ools,
did any of you ever hear of a Dragon swallowing
the wedding ring?

_All_: We never did.

_Queen_: It's easy enough so. There must be
no delay till Nuala will be married and wed with
someone that will bring her away out of this, and
let the Dragon go hungry home!

_Nurse_: That she may! Isn't it a pity now
she being so hard to please!

_Queen_: Young people are apt to be selfish and
to have no thought but for themselves. She must
not be hard to please when it will be to save and
to serve her family and to keep up respect for
their name. Here she is coming.

_Nurse_: Ah, you would not tell her! You
would not put the dear child under the shadow
of such a terror and such a threat!

_King_: She must not be told. I never could
bear up against it.

_(Nuala comes in_.)

_Queen:_ Look now at your father the way he is.

_Princess: (Touching his hand.)_ What is fretting
you?

_Queen:_ His heart as weighty as that the chair
near broke under him.

_Princess:_ I never saw you this way before.

_Queen:_ And all on the head of yourself!

_Princess:_ I am sorry, and very sorry, for that.

_Queen:_ He is loth to say it to you, but he is
tired and wore out waiting for you to settle with
some match. See what a troubled look he has on
his face.

_Princess: (To King.)_ Is it that you want me
to leave you? _(He gives a sob.) (To Dall Glic.)_
Is it the Queen urged him to this?

_Dall Glic:_ If she did, it was surely for your good.

_Nurse:_ Oh, my child and my darling, let you
strive to take a liking to some good man that will
come!

_Princess:_ Are you going against me with the rest?

_Nurse:_ You know well I would never do that!

_Princess:_ Do you, father, urge me to go?

_King:_ They are in too big a hurry why
wouldn't they wait a while, for a quarter, or three-quarters
of a year.

_Princess:_ Is that all the delay I am given, and
the term is set for me, like a servant that would be
banished from the house?

_King:_ That's not it. That's not right. I
would never give in to let you go ...if it
wasn't ...

_Princess_: I know. _(Stands up.)_ For my own
good!

_(Trumpet outside.)_

_Gatekeeper_: (_Coming in_.) There is company
at the door.

_Queen_: Who is it?

_Gatekeeper_: Servants, and a company of women,
and one that would seem to be a Prince, and young.

_Princess_: Then he is come asking me in marriage.

_Dall Glic_: Who is he at all?

_Gatekeeper_: They were saying he is the