Answer:
In chapter 2 of "The Princess and the Goblin" by George MacDonald, the actions and events of the plot present two things:
1. The bravery and resourcefulness of the main character, Princess Irene, who manages to escape from her nursemaid Lootie and explore the castle on her own, despite being warned of danger.
2. The mysterious and threatening presence of the goblins, who are shown to be watching and waiting for their chance to harm the princess and other characters in the story. This is foreshadowed by the description of the goblin miners working in the dark tunnels beneath the castle, and the appearance of a strange and sinister-looking goblin creature in the final scene of the chapter.