AGI—And of what?
ALEXANDRA—And of my rank, Hans. [_There is a pause. ALEXANDRA glances
toward the table._] Won’t you have something to eat?
AGI—No.
ALEXANDRA—Why won’t you eat?
AGI—I am not hungry. [_Turns to her ardently._] I’m thirsty.
ALEXANDRA—[_Trembling._] Will you drink something?
AGI—No. I am thirsty for you, for your mouth and your eyes ... and your
voice....
ALEXANDRA—[_Terrified._] You mustn’t look at me like that!
AGI—[_Passionately._] When I look into your eyes ... deep into your eyes
... we seem to be mounting together on the crest of a flame——
ALEXANDRA—[_In alarm._] What do you mean?
AGI—Upward ... ever upward ... higher ... along the path....
ALEXANDRA—[_Alarmed, child-like._] What path are you talking about?
AGI—[_Coming nearer to her._] The path you pointed out to me.... Before,
I lacked the courage to realize ... that I am the rival of a king. But
now I know it. And now I know I have won. Before, I only stammered, but
now, now I want to sing ... because I have triumphed, triumphed over
every obstacle.... And now——
ALEXANDRA—[_Stares at him in terror._] And now?
AGI—I know that to-morrow my triumph will be over. [_Takes her hands._]
But to-night, your highness, we shall see who is king, he or I!
ALEXANDRA—[_Faint with terror._] You frighten me!
AGI—My silence should have frightened you more.
ALEXANDRA—[_Terrified._] Now ... you want to take your revenge....
AGI—I love you.