SEDLINZKY.

Yes; for the Duke!--and at this ball!

METTERNICH.

[_Lightly_.]

Here! you alarm me!

GENTZ.

Be an angel, f.a.n.n.y, And tell me why you wished to come.

f.a.n.n.y.

Caprice.

METTERNICH.

I fear the Duke no more. I've killed his pride.

And he's in mourning for it. He'll not come.

SEDLINZKY.

But there's a plot!

METTERNICH.

Bah!

SEDLINZKY.

Women--

METTERNICH.

Featherbrains.

SEDLINZKY.

No! n.o.ble ladies.

METTERNICH.

Really?

SEDLINZKY.

Poles and Greeks: Princess Grazalcowitch.

METTERNICH.

Grazalcowitch!

That's terrible!

[_To a_ LACKEY.]

Pray let me have a sandwich.

SEDLINZKY.

You laugh?--Hush!--Here they come. They've fled the light And seek a nook to whisper in.

[_Enter several_ DOMINOS.]

ONE OF THE DOMINOS.

My dear, How sweet it is to run a risk for his sake.

SECOND DOMINO.

Let us conspire!

THIRD DOMINO.

His hair's such lovely auburn.

FOURTH DOMINO.

It's like a pretty little halo, dear, Through which a regal crown is dimly seen.

FIFTH DOMINO.

He has a doubly-fascinating charm:-- A fair Napoleon! Hamlet dressed in white!

FIRST DOMINO.

Let us conspire!

SECOND DOMINO.

First, I suggest we order A golden bee from Stieger in Vienna.

ANOTHER DOMINO.

Vienna! Why? That _would_ be idiotic!

We'll have it made by Odiot in Paris.

FOURTH DOMINO.