THE PRINCE (with a start).  Here!

HOHENZOLL.  Have you gone mad?

THE PRINCE.  My Marshal, to command!

[He flushes, and, taking out pen and parchment, writes.]

MARSHAL.  To whom His Highness, trusting that he lead
  His force to glory as at Rathenow,
  Confides the mounted squadrons of the Mark

[He hesitates.]

  Though in no way disprizing Colonel Kottwitz
  Who shall be aid in counsel and right hand—­

[To CAPTAIN GOLZ in a low voice.]

  Is Kottwitz here?

GOLZ.  No, General.  He has,
  You note, dispatched me hither in his place
  To take the battle order from your lips.

     [The PRINCE gazes over toward the ladies again.]

MARSHAL (continuing). 
  Takes station in the plain near Hackelwitz
  Facing the right wing of the enemy
  Well out of range of the artillery fire.

GOLZ (writing).  Well out of range of the artillery fire.

[The ELECTRESS ties a scarf about the PRINCESS’ throat.  The PRINCESS, about to draw on a glove, looks around as if she were in search of something.]

ELECTOR (approaches her). 
  Dear little girl of mine, what have you lost?

ELECTRESS.  What are you searching for?

NATALIE.  Why, Auntie dear,
  My glove!  I can’t imagine—­

[They all look about.]

ELECTOR (to the ladies-in-waiting).  Would you mind?—­

ELECTRESS (to the PRINCESS).  It’s in your hand.

NATALIE.  The right glove; but the left?

ELECTOR.  You may have left it in your bedroom.

NATALIE.  Oh,
  Bork, if you will?

ELECTOR (to the lady-in-waiting).  Quick, quick!

NATALIE.  Look on the mantel.

[The lady-in-waiting goes out.-]

THE PRINCE (aside). 
  Lord of my life?  Could I have heard aright?

[He draws the glove from his collar.]

MARSHAL (looking down at the paper which he holds in
  his hand). 
  Well out of range of the artillery fire.

[Continuing.]

The Prince’s Highness—­

THE PRINCE (regarding now the glove, now the PRINCESS). 
  It’s this glove she’s seeking—­

MARSHAL.  At our lord sovereign’s express command—­

GOLZ (writing).  At our lord sovereign’s express command—­

MARSHAL.  Whichever way the tide of battle turn
  Shall budge not from his designated place.

THE PRINCE.  Quick!  Now I’ll know in truth if it be hers.

[He lets the glove fall, together with his handkerchief; then recovers the handkerchief but leaves the glove lying where everybody can see it.]

MARSHAL (piqued).  What is His Highness up to?