"I will obey, My Prince," answered Mersburg, taking leave, "but if the truth cause me to hurt you, then I hope Your Highness will remember that I was acting under his orders."
The situation in which Mersburg found himself, would have been painful only for an honest man; but with such a character as his, he found in it intense delight. He became, in a sense, the master of the situation and he could turn to his own profit all the facts which he might discover, by revealing or hiding what he wished.
According to some plan which he had now established, Mersburg went to see the marquis to tell him about the conversation which he had had with the prince.
"I had already noticed Frederick's jealousy," said Thuringia, "but I don't know who the person is. I am sorry he didn't name him."
"Is there anyone besides you who could alarm him? Is there anyone else in this court who could please the one you love?" "But if his suspicions fall on me, I will be more restricted than ever in my contacts with Adelaide."
"That is right," said Mersburg, "but in your place I would want to find out exactly how I stood, and there is no other way than to get right to the point with the princess. I am sure she loves you. Be bold and tell her you love her. From that point on, we will know how to act."
"But do you think that any such procedure would please the princess?"
"I am certain of it. I have acquired enough information to assure you of her tenderness for you."
"What did she tell you?"
"That you were the object of her dearest affection, but that she did not dare fail in her duties towards her husband."
"Ah, her duties are to love me," said the marquis with delight. "Did I consult my duties when my soul became exalted at the thought of her? Does love admit any other duties than those it imposes? I adore Adelaide and I want to adore her all my life. I will sacrifice even life's blood if she wishes it. But why doesn't she respond a little more to my passion, and why doesn't she console me for what I suffer by offering a little hope that one day we will be together?"
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