But he is here. He is _here_. And for a lady's sake. I am
certain I am right.

Cavalier. But I asked one of the masters of the ceremonies, and he knew
nothing about it.

Princess. Then it must have been one that has not been let into the
secret.

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!

Another (quickly). But who is _she_?

The Domino.--on both sides, shady alleys leading to the doors of a
secret retreat; and there--

Clara (turning round). I despise you! (The dancing and music suddenly
stop. General consternation.)

The Baroness (starting forward as she hears CLARA voice.) Clara!

The Domino (taking CLARA's hand and leading her apart from the others).
Do you know who it is that you despise?

Clara (greatly agitated). Yes, I know who you are!--and that is why,
from the bottom of my heart, I despise you! (The music begins afresh,
covering the general consternation that has spread among the dancers.
The BARONESS comes forward with a cry of "Clara!" CLARA bursts into
tears and throws herself into her arms. Curtain.)

ACT I

SCENE I

(SCENE.--A large hall in Gran's factory. The walls are bare. On the
left, about half-way forward, is a small platform. A meeting of the
shareholders of a railway company is in progress. Facing the platform
are seated the gentry; the common herd, mainly farmers and work-people,
are sitting and standing about wherever they can find room. On the
right, large windows are standing open; through these another crowd
can be