[A noise in the cabinet.
ALVA.
What noise is that?
TAXIS (coming out of the cabinet).
Count Lerma!
[Both enter.
ALVA (to DOMINGO).
What so deeply can engage them.
DOMINGO.
That look of fear! This intercepted letter!
It augurs nothing good.
ALVA.
He sends for Lerma!
Yet he must know full well that you and I
Are both in waiting.
DOMINGO.
Ah! our day is over!
ALVA.
And am I not the same to whom these doors
Flew open once? But, ah! how changed is all
Around me and how strange!
[DOMINGO approaches the cabinet door softly, and remains
listening before it.
ALVA (after a pause).
Hark! All is still
And silent as the grave!' I hear them breathe.