Act I - Page 2

anything now, on account of the war, you
know. I sent my maid away as a public duty; and now she has
married a soldier and is expecting a war baby. But I don't know
how to do without her. I've tried my very best; but somehow it
doesn't answer: everybody cheats me; and in the end it isn't any
saving. So I've made up my mind to sell my piano and have a maid.
That will be a real saving, because I really don't care a bit for
music, though of course one has to pretend to. Don't you think
so?

ERMYNTRUDE. Certainly I do, Your Highness. Nothing could be more
correct. Saving and self-denial both at once; and an act of
kindness to me, as I am out of place.

THE PRINCESS. I'm so glad you see it in that way. Er--you won't
mind my asking, will you?--how did you lose your place?

ERMYNTRUDE. The war, Your Highness, the war.

THE PRINCESS. Oh yes, of course. But how--

ERMYNTRUDE [taking out her handkerchief and showing signs of
grief]. My poor mistress--

THE PRINCESS. Oh please say no more. Don't think about it. So
tactless of me to mention it.

ERMYNTRUDE [mastering her emotion and smiling through her tears].
Your Highness is too good.

THE PRINCESS. Do you think you could be happy with me? I attach
such importance to that.

ERMYNTRUDE [gushing]. Oh, I know--I shall.

THE PRINCESS. You must not expect too much. There is my uncle. He
is very severe and hasty; and he is my guardian. I once had a
maid I liked very much; but he sent her away the very first time.

ERMYNTRUDE. The first time of what, Your Highness?

THE PRINCESS. Oh, something she did. I am sure she had never done
it before; and I know she would never have done it again, she was
so truly contrite and nice about it.

ERMYNTRUDE. About what, Your Highness?

THE PRINCESS. Well, she wore my jewels and one of my dresses at a
rather improper ball with her young man; and my uncle saw her.

ERYMNTRUDE. Then he was at the ball too, Your Highness?

THE PRINCESS [struck by the inference]. I suppose he must have
been. I wonder! You know, it's very sharp of you to find that
out. I hope you are not too sharp.

ERMYNTRUDE. A lady's maid has to be, Your Highness. [She produces
some letters.] Your Highness wishes to see my testimonials, no
doubt. I have one from an Archdeacon. [She proffers the letters.]

THE PRINCESS [taking them]. Do archdeacons have maids? How
curious!

ERMYNTRUDE. No, Your Highness. They have daughters. I have
first-rate testimonials from the Archdeacon and from his
daughter.

THE PRINCESS [reading them]. The daughter says you are in every
respect a treasure. The Archdeacon says he would have kept you if
he could possibly