DUKE AND FANNY.

Hush!

FLAMBEAU.

Now I look as if I took the air
On the tomb's balcony.

THE DUKE.

And in the moon
Beside the urn, uplifting thus the stone,
You're rising to the ghostly night-review.

FLAMBEAU.

I'm very hungry.

FANNY.

Hush!

THE DUKE.

[_To some_ SERVANTS _who enter bearing dishes._]

What's that you carry?

[_The_ SERVANTS _stop. The_ DUKE _takes a little of
everything_.]

Thank you.

FANNY.

[_Stopping them._]

One moment.

[_She takes what is left. The_ SERVANTS _pass out._]

THE DUKE.

[_Giving_ FLAMBEAU _the cakes._]

Take them.

FLAMBEAU.

Enough.
My strength returns.

[_To_ FANNY.]

Explain. We've little time.

FANNY.

[_Nervously._]

Well, then--the Countess--she is here--the Countess--
That's how my nerve goes when I have to dance--
She wears beneath a russet cloak your uniform,
With which the Eaglet's turned into a sea-mew.
She was already like you in the face,
But since she's dyed her sable tresses fair
Your glass could not distinguish you from her.
So, while they play their "Michel and Christine,"
You'll change your mantle quickly with your cousin--

THE DUKE.

Put on a mask--!

FANNY.

And disappear like magic!

THE DUKE.

My double takes my place--

FANNY.

And openly
Leaves the assembly--

THE DUKE.

Sets me free of spies--

FANNY.

Goes home to Schoenbrunn--

THE DUKE.

Locks the door with care--

FANNY.

Forgets to wake--

THE DUKE.

Till I am miles away.
Only--

FANNY.

What "only" is there?

THE DUKE.

Quite a big one.
Suppose the false Duke's spoken to?

FANNY.

Impossible.
It's all stage-managed like a ballet. Ladies
Will flutter round him, keep intruders off,
And as a ball from racket flies to racket
Hell pass from hand to hand until he's safe.

MASKS.

[_Running across at the back._]

Who is the wolf? Wow! Wow! Who is the bear? There! There!

FANNY.

You leave the Gardens--

THE DUKE.

By the Hietzing gate--

FANNY.

No.

THE DUKE.

Where, then?

FANNY.