There are present as spectators nearly all the notables who have assembled for the Congress, including the EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA himself, has gay wife, who quite eclipses him, the EMPEROR ALEXANDER, the KING OF PRUSSIA--still in the mourning he has never abandoned since the death of QUEEN LUISA,--the KING OF BAVARIA and his son, METTERNICH, TALLEYRAND, WELLINGTON, NESSELRODE, HARDENBERG; and minor princes, ministers, and officials of all nations.] COUNTESS OF BRIGNOLE [suddenly from he grille] Something has happened--so it seems, madame! The Tableau gains no heed from them, and all Turn murmuring together. MARIE LOUISE What may be? [She rises with languid curiosity, and COUNT NEIPPERG adroitly takes her hand and leads her forward. All three look down through the grille.] NEIPPERG some strange news, certainly, your Majesty, Is being discussed.--I'll run down and inquire. MARIE LOUISE [playfully] Nay--stay here. We shall learn soon enough. NEIPPERG Look at their faces now. Count Metternich Stares at Prince Talleyrand--no muscle moving. The King of Prussia blinks bewilderedly Upon Lord Wellington. MARIE LOUISE [concerned] Yes; so it seems.... They are thunderstruck. See, though the music beats, The ladies of the Tableau leave their place, And mingle with the rest, and quite forget That they are in masquerade. The sovereigns show By far the gravest mien.... I wonder, now, If it has aught to do with me or mine? Disasters mostly have to do with me! COUNTESS OF BRIGNOLE Those rude diplomists from England there, At your Imperial father's consternation, And Russia's, and the King of Prussia's gloom, Shake shoulders with hid laughter! That they call The English sense of humour, I infer,-- To see a jest in other people's troubles! MARIE LOUISE [hiding her presages] They ever take things thus phlegmatically: The safe sea minimizes Continental scare In their regard. I wish it did in mine! But Wellington laughs not, as I discern. NEIPPERG Perhaps, though fun for the other English here, It means new work for him. Ah--notice now The music makes no more pretence to play! Sovereigns and ministers have moved apart, And talk, and leave the ladies quite aloof-- Even the Grand Duchesses and Empress, all-- Such mighty cogitations trance their minds! MARIE LOUISE [with more anxiety] Poor ladies; yea, they draw into the rear, And whisper ominous words among themselves! Count Neipperg--I must ask you now--go glean What evil lowers. I am riddled through With strange surmises and more strange alarms! [The COUNTESS OF MONTESQUIOU enters.] Ah--we shall learn it now. Well--what, madame? COUNTESS OF MONTESQUIOU [breathlessly] Your Majesty, the Emperor Napoleon Has vanished from Elba! Wither flown, And how, and why, nobody says or knows.