You here? And in this uniform? What means? THE DUKE. Were we not asked to come here in--disguise? SEDLINZKY. The pride your Excellency broke last night Even in its fragments keeps its insolence. [_To the_ DUKE.] What are you dreaming of, far from the ball, My little Colonel? THE DUKE. Of my Little Corporal! METTERNICH. [_On the point of breaking out._] Oh, I-- [_Mastering himself._] But I must go to my despatches. 'Tis all to do again! [_He and_ SEDLINZKY _go out._] [_Enter_ FANNY ELSSLER.] FANNY. Prince! THE DUKE. No! that woman! I will not--! FANNY. [_Unmasking._] Fly? THE DUKE. [_Recognising her._] Fanny! FANNY. The plot! THE DUKE. What's that? FANNY. I'm in it. Let me tell you-- THE DUKE. Ah! FANNY. Look innocent. Sit down. Pretend you're very much in love. You on the rock. I on the Neptune's head. [_Speaking to the stone head_.] May I sit down, good Neptune? THE STONE HEAD. If you like. Only I warn you, it's all over ants. FANNY. Lord! Neptune's talking! THE DUKE. [_Understanding and remembering._] Ah! beneath the ivy! FLAMBEAU. The entrance to my cavern through an ant-heap. THE DUKE. You! Flambeau! FLAMBEAU. In the cave of Rob-- MASKS. Ho hi! FANNY. Hush! Masks! MASKS. Oh, very funny! [_They pass out._] FLAMBEAU. --inson Crusoe! THE DUKE. What! Since last night? FLAMBEAU. Oh, yes; I smoke my pipe-- THE DUKE. There in the hole? FLAMBEAU. You copied from the beggar Who first invented bearskins, so they say, And had a funny Mameluke called Friday. THE DUKE. I cannot find the spot. FLAMBEAU. It's on the right. Here, where I blow a cloud out of my pipe. FANNY. The small Vesuvius! THE DUKE. You must be-- FLAMBEAU. Uncomfortable. But then--I said you'd find me at the ball. FANNY. If they should catch us talking to a smoke! FLAMBEAU. Ouch! THE DUKE. What's the matter? FLAMBEAU. An attack of ants. Since yesterday we've had the bloodiest battles. FANNY. But-- FLAMBEAU. They outnumber me, but I've tobacco, I blow a blast-- THE DUKE. You bring your heavy guns? FLAMBEAU. May I lift up my rock a bit? THE DUKE. Yes. FLAMBEAU. [_Seeing_ MASKS _approaching._] Nuns! THE DUKE AND FANNY. Hush! FLAMBEAU. Now I look as if I took the air On the tomb's balcony. THE DUKE.