SCENE VII
PART SECOND
EMPRESS-MOTHER
Napoleon and your brother loved her both.
[Alexander shows embarrassment But whatsoever grief be Alexander's, His will be none who feels but for himself.
ANNE
0 mother, how can you mistake him so! He worships her who is to be his wife,
The fair Archduchess Marie.
EMPRESS-MOTHER
Simple child,
As yet he has never seen her, or but barely. That is a tactic suit, with love to match!
ALEXANDER (with vainly veiled tenderness)
High-souled Louisa;—when shall I forget
Those Tilsit gatherings in the long-sunned June! ...
Napoleon's gallantries deceived her quite,
Who fondly felt her pleas for Magdeburg
Had won him to its cause ; the while, alas!
His cynic sense but posed in cruel play!
EMPRESS-MOTHER
Bitterly mourned she her civilities
WMfen time unlocked the truth, that she had choked
Her indignation at his former slights
And slanderous sayings for a baseless hope,
And wrought no tittle for her country's gain.
1 marvel why you mourn a frustrate tie
With one whose wiles could wring a woman so!
ALEXANDER (uneasily)
I marvel also, when I think of it!
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