Take care. It is dangerous to be marionettes too long—even now your limbs may be turning into sawdust.
[They exit without paying the Queen respect.]
Queen
[Turning to Prince Charles and then to the Duchess.]
How very uncomfortable he will make the House of Lords. Artists are terrible people, especially when they get out of their métier, and even if they were born gentlemen. [she takes a hand of the Duchess and of Charles] I request you both to be in my cabinet tomorrow morning as early as you can manage to rouse yourselves after this rather full evening, and we shall see what it is fair to do in love [she glances softly and rather whimsically at the Prince] and war. [looking fixedly at Josephine]
[She throws both their hands away from her as if they had stung her. An equerry opens the door, and she exits abruptly.] Prince and the Duchess [bowing low to her departing back and murmuring]:
Your Majesty is obeyed.
CURTAIN