that, with considerable economy, it would perhaps do for four years,
I lived like a noble and generous cavalier for that time; and during
that period I was fortunate enough to have the most devoted friends
and the truest sweethearts, who never deserted me until the last
dollar of my fortune was expended!"

"Do I understand you to say that you expended two hundred thousand
dollars in four years?" asked the king.

"Yes, your majesty; and I assure you that I was obliged to practise
the most, rigorous economy."

Frederick William regarded him with surprise, almost with
admiration. To the king there was something in this man's nature
which was imposing. It was perhaps the great contrast between the
unlimited extravagance of the baron and his own frugality, which
exerted so great an influence on the king, excited his astonishment,
and enlisted his admiration in behalf of this ready, witty, and
ever-merry courtier.

"An income of fifty thousand dollars is, therefore, not sufficient
for a decent support?" asked the king.

"Your majesty, if one attempted to live in a style befitting a
nobleman, on that sum, he might die of hunger."

"Ah, explain that. What sum would you consider necessary to enable
you to live in a style befitting a nobleman?"

Pollnitz remained lost in thought for a moment, and then replied: