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THE KING.
Poor child.

THE PRINCESS.
You may well say so. I dreamed of it until I lost all sense of reality, and imagined that I was that happy girl who was going to meet her lover.

THE KING.
Madness!

THE PRINCESS.
It was madness–nothing else. I thought I was to become free–to throw off the restraints that had chafed me for so long at home. I thought I was going to see everything I wished to see, and do everything I wished to do–to follow every impulse, no matter where it led me–to commit every pleasant folly I chose–and be happy.

THE KING.
What queer notions!

THE PRINCESS.
I had queerer notions than that. I thought I loved a man that I had never seen. I thought he loved me. I pitied myself and him because we were so long apart, and I burned to go to him. So, while the slow-moving caravan was yet far from its destination, I rose secretly in the night, while the others slept, and saddled the fastest horse in the train. I rode under the stars, with only one thought–his arms about me at the journey’s end, his lips on mine. So I came to the city. I scaled the walls, and entered the palace at dawn.

THE KING.
But tell me–the wall around the palace is seventeen feet high–

THE PRINCESS.
True enough.

THE KING.
A guard of soldiers continually marches around it–

THE PRINCESS.
Very true.

THE KING.
And there are spikes on the top. How did you get over?

THE PRINCESS.
That is my secret. The rest I have told you. And now let me go.

THE KING.
Tell me one thing more–

THE PRINCESS.
Nothing more! I must go!
I feel that if I stay any longer, something dreadful will happen!

THE KING.
( taking her hand and detaining her )

What do you fear?

THE PRINCESS.
I feel like the maiden in the story who was told that if she stayed till the clock struck, she would be changed into the shape of an animal. Something tells me that if I stay here till the clock strikes, we shall both be transformed into beasts. Oh, let me go!

THE KING.
No, wait!

The clock strikes noon.

THE PRINCESS.
( staring at the door )

I am lost!

THE GYPSY.
( at the door, announcing )

The couriers of the King of Basque!

The couriers enter.

They stare amazed at the girl seated beside the King.

FIRST COURIER.
The Princess!

SECOND COURIER.
Here!

The King and the Princess look at each other. Then the King speaks.

THE KING.
( challengingly )

Where should the Princess be, but beside her affianced husband?

FIRST COURIER.
We came to tell you that she was missing from the caravan.

SECOND COURIER.
We feared for her safety.

THE KING.
Your fears were needless.

FIRST COURIER.
They told us–

THE KING.
Never mind what they told you. You have seen. And now leave us.

THE COURIERS
. Yes, your majesty.

They go, the Gypsy following.

THE KING

.
And now, with apologies for the misunderstanding and delay,
let me welcome you to my palace and my arms–my princess and my queen!