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 —[Goes to her in alarm.] But what is the matter?

—[Restraining her.] I shall tell you, Dominica.

—[Terrified; quavering.] Karl! Karl!

—Peace! Let me speak now. Dominica, you are regarded—and not without reason—as the cleverest woman in Europe.

—But Karl!

—Now don't be modest. You'll be needing all your cleverness in a moment. For we have a bit of a difficulty here. I don't consider it so, but Beatrice, apprehensive as usual, does Something has happened, Dominica.

—Jesus and Mary! Not to Alexandra?

—There! Didn't I say she was the cleverest woman in

—Something has happened to Alexandra?

—No, but almost.

—[Terrified.] Karl!

—Good heavens!

—I implore you, don't you faint too.

—Karl! You terrify me.

—On the contrary. I am reassuring you.

—What happened, in heaven's name?