ALEXANDRA—You may go.
CÆSAR—Leave the room, your highness?
ALEXANDRA—At once, Cæsar.
CÆSAR—Your highness.
ALEXANDRA—Yes?
CÆSAR—It appears that I myself served Father Hyacinth the tea instead of
soup. But then so many extraordinary things have happened to-night, it is
no wonder——
ALEXANDRA—You may go, Cæsar.
CÆSAR—Yes, your highness. I am certain the world is coming to an end,
your highness. [_He sobs and exits weeping at left. AGI goes to door
through which CÆSAR made his exit, and remains standing there, looking at
ALEXANDRA. There is a pause._]
AGI—[_After a glance into the ballroom._] The ballroom is empty. The
guests are leaving. [_Speaks softly with passionate warmth._] And now we
are quite alone, princess. Perhaps only for a few minutes ... and then
all that was beautiful in my life ... will be gone.
ALEXANDRA—[_Trembling._] I have never before ... been alone with a man.
AGI—[_Comes toward her._] Are you afraid of me?
ALEXANDRA—I don’t know. But if it’s fear ... then I want always to be
afraid.
AGI—The last time ... perhaps the last moment I shall see you. Do you
love me?
ALEXANDRA—[_Almost stammering; like a child._] If it’s love ... then ...
it’s just the same as ... when I was a little girl ... and the Emperor
came. [_He regards her in astonishment._] Yes ... I had seen many
portraits of the Emperor ... with a golden crown on his head ... in all
his glitter and glory ... and then once, when he visited us, in civilian
clothes—— [_Regretfully._] I didn’t recognize him.