Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/178

 —She says Napoleon is largely to blame for the dethronement of our family.

—With all deference to her royal highness, that is a somewhat exaggerated view of the historical facts. Napoleon himself never altered in the political status of your illustrious family. If anyone can be blamed for it, it was the King of Württemberg.

—But the King of Württemberg was one of Napoleon's puppets.

—Well, indirectly, there may be something in it. That is why I used the term exaggerated. And yet, if anyone can profit by a study of the courage, the initiative and the luck of Napoleon, certainly, in my opinion, a dethroned sovereign family can. Doesn't his career teach us that thrones are not unattainable? He was only an obscure attorney's son. Now what he could attain, surely someone, who by right of birth

—Mother

—Mother is sensitive on the subject of thrones just now, because Prince Albert is staying with us.

—Mother has always been sensitive about thrones.

—Prince Albert is heir-apparent to a real throne. And when mother lays eyes on an heir-*apparent, she loses her appetite.