FLORA About what exactly, Your Highness?

RAJAH In his own words, the loss of India would reduce Britain to a minor power.

FLORA That may be, but one must consider India’s interests, too.

RAJAH I must consider Jummapur’s interests.

FLORA Yes, of course, but aren’t they the same thing?

RAJAH No, no. Independence would be the beginning of the end for the Princely States. Though in a sense you are right, too—Independence will be the end of the unity of the Subcontinent. Look at the hullabaloo in the town yesterday. You tell Mr Churchill from me, Miss Crewe. My grandfather stood firm with the British during the First Uprising.

FLORA The … ?

RAJAH In 1857 the danger was from fundamentalists—

FLORA The Mutiny …

RAJAH —today it is the progressives. No offence, Miss Crewe!

FLORA I take it as a compliment.

RAJAH Marxism. Civil disobedience. But I told the Viceroy, you have to fight them the same way, you won’t win by playing cricket. (There is a pause in the cavalcade of motor cars. A servant appears with a tray of drinks, fruit, a cigarette box, finger bowls and napkins.) Ah, the first interval. Do you smoke? No? I enjoy a cigarette. You must tell me when you have had enough of automobiles. There are one or two things in my apartments which have drawn favourable comment from historians of Indian art, even exclamations of delight if I may be honest with you. Do you enjoy art, Miss Crewe?

FLORA Frequently.

RAJAH But of course you do, you are a poet. I would be happy to show you.

FLORA I would like that very much.

RAJAH You would really? Yes, I can see you are a true seeker. My ancestors’ atelier produced some work which in my opinion compares with the best workshops of Rajasthan.

FLORA I would like to see everything!

RAJAH So you shall. Well, not quite everything, perhaps. Some of the most exquisite work, alas, is considered indelicate.

FLORA Considered by whom? By you?

RAJAH Oh no. In my culture, you see, erotic art has a long history and a most serious purpose.

FLORA (Unangrily) But only for men, your Highness?

RAJAH I have made you angry. I am terribly sorry. I should not have mentioned it.

FLORA I’m very glad you did. Otherwise I should not have seen it.

RAJAH (Comfortably) Oh, my dear Miss Crewe, you are making me uncomfortable! What can I say?

FLORA What do you usually say, Your Highness? Well … here are some more cars … I’m going to leave it to you. (Another car purrs by in front of them.) (Pleased) Oh—a Silver Ghost. Goodness, that’s beautiful.

RAJAH Will you not have some fruit, Miss Crewe?

FLORA Yes, I think I might. Thank you. (From the tray, which is piled up with tangerines, bananas, lychees, etc., she takes an apricot. She bites into it.) Apricot is my favourite word.

RAJAH Miss Crewe, you shall see all the paintings you wish to see; on the condition that you allow me to choose one to present to you.