ONE OF THE SISTERS OF PALOMIDES. No; I hear only the murmur of the air passing through the little chinks of the wood.... ANOTHER SISTER. It seems to me, when I listen hard, that I hear the great pendulum of the clock. A THIRD SISTER. But what is this little Alladine, then, and why does he bear such ill-will to her? ASTOLAINE. It is a little Greek slave that came from the heart of Arcady.... He bears her no ill-will, but ... Do you hear?--It is my father.... [_Singing heard in the distance._] Hide yourselves behind the pillars ... He will have no one pass by this corridor.--[_They hide._] _Enter_ ABLAMORE, _singing and shaking a bunch of great keys_. ABLAMORE (_sings_). Misfortune had three golden keys. --He has no rescue for the Queen!-- Misfortune had three golden keys. Go follow what your eyes have seen. [Sits dejected on a bench, beside the door of Alladine's apartment, hums a little while longer, and soon goes to sleep, his arms hanging down and his head fallen.] ASTOLAINE. Come, come! make no noise. He has fallen asleep on the bench.--Oh, my poor old father! How white his hair has grown during these days! He is so weak, he is so unhappy, that sleep itself no longer brings him peace. It is three whole days now since I have dared to look upon his face.... ONE OF THE SISTERS OF PALOMIDES. He sleeps profoundly.... ASTOLAINE. He sleeps profoundly, but you can see his soul has no rest.... The sunlight here will vex his eyelids.... I am going to draw his cloak over his face.... ANOTHER SISTER. No, no; do not touch it.... He might wake with a start.... ASTOLAINE. Some one is coming in the corridor. Come, come! put yourselves before him.... Hide him.... A stranger must not see him in this state.... A SISTER OF PALOMIDES. It is Palomides.... ASTOLAINE. I am going to cover his poor eyes.... [_She covers_ ABLAMORE'S _face_.]--I would not have Palomides see him thus.... He is too miserable. _Enter_ PALOMIDES. PALOMIDES. What is the matter? ONE OF THE SISTERS. He has fallen asleep on the bench. PALOMIDES. I have followed him without his seeing me.... He said nothing?... ASTOLAINE. No; but see all he has suffered.... PALOMIDES. Has he the keys? ANOTHER SISTER. He holds them in his hand.... PALOMIDES. I am going to take them. ASTOLAINE. What are you going to do? Oh, do not wake him!... For three nights now he has wandered through the palace.... PALOMIDES. I will open his hand a little without his noticing it.... We have no right to wait any longer.... God knows what he has done.... He will forgive us when he has his reason back.... Oh! oh! his hand has no strength any more... ASTOLAINE. Take care! Take care! PALOMIDES. I have the keys.--Which is it? I am going to open the room. ONE OF THE SISTERS. Oh, I am afraid!... Do not open it at once.... Palomides!... PALOMIDES. Stay here.... I do not know what I shall find.... [_He goes to the door, opens it, and enters the apartment_.]