Who'd have the court forget his Indian mother
And bear in mind his father was a noble!

(Goes aside.
Enter Carlotta and Ignacio, followed by Prince and
Princess Zichy, Prince and Princess Salm-Salm, Princess
Josefa de Varela, Colonel Lopez, making merry with a
fortune teller. The Empress steps apart with Ignacio)

Car. Ignacio! I've met strange looks to-night!

Ig. But not unkind ones, noble madam?

Car. O, such
As can not be distinguished by a word,
Cold, warm, or dark or fair, bitter or kind!
Ah, looks that will not advertise the heart,
And yet betray too much!

Ig. Your majesty--

Car. A little coldness that might melt to love,
A little pity that might soon be hate,
A fair 'God with you' shaping to a curse--

Ig. What eye can harbor evil meeting yours
Where lies a grace that turns all ill to virtue?

Car. Would all were true as you, Ignacio!

(Looks to ballroom and shudders)

Those eyes! Would I looked not so deep in eyes!
... You love my lord?

Ig. I do, your majesty.

Car. Above all other men? (He is silent) Nay, do not answer!
'Twas wrong to ask, for you have kinsmen maybe,
Brother, or uncle, some one dear in blood
Whom Heaven bids you cherish. But you will guard
Your Emperor! You'll watch with me for foes?
For foes? He has none! How the thought
Blasphemes his excellence! But 'tis a world
Where whitest merit draws the darkest souls
To prey upon it, while mere indifferent good
Escapes!... Ignacio, is it true, Juarez
Is not in Mexico?

Ig. O, madam!

Car. Ah!
Is 't true the Liberals are disbanded?

Ig. True?

Car. You do not answer, sir!

Ig. It is not true.

Car. You know it! You? And they still hope?

Ig. They do.

Car. Then we are playing with an enemy!
How do you know?... You traitor, too!... O Heaven!
'Tis time now to be up or treachery