L'Aiglon - LightNovelsOnl.com
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[_To the_ ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.]
Nothing. A choking. So I left parade.
I had been shouting.
[_To the_ DOCTOR, _who is feeling his pulse._]
Doctor, you're a nuisance!
[_To_ SEDLINZKY, _who is sidling toward the door._]
'Twas very kind of you to sort my papers.
You're spoiling me. Indeed you are. You've chosen Even my lackeys from among your friends.
SEDLINZKY.
Your Highness does not think--!
THE DUKE.
I shouldn't mind If only they performed their duties better.
But I am villainously groomed. My stock Rides up. In short, since this is your department, I wish you'd black my boots a little better.
[_A_ LACKEY _brings a tray with refreshments, which the_ DOCTOR _takes._]
THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.
[_Anxious to help the_ DUKE _from the tray._]
Franz--
THE DUKE.
[_To_ SEDLINZKY, _who is again making for the door._]
You take nothing--?
SEDLINZKY.
I have taken--
THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.
A Tartar!
THE DUKE.
Orders, Foresti!
FORESTI.
Colonel!
THE DUKE.
We'll manoeuvre At early dawn the day after to-morrow; a.s.semble at Grosshofen.
FORESTI.
Good, my Colonel!
THE DUKE.
[_To the_ OFFICERS.]
I'll not detain you, gentlemen. Good-day.
[FORESTI _and the_ OFFICERS _go out._]
THE DUKE.
[_To_ SEDLINZKY, _taking a letter out of his pocket, and tossing it toward him._]
Dear Count, here is another you've not read.
[SEDLINZKY _and the_ DOCTOR _go out._]
DIETRICHSTEIN.
[_Who came in a moment ago._]
I think you treat him rather harshly, Highness.
THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.
Is not the Duke at perfect liberty?
DIETRICHSTEIN.
Of course the Duke is not a prisoner, but--
THE DUKE.
I like that "but," I hope you feel its value!
Good Lord, I'm not a prisoner, "but"--that's all!
"But"--not a prisoner, "but"--that is the word, The formula! A prisoner? Oh, not a moment!
"But" there are always people at my heels.
A prisoner? Not I! You know I'm not; "But" if I risk a stroll across the park A hidden eye blossoms behind each leaf.
Of course not prisoner, "but" let anyone Seek private speech with me, beneath each hedge Up springs the mushroom ear. I'm truly not A prisoner, "but" when I ride, I feel The delicate attention of an escort.
