[_Noise of people leaving the theatre._]

They're coming! Now!

[_The_ DUKE _and the_ COUNTESS _exchange cloaks._]

MASKS AND DOMINOS.

[_Entering._]

They've dressed the orange-trees!

ALL.

Oh!

f.a.n.n.y.

[_To the_ DUKE, _pointing to the_ COUNTESS.]

There's our swarm of women buzzing round him.

LADIES.

[_Around the false_ DUKE.]

Prince!--Duke--! My Lord--! Your Highness--!

GENTZ.

No one else Has any chance to-night!

CRIES.

[_From the tables._]

Sandor! Zichy! Mina!

THE DOMINO CALLED MINA.

How did you know me?

A MASK.

By your opal necklace.

ANOTHER MASK.

We'll gather oranges for our dessert.

A LADY.

[_To the false_ DUKE.]

Duke--

MASKS.

Danube sterlets! Caviar from the Volga!

[_All are seated._]

GENTZ.

[_Rising, gla.s.s in hand._]

Ladies and gentlemen--

ALL.

Hear! Hear!

THE DUKE.

Now comes The trying moment.

GENTZ.

I have filled this b.u.mper In honor--

THE DUKE.

She is going--

GENTZ.

Of our friend, Who, having organized the feast, has left us Amid the music, flowers, delicious ices, To toil till dawn dictating his despatches.

f.a.n.n.y.

How well she imitates your careless stride!

GENTZ.

To the Prince-chancellor, Counsellor, Chamberlain, Ladies and gentlemen, drain br.i.m.m.i.n.g gla.s.ses!

Metternich, Austrian Prince, Grandee of Spain, Duke of Portella, Lord of Daruvar--

f.a.n.n.y.