HILARION—(Aside.) To-day I meet my baby bride, to whom I was betrothed twenty years since. I have every confidence that my own accomplishments, and the influence of the line with which I am connected, will suffice to re-unite our bonds to-day. They are above par on the market. (To Hild.) Well, father, is there any news?
HILD.—King Gama has just arrived, and is now on his way here from our dépôt; but I fear without the Princess.
HILARION—Alas! I have heard strange stories of my bride. They tell me she has foresworn men—never having had anything to do with them she probably does not know what she loses. But they say she has shut herself up in the Castle Adamant accompanied by a number of devotees. It is strange, considering that she lives so near our line that the mere proximity of our Alton men has not had its usual influence before this.
(Enter a representative of the Chicago and Alton Railroad.)
REP. OF C. & A. R. R.—My liege, I beg to announce the coming of King Gama, preceded by his three royal sons.
HILD.—Bid them enter.