ALEXIS. [To BORIS.] Sit down in that chair. I want to look at you. [BORIS looks around uneasily.] Ah! There is no one watching us. This room is in a corner of the house—nothing but windows behind you, no balcony, no hangings. Open the door you came in by—there is no one in the passage. Turn the key, if you like.
[BORIS steps quickly to the main doors, throws them open, looks into the passage, shuts them again, turns the key in the lock and slips it into his pocket.]
You see we won’t be disturbed. Now, sit down and tell me what you want. [BORIS sits down but says nothing.] Tongue-tied, eh? You don’t know how to begin? Embarrassed, eh?
BORIS. No. I was only wondering.
ALEXIS. Ha, ha! Wondering, eh?
BORIS. I was wondering why your excellency chose to give me this opportunity?
BORIS. [Looking up.] This opportunity to kill your excellency.
ALEXIS. So, so! To kill me? That’s it, is it? Well, well! I thought as much, but of course, I couldn’t be sure. Well, well! Go on, go on!
BORIS. [Simply.] God has delivered you into my hands.