Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/166

 "Well, why not have your will read that the regent will give her hand to the one she will judge to be most worthy of the throne?"

"I consent to that!"

The will drawn up according to the form required by the laws of that time, Frederick signed it and began to prepare himself for the battle.

Mersburg went to spend a little time with Adelaide.

"Milady," he said, "we are at the most interesting epoch of your life."

"The most frightful, Sir, the most painful for my heart. Today I lose either my husband or my lover. What am I going to do in either case?"

Mersburg then told Adelaide the contents of the will. "I reign if I lose my husband by the hands of Thuringia! Or I lose my lover by the hands of my husband! I couldn't do it!"

"Reasons of state force you to do it. The prince wishes, if he dies, that you marry the man whom you judge to be the most capable to govern his people and consequently the most worthy of you. If any consideration prevents you from choosing the marquis, Milady, you are free to choose any other man you wish."

"Who can be the cause of all the misfortunes which overwhelm me?"

"It was due to an unforeseen stroke of bad luck. A squire of the prince was walking near the place of your rendezvous, and as soon as he saw what was happening, he ran to the prince whose jealousy caused him to come at once to where you were. If you had had more confidence in me I might have prevented the prince's arrival."

"Believe me, my dear count, I do not merit that reproach. Will you not be tomorrow the only friend I have?"

"In any case, Milady, I shall be the most sincere."

At that moment the trumpet rang out and the heralds came before the crowd and had them move off of the battle field. Mersburg, who had been named Marshal of the Field, brought the two contestants together and had them swear that their cause was just. He verified their arms. Then the witnesses