I will not continue this race of miserable princes, that are entirely useless, and consequently a burden to the state.

Oh! if Heaven would only give me the opportunity to distinguish myself before this people, and give to this name that is go small, so unworthy, a splendor, a color, a signification!" "Your highness is ambitous," said Pollnitz, as the prince, now silent, paced his room with deep emotion.
"Yes, I am ambitious--I thirst for action, renown, and activity.

I despise this monotonous, colorless existence, without end or aim.

By God! how happy I should be, if, instead of a prince, I could be a simple private man, proprietor of a small landed estate, with a few hundred subjects, that I should endeavor to make happy! But I am nothing but a king's brother, have nothing but my empty title and the star upon my coat.

My income is so small, so pitiful, that it would scarcely suffice to pay the few servants I have, if, at the same time, they were not paid by the king as his spies." "But all this will cease as soon as you speak the decisive word; as soon as you declare yourself prepared to marry." "And you dare to tell me this ?" cried the prince, with flashing eyes--"you, that know I love a lady who is unfortunately no princess; or do you believe that a miserable prince has not the heart of a man--that he does not possess the ardent desire, the painful longing for the woman he loves ?" "Oh, women do not deserve that we should love them so ardently; they are all fickle and inconstant, believe me, my prince." The prince cast a quick, questioning glance at the smiling countenance of the courtier.
"Why do you say this to me ?" he asked, anxiously.
"Because I am convinced of its truth, your highness; because I believe no woman has the power to preserve her love when obstacles are placed in the way, or that she can be faithful for the short space of eight days, if her lover is absent." The prince was startled, and looked terrified at Pollnitz.
"Eight days," he murmured; "it is eight days--no, it is twelve since I saw Louise." "Ah, twelve days--and your highness has the really heroic belief that she still loves you ?" The prince sighed, and his brow clouded, but only for a few moments, and his countenance was again bright and his eyes sparkled.
"Yes, I have this belief; and why should I not have it, as my own heart had stood the trial?
I have not seen her for twelve days, have not heard of her, and still my love is as great and as ardent as ever.