e nobler than thy sex! Forgive an insult!
Do what no woman e'er has done before thee,
And what no woman, after thee, can equal.
I ask of thee an unexampled favor.
Grant me--upon my knees I ask of thee
Grant me two moments with the queen, my mother!

[He casts himself at her feet.

SCENE XVI.

The former. MARQUIS POSA rushes in; behind him two
Officers of the Queen's Guard.

MARQUIS (breathless and agitated, rushing between CARLOS and
the PRINCESS).
Say, what has he confessed? Believe him not!

CARLOS (still on his knees, with loud voice).
By all that's holy----

MARQUIS (interrupting him with vehemence).
He is mad! He raves!
Oh, listen to him not!

CARLOS (louder and more urgent).
It is a question
Of life and death; conduct me to her straight.

MARQUIS (dragging the PRINCESS from him by force).
You die, if you but listen.
[To one of the officers, showing an order.
Count of Cordova!
In the king's name, Prince Carlos is your prisoner.

[CARLOS stands bewildered. The PRINCESS utters a cry of
horror, and tries to escape. The officers are astounded.
A long and deep pause ensues. The MARQUIS trembles violently,
and with difficulty preserves his composure.
[To the PRINCE.

I beg your sword--The Princess Eboli
Remains----
[To the officers.
And you, on peril of your lives,
Let no one with his highness speak--no person--
Not e'en yourselves.
[He whispers a few words to one officer, then turns to the other.
I hasten, instantly,
To cast myself before our monarch's feet,
And justify this step----
[To the PRINCE.
And prince! for you--
Expect me in an hour.

[CARLOS permits himself to be led away without any signs
of consciousness, except that in passing he casts a languid,
dying look on the MARQUIS. The PRINCESS endeavors again to
escape; the MARQUIS pulls her back by the arm.

SCENE XVII.

PRINCESS EBOLI, MARQUIS POSA.

EBOLI.
For Heaven's sake let me leave this place----

MARQUIS (leads her forward with dreadful earnestness).
Thou wretch!
What has he said to thee?

EBOLI.
Oh, leave me! Nothing.

MARQUIS (with earnestness; holding her back by force).
How much has he imparted to thee? Here
No way is left thee to escape. To none
In this world shalt thou ever tell it.

EBOLI (looking at him w