of it!

FLAMBEAU.

The Emperor!

[_The_ DUKE _enters, with the reading lamp in his
hand_.]

METTERNICH.

Aha! Tis you! 'Tis you! It is your Highness!
Ah, but how glad I am!

THE DUKE.

[_Puzzled_.]
Why are you glad?

METTERNICH.

The joke was played so well, I really thought
Another might come out!

FLAMBEAU.

[_As if waking from a dream._]

Faith, so did I!

THE DUKE.

[_To_ FLAMBEAU.]

What's this?

FLAMBEAU.

My little joke.

METTERNICH.

[_Ringing_.]

Help!

THE DUKE.

Fly!

FLAMBEAU.

The window!

THE DUKE.

The sentinel will shoot you!

FLAMBEAU.

If he can.

THE DUKE.

Your livery!

METTERNICH.

[_Putting his foot on it._]

No!

FLAMBEAU.

Bah!

[_Aside to the_ DUKE, _while_ METTERNICH _rings
again_.]

I will seek my cavern.

THE DUKE.

But I--

FLAMBEAU.

The ball to-morrow!

THE DUKE.

Are you mad?

FLAMBEAU.

You'll find me.

THE DUKE.

Quiet!

[FLAMBEAU _goes out by the window._]

METTERNICH.

If he'd only break
His neck--He's singing!

THE DUKE.

[_On the balcony._]

Hush!

FLAMBEAU'S VOICE.

My little joke!

[_A shot is heard._]

THE DUKE.

Missed!

METTERNICH.

With what ease he finds his way about.

THE DUKE.

He knows it; he has been here once before.

METTERNICH.

[_To the_ LACKEYS _who show themselves at the door._]

Too late. Begone. I do not need your help.

[_The_ LACKEYS _disappear._]

THE DUKE.

And not a word of this to the police!

METTERNICH.

I never raise a laugh against myself.
What's the importance of a veteran's joke?
You're not Napoleon?

THE DUKE.

Who has settled that?

METTERNICH.

You have his hat, perhaps, but not his head!

THE DUKE.

Ah, yes, an epigram to damp my ardor.
'Tis not the pin-prick this time, 'tis the lash
That drives me headlong toward the wildest dreams.
I've not the head, you say? How do you know?

METTERNICH.

[_Takes the candelabrum in his hand and le