Cavalier. But, your Royal Highness—
Princess. Don't keep calling me "your Royal Highness," but get me a description of the costume he is wearing. (The GENTLEMAN-IN-WAITING bows and goes away.) And you and I will go on hunting—
Cavalier.—for the noble huntsman—
Princess.—who is being hunted himself! (Moves away, but stops suddenly.) Who is that? (CLARA ERNST, masked and in peasant costume, comes forward followed by a masked figure wearing a domino. He is whispering to her over her shoulder. She keeps glancing about, as if looking for some one.)
The Domino.—and there, in the enchanted castle, buried deep in the wooded park—
Clara. Let me alone!
The Domino.—there we shall be greeted by a babbling fountain of water—a nymph, holding the cup of joy high above her head—
Clara (anxiously). What can have become of her?
(Meanwhile one of the masked dancers has been following them, and now turns back to join others.)
A Masked Dancer (pointing to the DOMINO). That is the King!