KING.

Out with it!

HOTHAM.

Prussian industry has now reached a standard which renders England
desirous of testing its products under certain conditions of
importation. For this--

KING.

For this?

HOTHAM.

England would feel grateful if the former friendly understanding,
interrupted somewhat since Your Majesty's illustrious accession to the
throne, if the former friendly commercial understanding--

KING.

Understanding?

HOTHAM. Could be restored; and if Your Majesty would graciously decide,
on the occasion of this auspicious union, welcomed in England with such
rejoicing, to repeal, in part, the present--prohibitive regulations--

KING.

What?

HOTHAM.

In a word, England asks for a new commercial treaty.

KING.

New commercial treaty? Commercial--[_He rises, there is a slight
pause._] The meeting is adjourned.

QUEEN.

What's that?

KING.

Is it for this then, that I have sought to raise and ennoble the
civilization of my country, that I have furthered commerce and industry,
promoted shipping, given an asylum within the state to thousands of
religious refugees from France--for this, that now, as the price for the
honor of an alliance with England, I should open the door and let in the
forbidden English merchandise--to the ruin of my own subjects?

[_He goes to the table and rings. A lackey appears._]

KING.

My ministers!

QUEEN.

What? You would sacrifice your daughter's happiness?

SCENE IV

GRUMBKOW, SECKENDORF _and three generals come in._

KING.

Step nearer, gentlemen. I have allowed you to remain in uncertainty
concerning a dispatch which arrived this morning from Hanover. You shall
now hear my formal answer to it. Prince, poet, do not be alarmed. Our
festivities will take place for all that, our cannon will thunder, our
lanterns will blaze through the night. Prince, do you want to put me
under eternal obligation to you?

PRINCE (_misunderstanding_).

Your Majesty! Can it be possible?

KING.

Do you want to make me your debtor forever?

PRINCE (_joyfully_).

I? Wilhel--!

KING.

Take to horse, Prince, and ride off within the hour, as my special envoy
to Vienna.

PRINCE, GRUMBKOW AND SECKENDORF (_together_).

To Vienna?

KING.

My daughter's hand is promised to Vienna. Within a fortnight a scion of
the illustrious Imperial House will enter the walls of our capital.

HOTHAM.

Your Majesty compels me, in the eventuality of an Arch-Duke's