The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vii Part 23

QUEEN.

So you see, Prince, the importance of the issue involved! Will you consent to mediate this question--a question of such importance to all Europe--with my husband?

PRINCE.

I? With the King? Mediate? Oh, of course, Your Majesty, with the greatest pleasure! [_Aside_.] What a detestable errand!

QUEEN.

Very well, then you can begin at once. The King will be here shortly.

Introduce yourself to him. Use this favorable moment to draw from him an expression of his opinion concerning the throne of England, and let me know the result at once.

PRINCE.

I am still quite bewildered by this--this flattering commission. And when may I pay my respects to Your Majesty again?

QUEEN.

At almost any time. But I should prefer the evening hours, when those on whom I can rely gather around me, while the King is with those persons whom I mentioned a short time ago. Farewell now, my dear Prince of--oh, dear me, now my son has forgotten to write me whether it is Ansbach or Baireuth that you inherit. It is so easy to confuse these little princ.i.p.alities. Ansbach--Baireuth--Ansbach--yes, that was it. Very well, my dear Prince of Ansbach, remember, Prussia, Hanover and England!

[_She bows to him with proud condescension and goes out_.]

SCENE VI

PRINCE (_alone_).

The future Queen of England! And I--the Hereditary Prince of Ansbach!

That was a cruel blow of fate. And I am to mediate these matters of international importance! This angelic being, whom I love more madly with every breath I draw--this exquisite sister of my dear Frederick--is destined to become a victim of political intrigue? Oh no, she cannot possibly love the Prince of Wales; she has never seen him.

But will they consult her inclination? Will cold considerations of politics heed the cry of her heart?--The parade is over, the suite is entering the castle; I dare not meet the king now in this excited mood.

[_He looks about as if seeking some means of escape_. EVERSMANN _comes in carrying a large book. He has a pen stuck in behind one ear. He crosses to the door through which the_ QUEEN _has gone out_.]

PRINCE (_aside_).

Who's this?

[EVERSMANN _looks the_ PRINCE _over from head to foot, moves forward a few paces, then halts again_.]

PRINCE (_aside_).

Can any one have seen me?

EVERSMANN (_goes to the door, halts again, looks at the_ PRINCE _impudently_).

PRINCE.

Why are you looking at me, sirrah? I am the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth.

EVERSMANN (_is quite indifferent, comes down a few steps, bows very slightly_).

His Majesty is coming in from the parade, but does not grant audiences in this room.

PRINCE.

I thank you for the information, my good man.

EVERSMANN.

Don't mention it, pray.

PRINCE.

And who are you?

EVERSMANN. I? [_There is along pause_.]

I am Eversmann. [_He goes out into the_ QUEEN's _room_.]

PRINCE.

Eversmann? The Minister of Finance or the Head Steward, I wonder? He betrays parsimony in every shred of his garments. [_Drums and the sound of presented arms is heard back_ _of the rear entrance_.] The King is coming. The King? Why should I feel so timid, so oppressed, all of a sudden? Does my courage fail me because I am about to confront this curiosity of his century? I'd rather observe him from the side at first.

[_He draws back and stands close by the door to the left_.]

SCENE VII

_A loud knocking, as with a cane, is heard at the centre door_.

PRINCE.

Come in.

KING (_outside_).

Eversmann!

PRINCE.

Now, what's that?

KING (_still without, beats the door loudly with his cane_).

Eversmann!