HYACINTH—My child ... be calm ... I’ll stay a fortnight.
ALEXANDRA—[_With growing indignation, unheeding him._] He didn’t know
what he wanted ... yet he dragged me along with him ... appealed to my
sympathy ... my credulity ... dragged me and I clung to him ... ready for
anything ... even my own destruction ... even if the whole world crumbled
to pieces ... I would have clung to him ... and ... he ... he—— [_ALBERT
enters quietly. She sees him but continues as if he were not there._] He
didn’t know what he wanted ... and didn’t care what harm he did ... as
long as he could gratify a momentary impulse ... he——
ALBERT—[_With mild irony._] Xara, you misjudge him. He is a free spirit.
He is not like us.
ALEXANDRA—[_Unheeding him._] He only wanted to destroy everything ... to
make a scandal.... Yes, he _was_ ill-mannered and ignorant——
ALBERT—You are unjust. He is an astronomer.
ALEXANDRA—And now _I_ say his conduct was impertinent.
AGI—Your highness!
ALBERT—Don’t answer her, Hans! I forbid it, Hans! And if you will permit
me ... Hans ... I will kiss you, Hans. [_Embraces him and kisses him on
the cheek._]
HYACINTH—Bravo! I leave to-morrow.
AGI—[_Good-humoredly._] Thanks, your highness. You overwhelm me.
ALBERT—Do you mind?
AGI—Not this one.
ALBERT—Shall I kiss you again?
AGI—Thanks, your kindness, that would be too much. One was just enough.
[_GEORG and ARSEN enter at back. Each carries a bouquet of flowers in his
hand. They pause a moment on the threshold, then come down to center,
where they stand embarrassed. ALBERT goes down left._]
GEORG—Professor—— [_He is too touched to speak; gives AGI the flowers. So
does ARSEN._]