Devil! Who lured you into the lion’s den!
conspirators
Kill him! kill him!
·87· prince paul
En vérité, Messieurs, you are not over-hospitable in your welcome!
vera
Welcome! What welcome should we give you but the dagger or the noose?
prince paul
I had no idea, really, that the Nihilists were so exclusive. Let me assure you that if I had not always had an entrée to the very best society, and the very worst conspirators, I could never have been Prime Minister in Russia.
vera
The tiger cannot change its nature, nor the snake lose its venom; but are you turned a lover of the people?
prince paul
Mon Dieu, non, Mademoiselle! I would much sooner talk scandal in a drawing-room than treason in a cellar. Besides, I hate the common mob, who smell of garlic, smoke bad tobacco, get up early, and dine off one dish.
president
What have you to gain, then, by a revolution?
·88· prince paul
Mon ami, I have nothing left to lose. That scatter-brained boy, this new Czar, has banished me.
vera
To Siberia?
prince paul
No, to Paris. He has confiscated my estates, robbed me of my office and my cook. I have nothing left but my decorations. I am here for revenge.
president
Then you have a right to be one of us. We also meet daily for revenge.
prince paul
You want money, of course. No one ever joins a conspiracy who has any. Here. [Throws money on table.] You have so many spies that I should think you want information. Well, you will find me the best informed man in Russia on the abuses of our Government. I made them nearly all myself.
vera
President, I don’t trust this man. He has ·89· done us too much harm in Russia to let him go in safety.
prince paul
Believe me, Mademoiselle, you are wrong; I will be a most valuable addition to your circle; as for you, gentlemen, if I had not thought that you would be useful to me I shouldn’t have risked my neck among you, or dined an hour earlier than usual so as to be in time.
president
Ay, if he had wanted to spy on us, Vera, he wouldn’t have come himself.
prince paul
[Aside.] No; I should have sent my best friend.
president
Besides, Vera, he is just the man to give us the information we want about some business we have in hand to-night.
vera
Be it so if you wish it.
president
Brothers, is it your will that Prince Paul Maraloffski be admitted, and take the oath of the Nihilist?
·90· conspirators
It is! it is!
president
[Holding out dagger and a paper.] Prince Paul, the dagger or the oath?
prince paul
[Smiles sardonically.] I would sooner annihilate than be annihilated. [Takes paper.]
president
Remember: Betray us, and as long as the earth holds poison or steel, as long as men can strike or woman betray, you shall not escape vengeance. The Nihilists never forget their friends, nor forgive their enemies.
prince paul
Really? I did not think you were so civilized.
vera
[Pacing up and down.] Why is he not here? He will not keep the crown. I know him well.
president
Sign. [Prince Paul signs.] You said you thought we had no creed. You were wrong. Read it!
·91· vera
This is a dangerous thing, President. What can we do with this man?
president
We can use him.
vera
And afterwards?
president
[Shrugging his shoulders.] Strangle him.
prince paul
[Reading.] “The rights of humanity!” In the old times men carried out their rights for themselves as they lived, but nowadays every baby seems born with a social manifesto in its mouth much bigger than itself. “Nature is not a temple, but a workshop: we demand the right to labour.” Ah, I shall surrender my own rights in that respect.
vera
[Pacing up and down behind.] Oh, will he never come? will he never come?
prince paul
“The family as subversive of true socialistic and communal unity is to be annihilated.” Yes, ·92· President, I agree completely with Article 5. A family is a terrible incumbrance, especially when one is not married. [Three knocks at the door.]
vera
Alexis at last!
Password: Væ tyrannis! Answer: Væ victis! [Enter Michael Stroganoff.]
president
Michael, the regicide! Brothers, let us do honour to a man who has killed a king.
vera
[Aside]. [E: Aside.]] Oh, he will come yet.
president
Michael, you have saved Russia.
michael
