The Envoy Of General Belliard. Welcome, sir. [_Hands him papers._] The papers. We accept in principle King Louis Philip; But don't let's have too much of '99, Or we might crack a little egg-shell! THE ATTACHÉ. Sir, Are you alluding to Prince Francis Charles? METTERNICH. The Duke of Reichstadt? Oh, sir, as for me, I don't admit his father reigned. THE ATTACHÉ. [_Generously._] I do. METTERNICH. So I'll do nothing for the Duke. Yet-- THE ATTACHÉ. Yet? METTERNICH. Yet, should you give too loose a reign to freedom, Permit yourself the slightest propaganda, Let Monsieur Royer-Collard come too often And bare his bosom to your king; in short, If your new kingdom's too republican, We might--our temper's not angelical-- We might remember Francis is our grandson. THE ATTACHÉ. Our lilies never shall turn red. METTERNICH. And while They keep their whiteness bees shall not approach them. THE ATTACHÉ. 'Tis feared in spite of you the Duke may hope. METTERNICH. No. THE ATTACHÉ. Things are happening. METTERNICH. But we filter them. THE ATTACHÉ. Doesn't he know that France has changed her king? METTERNICH. Yes; but the detail he does not yet know Is that his father's flag, the tricolor, Is re-established. 'Twill be time enough-- THE ATTACHÉ. He would be drunk with hope! METTERNICH. We'll keep him sober. THE ATTACHÉ. He's not so strictly guarded here at Baden. METTERNICH. Oh, here there's nought to fear. He's with his mother. THE ATTACHÉ. Well, sir? METTERNICH. What spy could have such interest In watching him? For any plot would trouble Her lovely calm. THE ATTACHÉ. Is not that calmness feigned? She cannot have a thought but for her eaglet! MARIA LOUISA. [_Entering hurriedly._ My parrot! THE ATTACHÉ. [_Starting._] Eh? MARIA LOUISA. [_To_ METTERNICH.] Margharitina's flown! METTERNICH. Oh! MARIA LOUISA. My parrot, Margharitina! METTERNICH. [_To the_ ATTACHÉ.] There, sir! THE ATTACHÉ. [_To_ MARIA LOUISA.] May I not seek it, Highness? MARIA LOUISA. [_Curtly._] No. [_She goes out._ THE ATTACHÉ. [_To_ METTERNICH.] What's wrong? METTERNICH. We say, Your Majesty; you called her Highness. THE ATTACHÉ. But if we don't allow the Emperor reigned She cannot be addressed as Majesty Except as Parma's Duchess-- METTERNICH. That's her title. THE ATTACHÉ. Then that was why she looked such daggers at me! METTERNICH. Question of protocols and of precedence. THE ATTACHÉ. [_Preparing to take his leave._]