But no one came; no one desired to make use of his ability or his
mediation, and this displeased the baron and put him out of humor.
It was not the want of work and activity that annoyed him; the baron
would have welcomed the dolce far niente had it not been
unfortunately connected with his earnings; the fees he received for
passports, and the arrangement of other affairs, formed part of his
salary as secretary of legation, and as he possessed no fortune,
this was his only resource. This indigence alone led him to resign
his aristocratic independence and freedom of action. He had not
entered the state service from ambition, but for money, that he
might have the means of supporting his mother and unmarried sisters,
and enable himself to live according to his rank and old
aristocratic name. Baron Weingarten would have made any sacrifice,
submitted to any service, to obtain wealth. Poverty had demoralized
him, pride had laid a mildew on his heart and stifled all noble
aspirations. As he read a letter, just received from his mother,
complaining of wants and privations, telling of the attachment of a
young officer to his sister, and that poverty alone prevented their
marriage, his heart was filled with repining, and at this moment he
was prepared to commit a crime, if, by so doing, he could have
obtained wealth.

In this despairing and sorrowful mood he had entered the office, and
awaited in vain for petitioners who would pay him richly for his
services. But the hours passed in undisturbed quiet, and Baron
Weingarten was in the act of leaving the office, as the servant
announced Baron von Waltz, and the court councillor, Zetto, from
Vienna.

He advanced to meet the two gentlemen, with a smiling countenance,