y;
I'll bring my butterflies!

THERESA.

His butterflies!

MARIA LOUISA.

Could he but leave his solitary musings
To occupy his mind with--

THE DOCTOR.

Lepidoptera.

MARIA LOUISA.

Leave them; come back; he's out at present.
[_To_ THERESA.] You
Come, I'll present you to Scarampi. She's
The Mistress of the Robes.

[_She sees_ METTERNICH, _who enters L._]

Ah, Metternich!
Dear Prince, we leave you the saloon.

METTERNICH.

Indeed,
I had to come here to receive the Envoy--

MARIA LOUISA.

I know--

METTERNICH.

Of General Belliard, French Ambassador;
And Councillor Gentz, and several Estafets.
With your permission--
[_To a lackey._] First, Baron von Gentz.

MARIA LOUISA.

The room is yours.

[_She goes out with_ THERESA. TIBURTIUS _and_
BOMBELLES _follow her_. GENTZ _enters_.]

METTERNICH.

Good-morning, Gentz. You know
The Emperor recalls me to Vienna?
I'm going back to-day.

GENTZ.

Ah?

METTERNICH.

Yes; it's tiresome--
The town in summer!

GENTZ.

Empty as my pocket.

METTERNICH.

Oh, come now! No offence, you know, but--eh?
Surely the Russian Government has--

GENTZ.

_Me!_

METTERNICH.

Be frank. Who's bought you? Eh?

GENTZ.

[_Munching sweetmeats._]
The highest bidder.

METTERNICH.

Where does the money go?

GENTZ.

[_Smelling at a scent-bottle he has taken out of his
pocket._]

In riotous living.

METTERNICH.

Good Heavens! And you're considered my right hand!

GENTZ.

Let not your left know what your right receives.

METTERNICH.

Sweetmeats and perfumes! Oh!

GENTZ.

Why, yes, of course.
I've money; I love sweets and perfumes. Yes,
I'm a depraved old baby.

METTERNICH.

Affectation!
Mere pose of self-contempt.
[_Suddenly._] And Fanny?

GENTZ.

Elssler? Won't love me. I'm ridiculous
From every point of view. She loves the Duke.
I'm but a screen; but I'm content to suffer
When I remember how it serves the state
If he's amused. And so I play the fool,
And dance attendance on the little dancer.
She bade me bring her here this very night,
Just to sur