PRINCESS. Nothing I hope of which you need repent! How pleasantly was I surprised to find Concealed within the glove a little note, Full of the warmest tenderest romance, CARLOS (interrupting her suddenly). Mere poetry! no more. My fancy teems With idle bubbles oft, which break as soon As they arise--and this was one of them; So, prithee, let us talk of it no more. PRINCESS (leaving him with astonishment, and regarding him for some time at a distance). I am exhausted--all attempts are vain To hold this youth. He still eludes my grasp. [Remains silent a few moments. But stay! Perchance 'tis man's unbounded pride, That thus to add a zest to my delight. Assumes a mask of timid diffidence. 'Tis so. [She approaches the PRINCE again, and looks at him doubtingly. Explain yourself, prince, I entreat you. For here I stand before a magic casket, Which all my keys are powerless to unlock. CARLOS. As I before you stand. PRINCESS (leaves him suddenly, walks a few steps up and down in silence, apparently lost in deep thought. After a pause, gravely and solemnly). Then thus at last-- I must resolve to speak, and Carlos, you Shall be my judge. Yours is a noble nature, You are a prince--a knight--a man of honor. I throw myself upon your heart--protect me Or if I'm lost beyond redemption's power, Give me your tears in pity for my fate. [The PRINCE draws nearer. A daring favorite of the king demands My hand--his name Ruy Gomez, Count of Silva, The king consents--the bargain has been struck, And I am sold already to his creature. CARLOS (with evident emotion). Sold! you sold! Another bargain, then, Concluded by this royal southern trader! PRINCESS. No; but hear all--'tis not enough that I Am sacrificed to cold state policy, A snare is laid to entrap my innocence. Here is a letter will unmask the saint! [CARLOS takes the paper, and without reading it listens with impatience to her recital. Where Shall I find protection, prince? Till now My virtue was defended by my pride, At length---- CARLOS. At length you yielded! Yielded? No. For God's sake say not so! PRINCESS. Yielded! to whom? Poor piteous reasoning. Weak beyond contempt Your haughty minds, who hold a woman's favor, And love's pure joys, as wares to traffic for! Love is the only treasure on the face Of this wide earth that knows no purchaser Besides itself--love has no price but love. It is the costly gem, beyond all price, Which I must freely give away, or--bury For ever unenjoyed--like that proud merchant Whom not the wealth of all the rich Rialto Could tempt--a great rebuke to kings! to save From the deep ocean waves his matchless pearl, Too proud to barter it beneath its worth! CARLOS (aside). Now, by great heaven, this woman's beautiful.