SONNSFELD.

Your Highness commands?

WILHELMINE (as if awakening from a dream).

I?  Nothing.

SONNSFELD.

Your Highness rang?

WILHELMINE.

Yes, I did.  My mantilla—­my fan—­the veil.

SONNSFELD.

Your Highness is going out?

WILHELMINE.

I am going out.

SONNSFELD.

Has Your Highness permission?

WILHELMINE.

Permission?  Are you beginning to take that tone, too?  Fetch the things I want.

[SONNSFELD looks at her, astounded, then goes out.]

WILHELMINE (alone).

I am tired of all this.  I am beginning to be conscious of myself, now that I know there is some one who recognizes my meagre worth.  The situation here is unbearable.  I am weary of this unworthy subordination, this barrack-room service.

[SONNSFELD comes back with mantilla, fan and veil.]

WILHELMINE.

You might have chosen the mantilla with the Brussels lace.

SONNSFELD.

Your Highness—­what is your purpose?

WILHELMINE.

Throw the veil about my head.  Don’t question everything I do.  Must I give you an accounting for every trifle?

SONNSFELD.

Good Heavens—­have you joined your mother in her revolutionary ideas?

WILHELMINE.

I have joined no one.  I want to show the world that a Princess of Prussia has at least the right to pass from one court of the palace to another of her own free will.  I am tired of being tyrannized in this way.  The Grand Elector lived for me as well as for the others—­the Hohenzollerns are what they are for my sake also.  Adieu. [Holds out her hand.] You may kiss my hand.  And do not forget that I am the daughter of a king who is forming great and important plans for his child’s future, and that this child, even though she should be stubborn enough to refuse to acquiesce in his plans, will still be none the less a Princess of Prussia.

[She turns to go.  The centre door opens and ECKHOF comes in, followed by three grenadiers.  The door remains open.]

ECKHOF.

Halt!

SONNSFELD.

Are you to have a Guard of Honor, Princess?

ECKHOF.

Grenadiers—­front!

[Three more men come in without their muskets.  The first carries a Bible, the second a soup tureen, the third a half-knitted stocking.]

ECKHOF (comes forward and salutes the PRINCESS).

May it please your Royal Highness graciously to forgive me, if by reason of a special investigation commanded by His Majesty the King, in consequence of forbidden communication with Castle Rheinsberg, I ask Your Highness to graciously submit to a strict room-arrest, as ordered by His Majesty the King.

SONNSFELD.

What’s that?  Princess!