(The scene is laid at Valladolid, in the palace of the King of Spain. The stage represents the gallery which leads to the chapel. The entrance to the chapel is on the spectators' left, that to the royal apartment on the right. The principal entrance is in the centre. On each side of the principal door stand two halberdiers. At the rise of the curtain the Captain of the Guards and two lords are on the stage. An alcalde of the palace stands in the centre of the gallery. Several courtiers are walking up and down in the hall that leads to the gallery.) The Captain of the Guards, Quinola (wrapped in his mantle) and a halberdier. The halberdier (barring the way to Quinola) No one passes this way, unless he has the right to do so. Who are you? Quinola (lifting up the halberd) An ambassador. (All look at him.) Halberdier From what state? Quinola (passing in) From what state? From a state of misery. The Captain of the Guards Go and bring the major-domo of the palace, that he may render to this ambassador the honors that are due him. (To the halberdier) Three days' imprisonment. Quinola (to the Captain) You are a very droll rascal. Quinola (taking him aside) Are not you the cousin of the Marchioness of Mondejar? The Captain What if I am? Quinola Although she is high in favor, she is on the brink of an abyss, into which she may fall and lose her head in falling. The Captain All people of your class trump up these stories!--Listen, you are the twenty-second person, and we have only reached the tenth of the month, who has made an attempt to be introduced to the favorite, for the purpose of squeezing a few pistoles from her. Take yourself off or else-- Quinola My lord, it is better to be misled by twenty-two poor devils, twenty-two times, than once to miss the opportunity of heeding him who is sent by your good angel; and you see, I may also say (he opens his mantle) I am wearing her wings. The Captain Let us end this, and tell me what proof of your errand you can give? Quinola (handing him a letter) This little message you must return to me so that the secret remains in our possession, and hang me if you do not see the marchioness swoon when she reads it. Believe moreover that I profess, in common with an immense majority of Spaniards, a deep-seated aversion for--the gallows. The Captain And suppose that some ambitious woman has paid for your life, that she give it in exchange for another's? Quinola Should I be in rags? My life is as good as Caesar's. Look here, my lord. (He unseals the letter, smells it, folds it up again, and gives it to him) Are you satisfied? The Captain (aside) I have yet time. (To Quinola) Remain where you are, I am going to her. SCENE SECOND