O sir, it is a lie I hear! (Falls at his feet)
You did not say it! See! I kiss your feet! O sir--

Lou. (Withdrawing) You put us to discourtesy.
Since you will not withdraw, we leave you.

Car. (Leaping up) Coward!
Then, Louis Napoleon, Emperor of France!
Thou art a murderer, and I have kissed
The devil's hoof! (Exit Napoleon)

(Carlotta stands dazed, looking after Napoleon. Puts her
hand over her eyes. Count Charles goes to her)

Char. Dear madam, come with me. (She looks about bewildered)

One of her women. Your majesty,
We pray you come.

Car. (Strangely) Yes--yes-- I'll go. Away!

(Exit with her attendants)

Aus. A gloomy business, truly.

Prus. 'T has wrought upon me.

(Re-enter Napoleon)

Lou. My lords, believe me grateful for your help
In this most wretched business.

(Enter Secretary)

Sec. A dispatch, sire, from Mexico.

Lou. We'll hear it.
All here should share this news with me.

Sec. 'Tis short,
Your majesty.

Lou. The sooner read. We wait.

Sec. (Reads) 'By order of Juarez, the Austrian duke, Ferdinand
Maximilian, has been shot.'

(Silence. Napoleon groans)

It. It can't be true!

Bel. 'Tis false! I'll not believe it!

Prus. Grieve not, your Majesty. This is a mock
Dispatch.

Aus. A noble archduke! Bound by ties
Of blood and love to every court of Europe!
Believe this not, my lord!

Sec. Your Majesty,
This second message from America
Confirms the other.

Lou. 'Tis true! My God, 'tis true!

It. Carlotta! Who will tell her?

Lou. None shall do it!
She must not know.

Rus. Pardon me, sire, she must.

Lou. Then his death bullet has not stopped its flight.
'T will end but in her heart.

(Re-enter Count Charles. Napoleon silently gives him the
despatch, which he reads with great agitation)

Char. (To himself)