My friend?

METTERNICH.

Yes; Marshal Marmont.

THE DUKE.

Oh! Marmont!

METTERNICH.

[_With a look at_ PROKESCH.]

He's among the few I like to see about you--

PROKESCH.

[_Mutters._]

I should hope so!

METTERNICH.

He's here.

THE DUKE.

Why, let him come!

[METTERNICH _goes out. The_ DUKE _throws himself wildly on the couch._]

My father! Glory!

The Eagles! The Imperial throne! The purple!

[_Suddenly calm, he offers his hand to_ MARMONT, _who enters with_ METTERNICH.]

Ah, Marshal Marmont! How are _you_ to-day?

MARMONT.

My Lord--!

METTERNICH.

[_Anxious to get_ PROKESCH _away._]

Come, Prokesch, come and see how well The Duke is lodged.

[_He takes him by the arm and leads him off._]

THE DUKE.

[_After a pause._]

You've told me all you know About my Father's youth?

MARMONT.

I have.

THE DUKE.

We'll sum it up You'd call him great?

MARMONT.

Oh, very.

THE DUKE.

But 'twas you Who helped--

MARMONT.

I helped him to avoid--

THE DUKE.

Disaster?

MARMONT.

Well, he believed so stoutly--

THE DUKE.

In his star?

MARMONT.

We perfectly agree in our conclusions.

THE DUKE.

And I suppose he was, as we were saying--

MARMONT.