And a maid also whom I am bound to love.

I will ask you this, have I been a good soldier and servant to you or not ?" "Aye to that!" quoth the Prince, heartily.
"Have I ever asked fee or reward for aught I have tried to do ?" "Nay," he said; "but you have gotten some of both without asking." "Will you grant me the first boon I have asked of you since you became Prince and Master to Hugo Gottfried ?" "I will grant it, if it be not to separate us as friend and friend," said my master at once.
It was like the noble Prince thus to speak of our relation.

I took his hand in mine to kiss it, but this he would not permit.
"Shake hands like a man," he said, "or else kiss me upon the cheek.

My hand is for young, blue-painted flittermice to kiss, for whose souls' good it is to put their lips to the hand that has shifted the meal-bags." And with that Prince Karl embraced me heartily, and kissed me on both cheeks.
"Now for this request of yours!" said he, looking expectantly at me.
"It is this," I answered him directly: "Give me a district to govern, a tower to dwell in, and Helene to be my wife." "Nay, but these are three things, and you stipulated but for one.

Choose one!" he said.
"Then give me Helene to wife!" I cried, instantly.
"Spoken like a lover," said the good Prince.