[Throws himself in silence at the QUEEN"S feet, then rising suddenly, departs in confusion.

ALVA.

By heaven, "tis strange!

QUEEN (remains a few moments as if in doubt, then retiring to her apartment).

A word with you, Duke ALVA.

[Exit, followed by the DUKE.

SCENE VII.

The PRINCESS EBOLI"s apartment.

The PRINCESS in a simple, but elegant dress, playing on the lute.

The QUEEN"s PAGE enters.

PRINCESS (starting up suddenly) He comes!

PAGE (abruptly).

Are you alone? I wonder much He is not here already; but he must Be here upon the instant.

PRINCESS.

Do you say must!

Then he will come, this much is certain then.

PAGE.

He"s close upon my steps. You are beloved, Adored, and with more pa.s.sionate regard Than mortal ever was, or can be loved.

Oh! what a scene I witnessed!

PRINCESS (impatiently draws him to her).

Quick, you spoke With him! What said he? Tell me straight-- How did he look? what were his words? And say-- Did he appear embarra.s.sed or confused And did he guess who sent the key to him?

Be quick! or did he not? He did not guess At all, perhaps! or guessed amiss! Come, speak, How! not a word to answer me? Oh, fie!

You never were so dull--so slow before, "Tis past all patience.

PAGE.

Dearest lady, hear me!

Both key and note I placed within his hands, In the queen"s antechamber, and he started And gazed with wonder when I told him that A lady sent me!

PRINCESS.

Did he start? go on!

That"s excellent. Proceed, what next ensued?

PAGE.

I would have told him more, but he grew pale, And s.n.a.t.c.hed the letter from my hand, and said With look of deadly menace, he knew all.

He read the letter with confusion through, And straight began to tremble.

PRINCESS.

He knew all!

He knew it all? Were those his very words?

PAGE.

He asked me, and again he asked, if you With your own hands had given me the letter?

PRINCESS.

If I? Then did he mention me by name?

PAGE.

By name! no name he mentioned: there might be Listeners, he said, about the palace, who Might to the king disclose it.

PRINCESS (surprised).

Said he that?

PAGE.

He further said, it much concerned the king; Deeply concerned--to know of that same letter.

PRINCESS.

The king! Nay, are you sure you heard him right?

The king! Was that the very word he used?

PAGE.

It was. He called it a most perilous secret, And warned me to be strictly on my guard, Never with word or look to give the king Occasion for suspicion.

PRINCESS (after a pause, with astonishment).

All agrees!

It can be nothing else--he must have heard The tale--"tis very strange! Who could have told him, I wonder who? The eagle eye of love Alone could pierce so far. But tell me further-- He read the letter.

PAGE.

Which, he said, conveyed Such bliss as made him tremble, and till then He had not dared to dream of. As he spoke The duke, by evil chance, approached the room, And this compelled us----

PRINCESS (angrily).

What in all the world Could bring the duke to him at such a time?

What can detain him? Why appears he not?

See how you"ve been deceived; how truly blest Might he have been already--in the time You"ve taken to describe his wishes to me!

PAGE.

The duke, I fear----

PRINCESS.

Again, the duke! What can The duke want here? What should a warrior want With my soft dreams of happiness? He should Have left him there, or sent him from his presence.

Where is the man may not be treated thus?

But Carlos seems as little versed in love As in a woman"s heart--he little knows What minutes are. But hark! I hear a step; Away, away!

[PAGE hastens out.

Where have I laid my lute?

I must not seem to wait for him. My song Shall be a signal to him.