Her choice was her own, to marry or to decline.
As a matter of state policy the match was greatly desired by him and
his Ministers. They were becoming very weary of Murdol and the turmoil
it maintained on the border, and the great force of troops required
there to preserve order. Then, too, Titia had grown vastly in wealth
and population since old Henry's time, and, now, was likely more than a
match for its ancient enemy. Frederick was aging and desired peace in
his closing years. He had long wished for a diplomatic way to rid
himself of the troublesome province, and the marriage of Casimir and
Dehra would afford it. Murdol could be settled upon the Princess as
her dower.
It was an admirable solution of the whole vexing question. Yet, unlike
old Henry, Frederick was the father before he was the King; and, beyond
telling the Princess frankly the policy which moved him in the matter,
he did nothing to coerce her. But the Ministers had no scruples of
affection nor of kinship to control them and they brought all sorts of
persuasive pressure upon her to obtain her consent to the match. All
this was known to the Kingdom, and the vast majority of the people were
with the Princess.
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