SYMPHOROSA—[_To BEATRICE, in an agitated whisper._] Something has
happened between them.
BEATRICE—Don’t say such things to frighten me, or I shall faint on the
spot. [_She moves toward AGI._]
ALBERT—[_As he joins ALEXANDRA._] Xara, will you leave the starry
firmament, and come down to earth a while? May I offer my arm?
ALEXANDRA—[_Takes his arm; nervously._] What an _unexpected_ honor, your
highness.
SYMPHOROSA—[_To BEATRICE._] See how excited he is. His ears are red.
Better send him away at once.
BEATRICE—Leave him to me. I’ll send him away.
ALBERT—[_Escorting ALEXANDRA slowly to the table._] First you neglect me,
and now you make fun of me.
ALEXANDRA—I neglect you? How can you say that? [_AGI has slowly followed
ALEXANDRA._]
BEATRICE—[_Intercepting him at center._] You seem to be in bad humor,
Professor.
AGI—No, your highness. If you will permit me to say so, this is the
happiest night of my life.
BEATRICE—But you do seem nervous ... and agitated.
AGI—It’s the unaccustomed surroundings, your highness.
HYACINTH—[_At the table, to ALEXANDRA._] You seem agitated, my child. But
no matter, you are all the prettier when your cheeks are flushed.
ALEXANDRA—[_At the table._] I always get flushed when I hear music.
BEATRICE—If you are tired, we will excuse you. Don’t forget you must be
up early in the morning.
AGI—I am not tired, your highness. On the contrary I am only beginning to
be awake.
ALBERT—[_To ALEXANDRA._] Do you love music?
BEATRICE—[_Calls to him._] She adores music. She sings, too!
ALBERT—And you never sang for me!
SYMPHOROSA—[_Who is standing with BEATRICE and AGI._] Don’t hesitate to
go, Professor, if you are sleepy.
AGI—Sleepy, your highness? Why, I just woke up ... not five minutes ago.
ALEXANDRA—[_To ALBERT._] I hesitate to sing for you. You know so much
about music.
ALBERT—I? About music? That’s capital! Did you hear that, Wunderlich?
WUNDERLICH—I heard, your highness.
BEATRICE—[_To AGI, again obstructing his way._] You _are_ in a bad humor,
Professor. Suppose we send your supper up to your room.