[MENEVAL, who has heard her latter remarks, turns sadly away.] FRANCIS There's nought to say; All is in train to work straightforwardly. [FRANCIS and METTERNICH depart. MARIE LOUISE retires towards the child and the COUNTESS OF MONTESQUIOU at the back of the parterre, where they are joined by NEIPPERG. Enter in front DE MONTROND, a secret emissary of NAPOLEON, disguised as a florist examining the gardens. MENEVAL recognizes him and comes forward.] MENEVAL Why are you here, de Montrond? All is hopeless! DE MONTROND Wherefore? The offer of the Regency I come empowered to make, and will conduct her Safely to Strassburg with her little son, If she shrink not to breech her as a man, And tiptoe from a postern unperceived? MENEVAL Though such quaint gear would mould her to a youth Fair as Adonis on a hunting morn, Yet she'll refuse! A German prudery Sits on her still; more, kneaded by her arts There's no will left to her. I conjured her To hold aloof, sign nothing. But in vain. DE MONTROND [looking towards Marie Louise] I fain would put it to her privately! MENEVAL A thing impossible. No word to her Without a word to him you see with her, Neipperg to wit. She grows indifferent To dreams as Regent; visioning a future Wherein her son and self are two of three But where the third is not Napoleon. DE MONTROND [In sad surprise] I may as well go hence then as I came, And kneel to Heaven for one thing--that success Attend Napoleon in the coming throes! MENEVAL I'll walk with you for safety to the gate, Though I am as the Emperor's man suspect, And any day may be dismissed. If so I go to Paris. [Exeunt MENEVAL and DE MONTROND.] SPIRIT IRONIC Had he but persevered, and biassed her To slip the breeches on, and hie away, Who knows but that the map of France had shaped And it will never now! [There enters from the other side of the gardens MARIA CAROLINA, ex-Queen of Naples, and grandmother of Marie Louise. The latter, dismissing MONTESQUIOU and the child, comes forward.] MARIA CAROLINA I have crossed from Hetzendorf to kill an hour; Why art so pensive, dear? MARIE LOUISE Ah, why! My lines Rule ruggedly. You doubtless have perused This vicious cry against the Emperor? He's outlawed--to be caught alive or dead, Like any noisome beast! MARIA CAROLINA Nought have I heard, My child. But these vile tricks, to pluck you from Your nuptial plightage and your rightful glory Make me belch oaths!--You shall not join your husband Do they assert? My God, I know one thing, Outlawed or no, I'd knot my sheets forthwith, Were I but you, and steal to him in disguise, Let come what would come! Marriage is for life. MARIE LOUISE