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The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 07
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Yes, me—I mean you—and you will lead her from the Blue Room—you will take her hand and bring her safely hither by the surest 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 Küstrin 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 be seen through that curtain?
QUEEN (sitting).
Why do you hesitate?
