ACT II.
Scene.—The same as Act I. The following morning. Emma, in her gala attire, lies asleep on the couch, a mantle over her feet. Etta enters abruptly through centre door. She notices the Princess and seems relieved.
Etta. Why there she lies and fast asleep. I had
Such fright to find her bed untenanted.
The day's excitement must have tired and then
The King's late visit. I should have stayed or sent
A waiting-maid; but she insists at times
On privacy, the privilege of being
As lesser folk. I have a shrewd suspicion!
Well let it be! Her virtue's proof 'gainst fire
Itself and Master Eginhardt is old
In wisdom. Their talk is but of grammar-rules,
Of ancient days and poetry. They have
My sympathy; though scarce my understanding.
Frivolity would seem more natural,
Would better suit their youthfulness; but learning
Has set its seal on courtly fashion, till even
The cooks and pantry men discuss in terms
Of rhetoric. Well, well the King attends
The palace school and comprehends; while others,
Of weaker wit, absorb the jargon, failing
To delve for sense.——How sweet my Princess looks,
Dear soul; her dimpling smile disarms all envy,
Else might one say 'tis most unfair that she
Should have so much; while houseless beggars crowd
Our narrow streets. Pretence may smirk and strut
And poverty may wince and crawl but here
There's restfulness. A knock!
[The door, left, is pushed
open.... Enter Albert.]
[Emma wakes up, seems surprised to see her visitors, sits
up and listens unnoticed by them.]
[Exit Albert.]
[Exit Etta, centre door.... She soon returns with the
gown. Sighing and shaking her head she helps Emma
make the change.]
[She hands the dove to Etta. Exit, left, hastily. Etta
makes a movement to follow her, then stops and soothes
the bird.]
[Enter, left, Albert.]
[Exit, left, Albert. Etta seeks to soothe the bird.
Enter Charles, in ordinary Frankish attire, attended by
Albert. Etta kneels imploringly.]
[The dove escapes through doorway, left.]
[Exuent Etta, door centre;
Albert door left.... Charles stares round moodily. A
knock is heard.]
[Enter Hildebold, left, closing the
door after him.]
[He leans on the table and sinks his head
on his arms, oblivious to everything. Hildebold
advances as though to touch him, then steps back and
sits down, casting pitying glances at him. After a
while Charles looks up.]
[Covering his face with his hands.]
[Exit, left, hastily.]
[Exit, left.]