“You see well, old man,” said the Elector confidentially, “that our affairs are not in so prosperous a condition as formerly when you entered my service, and were the body servant of the merry, cheerful young Electoral Prince.  Now that Electoral Prince has become a very sad, serious, and poverty-stricken Elector, who has lived through much affliction, and must content himself, despite his glorious title, with being a poor tormented man, and therefore also a peevish man.  I was once otherwise; that you know.  But debts make the wildest tame and the most joyous fretful, as you see in me, old Conrad.  But now listen!”

He stepped to his writing table and drew forth a long purse with meshes of green silk and gold.  Carefully counting, he shook some money out of the purse into his hand and then handed it to Conrad.

“Conrad, there are twelve dollars.  Do you know the Jew to whom Jocelyn sold his livery coat?”

“Yes, I know him, your highness.”

“Then go, Conrad, and buy back the coat.  How much did the Jew pay for it?”

“Six dollars, your Electoral Highness.”

“Return him five dollars for it, and tell him that the dollar subtracted is by way of punishment for his having dared to purchase the coat of one of the servants belonging to the electoral household, for he must know that it is not the lackey’s but electoral property.  But if the Jew ventures to grumble, then say to him that I shall have him watched and his false dealings inquired into.  When you have obtained the coat, carry it to the master of the wardrobe, and tell him to release Jocelyn from the guardhouse and permit him to wear his coat again.  Say to him that it is my command.  And now go and attend to this matter for me.”

“Forgive me, your Electoral Grace, but I know not yet what to do with the rest of the money.  When I shall have redeemed Jocelyn’s coat with five dollars, there will yet remain seven dollars besides, and I beg of your highness to point out what disposition I must make of them.”

“What wages do the lackeys receive by the month?”

“One rixdollar and four groschen, your highness!”

“That makes four dollars and sixteen groschen owing to you and Jocelyn, since the paymaster is in your debt for two months’ wages.  There will still be a remainder of two dollars and eight groschen, which you must give to Jocelyn to take to his old mother, not, however, as if it came from me, but as his own gift.”

“Ah! your Electoral Highness, what a kind, gracious master you are!” cried

Conrad, with tears in his eyes.  “Only extend this one act of goodness and condescension:  permit your old Conrad to kiss your hand and thank you for the favor your highness has shown to Jocelyn and myself, and be not offended at your old servant for asking such a thing, since it is only out of love and hearty respect.”