(Turns smiling to greet Carlotta who enters carrying flowers)
So early out? What treasures have you there?
Car. The sweetest flowers that ever peeped up head.
They grow along the path in that dear wood
Where Maximilian took me gypsying
When we grew weary of the world.
Mar. I ’m sure
That was not often.
Car. True. We loved too well
Our work among the people to hide ourselves
In little corners of delight. But oh, those times!
How he would catch me as I ran and say
His little wild-girl with her flower crown
Was dearer than his princess ermine-gowned.
And so I ’ll wreathe these buds into my hair,
And meet him as he loved me best.
(Goes to edge of the balcony and looks to sea)
To-day!
This blessed, beauteous day our eyes shall see him!
(Drops flowers in trance of happiness)
Mar. Sweet Empress—
Car. Empress? No! To-day I am
His little wild-girl with her wreath of flowers.
O, I must make my crown! Now, now, how careless!