what can you expect from a ruined west-end tailor whose attempt
to establish a second-hand business failed last Tuesday week?
Have you the heart to complain to the manager? Have we not
suffered enough? Are our miseries nev-- [the manager enters]. Oh
Lord! here he is. [The waiter withdraws abjectly, taking the tea
tray with him.]

THE MANAGER. Pardon, Your Highness; but I have received an urgent
inquiry for rooms from an English family of importance; and I
venture to ask you to let me know how long you intend to honor us
with your presence.

THE PRINCESS [rising anxiously]. Oh! am I in the way?

ERMYNTRUDE [sternly]. Sit down, madam. [The Princess sits down
forlornly. Ermyntrude turns imperiously to the Manager.] Her
Highness will require this room for twenty minutes.

THE MANAGER. Twenty minutes!

ERMYNTRUDE. Yes: it will take fully that time to find a proper
apartment in a respectable hotel.

THE MANAGER. I do not understand.

ERMYNTRUDE. You understand perfectly. How dare you offer Her
Highness a room on the second floor?

THE MANAGER. But I have explained. The first floor is occupied.
At least--