'Tis but a day.... (Goes forward, looking out)
To-morrow, then--to-morrow!
(To Lady Maria) Why do you weep? A day's not worth a tear.
See, I can smile!... But my poor flowers will fade.
I plucked them all.... No more grow by the path....
(Suddenly) Cousin, why wear you black?

Mar. (Confused) I--madam--I--

Car. Such sable hues for this so rosy day?
Go dress your body like our happy hearts!
Dost think a coffin comes across the sea?
A coffin--(Shudders) Go! I can not bear this black!

(Exit Lady Maria)

I am displeased. Have I not reason, Charles?
'Twas very wrong of her to dress in black
When Maximilian comes. I will go in.
I'm tired--but I am very happy. Ah! (Exit)

Char. O wounded heart! Thus every day she hopes,
And every day begins her hope anew.
It is my penance now to watch her sorrow,
To guard perfection's wreck in her sad body,
And hear the name of Maximilian fall
Each moment from her lips. O, God, remember
When once I am in hell, I've suffered here!

(Re-enter Carlotta)

Car. I can not stay away. This is my place.
Here will I catch the first light on his sail.
O Charles, dear Charles, to-morrow we shall see him!
Look in his noble eyes,--ah me, what eyes!
Dost not remember? Talk of him, cousin.
It brings him faster to me. My heart! my heart!
This waiting breaks it though 'tis but a day!
An hour that keeps him from me lengthens like
The drawn out ages 'tween the ends of time!
But oh, to-morrow! Let me think of that!
Then will the small globe of mine eye contain
The wide and complete world of my desires!
... Have you forgot Aseffa? You do not speak;
But you have not forgot. She said--Oh, cruel!--
That he, my Maximilian, should lie cold
While yet my arms were warm and reaching for him.
How could she say it? But you stood by him--you--
His faithful friend. You knew 't would ne'er be true!
... Do you remember, Charles, the winter day
He climbed to Valtelina's ice-bound huts
To bear the starving people food?

Char.