FullReads

THE PRINCESS.
So I did. And perhaps so will I. I do not know.

THE KING.
In what way do I displease you? If it is anything which I can change without hurt to the well-being of my kingdom and the traditions of my ancestors, I will gladly change it.

THE PRINCESS.
There are many things–too many to enumerate in detail.

THE KING.
Name one of them.

THE PRINCESS.
For one thing, you seem a trifle less handsome than the portrait of you they gave me.–But I suppose you have been thinking the same thing about me. Indeed, my portrait must have flattered me greatly, since you did not recognize me this morning….

THE KING.
For a moment–it must have been intuition–I did think it was you. Unfortunately, I allowed my judgment to lead me astray.

THE PRINCESS.
It always will, if you pay any attention to it. So you did believe it was I for a moment? That is interesting! And how did you feel?

THE KING.
I–shall I tell you?

THE PRINCESS.
Yes–tell me!

THE KING.
I felt embarrassed that I should have been receiving you in my dressing gown.

THE PRINCESS.
( scornfully )

Oh!

She walks away.

THE KING.
( sadly )

I should not have told you about it.

THE PRINCESS.
( coming back to him )

Yes. It was quite right to tell me. And I can see now why you would feel that way. You wanted to look your best for me, didn’t you? I quite understand that. I spent weeks trying on my new gowns, and deciding in which one I would seem most beautiful to you. Only, of course, I forgot at the last moment, and rode off to you in this!

THE KING.
I–I can understand how you felt.
I am–sorry I disappointed you. Forgive me.

THE PRINCESS.
Yes.

( After a silence )

I suppose we can be happy together–after a fashion.

THE KING.
I am sure of it. And now–shall we go down to the throne-room
to rehearse the ceremony for tomorrow?

THE PRINCESS.
Please leave me here a while. I want to think.

THE KING.
Very well. I shall come for you presently.

He goes.

THE PRINCESS.
( after a pause )

If I make up my mind to it–!

THE GYPSY.
( appearing over the window-ledge )

Never!

THE PRINCESS.
Who are you?

THE GYPSY.
Say that I am the wind, coming in at your window as
I have come so many times before when you lay awake
in your chamber, bringing you strange thoughts.

THE PRINCESS.
If you are the wind bringing me strange thoughts,
you come to me for the last time.

THE GYPSY.
Or say that I am a dream that has come to
you often in your chamber when you lay asleep.

THE PRINCESS.
I am forbidden to dream, now.

THE GYPSY.
Or say that I am a Gypsy, come to tell a Queen that he loves her.

THE PRINCESS.
Those words are like an echo.
I seem to have heard them many times. Come nearer.

He enters, and kneels to her.