Within my heart of hearts, as you know well,
I deeply do esteem his inner sense;
If he can say the verdict is unjust,
I cancel the indictment; he is free!

[_He brings her a chair._]

Will you sit here and wait a little while?

[_He goes to the table, seats himself and writes. Pause._]

NATALIE (_softly_).
Why dost thou knock so at thy house, my heart?

ELECTOR (_writing_).
The Prince is over in the Castle?

NATALIE. Pardon!
He has returned to his captivity.

ELECTOR (_finishes his letter and seals it; thereupon he returns
with the letter to the_ PRINCESS).
Well, well, my little niece, my daughter, wept!
And I, whose place it is to make her glad
Was forced to cloud the heaven of her fair eyes!

[_He puts his arm about her_.]

Will you go bring the note to him yourself?

NATALIE. How? To the City Hall?

ELECTOR (_presses the letter into her hand_).
Why not? Ho, lackeys!

[_Enter lackeys_.]

Go, have the carriage up! Her ladyship
Has urgent business with Colonel Homburg.

[_The lackeys go out_.]

Now he can thank you for his life forthwith.

[_He embraces her_.]

Dear child, and do you like me now once more?

NATALIE (_after a pause_).
I do not know and do not seek to know
What woke your favor, liege, so suddenly.
But truly this, I feel this in my heart,
You would not make ignoble sport of me.
The letter hold whate'er it may--I trust
That it hold pardon--and I thank you for it.

[_She kisses his hand_.]

ELECTOR. Indeed, my little girl, indeed. As sure
As pardon lies in Cousin Homburg's wish.

SCENE II

_Room of the_ PRINCESS. _Enter_ PRINCESS NATALIE, _followed by two
ladies-in-waiting and Captain of Cavalry_, COUNT REUSS.

NATALIE (_precipitantly_).
What is it, Count? About my regiment?
Is it of moment? Can it wait a day?

REUSS (_handing her a letter_).
Madam, a note for you from Colonel Kottwitz.

NATALIE (_opening it_).
Quick, give it me! What's in it?

REUSS. A petition,
Frankly addressed, though deferentially,
As you will note, to our liege lord, his Highness,
In furtherance of our chief, the Prince of Homburg.

NATALIE