A prince who happens to be passing
through the country essays the adventure. Alas, the dragon devours
him.
JANE. Oh, Melisande, that isn't _the_ one?
MELISANDE. My eyes have barely rested upon him. He has aroused no
emotion in my heart.
JANE. Oh, I'm so glad.
MELISANDE. Another prince steps forward. Impetuously he rushes upon
the fiery monster. Alas, he likewise is consumed.
JANE (sympathetically.) Poor fellow
MELISANDE. And then one evening a beautiful and modest youth in blue
and gold appears at my father's court, and begs that he too be allowed
to try his fortune with the dragon. Passing through the great hall on
my way to my bed-chamber, I see him suddenly. Our eyes meet. . . . Oh,
Jane!
JANE. Darling! . . . You ought to have lived in those days, Melisande.
They would have suited you so well.
MELISANDE. Will they never come back again?
JANE. Well, I don't quite see how they can. People don't dress in blue
and gold nowadays. I mean men.
MELISANDE. No. (She sighs) Well, I suppose I shall never marry.
JANE. Of course, I'm not romantic like you, darling, and I don't have
time to read all the wonderful books you read, and though I quite
agree with everything you say, and of course it must have been
thrilling to have lived in those wonderful old days, still here we
are, and (with a wave of the hand)--and what I mean is--here we are.
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