he thought little of the value of his own personal influence, not from a sense of humility, but from his peculiar way of looking at things in general. imperceptibly the conversation grew more animated and more interesting, so that neither of the two felt anxious to bring it to a close. keller confessed, with apparent sincerity, to having been guilty of many acts of such a nature that it astonished the prince that he could mention them, even to him. at every fresh avowal he professed the deepest repentance, and described himself as being "bathed in tears"; but this did not prevent him from putting on a boastful air at times, and some of his stories were so absurdly comical that both he and the prince laughed like madmen.