Moreover, a married man is entirely sans consequence for all unmarried women, and if they should love such a one, the happy mortal may be convinced that his love is really a caprice of the heart, and not a selfish calculation or desire to marry." The prince regarded the smiling courtier earnestly, almost angrily.

"Do you know," he said, "that what you say appears to me very immoral ?" "Immoral ?" asked Pollnitz, astonished; "what is that?
Your princely highness knows that I received my education at the French court, under the protection of the Regent of Orleans and the Princess of the Palatinate, and there I never heard this word immoral.

Perhaps your highness will have the kindness to explain it to me." "That would be preaching to deaf ears," said the prince, shrugging his shoulders.

"We will not quarrel about the meaning of a word.

I only wish to make you understand that I would not marry at my brother's bon plaisir.