Enter PRINCESS NATALIE on the arm of COUNT REUSS, and followed by ladies-in-waiting. A footman with a torch precedes them. The PRINCE OF HOMBURG.

FOOTMAN. Her Highness Princess Natalie of Orange!

THE PRINCE (rising). Natalie!

FOOTMAN. Here she comes herself!

NATALIE (with a bow to the COUNT). I beg Leave us a little moment to ourselves.

[COUNT REUSS and the footman go.]

THE PRINCE. Beloved lady!

NATALIE. Dear good cousin mine!

THE PRINCE (leading her up stage). What is your news? Speak! How stand things with me?

NATALIE. Well. All is well, just as I prophesied. Pardoned are you, and free; here is a letter Writ by his hand to verify my words.

THE PRINCE. It cannot be! No, no! It is a dream!

NATALIE. Read! Read the letter! See it for yourself!

THE PRINCE (reading). "My Prince of Homburg, when I made you prisoner Because of your too premature attack, I thought that I was doing what was right— No more; and reckoned on your acquiescence. If you believe that I have been unjust, Tell me, I beg you in a word or two, And forthwith I will send you back your sword."

[NATALIE turns pale. Pause. The PRINCE regards her questioningly.]

NATALIE (feigning sudden joy). Well, there it stands! It only needs two words, My dear, sweet friend!

[She presses his hand.]

THE PRINCE. Ah, precious lady mine!

NATALIE. Oh, blessed hour that dawns across my world! Here, take it, take the pen, take it and write.

THE PRINCE. And here the signature?

NATALIE. The F—his mark! Oh, Bork! Be glad with me. His clemency Is limitless, I knew it, as the sea! Do bring a chair, for he must write at once.

THE PRINCE. He says, if I believed—

NATALIE (interrupting). Why, yes, of course! Quick now! Sit down. I'll tell you what to say.

[She sets a chair in place for him.]

THE PRINCE. I wish to read the letter once again.

NATALIE (tearing the letter from his hand). Why so? Did you not see the pit already Yawning beneath you in the graveyard yonder? The time is urgent. Come, sit down and write.

THE PRINCE (smiling). Truly, you act as though it had the power To plump down, panther-fashion, on my back.

[He sits down and seizes a pen.]

NATALIE (turning away with a sob). Write, if you do not want to make me cross.

[The PRINCE rings for a lackey, who enters.]

THE PRINCE. Bring pen and paper, seal and sealing-wax.

[The lackey, having collected these and given them to the PRINCE, goes out. The PRINCE writes. Pause, during which he tears the letter he has begun in two and throws the pieces under the table.]

A silly opening!

[He takes another sheet.]

NATALIE (picking up the letter). What did you say? Good heavens! Why, it's right, it's excellent.

THE PRINCE (under his breath). Bah! That's a blackguard's wording, not a Prince's. I'll try to put it in some other way.

[Pause. He clutches at the ELECTOR'S letter which the PRINCESS holds in her hand.]

What is it, anyway, his letter says?

NATALIE (keeping it from him). Nothing at all!

THE PRINCE. Give it to me!

NATALIE. You read it!

THE PRINCE (snatches it from her). What if I did? I only want to see How I'm to phrase my answer.

NATALIE (to herself). God of earth! Now all is done with him!

THE PRINCE (surprised). Why, look at this! As I'm alive, most curious! You must Have overlooked the passage.

NATALIE. Why! Which one?

THE PRINCE. He calls on me to judge the case myself!

NATALIE. Well, what of that?

THE PRINCE. Gallant, i' faith, and fine! Exactly what a noble soul would say!

NATALIE. His magnanimity is limitless! But you, too, friend, do your part now, and write, As he desires. All that is needed now Is but the pretext, but the outer form. As soon as those two words are in his hands, Presto, the quarrel's at an end.

THE PRINCE (putting the letter away). No, dear! I want to think it over till tomorrow.

NATALIE. Incomprehensible! Oh, what a change! But why, but why?

THE PRINCE (rising in passionate excitement). I beg you, ask me not! You did not ponder what the letter said. That he did me a wrong—and that's the crux— I cannot tell him that. And if you force me To give him answer in my present mood, By God, it's this I'll tell him—"You did right!"

[He sinks down beside the table, again with folded arms, and stares at the letter.]

NATALIE (pale). You imbecile, you! What a thing to say!

[She bends over him, deeply stirred.]

THE PRINCE (pressing her hand). Come, just a second now! I think—

[He ponders.]

NATALIE. What is it?

THE PRINCE. I'll know soon now what I shall write to him.

NATALIE (painfully). Homburg!

THE PRINCE (taking up his pen) Yes, dear. What is it?

NATALIE. Sweetest friend! I prize the impulse that upstirred your heart; But this I swear to you: the regiment Has been detailed, whose muskets are to sound At dawn the reconciling burial rite Above the grave where your dead body lies. If you cannot resist the law's decree, Nor, noble as you are, do what he asks Here in this letter to repeal it, then I do assure you he will loftily Accept the situation, and fulfil The sentence on the morrow ruthlessly.

THE PRINCE (writing). No matter!

NATALIE. What? No matter?

THE PRINCE. Let him do What his soul bids. I must do what I must.

NATALIE (approaching him frightened). Oh, terrible! You are not writing there?

THE PRINCE (concluding). "Homburg!" And dated, "Fehrbellin, the twelfth." So, it's all ready. Frank!

[He closes and seals the letter.]

NATALIE. Dear God in heaven!

THE PRINCE (rising). Here, take this to the Castle to my liege!

[The lackey goes out.]

I will not face man who faces me So nobly, with a knave's ignoble front! Guilt, heavy guilt, upon my conscience weighs, I fully do confess. Can he but grant Forgiveness, when I contest for it, I do not care a straw for any pardon.

NATALIE (kissing him). This kiss, for me! And though twelve bullets made You dust this instant, I could not resist Caroling, sobbing, crying: Thus you please me! However, since you follow your heart's lead, I may be pardoned if I follow mine. Count Reuss!

[The footman opens the door. The COUNT enters.]

REUSS. Here!

NATALIE. Go, and bear the note I gave Post-haste to Arnstein and to Colonel Kottwitz! The regiment shall march, our liege directs. Ere midnight I shall look to see it here!

[Exeunt omnes.]