THE PRINCESS. Oh, yes, I am!
STRÜBEL. Do you know what that means—my princess! I'll not give up my princess—not for anything in all the world!
THE PRINCESS. But—if you don't even know her——?
STRÜBEL. I don't know her? Why, I know her as well as I know myself!
THE PRINCESS. Have you ever met her, then?
STRÜBEL. I don't know of any one who has ever met her. And there's not a soul that can tell what she looks like. It is said that there were pictures of her in the shop-windows when she first came, but they were removed immediately. In the morning a great many people are always lurking around the Springs trying to catch a glimpse of her. I, myself, have gotten up at six o'clock a couple of times—on the same errand—and if you knew me better, you'd realize what that meant. But not a sign of her! Either she has the stuff brought to her house or she has the power of making herself invisible. [The Princess turns aside to conceal a smile.] After that, I used to hang around her garden—every day, for hours at a time. Until one day the policeman, whom the managers of the Springs have stationed at the gates, came up to me and asked me what on earth I was doing there. Well, that was the end of those methods of approach! Suddenly, however, a happy thought struck me. Now I can see her and have her near to me as often as I wish.
THE PRINCESS. Why, that's very interesting. How?
STRÜBEL. Yes, that's just the point. H'm, should I risk it? Should I take you into my confidence?
THE PRINCESS. You promised me some time ago that you would show her to me.
STRÜBEL. Wait a second. [Looks through the telescope.] There she is. Please look for yourself.