“I quite understand. You are trying to comfort me for the naiveness with which you disagreed with me⁠—eh? Ha! ha! ha! You are a regular child, prince! However, I cannot help seeing that you always treat me like⁠—like a fragile china cup. Never mind, never mind, I’m not a bit angry! At all events we have had a very funny talk. Do you know, all things considered, I should like to be something better than Osterman! I wouldn’t take the trouble to rise from the dead to be an Osterman. However, I see I must make arrangements to die soon, or I myself⁠—Well⁠—leave me now! Au revoir. Look here⁠—before you go, just give me your opinion: how do you think I ought to die, now? I mean⁠—the best, the most virtuous way? Tell me!”

“You should pass us by and forgive us our happiness,” said the prince in a low voice.

“Ha! ha! ha! I thought so. I thought I should hear something like that. Well, you are⁠—you really are ⁠—oh dear me! Eloquence, eloquence! Goodbye!”