Hyacinth—[Crossly.] That's the worst of it. Yes, that's the worst of it. When I look at you, I . . . when I look at you . . . like this. . . . Unheard of! I look at you . . . and my heart aches for you. . . . But you . . . you children . . . you are young . . . unspoiled . . . and I . . . no, I wasn't born to be a judge. I try to be . . . but I try in vain. I can't . . . judge you. There you sit . . . two fine young people . . . and in such a desperate plight . . . but so happy in spite of it . . .you will never be as happy again. Happiness flies past like the wind. You have scarcely felt it before it is gone. . . . And then comes the reality, to which you will awake to-morrow morning . . . which will separate you, and which will be for the best. . . . But it will hurt a little, my dear children. It will hurt . . . such things have happened before. . . . Even to me . . . when I wore a uniform. A long, long time ago. [He turns away. There is a pause. He goes to the table, picks up his glass. Softly.] To your happiness. [Raises the glass, sips the wine, sits at the place which Agi had occupied during supper. There is a pause during which Alexandra and Agi sit motionless. Cæsar enters quietly.]
Hyacinth—What is it, my friend?
Cæsar—[Quietly.] Her highness requests the reverend father to go and see her.
Hyacinth—At once?
