[During the last speech, the QUEEN has quietly withdrawn through the door at the right.]

Whither, then, went she?  Leave they me alone? 
Am I a fool within mine own abode?

[He approaches the door at the right.]

I’ll go to her—­What, is it bolted, barred?

[Bursting open the door with a kick.]

I’ll take by storm, then, my domestic bliss.

[He goes in.]

[DON MANRIQUE and GARCERAN appear at the centre door.  The latter takes a step across the threshold.]

MANRIQUE.  Wilt thou with, us?

GARCERAN.  My father!

MANRIQUE.  Wilt thou not? 
             The rest are gone—­wilt follow them?

GARCERAN.  I will.

[They withdraw, the door closes.  Pause.  The KING returns.  In the attitude of one listening intently.]

KING.  Listen again!—­’Tis nothing, quiet all!—­
             Empty, forlorn, the chambers of the Queen. 
             But, on returning, in the turret room,
             I heard the noise of carriages and steeds,
             In rushing gallop, hurrying away. 
             Am I alone?  Ramiro!  Garceran!

[The page, comes from the door at the right.]

KING.  Report!  What goes on here?

PAGE.  Illustrious Sire,
             The castle is deserted; you and I
             Are at this hour its sole inhabitants.

KING.  The Queen?

PAGE.  The castle in her carriage left.

KING.  Back to Toledo then?

PAGE.  I know not, Sire. 
             The lords, howe’er—­

KING.  What lords?

PAGE.  Sire, the estates,
             Who all upon their horses swung themselves;
             They did not to Toledo take their way—­
             Rather the way which you yourself did come.

KING.  What!  To Retiro?  Ah, now fall the scales
             From these my seeing and yet blinded eyes! 
             Murder this is.  They go to slay her there! 
             My horse!  My horse!

PAGE.  Your horse, illustrious Sire,
             Was lame, and, as you know, at your command—­

KING.  Well, then, another—­Garceran’s, or yours!

PAGE.  They’ve taken every horse from here away,
             Perhaps with them, perhaps but driv’n afar;
             As empty as the castle are the stalls.