Put on a mask--!

f.a.n.n.y.

And disappear like magic!

THE DUKE.

My double takes my place--

f.a.n.n.y.

And openly Leaves the a.s.sembly--

THE DUKE.

Sets me free of spies--

f.a.n.n.y.

Goes home to Schonbrunn--

THE DUKE.

Locks the door with care--

f.a.n.n.y.

Forgets to wake--

THE DUKE.

Till I am miles away.

Only--

f.a.n.n.y.

What "only" is there?

THE DUKE.

Quite a big one.

Suppose the false Duke's spoken to?

f.a.n.n.y.

Impossible.

It's all stage-managed like a ballet. Ladies Will flutter round him, keep intruders off, And as a ball from racket flies to racket h.e.l.l pa.s.s from hand to hand until he's safe.

MASKS.

[_Running across at the back._]

Who is the wolf? Wow! Wow! Who is the bear? There! There!

f.a.n.n.y.

You leave the Gardens--

THE DUKE.

By the Hietzing gate--

f.a.n.n.y.

No.

THE DUKE.

Where, then?

f.a.n.n.y.

Listeners. I fan myself.

Glance at your humble servant's pretty fan.

THE DUKE.

What for?

f.a.n.n.y.

I've drawn a sketch-map of the park.

Observe the road; it's red; it makes a bend; Do you see? The little squares of white are statues; The little dots of apple-green are trees; Thus you elude the evil-minded spies; Turn to the left; pa.s.s by the pheasantry--

THE DUKE.

What are the scratches?

f.a.n.n.y.

Where the hill goes up.

Then you go down again; pa.s.s by the Triton And come out Emperor at this little gate.

All clearly understood?--I shut my fan.

THE DUKE.

Emperor!

FLAMBEAU.