The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vii Part 60

KING.

Both, Fran von Viereck--let me have both.

[VIERECK _lets the cards fall behind her back_.]

KING.

What's that? Did you not drop something? My G.o.d! Cards! [_He stands as if speechless_.] Playing-cards! [_To the_ QUEEN.] Cards, madam--a Christian court--and cards! I am sure, Frau von Viereck, you were merely prophesying from those cards. I know, ladies, that you were only telling your fortunes from the cards. I am quite sure, Frau von Viereck, that you were merely endeavoring to ascertain whether you would bury your fifth husband also. Surely--or--is it possible? Money on the tables!

[_He clasps his hands in horror_.] You--have-been-playing?--at my court?--playing-cards? [_There is a knock at the door to the left_.] Who knocks there?

QUEEN (_aside_).

It is Wilhelmine or the Prince of Wales! I am lost!

[_Another gentle knock is heard_.]

KING.

You are awaiting more visitors? Come in!

[_He goes to the door himself and opens it_.]

SCENE IV

WILHELMINE, _wearing a white veil and domino, comes in cautiously_.

KING.

A veiled lady! And such mysterious visitors are received here? [_He lifts the veil_.] What do I see! Wilhelmine!

WILHELMINE (_throwing herself at his feet_).

Father! Forgive me!

KING.

Forgive you! This invasion of the State Prison--this attack on my sovereign will?

WILHELMINE (_rising, aside_).

This is a nice reception.

[_There is a knock from the left_.]

KING.

Was that not another knock? [_A stronger knock_.] This castle is haunted, I do believe. And I have indeed been fortunate enough to prevent the outbreak of a conspiracy! [_A louder knock_.] Who is there at that door? You will not answer? Then I must open it myself.

QUEEN (_steps before him_).

No, you will not.

KING.

You would hinder me from discovering who are enemies of the Crown? I will open that door.

QUEEN.

Never!

KING.

You defy me? You set yourself in opposition to the King?

QUEEN.

Yes. I feel within me the power to do it. Ladies, hear now why I invited you to these rooms tonight--why I asked you to appear before your queen.

Yes, Sire, the purpose of this hour was that the threads of your political scheming might be torn apart by two hands destined to be united for life.

WILHELMINE.

_Two_ hands!

QUEEN.

Wilhelmine, I freed you from a captivity unworthy the daughter of a King. Open that door, Sire; you will find there my nephew, my future son-in-law, the Prince of Wales.

ALL.

The Prince of Wales!

KING (_when he has gained control of himself_).

Madame, you have achieved your purpose. You have torn asunder the ties that bound me to my family, that bound me to life. You know that my honor, that my good name, are more to me than all political calculations. You know that this scene here at night, this secret understanding with one who in my eyes is merely an adventurous stranger, has ruined Wilhelmine's reputation forever. You may enjoy your triumph at your future widow's-seat, Oranienbaum, to which place I now banish you, according to our House's laws, for the few remaining years of my life.

WILHELMINE (_hurrying to the_ KING's _side_).

No--no, not that.

KING.

Madame, admit the Prince of Wales.

SCENE V