HYACINTH—But, my dear child, it isn’t me you want him to marry.
BEATRICE—Oh, you—man! Don’t you understand that everything attractive in
the setting adds luster to the girl?
HYACINTH—What does Alexandra think of the matter?
BEATRICE—Just as I do.
HYACINTH—Has she said anything about it?
BEATRICE—No, but she is worried. [_SYMPHOROSA enters quickly, her hand
held agitatedly to her heart._] Well?
SYMPHOROSA—He is awake. [_BEATRICE makes a gesture of displeasure._]
Count Luetzen coughed outside his door.
BEATRICE—[_Quickly aghast._] Accidentally?
SYMPHOROSA—No, on purpose.
BEATRICE—Wasn’t the Colonel on guard?
SYMPHOROSA—Certainly. Count Luetzen came to the door expressly to cough.
BEATRICE—Why didn’t the Colonel cough himself?
SYMPHOROSA—Because his cough is too loud. Count Luetzen coughs
delicately. He always coughs his highness awake.
BEATRICE—What happened when he awoke?
SYMPHOROSA—He asked for eau de Cologne.
BEATRICE—Yes.
SYMPHOROSA—And a cup of weak tea.
BEATRICE—Yes.
SYMPHOROSA—Now don’t be alarmed, dear. He got everything he asked for.
BEATRICE—And when is he coming to see the boys?
SYMPHOROSA—I forgot to ask.
BEATRICE—[_Excitedly._] How could you? Hurry! Run! [_SYMPHOROSA goes out
swiftly._] She had to forget the most important thing of all! Heavens,
and I am sure the boys aren’t ready yet. [_Starts off at right._]
HYACINTH—[_Restraining her._] This won’t do, my dear. Calm yourself,
don’t be over-anxious. Everything will be all right. The boys must have
been ready long ago.... Really, dear ... this isn’t a bit like you. You
always had such poise, such assurance——
BEATRICE—In times of peace, yes. But this is war! I’ll go to meet him.
You call the boys. My God——
HYACINTH—Calm yourself!
BEATRICE—Now, Karl, you only make me more nervous, talking like that.
Can’t you see I’m in the fever of the last hope ... the finish of the
race?... Now I must summon my last reserves of strength.... To arms....
To arms.... To arms! [_SYMPHOROSA enters breathlessly._]
SYMPHOROSA—He’s coming!
BEATRICE—When?
SYMPHOROSA—Now.
BEATRICE—Immediately?
SYMPHOROSA—Immediately, immediately! He has started already. I ran on
ahead.
BEATRICE—Let’s go to meet him. [_Hurries into the garden. SYMPHOROSA
follows her._]
HYACINTH—[_Calls through the doorway at right._] Well, aren’t you ready
yet? [_The boys and AGI enter._]
GEORG—We’re ready. We’ve been waiting.
ARSEN—Is he coming?
HYACINTH—He’ll be here any minute. [_To AGI._] Tell me, my son, have you
altered your opinion about Napoleon since our discussion?
AGI—No.
HYACINTH—And suppose my sister requests you to teach Napoleon according
to her ideas.