THE QUEEN: No, live! Live for your country, and your queen! Both of us need you. For the last six months I have been watching from my hiding-place Your struggle with my treacherous counsellors, And seeing in you the master-mind of Spain, have, without consulting you, advanced Your interests. And now your strong, pure hands Grasp all the reins of government and power, Perform the work entrusted unto you! Rescue our people from their misery. Raise Spain up from her grave; restore to her The strength that made her empress of the world; And love me as I love you-- RUY BLAS: Oh, my queen! THE QUEEN: With a pure, steady, honourable love, Working and waiting with a patient heart Till I am free to marry you. Farewell! [_She kisses him on the brow, and departs by the secret door._ ACT III SCENE.--_A small, dark room in the house lent by_ DON SALLUST _to_ RUY BLAS. _It is late at night, and_ RUY BLAS _is pacing up and down in a state of wild agitation._ RUY BLAS: I only am a pawn with which he plays Against the queen. He seeks to ruin her By means of me. No! I will save her yet. Save her and lose her! Cunning though you are, Don Sallust, you have overlooked one thing; Even a lackey will lay down his life To save a noble woman whom he loves From ruin and dishonour. [_Going to the table, he pours something into glass._ Oh, my queen! Never more shall we meet upon this earth. [_As he raises the glass to his lips,_ THE QUEEN _enters._ THE QUEEN: Don Cesar! RUY BLAS: Oh, my God, my God! THE QUEEN: Fear not. I shall protect you. RUY BLAS: What has brought you here? THE QUEEN: Your letter, Cesar. RUY BLAS: Letter? I have sent No letter. THE QUEEN: What is this, then? Look and read. [_She gives him the note he wrote for_ DON SALLUST _as his lackey._ RUY BLAS (_reading it_): "My life is in great danger. You alone can save me." THE QUEEN (_continuing_): "Come this evening to my house. No one will recognise you if you use The side door by the corner." Here's your name, "Cesar." RUY BLAS: Go! Go! It is a plot against you. I cannot now explain. Fly for your life! THE QUEEN: But you are in great danger. No! I'll stay, And help you, Cesar. RUY BLAS: Go, I tell you! Go! The letter is not mine. Who let you in? DON SALLUST (_striding into the room_): I did. RUY BLAS: Go, madam, while the way is clear. DON SALLUST: It is too late. Doña Maria is No longer Queen of Spain. THE QUEEN (_in terror_): What, then, am I? DON SALLUST: A lady who has sold her throne for love. RUY BLAS: No!