Part 11

AGI—I don’t know how to speak beautifully. Her highness reproached me with it just a while ago.

ALBERT—[_To ALEXANDRA._] Did you?

ALEXANDRA—Yes.

BEATRICE—[_To change the subject._] Is the soup cold enough, Albert? [_Music begins._]

ALBERT—Just right.

WUNDERLICH—His highness likes his soup at eight degrees Celsius.

HYACINTH—Beautiful speech is not the most important thing. What counts is the fact that he has studied a great deal, and knows a great deal.

AGI—Perhaps the reason I can’t speak well is that I have never done anything but study.

HYACINTH—That never hurt you, my boy.

ALBERT—How many hours a day did you study?

AGI—Usually—ten.... And as many every night.

ALBERT—Ten and ten are twenty. [_He rises._]

BEATRICE—What are you looking for, my dear?

ALBERT—The salt.

WUNDERLICH—Here it is, your highness.

ALBERT—Thanks. [_Resumes his seat; takes the salt._] That left you four hours for sleep.

AGI—Not that many—sometimes.

ALBERT—That is very bad. I need fifteen hours’ sleep myself. [_A pause._]

SYMPHOROSA—I need eight. [_A pause._]

HYACINTH—I need six. [_A pause._]

SYMPHOROSA—[_To WUNDERLICH._] And you? [_A long pause._]

WUNDERLICH—Two.

AGI—It is a matter of individual habit. For instance, Napoleon—— [_Stops suddenly. A painful silence. Each sips his bouillon. The cups are put down simultaneously._]

BEATRICE—And so you can’t speak properly because you’ve studied too much?

AGI—The many things one takes in from books must first dissolve themselves in the blood, your highness. They must ferment like wine. Then only will they release that beautiful bouquet, that fine fragrance called poetry. There is a bit of poetry in every man, but many things must happen before it becomes articulate.

ALBERT—A pretty woman ... what?

AGI—Perhaps....

BEATRICE—But ... Albert....

HYACINTH—It depends on the woman.... I have met women who stifled the poetry in a man.

BEATRICE—They are quite right. I don’t like poets.

AGI—It depends on the man.... I have met men whom no woman can hurt. I envy them.

ALEXANDRA—Why? [_The bouillon cups are removed._]

AGI—Because I am so easily hurt myself.

ALBERT—By women?

AGI—By any intense emotion. I am supersensitive, I suppose. What another man would only laugh at—might do me irreparable injury.

ALBERT—But that is really unnecessary.

AGI—I know.

BEATRICE—And not very probable.

ALBERT—But I daresay you have had your experience with women.

AGI—No, your highness. Only with books. [_ALFRED serves from a platter. Only HYACINTH, ALBERT and WUNDERLICH help themselves._]

ALBERT—Oh, come now!

AGI—It is true, your highness. My first taste of the world was here. I came here straight from my books. And it would be a pity ... if anything happened ... to drive me back to them again.

HYACINTH—It _would_ be a pity!

AGI—Please, don’t misunderstand me. It is not myself I am thinking about ... but—I have a mother ... and you see ... I am the only son ... all she has. And I have a sister, too.... She isn’t pretty, poor girl, but I have educated her ... done all I could for her. I’d like to see her happily married ... and then—— [_Looks about him._] I beg your pardon, I didn’t realize I was the only one speaking.

ALEXANDRA—Go on. Go on.... I am very much interested in what you are saying.

AGI—And there is also my old teacher, Dr. Waldbrott.

HYACINTH—Of the University of Heidelberg?

AGI—Yes, father, he lectures there.

ALBERT—On what subject?

AGI—Astral Chemistry.

ALBERT—[_To HYACINTH._] Tell me what that is.

HYACINTH—The chemistry of the heavenly bodies.

ALBERT—Oh!

HYACINTH—I know the old gentleman. An admirable man and an eminent scholar.

AGI—Yes, isn’t he? He ... honors me with his confidence.

ALBERT—Chemistry of the heavenly bodies?

AGI—Yes.

ALBERT—Yes. [_There is a pause._]

AGI—Dr. Waldbrott used to say to me that he would die happy if he could be sure that I would continue his life’s work. He has entrusted his two great theories ... to me.

ALBERT—I beg your pardon, but how many great theories had he altogether?

AGI—Two.

ALBERT—And he entrusted them both to you?

AGI—Yes.

ALBERT—Good!

AGI—It is a very important, a very serious trust, your highness.

ALBERT—Certainly, certainly.

AGI—It carries a grave responsibility.... My teacher, my mother and my sister ... it is only on their account that I prize my insignificant life ... when it ... [_looks at ALEXANDRA_] when it’s in danger. [_Silence. He raises his glass._] I drink to the welfare of the beautiful young princess. [_Drains the glass in a single gulp. SYMPHOROSA nudges BEATRICE repeatedly with her elbow._]

ALBERT—Prosit! That was a mighty draught! [_Smiling, he nudges his neighbors._]

HYACINTH—That was the draught of a novice. One doesn’t drink heavy wine like this so quickly.

AGI—I didn’t know, father. I never had the pleasure of drinking it before.

HYACINTH—Then let me introduce you with appropriate ceremony. This is Tokay, my boy, and of the very oldest.

BEATRICE—And it is drunk with dessert, and not with the soup.

HYACINTH—A two-fold error: you drank too soon and you drank too much.

AGI—I didn’t know, father. I must own it was the first glass of wine I ever drank in my life.

HYACINTH—Not really?

AGI—Really, father.... There, you see, that, too, had to happen to-night. [_ALEXANDRA empties her own glass._]

BEATRICE—Alexandra!

HYACINTH—[_Takes ALEXANDRA’S glass._] And I had just finished saying that one doesn’t drink this wine so fast.

ALBERT—It’s plain to see why Xara did it.

HYACINTH—Why?

ALBERT—To keep the professor in countenance.

BEATRICE—It was quite unnecessary. You never take any wine.

ALEXANDRA—I do to-night, mother. [_To ALBERT._] Albert ... see that this old professor gets some appointment. Waldbrott—that was his name, wasn’t it?

HYACINTH—Waldbrott—yes.

ALBERT—If you wish it—I can write to Berlin. Please, Wunderlich, make a note of it.

WUNDERLICH—[_Writes in his notebook._] I am making a note of it, your highness.

ALEXANDRA—What sort of appointment can one get for a man like that?

AGI—That’s just it—none at all.

ALBERT—Surely the Emperor can do something for him.

AGI—Hardly, your highness. The man serves a greater lord.

ALBERT—A greater lord than the Emperor?

AGI—One much greater. [_Points upwards._] He is an astronomer.

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, among all these millions, each individual is a world in himself, a world which may not be destroyed.

BEATRICE—[_Uneasily._] But, Professor, who is trying to destroy any worlds?

AGI—Women, for example, do it with a smile. [_To ALEXANDRA._] Your highness, why do you look at me so fixedly?

ALEXANDRA—I like what you are saying.

AGI—[_To BEATRICE._] And your highness looks at me so uneasily. Perhaps you don’t like what I’m saying.

BEATRICE—[_Coldly._] That is not the tone in which you are accustomed to speak to me, Professor.

AGI—[_Bitterly._] I am in very good humor to-night.

BEATRICE—Better than we care for, Professor.

ALEXANDRA—[_Soothingly._] Mother, we are at a ball and are drinking champagne.... [_Raises her glass._]

BEATRICE—I am astonished, Professor.

SYMPHOROSA—[_In alarm, suddenly._] Albert, I commend the salmon to you. It is the pride of our chef.

ALBERT—I say, he does put it well. That’s why Xara is so interested. What’s that about the salmon? [_To SYMPHOROSA._] Did you say something about the salmon?

SYMPHOROSA—It’s the pride of our chef.

ALBERT—Oh, is it?... But what has that to do with it?

SYMPHOROSA—Nothing. I just mentioned it.

ALBERT—Oh! Yes! Well! Little specks in the sky. Astronomy. Romance. Empty phrases.

AGI—[_Heatedly._] No, not empty phrases, your highness.

ALBERT—Oh, yes, they are. Phrases for women. To impress them. Every star a world in itself!

AGI—[_Belligerently._] Not every star, your highness.

ALBERT—No?

AGI—No. The big white moon, for example, ... it makes a huge, pretentious, glittering show, yet it has no light of its own. It only reflects the light of the sun. On the other hand, there is the modest little star called Vega, which you seem to hold in such contempt ... its light is a thousand times stronger than the light of the sun. [_SYMPHOROSA nudges BEATRICE._]

ALBERT—Its modesty is charming, under the circumstances.

AGI—[_Sharply._] It isn’t modesty, your highness. It is only remoteness.

ALBERT—It is fitting for remote things to glimmer modestly.

AGI—[_Openly truculent._] It only seems so to your highness. To me, because I know what it is, it shines in its true value; and so I proudly proclaim that it is more brilliant than the sun, and that its brilliance is its own.... [_Puts his hand on his chest._] Its own!

ALBERT—[_Smiling._] Possibly, Professor. It seems I do not understand these things.

AGI—[_Decidedly._] No, your highness.

BEATRICE—[_To SYMPHOROSA in a harrowed whisper._] I can’t bear it any longer.

ALBERT—Charming! Charming! At last a man who tells me to my face that there is something I do not understand.

AGI—[_Stubbornly._] No, your highness doesn’t know anything about it.

ALBERT—[_Forcing himself to seem pleased._] In twenty years I haven’t heard anyone so outspoken. Professor, I admire you not only as an astronomer, but as a man. I am charmed with your candor.

AGI—[_As if offended._] It makes no difference to me whether you like it or not.

ALBERT—[_Jovially._] There’s candor for you! Charming! I’m really enjoying myself here.

BEATRICE—[_Weakly._] Oh! [_She rises suddenly, sways. General consternation._]

ALBERT—[_Puts down his glass._] What’s the matter, Aunt Beatrice? [_He rises._] Aunt Beatrice! Tu te trouves mal?

BEATRICE—[_Weakly._] My head ... all of a sudden.... Laisse moi ... je vous en prie—forgive me.... [_WUNDERLICH has gone to her assistance and is supporting her._] Merci, mon colonel.... Never mind.... [_The HUSSARS swiftly draw the portières across both big arches. WUNDERLICH leaves BEATRICE and crosses to left._]

ALBERT—Tu te trouves mal, Tante Béatrice?

BEATRICE—I am sorry ... a little weakness ... please don’t bother ... I’ll retire.

WUNDERLICH—[_To CÆSAR._] Have that music stopped. [_CÆSAR whispers to ALFRED, who hurries off. The music stops._]

ALBERT—[_Takes BEATRICE’S arm._] I don’t doubt that you exerted yourself too much to-day. Let me see you to your room.

HYACINTH—Don’t bother, Albert. I’ll take her up.

ALBERT—No, no. Stay here ... everybody. [_To SYMPHOROSA, who is about to accompany them._] Symphorosa, you stay here with the salmon. Please sit down, Xara. No excitement. I’ll look after her.

BEATRICE—[_In a faint voice._] No excitement ... with a houseful of strangers ... oh ... oh!

ALBERT—All right, my dear ... everything will be all right. [_To the others._] I wish you all to remain here, please. [_Goes toward left, supporting BEATRICE._] As if nothing had happened. [_As he passes CÆSAR._] Why has the music stopped?

WUNDERLICH—[_Answers for CÆSAR._] I thought your highness would prefer no music during this unfortunate——

ALBERT—[_Leading BEATRICE slowly off._] Let the music continue. The more the better! [_CÆSAR makes a sign to ALFRED, who exits._]

BEATRICE—Pardonnez moi ... merci, mon cher. ... [_ALBERT and BEATRICE exit._]

WUNDERLICH—[_As he follows them._] Music. [_He looks at CÆSAR. There is a brief pause, and the music begins again. Beaming with satisfaction, WUNDERLICH exits. All except SYMPHOROSA resume their seats._]

AGI—Is your highness ill, too?

SYMPHOROSA—No.

AGI—Well, then——

SYMPHOROSA—I don’t know what to do.

AGI—Why not follow their highnesses? And let the music continue. The more the better!

SYMPHOROSA—[_Crosses to left; looks at ALEXANDRA._] What are you going to do? [_ALEXANDRA rises, undecided._]

HYACINTH—Stay here. Your mother forbade you to leave.

SYMPHOROSA—[_To HYACINTH._] And you?

HYACINTH—See here, my dear; I love Beatrice very much, but she has been having these delicate attacks for thirty years. And I have seen too many of them to be alarmed. If they strike her standing, she sits down ... and if they strike her sitting, she rises.

SYMPHOROSA—Karl!

HYACINTH—[_Earnestly._] The situation here is much more serious. I warned you this afternoon.

SYMPHOROSA—What a misfortune! [_She exits at left. CÆSAR withdraws. HYACINTH, AGI and ALEXANDRA are left alone. There is a pause. ALEXANDRA sits on the tabouret, down right._]

HYACINTH—[_Severely._] Well, my son, you see what mischief you have done.

ALEXANDRA—[_Greatly agitated._] It was my fault, Hyacinth. I am entirely to blame. That is why I stayed ... to....

HYACINTH—Don’t excite yourself, my child. Let us talk it over calmly. That is why I stayed. You have nothing to fear while I am here. [_To AGI._] But you have.

AGI—[_Sits._] No, father, I’m not afraid.

ALEXANDRA—It wasn’t his fault. How deeply hurt he must have been, to do such a thing! I am so unhappy, Hyacinth! [_She buries her face in the robe of HYACINTH, who it standing beside her._]

HYACINTH—Calm yourself, dear.

AGI—[_Rises; vehemently._] I couldn’t endure it any longer, father, I couldn’t.... God is my witness, I tried. But I am only human, father, and ... in love ... I hardly knew what I was saying....

HYACINTH—Tell me, my son, are you angry with me, too?

AGI—How could I be, father?

HYACINTH—Then don’t shout like that. I can hear you. And I understand you too, my son.

AGI—[_Grandiosely; excitedly._] I am done for, but I shan’t sell my life cheaply. Not even to this beautiful daughter of a king. Yesterday—no, this very afternoon, I would have given it for her handkerchief. But now that blood has been let, I hold it dearly.

HYACINTH—What you have done——

AGI—I am ready to face the consequences.

HYACINTH—I knew you would be, my son.

AGI—[_Very grandiosely._] I am ready to answer for it: to anybody—to the family, to the prince, or to his adjutant with swords or any weapons they choose. But what I did I had to do. And there is more I have to do.

HYACINTH—More?

AGI—Yes, more.

HYACINTH—And this is our serious young scientist! [_To ALEXANDRA._] Well, my girl, see what we have come to. Here we are. [_Reproachfully._] How do you like it?

ALEXANDRA—Come here.

HYACINTH—[_Goes to her._] Well?

ALEXANDRA—Sit down here. [_He does so._]

HYACINTH—Well?

ALEXANDRA—Now ask me again how I like it.

HYACINTH—How do you like it?

ALEXANDRA—[_On his shoulder, low._] Hyacinth ... I like it very much.

HYACINTH—[_Astonished._] Upon my soul! The thing is worse than I thought. [_Moves nearer to her._]

ALEXANDRA—[_Still on his shoulder._] Hyacinth ... dear Hyacinth ... I ... I....

HYACINTH—Well, my child? What is it? Out with it!

ALEXANDRA—Hyacinth ... that glass of wine ... it was the first I ever drank in my life, too.

HYACINTH—For a first drink it was a hearty one.

ALEXANDRA—[_With a glance at AGI._] For his sake, Hyacinth. So that they wouldn’t laugh at him.

HYACINTH—Fancy that! You amaze me. And how did it taste?

ALEXANDRA—[_Delighted._] Made me ... fuddled ... and warm.... I wish I could die like this ... but first I want the professor to forgive me.

AGI—How _can_ I forgive you?

HYACINTH—Silence! There, there, I forgive you for him, my dear. [_ALEXANDRA dries her tears._] Have your cry out, and don’t worry about it.

ALEXANDRA—That’s not why I am crying, Hyacinth.

HYACINTH—Why, then?

ALEXANDRA—Because I ... am sorry ... for him.

AGI—You needn’t be sorry for me.

HYACINTH—[_Mildly._] You are not to speak now, my son.

ALEXANDRA—I have never been as sorry for anyone....

HYACINTH—And when he looks at you, you are sorrier for him than ever.

ALEXANDRA—[_Looks at AGI._] When he looks at me, his eyes scorch my face ... just as when you open the door of a stove——

HYACINTH—Yes, yes. The door of a stove. And what then?

ALEXANDRA—[_In child-like surprise._] And then ... then ... his glance seems to enter my breast ... and touch ... my heart ... just as you touch a key of the piano with one finger ... very softly.

HYACINTH—A key of the piano. Yes, yes ... and what else?...

ALEXANDRA—When he speaks ... since I hurt him ... when he speaks, his voice rings in my consciousness for a long time after.... Like a bell. And that hurts. I pity him so.

HYACINTH—[_Concerned._] I see, my dear. Only I am afraid it is neither remorse nor pity.

ALEXANDRA—What then?

HYACINTH—A bit of internal disorder ... the lungs ... the heart.... [_Puts his ear to her chest._] Take a deep breath. Now sigh. [_ALEXANDRA sighs._] Say, “Professor.”

ALEXANDRA—[_Looks at AGI._] Professor....

HYACINTH—[_Dryly._] The heart.

ALEXANDRA—[_Sorrowfully, reproachfully._] You are making fun of me, Hyacinth.

HYACINTH—Not at all, my child. The matter is very serious. Tell me, dear. When ... did you begin ... er ... to pity him so?

ALEXANDRA—Before. Here in this room.... Quite suddenly.... He said something——

HYACINTH—What did he say?

ALEXANDRA—[_Looks at AGI._] He will remember the word.

HYACINTH—What was it, my son?

AGI—I know, father. It was when I said that I, too, was a world in myself.

ALEXANDRA—No.

AGI—No? Well, then it was before that ... when I spoke of the poetry of hopelessness.

ALEXANDRA—No.

HYACINTH—Well, what was it he said that touched you so?

ALEXANDRA—[_To HYACINTH._] He said: “Lad.”

HYACINTH—Lad? [_She nods._] What did he say “lad” for?

ALEXANDRA—He said he wasn’t a lad any more to believe in fairy tales.

HYACINTH—Oh, that was it?

ALEXANDRA—[_Smiles happily as if in a dream._] You know ... I had always known the word, but I had never heard it spoken before. We say “boy,” don’t we?... And he, poor fellow, said “lad,” with such a quaint lilt to it ... so sweetly ... I knew at once it was what they used to call him at home ... what his family calls him to this very day.... And ... I don’t know why ... but suddenly it seemed as if I, too, had been there ... in the village where they called him “lad” ... I saw the tiny, spotless cottages with acacia trees around them ... and his mother ... and his sister ... who called him “lad” ... and loved him, and were proud of him.... That was why. [_There is a brief pause._]

HYACINTH—Well, my boy—what do you say to that?

ALEXANDRA—Hyacinth, what did you call him?

HYACINTH—My lad ... of course, that’s what I meant.

ALEXANDRA—You dear! [_Embraces him delightedly._]

HYACINTH—[_While she embraces him, to AGI._] See that? I understand women.

AGI—[_Touched._] She’s beautiful ... and good ... I’ve forgiven her long ago.

ALEXANDRA—But I can’t forgive myself. Never, never! [_With a start._] What are we thinking? [_Suddenly._] And poor mother.... [_She is about to rise._]

HYACINTH—Stay, my child, I wouldn’t go up to her now. Compose yourself first, and then we shall go up together.

AGI—[_Crosses to the table._] Your mother was very cruel. [_Sits at the place where HYACINTH had been sitting._]

ALEXANDRA—I’m sorry for that too. I’m sorry for everything now. And yet I’m so happy here. [_Embraces HYACINTH._] And you are sweet ... and good ... and strong ... and you understand one so well.

HYACINTH—The curious thing about you two is that I ought to be severe with you.... And I shall be severe with you. The moment you showed signs of getting out of control your mother dropped the reins. And now I must take them in hand. [_Very gravely; rises._] This affair must end here, my dear children. It can’t go any further. I trust you both realize that. Fortunately, you are both too clever not to realize it. I am very sorry. Sorry for you too, my son. [_More severely, to AGI._] Your conduct here to-day.... Oh, you needn’t be so depressed about it. How can I go on when you look at me like that? Now, see here. [_Begins over again._] Your conduct to-day was—— [_His tone changes._] I wish you wouldn’t look at me so knowingly. It confuses me. You are just as bad as she is ... [_to ALEXANDRA_] and you needn’t look so pleased. You have no cause to.... This is unheard of! [_Walks a few paces._] Unheard of! [_Comes to a standstill; bursts out angrily._] You sit there. You don’t say a word. You just look at me. And one can’t say what one means. [_To AGI, beginning all over again._] Your conduct to-night was ... I must say—— [_Cannot look AGI in the eye._] I must say ... it was really ... quite justifiable. There! I’ve said it. [_To ALEXANDRA, crossly._] Why do you look at me so affectionately?

ALEXANDRA—[_Delighted._] You are looking at me affectionately, Hyacinth.

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?

CÆSAR—Her highness used the word: “Immediately.”

HYACINTH—She would send for me now, just as I am beginning to enjoy my supper!

CÆSAR—[_In consternation._] Didn’t the reverend father like the soup?

HYACINTH—Soup? [_Rises._] Bitter, hot tea is what you gave me.

CÆSAR—Oh! Oh! Your reverence! What an error! Oh, I could kill myself.

HYACINTH—I forbid you to kill yourself, though I’m sure you had no such intention. And I’d forbid you to scold the unfortunate waiter who made the error, if I didn’t know you’d do it anyhow. I’ll be back directly, children.

ALEXANDRA—[_Rises._] But Hyacinth! We can’t stay here alone. Hadn’t I better go with you?

CÆSAR—Her highness, the Princess Symphorosa, asked her highness, your mother, whether she wanted to see your highness.

ALEXANDRA—What did she say?

CÆSAR—Her highness ... so to speak ... expressed herself ... to the effect that——

ALEXANDRA—What did she say?

CÆSAR—Her highness said: “Let her keep out of my sight.” [_There is a pause. CÆSAR steps back and whispers to ALFRED._]

HYACINTH—You see, my child! Just stay where you are while I speak to your mother. You needn’t envy me the task. Then I shall come back and fetch you. [_He exits at left. ALFRED exits. There is a pause._]

ALEXANDRA—[_After the pause, during which she has repeatedly looked at AGI._] Please ... I don’t even know your first name. What is it?

AGI—Hans.

ALEXANDRA—How old are you?

AGI—Twenty-nine.

ALEXANDRA—Where were you born?

AGI—In Transylvania.

ALEXANDRA—What district?

AGI—[_In surprise._] Your highness ... at last we are left alone ... and you ask me questions like a census taker.