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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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Pardon me, I can tell you that in fewer words. I give my daughter as dowry, forty thousand thalers, and a yearly pin-money of two thousand thalers. I will bear the expense of the wedding. But that is all.
QUEEN (rising).
I trust that this is not Your Majesty's real intention. Baronet Hotham,
I beg you will not include such a declaration in the protocol.
KING (seated).
Not include it in the protocol? H'm—h'm—forty thousand thalers in cash—too little?
HOTHAM
The question of dowry will offer but little difficulty to a country as rich as England. Far more important are the political matters which, in the case of so intimate an alliance, must come up for especial consideration.
KING
Political matters?
HOTHAM
I mean—certain questions and points of discussion which, with your gracious permission, I would now like to present to you.
KING
Questions? Points of discussion? Do you see anything to object to in my daughter? [He rises.]
HOTHAM
Your Majesty, there are certain—advantages for both nations—
KING
Advantages for Prussia? [He sits down again.] You may speak then.
HOTHAM
To take up one point. For this marriage England will confirm without hindrance Your Majesty's investiture of the Duchies Jülich and Berg.
KING
Very decent; thanks.
PRINCE (aside).
Hotham, you fox!
HOTHAM
And furthermore Parliament declares itself willing—
KING
Declares itself willing—
WILHELMINE
What has Parliament to do with it? Am I marrying the two houses of
Parliament?
QUEEN (half aloud).
Be quiet. You don't understand. In England, all political parties have something to say in such matters.
KING (half aside). Yes, child, that would be the country for your mother, wouldn't it? Well?
HOTHAM
Parliament declares itself willing, in case Your Majesty wishes to complete the conquest of Swedish Pommerania, to let the matter pass without an interpellation.
QUEEN (pleased and excited).
Very polite indeed. I should not have believed Parliament would be so amiable. Just think, Wilhelmine, Parliament promises not to interpellate.
WILHELMINE
What sort of a new political torture is that?
KING (to the PRINCESS).
To interpellate means to harass and embarrass the government by continual contradictions, interruptions, and objections. That's why your mother understood it at once. Much obliged, my gear Hotham. My kindest greetings to Parliament. But continue—continue!
PRINCE (aside).
I am on tenter-hooks.
HOTHAM
For these many tokens of unselfish cordiality, for further manifold proofs of political complaisance, to be reviewed by me in detail later, proofs of a sincere desire to be enduringly united with a brother nation—
KING
Well?
HOTHAM
For all this we ask but one little concession, which would make this marriage a true blessing for both countries.
