Page:Marquis de Sade - Adelaide of Brunswick.djvu/43

 bring her back to her husband. Can you think of a happier circumstance in the world?"

"Count," answered Thuringia, "in all you have just done you have thought more about helping a friend than you have about helping Adelaide. I am afraid that this act will compromise her more than ever, especially if it ever comes out that we love each other. I think it would be much better to have her escape rather than take her back to her husband; for if she leaves Saxony, I will still have some hope; but I will have no more as soon as she goes back to Frederick. I am guilty, without doubt, in admitting this, but wouldn't I be still more to be blamed in taking back the one I love to a jealous man who might treat her tomorrow as he treated the one whom he suspected of being her lover? I know all the laws of delicacy, but those of love are equally engraved in my heart, and I would be guilty of a serious infraction if I gave in to an arrangement which would put the sword at Adelaide's throat. Go alone, my dear Mersburg. Take my love to the one who creates for me the charm and the torments of life. In telling her of my refusal, tell her all the reasons which motivated it, and if you really want to serve me, please don't bring her here. Let her go back to the Duke of Brunswick, her father, and I will take care of the rest. From that moment my conduct towards her will cease to be embarrassing to me."

"Your ideas astonish me," said the count. "I didn't expect to see you reject what I had asked for you. However, in reflecting on your reasons, I find them very wise. One point embarrasses me, it is the desire that you have of not seeing the princess here. How do you expect me to persuade her to return to her father? I am leaving here with orders from Frederick and you want me to propose something to Adelaide which will not clear her name. It seems to me that it will be very difficult to make her agree to do anything which will compromise her honor."

"You must hide from her the indulgence, perhaps only temporary, of her husband. Think that her life depends on it, and we cannot hesitate a moment in hiding from her the orders with which you are charged."

"Perhaps you are right. Let her choose the hiding place