e.
Child of my love! for such thou art--I fold thee
Thus to my heart; thou art my blood.
[Starts and pauses:
My blood--
What's worse to fear? Are not my features his?

[Takes the miniature in his hand and looks first at
the portrait, then at the mirror opposite; at last he
throws it on the ground, rises hastily, and pushes the
INFANTA from him.

Away, away! I'm lost in this abyss.

SCENE VIII.

COUNT LERMA and the KING.

LERMA.
Her majesty is in the antechamber.

KING.
What! Now?

LERMA.
And begs the favor of an audience.

KING.
Now! At this unaccustomed hour! Not now--
I cannot see her yet.

LERMA.
Here comes the queen.

[Exit LERMA.

SCENE IX.

The KING, the QUEEN enters, and the INFANTA.

The INFANTA runs to meet the QUEEN and clings to her;
the QUEEN falls at the KING's feet, who is silent,
and appears confused and embarrassed.

QUEEN.
My lord! My husband! I'm constrained to seek
Justice before the throne!

KING.
What? Justice!

QUEEN.
Yes!
I'm treated with dishonor at the court!
My casket has been rifled.

KING.
What! Your casket?

QUEEN.
And things I highly value have been plundered.

KING.
Things that you highly value.

QUEEN.
From the meaning
Which ignorant men's officiousness, perhaps,
Might give to them----

KING.
What's this? Officiousness,
And meaning! How? But rise.

QUEEN.
Oh no, my husband!
Not till you bind yourself by sacred promise,
By virtue of your own authority,
To find the offender out, and grant redress,
Or else dismiss my suite, which hides a thief.

KING.
But rise! In such a posture! Pray you, rise.

QUEEN (rises).
'Tis some one of distinction--I know well;
My casket held both diamonds and pearls
Of matchless value, but he only took
My letters.

KING.
May I ask----

QUEEN.
Undoubtedly,
My husband. They were letters from the prince:
His miniature as well.

KING.
From whom?

QUEEN.
The prince,
Your son.

KING.
To you?

QUEEN.
Sent by the prince to me.

KING.
What! From Prince Carlos! Do you tell me that?

QUEEN.
Why not tell you, my husband?

KING.
And not blush.

QUEEN.
What mean you? You must surely recollect
The letters Carlos sent me t