marshal! He would certainly not be my choice were I Louisa Miller.     

       PRESIDENT. And why not? What a strange notion! A man who dresses in the height of fashion—who carries with him an atmosphere of eau de mille fleurs and musk—who can garnish every silly speech with a handful of ducats—could all this possibly fail to overcome the delicacy of a tradesman's daughter? No, no, my good friend, jealousy is not quite so hard of belief. I shall send for the marshal immediately. (Rings.)     

       WORM. While your excellency takes care of him, and of the fiddler's arrest, I will go and indite the aforesaid letter.     

       PRESIDENT (seats himself at his writing-table). Do so; and, as soon as it is ready, bring it hither for my perusal.     

                      [Exit WORM.     [The PRESIDENT, having written, rises and hands the paper to a servant who enters. 

       See this arrest executed without a moment's delay, and let Marshal von Kalb be informed that I wish to see him immediately.     

       SERVANT. The marshal's carriage has just stopped at your lordship's door.     

       PRESIDENT. So much the better—as for the arrest, let it be managed with such precaution that no disturbance arise.     

       SERVANT. I will take care, my lord.     

       PRESIDENT. You understand me? The business must be kept quite secret.     

       SERVANT. Your excellency shall be obeyed.     

                     [Exit SERVANT. 

  

       SCENE II.     

    The PRESIDENT—MARSHALL KALB. 

       MARSHAL (hastily). I have just looked in, en passant, my dear friend! How are you? How do you get on? We are to have the grand opera Dido to-night! Such a conflagration!—a whole town will be in flames!—you will come to the blaze of course—eh?     

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