[_Exit Senora, upper right. Hernda waits drooping, as if too weary for thought. A group of ladies and gentlemen enter, lower right, among them Guildamour_]

_Her._ [_Starting up_] Oh!--Guildamour!

_Gui._ Your highness!

[_Leaves his party chattering lower left, and crosses to Hernda_]

_Her._ Senora seeks you.

_Gui._ Ah, about the prince?

_Her._ We have a hope, my lord, your hand may turn Some stone of rescue.

_Gui._ Mine are powerless hands, Pinned to inaction's cross. My eyes may turn No way that is not watched. To lift my lids May raise a cry of "Treason!"

_Her._ There's no help?

In all this land no help?

_Gui._ Megario, Could he be softened to it, is the man Who might with safety slip a secret bolt For Chartrien.

_Her._ He!

_Gui._ His name is set above The nick of treason by his stern dispatch Of poor LeVal,--and, that struck off, he yet Is chronicled so dark that none would lay A fair deed at his door.

_Her._ Megario!

_Gui._ I would not name him, but I know he loves you, And there's no soul that love may not endue With tinge of Heaven.

[_Re-enter Senora_]

_Her._ Senora!

_Sen._ [_Panting_] I have seen him!

_Gui._ The prince?

_Her._ Not Chartrien?

_Sen._ Yes!

_Gui._ Escaped?

_Sen._ The guards Were of our heart--they let him make the wood-- I've hidden him----

_Her._ Oh, where?

_Sen._ Within the cave Veiled by the waterfall. But safety there Is minute-frail.

_Gui._ What way? He'll climb the wall?

_Sen._ And drop into the river.

_Gui._ Yes. What guard Walks there? I see. 'Tis Miguel. And I know Somewhat of him,--more than he'd tell the winds.

_Sen._ Thank Heaven for a sinner! When he's next Behind the rocks, then to him, Guildamour, And be his palsying conscience. Peg his feet To the earth!

_Gui._ Trust me, Senora!

_Sen._ I'll lead off Those babblers. Princess, you're the watch,--you'll give The signal.

_Her._ Ah! What is 't?

_Sen._ Two pebbles dashed Into the water is our sign.

_Her._ The guard!

He's gone!

_Gui._ It is our time. [_Exit into wood, rear_]

_Her._ [_As the talkative group move up_] Take them away, Senora! It would kill me now to meet A painted smile.

_Sen._ I'll go. And you--be swift.

Don't stop--don't think. [_Joins group_]

I know where lordings three Wait for as many maids.

_A young lady._ You saw them pa.s.s?

_Sen._ Disconsolate.

_Young Lady._ O, to the river!

_Another._ Come!

[_They go off with Senora, lower left_]

_Her._ Now! [_Takes up two stones. Ziralay and Megario come out of the house_] Oh! [_She drops the stones. They cross to her_]

_Meg._ You wait?

_Her._ I read the sentence.

_Zir._ Death.

_Her._ And when?

_Zir._ To-night. They've given Vardas charge Of 't. He's an eager butcher,--does not know Delay.

_Her._ You wished his death.