Now! to work!

[_The wheels of a departing carriage are heard.

The door at the back opens gently and_ GENTZ _is seen introducing a woman wrapped in a cloak._]

GENTZ.

She's gone.

[_He calls the_ PRINCE.]

Prince!

THE DUKE.

[_Turning and seeing him._]

f.a.n.n.y?

f.a.n.n.y ELSSLER.

Franz!

GENTZ.

[_Aside._]

Farewell to dreams of Empire!

f.a.n.n.y.

[_In the_ DUKE'S _arms._]

Franz!

GENTZ.

[_Going out._]

Capital!

f.a.n.n.y.

[_Lovingly._]

My Franz!

[_The door closes on_ GENTZ. f.a.n.n.y _quickly leaves the_ DUKE _and speaks respectfully after making a profound curtsey._]

My Lord!

THE DUKE.

[_After looking round to a.s.sure himself_ GENTZ _is gone_.]

To work!

f.a.n.n.y.

[_Swinging herself on to the table._]

I've learnt whole chapters for to-day!

THE DUKE.

Go on.

f.a.n.n.y.

So, then, while Marshal Ney marched through the night, The Generals Gazan--

THE DUKE.

[_Learning the names by heart._]

Gazan--

f.a.n.n.y.

Suchet--

THE DUKE.

Suchet--

f.a.n.n.y.

Kept up a lively cannonade; And at the earliest dawn the Imperial Guard--

CURTAIN.

[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration of three bees]

[Ill.u.s.tration: decoration of four Ns topped alternately by eagles or crowns.]

THE SECOND ACT