t and quickest
route.

KAMKE.

My lady--whom--whom? The Princess Wilhelmine?

SONNSFELD (_going out_).

No, no, Kamke, the White Lady--but come quickly now, quickly.

[_They both go out_.]

SCENE II

FRAU VON VIERECK, FRAU VON HOLZENDORF, _and about six more ladies enter
cautiously, one by one, through the centre door_.

VIERECK.

Hush! Step cautiously!

HOLZENDORF (_whispering_).

It's all quiet here--if only these wretched shoes of mine didn't creak
so.

VIERECK (_whispering_).

What can Her Majesty the Queen be planning for tonight?

HOLZENDORF.

Has His Majesty the King gone from home?

VIERECK.

I heard it said, at the French Embassy, that His Highness, the Crown
Prince, had come from Rheinsberg--

HOLZENDORF.

Doubtless at the same time with His Highness, the Prince of Wales

VIERECK (_low_).

At the moment both are at the King's Smoker.--They say the Crown Prince
has again disagreed with his father on questions concerning the future
administration of the state.

HOLZENDORF.

Is it possible?

VIERECK.

And they say that the Prince of Baireuth tried to bring about a
reconciliation, but that the Prince of Wales took the part of the Crown
Prince.

HOLZENDORF.

The Prince of Wales? Then he has been received?

VIERECK.

And the King, so they say, in the heat of the argument, commanded that
Princess Wilhelmine, the cause of the quarrel, be sent to Kuestrin at
once.

HOLZENDORF.

Good Heavens, ladies! There are cards on the table. Hush! I hear a
noise.

VIERECK.

It is the Queen.

[_The_ QUEEN _comes in in full toilet. She is excited and yet timorous.
The ladies bow_.]

QUEEN.

Welcome, ladies. I am happy to have about me once again the circle of
those who, I know, are devoted to me. Pray sit down. I have decided to
be more sociable in future and to have you with me oftener than I have
done of late. Will you have a game of cards, Frau von Viereck?

VIERECK.

Cards, Your Majesty? For eighteen years now I cannot recall having seen
a card in the palace.

QUEEN.

We will change all that. Ladies, you have not yet heard my plans, you do
not yet know what surprises this evening has in store for you--

HOLZENDORF.

Surprises, Your Majesty?

QUEEN (_indicating a card-table near the window_).

Sit down there, my dear Holzendorf. Try your luck with Frau von Viereck.

VIERECK (_aside_).

Heavens--play cards there? When every outline of my shadow can plainly