THE GRAND DUCHESS. Ha, ha! Yes: they took me to the circus when I
was a child. It was my first moment of happiness, my first
glimpse of heaven. I ran away and joined the troupe. They caught
me and dragged me back to my gilded cage; but I had tasted
freedom; and they never could make me forget it.

STRAMMFEST. Freedom! To be the slave of an acrobat! to be
exhibited to the public! to--

THE GRAND DUCHESS. Oh, I was trained to that. I had learnt that
part of the business at court.

STRAMMFEST. You had not been taught to strip yourself half naked
and turn head over heels--

THE GRAND DUCHESS. Man, I WANTED to get rid of my swaddling
clothes and turn head over heels. I wanted to, I wanted to, I
wanted to. I can do it still. Shall I do it now?

STRAMMFEST. If you do, I swear I will throw myself from the
window so that I may meet your parents in heaven without having
my medals torn from my breast by them.

THE GRAND DUCHESS. Oh, you are incorrigible. You are mad,
infatuated. You will not believe that we royal divinities are
mere common flesh and blood even when we step down from our
pedestals and tell you ourselves what a fool you are. I will
argue no more with you: I will use my power. At a word from me
your men will turn against you: already half of them do not