SONNSFELD.

A letter?  Through the window!  Oh, how it frightened me!

WILHELMINE.

Pick it up.

SONNSFELD (doing so).

But you won’t accept it, you say.  It can only be from the Prince—­and it is addressed to Your Highness.

[Gives her the letter.]

WILHELMINE.

To me?  Why, then—­why shouldn’t I accept it? [She opens the letter.] It is—­it is from the Prince. [She reads, aside.] “Adored one!  Is there to be no end to these cruelties?  Have they begun to torture you with England yet?  They will come to you and will try to force you into this marriage.  But Baronet Hotham, the English Envoy, is my friend and your friend, and will work for you while he seems to be working against you.  It is a dangerous game, but it means your freedom and my life.  Love comprehends—­Love.”

SONNSFELD.

May I hear?

WILHELMINE.

It is a little message of sympathy—­from—­from one of our faithful servants.

SONNSFELD.

The good people are all so fond of you.  You must answer it, I suppose?

WILHELMINE.  Just a word or two-it is really of no importance whatever.

SONNSFELD.  But we need not offend any one. [Aside.] What clever pretending! [Aloud.] Let me try if our grenadier is still as stubborn as before.

WILHELMINE.

What are you thinking of?

SONNSFELD.

We’ll make the trial. [She goes to the door.] Here you—­stern warrior—­

ECKHOF (in the door).

At your service.

SONNSFELD.

Why didn’t you take the letter?

ECKHOF.

It would mean running the gauntlet for me.

SONNSFELD.

We would compensate you for any such punishment.

ECKHOF.

You could not.

SONNSFELD.

Would money be no compensation?

ECKHOF.

Even if shame could be healed by money, that would be the one remedy you couldn’t apply.

WILHELMINE.

And why?

ECKHOF.

Because Your Highness hasn’t any money.

SONNSFELD.

Dreadful creature!

WILHELMINE (aside).

He knows our situation only too well.  We must give up all thought of sending an answer.

ECKHOF.

May I go now?

SONNSFELD.

Impertinent creature!  What is your name?

ECKHOF.

Eckhof.

SONNSFELD.

Where were you born?

ECKHOF.  Hamburg.

SONNSFELD.

What have you learned?

ECKHOF.  Nothing.

WILHELMINE.

Nothing?  That is little enough.

SONNSFELD.

What did you want to make of yourself?

ECKHOF.

Everything.

WILHELMINE (aside).