then--with the excuse of introducing the Prince of
Wales, I might bring the poor Prince of Baireuth, banished from the
palace and from the city, back again quite unhindered to his captive
princess--and even to the Queen. The sun shines once more--but there is
another storm to conquer first. The King approaches. [_The KING comes
an, dressed for the street. GRUMBKOW and EVERSMANN follow_.]

KING (_still outside_).

Who is it, you say?

GRUMBKOW.

Baronet Hotham.

KING (_coming in_).

Tell him that I send my regards to him and his English price-lists. We
in Berlin are not cottonwards inclined just at present.

GRUMBKOW (_designating the bowing HOTHAM_).

Baronet Hotham desires to pay his respects to Your Majesty personally.

KING.

Tell him Prussia is putting her best foot forward. German manufacturers
need a chance to catch up with what the English already know about
spinning and weaving.

GRUMBKOW.

Baronet Hotham is about to ask Your Majesty in person for his dismissal.

KING (_paying no attention_).

The incident is closed. My ministers can attend to it now. I prefer the
customary procedure. [_He sits down_.]

GRUMBKOW (_in the centre_).

You see, Baronet Hotham--

HOTHAM (_to GRUMBKOW_).

General, will you say to His Majesty that I deeply regret having failed
in my mission? Tell him--

GRUMBKOW.

His Majesty is present.

HOTHAM.

Tell him that a country's industries need centuries of preparation to be
able to sell at the low prices quoted by English merchants. Tell him--

GRUMBKOW.

Will you not address His Majesty in person?

HOTHAM.

I prefer the customary procedure.

KING (_sitting, absorbed in his note-book_).

Very good. And now, Grumbkow, tell him, for the account of the Prince of
Wales--that I'm planning to build a couple of new gates in Berlin, but
for the present he'll have to put up with the old ones through which to
leave the city.

GRUMBKOW. Very good.

HOTHAM.

And kindly add, General von Grumbkow, that as one may suppose the
Princess Wilhelmine to cherish the same feeling for her cousin, the
Prince of Wales, as--

KING.

Pay no attention to that, Grumbkow. But announce to the gentleman that
my children are accustomed to obey my wishes, and that the affair with
Vienna is as good as settled. Understand?

GRUMBKOW.

Very well, Your Majesty.

HOTHAM.

And you might add, General von Grumbkow, that I have a favor to beg of
His Majesty before departing.