"What I have to suggest to you," said Albrecht--he was standing at the writing-table, unconsciously toying with a paper-knife, a silly thing like a cavalry-sabre with a grotesque handle, "is directly connected with our conversation this afternoon. I may begin by saying that I discussed the matter thoroughly with Knobelsdorff this summer at Hollerbrunn. He agrees, and if you do too, as I don't doubt you will, I can carry out my intention at once." "Please let's hear it, Albrecht," said Klaus Heinrich, who was standing at attention in a military attitude by the sofa table. "My health," continued the Grand Duke, "has been getting worse and worse lately." "I'm very sorry, Albrecht--Hollerbrunn didn't agree with you, then?" "Thanks, no, I'm in a bad way, and my health is showing itself increasingly unequal to the demands made upon it. When I say 'demands,' I mean chiefly the duties of a ceremonial and representative nature which are inseparable from my position--and that's the bond of connexion with the conversation we had just now at Ditlinde's. The performance of these duties may be a happiness when a contact with the people, a relationship, a beating of hearts in unison exists. To me it is a torture, and the falseness of my rôle wearies me to such a degree that I must consider what measures I can take to counteract it. In this--so far as the bodily part of me is concerned--I am at one with my doctors, who entirely agree with my proposal--so listen to me. I'm unmarried. I have no idea, I can assure you, of ever marrying; I shall have no children. You are heir to the throne by right of birth, you are still more so in the consciousness of the people, who love you...." "There you are, Albrecht, always talking about my being beloved. I simply don't believe it. At a distance, perhaps--that's the way with us. It's always at a distance that we are beloved." "You're too modest. Wait a bit. You've already been kind enough to relieve me of some of my representative duties now and then. I should like you to relieve me of all of them absolutely, for always." "You're not thinking of abdicating, Albrecht?" asked Klaus Heinrich, aghast. "I daren't think of it. Believe me, I gladly would, but I shouldn't be allowed to. What I'm thinking of is not a regency, but only a substitution--perhaps you have some recollection of the distinction in public law from your student's days--a permanent and officially established substitution in all representative functions, warranted by the need of indulgence required by my state of health. What is your opinion?" "I'm at your orders, Albrecht. But I'm not quite clear yet. How far does the substitution extend?"