So I reread the part where Fritz acts coldly to Wilhelmine when seeing her for the first time after his imprisonment, and it was more complicated than I remembered.
I returned to my brother, and tendered him a thousand endearments, using the most affectionate language ; but he remained cold as ice, and answered only by monosyllables. I introduced my husband to him ; but he did not utter a word. I was thunderstruck at his behavior; I, however, ascribed it to the presence of the king, who had his eye upon us, and intimidated my brother. His countenance even surprised me. He appeared proud, and looked at every one with contempt.
Pretty sure this is where Lavisse is getting the idea that Fritz was unhappy because Wilhelmine wasn't going to be a queen and that was the beginning of his lifelong coolness toward her.
Because Lavisse is so good at psychology.
But it gets worse:
On leaving the table, Grumkow told me that the prince royal would again spoil all." The cold reception he gave you," continued Grumkow, "displeased the king. He says that if it was owing to his presence, it must of course offend him, as it shows a distrust which does not augur well for the future ; and if his coolness, on the contrary, proceeded from indifference and ingratitude towards your royal highness, it betrays an evil disposition. But the king is highly satisfied with you, madam; you have acted with sincerity. Do so always; and for Heaven's sake, persuade your brother to behave with frankness and without guile!"
OMG, FW and Grumbkow, make up your mind! "Have boundaries!" "Not that many boundaries!"
Those poor kids. All they have is each other, and you guys won't even let them have that.
I went up to my brother, and told him what Grumkow had said; I even reproached him slightly respecting his change. He answered that he was still the same, and that he had his reasons for acting as he did.
Well, that's good. It's certainly consistent with their letters, where she's all, "You don't love me any more!" and he's like, "OMG, do you have no faith in me at all? Of course I do!"
But it continues:
My brother then related his misfortunes, such as I have stated them.
This part's interesting, because it does indicate he was one of her sources for the Küstrin episode, but he can't have been her only source.
I acquainted him with mine. He appeared much disconcerted at the end of my narrative; he thanked me for the service I had rendered him, and made me a few caresses, which, however, did not seem to proceed from the heart. He entered upon some indifferent subjects, in order to break off the conversation, and, under pretence of viewing my apartment, he passed into the adjoining room, where my husband was. He surveyed him for some time, and after having used a few cold expressions of common civility, he retired.
I was, I own, perplexed at his behavior. My governess shrugged her shoulders, and could not recover from her surprise. I no longer found in him that beloved brother who had cost me so many tears, and for whom I had sacrificed myself.
As we know, these memoirs were written with hindsight, during a period of estrangement. I haven't read far enough to see if she ever explains "his reasons for acting as he did" (ability to read sustained text being limited to short bursts), but I will report back if I find anything in the future.
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Fritz and Wilhelmine
Date: 2020-03-08 09:36 pm (UTC)I returned to my brother, and tendered him a thousand endearments, using the most affectionate language ; but he remained cold as ice, and answered only by monosyllables. I introduced my husband to him ; but he did not utter a word. I was thunderstruck at his behavior; I, however, ascribed it to the presence of the king, who had his eye upon us, and intimidated my brother. His countenance even surprised me. He appeared proud, and looked at every one with contempt.
Pretty sure this is where Lavisse is getting the idea that Fritz was unhappy because Wilhelmine wasn't going to be a queen and that was the beginning of his lifelong coolness toward her.
Because Lavisse is so good at psychology.
But it gets worse:
On leaving the table, Grumkow told me that the prince royal would again spoil all." The cold reception he gave you," continued Grumkow, "displeased the king. He says that if it was owing to his presence, it must of course offend him, as it shows a distrust which does not augur well for the future ; and if his coolness, on the contrary, proceeded from indifference and ingratitude towards your royal highness, it betrays an evil disposition. But the king is highly satisfied with you, madam; you have acted with sincerity. Do so always; and for Heaven's sake, persuade your brother to behave with frankness and without guile!"
OMG, FW and Grumbkow, make up your mind! "Have boundaries!" "Not that many boundaries!"
Those poor kids. All they have is each other, and you guys won't even let them have that.
I went up to my brother, and told him what Grumkow had said; I even reproached him slightly respecting his change. He answered that he was still the same, and that he had his reasons for acting as he did.
Well, that's good. It's certainly consistent with their letters, where she's all, "You don't love me any more!" and he's like, "OMG, do you have no faith in me at all? Of course I do!"
But it continues:
My brother then related his misfortunes, such as I have stated them.
This part's interesting, because it does indicate he was one of her sources for the Küstrin episode, but he can't have been her only source.
I acquainted him with mine. He appeared much disconcerted at the end of my narrative; he thanked me for the service I had rendered him, and made me a few caresses, which, however, did not seem to proceed from the heart. He entered upon some indifferent subjects, in order to break off the conversation, and, under pretence of viewing my apartment, he passed into the adjoining room, where my husband was. He surveyed him for some time, and after having used a few cold expressions of common civility, he retired.
I was, I own, perplexed at his behavior. My governess shrugged her shoulders, and could not recover from her surprise. I no longer found in him that beloved brother who had cost me so many tears, and for whom I had sacrificed myself.
As we know, these memoirs were written with hindsight, during a period of estrangement. I haven't read far enough to see if she ever explains "his reasons for acting as he did" (ability to read sustained text being limited to short bursts), but I will report back if I find anything in the future.
It's just really, really sad.