[FROM SOPHIA DOROTHEA TO KÖNIGSMARCK]
Fra[nkfort], _14th/24th [September 1692]_.
I have been here during the last two hours. The Peda[gogue] alighted at
the house of the P[rincess] of Tarente,[215] where I saw nothing but
silly faces. From there we went to the Fair, where I saw nobody of
quality. The Marionette is here, and her sister-in-law. I shall not see
them till to-morrow, with which I am well pleased, for I shall be able
to take a rest, of which I have great need, not having closed an eye all
the night. I spent half of it in writing to you, and the other in
worrying myself about the fine passage in your letter. I beg you very
particularly not to give me any further such subjects of annoyance, for
I am very touchy on the subject in question. Except that wicked passage
which I cannot forget and which spoils all, your letter is charming, and
nothing is more delightful than all that you say to me. Put this matter
to rights, if you wish to be on good terms with me, for it goes very
near to my heart. Mine is so full of you that, although I have reason to
complain of you, I cannot bring myself not to mention to you that
yesterday evening I had to make a terribly violent effort in order to
keep silence to you about my affection. Never did one feel so much of
it, and never did one less deserve reproaches than in my case. You are
the most unjust of mankind to have the slightest mistrust as to what
concerns me. I am too veritably yours that you should have anything to
fear. All my actions should convince you of it, for it is certain that
my passion for you exceeds all bounds. I entreat you to be fully
convinced of this truth, and that there is nothing in the world which I
would not do to make you see that I am more yours than my own. I hope
that I shall not see either the Land[grave] or anybody, and I wish it
with my whole heart. If you find anything which does not please you in
what I wrote to you yesterday, lay all the blame on the vexation which
you caused to me. It was enough to make me cry, and all the charms of
your letter could not induce me to forgive the offending passage. Rest
tranquil as to my behaviour. It shall be divine, I promise you for
myself and for the Rival.
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Footnote 215:
Princess Emily of Hesse-Cassel, sister of Landgrave William VI,
married Henry Charles, Prince of Tarente, and died in 1693. As to the
‘Marionette’, see the Introduction to this Appendix.
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