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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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EVERSMANN
It's merely a polite hint. Everything is discovered—and not only the matter of Rapinière. His Majesty knows you now as the emissary of the Crown Prince, sent to stir up a revolution here in Berlin and in the palace. The wigmaker confessed it all. I suspected Your Highness from the first. Wish you a pleasant journey to Rheinsberg.
[He goes out.]
PRINCE
Betrayed—forsaken by all—
HOTHAM (coming hastily from the QUEEN'S room).
Good news, Prince. The Princess is under arrest again.
PRINCE
And you call that good news, traitor!
HOTHAM
There is more, Prince. The traitor is pleased to hear that you also have fallen under the ban of the royal displeasure.
PRINCE
You are pleased to hear that?
HOTHAM
The traitor assures you on his honor that there could be no better means of fulfilling your heart's desire.
PRINCE
Would you drive me mad?
HOTHAM
To throw a preliminary cold shower on your doubt [looks about cautiously] kindly read this portion of a letter I have but just received.
PRINCE
A billet-doux from your Prince of Wales?
HOTHAM
Read it, please.
PRINCE (reads).
"London, June the fifth—"
HOTHAM (indicating a line lower down).
There—read there.
PRINCE (reads).
"You ask for news from court. We are very poor in such news just now.
The Prince of Wales is still hunting wild boars in the Welsh mountains."
The Prince is—not in Berlin?
HOTHAM (still cautious, but smiling).
Just as little as you are in the Palace of St. James at this moment.
PRINCE
But what am I to think? What am I to believe?
HOTHAM
You are to believe that you could well afford to place more confidence in Hotham's friendship, devotion—and cleverness.
PRINCE
The Prince of Wales is not in Berlin?
HOTHAM
H'st! We know he is not here—but he is here for all the others. The Prince of Wales is here, there, behind the screen, up the chimney, in the air, under the earth, nowhere where he would be in our way, but anywhere where we might need him for the merriest comedy in all the world.
PRINCE
Hotham! Then I am not deceived in your friendship?
HOTHAM
Just as little, since our commercial treaty is doomed, as I am mistaken in your chances, despite arrest and displeasure. But come now, come to that friendly goblin who will work for us—to the mysterious spirit on whose account we will keep this corner of the world in anxiety and terror—your doughty rival but your still doughtier ally.
PRINCE (in laughing surprise).
You mean?
HOTHAM
The Prince of Wales. [They both go out.]
ACT IV
