Agi—I implore you, tell me. I[Hopefully.] Tell me. Obey your heart. Take courage, and tell me what above all things in the world I want to hear. . . .
Alexandra—No, no; you are misunderstanding me again. But it's my fault. What I have to tell you is quite painful.
Agi—What is it, your highness?
Alexandra—It's about a deception that has been practiced on you.
Agi—A deception? [There is a pause.]
Alexandra—You are a gentleman, and you respect me.
Agi—Your highness. . . .
Alexandra—And I can rely on your discretion.
Agi—Yes.
Alexandra—Absolutely?
Agi—Absolutely.
Alexandra—Yes . . . I know you to be a man of honor and a friend of the family . . . and I feel that I shall never have peace of mind again until I tell you. . . . My family . . . my mother has but one ambition in life,—to restore our family to its throne. And to that end she wants me to marry the Crown Prince. . . . You will understand . . . it is not easy for me to tell you this. . . . Every word I speak is like blood . . . flowing from a wound.
