Enter Carlos l., followed by
Victoria, unveiled.
Car. [Looking back on her.] My wife!
Vict. Oh, Heavens! I will veil myself again. I will hide my face for ever from you, if you will still feast my ears with those soft vows, which, a moment since, you poured forth so eagerly.
Car. My wife!—making love to my own wife!
Vict. Why should one of the dearest moments of my life be to you so displeasing?
Car. So, I am caught in this snare, by way of agreeable surprise, I suppose.
Vict. 'Would you could think it so!
Car. No, madam! by Heaven, 'tis a surprise fatal to every hope with which you may have flattered yourself. What! am I to be followed, haunted, watched!
Vict. Not to upbraid you. I followed you because my castle, without you, seemed a dreary desert. Indeed, I will never upbraid you.
Car. Generous assurance! never upbraid me—no, by Heavens! I'll take care you never shall. She has touched my soul, but I dare not yield to the impression. Her softness is worse than death to me! [Aside.]