The Dynasts: An Epic-Drama of the War with Napoleon Part 66

[The QUEEN, her lady-in-waiting, and the servant go out hurriedly.

G.o.dOY looks again from the window. The mob is some way off, the immediate front being for the moment nearly free of loiterers; and the three m.u.f.fled figures are visible, crossing without hindrance towards the door in the wall of the Palace Gardens. The instant they reach it a sentinel springs up, challenging them.]

G.o.dOY

Ah--now they are doomed! My G.o.d, why did she come!

[A parley takes place. Something, apparently a bribe, is handed to the sentinel, and the three are allowed to slip in, the QUEEN having obviously been unrecognized. He breathes his relief.]

Now for the others. Then--ah, then Heaven knows!

[He sounds a bell and a servant enters.

Where is the Countess of Castillofiel?

SERVANT

She's looking for you, Prince.

G.o.dOY

Find her at once.

Ah--here she is.--That's well.--Go watch the Plaza [to servant].

[G.o.dOY'S mistress, the DONA JOSEFA TUDO, enters. She is a young and beautiful woman, the vivacity of whose large dark eyes is now clouded. She is wrapped up for flight. The servant goes out.]

JOSEFA [breathlessly]

I should have joined you sooner, but I knew The Queen was fondling with you. She must needs Come hampering you this night of all the rest, As if not gorged with you at other times!

G.o.dOY

Don't, pretty one! needless it is in you, Being so well aware who holds my love.-- I could not check her coming, since she would.

You well know how the old thing is, and how I am compelled to let her have her mind!

[He kisses her repeatedly.]

JOSEFA

But look, the mob is swelling! Pouring in By thousands from Madrid--and all afoot.

Will they not come on hither from the King's?

G.o.dOY

Not just yet, maybe. You should have sooner fled!

The coach is waiting and the baggage packed. [He again peers out.]

Yes, there the coach is; and the clamourers near, Led by Montijo, if I see aright.

Yes, they cry "Uncle Peter!"--that means him.

There will be time yet. Now I'll take you down So far as I may venture.

[They leave the room. In a few minutes G.o.dOY, having taken her down, re-enters and again looks out. JOSEFA'S coach is moving off with a small escort of G.o.dOY'S guards of honour. A sudden yelling begins, and the crowd rushes up and stops the vehicle.

An altercation ensues.]

CROWD

Uncle Peter, it is the Favourite carrying off Prince Fernando.

Stop him!

JOSEFA [putting her head out of the coach]

Silence their uproar, please, Senor Count of Montijo! It is a lady only, the Countess of Castillofiel.

MONTIJO

Let her pa.s.s, let her pa.s.s, friends! It is only that pretty wench of his, Pepa Tudo, who calls herself a Countess. Our t.i.tles are put to comical uses these days. We shall catch the c.o.c.k-bird presently!

[The DONA JOSEFA'S carriage is allowed to pa.s.s on, as a shout from some who have remained before the Royal Palace attracts the attention of the mult.i.tude, which surges back thither.]

CROWD [nearing the Palace]

Call out the King and the Prince. Long live the King! He shall not go. Hola! He is gone! Let us see him! He shall abandon G.o.doy!

[The clamour before the Royal Palace still increasing, a figure emerges upon a balcony, whom G.o.dOY recognizes by the lamplight to be FERNANDO, Prince of Asturias. He can be seen waving his hand. The mob grows suddenly silent.]

FERNANDO [in a shaken voice]

Citizens! the King my father is in the palace with the Queen. He has been much tried to-day.

CROWD

Promise, Prince, that he shall not leave us. Promise!

FERNANDO