L arouses himself from a state of abstraction,
and turns, with an air of agitation, to DIEGO.

DON MANUEL.
Speak! within the convent's walls
When first unseen----

DIEGO.
This day at dawn.

DON MANUEL (to ISABELLA).
Her name
Thou say'st is Beatrice?

ISABELLA.
No question! Fly!
DON MANUEL.
Yet tell me----

ISABELLA.
Haste! Begone! Why this delay?
Follow thy brother.

DON MANUEL.
I conjure thee--speak----

ISABELLA (dragging him away).
Behold my tears!

DON MANUEL.
Where was she hid? What region
Concealed my sister?

ISABELLA.
Scarce from curious eyes
In the deep bosom of the earth more safe
My child had been!

DIEGO.
Oh! now a sudden horror
Starts in my breast.

DON MANUEL.
What gives thee fear?

DIEGO.
'Twas I
That guiltless caused this woe!

ISABELLA.
Unhappy man!
What hast thou done?

DIEGO.
To spare thy mother's heart
One anxious pang, my mistress, I concealed
What now my lips shall tell: 'twas on the day
When thy dead husband in the silent tomb
Was laid; from every side the unnumbered throng
Pressed eager to the solemn rites; thy daughter--
For e'en amid the cloistered shade was noised
The funeral pomp, urged me, with ceaseless prayers,
To lead her to the festival of Death.
In evil hour I gave consent; and, shrouded
In sable weeds of mourning, she surveyed
Her father's obsequies. With keen reproach
My bosom tells (for through the veil her charms
Resistless shone), 'twas there, perchance, the spoiler
Lurked to betray.

DON MANUEL (to himself).
Thrice happy words! I live!
It was another!

ISABELLA (to DIEGO).
Faithless! Ill betide
Thy treacherous age!

DIEGO.
Oh, never have I strayed
From duty's path! My mistress, in her prayers
I heard the voice of Nature; thus from Heaven
Ordained,--methought, the secret impulse moves
Of kindred blood, to hallow with her tears
A father's grave: the tender office owned
Thy servant's care, and thus with good intent
I wrought but ill.

DON MANUEL (to himself).
Why stand I thus a prey
To torturing fears! No longer will I bear
The dread suspense---I will know all!

DON CAESAR (who returns).
Forgive me,
I follow thee.

DON MANUEL.
Away! Let no man follow.

[Exit.

DON CAESAR