The Princess. Oh, no. In quite a small town--really more like the country. Struebel. Then, I'm going to show you something that you probably never saw before in all your life. The Princess. Oh do! What is it? Struebel. A princess! H'm--not a make-believe, but a real, true-blue princess! The Princess. Oh, really? Struebel. Yes. Our Princess of the Springs. The Princess. And who may that be? Struebel. Why, Princess Marie Louise. The Princess. Of Geldern? Struebel. Of course. The Princess. Do you know her? Struebel. Why, certainly. The Princess. Really? I thought that she lived in great retirement. Struebel. Well, that doesn't do her any good. Not a bit of it. And because you are such a jolly, good fellow, I'm going to tell you my secret. I'm in love with this princess! The Princess. Oh! Struebel. You can't imagine what a comfort it is. The fact is, every young poet has got to have a princess to love. The Princess. Are _you_ a poet? Struebel. Can't you tell that by looking at me? The Princess. I never saw a poet before. Struebel. Never saw a poet--never saw a princess! Why, you're learning a heap of things to-day! The Princess (_assenting_). H'm--And have you written poems to her? Struebel. Why, that goes without saying! Quantities of 'em! The Princess. Oh, please recite some little thing--won't you? Struebel. No, not yet. Everything at the proper time. The Princess. Ah, yes, first I should like to see the princess. Struebel. No, first I am going to tell you the whole story. The Princess. Oh, yes, yes. Please do. (_Sits down._) Struebel. Well, then--I had hardly heard that she was here before I was dead in love with her. It was just as quick as a shot, I tell you. Just as if I had waited all my life long to fall in love with her. Besides, I also heard about her beauty--and her sorrow. You see, she had an early love affair. The Princess (_disconcerted_). What? Are they saying that? Struebel. Yes. It was a young officer who went to Africa because of her--and died there.