METTERNICH.

Delightful?

GENTZ.

Very.

METTERNICH.

He's in the hollow of my hand.

GENTZ.

Entirely.

THE DUKE.

[_Stopping before_ THERESA.]

Why did you weep?

THERESA.

Because, my Lord--

THE DUKE.

Ah, no!

I know. But do not weep.

METTERNICH.

[_Bowing to the_ DUKE.]

I take my leave.

[_He goes out with the_ ATTACHe.]

THE DUKE.

[_To_ MARIA LOUISA _and_ DIETRICHSTEIN, _who are turning over some papers on his table._]

Examining my work?

DIETRICHSTEIN.

It's excellent.

But why on purpose make mistakes in German?

Pure mischief!

MARIA LOUISA.

Oh! and at your age, mischief!

THE DUKE.

How can I help it? I am not an eagle.

DIETRICHSTEIN.

You still make France a noun of feminine gender.

THE DUKE.

I never know what's _der_ or _die_ or _das_.

DIETRICHSTEIN.

In this case neuter is correct.

THE DUKE.

But mean.

I don't much care about a neuter France.

MARIA LOUISA.

[_To_ THALBERG, _who is playing softly on the piano._]

My son detests all music.

THE DUKE.

I detest it.

LORD COWLEY.

[_Coming toward the_ DUKE.]

Highness--

DIETRICHSTEIN.

[_Aside to the_ DUKE.]

A pleasant word.

THE DUKE.