Oh, cruel heart! Does this avowal prove
So painful to thee? Must I first deserve
Thy pity--ere I hope to win thy love?

CARLOS (starting).
What say'st thou?

PRINCESS.
So to trifle with me, prince!
Indeed it was not well--and to deny
The key----

CARLOS.
The key! the key! Oh yes, 'tis so!

[After a dead silence.

I see it all too plainly! Gracious heaven!

[His knees totter, he leans against a chair, and covers
his face with his hands. A long silence on both sides.
The PRINCESS screams and falls.

PRINCESS.
Oh, horrible! What have I done!

CARLOS.
Hurled down
So far from all my heavenly joys! 'Tis dreadful!

PRINCESS (hiding her face in the cushion).
Oh, God! What have I said?

CARLOS (kneeling before her).
I am not guilty.
My passion--an unfortunate mistake--
By heaven, I am not guilty----

PRINCESS (pushing him from her).
Out of my sight,
For heaven's sake!

CARLOS.
No, I will not leave thee thus.
In this dread anguish leave thee----

PRINCESS (pushing him forcibly away).
Oh, in pity--
For mercy's sake, away--out of my sight!
Wouldst thou destroy me? How I hate thy presence!

[CARLOS going.

Give, give me back the letter and the key.
Where is the other letter?

CARLOS.
The other letter?

PRINCESS.
That from the king, to me----

CARLOS (terrified).
From whom?

PRINCESS.
The one I just now gave you.

CARLOS.
From the king!
To you!

PRINCESS.
Oh, heavens, how dreadfully have I
Involved myself! The letter, sir! I must
Have it again.

CARLOS.
The letter from the king!
To you!

PRINCESS.
The letter! give it, I implore you
By all that's sacred! give it.

CARLOS.
What, the letter
That will unmask the saint! Is this the letter?

PRINCESS.
Now I'm undone! Quick, give it me----

CARLOS.
The letter----

PRINCESS (wringing her hands in despair).
What have I done? O dreadful, dire imprudence!

CARLOS.
This letter comes, then, from the king! Princess,
That changes all indeed, and quickly, too.
This letter is beyond all value--priceless!
All Philip's crowns are worthless, and too poor
To win it from my hands. I'll keep this letter.

PRINCESS (throwing herself prostrate before him as he is going).
Almighty Heaven! then I am lost forever.

[Exit CARLOS.