“I went to pay my respects to La Platen yesterday, and she proposed _une partie pour dîner chez un cabaretier_, each man to take his lady. I said promptly, ‘I will take Madame la Capitaine’. La Platen became as red as scarlet, and screamed out, ‘I will take Monsieur Balati’. She was in such a temper all through dinner that every one noticed it. I doubt if she will forgive me the slight; but that is the least of my troubles. So long as you are faithful I count the rest as nothing.” _The Princess to Königsmarck._ “[WIENHAUSEN,] _Wednesday, July_ 5/15. “I am at last out of anxiety; to-night I received two of your letters. I am grateful for your kindness in granting my prayer about the campaign, and I vow that I will never ask anything that might harm your honour. As they tell you, Pless[204] is disgraced, and they formerly offered you his place; it is certain they will now offer it again. They are sounding you about it. I am terribly frightened every time promotion is offered you, though I am greatly distressed to think that I am the cause of your refusing it. Yet I should die of grief if you were to accept, for it would take you away from me so far that it would scarcely leave any hope of my seeing you again. You know well enough that without you life is nothing to me; you take the place of all. Do not abandon me, for the sake of the love I bear you. “I tremble at all you tell me about your embarrassments; I feel them more than if they were my own, for you are dearer to me than myself. My father and mother have quite made it up, and are on better terms than ever. I do not give up all hope of getting my wish, and I will not throw up the game even if they refuse me. But I find this a very unfavourable time, for they talk of nothing but the war, and difficulties arise on every side. We must wait until a more convenient season. My father is more affectionate to me than ever, and my mother overwhelms me with kindness; every day she assures me that all she possesses in the world is for me, so I am at rest about that. If only my father were the same I should be free of my troubles. I will die rather than ‘devote myself to the Prince,’ as you think I shall be compelled to do. There is no difficulty I will not conquer to be united to you. It is the dearest wish of my heart, and I think I shall succeed. I trust to the good-will of Bernstorff. My mother urges him every day to make the estates of the duchy give me thirty thousand crowns; but this terrible war will delay the business.