"Give us proof of her unfaithfulness, and we
shall know how to act as becomes men over whom an adulterous woman would
reign!"
"It is an unnatural and unendurable law that commands man to obey a
woman. It is contrary to nature that the mother should rule in the
name of her son, when the father is living--the father, whom nature
and universal custom acknowledge as the lord and head of his wife and
children!" cried the prince.
"Give us proof of her guilt," cried the soldiers, "and we will this very
hour proclaim you regent in her stead!"
A confidential servant of the prince, who entered at this moment, now
whispered a few words in his ear.
The prince's face flamed up. "Well, then, gentleman," said he,
straightening himself up, "you demand proof. In this very hour will I
furnish it to you. But I do it upon one condition. No personal violence!
In the person of your present regent you must respect the mother of your
emperor, the wife of your future regent! Anna will yield to our just
representations, and voluntarily sign the act of abdication in my favor.
That is all we ought to demand of her. She will retain her sacred and
inviolable rights as the wife of your regent, as the mother of your
emperor.
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