Hotham, I've been looking for you everywhere. What do you think has just happened to me?
HOTHAM.
Another Royal mission?
PRINCE.
I can scarce believe it myself. Disconsolate, I was preparing for the journey, and stopped to cast one last look up to the windows behind which my beloved sits captive—a lackey of the King's suite approached me. I anticipated some new humiliation. But imagine my astonishment at the surprise in store for me. You know the value the King sets on his nightly smoking-bouts. He invites to these gatherings only persons for whom he has especial plans. Now picture my amazement when I learned that His Majesty begs me, before my departure tonight, to do him the pleasure to attend his Smoker!
HOTHAM.
You have an invitation?
PRINCE.
You're—you're laughing. [HOTHAM laughs heartily.] What are you laughing at?