"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. "But the beautiful Louise von Schwerin is a
dangerous, daring woman, and we must check her clever plans in the
bud. If she desires to be loved by my brother, she possesses
knowledge, beauty, and experience to gain her point and to lead him
into all manner of follies. This affair must be brought quickly to a
close, and Prince Henry acknowledged to be the prince royal."

"Prince Henry goes this evening to Berlin to attend a feast given by
the Prince of Prussia," whispered Pollnitz.

"Ah! it is true the prince's arrest ceases at six o'clock, but he
will not forget that he needs permission to leave Potsdam."

"He will forget it, sire."