e about. Of a truth,
Prince, take courage! Circumstances might arise which would not only
give me the right, but would even make it my duty to give up all
thoughts of the match.

PRINCE.

You revive my very soul.

HOTHAM.

Your Highness, it is not the Prince of Wales whom I represent here. The
English nation, the cabinet, the Houses of Parliament send me. You are
aware, Prince, your sojourn in England must have made it plain to you
that the house of Hanover was called to the throne of England under
conditions which make it the duty of that house to subordinate its own
personal desires to the general welfare of the nation. Whether or not
the Prince of Wales feels any personal interest in his cousin is of
little moment. Parliament takes no cognizance of whether they love each
other or not. The Prince of Wales, as future King of England, will
contract any matrimonial alliance that is suggested to him as necessary
to the national welfare. An alliance with the dynasty of the rising
young kingdom of Prussia seems, under the present political
constellation, to be the most favorable.

PRINCE.

And this holds out some hope for me?

HOTHAM.

There lies no hope in this unfortunate mission of mine, but in one of
its clauses which states that the marriage, if all else be favorable,
may be concluded only on this condition [_looking about cautiously_]:
that certain English manufacturers shut out by Prussia be readmitted
into the country [_softly_] on acceptable terms.

PRINCE.

And into this--this mercantile scheming you would mingle a question of
love--an affair of the heart?

HOTHAM.

I am here to speak for the hearts of our merchants, hearts that beat
warmly for the throne, but still more warmly for their balance-sheets.
If our factories have nothing to hope for, then, Prince [_takes his
hands_], my protector, my patron, then I am all yours. And you shall see
that I have other talents besides those of diplomacy.

PRINCE.

Talents to awaken a hope on which the bitterest disappointment must
follow.

HOTHAM.

Wait, Prince, wait and trust--

PRINCE.

To the counting-room?

HOTHAM.

Why not? And when, in case the King will not agree to the new treaties,
I have devoted myself entirely to your cause, when you under stand that
my heart beats high in gratitude to a Prince whom I met by mere chance
and who has been my benefactor--when you have finally won the heart and
hand of the Princess, then all I shall as