Volume 7 / Act 5 — SCENE IV
Reading edition
WILHELMINE, wearing a white veil and domino, comes in cautiously.
KING.
A veiled lady! And such mysterious visitors are received here? [He lifts the veil.] What do I see! Wilhelmine!
WILHELMINE (throwing herself at his feet).
Father! Forgive me!
KING.
Forgive you! This invasion of the State Prison—this attack on my sovereign will?
WILHELMINE (rising, aside).
This is a nice reception.
[There is a knock from the left.]
KING.
Was that not another knock? [A stronger knock.] This castle is haunted, I do believe. And I have indeed been fortunate enough to prevent the outbreak of a conspiracy! [A louder knock.] Who is there at that door? You will not answer? Then I must open it myself.
QUEEN (steps before him).
No, you will not.
KING.
You would hinder me from discovering who are enemies of the Crown? I will open that door.
QUEEN.
Never!
KING.
You defy me? You set yourself in opposition to the King?
QUEEN.
Yes. I feel within me the power to do it. Ladies, hear now why I invited you to these rooms tonight—why I asked you to appear before your queen. Yes, Sire, the purpose of this hour was that the threads of your political scheming might be torn apart by two hands destined to be united for life.
WILHELMINE.
Two hands!
QUEEN.
Wilhelmine, I freed you from a captivity unworthy the daughter of a King. Open that door, Sire; you will find there my nephew, my future son-in-law, the Prince of Wales.
ALL.
The Prince of Wales!
KING (when he has gained control of himself).
Madame, you have achieved your purpose. You have torn asunder the ties that bound me to my family, that bound me to life. You know that my honor, that my good name, are more to me than all political calculations. You know that this scene here at night, this secret understanding with one who in my eyes is merely an adventurous stranger, has ruined Wilhelmine's reputation forever. You may enjoy your triumph at your future widow's-seat, Oranienbaum, to which place I now banish you, according to our House's laws, for the few remaining years of my life.
WILHELMINE (hurrying to the KING's side).
No—no, not that.
KING.
Madame, admit the Prince of Wales.