BEATRICE—Cæsar! You will go downstairs and ask Dr. Agi if he will be
good enough to come up at once and wait in this room. Her highness, the
Princess Dominica wishes to speak to him.
CÆSAR—Very good, your highness.
BEATRICE—What are you serving her highness for breakfast?
CÆSAR—Tea, cold salmon, cold beef, cold chicken ... cold....
BEATRICE—Cæsar! Why, that is last night’s supper....
CÆSAR—I beg pardon, your highness. It is this morning’s breakfast. I had
it put on the table at one this morning, and no one has eaten a bite of
it yet.
BEATRICE—Have you lost your senses, Cæsar?
CÆSAR—Quite likely, your highness.... Another breakfast will be served.
BEATRICE—Why are you so pale?
CÆSAR—I didn’t sleep well, your highness. I suffered agonies. Mostly on
account of the tea.
BEATRICE—On account of what tea?
CÆSAR—On account of the terrible mistake. Father Hyacinth was served the
hot tea and your highness got the cold consommé.
BEATRICE—I am glad I did. I would have fainted away in that horrible
moment if I hadn’t had that sip of ice-cold soup. It revived me.
CÆSAR—Thank you, your highness. You have taken a great load off my mind.
BEATRICE—You are not to punish the man who made the mistake.
CÆSAR—No, your highness. Perhaps you would wish me to give him a little
reward?
BEATRICE—Let us not go to extremes.... The professor is to wait here.
[_She exits at right. CÆSAR goes to the door at left, but it opens and
ALEXANDRA enters._]
ALEXANDRA—Has the princess arrived?
CÆSAR—Yes, your highness.
ALEXANDRA—Where is she?
CÆSAR—In there, your highness. [_Points to right._] I believe she is
changing her clothes after her long motor ride.
ALEXANDRA—And what are you doing here?