To ope to me—her suitors’ pocket-books—
(Takes money from crown and puts it in pocket.)
And now as this small point of etiquette
Has been so easily and surely met,
We’ll ask you to excuse us for a while,
Until we go and put your cards on file.
And with the Princess, we’ll return again
Within this court about the hour of ten.
(King bows, and exit C. door. Suitors stand in same positions looking at each other in silence, feeling in pockets.—Pause.)
1st S.—