human
Oh, Karl, he said to me one evening while we were preparing for bed,
gpt
Yes, 'and woman.' Well put, Max,
human
I have lived longer since knowing these lowly friends than in all the years of my life in Styria. Karl, you have spoiled a good, stiff-jointed Hapsburg, but you have made a man. If nothing more comes of this journey into the world than I have already had, I am your debtor for life. What would my dear old father and mother say if they should see me and know the life I am leading? In their eyes I should be disgraced--covered with shame.
gpt
When you go back to Hapsburg, I said,
human
I shall, of course, return to Hapsburg, he said.
gpt
It is my fate, and no man can change the destiny to which he was born. I must also endure the bowing and the adulation. Men shall honor my ancestors and respect in me their descendant, but I shall never again be without friends if it be in my power to possess them. As I have said, that is difficult for one placed above his fellow-man.
human
There is the trouble with men of your degree, I answered.
gpt
Friends are not like castles, cities, and courtly servitors. Those, indeed, one may really own; but we possess our friends only as they possess us. Like a mirror, a friend gives us only what we ourselves give. No king is great enough to produce his own image unless he stands before the glass.
human
Teach me, Karl, to stand before the glass,
gpt
You are before it now, my dear boy, I answered.
human
These new friends are giving you only what you give them. With me, you have always been before the glass.
gpt
That has been true, said Max,
human
I well remember, Max, I responded.
gpt
That day was one of mutual conquest. That is the prime condition of friendship: mutual conquest and mutual surrender. But you must have other friends than me. You see I am not jealous. You must have friends of your own age.
human
I now realize why I have hungered all my life, said Max,
gpt
These good burgher folk are making you better and broader and stronger, I answered.
human
But there is one thing I want to suggest: you are devoting too much of your time to the brown-eyed little maid. You must seek favor with Twonette. She is harmless, and through her you may, by some freak of fortune, reach the goal of your desires. With the prestige of your family and the riches of Burgundy, you may become the most powerful man in the world, save the Pope.
gpt
Perhaps Fräulein Yolanda is also acquainted with the Princess Mary,
human
Do not fear for me, Karl, answered Max, laughingly.
gpt
We are not apt to take hurt from dangers we see.
human
Do you clearly see the danger?
gpt
I clearly see, he responded.
human
I admire Fräulein Yolanda as I have never admired any other woman. I respect her as if she were a princess; but one of the penalties of my birth is that I may not think of her nor of one of her class. She is not for me; she is a burgher maiden--out of my reach. For that reason I feel that I should respect her.