sainted husband is at last to be fulfilled! This marriage, you know, was his
Beatrice—His most cherished wish. [Sighs.]
Dominica—I am very happy, Beatrice, that the obstacles which lay in the way of this marriage are vanished. Now Albert can follow the call of his heart. [She sighs deeply.]
Beatrice—Now it's you who sighed.
Dominica—I don't deny it, Beatrice. It is no great credit to our diplomats that my son must marry for love. It grieves me to think that the incompetence of our diplomats should compel my son to follow the call of his heart.
Beatrice—Perhaps he'll be happier for it.
Dominica—If we had had a Metternich, Albert might have been very unhappy, but then there would have been a real marriage. Don't be angry at my candor. . . . One's Family, you know!. . . We are not what we are—to strive for personal happiness.
Beatrice—Alas, no.
Dominica—If you knew what Albert has gone through. First that Russian girl, Olga Constantinovna. . .
Beatrice—Oh, I know. And then the English girl, Patricia.
Dominica—You know that, too?
Beatrice—I have followed his political career
