LADY MILFORD, an ATTENDANT, SOPHIA, afterwards the MARSHAL,
and then SERVANTS.
SERVANT
Marshal von Kalb is in the ante-chamber, and brings a message from his highness.
LADY MILFORD
(not hearing him in the eagerness of writing) How the illustrious puppet will stare! The idea is singular enough, I own, the presuming to astonish his serene numskull. In what confusion will his court be thrown! The whole country will be in a ferment.
SERVANT and SOPHIA
Marshal von Kalb, my lady!
LADY MILFORD
(turning round) Who? the marshal? So much the better! Such creatures were designed by nature to carry the ass' panniers.
[Exit SERVANT.]
SOPHIA
(approaching anxiously) If I were not fearful, my lady, that you would think it presumption. (LADY MILFORD continuing to write eagerly.) Louisa Miller rushed madly to the hall—you are agitated—you speak to yourself. (LADY MILFORD continues writing.) I am quite alarmed. What can have happened? (The MARSHAL enters, making repeated bows at LADY MILFORD'S back; as she takes no notice of him, he comes nearer, stands behind her chair, touches the hem of her dress, and imprints a kiss on it, saying in a tremulous voice.) His serene highness——
LADY MILFORD
(while she peruses hastily what she has written) He will tax me with black ingratitude! "I was poor and forsaken! He raised me from misery! From misery." Detestable exchange! Annul my bond, seducer! The blush of my eternal shame repays my debt with interest.
MARSHAL
(after endeavoring in vain to catch her eye) Your ladyship seems somewhat absent. I take the liberty of permitting myself the boldness (very loud)—his serene highness, my lady, has sent me to inquire whether you mean to honor this evening's gala with your presence, or the theatre?
and then SERVANTS.
SERVANT
Marshal von Kalb is in the ante-chamber, and brings a message from his highness.
LADY MILFORD
(not hearing him in the eagerness of writing) How the illustrious puppet will stare! The idea is singular enough, I own, the presuming to astonish his serene numskull. In what confusion will his court be thrown! The whole country will be in a ferment.
SERVANT and SOPHIA
Marshal von Kalb, my lady!
LADY MILFORD
(turning round) Who? the marshal? So much the better! Such creatures were designed by nature to carry the ass' panniers.
[Exit SERVANT.]
SOPHIA
(approaching anxiously) If I were not fearful, my lady, that you would think it presumption. (LADY MILFORD continuing to write eagerly.) Louisa Miller rushed madly to the hall—you are agitated—you speak to yourself. (LADY MILFORD continues writing.) I am quite alarmed. What can have happened? (The MARSHAL enters, making repeated bows at LADY MILFORD'S back; as she takes no notice of him, he comes nearer, stands behind her chair, touches the hem of her dress, and imprints a kiss on it, saying in a tremulous voice.) His serene highness——
LADY MILFORD
(while she peruses hastily what she has written) He will tax me with black ingratitude! "I was poor and forsaken! He raised me from misery! From misery." Detestable exchange! Annul my bond, seducer! The blush of my eternal shame repays my debt with interest.
MARSHAL
(after endeavoring in vain to catch her eye) Your ladyship seems somewhat absent. I take the liberty of permitting myself the boldness (very loud)—his serene highness, my lady, has sent me to inquire whether you mean to honor this evening's gala with your presence, or the theatre?
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