I place him every evening in this chamber Immediately his Highness seeks his room

SEDLINZKY.

Is he here now?

THE USHER.

No. As he wakes all night He sleeps by daytime, while the Duke is out.

He'll be here when the Duke is.

SEDLINZKY.

Let him watch.

THE USHER.

Trust me.

SEDLINZKY.

[_Glancing at the table._]

The papers--?

THE USHER.

[_With a smile._]

Searched.

SEDLINZKY.

[_Stooping under the table._]

The basket, too?

[_Seeing sc.r.a.ps of paper under the table, he hastily kneels to examine them._]

These sc.r.a.ps?

[_He tries to read._]

Perhaps a letter?

[_Urged by professional curiosity he creeps under the table._]

But from whom?

[_The_ DUKE _enters in the uniform of an Austrian officer, followed by his Staff. The_ LACKEYS _hurriedly range themselves._]

THE DUKE.

[_Seeing_ SEDLINZKY'S _legs protruding from under the table; very simply._]

Why, how are _you_, Sedlinzky?

SEDLINZKY.

[_Emerging amazed on all fours._]

Highness!

THE DUKE.

An accident. Excuse me. Just come in.

SEDLINZKY.

[_Standing._]

You knew me? Yet I was--

THE DUKE.

Flat on your stomach?

Oh yes, I knew you.

[_He sees the_ ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS, _who enters hurriedly carrying a large alb.u.m._]

Ah, I feared as much!

They've frightened you.

THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.

They told me--

THE DUKE.

It was nothing.

THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.

But yet--

THE DUKE.

[_Seeing_ DOCTOR MALFATTI _enter._]

The doctor! But I am not ill!