He laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks.

Then the cast-iron truisms of ancient experience were false after all, and it was possible to find one childish soul strong enough to reject the dazzling allurements of wealth, even when it had only to stretch out its hand and find power at the tips of its fingers along with an engagement-ring! "Look now!" replied Master Boltay; "the gentleman left this ring with me, and I am to send it back in case you reject his offer." "Did he give you a basket with it ?" inquired the roguish damsel.
"No need of that; I knew how it would turn out," replied Boltay, laughing.
And, indeed, he was beside himself with joy.

His sorrow for Alexander was quite obliterated by the delight he felt that his ward should have exhibited such strength of mind.

He pictured to himself how proud he would feel to be able to say to the magnate, "You promised to give a million and a half for the roses on my ward's cheeks, did you?
Thank you, but I'll not part with her even at that price." How high he would hold his head before those young dandies who fancied they could buy Fanny's love for a few shameful thousands of florins, wretched beggars that they were! So the two old people kissed the girl and bade her good night, and they all went to their several rooms.

The night was far advanced; it was time to lie down, and yet it was no time for sleeping.