as electoral court painter."