Part 16 (1/2)
”I heard,” said she, in a harsh tone, ”that you demanded importunately to see me, and you went so far as to declare that the happiness of many men depended upon this interview.”
”Pardon me, your highness, I only said that the happiness of more than one woman depended upon it; and you will graciously admit that I have spoken the truth when you learn the occasion which brings me here.”
”Well, let us hear,” said Amelia, ”and woe to you if it is not a grave and important affair!”
”Grave indeed: it concerns the toilets for a ball, and you must confess that the happiness of more than one woman hangs upon this question.”
”In truth, you are right, and if you came as milliner or dressmaker, Mademoiselle von Marwitz did wrong not to announce you immediately.”
”Now, ladies, there is nothing less important on hand than a masked ball. The king has commanded that, besides the masked ball which is to take place in the opera-house, and to which the public are invited, another shall be arranged here in the castle on the day before the betrothal of the Princess Ulrica.”
”And when is that ceremony to take place?” said Amelia.
”Has not your royal highness been informed? Ah, I forgot--the king has kept this a secret, and to no one but the queen-mother has it been officially announced. Yes, yes, the Princess Ulrica is to marry this little Prince of Holstein, who will, however, be King of Sweden. This solemn ceremony takes place in four days; so we have but three days before the masquerade, and we must work night and day to prepare the necessary costumes--his majesty wishes it to be a superb fete. Quadrilles are arranged, the king has selected the partners, and I am here at his command, to say to your royal highness that you will take part in these quadrilles. You will dance a quadrille, in the costume of Francis the First, with the Margravine of Baireuth and the d.u.c.h.ess of Brunswick.”
”And who is to be my partner?” said Amelia, anxiously.
”The Margrave von Schwedt.”
”Ah! my irresistible cousin. I see there the hand of my malicious brother; he knows how dull and wearisome I consider the poor margrave.”
The princess turned away displeased, and walked up and down the room.
”Did you not say that I, also, would take part in the quadrille?”
said Mademoiselle von Marwitz.
”Certainly, mademoiselle; you will dance in Russian costume.”
”And who will be my partner?”
Pollnitz laughed heartily. ”One would think that the most important question was not as to the ball toilet, but as to the partner; that he, in short, was as much a life-question as the color and cut of your robe, or the fas.h.i.+on of your coiffure. So you demand the name of your partner? Ah, mademoiselle, you will be more than content.
The partner whom the king has selected for you is one of our youngest, handsomest, most amiable and talented cavaliers; a youth whom Alcibiades would not have been indignant at being compared with, and whom Diana would have preferred, perhaps, to the dreaming and beautiful Endymion, had she found him sleeping. And mark you, you will not only dance with this pearl of creation, but in the next few days you must see and speak with him frequently. It is necessary that you should consult together over the choice and color of your costumes, and about the dances. If your royal highness will allow it, he must come daily to arrange these important points. Alas! why am I not a young maiden? Why can I not enjoy the felicity of loving this Adonis? Why can I not exchange this poor, burnt-out heart for one that glows and palpitates?”
”You are a fool, and know nothing about a maiden's heart! In your ecstasy for this Ganymede, who is probably an old crippled monster, you make rare confusion. You force the young girl to play the part of the ardent lover, and give to your monster the character of a cool, vain fop.”
”Monster? My G.o.d! she said monster!” cried Pollnitz, pathetically.
”Fall upon your knees, mademoiselle, and pray fervently to your good fortune to forgive you; you have sinned greatly against it, I a.s.sure you. You will confess this when I have told you the name of your partner.”
”Name him, then, at last.”
”Not before Princess Amelia is gracious enough to promise me that she will watch over and s.h.i.+eld you; that she will never allow you a single tete-a-tete with your dangerous partner.”
”Ah, you will make me the duenna of my maid of honor,” said Amelia, laughing. ”I shall be the chaperon of my good Marwitz, and s.h.i.+eld her from the weakness of her own heart.”
”If your royal highness declines to give this promise, Mademoiselle Marwitz shall have another partner. I cannot answer to my conscience if she is left alone, un.o.bserved and unprotected, with the most beautiful of the beautiful.”
”Be merciful, princess, and say yes. For you see well that this terrible Pollnitz will make me a martyr to curiosity. Consent, gracious princess, and then I may perhaps hear the name of my partner.”