I confess to you, there are many lovely women of the court who are your rivals, and who would try to separate us in order to attract me to themselves.

They are beautiful and seductive, and I am young and passionate; and if these lovely women have no respect for my dignity as a married man, how then should I have it, who married for duty, not for love?
But there is one whom I respect for disinterestedness and fidelity! Do you not know who alone is disinterested and faithful ?--who has never seen in me the prince, the future king--only the beloved one, the man--one who has never wavered, never counted the cost ?--that you are, Wilhelmine Enke, therefore we are inseparable, and you have not to fear that I can ever forsake you, even if I am sometimes entangled in the magic nets of other beautiful women.

The chains which bind us together cannot be torn asunder, for a wonderful secret power has consecrated them with the magic of true love--of heart-felt friendship." "Still they are chains, dearest," sighed Wilhelmine.

"You have named them thus! The chains will at last oppress you, and you will forget the magic power which binds you, and will be free.

No holy bond, no oath, no marriage tie--nothing but your love binds you to me.