ENRIQUE. (In a low voice) It is the watchman.
THE WATCHMAN. It is the sixth hour!--I am the watchman!
[He passes.]
ENRIQUE. He has passed! (He goes to the steps and listens) But here,
these windows!--the valets!--(Scrutinizing the right vestibule) And
Joana!
ZORAYA. Your wife!--It is not she who can hear us!
ENRIQUE. (Frightened) What did you say?
ZORAYA. (Standing motionless) Go, and find out for yourself.
[Enrique goes up the steps and enters the room.]
THE WATCHMAN. (In the distance) Ave, Maria!
ENRIQUE. (In the chamber) Joana! Joana!
THE WATCHMAN. (Farther away) It is the sixth hour.
ENRIQUE. (With the same voice) Joana!
THE WATCHMAN. (Faintly in the distance) I am the watchman!
ENRIQUE. (Coming out of the room and standing frightened at the end of
the stairway) Ah, wretch!--It is you who did it?
ZORAYA. Yes! It is I!
ENRIQUE. (Descending the stairs rapidly) You have killed her?
ZORAYA. Poor child!--She is asleep!
ENRIQUE. (Going to Zoraya) I spoke to her--she heard nothing. I raised
her--she fell back cold.
ZORAYA. She is asleep, I tell you.
ENRIQUE. What power do you possess which will produce a sleep like
death?
ZORAYA. What does it matter so long as this is only the appearance of
death!--She will sleep until the hour which I have set for her to
awaken.--And this is your punishment: when she awakens she will be
deaf to your voice, also distant and cold in your arms!--You will
then understand that your true wife was not this angelic creature who
wanted no other spouse than God, but the Moor, who gave you more love
in a single clasp of her hand than this nun in the entire abandonment
of her nerveless body, revolting at your caresses.
ENRIQUE. (At her feet) What does it matter to me?--I shall not
dispute with that virgin over her celestial spouse. And I shall be
free for you, for you alone, without causing her grief, or me remorse.
ZORAYA. (Drawing away) I do not care to put you to the test!
ENRIQUE. You intend to leave?
ZORAYA. Yes.
ENRIQUE. Alone--tonight?
ZORAYA. I intend to leave Toledo before dawn.
ENRIQUE. To leave Toledo?
ZORAYA. Ah! God, yes!--this accursed city which has nothing but
sorrow and peril for me!
ENRIQUE. (Barring her exit at the door) What! It is absurd--you shall
not go!
ZORAYA. You would prefer to deliver me to the Inquisition?
ENRIQUE. Ah! How unworthy!
ZORAYA. They are seeking for me--tonight, perhaps.
ENRIQUE. And where are you going, poor child?
ZORAYA. Into the Sierra, by paths known only to us, to the homes of
the rebels. Later I shall go to Africa and find refuge in my father's
brother's home in Tangier.
ENRIQUE. And there will be between us the mountains, the rivers and
the sea!--And shall we always be apart, the one from the other?
ZORAYA. You are the one who wishes it.
ENRIQUE. No, I do not wish it--Give up your home!--It is wise--But
Toledo!--I know where I can find a refuge for you, which is free from
danger.
ZORAYA. For instance, your wife's home!
ENRIQUE. Ah! always she!
ZORAYA. Yes! always she between us!--Always, always she!
ENRIQUE. Neither she nor any person--No one in this world!
ZORAYA. Do you say so truly?
ENRIQUE. Before God!
ZORAYA. You love so much as that?
ENRIQUE. Yes!