HOTHAM.

He seeks, as we do, the Prince of Wales, with whom he desires a duel to the death.

[All exclaim.]

KING.

A duel?  And why?

HOTHAM.

Because this poor Prince of a tiny country does not begrudge the heir to a World-Power his fleet, his army, nor his treasures; but he refuses to yield one treasure to him except at the price of his heart’s blood—­and that treasure is the hand of Princess Wilhelmine, whom he loves. [General emotion.]

KING.

Whom he loves?  My daughter’s hand?  But does the Prince of Baireuth understand sword-craft?

[HOTHAM takes off the PRINCE’S cloak and places the helmet on his head.  The PRINCE stands there in the uniform of a grenadier of the period.  His hair is braided into a long pigtail.  He stands motionless in a military attitude.]

KING.

What’s this I see?  The Prince of Baireuth a grenadier? 
With—­pigtail—­and—­sword—?

HOTHAM.

The equipment of the young recruit of the Glasenapp Regiment.  I have the honor to present him to Your Majesty before his departure for Pasewalk.

KING.

A German Prince, who deems it an honor to serve up from the ranks in my army? [Commands.] Battalion—­left wheel!  Battalion—­forward march!

[PRINCE executes manoeuvers and marches to WILHELMINE.]

KING.

Halt! [To WILHELMINE] Is the enemy yonder disposed to accept the capitulation on this side?

WILHELMINE.

Until death!

KING.

Entire regiment—­right wheel!  Forward march—­right, left, twenty-one, twenty-two—­

[All three march over to the QUEEN who stands to the left of the room.]

KING.

Halt!

WILHELMINE AND THE PRINCE (kneeling at the QUEEN’S feet).

Mother!

KING.

There was no such order given.

PRINCE.

But it was the hearts’ impulse.

HOTHAM (good-naturedly, whispering to the QUEEN).

Your Majesty, won’t you correct the mistakes of these two young recruits?

QUEEN.

Out of my sight, you traitor to your Royal House!  Arise, Wilhelmine. [To the KING, hesitating.] But we still have Austria....

KING.

But Austria hasn’t us.  The minions—­eh, prince!  Tomorrow there’ll be dismissals—­dismissals and pensionings!  Well, mother, shall we take him for a son-in-law?

QUEEN.

On the condition that I—­that I fix the amount of the dowry.

KING.

And also that you [embracing the QUEEN] remain close to my heart.  Now only Friedrich is lacking.  And all this is the result of your—­your cotton industries!  Baronet Hotham?  Thanks for this splendid recruit. [In HOTHAM’S ear, audibly] How did he sober up so soon?