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blessing of heirs on people and country, as had been agreed and settled between him and myself; and whereas my brother, Ernest Augustus, for reasons before mentioned has entered into a marriage contract with Her Highness Princess Sophia, which contract he purposes shortly to fulfil so I, on my side, not only on account of my word given to and pledged, but also of my own free will and consent, desire to ratify and confirm the aforesaid conditions to my aforementioned brother and promise, so long as the said Princess and my brother continue in life and in the bonds of matrimony, or after their decease leave heirs male, that I neither will nor shall on any account enter into, much less carry out, any marriage contract with any person, and with nothing else than to spend what remains to me of life entirely in caelibatu, to the extent that the heirs male of the aforementioned Princess and my brother in whose favour this renunciation is made, may attain and succeed to the sovereignty over one or both of these our principalities. For the same and truer assurance of all which conditions I have, with my own hand, written and signed this renunciation and sealed it with my seal, and thereafter handed it over with all due care to my brother’s own charge and keeping.’
    George William read through what he had written. It appeared to embrace every point. Now he must sign it and seal it in the presence of his brothers; and then the matter would be settled, apart from informing the Princess Sophia of the change.
    The three brothers were waiting in the apartment of Christian Lewis for the arrival of the fourth. John Frederick had no notion as to why he was being summoned, but as George William had said, it was of no great concern of his for as the third brother he had nothing to lose by the transaction.
    ‘At last!’ cried George William as John Frederick entered. ‘Welcome, brother. An important ceremony is about to take place.’
    ‘It is evidently a pleasant one,’ replied John Frederick, ‘judging by the look of you and Ernest Augustus.’
    George William glanced at his youngest brother. Good God, he thought, he is ambitious. He wants to produce the heir to the house. He wants to marry Sophia.
    And he had been imagining this was a sacrifice his brother had been making for his sake!
    So Ernest Augustus was ambitious! Well, George William was a generous man and it always pleased him better to give than to take. He was pleased therefore that Ernest Augustuswas more than reconciled – gratified and delighted.
    ‘I am all eagerness to hear,’ pointed out John Frederick.
    Christian Lewis nodded to George William. ‘Explain to him,’ he said.
    ‘Well, brother, it is like this. I was betrothed to the Princess Sophia.’
    ‘You mean you are no longer betrothed?’
    ‘No longer so. I have decided to abdicate in favour of a brother.’
    Eagerness shot up in John Frederick’s eyes.
    ‘You understand,’ went on George William, ‘that I have no wish for marriage.’
    ‘I have always known that – and therefore it is right that you should pass on the opportunity to a brother.’
    ‘Then we are all in agreement.’
    ‘Of course it would be necessary for you to pass on not only the bride but certain monies.’
    ‘That has all been thought of. The bridegroom will have nothing of which to complain. I have drawn up the necessary documents and we shall sign them immediately.’
    ‘And the Princess has been acquainted with the change?’
    ‘Not yet. We thought it necessary to have the agreements signed and sealed before acquainting her.’
    ‘I will ride to Heidelberg tomorrow.’
    ‘You, John Frederick?’
    ‘As the future bridegroom …’
    ‘It is Ernest Augustus who has agreed to take over the marriage.’
    ‘Ernest Augustus! But he’s the youngest!’
    ‘I have made the arrangement with him and he has given me his promise.’
    ‘But I am the next in seniority. I should be the one.’
    Ernest Augustus took a few paces