The Prisoner of Zenda Page #3

be for today, wouldn't it?

By tonight,

you'll be safely across the border.

And if I fail, what then?

Your life, and mine, and Fritz's here.

Confound it, I'd become

awfully fond of this moustache.

Well, I hope the crown's a better fit.

- Well, what are we going to do?

- We've got to hide him.

We can't chance Michael's men

finding him here.

- The cellar's best. Pick him up.

- If they search...

- Josef will put them off.

- But...

We're not playing. I know the risk.

If they do find him, he'll be no worse off

than if he's not crowned in Strelsau today.

Pick him up.

- I beg your pardon, sir.

- One moment.

- How long have you been caretaker here?

- Ten years.

- Have you the key to the wine cellar?

- Yes, sir.

Open it.

No. No, no.

Drink it.

Drink it!

Tie her up. Better gag her too.

On the night before your coronation,

you had to have wine.

Wine, and more wine.

Remarkable vintage, that '68.

Lock the door.

Sleep well, Your Majesty.

We go to see you crowned.

By heaven, we'll do it yet.

It's not bad. It's not bad at all.

I'll never keep that in.

Look here, you've overlooked one thing.

Yesterday's temples

won't do for today's king.

- You're right. What can we do?

- Well...

...I suggest some bootblacking,

preferably the king's.

I may as well be royal all over.

There. The last detail.

This is to be released

...that the coronation ceremonies

have been canceled.

- Twenty minutes, not before.

- Yes, Your Highness.

And now may I offer you

my congratulations.

A shade premature,

but thank you, Detchard.

Gentlemen, it's time for you

to proceed to your posts.

The hour is almost upon us.

We go in the cause of our country,

and our future sovereign.

Our future sovereign, Queen Flavia.

He looked at you when he said

"our future sovereign."

Have you been lying to me, Michael?

- Is it more than the regency you want?

- No, of course not.

As regent, the sovereign power

will be mine. That's all he meant.

Was it? Is power all you want?

- I'm afraid, Michael.

- For me or for yourself?

You promised to make me your wife.

I want to be your wife.

I want to love you and make you happy.

Once you are regent,

they would never let you marry me.

Michael, take the happiness

we can have together.

- Leave the power to your brother.

- No!

I've played second fiddle

to that drunken sot for the last time.

His mother was a princess

and mine was not...

...so he lived in the royal palace,

he dined with kings.

Well, today the feast is set for Rudolf.

But it's Michael who will sit in his place.

Come in.

Count Rupert of Hentzau

at your service, Your Majesty.

- I'm sorry to interrupt you, Your Majesty.

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