Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/160

 "Do nothing which could afflict my conscience."

"It is the events alone which are responsible for what happens in life." And with that the count left.

A few days later Adelaide was talking to Bathilda.

"I don't know what he means by all this nor what he wants to do, but I perceive a plot of the most serious nature. I feel that he is plotting the death of my husband, and I will never allow that his life be put in danger."

"Fear nothing, Milady, I believe too much in the sense of justice of the Marquis of Thuringia to believe him capable of such means."

"Go and see what you can find out, Bathilda. Esteem your mistress enough to know that she is incapable of being in any way the cause of any misfortune."

"I know you too well, Milady, not to be convinced of that truth."

The Marquis of Thuringia seemed to be entirely unconcerned about the fact that the prince might be jealous of him. He talked to Adelaide every chance he got. Adelaide tried to warn him of this indiscretion.

"What would be the point of not going near you? Now that you are here it is the greatest happiness in my life to be with you."

"Isn't it enough for us to see each other every day?"

"That happiness serves only to make even more intense the desire of never leaving you."

"You see that that is impossible and that we cannot even, without being wrong, think of it for an instant."

"The count seems to have more hope than you do."

"Has he said anything which could cause you to have any hope?"

"Not yet, but I see that he is profoundly busy with what interests us."

"Oh, my tender friend, let's not think about anything which might give us remorse. Even our feelings toward each other are wrong."

"I see nothing wrong in it. Didn't you love me before knowing the one who troubles now your happiness?"

"That is the only thought I have to calm my conscience. I