ze it. Bring him to me and prepare him for everything--but no--do
not mention to him--those revolting forty thousand thalers.

[_She goes out with_ OTHAM.]

SCENE V

WILHELMINE.

What do you say to your friend now? The Prince of Wales in Berlin!

PRINCE.

I do not know where I am in all this tangle. Hotham is a traitor, an
ingrate who has betrayed me, betrayed us all.

WILHELMINE.

Be more cautious in the future when you talk of friendship--and love.
Farewell.

[_She turns to follow the_ QUEEN.]

PRINCE.

Princess, is this your farewell--while I prepare to meet death or
despair?

WILHELMINE.

It's not so easy to die in Vienna.

PRINCE.

And you believe that I will leave you now, when the glamour of the
personal presence of a Prince of Wales may dazzle your eye--perhaps even
your heart?

WILHELMINE.

I must, I realize it now, begin to consider my heart only from the
political point of view.

PRINCE.

You doubt my sincerity, Princess? You distrust a heart which has truly
loved but once--once and for all time--loved you, Wilhelmine!

WILHELMINE (_aside_).

Can such language be deception?

PRINCE.

I realize what I owe to you, Princess. Frankness before the world, an
honest suit for your hand--even in face of the danger of losing you
forever. I will go to the King. I will tell him, yes, I will tell him
now that I cannot do as he wishes. I will throw myself at his feet and
confess with honest sincerity that I love you. Do you wish it?

WILHELMINE (_hesitating_).

No--never, no.

PRINCE.

You are trembling, Princess. Oh, I know your dutiful heart shudders at
the thought of defying your parents, of following the call of your own
inclination. But--tell me, do you trust your father's heart?

WILHELMINE.

It is full of kindness and love.

PRINCE.

Very well, then. He has honored me, he has shown confidence in me; the
arrival of the Prince of Wales provokes him to rebuke such hardiness. I
will show him what is in my heart, and then, Wilhelmine--then? If he
refuse the hand I ask--

WILHELMINE (_turning from him_).

You will--find consolation?

PRINCE.

And if he grant it?

WILHELMINE (_overcome by her emotion, allows her heart full sway, but is
still roguish and maidenly_).

Then--I fear that you will not keep your word--to punish me for
torturing you so cruelly.

[_She goes out quickly._]

SCENE VI

PRINCE (_alone_).

She loves me. Then _one_ thing is sure!