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 delay to wait for any answer nor give the messenger any real knowledge of the message he was sending."

"Oh, Bathilda, now all that seems suspicious! I don't know when my doubts will disappear."

The next day, the princess added a few more reflections that she had had on this subject.

"Would you believe it, my child," she said to Bathilda, "far from tranquilizing me, the message of the count only redoubles my fears. Who can assure me that the prince will not come suddenly to this chateau? If he wants to come, can Mersburg keep him from visiting his chateau? You cannot imagine how imperious Frederick is, his slightest wish is law, and if he decided to come here we are lost. I have made up my mind, Bathilda, I want to leave this chateau; I don't feel in safety. While I believe in Mersburg, I cannot stay in his chateau without terror, and I believe that the only delay we will give to our departure is that needed to make the necessary preparations."

The daughter of the major, absolutely at the orders of the princess could do nothing except acquiesce, and the next day the two of them left for Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, which was only a few miles from the chateau.

"Here," said Adelaide as they took rooms in a cabaret of the worst type, which was the only type of hotel available to travelers at that time, "here, at least we will receive news of what has happened to the Marquis of Thuringia."

It was indeed the first thing that Adelaide heard.

"Our sovereign master," said the innkeeper, "is now regent of Saxony. Prince Frederick, whose health keeps him away from the affairs of state for some time, has just appointed him to this position while he is traveling to reestablish his health."

"And what has caused this change in his royal health?" asked Adelaide.

"The sorrows which he has received from his wife," answered the innkeeper.

"Ah. And what do they accuse her of?"

"Of an intrigue with young Kaunitz, an officer in the service of the prince. This conduct on the part of the princess," continued the man, "caused such a scandal in the court that