Don César de Bazan

King Charles II of Spain is enamoured of Maritana, a street singer, whom he cannot approach because of her gypsy birth and low station. His chief minister Don José de Santarém promises to help his master win her love. Don César, Count de Bazan, a poor but witty and good-hearted Spanish grandee, fights a duel to save the boy Lazarille from imprisonment by a cruel army captain. Since a royal edict forbids duelling during Holy Week, Don César is arrested and condemned to death by hanging. In his prison cell, Don César is visited by Don José. The latter is in love with the Queen, who in turn refuses his love unless the king is proved to have been unfaithful to her. Don José plots to have Maritana marry the condemned man before his execution, thus making her Countess de Bazan, and thus the potential mistress of the King. Without explaining his plan, he promises Maritana riches, while his friend Don César will gain commutation to death by firing squad (instead of a common hanging) and protection for the boy Lazarille. The marriage takes place and then, after Lazarille vows to save his master, the execution is carried out. The "widowed" Maritana is now living at the San Fernando palace to be taught courtly manners, being assured by Don José that her husband will soon return from exile. The King comes to visit her, claiming to be Don César – but Maritana says she cannot love him. Before Charles II can force his attentions on her, the real Don César comes in, for Lazarille had cunning…

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