[minister of war goes to the door. The secretary enters. The prime minister takes a paper out of his pocket.
Here. It is a copy of the message I directed you to send to the news bureaus and embassies. Transmit it at once.
[The secretary bows and goes out. The king falls forward on the desk, sobbing. At his side, straight and stern, the prime minister Stands. To minister of war.
Give orders for immediate mobilization.
[The stage is slowly darkened.
SCENE II
As the lights rise again they reveal a small, comfortably furnished clubroom, with a wide window opening on a balcony in the back, and doors right and left. It is evening and the electric lamps are lit.
grosvenor, a man of fifty-odd, large, sleek, unctuous, well-groomed, is discovered in an arm-chair, surrounded by newspapers. He glances with feverish interest at one after the other. A cheer is heard outside, then the sound of fifes and drums. He rises excitedly and throws open the French window. The tramp, tramp of a regiment is heard. two officers in uniform, a general and a captain, enter left.
general