Even though it should occupy years of your
life, you must not speak.
ELIZA. I shall remember.
FAIRY. The first word you utter will pierce through the hearts of your
brothers like a dagger. Their lives hang upon your tongue. Go now and begin
your task.
ELIZA (_going_). I go, dear Fairy.
FAIRY. Remember all I have told you, dear child. Farewell!
[_Eliza goes; the cave becomes dark; the Fairy disappears._]
SCENE III
TIME: _two days later_.
PLACE: _a distant country; the King's palace_.
* * * * *
THE KING.
HIS WICKED UNCLE.
ELIZA.
GUARDSMEN.
SERVANTS.
* * * * *
[_The_ WICKED UNCLE _stands waiting to receive the King. Enter the_ KING
_with_ ELIZA. _She is pale and sad._]
WICKED UNCLE. Welcome, your Majesty! Welcome home from your hunt! But who
is this maiden?
KING. I know not, my Uncle.
WICKED UNCLE. What?
KING. My huntsmen found her in a cave in a far-off country.
WICKED UNCLE. In a cave? Alone?
KING (_nodding_). Alone; spinning coats out of flax.
WICKED UNCLE. This is very strange.
(_To Eliza._)
Why were you all alone in a cave, and why were you spinning coats?
(_Eliza shakes her head.
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