AGI—[_At the table._] We will stand here ... around the table ... at the
places where we always sit. Prince Arsen there, Prince Georg there, I
here. And your highness, Georg, if you really meant what you said before
about being fond of me——
GEORG—Don’t worry. I’ll be good.
AGI—Just this once. If you behave well, I’ll take you up to the
observatory to-night.
ARSEN—[_Joyfully._] The observatory!
AGI—We’ll have a look at Capella and Vega, and I’ll explain the entire
summer firmament to you.
GEORG—I’ll be gentle as a lamb. [_There is a brief pause during which
voices are heard in the garden. PRINCE ALBERT appears first. He is young,
elegant, gracious. He wears a general’s uniform. He enters, chatting
with HYACINTH. After them come BEATRICE, SYMPHOROSA, ALEXANDRA, LUETZEN,
WUNDERLICH. All take positions before the chairs where they will later
sit._]
ALBERT—[_Very good-humoredly, continuing a speech begun outside._] ...
and, being a soldier, his cough is so incisive, so intrepid, so abrupt
that ... really, you know, it wakes one with a start. But Luetzen, on
the other hand, Luetzen is a diplomat. He can cough delicately, and
melodiously and suitably to every occasion. Luetzen can cough for you
in such a discreet, persuasive crescendo that you wake gradually and
without shock. Curious that personal peculiarities should extend even
to such things. Keen observation, what? Human. C’est humain. [_Looks
around._] Eh bien! Hello, you dear little boys. [_To AGI, who bows
profoundly._] Good morning! This would be the brilliant young professor.
What? [_A pause._] Why don’t you sit down? [_He sits. The others sit
simultaneously._]
BEATRICE—[_Ingratiatingly._] Did you rest well?
ALBERT—It is really astonishing how well I sleep here. I don’t know
whether it’s the fresh air, or that excellent bed, or the pleasant
surroundings that soothe and refresh me so. A perfect balm to my nerves
... really I am quite happy here. You may laugh, but it’s true that I
shall never forget the days I have spent with you here. Dear Beatrice ...
who thinks of everything for my comfort ... this fine old castle, this
gently rolling landscape, the peace, the harmony of the life you live
here.... Oh, I.... All I can say is that I have fallen in love with you.
BEATRICE—[_Sweetly._] We are very happy, Albert, to know that you are
enjoying your visit.
SYMPHOROSA—[_Sweetly._] We have no other aim, Albert.
ALBERT—At night, when I am alone, Beatrice, I think of my poor father and
your sainted husband ... Henry.... How often they strolled together in
this garden!
BEATRICE—Talking about their children.
ALBERT—They both were devoted fathers. They dedicated their lives to the
welfare of their children.
BEATRICE—They never tired of discussing their children, you know. Always
the children. The future of the children. What would become of them. How
to direct them in the right path. [_Turns, chair and all, toward ALBERT;
speaks with emphasis._] How some day the children would rear a family of
their own.
ALBERT—[_To HYACINTH._] Sometimes at night I lean out of my window and
fancy I see the two old men walking arm in arm along the path between
those banks of beautiful roses——
BEATRICE—[_Edging her chair nearer ALBERT._] They are Alexandra’s roses.
[_A pause._]
ALBERT—How? _Your_ roses?
ALEXANDRA—Mine, yes.
ALBERT—Did you plant them?