o-night!

THERESA.

I am to come--!

THE DUKE.

Say neither yes nor no.--I'll wait--

THERESA.

Alas!

THE DUKE.

Think how unhappy I shall henceforth be!
I've lost all hope of playing a great part;
I can but weep; I need a heart to weep on.
Away!

A MASK.

[_Seeing a stout lady dressed as a shepherdess._]

That shepherdess has eaten her flock!

THE BEAR.

If you'll but love me--

THE CHINESE WOMAN.

You will sell your skin?

A DOMINO.

[_Passing on_ GENTZ'S _arm_.]

The Viscount's here as Doge in grand dalmatic.

GENTZ.

Then is the Baroness the Adriatic.

THE DUKE.

[_Who has scribbled a note; to a_ LACKEY.]

This for my lackeys. I shall not come in.
I'm sleeping at the hunting-lodge. Make haste!
Let me have word they've read and understood.

THE LACKEY.

Nought else, my Lord?

THE DUKE.

To-morrow the bay mare.

FANNY ELSSLER.

His uniform beneath a--

THE DUKE.

[_Turning._]

Violet cloak.
Prokesch! I said your note was from a woman!

FANNY.

[_Pointing to the_ ATTACHE, _who has followed her._]

Let me get rid of this importunate mask.
And I'll come back.

THE DUKE.

I'll wait. 'Tis fate. I yield.
I'll love, with stormy April in my heart.
I'll love--like these--like all!

BOMBELLES.

[_Who has come in with_ MARIA LOUISA. _She sits on the stone bench._]

Was he in love?

MARIA LOUISA.

What! must you still be harping on him?

BOMBELLES.

Yes.

THE DUKE.

My mother and Bombelles--!

BOMBELLES.

Speak!

MARIA LOUISA.

I don't know.
He was intimidated in my presence.
Even on his throne, beneath his golden laurels,
He felt his inequality of birth;
And then, to keep a countenance, he'd call me
His "Good Louisa." Yes! such shocking taste!
For I love sentiment. I am a woman.

BOMBELLES.

And queen of all!

MARIA LOUISA.

A little thing I said
When Saint Aulaire came to my room at Blois
With news of his disasters, made them furious.
I was in bed. My naked foot peeped out,
And, lying on the polished wood, as if
Thomire had carved it, seemed at once to turn
The Medicean bed into an Empire bed.
And seeing the Envo