A veiled lady! And such mysterious visitors are received here? [_He lifts the veil_.] What do I see! Wilhelmine! WILHELMINE (_throwing herself at his feet_). Father! Forgive me! KING. Forgive you! This invasion of the State Prison--this attack on my sovereign will? WILHELMINE (_rising, aside_). This is a nice reception. [_There is a knock from the left_.] KING. Was that not another knock? [_A stronger knock_.] This castle is haunted, I do believe. And I have indeed been fortunate enough to prevent the outbreak of a conspiracy! [_A louder knock_.] Who is there at that door? You will not answer? Then I must open it myself. QUEEN (_steps before him_). No, you will not. KING. You would hinder me from discovering who are enemies of the Crown? I will open that door. QUEEN. Never! KING. You defy me? You set yourself in opposition to the King? QUEEN. Yes. I feel within me the power to do it. Ladies, hear now why I invited you to these rooms tonight--why I asked you to appear before your queen. Yes, Sire, the purpose of this hour was that the threads of your political scheming might be torn apart by two hands destined to be united for life. WILHELMINE. _Two_ hands! QUEEN. Wilhelmine, I freed you from a captivity unworthy the daughter of a King. Open that door, Sire; you will find there my nephew, my future son-in-law, the Prince of Wales. ALL. The Prince of Wales! KING (_when he has gained control of himself_). Madame, you have achieved your purpose. You have torn asunder the ties that bound me to my family, that bound me to life. You know that my honor, that my good name, are more to me than all political calculations. You know that this scene here at night, this secret understanding with one who in my eyes is merely an adventurous stranger, has ruined Wilhelmine's reputation forever. You may enjoy your triumph at your future widow's-seat, Oranienbaum, to which place I now banish you, according to our House's laws, for the few remaining years of my life. WILHELMINE (_hurrying to the_ KING's _side_). No--no, not that. KING. Madame, admit the Prince of Wales. SCENE V _The_ QUEEN, _breathing heavily, staggers to the door. After a moment's upward glance she opens it. The_ PRINCE OF BAIREUTH _comes in, wrapped in a white cloak_. HOTHAM _follows, carrying a pointed metal helmet, such as belonged to the Prussian uniform of that day. The helmet must not be seen at first_. WILHELMINE. What? Whom do I see? ALL. The Prince of Baireuth? QUEEN. Baronet, what does this mean? Where is the Prince of Wales? HOTHAM. Your Majesty, I am all astonishment. I have but just learned that the prince is now on a journey to Scotland. ALL. What's that? QUEEN. The Prince is not in Berlin? HOTHAM.