letters, then at the MARQUIS, in
astonishment).
How!

MARQUIS.
I return them now because they may
Prove safer in thy custody than mine.

CARLOS.
What meanest thou? Has his majesty not read them?
Have they not been before him?

MARQUIS.
What, these letters!

CARLOS.
Thou didst not show them all, then?

MARQUIS.
Who has said
That ever I showed one?

CARLOS (astonished).
Can it be so?
Count Lerma----

MARQUIS.
He! he told thee so! Now all
Is clear as day. But who could have foreseen it?
Lerma! Oh, no, he hath not learned to lie.
'Tis true, the king has all the other letters.

CARLOS (looks at him long with speechless astonishment).
But wherefore am I here?

MARQUIS.
For caution's sake,
Lest thou should chance, a second time, to make
An Eboli thy confidant.

CARLOS (as if waking from a dream).
Ha! Now
I see it all--all is explained.

MARQUIS (goes to the door).
Who's there?

SCENE II.

DUKE ALVA. The former.

ALVA (approaching the PRINCE with respect, but turning his
back on the MARQUIS during the whole scene).
Prince, you are free. Deputed by the king
I come to tell you so.

[CARLOS looks at the MARQUIS with astonishment.
General silence.

And I, in truth,
Am fortunate to have this honor first----

CARLOS (looking at both with extreme amazement, after a pause,
to the DUKE).
I am imprisoned, duke, and set at freedom,
Unconscious of the cause of one or other.

ALVA.
As far as I know, prince, 'twas through an error,
To which the king was driven by a traitor.

CARLOS.
Then am I here by order of the king?

ALVA.
Yes, through an error of his majesty.

CARLOS.
That gives me pain, indeed. But when the king
Commits an error, 'twould beseem the king,
Methinks, to remedy the fault in person.
I am Don Philip's son--and curious eyes
And slanderous looks are on me. What the king
Hath done from sense of duty ne'er will I
Appear to owe to your considerate favor.
I am prepared to appear before the Cortes,
And will not take my sword from such a hand.

ALVA.
The king will never hesitate to grant
Your highness a request so just. Permit
That I conduct you to him.

CARLOS.
Here I stay
Until the king or all Madrid shall come
To lead me from my prison. Take my answer.

[ALVA withdraws. He is still seen for some time
lingering in t