Philip II.
I know them. Obey me and keep silence. I know that I owe you a
hostage. I know it. (He looks round) Tell me, where is the Duke of
Olmedo?
Quinola (aside)
Aha!
The Marchioness (aside)
We are lost.
The Captain of the Guards
Sire, the duke is not yet--arrived--
Philip II.
Who has given him leave thus boldly to forsake the duties of his
office? (Aside) Some one is deceiving me. (To the Captain of the
Guards) Tell him, if he comes, that the king has committed him as a
prisoner of the Holy Office. (To the Grand Inquisitor) Issue the
order.
The Grand Inquisitor
Sire, I will go myself.
The Queen
And what if the duke fails to come?
Philip II.
In that case he must be dead. (To the captain) You will take his place
in the execution of my orders. (He enters the chapel.)
The Marchioness (to Quinola)
Run to the duke's house, tell him to come and comport himself as if he
were not wounded to the death. The report will then be considered mere
calumny.
Quinola
You may reckon upon me, but grant us your protection. (Alone) Great
heavens! The king seemed charmed by my little fable of the Virgen del
Pilar; I must make a vow to her--but what shall it be?--we will see
after we have succeeded.
(Scene curtain.)
SCENE NINTH
(A cell of the Inquisition.)
Fontanares (alone)
I understand now why Columbus desired that his fetters should be
placed beside him in his coffin. What a lesson for discoverers! A
great discovery is a revelation of truth.
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