"be assured, most honourable, most worthy of princes be assured that the whole matter shall be buried within my heart!" cried lebedeff, in a paroxysm of exaltation. "i’d give every drop of my blood... illustrious prince, i am a poor wretch in soul and spirit, but ask the veriest scoundrel whether he would prefer to deal with one like himself, or with a noble-hearted man like you, and there is no doubt as to his choice!