IDA (_embracing her_).

And who is the banished one for whom she still hopes?

ADELAIDE.

Hush, dearest, that is a dark secret. Few persons living know about
it; and when the birds on the trees of Rosenau tell each other the
story they treat it as a dim legend of their forefathers. They then
sing softly and sorrowfully, and their feathers stand on end with awe.
In due time you shall learn all about it; but now you must think of
the fête, and of how pretty you are going to look.

IDA.

On the one hand the father, on the other the lover--how will it end?

ADELAIDE.

Do not worry. The one is an old soldier, the other a young statesman;
two types that we women have wound around our little fingers from time
immemorial! [_Both leave_.]


SCENE II


_Side room of a public hall. The rear wall a great arch with columns,
through which one looks into the lighted hall and through it into another.