Part 2, Scene 3 Summary

It is now December 23 and Doctor Arrieta and Father Duaso are conversing as the scene opens. Father Duaso has promised Goya that he would visit him today and Arrieta suggests that he and Duaso can talk on the way to Goya's house but Duaso does not intend to leave until eight o'clock, a statement that puzzles Arrieta.

Arrieta confides to Duaso that Goya is in danger because of the intercepted letter written to Zapater, in which Goya has criticized King Ferdinand. Arrieta tells Duaso that the letter was sent from Goya twenty-two days ago and would have reached Zapater by now. Duaso responds that Goya must beg for the king's forgiveness but Arrieta claims that the king has never pardoned anyone and that Goya will be no exception.

Duaso agrees that Goya needs to go into hiding but points out the...