On a journey from the Black Forest to Norderney the
prince, who cared nothing for aristocratic isolation, occupied the same
compartment with a young girl from Mayence, who was going to the same
place. She was remarkably beautiful, charming, gay, and brilliant, and
exerted a powerful attraction over the prince. He was extremely
attentive to her during the trip, while she remained pleasantly
indifferent and appeared to care nothing for him.
Perhaps this very indifference stimulated him, and he continued his
attentions at the North Sea watering place, where he maintained the
incognito of Herr von Gerau, the beautiful girl, who was at once
surrounded by other young gentlemen, only learning from him that he was
a land-owner. She accepted his daily gifts of flowers, it is true, but
otherwise showed no more favour to him than to the rest of her suitors.
Indeed, she paid even less consideration to the prince than to the
others, which greatly depressed him. Then it happened that a very
exalted personage who was a friend of Prince Louis came to Norderney.
The latter was obliged to pay him a ceremonious visit on which he wore
his uniform, and now could no longer conceal his rank and name.
Pages:
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130