[_Bringing out the costume of a nobleman of high rank, he helps his lackey to dress in it._ Splendid! You have a very gallant air, And you will make a perfect nobleman. Now listen. I've your interests at heart, And if you will obey me faithfully, You shall succeed in all that you desire. But stay. There is a letter I must send Before I leave Madrid. Write it for me. [RUY BLAS _sits down at the table, and_ DON SALLUST _dictates to him:_ "My life is in great danger. You alone Can save me. Come this evening to my house. No one will recognise you if you use The side-door by the corner." Now sign it "Cesar," the name I commonly employ In love affairs. RUY BLAS: Shall I address the note? DON SALLUST: Ah, no! I must deliver it myself. Hark! There is someone coming. 'Tis the Queen! [_Dragging_ RUY BLAS _with him, he opens the door, and says to the noblemen surrounding the_ QUEEN: Allow me to present to you, my friends, Don Cesar, Count of Garofa, my cousin. ACT II SCENE.--_The Hall of Government in the palace at Madrid, six months after. The Privy Counsellors are sitting,--among them_ DON MANUEL ARIAS _and the_ COUNT OF CAMPOREAL. DON MANUEL: How quickly he has climbed to supreme power! General Secretary, Minister, And now Duke of Olmedo! CAMPOREAL: It is strange, A cousin of that fallen president, Don Sallust, could have won to such a height Within six months! DON MANUEL: The queen reigns over us And he reigns, over her. CAMPOREAL: That is not so. Don Cesar never sees the queen alone. I know it. I have had them watched by spies. They shun each other. Do you know, he lives By Tormez mansion, in a shuttered house, With two black mutes to wait on him? DON MANUEL: Two mutes! He is, indeed, a terrible, strange man. And now to business! We must re-arrange Some of the taxes and monopolies. We want a fair division. [_All the_ COUNSELLORS _seat themselves._ A COUNSELLOR: I must have The salt monopoly. CAMPOREAL: No; that is mine! You have the tax upon the trade in slaves. I'll change that for the arsenic, if you like. [RUY BLAS _has entered at the beginning of the dispute: after listening some time he comes forward_.