The second act opens in the prison, and discovers Don Caesar asleep, with his faithful little friend watching by him.  It is five o’clock when he wakes, and at seven he must die.  Only two hours of life remain for him, but the prospect does not disturb him.  On the other hand he is gayer than usual, and rallies Lazarillo with playful mirth.  In the midst of his gayety the crafty Don Jose enters and professes strong friendship for him.  When Don Caesar declares that he has but one last wish, and that is to die a soldier’s death instead of being ignominiously hanged, Don Jose says it shall be gratified upon condition that he will marry.  The prisoner has but an hour and three quarters to live, but he consents.  He is provided with wedding apparel, and a banquet is spread in honor of the occasion.  During the feast Lazarillo brings in a paper to Don Jose containing the King’s pardon for Don Caesar, but the minister promptly conceals it.  Maritana, her features disguised by a veil, is introduced, and as the nuptial rites are performed the soldiers prepare to execute the penalty.  At the expiration of the hour Don Caesar is led out to meet his fate, but Lazarillo has managed to abstract the balls from the guns.  The soldiers perform their duty, and Don Caesar feigns death; but as soon as the opportunity occurs, he leaves the prison and hurries to a grand ball given by the Marquis and Marchioness de Montefiori at their palace, while the Marquis, who has had his instructions from Don Jose to recognize Maritana as his long-lost niece, is introducing her as such.  Don Caesar enters and demands his bride.  The astonished Don Jose, perceiving that his scheme to introduce Maritana at court is liable to be frustrated, offers the Marquis a rich appointment if he will induce his wife to play the part he shall suggest.  The scheme is soon arranged, and the Marchioness, closely veiled, is presented to Don Caesar as the Countess de Bazan.  Disgusted at “the precious piece of antiquity,” as he terms her, and fancying that he has been duped, he is about to sign a paper relinquishing his bride, when he suddenly hears Maritana’s voice.  He recognizes it as the same he had heard during the marriage rites.  He rushes forward to claim her, but she is quickly carried away, and he is prevented from following.

The last act opens in a palace belonging to the King, where Maritana is surrounded with luxury, though she is as yet unaware that she is in the royal apartments.  Don Jose, fancying that Don Caesar will not dare to make his appearance, as he does not know of his pardon, carries out his plot by introducing the King to her as her husband.  She at first rejects him, and as he presses his suit Don Caesar breaks into the apartment.  The King in a rage demands to know his errand.  He replies that he is in quest of the Countess de Bazan, and with equal rage inquires who he (the King) is.  The King in confusion answers that he is Don Caesar, whereupon the latter promptly