'
Seraphina laughed angrily. 'This is the man for whom we have been
labouring!' she cried. 'We tell him of change; he will devise the
means, he says; and his device is abdication? Sir, have you no
shame to come here at the eleventh hour among those who have borne
the heat and burthen of the day? Do you not wonder at yourself? I,
sir, was here in my place, striving to uphold your dignity alone. I
took counsel with the wisest I could find, while you were eating and
hunting. I have laid my plans with foresight; they were ripe for
action; and then - 'she choked - 'then you return - for a forenoon -
to ruin all! To-morrow, you will be once more about your pleasures;
you will give us leave once more to think and work for you; and
again you will come back, and again you will thwart what you had not
the industry or knowledge to conceive. O! it is intolerable. Be
modest, sir. Do not presume upon the rank you cannot worthily
uphold. I would not issue my commands with so much gusto - it is
from no merit in yourself they are obeyed. What are you? What have
you to do in this grave council? Go,' she cried, 'go among your
equals? The very people in the streets mock at you for a prince.'
At this surprising outburst the whole council sat aghast.
'Madam,' said the Baron, alarmed out of his caution, 'command
yourself.'
'Address yourself to me, sir!' cried the Prince.
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