Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/55

. The poor Prince has my sympathy.

. How so? He has the strength of mind to have his own way; let him fortify it by opposing mine. A Prince of Suavia married to a comic-opera singer! It seems incredible.

. Love, Your Majesty.

. Love? Then why did he marry?

. I am told the lady is virtuous.

. Always distrust that brand of virtue which keeps one eye upon marriage. I am told that she is an experienced woman. My nephew is an ass, utterly ignorant, both of women and of the world. If she had been a respectable actress, a legitimate artist in one of the subsidized theatres—but a comic-opera singer, who appeared only a month ago in "La belle Hélène" and "La Fille de Mme. {SIC|Angôt|Angot|nodash}}"! It would be impossible to present such a woman at Court. As they announced her, the ushers would whistle the airs which they had heard her sing at the theatre the evening previously.—Ah! The Princess! Retire, but remain within call.

. Oh, uncle!—Your Majesty…

. Do not attempt to embrace me. [To the  and ] Who desired you to come?

. Don't scold them! They all love me; and I love them, too. Everybody seems to love me; the crowds ran after me, shouting, down the streets. Nobody has forgotten Helena—Princess Bebé, as they used to call me—for I was the life of the Palace in those days, and I really believe I left my heart behind me when I went away. You do love me, don't you, you dear children? Margaret, poor girl, never let them trifle with your heart as they did with