CÆSAR—I take the liberty to report that his highness, the Crown Prince,
will shortly pass through this room.
ALEXANDRA—[_Nervously._] Hyacinth isn’t back yet ... and we are here ...
like this ... we two....
CÆSAR—If your highness should desire to go through the yellow room ...
there is still time. [_He indicates the doors back left._]
ALEXANDRA—[_Proudly._] How dare you, Cæsar? Are you drunk?
CÆSAR—[_Tragically._] No, your highness, I beg pardon, I’m sure. I’ve
only gone out of my mind.
ALEXANDRA—That will do, Cæsar. [_He bows and crosses to left. There is
a pause. Through the door at left come two lackeys bearing lighted
candelabra. Behind them come ALBERT, WUNDERLICH and LUETZEN. The
procession passes slowly across the stage. When ALBERT comes abreast
of the table he stops, smiling. The two lackeys with the candelabra
reach the door at right, open it and take their places on either side.
WUNDERLICH and LUETZEN pause on the threshold._]
ALBERT—[_Unaffectedly pleasant._] My dear Xara, how fortunate still to
find you here and bid you good night. [_Extends his hand._] I was to have
gone to-morrow. But now I am happy to tell you that my mother arrives in
the morning. Or did you know it?
ALEXANDRA—They told me, Albert. I am very glad.
ALBERT—She is extremely fond of you.
ALEXANDRA—I am fond of her too, Albert, very.
ALBERT—Your mother has gone to bed. But she feels much better. She did
a bit too much to-day. I warned her not to. But she is such a charming
hostess, she wouldn’t heed my advice. [_HYACINTH enters at left,
followed, a few moments later, by SYMPHOROSA. HYACINTH comes slowly into
the room. SYMPHOROSA lingers in the doorway._]
ALEXANDRA—Mother is never happier than when she is making her guests
comfortable.
ALBERT—But one shouldn’t overdo it. I have really reproached myself
on her account. My mother will scold me for it too. But, happily, it’s
nothing serious. Good night, Xara. [_Extends his hand to her. ALEXANDRA
courtesies low._]
ALBERT—[_As if he had just noticed AGI._] Ah, the professor! Good
night, Professor. Your discourse was very interesting ... particularly
the manner of delivery.... Very original, yes ... a bit belligerent,
but original. As her highness was taken ill so suddenly, I hadn’t the
opportunity to offer my very humble comment. I would never have supposed
that you could be such an insubordinate young fool.