E.

And the conquered banners
Distributed! Eight to the town of Paris--

[_The_ COUNTESS _and the_ YOUNG MAN _have gradually
come out, pale and excited, from behind the
screen. They listen to the_ DUKE _with increasing
emotion, and suddenly the boxes they are
carrying slip from their hands._]

OBENAUS.

[_Turning and seeing them._]

Oh!

THE DUKE.

The Senate fifty!

OBENAUS.

Look! The man and woman!

DIETRICHSTEIN.

Be off with you!

THE DUKE.

Fifty to Notre Dame!

OBENAUS.

Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord!

THE DUKE.

And banners!

DIETRICHSTEIN.

Take your things!

[_He pushes them out._]

Be off! Be off!

THE DUKE.

And banners! And still banners!

[THE COUNTESS _and_ THE YOUNG MAN _go._]

DIETRICHSTEIN.

They heard it all!

THE DUKE.

And banners!

DIETRICHSTEIN.

What a business!
My Lord!

THE DUKE.

I'm dumb!

DIETRICHSTEIN.

A little late, my Lord!
What will Prince Metternich--? These people here!

THE DUKE.

Moreover, that's as far as I have got.
My dear professor--

[_He coughs._]

DIETRICHSTEIN.

Oh, you're coughing! Water!

THE DUKE.

I've made good progress with my history?

DIETRICHSTEIN.

And yet no books come near you! That I'm sure of!

OBENAUS.

When Metternich discovers--

THE DUKE.

You won't tell him!
The blame would fall on you.

DIETRICHSTEIN.

We'd best keep still,
And ask his mother to expostulate.

[_He knocks at_ MARIA LOUISA'S _door._]

The Duchess--?

SCARAMPI.

[_Appearing._]

She is ready. You may come.

[DIETRICHSTEIN _goes in._]

THE DUKE.

[_Mockingly to_ OBENAUS.]

Your course, _Ad usum_, sir, _Delphini_, sir,
Is finished, sir!

OBENAUS.

I can't think how you learnt--!

[MARIA LOUISA _comes in in great agitation, in a
superb ball-dress, and with her cloak on._ OBENAUS
_and_ DIETRICHSTEIN _go out quietly._]

MARIA LOUISA.

Oh Heavens! what is't again? What must I hear?
Perhaps you will explain--

THE DUKE.

[_Showing her the open window._]

My mother, look,
The day is hushed,