But while we live and are still
wanderers, Amelia, we must not fold our hands in idleness; we must
work and achieve. You also, my sister, must be active and energetic;
an unusual opportunity is now offered you. The Abbess of Quedlinberg
is dead, and you can now enter upon her duties."
"And your majesty thinks it is really a worthy vocation for me to go
to Quedlinberg and become the shepherdess of that fearful flock of
old maids who took refuge in a nunnery because no man desired them?
No, your majesty, do not send me to Quedlinberg; it is not my
calling to build up the worthy nuns into saints of the Most High. I
am too unsanctifled myself to be an example to them, and, in fact, I
feel no inclination to purify them from their sins."
"Well, that might be found a difficult task," said the king,
laughing, "and it would not make you beloved. Men love nothing so
much as their vices, and they hate those who would free them from
their cherished yoke. You can, however, remain in Berlin and still
accept this office, once so worthily rilled by the lovely Aurora of
Konigsmark. King Augustus gave her, at least, with this refuge,
provided by his love, a rich widow's income; and you can now,
Amelia, enjoy the fruit of that love which at one time filled all
Europe with admiration.
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