L'Aiglon Part 2

Now you're among my ladies. I may boast I'm not unpleasant; rather sad at times Since--

THERESA.

I am grieved beyond the power of words.

MARIA LOUISA.

Yes, to be sure. It was a grievous loss.

That lovely soul was little known!

THERESA.

Oh, surely!

MARIA LOUISA.

[_Turning to_ BOMBELLES.]

I've just been writing; they're to keep his horse--

[_To_ THERESA.]

Since the dear General's death--

THERESA.

The--General's?

MARIA LOUISA.

He'd kept that t.i.tle.

THERESA.

Ah, I understand!

MARIA LOUISA.

I weep.

THERESA.

That t.i.tle was his greatest glory.

MARIA LOUISA.

One cannot know at first all one has lost; And I lost all when General Neipperg died.

THERESA.

Neipperg?

MARIA LOUISA.

I came to Baden for distraction.

It's nice. So near Vienna.--Ah, my dear, My nerves are troublesome; they say I'm thinner-- And growing very like Madame de Berry.

'Twas Vitrolles said so. Now I do my hair Like her. Why did not Heaven take me too?

This villa's small, of course; but 'tisn't bad; Metternich is our guest in pa.s.sing.

[_She points to the door on the left._]

There.

He leaves to-night. The life at Baden's gay.

We have the Sandors and the pianist Thalberg, And Montenegro sings to us in Spanish.

Fontana howls an air from _Figaro_.

The wife of the Amba.s.sador of England And the Archd.u.c.h.ess come; we go for drives-- But nothing soothes my grief!--Ah, could the General--!

Of course you're coming to the ball to-night?

THERESA.

Why--

MARIA LOUISA.

At the Meyendorffs'. Strauss will be there.

She must be present, mustn't she, Bombelles?

THERESA.

May I solicit of your Majesty News of the Duke of Reichstadt?

MARIA LOUISA.

In good health.

He coughs a little; but the air of Baden Is good for him. He's quite a man. He's reached The critical hour of entrance in the world!

Oh dear! when I consider he's already Lieutenant-Colonel! Think how grieved I am Never to have seen him in his uniform!

[_Enter the_ DOCTOR _and his son, bringing a box._

MARIA LOUISA.

Ah! These must be for him!

THE DOCTOR.

Yes; the collections.

MARIA LOUISA.