I move we always wear with every dress A very striking bunch of violets.

FIRST DOMINO.

That's it, Princess!

ANOTHER DOMINO.

And let us risk returning To Empire fashions.

SECOND DOMINO.

For evening: not for day.

THIRD DOMINO.

Dear, don't forget the horrible short waists.

ALL.

And all the puffs!--and ruches!--Dearest!

METTERNICH.

Ladies--

ALL.

Good heavens!

METTERNICH.

Go on with your delicious plotting.

Conspire! conspire! Ha-ha!

[_He goes out, laughing heartily._]

FIRST DOMINO.

And now That thanks to idle chatter we've removed Whatever doubts Sedlinzky had aroused, We'll prove that after female Machiavellis The Metternichest Metternich's a baby.

ALL.

Yes!

FIRST DOMINO.

Each remembers what she has to do?

ALL.

Yes!

FIRST DOMINO.

Mingle with the dances.

SEVERAL MASKS.

[_Pursuing another._]

He's so funny!

A MASK.

It must be Sandor!

ANOTHER.

No! it's Furstenberg!

ANOTHER.

And who's the bear, dancing to Schubert's waltz?

A MASK.

What's sad Elvira's dress? A star?

GENTZ.

A night-light.

A MASK.

Thecla, the hypocrite--?

GENTZ.

Disguised as Truth.

TIBURTIUS.

[_Entering with_ THERESA.]

Not gone to Parma, sister?

THERESA.