I am still quite bewildered by this--this flattering commission. And when may I pay my respects to Your Majesty again? QUEEN. At almost any time. But I should prefer the evening hours, when those on whom I can rely gather around me, while the King is with those persons whom I mentioned a short time ago. Farewell now, my dear Prince of--oh, dear me, now my son has forgotten to write me whether it is Ansbach or Baireuth that you inherit. It is so easy to confuse these little principalities. Ansbach--Baireuth--Ansbach--yes, that was it. Very well, my dear Prince of Ansbach, remember, Prussia, Hanover and England! [_She bows to him with proud condescension and goes out_.] SCENE VI PRINCE (_alone_). The future Queen of England! And I--the Hereditary Prince of Ansbach! That was a cruel blow of fate. And I am to mediate these matters of international importance! This angelic being, whom I love more madly with every breath I draw--this exquisite sister of my dear Frederick--is destined to become a victim of political intrigue? Oh no, she cannot possibly love the Prince of Wales; she has never seen him. But will they consult her inclination? Will cold considerations of politics heed the cry of her heart?--The parade is over, the suite is entering the castle; I dare not meet the king now in this excited mood. [_He looks about as if seeking some means of escape_. EVERSMANN _comes in carrying a large book. He has a pen stuck in behind one ear. He crosses to the door through which the_ QUEEN _has gone out_.] PRINCE (_aside_). Who's this? [EVERSMANN _looks the_ PRINCE _over from head to foot, moves forward a few paces, then halts again_.] PRINCE (_aside_). Can any one have seen me? EVERSMANN (_goes to the door, halts again, looks at the_ PRINCE _impudently_). PRINCE. Why are you looking at me, sirrah? I am the Prince Hereditary of Baireuth. EVERSMANN (_is quite indifferent, comes down a few steps, bows very slightly_). His Majesty is coming in from the parade, but does not grant audiences in this room. PRINCE. I thank you for the information, my good man. EVERSMANN. Don't mention it, pray. PRINCE. And who are you? EVERSMANN. I? [_There is along pause_.] I am Eversmann. [_He goes out into the_ QUEEN's _room_.] PRINCE. Eversmann? The Minister of Finance or the Head Steward, I wonder? He betrays parsimony in every shred of his garments. [_Drums and the sound of presented arms is heard back_ _of the rear entrance_.] The King is coming. The King? Why should I feel so timid, so oppressed, all of a sudden? Does my courage fail me because I am about to confront this curiosity of his century? I'd rather observe him from the side at first. [_He draws back and stands close by the door to the left_.] SCENE VII _A loud knocking, as with a cane, is heard at the centre door_. PRINCE. Come in. KING (_outside_). Eversmann! PRINCE. Now, what's that? KING (_still without, beats the door loudly with his cane_). Eversmann! PRINCE.