ll ever vindicate my love, I promise----

MARQUIS (drawing his hand back).
Now I die satisfied--my work is done.

[He bows to the QUEEN, and is about to go.

QUEEN (follows him with her eyes in silence).
You are then going, marquis, and have not
Told me how soon--and when--we meet again?

MARQUIS (comes back once more, his face turned away).
Yes, we shall surely meet again!

QUEEN.
Now, Posa,
I understand you. Why have you done this?

MARQUIS.
Carlos or I myself!

QUEEN.
No! no! you rush
Headlong into a deed you deem, sublime.
Do not deceive yourself: I know you well:
Long have you thirsted for it. If your pride
But have its fill, what matters it to you
Though thousand hearts should break. Oh! now, at length,
I comprehend your feelings--'tis the love
Of admiration which has won your heart----

MARQUIS (surprised, aside).
No! I was not prepared for this----

QUEEN (after a pause).
Oh, marquis!
Is there no hope of preservation?

MARQUIS.
None.

QUEEN.
None? Oh, consider well! None possible!
Not e'en by me?

MARQUIS.
Not even, queen, by thee.

QUEEN.
You but half know me--I have courage, marquis----

MARQUIS.
I know it----

QUEEN.
And no means of safety?

MARQUIS.
None

QUEEN (turning away and covering her face).
Go! Never more shall I respect a man----

MARQUIS (casts himself on his knees before her in evident emotion).
O queen! O heaven! how lovely still is life!

[He starts up and rushes out. The QUEEN retires into her cabinet.

SCENE XXII.

DUKE ALVA and DOMINGO walking up and down in silence and separately.
COUNT LERMA comes out of the KING's cabinet, and afterwards DON
RAYMOND OF TAXIS, the Postmaster-General.

LERMA.
Has not the marquis yet appeared?

ALVA.
Not yet.

[LERMA about to re-enter the cabinet.

TAXIS (enters).
Count Lerma! Pray announce me to the king?

LERMA.
His majesty cannot be seen.

TAXIS.
But say
That I must see him; that my business is
Of urgent import to his majesty.
Make haste--it will admit of no delay.

[LERMA enters the cabinet.

ALVA.
Dear Taxis, you must learn a little patience--
You cannot see the king.

TAXIS.
Not see him! Why?

ALVA.
You should have been considerate, and procured
Permission from the Marquis Posa first--
Who keeps both son and fat