The old man was very pale; every now and then his lips trembled, and his hands seemed unable to rest quietly, but continually moved from place to place. He had twice already jumped up from his chair and sat down again without being in the least aware of it. He would take up a book from the table and open it⁠—talking all the while⁠—look at the heading of a chapter, shut it and put it back again, seizing another immediately, but holding it unopened in his hand, and waving it in the air as he spoke.

“But enough!” he cried, suddenly. “I see I have been boring you with my⁠—”

“Not in the least⁠—not in the least, I assure you. On the contrary, I am listening most attentively, and am anxious to guess⁠—”

“Prince, I wish to place myself in a respectable position⁠—I wish to esteem myself⁠—and to⁠—”

“My dear sir, a man of such noble aspirations is worthy of all esteem by virtue of those aspirations alone.”