Chapter I. - THE TWO SISTERS.
„I have triumphed! I have reached the goal!“ said Princess Ulrica, with a proud smile, as she laid her hymn-book aside, and removed from her head her long white veil. „This important step is taken; yet one more grand ceremony, and I will be the Princess Royal of Sweden--after that, a queen! They have not succeeded in setting me aside. Amelia will not be married before me, thus bringing upon me the contempt and ridicule of the mocking world. All my plans have succeeded. In place of shrouding my head in the funereal veil of an abbess, to which my brother had condemned me, I shall soon wear the festive myrtle-wreath, and ere long a crown will adorn my brow.“
Ulrica threw herself upon the divan, in order to indulge quietly in these proud and happy dreams of the future, when the door was hastily thrown open, and the Princess Amelia, with a pale and angry face, entered the room. She cast one of those glances of flame, with which she, in common with the king, was wont to crush her adversaries, upon the splendid toilet of her sister, and a wild and scornful laugh burst from her lips.
„I have not, then, been deceived.“ she cried; „it is not a fairy tale to which I have listened. You come from the chapel?“
„I come from the chapel? yes,“ said Ulrica, meeting the angry glance of her sister with a firm and steady look. Resolved to breast the coming storm with proud composure, she folded her arms across her bosom, as if she would protect herself from Amelia's flashing eyes. „I come from the chapel--what further?“
„What further?“ cried Amelia, stamping fiercely on the floor. „Ah, you will play the harmless and the innocent! What took you to the chapel?“
Ulrica looked up steadily and smilingly; then said, in a quiet and indifferent tone: „I have taken the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, according to the Lutheran form of worship.“
Amelia shuddered as if she felt the sting of a poisonous serpent. „That signifies that you are an apostate; that signifies that you have shamefully outwitted and betrayed me; that means--“
„That signifies,“ said Ulrica, interrupting her, „that I am a less pious Christian than you are; that you, my noble young sister, are a more innocent and unselfish maiden than the Princess Ulrica.“
„Words, words! base, hypocritical words!“ cried Amelia. „You first inspired me with the thought which led to my childish and contradictory behavior, and which for some days made me the jest of the court. You are a false friend, a faithless sister! I stood in your path, and you put me aside. I understand now your perfidious counsels, your smooth, deceitful encouragement to my opposition against the proposition of the Swedish ambassador. I, forsooth, must be childish, coarse, and rude, in order that your gentle and girlish grace, your amiable courtesy, might shine with added lustre. I was your foil, which made the jewel of your beauty resplendent. Oh! it is shameful to be so misused, so outwitted by my sister!“
With streaming eyes, Amelia sank upon a chair, and hid her face with her trembling little hands.
„Foolish child!“ said Ulrica, „you accuse me fiercely, but you know that you came to me and implored me to find a means whereby you would be relieved from this hateful marriage with the Prince Royal of Sweden.“
„You should have reasoned with me, you should have encouraged me to give up my foolish opposition. You should have reminded me that I was a princess, and therefore condemned to have no heart.“
„You said nothing to me of your heart; you spoke only of your religion. Had you told me that your heart rebelled against this marriage with the Crown Prince of Sweden, then, upon my knees, with all the strength of a sister's love, I would have implored you to accept his hand, to shroud your heart in your robe of purple, and take refuge on your throne from the danger which threatens a young princess if she allows her heart to speak.“
Amelia let her hands fall from her face, and looked up at her sister, whose great earnest eyes were fixed upon her with an expression of triumph and derision.
„I did not say that my heart had spoken,“ she cried, sobbing and trembling; „I only said that we poor princesses were not allowed to have hearts.“
„No heart for one; but a great large heart, great enough for all!“ cried Ulrica. „You accuse me, Amelia, but you forget that I did not intrude upon your confidence. You came to me voluntarily, and disclosed your abhorrence of this marriage; then only did I counsel you, as I would wish to be advised under the same circumstances. In a word, I counselled you to obey your conscience, your own convictions of duty.“
„Your advice was wonderfully in unison with your own plans; your deceitful words were dictated by selfishness,“ cried Amelia, bitterly.
„I would not have adopted the course which I advised you to pursue, because my character and my feeling are wholly different from yours. My conscience is less tender, less trembling than yours. To become a Lutheran does not appear to me a crime, not even a fault, more particularly as this change is not the result of fickleness or inconstancy, but for an important political object.“
„And your object was to become Queen of Sweden?“
„Why should I deny it? I accept this crown which you cast from you with contempt. I am ambitious. You were too proud to offer up the smallest part of your religious faith in order to mount the throne of Sweden. I do not fear to be banished from heaven, because, in order to become a queen, I changed the outward form of my religion; my inward faith is unchanged: if you repent your conduct--if you have modified your views--“
„No, no!“ said Amelia, hastily, „I do not repent. My grief and my despair are not because of this pitiful crown, but because of my faithless and deceitful sister who gave me evil counsel to promote her own interests, and while she seemed to love, betrayed me. Go, go! place a crown upon your proud head; you take up that which I despise and trample upon. I do not repent. I have no regrets. But, hark! in becoming a queen, you cease to be my sister. Never will I forget that through falsehood and treachery you won this crown. Go! be Queen of Sweden. Let the whole world bow the knee before you. I despise you. You have shrouded your pitiful heart in your royal robes. Farewell!“
She sprang to the door with flashing eyes and throbbing breast, but Ulrica followed and laid her hand upon her shoulder.
„Let us not part in anger, my sister,“ said she, softly--“let us--“
Amelia would not listen; with an angry movement she dashed the hand from her shoulder and fled from the room. Alone in her boudoir, she paced the room in stormy rage, wild passion throbbed in every pulse. With the insane fury of the Hohenzollerns, she almost cursed her sister, who had so bitterly deceived, so shamefully betrayed her.
In outward appearance, as well as in character, the Princess Amelia greatly resembled her royal brother: like him, she was by nature trusting and confiding; but, once deceived, despair and doubt took possession of her. A deadly mildew destroyed the love which she had cherished, not only for her betrayer, but her confidence and trust in all around her. Great and magnanimous herself, she now felt that the rich fountain of her love and her innocent, girlish credulity were choked within her heart. With trembling lips, she said aloud and firmly: „I will never more have a friend. I do not believe in friendship. Women are all false, all cunning, all selfish. My heart is closed to them, and their deceitful smiles and plausible words can never more betray me. Oh, my God, my God! must I then be always solitary, always alone? must I--“
Suddenly she paused, and a rich crimson blush overspread her face. What was it which interrupted her sorrowful words? Why did she fix her eyes upon the door so eagerly? Why did she listen so earnestly to that voice calling her name from the corridor.
„Pollnitz, it is Pollnitz!“ she whispered to herself, and she trembled fearfully.
„I must speak with the Princess Amelia,“ cried the master of ceremonies.
„But that is impossible,“ replied another voice; „her royal highness has closed the door, and will receive no one.“
„Her royal highness will open the door and allow me to enter as soon as you announce me. I come upon a most important mission. The life- happiness of more than one woman depends upon my errand.“
„My God!“ said Amelia, turning deadly pale, „Pollnitz may betray me if I refuse to open the door.“ So saying, she sprang forward and drew back the bolt.
„Look, now, Mademoiselle von Marwitz,“ cried Pollnitz, as he bowed profoundly, „was I not right? Our dear princess was graciously pleased to open the door so soon as she heard my voice. Remark that, mademoiselle, and look upon me in future as a most important person, who is not only accorded les grandes but les petites entrees.“
The Princess Amelia was but little inclined to enter into the jests of the master of ceremonies.
„I heard,“ said she, in a harsh tone, „that you demanded importunately to see me, and you went so far as to declare that the happiness of many men depended upon this interview.“
„Pardon me, your highness, I only said that the happiness of more than one woman depended upon it; and you will graciously admit that I have spoken the truth when you learn the occasion which brings me here.“
„Well, let us hear,“ said Amelia, „and woe to you if it is not a grave and important affair!“
„Grave indeed: it concerns the toilets for a ball, and you must confess that the happiness of more than one woman hangs upon this question.“
„In truth, you are right, and if you came as milliner or dressmaker, Mademoiselle von Marwitz did wrong not to announce you immediately.“
„Now, ladies, there is nothing less important on hand than a masked ball. The king has commanded that, besides the masked ball which is to take place in the opera-house, and to which the public are invited, another shall be arranged here in the castle on the day before the betrothal of the Princess Ulrica.“
„And when is that ceremony to take place?“ said Amelia.
„Has not your royal highness been informed? Ah, I forgot--the king has kept this a secret, and to no one but the queen-mother has it been officially announced. Yes, yes, the Princess Ulrica is to marry this little Prince of Holstein, who will, however, be King of Sweden. This solemn ceremony takes place in four days; so we have but three days before the masquerade, and we must work night and day to prepare the necessary costumes--his majesty wishes it to be a superb fete. Quadrilles are arranged, the king has selected the partners, and I am here at his command, to say to your royal highness that you will take part in these quadrilles. You will dance a quadrille, in the costume of Francis the First, with the Margravine of Baireuth and the Duchess of Brunswick.“
„And who is to be my partner?“ said Amelia, anxiously.
„The Margrave von Schwedt.“
„Ah! my irresistible cousin. I see there the hand of my malicious brother; he knows how dull and wearisome I consider the poor margrave.“
The princess turned away displeased, and walked up and down the room.
„Did you not say that I, also, would take part in the quadrille?“ said Mademoiselle von Marwitz.
„Certainly, mademoiselle; you will dance in Russian costume.“
„And who will be my partner?“
Pollnitz laughed heartily. „One would think that the most important question was not as to the ball toilet, but as to the partner; that he, in short, was as much a life-question as the color and cut of your robe, or the fashion of your coiffure. So you demand the name of your partner? Ah, mademoiselle, you will be more than content. The partner whom the king has selected for you is one of our youngest, handsomest, most amiable and talented cavaliers; a youth whom Alcibiades would not have been indignant at being compared with, and whom Diana would have preferred, perhaps, to the dreaming and beautiful Endymion, had she found him sleeping. And mark you, you will not only dance with this pearl of creation, but in the next few days you must see and speak with him frequently. It is necessary that you should consult together over the choice and color of your costumes, and about the dances. If your royal highness will allow it, he must come daily to arrange these important points. Alas! why am I not a young maiden? Why can I not enjoy the felicity of loving this Adonis? Why can I not exchange this poor, burnt-out heart for one that glows and palpitates?“
„You are a fool, and know nothing about a maiden's heart! In your ecstasy for this Ganymede, who is probably an old crippled monster, you make rare confusion. You force the young girl to play the part of the ardent lover, and give to your monster the character of a cool, vain fop.“
„Monster? My God! she said monster!“ cried Pollnitz, pathetically. „Fall upon your knees, mademoiselle, and pray fervently to your good fortune to forgive you; you have sinned greatly against it, I assure you. You will confess this when I have told you the name of your partner.“
„Name him, then, at last.“
„Not before Princess Amelia is gracious enough to promise me that she will watch over and shield you; that she will never allow you a single tete-a-tete with your dangerous partner.“
„Ah, you will make me the duenna of my maid of honor,“ said Amelia, laughing. „I shall be the chaperon of my good Marwitz, and shield her from the weakness of her own heart.“
„If your royal highness declines to give this promise, Mademoiselle Marwitz shall have another partner. I cannot answer to my conscience if she is left alone, unobserved and unprotected, with the most beautiful of the beautiful.“
„Be merciful, princess, and say yes. For you see well that this terrible Pollnitz will make me a martyr to curiosity. Consent, gracious princess, and then I may perhaps hear the name of my partner.“
„Well, then,“ said Amelia, smiling, „I consent to play Mentor to my maid of honor.“
„Your royal highness promises then, solemnly, to be present at every conference between Mademoiselle von Marwitz and her irresistible partner?“
„I promise; be quick! Marwitz will die of curiosity, if you do not tell the name of this wonder.“
„Well, now, that I have, so far as it is in my power, guarded the heart of this young girl from disaster, and placed it under the protecting eye of our noble princess, I venture to name my paragon. He is the young lieutenant-Baron von Trenck, the favorite of the king and the court.“
Very different was the impression made by this name upon the two ladies. The eager countenance of Mademoiselle von Marwitz expressed cool displeasure; while the princess, blushing and confused, turned aside to conceal the happy smile which played upon her full, rosy lips.
Pollnitz, who had seen all this, wished to give the princess time to collect herself. He turned to Mademoiselle Marwitz and said: „I see, to my amazement, that our lovely maid of honor is not so enraptured as I had hoped. Mademoiselle, mademoiselle! you are a wonderful actress, but you cannot deceive me. You wish to seem disappointed and indifferent, in order to induce our gracious princess to withdraw her promise to me, and to think it unnecessary to be present at your interviews with Trenck. This acting is in vain. The princess has given her word, and she will most surely keep it.“
„Certainly,“ said Amelia, smiling, „I have no alternative. Queens and princesses, kings and princes, are bound by their promises, even as common men, and their honor demands that they fulfil their contracts. I will keep my word. But enough of jesting for the present. Let us speak now of the solemn realities of life, namely, of our toilets. Baron, give me your model engraving, and make known your views. Call my chambermaid, mademoiselle, and my dressmakers; we will hold a solemn conference.“
Ulrica threw herself upon the divan, in order to indulge quietly in these proud and happy dreams of the future, when the door was hastily thrown open, and the Princess Amelia, with a pale and angry face, entered the room. She cast one of those glances of flame, with which she, in common with the king, was wont to crush her adversaries, upon the splendid toilet of her sister, and a wild and scornful laugh burst from her lips.
„I have not, then, been deceived.“ she cried; „it is not a fairy tale to which I have listened. You come from the chapel?“
„I come from the chapel? yes,“ said Ulrica, meeting the angry glance of her sister with a firm and steady look. Resolved to breast the coming storm with proud composure, she folded her arms across her bosom, as if she would protect herself from Amelia's flashing eyes. „I come from the chapel--what further?“
„What further?“ cried Amelia, stamping fiercely on the floor. „Ah, you will play the harmless and the innocent! What took you to the chapel?“
Ulrica looked up steadily and smilingly; then said, in a quiet and indifferent tone: „I have taken the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, according to the Lutheran form of worship.“
Amelia shuddered as if she felt the sting of a poisonous serpent. „That signifies that you are an apostate; that signifies that you have shamefully outwitted and betrayed me; that means--“
„That signifies,“ said Ulrica, interrupting her, „that I am a less pious Christian than you are; that you, my noble young sister, are a more innocent and unselfish maiden than the Princess Ulrica.“
„Words, words! base, hypocritical words!“ cried Amelia. „You first inspired me with the thought which led to my childish and contradictory behavior, and which for some days made me the jest of the court. You are a false friend, a faithless sister! I stood in your path, and you put me aside. I understand now your perfidious counsels, your smooth, deceitful encouragement to my opposition against the proposition of the Swedish ambassador. I, forsooth, must be childish, coarse, and rude, in order that your gentle and girlish grace, your amiable courtesy, might shine with added lustre. I was your foil, which made the jewel of your beauty resplendent. Oh! it is shameful to be so misused, so outwitted by my sister!“
With streaming eyes, Amelia sank upon a chair, and hid her face with her trembling little hands.
„Foolish child!“ said Ulrica, „you accuse me fiercely, but you know that you came to me and implored me to find a means whereby you would be relieved from this hateful marriage with the Prince Royal of Sweden.“
„You should have reasoned with me, you should have encouraged me to give up my foolish opposition. You should have reminded me that I was a princess, and therefore condemned to have no heart.“
„You said nothing to me of your heart; you spoke only of your religion. Had you told me that your heart rebelled against this marriage with the Crown Prince of Sweden, then, upon my knees, with all the strength of a sister's love, I would have implored you to accept his hand, to shroud your heart in your robe of purple, and take refuge on your throne from the danger which threatens a young princess if she allows her heart to speak.“
Amelia let her hands fall from her face, and looked up at her sister, whose great earnest eyes were fixed upon her with an expression of triumph and derision.
„I did not say that my heart had spoken,“ she cried, sobbing and trembling; „I only said that we poor princesses were not allowed to have hearts.“
„No heart for one; but a great large heart, great enough for all!“ cried Ulrica. „You accuse me, Amelia, but you forget that I did not intrude upon your confidence. You came to me voluntarily, and disclosed your abhorrence of this marriage; then only did I counsel you, as I would wish to be advised under the same circumstances. In a word, I counselled you to obey your conscience, your own convictions of duty.“
„Your advice was wonderfully in unison with your own plans; your deceitful words were dictated by selfishness,“ cried Amelia, bitterly.
„I would not have adopted the course which I advised you to pursue, because my character and my feeling are wholly different from yours. My conscience is less tender, less trembling than yours. To become a Lutheran does not appear to me a crime, not even a fault, more particularly as this change is not the result of fickleness or inconstancy, but for an important political object.“
„And your object was to become Queen of Sweden?“
„Why should I deny it? I accept this crown which you cast from you with contempt. I am ambitious. You were too proud to offer up the smallest part of your religious faith in order to mount the throne of Sweden. I do not fear to be banished from heaven, because, in order to become a queen, I changed the outward form of my religion; my inward faith is unchanged: if you repent your conduct--if you have modified your views--“
„No, no!“ said Amelia, hastily, „I do not repent. My grief and my despair are not because of this pitiful crown, but because of my faithless and deceitful sister who gave me evil counsel to promote her own interests, and while she seemed to love, betrayed me. Go, go! place a crown upon your proud head; you take up that which I despise and trample upon. I do not repent. I have no regrets. But, hark! in becoming a queen, you cease to be my sister. Never will I forget that through falsehood and treachery you won this crown. Go! be Queen of Sweden. Let the whole world bow the knee before you. I despise you. You have shrouded your pitiful heart in your royal robes. Farewell!“
She sprang to the door with flashing eyes and throbbing breast, but Ulrica followed and laid her hand upon her shoulder.
„Let us not part in anger, my sister,“ said she, softly--“let us--“
Amelia would not listen; with an angry movement she dashed the hand from her shoulder and fled from the room. Alone in her boudoir, she paced the room in stormy rage, wild passion throbbed in every pulse. With the insane fury of the Hohenzollerns, she almost cursed her sister, who had so bitterly deceived, so shamefully betrayed her.
In outward appearance, as well as in character, the Princess Amelia greatly resembled her royal brother: like him, she was by nature trusting and confiding; but, once deceived, despair and doubt took possession of her. A deadly mildew destroyed the love which she had cherished, not only for her betrayer, but her confidence and trust in all around her. Great and magnanimous herself, she now felt that the rich fountain of her love and her innocent, girlish credulity were choked within her heart. With trembling lips, she said aloud and firmly: „I will never more have a friend. I do not believe in friendship. Women are all false, all cunning, all selfish. My heart is closed to them, and their deceitful smiles and plausible words can never more betray me. Oh, my God, my God! must I then be always solitary, always alone? must I--“
Suddenly she paused, and a rich crimson blush overspread her face. What was it which interrupted her sorrowful words? Why did she fix her eyes upon the door so eagerly? Why did she listen so earnestly to that voice calling her name from the corridor.
„Pollnitz, it is Pollnitz!“ she whispered to herself, and she trembled fearfully.
„I must speak with the Princess Amelia,“ cried the master of ceremonies.
„But that is impossible,“ replied another voice; „her royal highness has closed the door, and will receive no one.“
„Her royal highness will open the door and allow me to enter as soon as you announce me. I come upon a most important mission. The life- happiness of more than one woman depends upon my errand.“
„My God!“ said Amelia, turning deadly pale, „Pollnitz may betray me if I refuse to open the door.“ So saying, she sprang forward and drew back the bolt.
„Look, now, Mademoiselle von Marwitz,“ cried Pollnitz, as he bowed profoundly, „was I not right? Our dear princess was graciously pleased to open the door so soon as she heard my voice. Remark that, mademoiselle, and look upon me in future as a most important person, who is not only accorded les grandes but les petites entrees.“
The Princess Amelia was but little inclined to enter into the jests of the master of ceremonies.
„I heard,“ said she, in a harsh tone, „that you demanded importunately to see me, and you went so far as to declare that the happiness of many men depended upon this interview.“
„Pardon me, your highness, I only said that the happiness of more than one woman depended upon it; and you will graciously admit that I have spoken the truth when you learn the occasion which brings me here.“
„Well, let us hear,“ said Amelia, „and woe to you if it is not a grave and important affair!“
„Grave indeed: it concerns the toilets for a ball, and you must confess that the happiness of more than one woman hangs upon this question.“
„In truth, you are right, and if you came as milliner or dressmaker, Mademoiselle von Marwitz did wrong not to announce you immediately.“
„Now, ladies, there is nothing less important on hand than a masked ball. The king has commanded that, besides the masked ball which is to take place in the opera-house, and to which the public are invited, another shall be arranged here in the castle on the day before the betrothal of the Princess Ulrica.“
„And when is that ceremony to take place?“ said Amelia.
„Has not your royal highness been informed? Ah, I forgot--the king has kept this a secret, and to no one but the queen-mother has it been officially announced. Yes, yes, the Princess Ulrica is to marry this little Prince of Holstein, who will, however, be King of Sweden. This solemn ceremony takes place in four days; so we have but three days before the masquerade, and we must work night and day to prepare the necessary costumes--his majesty wishes it to be a superb fete. Quadrilles are arranged, the king has selected the partners, and I am here at his command, to say to your royal highness that you will take part in these quadrilles. You will dance a quadrille, in the costume of Francis the First, with the Margravine of Baireuth and the Duchess of Brunswick.“
„And who is to be my partner?“ said Amelia, anxiously.
„The Margrave von Schwedt.“
„Ah! my irresistible cousin. I see there the hand of my malicious brother; he knows how dull and wearisome I consider the poor margrave.“
The princess turned away displeased, and walked up and down the room.
„Did you not say that I, also, would take part in the quadrille?“ said Mademoiselle von Marwitz.
„Certainly, mademoiselle; you will dance in Russian costume.“
„And who will be my partner?“
Pollnitz laughed heartily. „One would think that the most important question was not as to the ball toilet, but as to the partner; that he, in short, was as much a life-question as the color and cut of your robe, or the fashion of your coiffure. So you demand the name of your partner? Ah, mademoiselle, you will be more than content. The partner whom the king has selected for you is one of our youngest, handsomest, most amiable and talented cavaliers; a youth whom Alcibiades would not have been indignant at being compared with, and whom Diana would have preferred, perhaps, to the dreaming and beautiful Endymion, had she found him sleeping. And mark you, you will not only dance with this pearl of creation, but in the next few days you must see and speak with him frequently. It is necessary that you should consult together over the choice and color of your costumes, and about the dances. If your royal highness will allow it, he must come daily to arrange these important points. Alas! why am I not a young maiden? Why can I not enjoy the felicity of loving this Adonis? Why can I not exchange this poor, burnt-out heart for one that glows and palpitates?“
„You are a fool, and know nothing about a maiden's heart! In your ecstasy for this Ganymede, who is probably an old crippled monster, you make rare confusion. You force the young girl to play the part of the ardent lover, and give to your monster the character of a cool, vain fop.“
„Monster? My God! she said monster!“ cried Pollnitz, pathetically. „Fall upon your knees, mademoiselle, and pray fervently to your good fortune to forgive you; you have sinned greatly against it, I assure you. You will confess this when I have told you the name of your partner.“
„Name him, then, at last.“
„Not before Princess Amelia is gracious enough to promise me that she will watch over and shield you; that she will never allow you a single tete-a-tete with your dangerous partner.“
„Ah, you will make me the duenna of my maid of honor,“ said Amelia, laughing. „I shall be the chaperon of my good Marwitz, and shield her from the weakness of her own heart.“
„If your royal highness declines to give this promise, Mademoiselle Marwitz shall have another partner. I cannot answer to my conscience if she is left alone, unobserved and unprotected, with the most beautiful of the beautiful.“
„Be merciful, princess, and say yes. For you see well that this terrible Pollnitz will make me a martyr to curiosity. Consent, gracious princess, and then I may perhaps hear the name of my partner.“
„Well, then,“ said Amelia, smiling, „I consent to play Mentor to my maid of honor.“
„Your royal highness promises then, solemnly, to be present at every conference between Mademoiselle von Marwitz and her irresistible partner?“
„I promise; be quick! Marwitz will die of curiosity, if you do not tell the name of this wonder.“
„Well, now, that I have, so far as it is in my power, guarded the heart of this young girl from disaster, and placed it under the protecting eye of our noble princess, I venture to name my paragon. He is the young lieutenant-Baron von Trenck, the favorite of the king and the court.“
Very different was the impression made by this name upon the two ladies. The eager countenance of Mademoiselle von Marwitz expressed cool displeasure; while the princess, blushing and confused, turned aside to conceal the happy smile which played upon her full, rosy lips.
Pollnitz, who had seen all this, wished to give the princess time to collect herself. He turned to Mademoiselle Marwitz and said: „I see, to my amazement, that our lovely maid of honor is not so enraptured as I had hoped. Mademoiselle, mademoiselle! you are a wonderful actress, but you cannot deceive me. You wish to seem disappointed and indifferent, in order to induce our gracious princess to withdraw her promise to me, and to think it unnecessary to be present at your interviews with Trenck. This acting is in vain. The princess has given her word, and she will most surely keep it.“
„Certainly,“ said Amelia, smiling, „I have no alternative. Queens and princesses, kings and princes, are bound by their promises, even as common men, and their honor demands that they fulfil their contracts. I will keep my word. But enough of jesting for the present. Let us speak now of the solemn realities of life, namely, of our toilets. Baron, give me your model engraving, and make known your views. Call my chambermaid, mademoiselle, and my dressmakers; we will hold a solemn conference.“
Dieses Kapitel ist Teil des Buches Berlin and Sans-Souci; or, Frederick the Great and his friends. Book II.