Herr, there was once a happy
family in the palace of the Hohenphalians. The Prince was rather wild,
but he loved his wife. One day his cousin came to visit him. He was a
fascinating man in those days, and few women were there who would not
give an ear to his flatteries. He was often with the Princess, but she
hated him. One day an abominable thing happened. This cousin loved
the Princess. She scorned him. As the Prince was entering the boudoir
this cousin, making out that he was unconscious of the husband's
approach, took the Princess in his arms and kissed her. The Prince was
too far away to see the horror in his wife's face. He believed her to
be acquiescent. That night he accused her. Her denials were in vain.
He confronted her with his cousin, who swore before the immortal God
himself that the Princess had lain willing in his arms. From that time
on the Prince changed. He became reckless; he fell in with evil
company; he grew to be a shameless ruffian, a man who brought his women
into his wife's presence, and struck her while they were there. And in
his passions he called her terrible names.
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