"What is this fear, my lord, which strikes the heart? Has any Trojan hero slipped his chains? Their hate of Hector is not yet appeased: They dread his son! fit object of their dread! A hapless child, who is not yet aware His master's Pyrrhus and his father Hector." [_General embarrassment._] I-- GENTZ. Charming voice. MARIA LOUISA. Select another passage. THERESA. "Alas the day, when, prompted by his valor, To seek Achilles and to meet his doom, He called his son and wrapped him to his heart: 'Dear wife,' quoth he, and brushed away a tear, 'I know not what the fates may have in store. I leave my son to thee--'" [_General embarrassment._] H'm--yes-- MARIA LOUISA. Let's try Some other volume. Take-- THERESA. The "Meditations"? MARIA LOUISA. I know the author! 'Twill not be so dull. He dined with us. [_To_ SCARAMPI.] The Diplomat, you know. THERESA. [_Reads._] "Never had hymns more strenuous and high From seraph lips rung through the listening sky: Courage! Oh, fallen child of godlike race--" THE DUKE. [_Who has entered unnoticed._] Forgive the interruption, Lamartine! MARIA LOUISA. Well, Franz? A pleasant ride? THE DUKE. Delightful, mother. But, Mademoiselle, where did my entrance stop you? THERESA. [_Looking at him with emotion._] "Courage! Oh, fallen child of godlike race, The glory of your birth is in your face! All men who look on you--" MARIA LOUISA. That's quite sufficient. THE ARCHDUCHESS. [_To the children._] Go, bid good morrow to your cousin. [_The children run up to the_ DUKE, _who is seated, and surround him._] SCARAMPI. [_To_ THERESA.] Fie! THERESA. Why, what? A LADY. [_Looking at the_ DUKE.] How pale he is! ANOTHER LADY. He looks half dead! SCARAMPI. [_To_ THERESA.] You chose such awkward passages. THERESA. The book Fell open by itself. I did not choose. GENTZ. [_Who has overheard._] Books always open where most often read. THERESA. [_Looking at the_ DUKE.] Archdukes upon his knees! THE ARCHDUCHESS. [_Leaning over the back of the_ DUKE'S _chair._] I am delighted To see you, Franz. I am your friend. [_She holds out her hand to him._] THE DUKE. [_Kissing her hand._] I know it. GENTZ. [_To_ THERESA.] What do you think of him? I say he's like A cherub who had secretly read "Werther." THE LITTLE GIRL. [_To the_ DUKE.] How nice your collar is! THE DUKE. Your Highness flatters. THERESA. His collars! THE LITTLE BOY. No one has such sticks! THE DUKE. No. No one. THERESA. His sticks! THE OTHER LITTLE BOY.