THE DUKE. Fifty to Notre Dame! OBENAUS. Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! THE DUKE. And banners! DIETRICHSTEIN. Take your things! [_He pushes them out._] Be off! Be off! THE DUKE. And banners! And still banners! [THE COUNTESS _and_ THE YOUNG MAN _go._] DIETRICHSTEIN. They heard it all! THE DUKE. And banners! DIETRICHSTEIN. What a business! My Lord! THE DUKE. I'm dumb! DIETRICHSTEIN. A little late, my Lord! What will Prince Metternich--? These people here! THE DUKE. Moreover, that's as far as I have got. My dear professor-- [_He coughs._] DIETRICHSTEIN. Oh, you're coughing! Water! THE DUKE. I've made good progress with my history? DIETRICHSTEIN. And yet no books come near you! That I'm sure of! OBENAUS. When Metternich discovers-- THE DUKE. You won't tell him! The blame would fall on you. DIETRICHSTEIN. We'd best keep still, And ask his mother to expostulate. [_He knocks at_ MARIA LOUISA'S _door._] The Duchess--? SCARAMPI. [_Appearing._] She is ready. You may come. [DIETRICHSTEIN _goes in._] THE DUKE. [_Mockingly to_ OBENAUS.] Your course, _Ad usum_, sir, _Delphini_, sir, Is finished, sir! OBENAUS. I can't think how you learnt--! [MARIA LOUISA _comes in in great agitation, in a superb ball-dress, and with her cloak on._ OBENAUS _and_ DIETRICHSTEIN _go out quietly._] MARIA LOUISA. Oh Heavens! what is't again? What must I hear? Perhaps you will explain-- THE DUKE. [_Showing her the open window._] My mother, look, The day is hushed, but for belated birds. Oh, with what tenderness the gloaming fades! The trees-- MARIA LOUISA. What, you! Can you feel nature's beauty? THE DUKE. Perhaps. MARIA LOUISA. Perhaps you will explain-- THE DUKE. Oh, mother, Inhale the perfume. All the forest floats Into the chamber on its breath! MARIA LOUISA. Explain! THE DUKE. With every gust a branch is wafted in! A fairer miracle than that which scared Macbeth; the forest is not walking only, Not like a mad thing walking; lo! on wings The scented evening sets the forest flying! MARIA LOUISA. What! You can be poetical! THE DUKE. At times. [_Distant music is heard._] Listen! A waltz. An ordinary waltz; Yet distance gives it dignity. Who knows? Journeying through the woods the master haunted. Under the cyclamen, among the bracken, It may have chanced upon Beethoven's soul! MARIA LOUISA. What! Musical as well! THE DUKE.