“Your majesty commanded me to tell you faithfully every word the prince said.”
“And you are too much a man of truth and obedience, too little of a courtier, not to be frank and faithful. Is it not so? Ah! vraiment, I know you, and I know very well that you are playing a double game. But I warn you not to follow the promptings of your wicked heart. I desire my brother to marry, do you hear? I will it, and you, the grand chamberlain, Baron Pollnitz, shall feel my anger if he does not consent.”
“And if he does?” said Pollnitz, in his laughing, shameless manner; “if I persuade the prince to submit to your wishes, what recompense shall I receive?”
“On the day of their betrothal, I will raise your income five hundred crowns, and pay your debts.”
“Ah, sire, in what a pitiable dilemma you are placing me! Your majesty wishes Prince Henry to engage himself as soon as possible, and I must now wish it to be as late as possible.”
“And why?”
“Because I must hasten to make as many debts as possible, that your majesty may pay them.”
“You are and will remain an unmitigated fool; old age will not even cure you,” said the king, smiling. “But speak, do you think my brother may be brought to reason?”
Pollnitz shrugged his shoulders, gave a sly smile, but was silent.
“You do not answer me. Is my brother in love? and has he confided in you?”