You know that the Electors of Brandenburg have but recently become Kings of Prussia. Although a Hanoverian Princess myself, I find my happiness in Prussia's greatness, my pride in Prussia's fame. No state has such need to be careful in the choice of its alliances, political or matrimonial, as our own. And hence there is no subject so interesting and so important to our country at the moment as a certain question which is already exciting the Cabinets of Europe, a question--the answer to which you have doubtless already guessed. PRINCE. I think--I may say--that I understand Your Majesty entirely. [_Aside_.] What can she mean? QUEEN. No one can call me unduly proud. But if one belongs to a family which has recently had the honor of being chosen to fill the throne of England--if one is the daughter of a King, the wife of a King, the mother of a future King--you will understand that in this matter of my daughter's future--there are weighty considerations which force me to avoid any possible political mésalliance. PRINCE. Mésalliance? The Princess? Your daughter [_Bewildered_.] I must confess--I was but superficially informed of all these matters. QUEEN. What I am about to tell you, Prince, under the seal of your utmost discretion, is a secret and the result of the gravest negotiations and plans. You know what kind of a Court this is at which I live. I am denied the influence which should be my right as mother of my country. The King has surrounded himself with persons who have separated him from me. I dare not think how this company of corporals and sergeants will receive my deeply thought-out plans. How will the King be inclined in regard to a matter that is of such decisive importance for the happiness of his children and the fair fame of his house? In this, Prince, you see my need of a man of your intelligence, your insight, that I may know what to hope--or [_firmly_] if need be--what to dare! PRINCE. I shall be most eagerly anxious to justify Your Majesty's confidence. [_Aside_.] Good Heavens! QUEEN. Let me then inform you of a secret but completed negotiation in which all the nearest relatives of our house have already taken part, and into the nature of which I now initiate you, too, as my son's friend. My daughter is to become the wife of my nephew, the Prince of Wales; she will therefore be the future Queen of England. PRINCE (_aside_). Zounds! A nice rival this! QUEEN. So you see, Prince, the importance of the issue involved! Will you consent to mediate this question--a question of such importance to all Europe--with my husband? PRINCE. I? With the King? Mediate? Oh, of course, Your Majesty, with the greatest pleasure! [_Aside_.] What a detestable errand! QUEEN. Very well, then you can begin at once. The King will be here shortly. Introduce yourself to him. Use this favorable moment to draw from him an expression of his opinion concerning the throne of England, and let me know the result at once. PRINCE.