The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Vii Part 49

The King's Cabinet! Where the Court tailor has just taken the white domino [_Aloud_.] H'm! Baronet Hotham, do you happen to be acquainted with the legend of the White Lady, connected for centuries with the history of the House of Brandenberg?

HOTHAM.

I am, Your Excellency. And I hear that the White Lady has been seen again recently.

SECKENDORF (_aside_).

Recently? It _is_ a conspiracy. They are deceiving us under cloak of the mystery of the White Lady. The Prince of Wales and the King have a thorough understanding with each other. [_Aloud_.] Baronet Hotham, this is double-dealing. Be honest! Confess that the Prince is not only here, but that he is received by the King at any hour.

HOTHAM.

What grounds have you for your belief?

SECKENDORF.

It was neatly done, to bring up the talk about the White Lady just at this time.

HOTHAM.

The King may have his own reasons for that.

SECKENDORF.

The King? The King has his--ha, ha! And you believe that no one sees through this fine game? You do not realize that there are eyes which even at night can see certain persons stealing across the courtyards of the Royal Palace? That there are ears which can hear plainly how such persons are let pa.s.s unchallenged because--ha, ha, ha!--because these persons wear white dominos? My dear sir, you must lay your plans more carefully if you would not have them patent to the simplest deductions.

But do not trust too much to the King's indulgence toward the Prince of Wales. He is his nephew; he may not wish him compromised. Therefore he allows him to pa.s.s in and out in disguise. But, believe me, that is all the Prince has to hope for here. And I at least should be very sorry for a young diplomat, just beginning his career as you are, who cannot profit by a direct hint from a statesman of twenty years' experience, whose power of diplomatic manipulation has not yet been excelled. [_He goes out_.]

SCENE III

HOTHAM (_alone_).

Then the sentries let the white domino pa.s.s unchallenged, out of consideration for a Prince of Wales who does not exist? And the white domino is taken into the King's study? Here are two definite facts. The King himself plans some midnight adventure, and does not wish interference on the part of his sentries. His favorites, prying into everything, but winning only imperfect knowledge, connect the sentry order with the ghost of the Prince of Wales, and presuppose a tender thoughtfulness for the young adventurer on family or political grounds.

Delicious! [_He sits down to write on a paper he has taken from his portfolio_.] Why, then--with the excuse of introducing the Prince of Wales, I might bring the poor Prince of Baireuth, banished from the palace and from the city, back again quite unhindered to his captive princess--and even to the Queen. The sun s.h.i.+nes once more--but there is another storm to conquer first. The King approaches. [_The KING comes an, dressed for the street. GRUMBKOW and EVERSMANN follow_.]

KING (_still outside_).

Who is it, you say?

GRUMBKOW.

Baronet Hotham.

KING (_coming in_).

Tell him that I send my regards to him and his English price-lists. We in Berlin are not cottonwards inclined just at present.

GRUMBKOW (_designating the bowing HOTHAM_).

Baronet Hotham desires to pay his respects to Your Majesty personally.

KING.

Tell him Prussia is putting her best foot forward. German manufacturers need a chance to catch up with what the English already know about spinning and weaving.

GRUMBKOW.

Baronet Hotham is about to ask Your Majesty in person for his dismissal.

KING (_paying no attention_).

The incident is closed. My ministers can attend to it now. I prefer the customary procedure. [_He sits down_.]

GRUMBKOW (_in the centre_).

You see, Baronet Hotham--

HOTHAM (_to GRUMBKOW_).

General, will you say to His Majesty that I deeply regret having failed in my mission? Tell him--

GRUMBKOW.

His Majesty is present.

HOTHAM.

Tell him that a country's industries need centuries of preparation to be able to sell at the low prices quoted by English merchants. Tell him--

GRUMBKOW.

Will you not address His Majesty in person?

HOTHAM.

I prefer the customary procedure.

KING (_sitting, absorbed in his note-book_).

Very good. And now, Grumbkow, tell him, for the account of the Prince of Wales--that I'm planning to build a couple of new gates in Berlin, but for the present he'll have to put up with the old ones through which to leave the city.

GRUMBKOW. Very good.

HOTHAM.

And kindly add, General von Grumbkow, that as one may suppose the Princess Wilhelmine to cherish the same feeling for her cousin, the Prince of Wales, as--

KING.