he
light fantastic. Faith, it weighs one's pocket heavily, this carrying a
kingdom about with one. [_He slaps his right coat-pocket_.] Here lies
the crown of England. [_Now the left coat-pocket_.] Here the crown of
Scotland--and here, in my waistcoat pocket, is Ireland. What shall I
take from herein exchange? [_He looks about_.] Is the gilding real? It
looks deuced niggardly and close-fisted. There's space enough in these
great halls, but I'll wager there are many mice here. It's as quiet as
an English Sunday. [_Rises_.] There's some one coming.

[_Rises_ PRINCE _opens the centre door, then halts on the threshold as
if in despair_.]

HOTHAM (_in surprise_).

Well?

[_The_ PRINCE _comes down a step and claps his hand to his forehead_.]

HOTHAM.

I believe he's writing verses.

[_The_ PRINCE _moves as before, toward the_ PRINCESS' _door, then sees_
HOTHAM.]

PRINCE.

What? Who--who is this I see?

HOTHAM (_surprised_).

Do my eyes deceive me?

PRINCE.

Hotham! Is it possible? You here in Berlin, friend?

HOTHAM.

Why, what is the matter, Prince?

PRINCE.

Think of meeting you--you dear, excellent fellow--and just at the very
moment when my despair threatened to overcome me! Is it really true?
Where do you come from? From Paris?

HOTHAM.

I've just come from England, Prince, with the very best greetings from
our mutual friends and a special commission to capture you and bring you
back to the race-track, to the hunting field, and the boxing ring, which
you so enjoyed.

PRINCE.

Alas, Hotham--all those pleasures are over for me!

HOTHAM.

Has your father cut you off from the succession?

PRINCE.

Ah, do not touch that sensitive wound! Fetch me, instead, the Empire of
Morocco.

HOTHAM.

You are ill of a fever, Prince, or else you need a friend to aid you
with his sane mind.

PRINCE.

Hotham, you are a genius--many an intrigue of your country's foes will
be shattered against that brain of yours. But you cannot help me.

HOTHAM.

I wish that I could, Prince. I am so deeply in your debt for a hundred
good services rendered me during your sojourn in England. It was your
influence that put me in touch with our leading statesmen; you opened
the diplomatic career to me. To you I owe all that I am and have--my
brain is at your service, let it think for you; my arm is at your
service, let it act for you.

PRINCE.

Hotham, I'm in a most peculiar situation--

HOTHAM.

I will devote