Page 450 - the-idiot

both he and the prince laughed like madmen.
‘One point in your favour is that you seem to have a child-
like mind, and extreme truthfulness,’ said the prince at last.
‘Do you know that that atones for much?’
‘I am assuredly noble-minded, and chivalrous to a de-
gree!’ said Keller, much softened. ‘But, do you know, this
nobility of mind exists in a dream, if one may put it so? It
never appears in practice or deed. Now, why is that? I can
never understand.’
‘Do not despair. I think we may say without fear of de-
ceiving ourselves, that you have now given a fairly exact
account of your life. I, at least, think it would be impossible
to add much to what you have just told me.’
‘Impossible?’ cried Keller, almost pityingly. ‘Oh prince,
how little you really seem to understand human nature!’
‘Is there really much more to be added?’ asked the prince,
with mild surprise. ‘Well, what is it you really want of me?
Speak out; tell me why you came to make your confession
to me?’
‘What did I want? Well, to begin with, it is good to meet a
man like you. It is a pleasure to talk over my faults with you.
I know you for one of the best of men ... and then ... then ...’
He hesitated, and appeared so much embarrassed that
the prince helped him out.
‘Then you wanted me to lend you money?’
The words were spoken in a grave tone, and even some-
what shyly.
Keller started, gave an astonished look at the speaker,
and thumped the table with his fist.