The King. The fact that I have marked it shows that its sentiments apply to me. Will you let me read it to you? (CLARA looks up.) Do not be too much surprised, Miss Ernst! (Takes a slim volume from his pocket.) I found this somewhere. (Turns over the leaves.) It won't take long to read. May I?
Clara. If only I understood—
The King.—why I want to read it? Simply for the reason that you have forbidden me to speak to you—or to write to you; but not, as yet, to read to you! (CLARA smiles. A pause.) Do you know—a little event has just happened in my life?—and yet not such a little one, after all!
Clara. What is that?
The King. I have seen you smile for the first time.
Clara. Your Majesty!
The King. But, Miss Ernst, is it an insult, too, to see you smile?
Clara (smiling). If I consent to hear the poem, shall not the Baroness—
The King.—hear it also? With pleasure; but not at the same time! Please! Because I am a very bad reader. You can show it to the Baroness afterwards, if you like. (CLARA smiles.) May I?
Clara. You are sure there is nothing in it that—