days,
A little of the star clings to my fingers:--
John Seraph Peter Flambeau, I adorn you!

FLAMBEAU.

You!

THE DUKE.

Oh, this ribbon is not real.

FLAMBEAU.

The real
Is that we weep in taking. I have wept.

MARMONT.

Besides, it must be legalized in Paris.

THE DUKE.

But how to get to Paris?

FLAMBEAU.

Pack your trunk.

THE DUKE.

Alas!

FLAMBEAU.

No more "Alas." To-day's the Ninth,
And if you'd like to be on the Pont-Neuf
The Thirtieth--you'll be there if you like--
Come to the ball to-morrow given by Nepomuk.

THE DUKE AND MARMONT.

By whom?

FLAMBEAU.

Prince Metternich (Clement Lothair
Wenceslas Nepomuk). Come. No more "Alas!"

MARMONT.

You utter dangerous secrets in my presence!

FLAMBEAU.

You'll not betray a plot in which you share.

THE DUKE.

Not Marmont!

MARMONT.

Yes, I'm with you.

[_To_ FLAMBEAU.]

All the same
You didn't use much flattery to win me;
You gave me quite a warm reception.

FLAMBEAU.

Yes;
And won a warm reception for myself.

MARMONT.

Very imprudent.

FLAMBEAU.

True, but then my failing
Is ever overdoing things a little.
I always add a trifle to my orders
And wear a rose-bud when I go to battle:
My little joke.

MARMONT.

So if the Camerata
Cares to employ me--

THE DUKE.

No! not Marmont!

FLAMBEAU.

Pooh!
Let him redeem himself!

THE DUKE.

No!

MARMONT.

I have lists
Carefully made, of all the malcontents;
Maison, the French Ambassador, is my friend.

FLAMBEAU.

Oh, he can serve us.

THE DUKE.

Compromises! No!
I'll not let Marmont consecrate himself!

MARMONT.

When you are crowned, my Lord, I will obey you.
Meanwhile I'll go at once to General Maison.

[MARMONT _goes out._]

FLAMBEAU.

That venerable rascal's in the right.

THE DUKE.

So be it, then! I'll come. But where's the proof
That France still feels herself my Father's widow?
Oh, Flambeau, time has passed; the ancient love
These worthy people bore us must have died.

FLAMBEAU.

Their love of you, my Lord? Why that's immortal!

[_He takes from about his person the vari