_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.