- Poprishchin suddenly starts to write about world politics. He says he was reading the newspapers and something strange is going on in Spain.
- The Spanish throne is empty and they can't find an heir.
- Maybe a Dona (a female member of the royal family) will ascend the throne, but Poprishchin thinks that's ridiculous. They need a king.
- He thinks that the king is probably hidden somewhere and will eventually emerge.