sed on. This rumor is confirmed by all
The sentinels, who through the whole pavilion
Their watches keep. And they, moreover, add,
The phantom in the queen's apartment vanished.

KING.
And in what shape appeared it?

OFFICER.
In the robes,
The same attire he in Saint Justi wore
For the last time, apparelled as a monk.

KING.
A monk! And did the sentries know his person
Whilst he was yet alive? They could not else
Determine that it was the emperor.

OFFICER.
The sceptre which he bore was evidence
It was the emperor.

DOMINGO.
And the story goes
He often has been seen in this same dress.

KING.
Did no one speak to him?

OFFICER.
No person dared.
The sentries prayed, and let him pass in silence.

KING.
The phantom vanished in the queen's apartments!

OFFICER.
In the queen's antechamber.

[General silence.

KING (turns quickly round).
What say you?

ALVA.
Sire! we are silent.

KING (after some thought, to the OFFICER).
Let my guards be ready
And under arms, and order all approach
To that wing of the palace to be stopped.
I fain would have a word with this same ghost.

[Exit OFFICER. Enter a PAGE.

PAGE.
The cardinal inquisitor.

KING (to all present).
Retire!

[The CARDINAL INQUISITOR, an old man of ninety, and blind, enters,
supported on a staff, and led by two Dominicans. The GRANDEES fall
on their knees as he passes, and touch the hem of his garment. He
gives them his blessing, and they depart.

SCENE X.

The KING and the GRAND INQUISITOR. A long silence.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
Say, do I stand before the king?

KING.
You do.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
I never thought it would be so again!

KING.
I now renew the scenes of early youth,
When Philip sought his sage instructor's counsel.

GRAND INQUISITOR.
Your glorious sire, my pupil, Charles the Fifth,
Nor sought or needed counsel at my hands.

KING.
So much happier he! I, cardinal,
Am guilty of a murder, and no rest----

GRAND INQUISITOR.

What was the reason for this murder?

KING.
'Twas
A fraud unparalleled----

GRAND INQUISITOR.
I know it all.

KING.
What do you know? Through whom, and since what time?

GRAND INQUISITOR.

For years--what you have only learned since sunset.

KING (with astonishment).
You know this man then!

GRAND INQUISITOR.
All