And take no heed of aught--not even--O gods!--
Of being faithful: I'll be that for both.
Come, let me thrust you gently toward the ball;
Good-night, The mosses must not wet your feet.
Your headdress is perfection.

MARIA LOUISA.

Do you think so?

THE DUKE.

The carriage waits. It's fine. The night is clear.
Good-night, Mamma; enjoy yourself.

[MARIA LOUISA _goes out_. THE DUKE _sinks in a
chair before his table._]

Alas,
Poor mother!

[_His manner changes, and he draws books and
papers toward him._]

Now! to work!

[_The wheels of a departing carriage are heard.
The door at the back opens gently and_ GENTZ
_is seen introducing a woman wrapped in a
cloak._]

GENTZ.

She's gone.

[_He calls the_ PRINCE.]

Prince!

THE DUKE.

[_Turning and seeing him._]

Fanny?

FANNY ELSSLER.

Franz!

GENTZ.

[_Aside._]

Farewell to dreams of Empire!

FANNY.

[_In the_ DUKE'S _arms._]

Franz!

GENTZ.

[_Going out._]

Capital!

FANNY.

[_Lovingly._]

My Franz!

[_The door closes on_ GENTZ. FANNY _quickly
leaves the_ DUKE _and speaks respectfully after
making a profound curtsey._]

My Lord!

THE DUKE.

[_After looking round to assure himself_ GENTZ _is gone_.]

To work!

FANNY.

[_Swinging herself on to the table._]

I've learnt whole chapters for to-day!

THE DUKE.

Go on.

FANNY.

So, then, while Marshal Ney marched through the night,
The Generals Gazan--

THE DUKE.

[_Learning the names by heart._]

Gazan--

FANNY.

Suchet--

THE DUKE.

Suchet--

FANNY.

Kept up a lively cannonade;
And at the earliest dawn the Imperial Guard--

CURTAIN.

[Illustration: decoration of three bees]

[Illustration: decoration of four Ns topped alternately by eagles or
crowns.]

THE SECOND ACT

_The_ DUKE'S _cabinet at Schoenbrunn. It is the famous Lacquered Chamber.
At the back is a window opening on a balcony. In the distance, at the
end of a beautiful avenue, the "Gloriette," a Corinthian Portico. There
are two doors on the left, and two on the right. Between