WEDGEWOOD (alarmed.) Oh, I'll get out of this infernal country as fast as my legs can carry me! The king is all ears, like a field of corn; and all eyes, like a potato-patch!
KING.
What alarms you?
WEDGEWOOD. Everything. It's all over with me! I'm an earthen teapot with the spout knocked off!—Suspiciously odd!
KING.
You, sir, like too many others, are entirely mistaken in the character of Frederick.
You will understand him better when we meet again (going.)
WEDGEWOOD.
But, before you go, pray receive your box again!—(the KING looks at him sternly—
WEDGEWOOD is greatly alarmed)—if—it—is—convenient!
KING.
Not now. When next we confer, remember me.—Farewell! [Exit.
WEDGEWOOD.
Remember you? I think I shall. Once seen, never forgotten. What a deep old screw!
(Enter HAROLD.)
HAROLD.
The king commands your presence at the chateau of the countess.
WEDGEWOOD. The devil he does! (Looks at the box.) What's here? As I live, the royal arms! (Conceals the box from HAROLD.) Oh, the thing's plain enough. That fellow has stolen this box; and for fear of being found out, he has put it off on me! It's all up!—I've been bamboozled by the nefarious old monster of iniquity! But I'll after him straight, and have him JUGGED. If I don't, they'll make not bones of JUGGING me!—If it is convenient. [Exit in a flurry.