e false_ DUKE.]

Duke--

MASKS.

Danube sterlets! Caviar from the Volga!

[_All are seated._]

GENTZ.

[_Rising, glass in hand._]

Ladies and gentlemen--

ALL.

Hear! Hear!

THE DUKE.

Now comes
The trying moment.

GENTZ.

I have filled this bumper
In honor--

THE DUKE.

She is going--

GENTZ.

Of our friend,
Who, having organized the feast, has left us
Amid the music, flowers, delicious ices,
To toil till dawn dictating his despatches.

FANNY.

How well she imitates your careless stride!

GENTZ.

To the Prince-chancellor, Counsellor, Chamberlain,
Ladies and gentlemen, drain brimming glasses!
Metternich, Austrian Prince, Grandee of Spain,
Duke of Portella, Lord of Daruvar--

FANNY.

She's coming forward! Look how calm she is!

GENTZ.

Knight of Saint Ann--

FANNY.

He helps us with his chatter,
And doesn't know it.

GENTZ.

Knight o' the Swedish Seraphs,
The Danish Elephant, the Golden Fleece--

FLAMBEAU.

If Nepomuk has one or two more titles--

GENTZ.

Curator of the Fine Arts, Czechish Magnate--

THE DUKE.

She's overdoing it: I move more quickly.

GENTZ.

Bailiff of Malta--

THE DUKE.

Ha! She stops!

GENTZ.

Grand Cross
Of Charles the Third, the Falcon, Bear, and Lion--
Phew--!

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

[_To the_ LADY _seated next to_ GENTZ.]

He's fainting! Fan him quickly, someone!

GENTZ.

Fellow of all the Academies on earth--!

ALL.

Hurrah!

FLAMBEAU.

And while they clash their glasses, Prince,
She's starting--she has started--

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

[_To the false_ DUKE.]

Franz! Not going?

THE DUKE.

All's lost!

FLAMBEAU.

Damnation!

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

[_To the false_ DUKE.]

Wait!

THE DUKE.

The Archduchess
Knew nothing of the plot--

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

You grieved me, Franz;
Just now you--

[_She recognises the_ COUNTESS.]

Ah!

THE DUKE.

All's lost.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

But--

[_Offering her hand to the_ COUNTESS.]