SCENE 2. _Same room several hours later. Sophie alone, standing by

the small, high window, left._

_Soph._ Almost sunset. [_Turns from window_] And he knows I am waiting.[_Hears a step in the yard and turns again to window. Adrian enters, pauses in door, and sees Sophie gazing out. He advances_]

_Adr._ Your highness?

_Soph._ [_Turning her head_] You have made no haste.

_Adr._ I have been with the people.

_Soph._ [_Looking at him_] You are tired. I, too, went out, but it was so terrible.... You are very tired. Sit down, please. I want to stand. [_Takes a few nervous steps and goes back to window_]

_Adr._ [_Breaking the silence_] Is there anything to say?

_Soph._ [_Not turning_] The horrible thing you think of me is not true.

_Adr._ We will not talk about that.

_Soph._ [_Turns, eagerly_] You have forgiven me?

_Adr._ Yes.

_Soph._ As the saints forgive, or for love of me?

_Adr._ For love of God, not you!

_Soph._ [_Smiling_] It's the same thing, isn't it?

_Adr._ [_In embarrassment_] I--what did you mean?

_Soph._ Come, sit down. [_She takes a seat. He does not move_] Do rest. You will drop. [_He is silent_] So you do not love me?

_Adr._ I have not time to amuse your highness----

_Soph._ [_Rising_] Nor I to be amused. I know the truth. You do love me. I saw it in your face when you thought I had been false. I knew then that I was more than a mere traitor. I was beloved. And in spite of the suffering--the sadness--the shame--I was glad.

_Adr._ [_Trembling_] Glad?

_Soph._ First, let me tell you that I _am_ Petrizoff's spy. [_He drops to a seat_] He wanted to convict you. You are so important, it seems, that proof from a high source was necessary. I offered to supply it. [_Smiles_] Don't you see? I was afraid some one else might be successful.

_Adr._ [_Rising_] I see. You are only false to Petrizoff.

_Soph._ [_Hotly_] I am only his good angel. I have kept him from doing terrible things by not finding the means----

_Adr._ Forgive me. I don't understand yet. Why did you do this--for me?

_Soph._ You were doing a noble work.

_Adr._ [_Turns away_] Yes, it was my work you wanted to save.

_Soph._ Adrian! [_He faces her. She stands in the light from the window_] You came to the Travinski palace two years ago. It was June, like this--[_motioning out_]--and sunset--like this. Do you remember?

_Adr._ I remember.

_Soph._ You talked to my father. I was in the room. You did not see me, a mere princess,--but I saw you--heard you. I could not leave--I could not turn away. Your words were like new dreams to me.... And after that Petrizoff appealed to my father to furnish evidence against you. He consented because he feared your power over the peasants. I begged him to trust the matter to me, and it was then that I made the foolish wager with Petrizoff. My light manner deceived him, but all the time my heart was dying within me for fear I should fail.

_Adr._ [_Falteringly_] Your highness----

_Soph._ O, not that! I have called you Adrian for two years. [_He is silent, and she continues_] The Red Cross work gave me opportunities to see you. At first perhaps I was only trying to save you--and win you. But now I know that I am true. I am ready to die for the things that you would die for, not for your sake but the things' sake. Though I do not love you less. My love has grown with my spirit. When we met this morning I dared to put into my eyes all that I felt. You looked as though you had suddenly met a being out of Heaven, but it was not Heaven's light upon my face; it was my love for you.

_Adr._ Sophie ... let it be the light from Heaven, not poor human love.

_Soph._ [_Drawing back_] Have I--am I--mistaken?

_Adr._ No. I love you as I have prayed never to love in my life.

_Soph._ And I love you as I have prayed all my life I might love.

_Adr._ There are greater things--than this.

_Soph._ I know. It is because of those greater things that I love you. [_Touching him gently_] And how can love be anything but a help--a blessing?

_Adr._ By taking no second place; by making itself master, as it always does; as it is doing now.

[_Moves from her in agitation, which he suppresses, and speaks steadily_] Years ago I gave myself to mankind. A poor gift, but the surrender was hard, for I loved myself and believed in giants, if not gods, who shoulder above the race. But the surrender was complete. And now shall I take another self in you? One that I could never give up?

[_She is silent. A woman approaches without, moaning. Adrian goes to the door_] Anna?

_Anna._ [_Appearing at door_] My lad is dead, sir. He wanted to see you again, but there was none to send. Each is busy with his own.

_Adr._ Dear Nikola! God's rest is his.

_Anna._ Yes. Heaven is a good place for our children. 'Tis better with me than Uliana. Her Petrov may live, but he will never walk. Can you come to-night and sit a bit by the lad? I'm almost thinkin' he would know it, sir.

_Adr._ I will come, Anna.

_Anna._ Just a bit. I wouldn't keep you from the living. God bless you, sir! [_Goes. Adrian remains in door until her footsteps die away, then returns to Sophie_]

_Adr._ You know what my work means. The daily offering up of the body to prison and death. That does not matter now, but if you were in danger, as my wife would always be, do you doubt that I would try to save you at the risk of all for which I have lived? And I have lived for it because it was the one righteous way for me.

_Soph._ I should never come between you and your work.

_Adr._ I gave up ambition--I would rather move with the multitude one step nearer the light than with my two hands catch at the sun. I gave up art--what right had I to retreat into the beautiful while my brothers lay blind without? Burnish my spirit to reflect gleams beyond the stars, while children were without bread? But love? O, I thought God would spare me this!

_Soph._ Adrian--you don't understand--I should not be in your way--your work would be mine----

_Adr._ O, _you_ don't understand--you can't, for you are a woman, whose natural breath is the incense of sacrifice. But in me there is no angel. If you were mine, I would risk everything to hold you--one bit of rosy flesh that I might kiss!

_Soph._ [_Softly_] I know you better than that.

_Adr._ Even now I am trembling for you, thinking more of your safety than of the poor people who are waiting for me as their only hope. You must leave here at once--cease trying to protect me--what you have done for Vasil may arouse the suspicions of Petrizoff----

_Soph._ He will not hear of it. I spoke to Orloff. [_Answering his look_] I can take care of myself, Adrian. [_Taking his hand_] It is you who need----

_Adr._ [_Withdrawing his hand_] Don't! Who lets in love, lets in his master, and I must be free--free! You will despise me, but that perhaps is the better way. O, I long to deceive myself, to say that it would make no difference, that I could see the chains fastened about you, see you dragged away, and go on unfalteringly with no dimming of the vision. But it would be a lie.

_Soph._ The truth. You could do it.

_Adr._ No. And you would not want me to do it Forgive me. You do not believe it now, but you would want me to love you first.

_Soph._ Yes. But I should not let you. You say yourself that sacrifice is woman's breath. I could give up even my desire to be first. But why make a question of the impossible? No woman could be first with you, Adrian.

_Adr._ O you don't _know_!

[_A man comes to door, rear, makes sign of the cross toward icon, and stands waiting_]

_Adr._ What now, Nico?

_Nico._ Petrov Kalushkin is worse, sir. Can you come before night?

_Adr._ In ten minutes.

_Nico._ The Holy Mother bless you, sir! [_Exit_]

_Soph._ [_As Adrian turns silently to her_] I have only this to say, Adrian. I understand, and I am ready.

_Adr._ And I am not. I know the man in me too well. I can not trust him. While you are safe, and I am free, go.

_Soph._ [_Paling and gathering up her pride_] I am sorry that I waited for the command. [_Moving to right_] I will speak to the Vetrovas, and obey you.

_Adr._ [_As she opens door_] Sophie!

_Soph._ [_Turning_] Princess Travinski! [_Exit_]

_Adr._ Ah, pride will not help _her_. I don't know what has happened--what I have done----

[_Enter Vasil, centre right, carrying his violin_]

_Vasil._ O, has she gone?

_Adr._ No, but she is going.

_Vasil._ She will come back?

_Adr._ Why should she? Isn't it enough that she has given herself to us for one day?

_Vasil._ She has given herself to me forever--by saving my life. She may forget you and the others, but she can't forget me, Adrian. O, I have been so happy to-day!

_Adr._ To-day?

_Vasil._ I have finished "The Joy of the Stars."

_Adr._ [_Exultantly_] Your sonata finished? To-day!

_Vasil._ You have been right, Adrian. This life shall not touch me. I could never understand it. When I think of it I grow blind--blind--blind! I shall sing--just sing till my head goes off, nor ask why. The people are good, honest, work from light to dark, yet they starve, bleed, die. And I, who pray to harm nothing, I--this morning--[_stops_, _shudders_, _crosses to table_, _rear_, _lays his violin upon it_, _and sits despairingly_. _Adrian follows and puts his arm over the boy's shoulders_]

_Adr._ That is over, lad. You will soon be in Berlin with your music, and you will forget. Think of it as a dream that will not come again.

_Vasil._ But it will be coming to others. Always somewhere there are people suffering, in prison, mad, tortured----

_Adr._ You can not help them now, Vasil. And to let sympathy destroy your power for work will rob them of the joy you may bring them hereafter. Forget them for awhile that you may come again with help, not tears, that ease your heart rather than theirs.

_Vasil._ No, I shall not forget--not for a minute--but I shall work and be blithe of soul, for what has the soul to do with the tearing of the heart, unless it be to show its free wings above it? If I were imprisoned, racked, dying, I should want the music to go on, I should try even then to help it, to turn my cries into a song. That is why I can sing while they suffer--because happiness is the right thing--because I am ready to suffer while _they_ sing,--not because I forget. O, you can trust me, Adrian! And [_with sudden appeal_] I want to be at the meeting to-night.

_Adr._ [_Hastily_] No.

_Vasil._ Yes, Adrian.

_Adr._ You are too young.

_Vasil._ As old as the morning star. Do not be afraid. Whatever touches me, nothing shall touch my song.

_Adr._ Your song can be saved only with your life, Vasil, and this meeting is dangerous. In a few days you are going away. We will not uselessly waste your heart to-night.

_Vasil._ I do not want to go just now, Adrian. Let me stay here a little longer. There is so much you can teach me yet.

_Adr._ [_Smiling_] You make better music than I can dream. No, it is time to go.

_Vasil._ But I _want_ to stay!

_Adr._ [_Quickly_] You must have no wishes. [_More gently_] Aside from your art.

_Vasil._ Art can breathe only through life. I must live! Art is for men and women. If I do not understand them, how can they understand my music? I shall not play to sheep, nor rocks, nor stars, nor God, nor angels!

_Adr._ You know what I mean, Vasil. In heart the true artist is all man, all woman; but in genius, as impersonal as the universe.

_Vasil._ I know it! Have I not proved it to-day? Petrov Kalushkin is lying over yonder bleeding from a hundred lashes, but I--[_taking up his violin_]--listen to "The Joy of the Stars!"

_Adr._ [_Laying his hand on the bow_] Stop--no--I mean--[_silence. Vasil puts down the violin and looks at Adrian_] I am not a genius, Vasil. You will be what I can not.

_Vasil._ And you will trust me? I may be at the meeting?

_Adr._ [_Taking his hat_] Yes. This once. And then Berlin.

_Vasil._ You are worn out, Adrian. Must you go again?

_Adr._ Again and again. You may say good-by to the princess for me.

_Vasil._ Wait! She is coming! [_Exit Adrian, street door, as Sophie and Vera enter left. Sophie has on hat and ulster_]

_Vera._ You kissed me this morning, and you were a princess.

_Soph._ And I will kiss you again, dear Vera. You will be ready in the morning for the visit you have promised me?

_Vera._ O, yes!

[_They cross toward Vasil_]

_Vera._ I shall love you always for saving my Vasil. It would have killed him. Adrian has guarded him always. [_Lifting Vasil's hand_] See----

_Vasil._ [_Offended, drawing away his hand_] I am not a child, Vera.

_Vera._ [_Hurt_] O, Vasil!

_Vasil._ [_Embracing her_] There! The princess will think we are _two_ babies.

_Vera._ [_With dignity_] I am betrothed.

_Soph._ Happy Alexander!

_Vasil._ [_Jealously, as she caresses Vera_] Princess, may I play to you before you go?

_Soph._ O, will you?

_Vera._ Sit here, princess.

[_Sophie takes the large chair, Vera sits on stool beside her. Vasil gets his violin from table, comes over and stands ready to play. Drops the bow in desperation_]

_Soph._ What is the matter?

_Vasil._ How can I play to that ugly coat and hat?

_Soph._ [_Laughing and removing hat and ulster_] Is that all?

_Vasil._ Now you are my princess!

_Soph._ Yours?

_Vasil._ Yes. You have sold yourself to me.

_Soph._ I have?

_Vasil._ By doing me a favor--the most binding of bargains. As long as you live your thoughts will come back to me. Could you forget me, princess?

_Soph._ No, Vasil. But you must not care so much.

_Vasil._ Don't you like me to care?

_Soph._ Yes, but----

_Vasil._ Then I will. O, it is glorious to dream and know why! To sing and know to whom the song belongs!

_Soph._ My boy, make your country your goddess, not a woman.

_Vasil._ My country! What is it? The thing that raised a knout above my shoulders?

_Soph._ My dear Vasil----

_Vasil._ Adrian is right. I must find that which is not country, nor home, nor people,--the eternal in the hour.

_Soph._ But Adrian cares for country, home, people.

_Vasil._ No. He cares only for the soul. These other things are shadow boundaries in the mind that vanish when the soul looks on them. Here, I'll show you how little he cares. [_Unfastens a chain from his neck and draws a medal from his bosom_] He gave me this, because I wanted it to play with. I was only a boy then. And he forgot all about it. Have you noticed how Adrian forgets? I would not give it back because he was going to bury it. [_Holding out medal_] See? [_Drawing it back_] You love him, don't you?

_Soph._ Why--yes--you strange boy.

_Vasil._ Then you may see it.

_Soph._ [_Turning away_] No.

_Vasil._ But I want you to look. The name is on it--his grandfather's--great-grandfather's--O, I don't know how far back. But I am sure he was a great prince.

_Soph._ [_Looking at medal_] Donskoi!

_Vasil._ Wasn't he a great prince?

_Soph._ Yes. But a greater man.

_Vasil._ And Adrian could be a prince too. [_Re-fastening chain_] But he doesn't care at all. When I asked him if this was a piece of the sun, he said "No, the last of a great shadow." I know what he meant now. Why are you sad, princess?

_Soph._ Because I have been unkind to Adrian.

_Vasil._ Don't mind. He will forgive you. He forgives everybody everything.

_Soph._ But it isn't pleasant to be forgiven that way, as if we were anybody else. I want to be forgiven because I am myself.

_Vasil._ You can't with Adrian. His star is the soul, and in its light we are all alike.

_Soph._ And what is your star, Vasil?

_Vasil._ Mine? It is the same, only I call it love instead of soul. The great love--that makes one heart beat in another's body--that makes me faint in Russia when a beggar starves in India--that fades your cheek with the girl's at an English loom--that turns the comfortable American out of doors with the driven Jew--that gives one color to every flag, and makes the might of the strongest nation the right of the Kaffir babe. This is my star, as Adrian's, only I see it warm and golden instead of cold and white.

_Soph._ [_Softly_] It may not be always cold and white to him.

_Vasil._ [_Thoughtfully_] Perhaps not, or he would not know so well----

_Soph._ How others see?

_Vasil._ [_Nods, and takes up his violin_] Shall I play now, princess?

_Soph._ Yes, but do not think of me,--think of----

_Vasil._ I know. The great love.

[_He plays, standing by window. Vera sits leaning against Sophie's lap. The princess gazes toward the door, and her look meets Adrian's as he enters. He crosses and stands by her chair. She reaches up and gives him her hand, which he clasps. Curtain_]