Natural history always says that cats cannot be trusted and that they belong to the lion family, and I am in such fearful dread of a lion. Now if the cat had no conscience, he could run away from me afterward with the boots for which I must now give my last penny and then sell them somewhere for nothing, or it's possible that he wants to make a bid for favor with the shoemaker and then go into his service. But he has a tom-cat already. No, Hinze, my brothers have betrayed me, and now I will try my luck with you. He spoke so nobly, he was so touched--there he sits on the roof yonder, stroking his whiskers--forgive me, my fine friend, that I could even for a moment doubt your magnanimity. [_Exit_.] FISCHER. What nonsense! MÜLLER. What does the cat need those boots for?--to be able to walk better? Silly stuff! SCHLOSS. But it seems as though I saw a cat before me. LEUTNER. Be still, the scene is changing. _Hall in the royal palace_ _The_ KING _with crown and sceptre. The_ PRINCESS, _his daughter_ KING. A thousand handsome princes, my precious daughter, have already sued for your hand and laid their kingdoms at your feet, but you have continued to refuse them. Tell us the reason for this, my treasure. PRINCESS. My most gracious father, I have always believed that my heart must first feel certain emotions before my neck would bow under the yoke of marriage. For a marriage without love, they say, is truly hell upon earth. KING. That is right, my dear daughter. Ah, indeed, indeed, have you spoken words of truth: a hell on earth! Alas, if only I were not qualified to discuss it! Indeed I should have preferred to remain ignorant! But as it is, dear treasure, I have my tale to tell, as they say. Your mother, my consort of blessed memory--ah, Princess, see, the tears rush to my eyes even in my old age--she was a good queen, she wore the crown with an indescribable air of majesty--but she gave me very little peace. Well, may her ashes rest in peace among her royal relatives. PRINCESS. Your majesty excites yourself too much. KING. When the memory of it returns to me, O my child, on my knees I would entreat you--do be careful in marrying! It is a great truth that linen and a bridegroom must not be bought by candle-light, a truth which should be found in every book. What did I suffer! No day passed without a quarrel; I could not sleep peacefully, could not conduct my administrative business quietly, I could not think of anything, could not read a book--I was always interrupted. And still my spirit sometimes yearns for you, my blessed Klothilde! My eyes smart--I am a real old fool. PRINCESS (_tenderly_). My father! KING.