pomposity hiding his embarrassment._]

We were commanded to be in attendance on the Queen. Could you find
Prince Charles? You were sent to find him, were you not?

PHEDRO [_nodding to the right_]

I have achieved my significant purpose. The Prince is playing at
croquet with the Duchess, and says when the Queen arrives to let him
know.

1ST COURTIER

He is very casual. How very indiscreet of him!--to show so plainly his
passion for the Duchess.

PHEDRO

Oh no! Mountains cannot knock one another down. They can only be blown
up, from underneath [_smiles enigmatically_].

1ST COURTIER

You are difficult to follow.

PHEDRO

My lord, I am speaking in metaphor. It is a dodge I learned from the
poets.

3D COURTIER

I repeat, you are difficult and poetry is impossible to follow.
However, poetry is no longer the fashion.

[_Takes a pinch of snuff, and looks with agreeable enmity at 2D
COURTIER._]

PHEDRO [_deprecatingly_]

I merely try to match my words against your silks and laces, my lord.
But--her Majesty is approaching.

[_Enter the QUEEN, a sharp-featured, neurotic-looking woman. One
of her Cabinet is speaking earnestly to her and she is paying him
scant attention._]

MINISTER

It is vitally necessary that we should discover upon what terms they
would capitulate.

QUEEN

Yes, and they must be heavily taxed for holding out so long. Imagine
other people presuming to be patriotic. It simply draws everything out
to such an absurd length. Ah, how irritable it makes me to think.
Phedro, where is the Prince, where is Prince Charles?

[_During the last of her speech she withdraws her arm from the
Minister's, who, seeing there is no further hope of holding her
attention, withdraws respectfully and quite unobserved._]

PHEDRO

Attending impatiently the arrival of your Majesty upon the other side
of the copse. I go to make him aware of your presence.

[_He bows himself out, and the QUEEN looking anxiously in the
direction of the vanishing PHEDRO espies PRINCE CHARLES and the
DUCHESS upon a lawn._]

QUEEN [_adjusting her lorgnette_]

How silly people look playing croquet. The Duchess appears to me
exactly like a bent hairpin.

2D COURTIER

[_Looking also in the direction of the DUCHESS and half
admiringly._]

Indeed, Madame, her Grace is too tall to look well bending down.

QUEEN [_turning upon him_]

I hope you are not hidi