KING.

Questions?  Points of discussion?  Do you see anything to object to in my daughter? [He rises.]

HOTHAM.

Your Majesty, there are certain—­advantages for both nations—­

KING.

Advantages for Prussia? [He sits down again.] You may speak then.

HOTHAM.

To take up one point.  For this marriage England will confirm without hindrance Your Majesty’s investiture of the Duchies Juelich and Berg.

KING.

Very decent; thanks.

PRINCE (aside).

Hotham, you fox!

HOTHAM.

And furthermore Parliament declares itself willing—­

KING.

Declares itself willing—­

WILHELMINE.

What has Parliament to do with it?  Am I marrying the two houses of
Parliament?

QUEEN (half aloud).

Be quiet.  You don’t understand.  In England, all political parties have something to say in such matters.

KING (half aside).  Yes, child, that would be the country for your mother, wouldn’t it?  Well?

HOTHAM.

Parliament declares itself willing, in case Your Majesty wishes to complete the conquest of Swedish Pommerania, to let the matter pass without an interpellation.

QUEEN (pleased and excited).

Very polite indeed.  I should not have believed Parliament would be so amiable.  Just think, Wilhelmine, Parliament promises not to interpellate.

WILHELMINE.

What sort of a new political torture is that?

KING (to the PRINCESS).

To interpellate means to harass and embarrass the government by continual contradictions, interruptions, and objections.  That’s why your mother understood it at once.  Much obliged, my gear Hotham.  My kindest greetings to Parliament.  But continue—­continue!

PRINCE (aside).

I am on tenter-hooks.

HOTHAM.

For these many tokens of unselfish cordiality, for further manifold proofs of political complaisance, to be reviewed by me in detail later, proofs of a sincere desire to be enduringly united with a brother nation—­

KING.

Well?

HOTHAM.

For all this we ask but one little concession, which would make this marriage a true blessing for both countries.

KING.

Out with it!

HOTHAM.

Prussian industry has now reached a standard which renders England desirous of testing its products under certain conditions of importation.  For this—­

KING.

For this?

HOTHAM.

England would feel grateful if the former friendly understanding, interrupted somewhat since Your Majesty’s illustrious accession to the throne, if the former friendly commercial understanding—­

KING.

Understanding?

HOTHAM.  Could be restored; and if Your Majesty would graciously decide, on the occasion of this auspicious union, welcomed in England with such rejoicing, to repeal, in part, the present—­prohibitive regulations—­