"You are right, mon cher frere. I have selected the Princess
Wilhelmina, daughter of Prince Max, of Hesse-Cassel. She not only
brings you a fortune, but youth, beauty, and amiability."

"I thank you, sire," said the prince, coldly and formally. "I would
marry her if she were ugly, old, and unamiable. But is it allowed me
to add one condition?"

"Speak, my brother, I am listening."

The prince did not answer immediately; he breathed quickly and
heavily, and a glowing red suffused his pale, trembling face.

"Speak, my brother. Name your conditions," said the king.

"Well, then, so be it. My first condition is that I may be allowed
to have a brilliant wedding. I wish to invite not only the entire
court, but a goodly number of Berliners; I desire all Berlin to take
part in my happiness, and to convince every one, by my gay demeanor
and my entertainment, that I joyfully accept my bride, the
princess."

The king's eyes rested sorrowfully upon his brother's countenance.
He fully understood the emotions of his heart, and knew that his
brother wished to wound and humiliate his faithless sweetheart by
his marriage; that Henry only submitted to his wishes because his
proud heart rebelled at the thought of being pitied as a rejected
lover. But he was considerate, and would not let it appear that he
understood him.