But we filter them.

THE ATTACHE.

Doesn't he know that France has changed her king?

METTERNICH.

Yes; but the detail he does not yet know
Is that his father's flag, the tricolor,
Is re-established. 'Twill be time enough--

THE ATTACHE.

He would be drunk with hope!

METTERNICH.

We'll keep him sober.

THE ATTACHE.

He's not so strictly guarded here at Baden.

METTERNICH.

Oh, here there's nought to fear. He's with his mother.

THE ATTACHE.

Well, sir?

METTERNICH.

What spy could have such interest
In watching him? For any plot would trouble
Her lovely calm.

THE ATTACHE.

Is not that calmness feigned?
She cannot have a thought but for her eaglet!

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Entering hurriedly._

My parrot!

THE ATTACHE.

[_Starting._]

Eh?

MARIA LOUISA.

[_To_ METTERNICH.]

Margharitina's flown!

METTERNICH.

Oh!

MARIA LOUISA.

My parrot, Margharitina!

METTERNICH.

[_To the_ ATTACHE.]

There, sir!

THE ATTACHE.

[_To_ MARIA LOUISA.]

May I not seek it, Highness?

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Curtly._]
No. [_She goes out._

THE ATTACHE.

[_To_ METTERNICH.]

What's wrong?

METTERNICH.

We say, Your Majesty; you called her Highness.

THE ATTACHE.

But if we don't allow the Emperor reigned
She cannot be addressed as Majesty
Except as Parma's Duchess--

METTERNICH.

That's her title.

THE ATTACHE.

Then that was why she looked such daggers at me!

METTERNICH.

Question of protocols and of precedence.

THE ATTACHE.

[_Preparing to take his leave._]

May the French Embassy from this day forward
Display the tricolor cockade?

METTERNICH.

[_With a sigh._] Of course,
Since we're agreed--

[_Seeing the_ ATTACHE _silently throw away the
white cockade which was on his hat and replace
it with a tricolor which he takes out of his
pocket._]

Come, come! You lose no time!

[_Noise of harness-bells without._]

METTERNICH.

What is it now?

GENTZ.

[_Who is on the terrace._]

The guests of the Archduke.
The Meyendorffs, Lord Cowley, Thalberg--

BOMBELLES.

[_Who has quickly come in R. at the sound of the
bells, foll