I could not help it--nay, I WOULD not help! Rather than starve my soul I venture all.-- Our last love-night--last, maybe, of long years, Why do you chide me now? GODOY Dear Queen, I do not: I shape these sharp regrets but for your sake. Hence you must go, somehow, and quickly too. They think not yet of you in threatening thus, But of me solely.... Where does your lady wait? QUEEN Below. One servant with her. They are true, And can be let know all. But you--but you! [Uproar continues.] GODOY I can escape. Now call them. All three cloak And veil as when you came. [They retreat into the room. QUEEN MARIA LUISA'S lady-in-waiting and servant are summoned. Enter both. All three then muffle themselves up, and GODOY prepares to conduct the QUEEN downstairs.] QUEEN Nay, now! I will not have it. We are safe; Think of yourself. Can you get out behind? GODOY I judge so--when I have done what's needful here.-- The mob knows not the bye-door--slip across; Thence around sideways.--All's clear there as yet. [The QUEEN, her lady-in-waiting, and the servant go out hurriedly. GODOY looks again from the window. The mob is some way off, the immediate front being for the moment nearly free of loiterers; and the three muffled figures are visible, crossing without hindrance towards the door in the wall of the Palace Gardens. The instant they reach it a sentinel springs up, challenging them.] GODOY Ah--now they are doomed! My God, why did she come! [A parley takes place. Something, apparently a bribe, is handed to the sentinel, and the three are allowed to slip in, the QUEEN having obviously been unrecognized. He breathes his relief.] Now for the others. Then--ah, then Heaven knows! [He sounds a bell and a servant enters. Where is the Countess of Castillofiel? SERVANT She's looking for you, Prince. GODOY Find her at once. Ah--here she is.--That's well.--Go watch the Plaza [to servant]. [GODOY'S mistress, the DONA JOSEFA TUDO, enters. She is a young and beautiful woman, the vivacity of whose large dark eyes is now clouded. She is wrapped up for flight. The servant goes out.] JOSEFA [breathlessly] I should have joined you sooner, but I knew The Queen was fondling with you. She must needs Come hampering you this night of all the rest, As if not gorged with you at other times! GODOY Don't, pretty one! needless it is in you, Being so well aware who holds my love.-- I could not check her coming, since she would. You well know how the old thing is, and how I am compelled to let her have her mind! [He kisses her repeatedly.] JOSEFA But look, the mob is swelling! Pouring in By thousands from Madrid--and all afoot. Will they not come on hither from the King's? GODOY