-there I can
let the little linnet feed from my hand, and I can say to myself that
with all my troubles, with all my sorrows, I am still happier than the
poor little singer in his cage. For he will never regain his freedom no
matter how sweetly he may sing ... in all the tongues of earth.

PRINCE (_aside_).

She is charming. [_Aloud_.] And Laharpe?

WILHELMINE.

If I must dare it--send the learned gentleman to me down there, Prince.
In that little room I will obey my brother's command to perfect my
French style. Among many other things I should really like to learn to
say, in most elegant and modern French, these words: "Yes I _will_ dare
to begin a new life. Remain my brother's friend--and my protector!" But
for the moment--goodby.

[_She hurries out_.]

SCENE IV

PRINCE (_alone_).

Where am I? Was that a scene from the Arabian Nights? Or am I really on
the banks of that homely river Spree which flows into the Havel? Of a
truth this Prussian Court with its queer pigtails and gaiters is more
romantic than I had thought. Laharpe down there behind the flower-pots!
Laharpe tete-a-tete with a Princess who visits the kitchen and with a
linnet which--happy bird--is privileged to bite her fingers. How
beautiful she is--much fairer than the miniature Frederick wears next
his heart! And yet I had fallen in love with this miniature. [_Looks
about him_.] There is a spell that seems to hold me in these rooms,
through which she glides like the Genius of the bower. [_Goes to the
window_.] Down there in the square, the bayonets of the parading troops
flash in the sunlight--and that door over yonder leads to the apartments
of a Princess whose possession would mean the highest bliss earth can
afford. And there--whither leads that door through which the kind
guardian of this paradise disappeared?

[_He turns toward the second door at the back, to his right._]

SONNSFELD (_comes in quickly, excitedly_).

Away Prince--away, the Queen is approaching.

PRINCE.

The Queen? Where shall I go?

SONNSFELD.

Into that room over there--you may find some way out--no one must see
you here.

[_She pushes him to an opposite side-door_.]

PRINCE.

My knowledge of the territory is growing rapidly. [_He goes out_.]

SCENE V

_The_ QUEEN _comes in, followed by two ladies-in-waiting. She motions
them to leave her. They go out. The_ QUEEN _sinks into a chair_.

QUEEN.

Has my daughter risen? I worked so late into the n