.]

PRINCE.

Is this the way to go into your master's presence? In your
shirt-sleeves?

KING.

I'm--I'm on a very confidential footing with the King. [_He goes out_.]

PRINCE (_alone_).

This is a strange Royal Household indeed! The servants stand about the
anterooms in their shirt-sleeves--doubtless from motives of economy to
save their liveries. Well, the great hour has arrived--the die will
fall. Wilhelmine--she--she alone I love--and she is to consent to unite
herself to the painted picture of a Prince of Wales--the colored
silhouette of an Austrian Arch-Duke whom she has never seen! Ah, no, my
fate rests on the Genius of Love--on chance, which may be even kinder to
me than I expect. Her parents are of divided minds--thereby do I gain
time to win Wilhelmine's heart--for myself. The King is coming. Now I
can listen to his favorable opinions regarding--Austria.

SCENE V

_The_ KING _comes in, in dress uniform, with the grand cordon_.

PRINCE (_looking at him_).

Is that not--

KING.

You are surprised? It was a slight mistake in identity.

PRINCE (_embarrassed_).

Your Majesty--I am a stranger--

KING.

It's of no consequence. You were deucedly insolent--but my people are
thick-skinned. Well--I want to speak to you, my dear Prince of Baireuth.
Are you just come from Baireuth?

PRINCE.

Yes, Your Majesty--that is, I left Baireuth three years ago.

KING.

And where were you all this time?

PRINCE.

In--in England.

KING.

Ah--you spent much time in England?

PRINCE (_aside_).

I suppose he wants me to help him with Austria, and to disparage
England. [_Aloud_.] In England? Yes, quite time enough to learn all
about that unmannerly and extremely ridiculous country and its ways.

KING:

What's that? England ridiculous? Here, here, young friend--_we_ have
some distance to go yet before we reach the point where England stands
today. H'm--have you been in Italy? Or in Austria--or thereabouts?

PRINCE (_aside_).

Does he favor England? I thought it was Austria--yes, he favors Austria.
[_Aloud_.] Austria? Surely; a wonderful country--such development of
industry--and commerce--such life and activity in all directions!

KING.

Activity? H'm! The activity in Austria isn't dangerous yet!

PRINCE (_aside_).

Then he does not favor Austria. I fancy I'm not ingratiating myself at
all.

KING (_aside_).

Has Seckendorf, or any of the others, been talking to him? Is he trying
to