human
I knew, said Max,
gpt
But your duty to all these lies here in Peronne,
human
I suppose you are right, sighed Max, speaking gently, though with decision.
gpt
But that duty I'll shirk, and try to make amends in other ways. I shall never marry. That, Karl, you may depend upon. Styria may go at my death to Albert of Austria, or to his issue.
human
No, no! Max,
gpt
Along with the countless duties that fall to the lot of a prince are a few that one owes to himself as a man. There are some sacrifices a man has no right to inflict upon himself, even for the sake of his family, his ancestors, or his state. He paused for the space of a minute, and, dropping his words slowly, continued in a low voice vibrant with emotion:
human
There is but one woman, Karl, whom I may marry with God's pleasure. Her, I may not even think upon; she is as far from me as if she were dead. I must sacrifice her for the sake of the obligations and conditions into which I was born; but-- here he hesitated, rose slowly to his feet, and lifted his hands above his head,
gpt
That question is settled,