continuing
]. God grant that your first may be a boy! Love and respect each other! May the eye of the Czar look down on you with mercy! [
Sees Ossep
.] Let the father now offer you his good wishes.
SALOME. Dear Ossep, congratulate your daughter.
NATO. Dear papa!
[Goes up to Ossep and kisses his hand. Ossep stands motionless.
ALEXANDER [
seizing Ossep's hand
]. From now on, dear father, count me among your children. [