STRÜBEL. Well, well! What's all this?
FRAU V. HALLDORF.—from offering to our eagerly awaited sovereign a slight token of our future loyalty. Liddy! Milly! [Liddy and Milly come forward, and, with low court bows, offer their bouquets.] My daughters respectfully present these few flowers to the illustrious princess——
STRÜBEL. I beg your pardon, but who is doing the joking here, you or——?
[Frau v. Brook enters. The Princess, taken unawares, has retreated more and more helplessly toward the door at the left, undecided whether to take flight or remain. She greets the arrival of Frau v. Brook with a happy sigh of relief.
FRAU V. BROOK. [Severely.] Pardon me, ladies. Apparently you have not taken the proper steps toward being presented to Her Highness. In matters of this sort one must first apply to me. I may be addressed every morning from eleven to twelve, and I shall be happy to consider your desires.
FRAU V. HALLDORF. [With dignity.] I and my children, madame, were aware of the fact that we were acting contrary to the usual procedure; but the impulse of loyal hearts is guided by no rule. I shall be glad to avail myself of your—very kind invitation.
[All three go out with low curtsies to The Princess.
FRAU V. BROOK. What forwardness! But how could you come down without me? And what is that young man over there doing? Does he belong to those people?
[The Princess shakes her head. Strübel, without a word, goes to get his hat, which has been lying on a chair, bows abruptly, and is about to leave.
THE PRINCESS. Oh, no! That wouldn't be nice. Not that way——