I am an old celibate, an old monk.

I cannot advise you in your marriage.' 'Nor do I require advice,' said Otto, rising.

'All of this must cease.' And he began to walk to and fro with his hands behind his back.
'Well, Otto, may God guide you!' said Gotthold, after a considerable silence.

'I cannot.' 'From what does all this spring ?' said the Prince, stopping in his walk.
'What am I to call it?
Diffidence?
The fear of ridicule?
Inverted vanity?
What matter names, if it has brought me to this?
I could never bear to be bustling about nothing; I was ashamed of this toy kingdom from the first; I could not tolerate that people should fancy I believed in a thing so patently absurd! I would do nothing that cannot be done smiling.

I have a sense of humour, forsooth! I must know better than my Maker.