Courtier.—Purposely?

Magistrate.—I must complain that he did not desire to come.

Princess begins paying attention carefully.

Courtier.—And did you order him to do so?

Magistrate.—I ordered him, I paid him a visit personally.

Courtier.—A subject, and so defiant?

Magistrate.—He is defiant, yes—as far as servitude is concerned—well—he has a free mill and no forced labor. But he has the lantern.

Princess.—The lantern? What is that?

Magistrate.—The obligation to light the way for the nobility with this lantern, should the former pass by way of his mill to the old castle in the forest.

Princess (With more animation).—Why, that is strange. And to the castle in the forest, near the lake I remember; the forester in Březovice mentioned it—how lonely it is. And that miller refused to welcome me? Why?

Magistrate.—He is proud and cantankerous. He is suing the nobility over a boundary question and the old linden tree. Because of this pride of his, he refused to allow the ward of his grandmother to welcome Your Grace with a congratulatory speech.

Princess.—The young girl—

Magistrate.—Is perhaps his bride elect.

Courtier.—An orphan?

Magistrate.—So please you, an orphan, and for that reason she really belong to Your Grace. You should have seen how he defied me, that is, the miller, so young, and how daring he was, how defiant!

Princess.—The mill is here in the village below the palace?

Magistrate.—Your Grace, it is a short distance beyond the village in a lonely spot.

Princess.—How about the castle? It is said to be interesting both for its site and for its architecture. Is it furnished?

Magistrate.—So please Your Grace, but so neglected.

Courtier is surprised at the apparent interest of the Princess.

Princess (To the Magistrate).—Thank you. And let all the people be welcomed to the festival.

Magistrate (Bowing).—So please you, Your Grace, but may I ask again, what about the miller?