THE PRINCESS. (with flashing eyes) You mean you would make her obey?
THE KING. That is a hard saying. But this kingdom has not been built up with centuries of blood and toil to be torn down at the whim of a foolish girl. I have a duty to perform, and that is to hand on the kingdom to my descendants as it was handed on to me from my great ancestors, Otho and Magnus, Carolus and Gavaine. And by the blood that once flowed in their veins and now flows in mine, I will so do it—and rather than fail, I would break into pieces a woman's body and a wife's heart.
THE PRINCESS. I understand you fully. And may I go now?
THE KING. First you must tell me who you are and how you came to play this mad prank.
THE PRINCESS. Your majesty, I am only a foolish girl. I will not tell you my name, but I came from the kingdom of Basque.
THE KING. Have you ever seen the Princess, by any chance?
THE PRINCESS. I was in the royal caravan.
THE KING. Then you know the Princess!
THE PRINCESS. Not so well as I thought, your majesty. But I had heard so much talk of her coming marriage and of her great happiness, that there was nothing else in my mind. I dreamed of it day and night.
THE KING. Poor child.