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ACT I

SCENE 4

Princess Charlotte’s apartment.

Charlotte is pregnant. Alexis is speaking to her.

Alexis

I have meant to ask you for a long time, Charlotte: do you believe in the divinity of Christ?

Charlotte

What do you mean? All Lutherans profess—

Alexis

I am not speaking in generalities. I once had a talk with the philosopher, Leibnitz; he shifted and shuffled, but avoided a direct answer. I saw at once he did not truly believe in Christ. Do you?

Charlotte

I think that Christ was the best and wisest of the sons of men.

Alexis

And not God’s son?

Charlotte

We are all children of God.

Alexis

And Christ is no different from the rest?

Charlotte

Why are you tormenting me? You know I’m pregnant and shouldn’t be worried.

Alexis

Your people are wise, learned, strong, honorable, famous. You have everything, but you don’t possess Christ. We Russians are poor, stupid, naked, drunk, repulsive—we are worse than barbarians, worse than beasts: But we have our Christ with us. He saves us because we cannot save ourselves.

Charlotte

You think you’re better than all other Christians, don’t you? You profess the law of love, but you practice cruelties not met with anywhere else in the world.

Alexis

To our shame, that is true.

Charlotte

For example, the Assembly last night was just like one would meet in Paris or London. Count Tolstoi spoke to me in French and Italian. All very elegant. Yet, from the windows, you could see the heads of the Old Believers on poles.

Alexis

What you say is true. But, one day Russia will unite Europe and Asia in a true Christian Faith. I, I will do it.

Charlotte

You! If you’re so brave, why don’t you persuade your father to take down those heads?