EVERSMANN.
No, indeed, Your Majesty. I was occupied in balancing the books of Her
Majesty the Queen.
QUEEN (comes out from her door, listens timidly).
Was that the King's voice?
KING (outside).
Eversmann, tell the castellan that eleven o'clock is closing hour for my wife's apartment, and that, if I see a light again in her rooms until after midnight, I will come over myself at the stroke of twelve to search into every corner and to discover what political plot is brewing there. You'd better tell my wife yourself, sirrah—so that she may obey orders.
EVERSMANN.
So that she may obey orders.
QUEEN.
Miserable lackey! [Goes out.]