Eh?

MARIA LOUISA.

[_To_ METTERNICH.]

Margharitina's flown!

METTERNICH.

Oh!

MARIA LOUISA.

My parrot, Margharitina!

METTERNICH.

[_To the_ ATTACHe.]

There, sir!

THE ATTACHe.

[_To_ MARIA LOUISA.]

May I not seek it, Highness?

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Curtly._]

No. [_She goes out._

THE ATTACHe.

[_To_ METTERNICH.]

What's wrong?

METTERNICH.

We say, Your Majesty; you called her Highness.

THE ATTACHe.

But if we don't allow the Emperor reigned She cannot be addressed as Majesty Except as Parma's d.u.c.h.ess--

METTERNICH.

That's her t.i.tle.

THE ATTACHe.

Then that was why she looked such daggers at me!

METTERNICH.

Question of protocols and of precedence.

THE ATTACHe.

[_Preparing to take his leave._]

May the French Emba.s.sy from this day forward Display the tricolor c.o.c.kade?

METTERNICH.

[_With a sigh._] Of course, Since we're agreed--

[_Seeing the_ ATTACHe _silently throw away the white c.o.c.kade which was on his hat and replace it with a tricolor which he takes out of his pocket._]

Come, come! You lose no time!

[_Noise of harness-bells without._]

METTERNICH.

What is it now?

GENTZ.

[_Who is on the terrace._]

The guests of the Archduke.

The Meyendorffs, Lord Cowley, Thalberg--

BOMBELLES.

[_Who has quickly come in R. at the sound of the bells, followed by_ TIBURTIUS.]

Meet them!

THE ARCHd.u.c.h.eSS.

[_Appearing on the threshold surrounded by a crowd of lords and ladies in elegant summer costumes. (Light dresses and parasols; large hats.) Two little boys and a little girl dressed in the latest fashion._]

'Tis but a villa; not a palace.

[_The room is crowded. She turns to a young man._]