Strange! What can it mean?

MARQUIS.
Be not alarmed! 'Tis nothing of importance
A mere precaution to prevent surprise.
You need not be alarmed!

CARLOS (gives him the portfolio).
Be careful of it.

MARQUIS.
Be sure I will.

CARLOS (looks at him significantly).
I give thee much, Roderigo!

MARQUIS.
Not more than I have often had from thee.
The rest we'll talk of yonder. Now farewell.

[Going.

CARLOS (struggling with himself, then calls him back).
Give me my letters back; there's one amongst them
The queen addressed to me at Alcala,
When I was sick to death. Still next my heart
I carry it; to take this letter from me
Goes to my very soul. But leave me that,
And take the rest.

[He takes it out, and returns the portfolio.

MARQUIS.
I yield unwillingly--
For 'twas that letter which I most required.

CARLOS.
Farewell!

[He goes away slowly, stops a moment at the door, turns
back again, and brings him the letter.

You have it there.

[His hand trembles, tears start from his eyes, he falls on
the neck of the MARQUIS, and presses his face to his bosom.

Oh, not my father,
Could do so much, Roderigo! Not my father!

[Exit hastily.

SCENE VI.

MARQUIS (looks after him with astonishment).

And is this possible! And to this hour
Have I not known him fully? In his heart
This blemish has escaped my eye. Distrust
Of me--his friend! But no, 'tis calumny!
What hath he done that I accuse him thus
Of weakest weakness. I myself commit
The fault I charge on him. What have I done
Might well surprise him! When hath he displayed
To his best friend such absolute reserve?
Carlos, I must afflict thee--there's no help--
And longer still distress thy noble soul.
In me the king hath placed his confidence,
His holiest trust reposed--as in a casket,
And this reliance calls for gratitude.
How can disclosure serve thee when my silence
Brings thee no harm--serves thee, perhaps? Ah! why
Point to the traveller the impending storm?
Enough, if I direct its anger past thee!
And when thou wakest the sky's again serene.

[Exit.

SCENE VII.

The KING's Cabinet.
The KING seated, near him the INFANTA CLARA EUGENIA.

KING (after a deep silence).
No--she is sure my daughter--or can nature
Thus lie like truth! Yes, that blue eye is mine!
And I am pictured in thy every featur