A room in Imperia's villa.
Imperia is discovered writing a note, which she hands to a Servant when finished. The voice of the Countess Rinaldi is heard outside.
Rinaldi. [Outside] She is always at home to me. Do not trouble…
Imperia rises and goes hurriedly to meet the Countess. who enters.
Imperia. Countess!
Rinaldi. Ah! You were not expecting me? The portiere and the servants did not wish to let me come in; they told me you were resting. But it was so very important that I had to see you; so I dispensed with formality. I am pardoned, I know. But you are not alone? On my way here I passed Prince Michael at the gate of the Princess's villa, no doubt intending to visit her.
Imperia. No doubt. Did you speak to him?
Rinaldi. No, he was driving; I was walking. I walk a great deal for my health, nowadays. We merely bowed, that was all. Well, what was the outcome of your rendezvous of last evening, the denouement of Saturday night?
Imperia. Saturday night?
Rinaldi. I fear you are not frank with me; you are keeping something back, much as I love you. It would be interesting to confide impressions, compare adventures, as it were. I have decided to make a change in my life; I am done with frivolity. Fortunately Heaven has put a man in my path who has proved my salvation. Ah, if I had only met him before, instead of all those worthless scamps who have compromised my reputation!
Imperia. Who is he?
Rinaldi. He is not a man of the sort one meets every day. His is a primitive spirit, a simple soul. You know him.
Imperia. I?
Rinaldi. Haven't you seen the seven elephants at the circus?
Imperia. But my dear Countess!
Rinaldi. Well, he is the elephant-driver. Are you laughing at me?
Imperia. I thought that you said you were done with frivolity.
Rinaldi. Surely you do not imply that this is frivolity? But you are not acquainted with my plans.
Imperia. Then explain them to me! Talk, make me understand. Would to God they were never so fantastic, so extravagant and strange, dreams, fantasies, anything to take me out of myself, to make me forget this reality which is shutting in around me. If you only knew! There are dreams, horrible nightmares with all the appearance of truth, which escape from our sleep and enter our lives. I have dreamed, I am sure that I have dreamed, something which now I seem to have seen, to have heard, but which cannot be, no, which cannot have been. That is the reason I want to hear you talk, to listen to your extravagances, follies, dreams, madness, until all becomes confused and lost in illusion, and we cannot tell whether we are dreaming among visions or waking among facts which are real.
Rinaldi. But there is nothing visionary about my plans, they are practical. I am setting my house in order, I am devoting myself to my affairs. Luckily, a unique opportunity has presented itself, a brilliant speculation, which cannot fail to triple my capital in less than a year.
Imperia. You don't know how glad I am to see you. Really, you put every rational thought quite out of my head.
Rinaldi. But you must not laugh; it is a serious matter. Ruhu—his name is Ruhu—an Oriental name… well, Ruhu is not the real Ruhu.
Imperia. I don't understand.
Rinaldi. The real Ruhu-Sahib was the former proprietor of the elephants; this man was merely his assistant, that was all. When the real Ruhu died, his widow, who was English, inherited the seven elephants, and she proposed to the assistant that he continue in charge, and manage all seven upon a salary which she was to pay him. But it was exploitation. While the poor Ruhu exposed his life every day for the most pitiful wages, the widow, the proprietress of the elephants, was collecting wholly fabulous sums from the management. What do you think of that? The poor are justified in rising up against such exploitation. Ruhu was broken-hearted. "Ah, if the elephants were only mine," he said to me with tears in his eyes, "if I had a hundred thousand francs! If I could find some one to associate herself with me!"
Imperia. You need say no more; you were touched. You determined to buy the elephants and present yourself with them in the circus.
Rinaldi. Not I. How ridiculous! I am to buy them; he is to present them. I shall receive half the profits. You have no conception of what that will amount to. Twelve thousand francs a month, and they are engaged for the entire season. Seven tame elephants for a hundred thousand francs—it's a bargain. Really, you have no idea what it costs nowadays to buy an elephant. And these are the best Indian elephants. You can tell them by the trunk and the ears.
Imperia. I see that you have studied the subject. This is not an illusion, after all.
Rinaldi. On the contrary, in what other way could one get so much for a hundred thousand francs? That is the reason I hurried to see you. At the moment, I do not happen to have such a sum at my disposal—my balance at the Crédit is not above sixty or seventy thousand francs. But it is only a matter of a fortnight. Of course, any of my friends whom I had cared to approach… but I was anxious to afford you a striking proof of my affection.
Imperia. I should like to respond in the same spirit, but at present I am unable to give you an answer. I don't know whether or not I have so much money.
Rinaldi. You don't call that much money?
Imperia. I shall let you know this afternoon—later.
Rinaldi. Later? I am afraid this is coyness upon your part. Surely the Prince will not deny you; he never denies you anything. You see that I am speaking as a friend, and our friendship has cost me something. Not that it matters, of course…
Imperia. I shall send you my answer.
A Servant enters.
Servant. His Highness.
Prince Michael enters.
Prince Michael. Countess! [To Imperia] How are you this morning?
Imperia. Quite well. The Countess tells me that she passed you at the Princess's villa. Were you calling on her?
Prince Michael. Yes, I was to have taken luncheon. Haven't you heard?
Imperia. What?
Prince Michael. I will tell you later. I was unable to join you at the circus last evening. Another telegram from Suavia detained me with the Duke.
Imperia. What has happened?
Prince Michael. Nothing…
Rinaldi. Your Highness has some private matter to discuss with Imperia.
Prince Michael. Nothing that cannot wait.
Rinaldi. Although I dispense with invitations which are not dispensed to me, I hardly need one to withdraw when my presence might prove embarrassing. Good morning, your Highness.—My dear, I shall remain at home all afternoon, expecting your reply.
The Countess Rinaldi goes out.
Prince Michael. How much did the Countess's visit cost you?
Imperia. I see that you have had experience.
Prince Michael. I most certainly have. However, her adventures are always amusing. This one ought to be worth something. Leonardo sent her to me. She must have told you—an affair at the circus. Well, what about Donina? Did you find her last evening? You see what confidence I have in you: I believe everything you say.
Imperia. You are right to do so. You have been noble and generous with me, and your loyalty deserves mine in return. You have not bound me to you by appealing to my self-interest. You have given me more than enough to buy my liberty; you said that you did not want slaves. And in giving me my liberty, you have won my gratitude forever.
Prince Michael. Forever? Your mind is restless, ambitious, filled with great dreams, while I—I am content to have all my days pass alike, to have them seem as one day, undisturbed by trouble or care, flowing smoothly in a calm and even stream. But the shadow of the empire has fallen upon me again. The baby Prince is dead.
Imperia. Dead?…
Prince Michael. He was born with a mere spark of life. They telegraphed again directly after the announcement of his birth. The Emperor has summoned Prince Florencio and his mother to return to court; he wishes to become reconciled, perhaps to abdicate. He is not well; the country is on the brink of revolution. A despotic government is no longer possible in these days. Then, Florencio's health is conspiring against me. Once more near the throne!
Imperia. Very near! Prince Florencio, that is all. Have you seen him to-day?
Prince Michael. No, I was to have taken luncheon at their villa, but his mother was horribly disturbed. Florencio had not returned all night.
Imperia. Don't they know…?
Prince Michael. Nothing could have happened to him. A debauch! Morning surprised him in some tavern; it was impossible to return home in broad daylight. I have notified the Prefect.
Imperia. But you say his mother…
Prince Michael. This anxiety will kill her. She cannot endure it; it is one continual agitation. To-day she was more affected than usual. She woke suddenly at midnight; she thought she heard a cry
Imperia. At midnight?
Prince Michael. Yes. Now to her mind it has taken the form of a presentiment, and I confess that I was myself affected by it, although of course nothing could have happened. The police are with him continually; it is out of the question. Besides, nobody has seen Harry Lucenti. However, the Signore will know.
Imperia. Have you any idea where he was?
Prince Michael. No, but they will have, and they will know who was with him. Otherwise… You don't think that anything could have happened to him?
Imperia. You say that his mother heard a cry? Do you believe that spirits can communicate at a distance, that they can speak with each other through the air? He must have been thinking of his mother—yes, he called out "Mother!" And his mother heard him call.
Prince Michael. Imperia, what are you talking about? Are you dreaming?
Imperia. Something must have happened to him. Yes, we must fear, we must expect the worst.
A Servant enters.
Servant. The Signor Prefect to see your Highness.
Prince Michael. Immediately! Now we shall know.
Prince Michael and the Servant go out.
Imperia follows them to the door and listens. Presently Harry Lucenti, pale and haggard, still in evening dress, and showing the effects of intoxication the night before, appears at one of the doors.
Imperia. Who is there? Ah! What do you want? Don't leave him.
Harry Lucenti. It won't hurt him to stay alone. He won't move. I heard voices. Do they suspect?
Imperia. No, they are looking. They will find out soon enough. Perhaps they know already. Go back! Don't let them see you. Don't leave him alone.
Harry Lucenti. He's covered up with a piece of brocade—fit winding-sheet for an Emperor. What a death! Insignificant as his life. Ludwig of Bavaria was the last King.
Imperia. Oh! Be still! Be still! I can't bear to hear you, to see you! You are as bad as he was. What difference does it make how he died? He deserved such a death. It does not matter who killed him.
Harry Lucenti. Don't tell me that Heaven has punished him. Nonsense, Imperia! Accident—chance. Many a rogue has died an old man in his bed, amid the benedictions of his children.
Leonardo enters.
Imperia. Leonardo! How could you be so long?
Leonardo. I but this moment received your note. Ah! Harry! What are you doing here?
Harry Lucenti. I? Imperia will tell you. A sad office, which leaves nothing for me to do—but to think. Silence!
He disappears.
Imperia. Leonardo, I don't know what you have thought since we drifted apart, what your impressions of me may have been. I only know that in the decisive moments of my life, when my heart turns instinctively toward that which is true, I have thought of you as a loyal and faithful friend. Am I wrong?
Leonardo. No, Imperia. We parted without ill feeling. You were in love with life, you wanted to realize my vision—the ideal of my statue; I, to retire from the world, to find solace in meditation and dreams. The wall of facts came between us. Why do you send for me now?
Imperia. To destroy the facts which threaten to close in upon our lives. Your ideal, your vision, the throne of your Imperia—ah, how near it is! It is not inherited, no, the poor inherit no thrones, but we have the power to overthrow them and to reign by right of intelligence without being kings. Do you remember? I told you I was going to Suavia to be Empress? Well, I am not Empress, but I reign in an Emperor's heart—he is mine, I know it; I hold him in the hollow of my hand. He cannot live without me. What do you say now? I am your Imperia, your statue; your spirit breathes in me. I am the realization of your dream.
Leonardo. Yes, my Imperia—my love! My first, my only love! Live for me, triumph for me! Alas, I could do no more than dream!
Imperia. Yes, I shall triumph; but first it is necessary to destroy the facts, to trample reality under foot. The baby Prince of Suavia is dead. The old Emperor abdicates the crown
Leonardo. Then Prince Florencio…
Imperia. Prince Florencio is dead.
Leonardo. Dead?
Imperia. Yes, he is dead, murdered last night—before my eyes. No, I killed him myself.
Leonardo. You! What are you talking about, Imperia? Are you mad?
Imperia. Yes, I—I did it! Or what is the same thing, it was my Donina, my child! She was defending her youth, her innocence, her love. It was the vengeance of all of us who had fallen by him before. Don't you believe it? Look! this is his dagger, a precious stiletto, a work of art, exquisitely damascened. The handle is gold, set with jewels. He was playing with it, half caressing, half threatening her. "Would you dare to kill me?" he asked her. "A kiss first and it is yours." And he offered her the handle like a jewel. My Donina, when she felt that kiss, plunged the blade into his heart. No, I am not dreaming, these are not phantoms of the witches' lair. Do you remember? When we parted, I told you it was Saturday Night. Well, its horrible phantoms have followed me back into life, they hover about the room. Do you want to see him? He is here. Harry Lucenti is watching the corpse.
Leonardo. But it cannot be possible! These things cannot have happened. Nightmares, hallucinations!
Imperia. At first I thought so myself. When I came home, I forgot everything. A moment ago and I was laughing and talking with the Countess; it all seemed so unreal and far away—spectres from the other world, phantoms of our witches' souls. But it is the truth, Leonardo; it is the truth!
Leonardo. But what are you going to do? They will find out…
Imperia. I am not afraid. I shall fight; I shall win. Phantoms cannot frighten me. They will be here in a moment; perhaps they already know. You see, I am calm. They will say nothing. You will see…
Leonardo. No, Imperia, you are trembling. What is that you are staring at?
Imperia. No, no! I am calm. Hush! They are here…
Leonardo. They must know.
Imperia. I shall tell them if they do not.
Prince Michael and the Signore enter.
Prince Michael. Imperia, the Signor Prefect wishes to speak with you. Pardon, Leonardo, I did not know you were here.
Leonardo. Highness…
Prince Michael. [To the Signore] Leonardo will retire with me, if you prefer to see her alone.
Imperia. No, I prefer that he remain during the examination. I assume the Signor Prefect wishes to examine me?
Leonardo. As you see.
Imperia. Then I prefer to answer in the presence of my friends. Otherwise, the authority of the Signor Prefect might prove intimidating.
Prince Michael. Unfortunately, indications that something serious has happened to Prince Florencio multiply every moment. No one has seen him this morning. It has been impossible to ascertain where he is.
Signore. It is known that last night he was at Cecco's tavern. Here is the list of the persons who were there—the complete list. Will you look it over? Is there any one missing?
Imperia. No one.
Prince Michael. Your name is on the list.
Imperia. That proves that the Signore is well served by his police.
Signore. Then it may be true also that the Prince left the tavern shortly before daybreak, somewhat intoxicated, as it seems, supported by Harry Lucenti and the proprietor of the tavern. He was lifted into your carriage, and driven to your house. Shortly afterward, you returned in the company of a girl named Donina, a circus performer, with whom you must have some connection, as this is not the first time you have been seen with her.
Prince Michael. The Signore knows who Donina is; he is informed of your relationship.
Signore. I am informed of everything. Except for the persons who, without doubt, are now in this house, all those who were with the Prince last night are under surveillance as a matter of precaution. The affair is a delicate one. Any indiscretion might compromise persons of quality, who are not to be treated like ordinary offenders. I am questioning you as a friend, Signora. Those who were present assure me that the Prince left the tavern at the same time that you did, as I have already said. Well? Is this an amorous adventure? Or a political intrigue? Is it true that Prince Florencio is now in your house?
Imperia. Prince Florencio is in my house. I brought him home with me. But I brought him home dead.
Prince Michael. Dead!
Signore. Dead!
Imperia. Yes, Prince Florencio has committed suicide.
Signore. What is that, Signora?
Prince Michael. Impossible!
Leonardo. What are you doing?
Imperia. [Firmly] He has committed suicide. In spite of everything you may know, in spite of everything you may discover, this is and will remain the truth.
Signore. But it is utterly out of the question. There is nothing whatever to indicate it.
Prince Michael. Come! We shall see…
Imperia. No! Hear me first. He was murdered; that is the truth—I was there; I saw it with my own eyes. But nobody can be held responsible for his death. If you attempt to investigate, to punish it, to lay bare the facts, the facts will become involved in falsehood, and calumny and infamy and lies will entangle us all in the crime, from those miscreants whose very faces betray the degeneracy of this contemptible Prince, to the Emperor of Suavia himself, who might very well have suborned an assassin to relieve himself of the incubus of such an heir to the crown,
Prince Michael. Infamous!
Signore. Signora!
Imperia. Yes, I was there—your mistress, the mistress of the heir to the throne! But nobody knows why I was there. I can accuse myself, I can accuse you. The Prince had his adherents in Suavia. The halo of martyrdom would set very well upon his brow. If you wish to undeceive the world, to proclaim the truth—very well. Proclaim it. And I will proclaim it, too. Let us tell the life that he led, expose his vices, his crimes, and fix a stain upon his memory, until the contempt and scorn of the world overwhelms you all, and the rest of his kind, partners in his infamies.
A Servant enters.
Servant. Your Highness…
Prince Michael. But what is this?
The Duke of Suavia enters.
Duke. Highness, the Princess has learned that her son is in this house; she insists upon seeing him. It is impossible to hold her back…
Prince Michael. No! Take her away! At once!
Duke. Yes, don't permit her… Don't allow her to know...
Prince Michael, the Signore, and the Duke of Suavia go out.
Leonardo. Do you think they will not tell?
Imperia. No, they are afraid. The truth frightens them. I know what his life was, don't you see?—his vices, his crimes, his intrigues. They will not tell—my silence for theirs. The Prince was not murdered; nobody is to blame for his death. It was an accident, a debauch. Don't you see? It is possible to destroy the facts, to triumph over them. Before love, they vanish like a dream.
Donina. [From an inner room] Let me go! Let me go! [Entering] Mother! Mother!…
Leonardo. Is this your child?
Imperia. Yes, my child. Why do you run out? You are trembling.
Donina. Help me! Hide me! I am afraid. I don't want to live, I don't want them to see me, to speak to me. I shan't answer. I shan't say a word!
Imperia. Leonardo, take her away—far away.
Leonardo. We should be seen; it is impossible to escape.
Donina. Let them kill me! I don't care. I saw him again! Oh, I saw him! And I shall see him always…
Imperia. You?
Donina. Yes, I woke up trembling all over. I wanted to get away, so I ran out without thinking. And I saw him! Oh, I saw him!—and I shall see him always! I shall go mad!
Imperia. What is that? Silence! Do you hear, Leonardo?
Leonardo. Yes, it is the Princess. She is crying.
Imperia. No, no, don't you listen to her! It is nothing.
Donina. Yes, she is crying! His mother is crying! I can hear her cry. Ah! She is coming nearer, nearer—all the time nearer…
Leonardo. She is coming this way. Surely they will not permit…
Imperia. Wait! No… They are passing by. Come! Let us go! Let us leave this place!
Donina. Do you hear her call? "My boy! My boy!"
Imperia. Come away!
Donina. No! I shall hear her always… always! "My boy! My boy!"…
Imperia. I can bear it no longer. They were not phantoms, Leonardo; we cannot destroy the facts, they are too strong for us. They creep back into our lives and overwhelm us in the end. This mother weeping for her boy, this child dying of grief and remorse—they chill my blood, they freeze me to the bone! I can do no more. Let what will come, come.
Leonardo. No, Imperia, your will is strong. Don't throw your life away. Fight on, and triumph!
Imperia. No, no, it is too late! Don't think of me! Save Donina, Leonardo! Save Donina!
Curtain