My heart was full, not to overflowing, but to sinking, with my love of Bettina and her love of me.

There was nothing I would not have given at that time to be able to take her as my wife.

I should have been glad to give my title, estates, and position--everything--to be a simple tradesman or an innkeeper so that I might take Bettina with happiness to her and without the damning sin of losing caste to me.
It was true the king's brother had made a marriage of comparatively the same sort, but it is almost as impossible for a prince to lose caste as it is difficult for a mere baron to keep it.

Bettina would not be happy in my sphere of life, nor could I live in hers, so what was there for me to do but to keep my engagement with Mary Hamilton and, if I could, lose my love for Bettina.
* * * * * The queen's ball was to be held that night at St.James's Palace, and I was glad to have the walk from Whitehall across the park.

The night was perfect.