outside of our convent.

2d Nun. The good man! Holy Mother bless and keep him! (They go
into the Cruz)

Lop. What will you do with Maximilian?

Gar. Make a Liberal of him.

Lop. Ha! How?

Gar. Shoot him!

Lop. Shoot him?

Gar. Yes. The grave's the great republican senate house,--where
each man has the floor.

Lop. (Laughing) And you will introduce him!

Gar. Hark!

Lop. The Emperor! Go! (Exit Garza. Enter Maximilian and Prince
Salm-Salm)

Max. (Greeting Lopez affectionately) You're early out, my boy.

Lop. Your majesty, I am the officer of the day.

Max. Yes,--I remember. Who was your friend?

Lop. Ramirez, of Dupin's regiment.

Salm. Ramirez! He's much changed if that was he.

Lop. Shall I call him back, your majesty, that the prince may
convince himself that his memory of faces is not
infallible?

Max. Nay, my trusted two! (Puts an arm about each) Would you
might love each other as I love you both. My prince, whose
courage is the very heart of my army, and my young hussar,
dear for your own sake--dearer still because--she trusted
you!

(Blasio, the Emperor's secretary, comes out of the Cruz)

Blasio. Your majesty, I have finished the letters.

Max. Good. There will be no more to write. (Stumbles over
something) What's this?

Blasio. A fallen Christ.

Max. You mean a fallen figure of the risen Christ.

Lop. Here is the crown of thorns.

Max. Give it to me. (Holds it meditatively) How well it suits
my fortunes!

Salm. Nay--

Max. Ay, better than my golden one. (Gives it to Blasio) Hang
it above my bed. My Queretaro crown!

Salm. Do not, your majesty!

Max. (To Blasio) Take it. (Exit Blasio) Why, prince, 'tis
something to have won a crown. My first was given me.
(Firing and falling of shells)

Salm. I beg you, sire, to move your quarters to a safer station.
This is death at any moment!

Max. Death at any moment--(Regretfully) And I have been here
sixty days.

Lop. Courage, sire! Marquez will come!

Max. (Eagerly) Has there been news?

Lop. Not yet, your majesty.

Max. Not yet! What does it mean? You heard him take the oath to
bring me help or die.