Richard's ethical and intellectual valuation of royal princes coincides with my own. He has rare insight into our family life.
However, these disclosures both amazed and alarmed me when I first heard them pronounced. I never dreamt that opinions of that kind prevailed among the masses.
"But why am I acclaimed whenever I show myself?"
"Because you are pretty, because you impersonate the one thing all are desirous to embrace: affluence, kindness, youth and beauty. Because you are a treat to the senses and because sensuality is the paramount thing in life, whether we admit it or not."
"Who's 'we'?"
"Kings and anarchists, princesses of the Blood and laundresses, royal princes and cab drivers, empresses, street-walkers, society ladies, big-wigs and sabretasches. The draggled Menads and the helpful Lafayette, the Jacobins, Charlotte Corday and the man she killed—all were, and are, on similar pleasure bent."
And he added quickly: "As to the Dresdeners, they are tickled because, every time they applaud you, the King is scandalized."
"How do they know that I am not on good terms with the King?"
"The very children in arms understand."
All Dresden, says Richard, is talking about me. Everybody assumes to know the number and qualities of my lovers. "Louise," they argue, "knows how to enjoy herself, but, though it serves the King right, we wouldn't have her for a daughter-in-law, either."