Alexandra—I should like to meet your sister.
Agi—She is in Dresden, your highness.
Alexandra—Do you love her very much?
Agi—Very much, your highness.
Alexandra—A stupid question to ask, wasn't it?
Beatrice—[Uneasily.] Yes, my child, it was.
Agi—No, your highness, it was a clever question because it is a pleasure to answer it. I love my sister with all my heart. In my darkest hours I think of her. For she has the indomitable faith that I cannot be crushed, that I am a world unto myself.
Albert—[Somewhat ironically.] A whole world?
Agi—Yes, your highness.
Alexandra—How beautiful.
Albert—Isn't that a great deal?
Agi—[Courageously.] No, your highness. As an astronomer one learns that the tiniest speck is not to be despised. [With significance.] Those little specks in the sky . . . every single one . . . is a great world.
Albert—Every one?
Agi—[More bravely.] Every one!
Albert—[A bit sharply.] Perhaps they only think so, these little specks.
Agi—[Still more bravely, though not loudly.] Oh, I know it is difficult for the great lords to realize. They say: "Ten million inhabitants make an army of two millions." . . . Yet it is true that,
