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 Fürstenberg! 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. No. To-morrow. The Duchess put it off to see this ball. [_Pointing to a Domino who passes at the back accompanied by a Mask._] She's yonder with Bombelles: the greenish cape. TIBURTIUS. I'm glad you're going, for _Noblesse oblige_; I couldn't stand much more of those asides Between the little Bonaparte and you. THERESA. What? TIBURTIUS. 'Tis our glory that our ancestors Have not been over-prudish with our kings; It is no fall to pick up handkerchiefs When on the handkerchief a lily's broidered. But honor never will accept a rag Which bears the Bonapartist weed and hornet, Woe to the Ogre's brat--! THERESA. What! TIBURTIUS. If he touched you! THERESA. You use expressions, brother-- TIBURTIUS. They are warnings. A BEAR. [_Passing with a Chinese woman._] How do you know I am a diplomat? THE CHINESE WOMAN. Why, by the skilful way you hide your claws. THE ATTACHÉ. [_Pursuing_ FANNY.] Is there no way of knowing who you are? Now, are you English? FANNY. _Ja._ THE ATTACHÉ. Or German? FANNY. _Oui._ PROKESCH. [_Entering with the_ DUKE.] My Lord, is not the ball beyond compare? THE PUNCHINELLO. [_To a_ DOMINO.] Your ear--! THE DOMINO. What for? THE PUNCHINELLO. My secret! Hush! [_To another_ DOMINO.] Your ear! PROKESCH. This corner's charming, given up to shadows-- THE CHINESE WOMAN. [_To the_ BEAR.] What are you carrying on your arm? THE BEAR. My nose-ring. PROKESCH. Charming, those scattered blocks, the broken god, The ivied urn, and, in its frame of stone, Yonder the water. It is like-- THE DUKE. A mirror! PROKESCH. What had Prince Metternich to say last night? [_Seeing the_ DUKE _unmask._] You take your mask off? THE DUKE. And, alas, that's all A stone. PROKESCH.