_Hu._ Most like. Now, Livio, Seize them to-night. See thou observe in all 1650 The dispositions which I have shewn thee. Stay, There’s first a vacancy to fill: I make thee Justiciary in Manuel’s place: in thine I will take Blasco for my secretary. Meanwhile I lend him thee: thou wilt have need Of his experience. _Liv._ I thank thee, father. _Bl._ And I, your excellence. _Hu._ Now to your work. And then to Manuel’s house, and take possession Of all thy office gives thee. [_Exeunt Livio and Blasco._ _Hu._ (_to Ph._). Thy matter next: I will fetch Constance. _Ph._ Not now, I pray, not now! 1660 _Hu._ Nay, wherefore wait? This business shall be settled In a few words. I’ll bring her to thee straight. [_Exit._ _Ph._ I pray you. Nay, he is gone. I must stand to it. I play to win; and now the stakes are mine; Unless against myself for friendship’s claim I should uphold my rival. And he’s guilty. The papers were his own: them he confessed, And only deepened treason by the excuse Of kinship with the rebel. And then his servants Cognizant.—On the other hand his confidence 1670 Staggering the evidence: his trust in me To comfort Constance. How should Margaret know More than the facts, or I deny the facts, Should I plead for him? And yet against the facts The man himself: his soul revealed to me; And my persuasion of him. O, he has fallen To the popular side. Moreover, his acquittal Were Hugo’s ruin. I cannot help him: nay, Not though I would; and Fate, which thrusts him down, Is kind to me. _Re-enter Hugo with Constance._ _Hu._ Constance, see here the duke: 1680 He hath asked your hand of me: and I most happy In such a match have granted it. _Con._ I am here Fooled by a promise of evil, but not this. This is not Manuel’s treason. First of that: Where’s the pretended proof? _Hu._ He hath confessed it. _Con._ This tale convicts itself. Treason is close, And doth not bare the breast. Though here the man Ye wrong were likelier to confess such crime Than once be guilty of it. _Hu._ He both is guilty And hath confessed. _Con._ To what hath he confessed? 1690 What deed that hatred thus can magnify? _Hu._ ’Twas he contrived Palicio’s late escape; And being detected and charged by me therewith, He hath here this hour confessed it. Since which time One of his household hath been traced in league With the conspirators.