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 ?" "Sire, I believe the prince is in love from ennui alone, but he swears it is his first love." "That is an oath that is repeated to each lady-love; I am not afraid of it," said the king, smiling "Who is the enchantress that has heard his first loving vows?
She is doubtless a fairy--a goddess of beauty." "Yes, sire, she is young and beautiful, and declares it is also her first love, so no one can doubt its purity; no one understands love as well as this fair lady; no other than Madame von Kleist, who, as your majesty remembers, was lately divorced from her husband." "And is now free to love again, as it appears," said the king, with a mocking smile.