It is necessary here to remark that the Elector of Saxe-Tolpelhausen was desperately in love with the Princess Wilhelmina.
It was evident that the Baron would carry the day, if the prime minister did not hit upon some scheme to destroy his credit or force him to retreat. Balthasar, fertile in expedients, was teaching Florival his part in the palace garden, when Prince Maximilian met him, and requested a moment's private conversation.
"I am at your Highness's orders," respectfully replied the minister.
"I will go straight to the point, Count Lipandorf," the Prince began. "I married my late wife, a princess of Hesse-Darmstadt, from political motives. She has left me three sons. I now intend to marry again; but this time I need not sacrifice myself to state considerations, and I am determined to consult my heart alone."
"If your Highness does me the honour to consult _me_, I have merely to say that you are perfectly justified in acting as you propose. After once sacrificing himself to his people's happiness, a prince has surely a right to think a little of his own."
"Exactly my opinion! Count, I will tell you a secret. I am in love with Miss von Rosenthal."
"Yes, sir; with Miss Delia, Countess of Rosenthal; and, what is more, I will tell you that _I know everything_."
"What may it be that your Highness knows?"
"And how came your Highness to discover it?"
"He alone could do so, and I rejoice that I addressed myself directly to him. At first, when I questioned him concerning the young Countess's family, he ill concealed his embarrassment: her position struck me as strange; young, beautiful, and alone in the world, without relatives or guardians--all that seemed to me singular, if not suspicious. I trembled, as the possibility of an intrigue flashed upon me; but the Grand Duke, to dissipate my unfounded suspicion, told me all."
"And what is your Highness's decision?... After such a revelation----"
"It in no way changes my intentions. I shall marry the lady."
"Marry her?... But no, your Highness jests."
"Count Lipandorf, I never jest. What is there, then, so strange in my determination? The Grand Duke's father was romantic, and of a roving disposition; in the course of his life he contracted several left-handed alliances--Miss von Rosenthal is the issue of one of those unions. I care not for the illegitimacy of her birth; she is of noble blood of a princely race--that is all I require."