[LERMA enters the cabinet.

ALVA.

Dear Taxis, you must learn a little patience-- You cannot see the king.

TAXIS.

Not see him! Why?

ALVA.

You should have been considerate, and procured Permission from the Marquis Posa first-- Who keeps both son and father in confinement.

TAXIS.

The Marquis Posa! Right--that is the man From whom I bring this letter.

ALVA.

Ah! What letter?

TAXIS.

A letter to be forwarded to Brussels.

ALVA (attentively).

To Brussels?

TAXIS.

And I bring it to the king.

ALVA.

Indeed! to Brussels! Heard you that, Domingo?

DOMINGO (joining them).

Full of suspicion!

TAXIS.

And with anxious mien, And deep embarra.s.sment he gave it to me.

DOMINGO.

Embarra.s.sment! To whom is it directed?

TAXIS.

The Prince of Orange and Na.s.sau.

ALVA.

To William!

There"s treason here, Domingo!

DOMINGO.

Nothing less!

In truth this letter must, without delay, Be laid before the king. A n.o.ble service You render, worthy man--to be so firm In the discharge of duty.

TAXIS.

Reverend sir!

"Tis but my duty.

ALVA.

But you do it well.

LERMA (coming out of the cabinet, addressing TAXIS).

The king will see you.

[TAXIS goes in.

Is the marquis come?

DOMINGO.

He has been sought for everywhere.

ALVA.

"Tis strange!

The prince is a state prisoner! And the king Knows not the reason why!

DOMINGO.

He never came To explain the business here.

ALVA.

What says the king?

LERMA.

The king spoke not a word.

[A noise in the cabinet.

ALVA.

What noise is that?

TAXIS (coming out of the cabinet).

Count Lerma!

[Both enter.

ALVA (to DOMINGO).

What so deeply can engage them.

DOMINGO.

That look of fear! This intercepted letter!

It augurs nothing good.

ALVA.

He sends for Lerma!

Yet he must know full well that you and I Are both in waiting.

DOMINGO.

Ah! our day is over!