ALBERT—[_Good-humoredly interrupts._] An ideal daughter of the house!
Before the concert she looks after the musicians, and before supper she
looks after the table. Her watchful eye is everywhere.
FIRST LADY—Your highness ought to see her at the hospital among the poor
sick people.
ALEXANDRA—You mustn’t flatter me, Countess. The praise is due to you and
the other ladies. I am there because it is my duty to be.
SECOND LADY—Oh, your highness!
ALBERT—Delightfully modest, isn’t she? I know. You have the same noble
character as your dear mother. Good evening, Professor. [_AGI bows
profoundly. ALBERT addresses the two ladies._] A brilliant fellow, this
young man. [_Starts up right with the two ladies._] He is not only a
scientifically trained astronomer and teacher but also a swordsman of the
first rank. I saw him fencing with the boys this afternoon; and I must
say: C’était parfait, absolutement parfait! [_Exits with the ladies as he
speaks._]
ALEXANDRA—Now you are more melancholy than ever.... Why?
AGI—Shall I say it, your highness?
ALEXANDRA—Is it anything I shouldn’t hear?
AGI—[_Looking toward the door through which ALBERT has vanished._] I am
jealous, your highness. [_There is a pause._]
ALEXANDRA—I am grieved, Professor. Suddenly you have made me remember ...
those vast distances you spoke of before.
AGI—To-night ... to-night they hadn’t seemed so vast.
ALEXANDRA—Yes ... to-night....
AGI—To-night, for the first time, you looked at me as if I were a human
being ... a man.... Looked at me ... and said friendly ... intimate
things to me——