The Drunken Feathers

Scene xxxxix

Windsor Castle. The exterior is shown, and then the interior. The PRINCE OF WALES and DUKE OF YORK are hurrying down a hallway. On the opposite side, the orchestra can be heard playing the second movement of Haydn's 'String Quartet No. 1 Op. 54.'

DUKE OF YORK: [Whispering] We are terribly late.

PRINCE OF WALES: [Whispering] We were only delayed by a quarter of an hour.

DUKE OF YORK: Do you think we shall be scolded?

They stop before the set of doors that leads to the concert room. The PRINCE OF WALES places his hand upon the doorknob.

PRINCE OF WALES: Well, come on.

DUKE OF YORK: Wait a moment, George.

The PRINCE OF WALES removes his hand from the doorknob and turns to face his brother.

DUKE OF YORK: I am unfit to endure the censure that inevitably faces us in that concert room. I cannot bear the scowls and cuts we shall receive from every member of His Majesty's court. I cannot go in.

PRINCE OF WALES: Why do you presume we will be detested by the Court? Our behavior during these past months merits nothing short of the deepest reverence. Come now, Frederick, let's at least give the old souls a chance.

As the music grows dismal and hits a minor key, the PRINCE OF WALES and DUKE OF YORK enter the concert room and find the entire court sitting in chairs and wearing Tory colors. All of the court members turn their heads and glare at the two princes; the ladies shut their fans next to their faces as a sign of disapproval. The princes find two empty seats next to QUEEN CHARLOTTE. KING GEORGE III sits on the other side of her, and all their other children sit next to him. When the PRINCE OF WALES and DUKE OF YORK approach QUEEN CHARLOTTE and sit next to her, she snaps her fan shut, signifying that she is unhappy to see them. KING GEORGE III, now his usual self and aware of how his sons had behaved during his illness, also glares at them.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE: [Whispering to the PRINCE OF WALES] You are late, sir.

PRINCE OF WALES: [Whispering to QUEEN CHARLOTTE] Our carriage was apprehended by an angry mob. We might have been assaulted, or even murdered.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE: This concert was designed to be attended only by those who remained loyal to His Majesty during his illness.

PRINCE OF WALES: I beg your pardon, Madam, but the Duke of York and I have never betrayed the King in all our lives.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE: His Grace is not of the least consequence to me. I can bear to look him in the face without becoming engulfed in complete disgust.

PRINCE OF WALES: I am glad to hear it.

QUEEN CHARLOTTE: I can scarcely say the same about Your Royal Highness.

The PRINCE OF WALES, insulted, leans away from QUEEN CHARLOTTE and watches the concert with coldness. Cut to ACT II, SCENE L.