MARQUIS.

Carlos! My Carlos!

CARLOS.

Who calls me? Ah! "tis thou--I was in haste To gain the convent! You will not delay.

[Going.

MARQUIS.

Hold! for a moment.

CARLOS.

We may be observed.

MARQUIS.

No chance of that. "Tis over now. The queen----

CARLOS.

You"ve seen my father.

MARQUIS.

Yes! he sent for me.

CARLOS (full of expectation).

Well!

MARQUIS.

"Tis all settled--you may see the queen.

CARLOS.

Yes! but the king! What said the king to you?

MARQUIS.

Not much. Mere curiosity to learn My history. The zeal of unknown friends-- I know not what. He offered me employment.

CARLOS.

Which you, of course, rejected?

MARQUIS.

Yes, of course

CARLOS.

How did you separate?

MARQUIS.

Oh, well enough!

CARLOS.

And was I mentioned?

MARQUIS.

Yes; in general terms.

[Taking out a pocketbook and giving it to the PRINCE.

See here are two lines written by the queen, To-morrow I will settle where and how.

CARLOS (reads it carelessly, puts the tablet in his pocket, and is going).

You"ll meet me at the prior"s?

MARQUIS.

Yes! But stay Why in such haste? No one is coming hither.

CARLOS (with a forced smile).

Have we in truth changed characters? To-day You seem so bold and confident.

MARQUIS.

To-day-- Wherefore to-day?

CARLOS.

What writes the queen to me?

MARQUIS.

Have you not read this instant?

CARLOS.

I? Oh yes.

MARQUIS.

What is"t disturbs you now?

CARLOS (reads the tablet again, delighted and fervently).

Angel of Heaven!

I will be so,--I will be worthy of thee.

Love elevates great minds. So come what may, Whatever thou commandest, I"ll perform.

She writes that I must hold myself prepared For a great enterprise! What can she mean?

Dost thou not know?

MARQUIS.

And, Carlos, if I knew, Say, art thou now prepared to hear it from me?

CARLOS.

Have I offended thee? I was distracted.

Roderigo, pardon me.

MARQUIS.

Distracted! How?

CARLOS.