I refuse to become the King's puppet, notwithstanding
his power to take away my principality and leave me comparatively
without resources. I detest this man so thoroughly that I cannot hate
him. I abhor him. It is you who must save me from him; it is you who
must also save me my principality. Oh, they envy me, these poor
people, because I am a Princess, because I dwell in the tinsel glitter
of the court. Could they but know how I envy their lives, their homes,
their humble ambitions! Believe me, monsieur, as yet I love no man;
but that is no reason why I should link my life to that of a man to
whom virtue in a woman means nothing. He caused my mother great
sorrow. He came between her and my father. He spoiled her life, now
he wishes to spoil mine. But I will not have it so. I will give up my
principality rather. But first let me try to see if I cannot retain
the one and rid myself of the other. Listen. To-morrow night there
will be a dinner here. The King and the inner court will hold forth.
But they will cast aside their pomp and become, for the time being,
ordinary people.
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