Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Front matter

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Princess Snow White

Scene 1: The Throne Room in Queen Brangomar's Palace

The Throne Room in Queen Brangomar's Palace

The Throne Room is a fine apartment, hung with blue damask embroidered with silver peacocks—birds of which Queen Brangomar is very fond. At the back wide steps lead to a terrace of white marble. Beyond shines the blue sea. On one side stands the great throne, inlaid with coloured mosaics. Opposite is an entrance leading to the other rooms of the palace.

When the Play begins, seven of the Maids of Honour to Princess Snow White are playing a game with coloured balls. They are little girls about twelve years old, and their names are Rosalys, Amelotte, Ermengarde, Guinivere, Christabel, Ursula and Linnette. As they play they sing:

Maids of Honour.

High and low, High and low,

Round about and 'cross they go.

Blue and green, Gold and white,

Toss them true and hold them tight.

Miss a ball, Let it fall,

Make the least mistake at all;

One, two, three, Out goes she!

One, two, three, and out goes she!

[Just here Rosalys does miss, and the oth- ers rush to "tag" her, crying, "Rosalys is out!" "Rosalys is out!"

Rosalys. I don't care. It's not an interesting game anyway!

Christabel. Play again?

Ermengarde. One game.

Guinivere. I will.

[But just as they are about to begin again, SirSir Dandiprat Bombas, the court Chamberlain, appears on the terrace. He is a fat, puffy little man, with an enormous wig and a great sense of his own importance.

Sir Dandiprat. Ah, young ladies . . . What? Playing in the Throne Room? Tut, tut! Tut, tut!

Maids of Honour. Oh, please don't tell.

Don't tell the Queen. We didn't break anything.

Sir Dandiprat. No, on the whole I won't tell her Majesty. She might blame me. As I was going to say, I have an important announcement to make. Since Lady Cecily was sent home with the mumps your usual number, eight, has been reduced to seven. Am I right? One from eight leaves seven I think? [He tries to do the sum on his fingers.]

Rosalys. Yes, it is seven.

Sir Dandiprat. I am right. Her Majesty the Queen wishes your number kept complete, so I have brought another young lady to take the vacant place. [He leads on little Lady Astolaine and presents her:] The Lady Astolaine. These are the Maids of Honour to the Princess Snow White.

[Lady Astolaine curtsies to the Maids of Honour and they in turn curtsey to her. Sir Dandiprat goes on

You must teach Lady Astolaine all she ought to know as a Maid of Honour. You'd better teach her your gavotte first; you may have to dance it almost immediately. [And the little man dances a few steps, puffing out the tune meantime:]"Tum, tum, tum, ti; dum, tum, tum, ti! And how to make a proper curtsey—so. [And he tries to make one.] And how to retire backwards gracefully—so! [But as he retires backwards he stumbles against the terrace steps, and falls flat on his back. He is so embarrassed by this mishap that he scrambles out of the room as fast as he can, puffing:] Gracefully, young ladies! Gracefully! Gracefully! [till he is out of sight].

Astolaine. [Laughing].] Who's that old thing?

Rosalys. [Mimicking Sir Dandiprat's voice and strut.] That's Sir Dandiprat Bombas, Court Chamberlain to the Queen.

Christabel. He gives us our "instructions."

Ermengarde. But we don't mind him.

Astolaine. Do you have good times here?

Rosalys. Splendid; except [confidentially] when the Queen is especially cross.

Christabel. And then, oh me! we have to be careful!

Astolaine. I don't think I shall like the Queen!

Maids of Honour. [Hastily] Ssh! Astolaine. Why, ssh?

Rosalys. [Whispering.] Never say anything uncomplimentary about the Queen!

Maids of Honour. [Loudly, intending to be overheard.] We all adore the Queen! [But they shake their heads, and make little faces to show Astolaine that they don't mean it.]

Astolaine. [Whispering.] I shall hate the Queen!

Maids of Honour. [Also whispering.] We all do!

Astolaine. But I'm to be Maid of Honour to the Princess Snow White, so I'll take my orders from her.

Rosalys. Oh, Snow White never gives orders.

Astolaine. I shall like her. When shall I see her?

Christabel. Sometimes, every day; and then again not for ever so long. It just depends on the Queen's temper.

Sir Dandiprat Bombas, the Court Chamberlain, appears on the terrace.

Ermengarde. And how much Snow White has to do.

Astolaine. I thought a Princess never had anything to do.

Christabel. [Confidentially.] Well, you see, Snow White isn't exactly a regular Princess.

Rosalys. Why, Christabel! Of course she's a regular Princess, but . . .

Astolaine. But what? [Wonderingly.] You don't hate Snow White too?

Maids of Honour. [In indignant chorus.] Hate Snow White! The idea! She's the dearest! Loveliest! Kindest! We just adore her!

Rosalys. [To the others] Oh, do you think we could get Snow White to come and see Astolaine now, while we're all alone?

Christabel. Oh, let's try! [And all the little Maids hop up and down and clap their hands with glee at the idea.]

Rosalys. Where is she?

Christabel. Kitchen, I think. She said she had to bake bread first and cookies afterward.

Rosalys. Bread is important, but cookies aren't. Anyway it can't do any harm to ask her.

Amelotte. I'll go ! I'll go ! [And off she darts to the kitchen.]

Astolaine. [Wonderingly.] But what is the Princess doing in the kitchen?

Rosalys. Of course you don't understand about Snow White yet. It's a court secret. [To the others] But I think we ought to tell her right away, don't you? before she sees Snow White, or she might think . . .

[They evidently agree, for they all rush at Astolaine and begin to speak at once.

Maids of Honour. I'll tell her! No, let me, I know! Snow White was born . . . This Oueen isn't her real mother. It's like a fairy-tale!

Astolaine. [Stopping her ears] I can't possibly understand if you all talk at once. [But each little Maid, thinking that the others will stop, again begins to tell Snow White's story, so that the confusion is worse than before. Astolaine has to hold her ears a second time.] That's worse! There's only one fair way to decide. I'll "count out," and the one that's out shall tell.

Rosalys. Hm! I suppose that's fair, —only I should tell it so much the best.

Christabel. [To Astolaine.] Well then, you count.

[So Astolainesings the "Counting-out Song," counting as she sings.

counting out song

"Intry, mintry, cutry, corn, "Apple seed and apple thorn ; "Wire, briar, limber, lock, "Five grey geese in a flock. "Eeny, meeny, mona, mi, "Bassalona, bona stri. "One, two, three, "Out goes she! "Out goes she!"

[The last count falls on Rosalys.

Maids of Honour. [Regretfully.] Oh, it's Rosalys!

Rosalys. I was so afraid it wouldn't be me. Come over here where we can talk quietly. [She runs to the throne and climbs into the big seat. The others cuddle close beside her.] Now, nobody must interrupt, except by 'spress permission. Button mouths! First, Queen Brangomar isn't Snow White's real mother.

Astolaine. Oh, I know that! Christabel. But my father says that her real father and mother were the best King and Queen . . .

Rosalys. [Glaring at Christabel.] What about interrupting?

Christabel. I forgot. 'Scuse me! [And she "buttons" her mouth again.]

Rosalys. [Continuing. ] One day in winter before Snow White was born, her real mother was sitting by the window embroidering at an ebony frame. And she pricked her finger, so she opened the window and shook the drop of blood on the snow outside. And it looked so beautiful that she said, "Oh, how I wish I had a little daughter with hair as black as ebony, skin as white as snow, and lips as red as blood. She'd never had a baby before; but a little while after a baby daughter was born with ...

Maids of Honour. [Chanting impressively.] Hair as black as ebony, skin as white as snow, and lips as red as blood.

Astolaine. So that's why they named her Snow White.

Rosalys. But then Snow White's mother died; and I suppose the King thought there ought to be somebody to mind the baby, for he married Queen Brangomar—she's Queen now.

Astolaine. Oh, I see! Rosalys. As long as the King lived, Queen Brangomar was as sweet as sugar to Snow White.

Christabel. [Interrupting in a whisper.] I am glad she was ever nice to somebody.

Rosalys. But after he died, then [She pauses impressively.]

Astolaine. Then . . . what?

Rosalys. Then she grew awfully jealous of Snow White.

Astolaine. Not really?

Ermengarde. Of course everybody loved the Princess best.

Christabel. And Brangomar really is the horridest woman !

Rosalys. Ssh! First she pretended that Snow White might grow up vain, so she took away all her princessy clothes and made her wear old, rag-baggety things.

Christabel. Then she pretended that she might grow up lazy, so she made her sweep and dust the Palace.

Rosalys. And Snow White is really almost like a kitchen-maid, and sleeps in a little closet under the stairs where we keep the umbrellas and overshoes.

Astolaine. [Springing up.] I think it's outrageous! Why does Princess Snow White stand it? I wouldn't?

Maids of Honour. [Apprehensively.] Oh, ssh!

Astolaine. Why "ssh"? I never heard anything so "sshy" as this Palace.

Rosalys. [Whispering.] But what can she do? The Queen...

Astolaine. I don't want to hear any more about that hateful Queen.

Rosalys. But you must. It isn't safe that you shouldn't. We'll have to tell her. [To Christabel.] You tell. Christabel. No, you. It makes me feel all creepy.

Rosalys. [To Emengarde.] Well. you!

Emengarde. No! You were counted out.

Astolaine. Well, please somebody!

Rosalys. Oh, dear! [She goes in a hushed whisper.] The reason it's not safe to do or say anything against the Queen is—that she might magic you!

Astolaine. What do you mean?

Rosalys. Enchant you, bewitch you;—do some terrible magic thing to you!

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Astolaine. You don't mean that she's a . . . Witch? [The others not silently, and snuglle closer together.]

Rosalys. If she isn't a Witch herself she is friends with one. You see she must really be very old.

Christabel. She's thirty if she's a minute. Rosalys. And she's still the most beautiful woman in the Seven Kingdoms.

Christabel. And once a chamber-maid found a broom-stick, the kind that witches rid on, in her bed-room.

Rosalys. So you see if you did anything against her she might magic you, and turn you into a toad.

Ermengarde. Or a toad.

Rosalys. Or a caterpillar.

Christabel. Or something worse.

Astolaine. There isn't anything worse than a caterpillar! Oh, I want to go home! I am afraid! [And she bursts into tears. The others gather about to comfort her.]

Maids of Honour. Please, Astolaine, there's really nothing to be afraid of. It's all right, honestly. The Queen hardly every notices us! And we all want you to stay, for we like you ever so much.

Rosalys. [In despair.] Oh, if Snow White would only come now! Then she wouldn't want to go home.

[Just at this moment Amelotte reappears in the doorway.

Amelotte. Princess Snow White says she'll come if nobody's here.

Guinivere. There isn't anybody.

Amelotte. She'll come! She'll come! She's right here! [And she darts out of sight again.]

Rosalys. Oh, she's coming! Snow White's coming! Now you'll see!

[In joyous excitement the Maids of Honour join hands and dance a "ring-around," and then wind up into a little squirming knot, hugging each other and dancing up and down.

Amelotte. [Re-entering, announces.] The Princess Snow White!

[Instantly the Maids of Honour separate and kneel to receive their little Princess.

[Snow White appears in the doorway. She is dressed in a frock of ragged black, and she has on neither shoes nor stockings. Nevertheless she has the air of a little Princess.

Snow White. Is this my new playmate, Lady Astolaine? I hope you'll like me.

Astolaine. [Kissing the hand which Snow White holds out to her.] I love you already, dear Princess.

[Like a little flight of birds the Maids of Honour run to surround Snow White.

Maids of Honour. We all love you, dear Princess!

Snow White. [Laughing down at them.] And I love you, all of you! But did you want anything particular? I've left hundreds of cookies in my oven.

Rosalys. Can't you stay just a moment and teach Astolaine our gavotte? Sir Dandiprat said that she must learn it at once; and you dance so much the best.

Snow White. Do you think I have time?

Maids of Honour. Oh yes, yes!

Rosalys. [Running out onto the terrace.] I'll watch, and tell if anybody's coming.

Snow White. [To Astolaine.] You'd better be my partner. It's very simple.

[The Maids of Honour take positions for their Dance, and as Snow White teaches Astolaine the steps they sing:

the maids of honour dance

Snow White.

Turn to me and curtsey low.

The Maids.

One, two, three,

One, two, three.

Snow White.

Turn away and point your toe.

The Maids.

One and two and three.

Snow White.

Turn again and hand in hand,

The Maids.

Hand in hand,

Hand in hand

Snow White.

Turn your partner where you stand.

The Maids.

One and two and three.

One and two . . .

[But just here Rosalys comes running in from the terrace.

Rosalys. Ssh! Old Dandiprat's coming!

Snow White. Oh dear, I must run . . .

Rosalys. [Catching her.] No, don't He won't stay a minute. Hide behind the throne till he's gone.

Maids of Honour. Yes, yes. Quickly! Behind the throne! [Snow White runs behind the throne, and the Maids of Honour spread themselves out before it so that she is quite hidden. But they are not a moment too soon, for Sir Dandiprat. waddles in from the terrace, followed by two solemn Flunkies in gorgeous liveries.]

Sir Dandiprat. Ah, young ladies! I am fortunate to have found you all together. I have a most important announcement to make. I composed it myself. [He unrolls an imposing parchment, and reads.] "Whereas, our gracious Queen has been informed that his Highness, Prince Florimond, heir to the Kingdom of Calydon, will call upon her Majesty this afternoon to deliver an important letter from his royal father, I have arranged for the following reception. At four-fifteen precisely this Proclamation will be read." [He consults his watch.] Dear me! Five minutes late already! I shall have to alter it. [And with a sigh he makes the correction with a gold pencil.] "At fourteen-twenty precisely this Proclamation will be read. At four-thirty Prince Florimond will arrive, and be shown at once to the throne-room by—ahem!—myself. The Maids of Honour will dance their gavotte to amuse his Highness until the Queen is announced, when they will immediately retire. By order of me, Sir Dandiprat Bombas, Court Chamberlain.

"Signed, Yours very truly,

Sir Dandiprat Bombas."

"P.S. Her Majesty the Queen regrets that, owing to her duties in the kitchen, Princess Snow White will be unable to attend." You understand young ladies? Rosalys. Perfectly, Sir Dandiprat.

Sir Dandiprat. You have eight minutes and thirty-one seconds to prepare. [And he trips busily away again, followed by the Flunkies.]

Astolaine. Gracious! I can't possibly learn that dance in eight minutes and thirty-one seconds!

Christabel. And we must dance in pairs!

Ermengarde. What shall we do?

Rosalys. [Calling to Snow White who is still hidden behind the throne.] Princess Snow White, what shall we do?

[There is no answer.]

Astolaine. It's all right, Princess. Sir Dandiprat has gone.

[Still there is no answer; and puzzled, the little Maids call, on after another:

Rosalys. Princess Snow White!

Christabel. Princess Snow White!

Guinivere. Princess Snow White!

[Still no answer. Rosalys runs behind the throne.

Rosalys. Oh, she's crying! Oh, dear Princess!

[They all run to Snow White, and find her hiding her face and sobbing silently.

Maids of Honour. [Surrounding and embracing her.] Oh, what's the matter? Please don't cry! We can't bear to see you unhappy! If you cry we shall cry, too!

Snow White. I didn't mean to cry. I won't! A princess should never cry. [She smiles resolutely, though her eyes are full of tears.] There! But I did so want to see Prince Florimond again. He sends me a valentine every year; and long ago, when his father came to visit mine, we were wheeled about in the same baby-carriage. He must be grown up now.

Astolaine. I think it's an outrageous shame!

Snow White. But what can I do? You heard. [Quoting.] "P.S. Her Majesty regrets that the Princess will be unable to attend." Astolaine. If I were a princess I'd do what I chose, and if the Queen didn't like it I'd . . .

Maids of Honour. [Apprehensively.] Astolaine! Hush!

Astolaine. I'm tired of hushing.

Snow White. She's right! I am a king's daughter after all; and if I am always meek and do just what I'm told I'll stay in that hateful kitchen all my life. Oh! wouldn't I like to march right in before everybody and say, "Prince Florimond, I'm your cousin Snow White. I apologise for my frock, but it's all I have; and I can't let you kiss my hand because it's all covered with flour. But I did want to see you again, after riding with you in a baby-carriage when you were two and I was a half—and I have! Good-bye!" And then I'd march back to my kitchen.

Maids of Honour. Oh, please, please don't, dear Princess!

Rosalys. The Queen would be so angry she might even . . .

Lo! through a smoking circle in the floor, Witch Hex does appear

Astolaine. [Struck with an idea.] Wait! The Queen won't be here when we dance for the Prince?

Rosalys. No. Why?

Astolaine. Then why can't the Princess dance in my place? She could wear my veil over her face, and I'd say afterward that I had—oh, measles or something else spotty.

Christabel. [In delight.] Oh, Astolaine! [She runs to hug her for the suggestion.]

Snow White. Oh dear! I wish it were possible,—but my frock!

Rosalys. Why can't we all lend her something?

Christabel. Why not? We have on heaps more than we need.

Rosalys. She could have my over-skirt. [She pulls it up to show an under-skirt almost as elaborate.]

Christabel. And my "watteau." Amelotte. And my lace jacket.

Ermengarde. And my cap and pearls.

Rosalys. We could dress her perfectly! [And they all hop up and down with little squeaks of delight.]

Astolaine. Will you do it, Princess? Oh, will you?

Snow White. You darlings! I suppose I oughtn't but I will!

[And she runs behind the throne to dress, with Guinivere to help her. the other little Maids unpin and unhook and twist and turn to reach hard buttons at a great rate, as you can judge from the things they say.

Maids of Honour. Here's my veil! Oh, she doesn't want a veil first; help me with this skirt. I can't unhook me! These pearls just wont untangle! Please come and unpin this. No, me first! I won't go to either if you don't decide! She's ready for the skirt now. You unhook while I squeeze. Now! one, two three! There isn't room for all our fingers on one little hook! Here's the jacket!

[And now they're all behind the throne helping Snow White on with the new things, except poor Christabel, who is left writhing to reach a pin at the back of her neck.

Christabel. I think you're just mean! I know it will prick! It did! Well, anyway, I know where it is now. [And with an enormous twist, she succeeds in unfastening her "watteau."]

Rosalys. [Dancing out, waving Snow White's black frock.] Here's her little black dress. What shall I do with it?

Astolaine. [Following.] Oh, put it anywhere!

Rosalys. But where is anywhere?

Astolaine. Here, stuff it under this cushion on the throne. [She does so.] They'll never find it there. Won't it be a joke when the Queen sits on it?

Rosalys. Oh, why did you say that? Now, I shall just giggle and giggle and giggle! [And they run behind the throne again.]

[Snow White is almost dressed now; and the little Maids, one after another, tip-toe away from the throne whispering:

Christabel.

Oh, she looks like a bride, and she's perfectly sweet.

Emengarde.

All silver and white from her head to her feet.

Rosalys.

Her lips red as blood, and her hair black as night!

Astolaine.

She's lovely, she's lovely, our Princess Snow White.

[They stand waiting for her. There is a moment's pause, and then Rosalys calls:

Rosalys. Aren't you coming, Princess? Snow White. [From behind the throne.] Just a moment, till I shake out my hair. There!

[She steps into sight. The Maids sink down in involuntary curtsies at the sight of her.

Christabel. She is lovelier than apple blossoms.

Astolaine. Lovelier than anybody I ever saw.

Rosalys. [In a hushed voice.] More beautiful than the Queen.

Christabel. [Whispering.] The Queen must never see her like this.

Guinivere. Never!

Snow White. [Who has been putting the last touches to her dress,—suddenly.] Oh look! My feet! [And indeed her little white feet are bare!]

Astolaine. [After a pause.] Oh, I don't think it matters. The Prince is a gentleman, and no gentleman would look at a lady's feet except to admire them. Snow White. But I'd be different.

Astolaine. Then let's all take off our shoes and stockings.

Rosalys. Of course!

[Immediately they plump down on the floor. But they have hardly begun when a trumpet sounds from the terrace.

Snow White. There's the Prince now!

Astolaine. We can't stay here. Let's run into the anteroom to finish.

Snow White. I am so afraid something may happen. Really I ought not to, but I do so want to see him!

Maids of Honour. Hurry! Hurry! dear Princess! [And they hasten off into the anteroom, drawing Snow White with them.]

[They are only just in time, for music sounds on the terrace, and the throne-room fills with Dukes and Duchesses (none of lower rank are allowed) all in

their best robes and Sunday coronets. Then on struts Sir Dandiprat, more important and puffy than ever.

Sir Dandiprat. [Announcing.] His Highness, Prince Florimond, Heir Apparent to the Kingdom of Calydon.

[The Prince appears, followed by his pages, Valentine and Vivian. He is a handsome, manly youth, dressed in blue and gold. He bows politely to the kneeling Dukes and Duchesses as Sir Dandiprat ushers him to the throne.

Sir Dandiprat. I regret, your Highness, that the Queen hasn't quite finished doing her hair; but she will be here in a moment. Meantime, may the Maids of Honour entertain your Highness with a little dance?

The Prince. It would give me great pleasure.

Sir Dandiprat. It is a very simple dance, your Highness; but considering their youth, the . . .[But he stops because his eye falls upon a little pink shoe that Guinevere has left behind. He picks it up, hides it under his coat-tails and stumbles on] . . . the young persons do it very ... er ... very . . . [And now he spies a stocking, and in hiding that the clumsy little man lets the shoe fall. This confuses him still more, but he goes on.] er, very creditably indeed . . . [And he sees a garter! This completes his embarrassment. He forgets the rest of his speech altogether, and cries:] Really they will drive me distracted! And where are they now? [He dives about among the Dukes and Duchesses hunting for them, just as they appear in the doorway.] Ah, here you are! Well, begin your dance at once! [And off he puffs to find the Queen, wiping his forehead alternately with shoe and stocking as he goes.]

[The Maids of Honour begin their Gavotte. They are all veiled and all barefooted, so that you couldn't tell Snow White from the others unless you happened to know that she was dressed in silver and white. But there is something about her that attracts the young

Prince from the first; and as the dance progresses he becomes so interested that he comes down from the throne to watch her more closely. As the first figure ends he is close beside her.

The Prince. [To Snow White.]

In the measure to ensue,

Lady, may I dance with you?

Snow White. [Giving him her hand.]

Sir, could any maid withstand

Such a flattering command ?

The Prince.

Then I ask another grace,

Won't you please unveil your face?

Snow White. [Hesitating, and then,]

Yes, if secret it may be,

Secret between you and me.

[The second figure of the Dance begins, Snow White now dancing with the Prince. Once in awhile we overhear what they are saying. Snow White. [Playfully.]

You look at me as if—we—bow

You'd never seen my face till now.

The Prince.

Do you think I could forget

If we two had ever met?

Snow White.

Yet, in silence, side by side,

Once we sat—until I cried!

The Prince. [Puzzled.]

Now I fear 'twill be my heart

That will weep when we must part.

Snow White. [Embarrassed.]

Now we turn and bow. Dear me!

You don't know this dance, I see.

The Prince.

Can I think to bow and turn

When I'm learning what I learn?

[The Dance ends, and a trumpet sounds to announce the coming of the Queen

But the Prince still holds Snow White's hand.

Snow White.

There's the trumpet! I must fly!

Please, my hand, sir, and—good-bye!

The Prince. [Detaining her.]

I don't even know your name!

Don't go yet—I'll take the blame!

Snow White.

Oh, I can't, nor tell you why!

Please! I beg you! Let me fly!

[And she runs off, surrounded by the Maids of Honour who have been terribly frightened lest the Queen should spy her.

The Prince. [Gazing after her.]

Do you think to steal my heart,

Little thief, and so depart?

Nay, I'll follow, fast and true,

Till I find my heart and you!

[Sir Dandiprat appears on the terrace.

Sir Dandiprat. [Announcing.] Her Majesty the Queen!

[To a crash of music and blare of trumpets Queen Brangomar enters. She is dark, languorous and very beautiful. She wears her crown; and her long robes are embroidered in the blues and greens of the peacock's tail. She holds out a jeweled hand for Prince Florimond to kiss, and then sweeps to the throne.

The Queen. So you are Prince Florimond? I'm sorry you chose to-day to come. I'm not looking my best.

The Prince. [Politely.] I have always heard of Queen Brangomar as the most beautiful . . .

The Queen. [Interrupting rudely.] Of course, of course! I am told you bring a message from your father. What is it?

The Prince. This letter. I don't know its contents, your Majesty.

The Queen. [Reading the letter.] Your father writes that if you did know it might embarrass you. M-m-m-m-m . . . wretched handwriting. "My son Florimond, now of an age to marry . . ."

The Prince. [Startled.] Marry?

The Queen. So your foolish old father is intending to marry you off, is he? I hope he isn't thinking of me. How many proposals would that make this week, Dandiprat?

Sir Dandiprat. Eleven, your Majesty—including those from the lunatic asylums.

The Queen. [Still reading.] What's this? To "his cousin the Princess Snow White"! To Snow White! [She rises in anger, crushing the letter.] To Snow White! [Then, trying not to betray her jealousy, and with a bitter laugh, she reseats herself.] Really, my dear Florimond! of course I regret to say so, but Snow White isn't a possible choice. I'm sorry to disappoint you.

The Prince. [Interrupting.] But you don't, I . . . The Queen. I was speaking! Snow White is most malicious and ill-tempered; and so stupid and common that she prefers to associate with the kitchen-maids. Indeed, I believe she's in the kitchen at this very moment. She wouldn't do for you at all. Are not these the facts, Sir Dandiprat?

Sir Dandiprat. [Hesitating.] Well, your Majesty, … perhaps …

The Queen. [Sternly.] Are not these the facts, Sir Dandiprat?

Sir Dandiprat. [Crushed.] They are, your Majesty.

The Prince. Your Majesty has made me very happy!

The Queen. Happy? I supposed …

The Prince. Five minutes ago such an account of Snow White would have made me miserable, for even as a little boy I always dreamed of marrying my cousin when I grew up. But now—oh, will your Majesty help me if I confess?

The Queen. Help you? How?

The Prince. You see I've fallen in love with someone else meantime.

The Queen. Meantime? When?

The Prince. Here, just now, in this very room. She is the most beautiful . . .

The Queen. [With a pleased laugh.] Oh, my poor boy! Really, I'm so much older than you . . .

The Prince. [With boyish frankness.] Oh, not your Majesty. She's one of Snow White's Maids of Honour.

The Queen. A Maid of Honour? You don't mean to say you want to marry one of them! Your father would never consent. They're nice girls and come of quite respectable families—daughters of dukes and earls and that class—but you can only marry a Princess.

The Prince. I'd marry her without my father's consent, even if we had to set up house-keeping in a poor cottage! The Queen. Don't be heroic! What is the young paragon's name?

The Prince. She . . . she didn't tell me. We danced together, that was all.

The Queen. [Sarcastically.] Are you quite sure you would even know her again?