as closeted with Jeremiah
Brohl.

She at once proposed to him to buy his son; he dropped his arms in
astonishment, then felt delighted and charmed. He declared, at first,
that his son was not for sale; and then he insinuated that if ever he
did sell him he would sell him dear; he was, according to his opinion,
merchandise of the best quality, a rich and rare article. He raised his
demands ridiculously; she exclaimed; he affirmed he could not put them
lower, that he had his terms, and that he always sold at a fixed price.
They disputed a long time; she was about to give up; he yielded, and
they ended by making the transaction. She sent for Samuel and said to
him: "My boy, you belong to me--I have bought you for cash. You are
satisfied with the bargain, are you not?"

He was stupefied to learn that he had a commercial value; he never had
suspected it. He wanted very much to know what he was worth; but the
princess was discreet upon the subject, and desired that he should
believe that he had cost her a fabulous sum. After reflection, he made
his conditions; he stipulated that he should belong to himself for three
years, which time he would employ in study and in satisfying a multitude
of curious longings.

She readily consented, as that had been her own intention: it would take
fully three years before the fruit was ripe and ready to be served at
the princely table. She gave him instructions and advice, all bearing
the stamp of a superior mind; she understood the world, the state of
public affairs, and physiology, all that can be learned, and all that
cannot be learned. Thus Samuel Brohl set out, his pocket well
filled, for the University of Prague, which he soon left to settle at
Heidelberg, whence he went to Bonn, then to Berlin, then to Paris. He
was restless, he did not know what he wanted, but wherever he went he
studied semiquavers, naturals, and flats; it was part of the conditions.

The princess was herself a great traveller; two or three times a year
Samuel Brohl received a visit from her. She questioned him, examined
him, felt him, as we feel a peach to be certain it is ripe. Samuel was
very happy; he was free, he enjoyed his life, he did as he pleased.
One single thing spoiled his happiness; when he looked in the glass, he
would sometimes say within himself: "These are the features of a man who
is sold, and the woman who bought him is neither young nor beautiful."
Several times he determined to learn a trade