_Meg._ I'll take him from your hands,--no other way.

Your trust to me! And with my life I'll guard it!

For that you love him is my means to you.

Once in your heart, I'll win the throned place Though all his saints defend it!

_Her._ True, my friend, We shall be nearer, for anxiety Will draw me to you with a longing like The aching letch for morning in the eyes Pain keeps astare. You then will be the goal Of fondest question,--and from that--who knows?

Out of unbroken faith, and kindly shafts 'Tween hearts disponent, bridges have been built For love's plenipotence to cross.

_Meg._ You bid Me hope?

_Her._ I do not say despair. Sometimes A presto-worker sits within the soul Of grat.i.tude, and love that must give thanks In name of one beloved, has then been known To pa.s.s from the liege object to the heart Whose compa.s.s held them both in selfless bounds Of chivalry. And yet--I promise nothing!

_Meg._ I ask no promise but the one I find In words that so deny it. Now the thought Is born, I'll make the naked infant grow Heir of my princely opportunity.

Go now. An instant may defeat us. Haste!

My purse must buy a guard.

[_Hernda goes off, upper right. Megario walks left and calls_]

Benito! Ho!

You and your fellow!

[_Enter two guards_]

I have work for you.

You've seen my gold before. Here's more of it.

Stand for my word.

[_Hernda returns with Chartrien_]

_Cha._ G.o.ds give me time for one Wild kiss! O, Heaven! To find and lose you in One whirling breath!

_Meg._ [_His pistol at aim_] You are my prisoner.

[_Senora rushes on left_]

_Sen._ Oh, princess! Oh!

_Meg._ [_To guards_] Move on with him.

_Her._ Wait--wait----

_Meg._ No time.

_Her._ But I must tell----

_Cha._ Let fiends be dumb.

You d.a.m.ned and double traitress, this my hand Could lay you dead!

_Meg._ [_To Hernda, who seems dazed_] My G.o.ddess, I'll be true!

[_Kisses her, and goes off, lower right, with Chartrien and guards_]

_Sen._ You let him kiss you!

_Her._ Who?

_Sen._ Megario.

_Her._ I did not know it. I am dead, I think.

[_Curtain_]

ACT III

SCENE: _A yard, walled and spiked, of Megario's hacienda. A long, low hut, the men's sleeping-quarters, at right. In upper centre, a smaller hut which serves for kitchen and also as sleeping-room for several women. On left, the yard continues, showing other huts used by families.

The entrance gate is off stage, left. An unused gate, locked and barred in wall, right._

_Hernda, in the guise of a young Maya woman known as Famette, stirs a pan of food which is heating on some coals in front of kitchen. Lissa stands in door of hut watching her._

_Lis._ [_Stepping out_] You mend, Famette. But when you came--all thumbs.

A woman grown and couldn't spoon up fish!

_Fam._ It was the smell. How can they eat it, Lissa?

_Lis._ You'll eat it too.

_Fam._ That? Never!

_Lis._ Another week Will starve you to it.

[_Ysobel comes out of kitchen bearing ap.r.o.n full of cups and spoons which she places on ground_]

_Yso._ [_Looking left_] Here's Masio in. [_Enters hut_]

_Lis._ He's always first.

[_Masio comes up left_] How did my boy get on?

_Mas._ I wasn't near him in the field.

_Lis._ He did His stint?

_Mas._ I never heard.

_Lis._ No eyes, no ears,-- All belly, you!

_Mas._ [_Taking up spoon and cup from the pile_] Fish! fish!

_Lis._ Beans first. You know The rules.