Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/119

. Your Highness has forgotten herself. An attack of nerves. Besides, you are a woman. As no gentleman of your family is present

. M. le Comte!… You understand… Overlook this exhibition. An attack of nerves, as you say.

. Jealous, is she? Of me? Does she flatter herself that a Princess of Suavia can be bought at such a price? All the money of this blithering upstart would not repay me for the annoyance of once visiting his house. I came to enjoy myself, because I chose; it was a caprice; but, frankly, was it worth taking all this trouble only to find myself surrounded by more hypocrisy, more stupid dignity, and a world less of liberty than in my royal palaces? My heart overflowed with happiness, I was sincere, because I supposed that I was among real people at last, who were not afraid to face the facts of life, but here everything is taken in ill part, it gives offense. I was proud to have renounced my rank and station, because I did it for love—it was for love that I stepped down; but these people are not only ashamed of their past, but of the very love which has raised them where they never had any right to be. Miserable creatures, evil-minded, soulless, all of them! Now I see! Now I understand! How can equality ever be possible in this world, when these puny spirits with their vulgarities remind us in spite of ourselves that we are royal?

. You ought never to have forgotten it. Pride of race was bound to reassert itself at last.

. Pride of race? Not at all! Self-respect, common instinct.

. Perhaps you appreciate now why I objected to your visiting this house and mingling with these people.