" The Prince would take me by the hand along the Quais des Orfevres with the jewellery shops. The windows were filled with sparkling gold and silver objects and precious trivia. Not far away, on the Conti embankment stood "Au Petit Dunkerque," the famous jewellers, with its innumerable, marvellous precious objects. There were gold enamel tobacco cases, purses richly embroidered with silk and hair bands, travelling cases and earrings. The Prince bought for me everything which he thought was beautiful and fashionable, whatever the cost and decided that rubies suited me most of all. I knew that he had greater debts than the King, Queen and the entire court together, but I did not stop him."