Philip.

Let me give you back the papers. I have read them.

Man. Well?

Ph. The viceroy’s guilt is plain. Your purpose cannot be to press this count.

Man. If the complaints, which I have already made, Be quashed at court, I shall.

Ph. ’Tis peculation So gross, ’twould ruin Hugo to expose it. Wished you to break with him,—yet his disgrace Cannot be nothing to you: I should marvel You had no associations, no affections, Shocked at the thought.

Man. To interests manifold As manifest, Justice is blind. If Spain Remove not Hugo on the charges laid, I have shewn thee what’s to follow. Would you avert it, Press his dismissal. I must to the palace. Guard thou the papers for me till I am back. [Exit.

Ph. These papers are conviction. Blasco is right: He loves not. That is clear; for he would ruin Her father. Then again my rivalry Avowed,—ay, if he had an ear, avowed,— He doth not see. So cold, how could he win her? Or wish to win her? She is mine.—And yet I would ’Twere any man but Manuel. Ah! who comes? ’Tis she. Now may I prove her.

Enter Constance with Servant.

CONSTANCE (to servt.).

If she be not within, prithee enquire Where she is gone. I will await thee here.

[Exit servt.

I have been most foolish. (Seeing Philip.) Philip!

Ph. Yes, ’tis I. Constance.

Con. What wouldst thou?

Ph. (kneeling). I entreat a favour, Which is to me the one boon in the world.

Con. Rise, sir, what is’t?

Ph. That I may speak, nor leave Love’s wound unhealed.

Con. ’Twere well to seal forgiveness, Companion of forgetfulness. Say, therefore. The few words that are due.

Ph. Tho’ I repent, Repentance cannot own forgetfulness. It pleads forgiveness in the name of love.

Con. How in that name?

Ph. Constance, I love thee still.

Con. Sir!

Ph. Oh! ’tis true ... Reproach me not, Constance: my evil life I have quite renounced. I used it but to learn The wisdom of that other. I come back From folly and idleness and evil days. Whate’er hath been, Constance, I have not left thee: There hath been nothing near thee, nothing like thee, Nothing but thee: and I return to find thee More beautiful than ever ...

Con. Pray you, sir, Remember.

Ph. Let me speak.

Con. When thou didst ask to speak, I looked for that one word, which thou in honour Wert, to amend thy silence, bound to speak. ’Twas in thy power to salve thy breach of faith With full and free renouncement. Thine earlier ill I had then forgiven: for if thou art not changed, Philip, I am: then I was ignorant— Maybe we both were—both mistook; but thou Didst add an injury, and to-day thou addest Another worse. Knowing me now betrothed, How canst thou offer to renew thy love?

Ph. O, Constance, Manuel doth not, cannot, love thee As I.

Con. I pray he doth not.

Ph. Hear me, Constance!

Con. Nay, sir; no more. [Exit.

Ph. My passion hath aroused Passion in her; and that must work for me. Is it likely such a temper would sit down And eat cold fare at Manuel’s feast of reason? She will be mine. Ay, tho’ she said betrothed— Once ’twas to me. So now to see her father; He’s but a market where I rule with ease. The papers! By heav’n, I had left them lying! [Stoops. Ha! Blood! blood upon the floor! I have knelt in blood— Here were an omen, were I superstitious.— And scarcely dry. This city hath fallen accurst. There is nothing spoke of ... Ah! but what if this Should be the track they seek? Palicio Took shelter here! Impossible. Even Blasco Thought not so ill of Manuel. Yet the other Under the wall, and this within the house ... They tally. Peace! I will go search the garden.

[Exit.