MARQUIS. Night overspread my mind. No remedy, No refuge, no retreat was left to me In nature's boundless compass. Blind despair Transformed me to a fury--to a tiger-- I raised my dagger to a woman's breast. But in that moment--in that dreadful moment-- A radiant sunbeam fell upon my soul. "Could I mislead the king! Could I succeed In making him think me the criminal! However improbable, the very guilt Will be enough to win the king's belief. I'll dare the task--a sudden thunderbolt May make the tyrant start--what want I further? He stops to think, and Carlos thus gains time To fly to Brussels." CARLOS. And hast thou done this? MARQUIS. I have despatched a letter to Prince William, Saying I loved the queen, and had escaped The king's mistrust in the unjust suspicion Which falsely fell on thee--that I had found Means, through the monarch's favor, to obtain Free access to the queen. I added, further, That I was fearful of discovery-- That thou hadst learned my secret, and hadst sped To Princess Eboli, with hopes through her To warn the queen--that I had made thee prisoner-- And now that all seemed lost, I had resolved To fly to Brussels. This same letter I---- CARLOS (interrupts him, terrified). Hast surely not intrusted to the post! Thou knowest that letters to Brabant and Flanders---- MARQUIS. Are given to the king; and as things go Taxis would seem to have discharged his duty. CARLOS. Heavens! then I'm lost. MARQUIS. How lost? What meanest thou? CARLOS. And thou, alas! art lost together with me-- This dreadful fraud my father ne'er will pardon. MARQUIS. This fraud! Thou'rt mad! Who will disclose it to him? CARLOS (regards him with a fixed look). Who! Dost thou ask? I will myself. MARQUIS. Thou ravest! Stand back---- CARLOS. Away! For heaven's sake hold me not. While I stay here, he's hiring the assassins. MARQUIS. Then is our time more precious--and we still Have much to say. CARLOS. What! Before all is finished? [He makes another effort to go. The MARQUIS holds him by the arm, and looks at him impressively. MARQUIS. Carlos! was I so scrupulous--so eager-- When thou, a boy, didst shed thy blood for me? CARLOS (with emotion, and full of admiration). Kind Providence! MARQUIS. Reserve thyself for Flanders! The kingdom is thy destiny--'tis mine To give my life for thee. CARLOS (takes his hand with deep sensibility). No, no! he will not, Cannot resist a virtue so sublime. I will conduct thee to him, and together, Arm linked in arm, will we appear before him. Then thus will I address him: "Father, see, This is the way a friend acts towards his friend." Trust me, 'twill move him--it will touch his heart. He's not without humanity,--my father. Yes, it will move him. With hot tears, his eyes Will overflow--and he will pardon us. [A shot is fired through the iron grating. CARLOS leaps up. Whom was that meant for?