He doesn't understand, Hotham. Translate it into sober language for him. Good night, gentlemen. [_He turns again and looks at the_ PRINCE _thoughtfully, repeating the words_.] "Does my choice make you happy, child?" [_Looking at the_ PRINCE.] Pity he's only a bookish man. [EVERSMANN _takes up a candlestick with officious haste, brushes angrily past the triumphant_ HOTHAM _and throws a glance of suppressed rage at the_ PRINCE.] EVERSMANN. May I light Your Majesty--on your visit to-- KING (_interrupts him with the_ PRINCE'S _words_). "These minions tremble--" [_After a pause, during which he glances over them all_] I would be alone. [_He goes out_.] ACT V _A drawing-room in the_ QUEEN's _apartments. A window to the right. Three doors, centre, right, and left. Tables and chairs. Candles on the tables, playing-cards, and tea service_. SCENE I KAMKE _stands on a step-ladder fastening a large curtain over the window. Two lackeys are assisting him_. KAMKE (_on the ladder_). There! And now be ready to receive the ladies at the little side stairway. They will arrive in sedan chairs. No noise, do you hear--softly--softly. [_The lackeys go out_.] SONNSFELD (_comes in from the left_). Ah, at last a festival of which the Prussian Court need not be ashamed. Kamke, why are you draping that window? KAMKE. So that our festival may not be observed. [_Coming down off the ladder_.] Then you too are concerned in this conspiracy? SONNSFELD. The Queen has taken all responsibility. She risks her own freedom for that of her daughter, and will receive the Prince of Wales tonight in strictest incognito. Is everything in readiness? KAMKE. You're planning to free the Princess from her imprisonment? That is high treason, remember. SONNSFELD. It must succeed, at whatever cost. The Queen wishes to see the Princess amid the circle of friends whom she has invited this evening for a secret purpose. The Princess has been instructed. She knows that I will come to her room and remain there in her place to deceive the sentry. She will meet you in the Blue Room. KAMKE. The Blue Room--where--for the last few nights the White Lady has been seen? SONNSFELD. She will meet you there-- KAMKE (_horrified_). Me? SONNSFELD. She will speak to you-- KAMKE. Me? SONNSFELD (_pulling him to the door at the right_). Yes, me--I mean you--and you will lead her from the Blue Room--you will take her hand and bring her safely hither by the surest and quickest route. KAMKE. My lady--whom--whom? The Princess Wilhelmine? SONNSFELD (_going out_). No, no, Kamke, the White Lady--but come quickly now, quickly. [_They both go out_.] SCENE II FRAU VON VIERECK, FRAU VON HOLZENDORF, _and about six more ladies enter cautiously, one by one, through the centre door_. VIERECK. Hush! Step cautiously! HOLZENDORF (_whispering_). It's all quiet here--if only these wretched shoes of mine didn't creak so. VIERECK (_whispering_).