In his anger he chooses punishments that can only delight any person of refinement. [_She goes out_.] KING. Wilhelmine! WILHELMINE. Your Majesty, what have I done that I am so unhappy as always to arouse your displeasure? KING. You call me "Majesty" because you lack a daughter's heart for your father. I have brought up my children in the good old German fashion; I have tried to keep all French vanities and French follies far from their childish hearts; on my throne I have tried to prove that Kings may set an example to their subjects, an example of how the simplest honest household may be ruled. Have I succeeded in this? WILHELMINE. You have punished us severely enough for our faults. KING. This wigmaker--who was to instruct you in all the ambiguities of the French language-- WILHELMINE. He was not a wigmaker. KING. He was. WILHELMINE. Well, if he was, then you dislike him simply because you are so fond of your horrid pigtail. KING. The pigtail is a man's best adornment. In that braided hair lies concentrated power. A pigtail is not a wild fluttering mass of disorder about one's head--the seat of the human soul--such as our Hottentot dandies of today show in their long untidy hair. It expresses, instead, a simple, pious and well-brushed order, entwined obedience, falling gently down over the shoulders, fit symbol for a Christian gentleman. But I am tired of this eternal quarreling with you. This present arrest shall be the last proof of my fatherly affection. You will soon be free and mistress of your own actions. I announce herewith that you will shortly be able to come and go at your own discretion. WILHELMINE. Father! KING. Is that tone sincere? WILHELMINE. It comes from a heart that will never cease to revere the best of men. KING. Then you realize that I desire only your happiness? Yes, Wilhelmine, you will soon be able to do whatever you like, you may read French books, dance the minuet, keep an entire orchestra of musicians. I have arranged all things for your happiness and for your freedom. [Illustration: KING FREDERICK WILLIAM I OF PRUSSIA R. SIEMERING] WILHELMINE. How may I understand this, father? KING. You will have horses and carriages, and footmen, as becomes a future Queen. WILHELMINE. Queen? KING. You will see that I do in very truth deserve the name you gave me, the name of the best of fathers. But still--I hear your mother. WILHELMINE. What--what is going to happen-- KING. Prepare yourself for a weighty moment--the moment of your betrothal. SCENE III _The_ QUEEN _comes in, leaning on the arm of the_ PRINCE OF BAIREUTH. HOTHAM _and several lackeys follow_. WILHELMINE (_aside, surprised_). The Prince! [_The_ QUEEN _bows coldly to the_ KING.] KING (_equally coldly_). Good morning. QUEEN (_to the_ PRINCESS). My dear child, I here present to you the Envoy of the King of England, Baronet Hotham. WILHELMINE (_bows, speaks aside_).