Part 333 (1/2)

ALL (together with astonishment).

The king shed tears!

[The bell rings in the cabinet, COUNT LERMA hastens in.

DOMINGO.

Count, yet one word.

Pardon! He's gone! We're fettered in amazement.

SCENE XXIV.

PRINCESS EBOLI, FERIA, MEDINA SIDONIA, PARMA, DOMINGO, and other grandees.

EBOLI (hurriedly and distractedly).

Where is the king? Where? I must speak with him.

[To FERIA.

Conduct me to him, duke!

FERIA.

The monarch is Engaged in urgent business. No one now Can be admitted.

EBOLI.

Has he signed, as yet, The fatal sentence? He has been deceived.

DOMINGO (giving her a significant look at a distance).

The Princess Eboli!

EBOLI (going to him).

What! you here, priest?

The very man I want! You can confirm My testimony!

[She seizes his hand and would drag him into the cabinet.

DOMINGO.

I? You rave, princess!

FERIA.

Hold back. The king cannot attend you now.

EBOLI.

But he must hear me; he must hear the truth The truth, were he ten times a deity.

EBOLI.

Man, tremble at the anger of thy idol.

I have naught left to hazard.

[Attempts to enter the cabinet; ALVA rushes out, his eyes sparkling, triumph in his gait. He hastens to DOMINGO, and embraces him.

ALVA.