Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Third series (IA playstranslatedf03benauoft).pdf/141

. You say that his mother heard a cry? Do you believe that spirits can communicate at a distance, that they can speak with each other through the air? He must have been thinking of his mother—yes, he called out "Mother!" And his mother heard him call.

. Imperia, what are you talking about? Are you dreaming?

. Something must have happened to him. Yes, we must fear, we must expect the worst.

. The Signor Prefect to see your Highness.

. Immediately! Now we shall know.

. Who is there? Ah! What do you want? Don't leave him.

. It won't hurt him to stay alone. He won't move. I heard voices. Do they suspect?

. No, they are looking. They will find out soon enough. Perhaps they know already. Go back! Don't let them see you. Don't leave him alone.

. He's covered up with a piece of brocade—fit winding-sheet for an Emperor. What a death! Insignificant as his life. Ludwig of Bavaria was the last King.

. Oh! Be still! Be still! I can't bear to hear you, to see you! You are as bad as he was. What difference does it make how he died? He deserved such a death. It does not matter who killed him.

. Don't tell me that Heaven has punished him. Nonsense, Imperia! Accident—chance. Many a rogue