[A clatter of wheels and a champing and prancing of horses is heard outside the palace. MENEVAL enters, and divers officers of the household; then from her bedroom at the other end MARIE LOUISE, in a travelling dress and hat, leading the KING OF ROME, attired for travel likewise. She looks distracted and pale. Next come the DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO, lady of honour, the COUNTESS DE MONTESQUIOU, ladies of the palace, and others, all in travelling trim.] KING OF ROME [plaintively] Why are we doing these strange things, mamma, And what did we get up so early for? MARIE LOUISE I cannot, dear, explain. So many events Enlarge and make so many hours of one, That it would be too hard to tell them now. KING OF ROME But you know why we a setting out like this? Is it because we fear our enemies? MARIE LOUISE We are not sure that we are going yet. I may be needful; but don't ask me here. Some time I will tell you. [She sits down irresolutely, and bestows recognitions on the assembled officials with a preoccupied air.] KING OF ROME [in a murmur] I like being here best; And I don't want to go I know not where! MARIE LOUISE Run, dear to Mamma 'Quiou and talk to her [He goes across to MADAME DE MONTESQUIOU.] I hear that women of the Royalist hope [To the DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO] Have bent them busy in their private rooms With working white cockades these several days.-- Yes--I must go! DUCHESS OF MONTEBELLO But why yet, Empress dear? We may soon gain good news; some messenger Hie from the Emperor or King Joseph hither? MARIE LOUISE King Joseph I await. He's gone to eye The outposts, with the Ministers of War, To learn the scope and nearness of the Allies; He should almost be back. [A silence, till approaching feet are suddenly heard outside the door.] Ah, here he comes; Now we shall know! [Enter precipitately not Joseph but officers of the National Guard and others.] OFFICERS Long live the Empress-regent! Do not quit Paris, pray, your Majesty. Remain, remain. We plight us to defend you! MARIE LOUISE [agitated] Gallant messieurs, I thank you heartily. But by the Emperor's biddance I am bound. He has vowed he'd liefer see me and my son Blanched at the bottom of the smothering Seine Than in the talons of the foes of France.-- To keep us sure from such, then, he ordained Our swift withdrawal with the Ministers Towards the Loire, if enemies advanced In overmastering might. They do advance; Marshal Marmont and Mortier are repulsed, And that has come whose hazard he foresaw. All is arranged; the treasure is awheel, And papers, seals, and cyphers packed therewith. OFFICERS [dubiously] Yet to leave Paris is to court disaster! MARIE LOUISE [with petulance]