They tried last year, and failed because the Princess whom they had in mind had cast her sparkling eyes on another Prince.

That Prince happened to be Prince Eugen of Posen.

The Ministers of the King of Bosnia knew exactly the circumstances of Prince Eugen.
They knew that he could not marry without liquidating his debts, and they knew that he could only liquidate his debts through this Jew, Sampson Levi.

Unfortunately for me, they ultimately wanted to make too sure of Prince Eugen.

They were afraid he might after all arrange his marriage without the aid of Mr Sampson Levi, and so--well, you know the rest....