Yes, my dear Baron, my young Prince has still the same prepossession in favour of Count Stralzi, which I mentioned to you: and since the departure of the Chevalier de Valmont, that attachment seems to be augmented. The Count was ill; the Prince testified great uneasiness at it, and sent ten times a day to enquire after his health. One evening, as he talked to me of him in a very affectionate manner: I did not think, says I, you loved him to that excess. – He is amiable; I believe him to be strongly attached to me, and it is very natural that I should have a friendship for him. – And what proof has he given you of his attachment? – He visits me often, and never flatters me. – Are you very sure of that? – Oh! very sure. – He has sense, and he knows you do not want it, he knows likewise that you are well informed and instructed. He will not therefore flatter you openly: but he has a certain manner of listening to you, and such a smile of approbation, that I should distrust were I in your place. I should distrust likewise those general encomiums he bestows on all those qualities, upon which you value yourself. – Must a Prince then live in a perpetual state of diffidence? – He should guard himself against deceit; because a whole nation will be the victim of his error. He ought not, therefore, to take any man into his friendship and confidence, till he is perfectly acquainted with his character. – I have a good opinion of Count Stralzi, and I have an inclination for him; yet, if I had any secrets, I would not trust him with them, nor repose any confidence in him, till time and circumstances had informed me whether he were really worthy of it.