I strongly remonstrated with Mara, a strong favourite of the Prince’s, because he had behaved very impudently towards his Highness. The creature replied to me: „Oh, you don’t know this Prince as I do. If you don’t behave like a bastard towards him, you’re not getting anywhere.“

Yes, as you say this is amazing! Aw, Lehndorff, this is why we love you, even if Heinrich doesn't, that you have passed this on for posterity <3

Though I can empathize with Heinrich, too -- Lehndorff is very sweet but I could totally imagine finding him sort of cloying as a lover rather than as a friend myself. (Though I never had any boyfriend who was quite as dastardly as the ones Heinrich found.)