LERMA.

Her majesty is in the antechamber.

KING.

What! Now?

LERMA.

And begs the favor of an audience.

KING.

Now! At this unaccustomed hour! Not now-- I cannot see her yet.

LERMA.

Here comes the queen.

[Exit LERMA.

SCENE IX.

The KING, the QUEEN enters, and the INFANTA.

The INFANTA runs to meet the QUEEN and clings to her; the QUEEN falls at the KING's feet, who is silent, and appears confused and embarra.s.sed.

QUEEN.

My lord! My husband! I'm constrained to seek Justice before the throne!

KING.

What? Justice!

QUEEN.

Yes!

I'm treated with dishonor at the court!

My casket has been rifled.

KING.

What! Your casket?

QUEEN.

And things I highly value have been plundered.

KING.

Things that you highly value.

QUEEN.

From the meaning Which ignorant men's officiousness, perhaps, Might give to them----

KING.

What's this? Officiousness, And meaning! How? But rise.

QUEEN.

Oh no, my husband!

Not till you bind yourself by sacred promise, By virtue of your own authority, To find the offender out, and grant redress, Or else dismiss my suite, which hides a thief.

KING.

But rise! In such a posture! Pray you, rise.

QUEEN (rises).

'Tis some one of distinction--I know well; My casket held both diamonds and pearls Of matchless value, but he only took My letters.

KING.

May I ask----

QUEEN.

Undoubtedly, My husband. They were letters from the prince: His miniature as well.

KING.

From whom?

QUEEN.

The prince, Your son.

KING.

To you?

QUEEN.

Sent by the prince to me.

KING.

What! From Prince Carlos! Do you tell me that?

QUEEN.

Why not tell you, my husband?

KING.

And not blush.

QUEEN.

What mean you? You must surely recollect The letters Carlos sent me to St. Germains, With both courts' full consent. Whether that leave Extended to the portrait, or alone His hasty hope dictated such a step, I cannot now pretend to answer; but If even rash, it may at least be pardoned For thus much I may be his pledge--that then He never thought the gift was for his mother.

[Observes the agitation of the KING.

What moves you? What's the matter?

INFANTA (who has found the miniature on the ground, and has been playing with it, brings it to the QUEEN).

Look, dear mother!

See what a pretty picture!

QUEEN.

What then my----