continued Thuringia, "in speaking to me thus, you would make me believe that the princess has let you know some of the secrets of her heart. Naturally I am willing to hear such a confession on her part, but I will have enough strength in my soul to know how to be happy without giving way to any sentiment which would compromise the tender object of my dearest affections."
"I don't know anything about her affections," said Mersburg, "but you can be sure that my friendship for you is so strong that I will tell you the instant I hear anything."
And the two friends parted.
The Count of Mersburg easily saw from this first conversation that he would have difficulty establishing any project based on the weaknesses of the two lovers. One of them would continue to resist any action in the least dishonorable, and the other probably would not even admit the condition of her heart. However, he did not give up, and resolved to follow his plans, no matter how criminal his conduct might be in following them.
Once the festivities were over, there were very few distractions, and this solitude gave the Count von Mersburg the opportunity of talking more to the Princess of Saxony. One day when he was taking her to a hunting rendezvous for her husband, the count brought the conversation around to the happiness which he said was sure the princess enjoyed in the arms of a husband like the Prince of Saxony. Adelaide, who liked the count, and who even found in his character certain things which seemed to suit hers, did not fear to confide in him. Especially since Mersburg seemed to be entirely faithful to her, and had no love interest in her. Adelaide had a lot of pride, but the high station of Mersburg put her at ease, and she let him see that this happiness was not so real as he imagined.
"Frederick has his qualities," she said to the count, "but they are those of an ordinary individual. I don't see in him that elevation which should characterize the soul of a prince. There are virtues which are suitable to all stations in life; those of the throne are not those of the common man, and it might be said that those of the common man are the wrong kind for the man who must rule. What makes the subjects happy is not always suitable for the glory of the master. History does not
20
