hing wrong with you of late.

THE DUKE.

[_Reading._]

_Bengalensis._

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Of Bengal?

THE DUKE.

That's right.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

I find you nervous. What's the matter?

THE DUKE.

Nothing.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Yes, but I know, your bosom-friend Prokesch,
The confidant of hopes they think too vast,
They've sent him far away.

THE DUKE.

But in exchange
They give me Marshal Marmont as a friend.
Despised in France, he crawls to Austria
To gather praise for treason to my Father.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Hush!

THE DUKE.

And a man like that is here to set
The son against the Father!--Oh!--

[_Reading._]

_Volubilis._

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Franz, when you promise do you keep your word?

THE DUKE.

You've been so good to me, I could not break it.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Besides, you liked my birthday present, Franz.

THE DUKE.

Ah, yes! These relics from the archducal trophy!

[_He takes the things he mentions, which are on a
console between the doors on the right._]

A tinder box--a busby of the Guard--
An ancient musket--No! it isn't loaded!
And above all--

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Oh, hush!

THE DUKE.

That other thing--
I've hidden it.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Where, you bandit?

THE DUKE.

In my den.

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Well, promise then--your grandfather--you know
His kindness--

THE DUKE.

[_Picking up a paper which has fallen from the herbarium._]

What is this? A sheet of paper?

[_He reads._]

"And if the students still persist in shouting.
Let them be crimped and sent on active service--".

[_To the_ ARCHDUCHESS.]

You said--his kindness--

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

Yes; the Emperor loves you.
His goodness--

THE DUKE.

[_Picking up another paper fallen from the herbarium._]

Here's another.

[_He reads._]

"As the mob
Resist you, cut them down."

[_To the_ ARCHDUCHESS.]

His goodness--

THE ARCHDUCHESS.

He hates the ferment of the modern mind,
But he's an excellent old man.

THE DUKE.

Two-sided.
Flowers from whose l