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diff --git a/old/53383-0.txt b/old/53383-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 617b601..0000000 --- a/old/53383-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16142 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's The Story of Don John of Austria, by Luis Coloma - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Story of Don John of Austria - -Author: Luis Coloma - -Translator: Ada Margarette Moreton - -Release Date: October 27, 2016 [EBook #53383] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA *** - - - - -Produced by Josep Cols Canals, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - THE STORY OF - - DON JOHN - - OF AUSTRIA - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson._ - - _Don John of Austria._ - - _Flemish School in Prado Gallery, Madrid._ -] - - - - - THE STORY OF - - DON JOHN - - OF AUSTRIA - - TOLD BY PADRE LUIS COLOMA, S.J. - OF THE REAL ACADEMIA ESPAÑOLA - TRANSLATED BY LADY MORETON - - - LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD - NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY - TORONTO: BELL & COCKBURN. MCMXII - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - WILLIAM BRENDON AND SON, LTD. PRINTERS, PLYMOUTH - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - PREFACE - - -In one of the addresses delivered at the time of Padre Coloma's -admission to the Real Academia Española there is a reference to Jeromín, -as this Story of Don John of Austria is called in Spanish, which says -that it awakes great interest in the reader by inaugurating a new type -of book, half novel and half history. This seems too true a description -of it not to be quoted here. - -In his preface the author states that he does not propose to delve into -any deep problems, or to put forward unknown facts about personages -already judged at the bar of history. All the same, I think that much in -this book will be fresh to English readers, notably, perhaps, the fact -that an "auto da fe" consisted in hearing the sentences pronounced on -the prisoners of the Inquisition, not in witnessing their execution, and -that in most cases the condemned were garrotted before being burnt. - -Many of the illustrations will also be new to most people. Through the -kindness of the Duke of Berwick and Alba the two pictures of the "Gran -Duque" in his palace at Madrid are reproduced with their history. I am -indebted to Colonel Coloma for the picture of Antonio Pérez and the one -of Luis Quijada, photographed specially for this book. Señor de Osma was -good enough to send me the autograph of Don John's mother, which proves -her to have been a woman of at least some education. From him, too, -comes a most interesting specimen of Don John's writing—the postscript -to the dispatch announcing the battle of Lepanto. - -Of the more familiar illustrations it can surely weary no one to be -reminded of how Jeromín pictured his father to himself, or how Philip -II, "Reyna Ysovel," Prince Carlos, and others appeared to the blue eyes -of the hero of Lepanto. - -I disclaim all responsibility for the views, historical or otherwise, -expressed in this book, but if I have failed to reproduce a vivid -picture of life in old Spain, it is solely the fault of my prentice -hand. - -As on the walls of some tapestried chamber the author displays the Story -of Don John of Austria from his engaging childhood to his saintly death. -The light as it shines on this Prince Charming, also falls on those -great ones of his time who were his friends or foes, and on the -multitude of their servants and followers, lingering most lovingly on -beautiful Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, as it glints on the golden texture of -her unselfish life. In the woof of the background the author has woven -many homely touches, which seem to make the figures live again, and, -shaking off the dust of more than three centuries, to leave the arras as -in some Pavillon d'Armide. - -Has the turning of the hangings broken the spell? As I cannot but -remember that Cervantes, shrewdest of observers, has said that -translating from one language to another is "like one looking on the -wrong side of Flemish tapestry; although the figures are seen they are -full of threads which blur them, and the smoothness and bloom of the -surface are not seen; not for this" he, however, adds encouragingly, "do -I wish to say that this exercise of translating is not praiseworthy, -because a man may spend his time in other and worse ways." Ojalá! that -any possible reader of this book may not have cause to doubt the truth -of this last axiom. - -My best thanks are due to Padre Coloma for his courtesy in allowing me -to translate this work, to Colonel Coloma for the trouble he has taken -for its welfare, to Señor de Osma for all his kindness, to Doctor de -Alcázar y Polanco and Mr. Medd, and last, but not least, to my husband -for all his help. - - A. M. M. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - BOOK I 3 - - BOOK II 105 - - BOOK III 233 - - BOOK IV 315 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - - -DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - _Frontispiece_ - -_Sir William Stirling Maxwell describes this picture as "perhaps the -most satisfactory existing portrait on canvas as he appeared in his -prime. It is not impossible that it may be the work of Stradamus." "He -wears a small rapier, the Order of the Fleece and a steel cuirass, -slightly enriched with gold, with sleeves of chain armour, a band of red -velvet being on the right arm and a pair of trunk breeches of some dark -parti-coloured stuff, over which is a casing of crimson perpendicular -bars (resembling velvet). That this outer covering or cage is detached -from the lining is made evident by his dagger hanging between the lining -and the cage. His hose and shoes are of light crimson, approaching to -pink ... a helmet with a blue plume."_ - -Flemish School. In the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -PHILIP II AS A YOUNG MAN - - 12 - -_Born 1527. Died 1598._ - -_Son of the Emperor Charles V and Isabel of Portugal._ - -_Married_ 1. _Maria of Portugal._ 2. _Mary Tudor, Queen of England._ 3. -_Elizabeth of Valois (Isabel of the Peace)._ 4. _Anne of Austria (his -niece)._ - -Portrait by Titian (1477-1576) is in the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -LUIS QUIJADA, LORD OF VILLAGARCIA - - 37 - -_Died 1570._ - -_Specially photographed for this book from a picture in the possession -of the Conde de Santa Coloma._ - -_A replica of this picture exists in Seville in the Palace of the -Marqués de la Motilla, of which Don Emilio M. de Torres y Gonzalez-Arnao -kindly sent a specially taken photograph._ - - -EMPEROR CHARLES V. CHARLES I OF SPAIN, 1500-58. - - 45 - -_Son of Philip the Handsome, of Burgundy, and Joan the Mad._ - -_Began to reign 1516. Elected Holy Roman Emperor 1519._ - -_Abdicated 1555. Married Isabel of Portugal._ - -_This portrait by Titian represents the Emperor at the battle of -Muhlberg (1546), where, an historian says, "he looked a warrior; he rode -an Andalusian horse covered with a crimson silk cloth with a gold -fringe. His armour was brilliant, the helmet and cuirass garnished with -gold. He wore the red sash with golden stripes of the general of the -house of Burgundy."_ - -_This armour still exists in the Royal Armoury at Madrid, and has been -reconstructed according to the portrait with the most life-like results. -The picture itself is in the Prado._ - - -DOÑA LEONOR DE MASCAREÑAS - - 81 - -_As governess to Philip II and his son, D. Carlos, she exercised, by -reason of her virtues and great discretion, much influence at the Court -of the Emperor Charles V, who held her in great esteem. She was also the -friend of St. Theresa, and founded the Convent of Our Lady of the Angels -in Madrid, to which she retired._ - -_This photograph is from the portrait by Sir Antonio More, belonging to -the Marqués de la Vega-Inclán, which until recently remained in the -Convent she had founded. The photograph is the first ever taken of the -picture, and was kindly sent by Don Emilio M. de Torres y -Gonzalez-Arnao._ - - -INFANTA JUANA OF SPAIN - - 87 - -_Daughter of the Emperor Charles V and Isabel of Portugal. Married D. -Juan, Prince of Portugal, and was mother of the luck-less King -Sebastian. As a widow she returned to rule Spain during the years that -Philip spent in England as husband of Queen Mary Tudor._ - -_Don Juan Valera says, "Beautiful and passionate as we cannot doubt her -to have been, since she inspired so ardent a devotion in the Prince her -husband that he preferred to die rather than leave her ... yet she was -so austere and shy that she never consented to show her face," and was -heavily veiled when she gave audiences. If any doubted whether they were -really addressing her, she would lift her covering, and directly her -visitor was satisfied, drop it again. Señor Valera quotes this as a -proof that none of the descendants of Joan the Mad were entirely free -from the taint of insanity._ - -Portrait by Sir Antonio More (1512-82) is in the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -ALEXANDER FARNESE, PRINCE OF PARMA - - 109 - -_Died 1592, aged forty-eight._ - -_Son of Margaret, Duchess of Parma, half-sister to Don John, after whose -death Alexander Farnese took command of the troops in Flanders. Married -the Princess Maria of Portugal._ - -_The portrait in the Museo Nazionale, Naples, is ascribed to F. M. -Mazzola (called Parmigiano) (1503-40), but dates would seem to make this -impossible._ - - -DON CARLOS, PRINCE OF THE ASTURIAS - - 123 - -_Died 1568._ - -_Son of Philip II and Maria of Portugal._ - -Picture by Sanchez Coello (died 1590) is in Prado Gallery, Madrid. - -ELIZABETH DE VALOIS. ISABEL DE LA PAZ - - 141 - -_Died 1558, aged twenty-three._ - -_Daughter of Henry II of France and Catherine de Medici._ - -_Third wife of Philip II of Spain._ - -_Brantôme writes of her: "Those who saw her thus in a painted portrait -admired her, and I will leave you to guess the delight it was to see her -face to face with her sweetness and grace."_ - -_This picture is alluded to by Sir William Stirling Maxwell in his -"Annals of the Artists of Spain"; he says that her eyes and hair are -dark and her complexion brilliant, "The head is full of beauty and life; -the dress of black velvet, though closed at the throat, is becoming ... -a small ruff encircles the neck, and the robe is garnished with a -profusion of gold chains and jewellery, all admirably designed and -painted. Unless there be some mistake in the date of the painter's -birth, this portrait was probably copied from one by his master (Sanchez -Coello), as Queen Isabella died in 1568, when Pantoja was only seventeen -years of age."_ - -This portrait is by Juan Pantoja de la Cruz (1551 circa 1609), and is in -the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -DON FERNANDO ALVAREZ DE TOLEDO. 3RD DUQUE DE ALBA, CALLED THE "GRAN -DUQUE," 1507-82 - - 164 - -_Married Maria Enriquez, daughter of the Conde de Alba de Lesten. -Captain-General of the Kingdoms of Castille and Aragon, of the Spanish -troops in Italy, and of the army in Portugal. Governor of Milan and -Viceroy of Naples. Governor of Flanders. Councillor of State and War to -Charles V and Philip II, whose tutor he was. He acted as Proxy for the -King at Philip II's third and fourth marriages. Recalled from Flanders -in 1573, he fell into disgrace with Philip II, and was imprisoned in the -Castle of Uceda._ _He was liberated in order that he might pacify the -Portuguese rebellion. In 1580 he won the battles which gained this -Kingdom for Spain. He died at Lisbon._ - -_This portrait by Titian represents the Duke at about the age of forty. -He wears black armour wrought with gold and a red sash, and the -balustrade on which he leans is cushioned with red velvet. It may very -possibly have belonged to the Duke himself; it certainly was in the -possession of the celebrated Conde Duque de Olivares, as it was amongst -those entailed by him with the Carpio estate. With this property it -passed to the Alba family, and from thence was brought to its present -place in the Palacio de Liria in Madrid._ - - -PORTRAIT OF THE SAME BY GULLIERMO KEY (1520-68) - - 166 - -Painted in Flanders when the Duke was sixty-one. - -_There is an improbable legend about this picture that it cost the -artist his life, from the shock of hearing the Duke let drop in Spanish -that the two Counts, Horn and Egmont, were sentenced to death._ - - -DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - 203 - -From a picture attributed to Sir Antonio More in the possession of Don -Fernande Fernandez de Velasco. - - -CARDINAL DE GRANVELLE - - 261 - -_Born 1517. Died 1586._ - -_Antoine Perrenot. Bishop of Arras. Primate of the Netherlands._ - -_A well-known statesman during the reigns of Charles V and Philip II. -Chief Councillor to the Duchess of Parma when Governess of the -Netherlands. He became so unpopular that in 1564 Philip II was compelled -to advise him to retire to his estates in Burgundy. The Cardinal left -vowing that he would not cut his beard until he returned to Brussels. -Three years later he went to Rome, where he assisted in the negotiations -of the Holy League. He subsequently became Viceroy of Naples._ - -From his picture by Scipione Pulzone called Gaetano in Municipal Museum, -Besançon. - - -SEBASTIAN VENIERO. DOGE OF VENICE - - 279 - -_Died 1578._ - -_Son of Moise Venier._ - -_Married Cecilia di Nadalin Contarini._ - -_After being constantly employed in many important posts at home and -abroad, including that of Procuratore di San Marco, he became General -del Mar, and commanded the left wing at the battle of Lepanto, where he -was wounded in the knee by an arrow. Padre Coloma says that he was -seventy at this time, which would place his birth in 1501. He was -elected Doge June 11, 1577, and died eight months later._ - -Portrait by Titian in the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - -DISPATCH ANNOUNCING THE VICTORY OF LEPANTO, DATED PETALA, OCTOBER 9, -1571. POSTSCRIPT IN DON JOHN'S WRITING - - 302 - -_There are several known copies of the dispatch, the postscripts varying -from one to two lines, according to the importance of the person -addressed. This one was almost certainly sent to the President of the -Council of Castille, Cardinal Espinosa, though, from the outer sheet -being torn, the address is wanting._ - -_It is in three lines_: - -"_Doy a V.M. el parabien desta vitoria que Nrõ Señor ha sido servido -darnos, como a quien holgara de tan felice nueva lo es justo._" - -"_I congratulate Your Grace on the victory that Our Lord has been -pleased to give us, as is due to one who will rejoice over such happy -news._" - -From the collection of the Conde de Valencia de D. Juan. Photographed -specially for this book. - - -Postscript in D. John of Austria's writing from the collection of the -Conde de Valencia de D. Juan. - - 303 - - -PHILIP II AND HIS SON, DON FERNANDO - - 309 - -_Sir William Stirling Maxwell says that tradition has connected this -picture with Lepanto. Philip II is represented holding up to Heaven his -short-lived son, by Anne of Austria, Don Fernando, who was born December -4, 1571, shortly after the news of the victory reached Spain. It is -stated that the picture was painted by Titian (1477-1576) "at the age of -ninety-four at least."_ - -It is in the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -STATUE OF DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA AT MESSINA - - 319 - -_This statue by Andrea Calamech is still in existence (June, 1912). Sir -William Stirling Maxwell is "disposed to consider it the most -interesting and important" portrait which has come down to us. He says, -"The head, which was considered an excellent likeness, is very noble and -graceful." "Although the gilding with which it once shone resplendent -has disappeared it is still one of the most effective monuments of -sixteenth-century art."_ - -"_The statue stood in the small Piazza between the Palace and the Church -of Our Lady of the Pillar until 1853 when it was removed to the Piazza -of the Annunziata._" - -DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - 347 - -From a print sent by Colonel Coloma. - - -ANTONIO PÉREZ - - 383 - -_Died 1611._ - -_Illegitimate son of Gonzalo Pérez._ - -_Married Doña Juana de Coello Bozmediano. Secretary and favourite of -Philip II. Fell into disgrace and was tried and_ _tortured in 1582. -Contrived to escape, first to Aragon, afterwards to France and England, -but was sent back to Portugal and died in Paris._ - -_In his exile he wrote his "Memorial" to prove his own innocence and his -master's guilt. Major Martin Hume thinks that "the moral portrait of the -King (Philip II), still current in foreign countries, owes much to the -literary talent with which Antonio Pérez presented his subtle -sophistries."_ - -(_Españoles é ingleses en el siglo XVI._) - -The picture by Sir Antonio More is in Paris. - - -AUTOGRAPH OF BARBARA BLOMBERGH - - 405 - -_Mother of Don John of Austria by the Emperor Charles V._ - -_Afterwards married to Jerome Kegel._ - -_Died 1598._ - -From the collection of the Conde de Valencia de D. Juan. - -Photographed specially for this book. - - -PRINCESA DE ÉVOLI - - 427 - -_Born 1540._ - -_Daughter of the Count de Melito. Married in 1553 Ruy Gomez de Silva, -afterwards Prince of Évoli, who died 1573._ - -_She was a great heiress, and her family accused Antonio Pérez of -squandering her fortune. There now seems little doubt that anger at the -discovery of her intrigue with him was the chief reason of the -assassination of the Secretary Escovedo._ - -_Philip II caused her to be arrested suddenly in 1579, and imprisoned -first in the tower of Pinto, and then exiled to her own house at -Pastrana for the rest of her life._ - -The picture from which the print used is taken is by Sanchez Coello, in -the possession of her descendant, the Duque de Pastrana. - -PHILIP II AS AN OLD MAN - - 437 - -"_This picture is well worthy of note, as it shows how the crowned monk -of the Escorial looked when on the brink of the grave. In Pantoja's -worn, sickly, sour old man, with lack-lustre, restless eyes, protruding -under-lip and_ - - '_pallid cheeks and ashy hue - in which sad death his portraiture hath writ_', - - (SPENSER) - -_wearing a rusty sugar-loaf hat and holding in his hand a common brown -rosary, we see the last stage of the sumptuous Prince whose youthful -bearing has been made immortal by the pencil of Titian_." - - (SIR WILLIAM STIRLING MAXWELL.) - -By Juan Pantoja de la Cruz in the Prado Gallery, Madrid. - - -DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA'S PLACE OF BURIAL - - 471 - -_View of the Escorial and surrounding country. Present day._ - -_To quote Señor Baros, "The victory of St. Quentin was gained on the -Feast of St. Laurence and Don Philip wished to raise an edifice in -honour of the saint which should be a convent, a royal mausoleum and a -palace. When the Emperor took leave of his son he had charged him to -erect a worthy sepulchre for his own remains and those of the Empress. -The King caused the Spanish architect Juan Bautista de Toledo to come -from Naples, who designed the Escorial in the shape of a gridiron. The -first stone was laid in 1563. This superb monument was finished by Juan -de Herrera, 1584."_ - -These short notes are mostly culled from the works of Sir William -Stirling Maxwell, Major Martin Hume and Señor Baros. Those on the Duque -de Alba are taken from the catalogue made for the present Duke by Don -Angel de Barcia, of which a portion was specially reprinted for this -book. - - - - - BOOK I - - - - - DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - - CHAPTER I - - -Like a flock of frightened sparrows the children of Leganés arrived that -afternoon at Ana de Medina's door, just as the bells were ringing for -vespers. Ana's son Jeromín was the first to get there, with his big blue -eyes staring and his beautiful golden hair thrown back. But there was -good cause for all this, and twenty shrill voices hastened to explain it -to Ana, who, startled, came to the door distaff in hand, and a scolding -on her lips. - -There was no school in Getafe that afternoon; the sun had stricken down -Sancha Apelza, the master's wife, while working on the farm of the -Comunero, and she was to receive the last sacraments that night. The -children from Leganés were coming back to the village, playing as usual -by the way at Moors and Christians. Jeromín always insisted on this, and -never would play at Comuneros, or at being Padilla, Adelentado or Bishop -Acuña, all recent and popular heroes. He said it was enough for him to -be Jeromín and to pretend to cut off the heads of Moors. He entrenched -himself in the Canon's well as if it were a castle on a rock, and Pedro -Verde defended the orchard of Maricuernos opposite, declaring it to be -the Vega of Granada. Jeromín gave the word "Santiago," and from both -sides, like bullets from an arquebus, came lumps of soft earth. At this -inopportune moment, while the battle was raging along the road from -Madrid bordering the orchard of Maricuernos, four mules appeared, -harnessed in pairs with long traces to what seemed to be a little wooden -house, with two tiny windows and four big wheels. A man was riding the -foremost mule on the off side, and another was seated on the roof of the -house, guiding the mules with a long stick. Through one of the windows a -very fat man with grey moustaches and a pointed beard, could be seen, -sitting inside. Four well-armed horsemen and two baggage-mules escorted -the unwieldy vehicle. The children were frightened at the sight of this -extraordinary machine, such as they had never seen before, but curiosity -overcame their fear and they all grouped themselves, very silent, in the -orchard of Maricuernos to see it pass closer. The boys' terror increased -when they realised that the heavy machine was halting in front of them, -and the fat gentleman, putting his head out of window, was asking them -very politely whether the Emperor's former guitar-player, Francis Massy, -who had married Ana de Medina, a native of the village, still lived -there. - -The boys began to giggle and look at each other, not daring to answer, -stir or even take off their caps as a mark of respect. The fat man -repeated the question two or three times very politely and kindly, till -at last Pedro Verde, who was eleven years old, and had been twice to -Pinto, and had seen the cavalcade of Ruy Gómez de Silva from afar, made -up his mind to answer, his mouth dry with fear and keeping his cap on, -that the musician Francisquin, as they called him, had died some years -previously, but that his widow Ana de Medina still lived there and that -her son Jeromín, was one of those present. This Pedro demonstrated by -seizing Jeromín by the neck of his doublet and pulling him forward. For -the fat man to hear this, look at Jeromín and stretch his arms out of -the window as if to seize him and drag him into the coach was only the -work of a second. But it took the children, terrified at the old man's -behaviour, even less time to scamper up the hill towards the village as -if they had legions of devils at their heels. The gentleman called to -them to stop. The escort also called out. But the children, spurred on -by fright, ran harder and harder up the hill like hunted hares, until -they stopped at the threshold of Ana de Medina where we met them. - -The widow's face fell when she heard all this, and she drew Jeromín -towards her as if she wished to hide him in her woollen skirt. She asked -the boys several questions, but they all answered together, and all she -could make out was that a fat gentleman had wished to carry off Jeromín -in a little house on wheels. - -Ana, worried, went back into her house and sent a message by Pedro Verde -to ask the priest to come and see her, the cleric Bautista Vela, who -served the parish for D. Alonso de Rojas, chaplain to His Majesty in the -Royal Chapel at Granada at that time. Bautista Vela tarried too long; by -the time he arrived at Ana's house he could no longer be there alone. -Round the corner of the street came the whole population of the village, -surrounding with wonder the vehicle in which the fat man came. He sat -smiling, greeting some and of others asking the way to Ana's house, -which a hundred hands pointed out to him, while he continued to look out -of the window as if this house was the goal of his journey. - -The hubbub made Ana come to her door, with Jeromín clinging to her -skirts. The coach, the like of which was never seen before, stopped in -front of her; the gentleman greeted her politely, and the widow could -not therefore do otherwise than offer him hospitality in a peasant's -homely way. - -The gentleman then got out, and Ana conducted him to her parlour, which -was also her kitchen, clean certainly and with room for twenty people in -the chimney corner on the rough stone seats placed on either side. - -Invited by the widow, who seemed to be afraid to be alone with the -stranger, Bautista Vela entered also, followed by Jeromín, recovered -from his fear, but still full of wonder and looking the visitor up and -down as if he were the bearer of good or evil fortune. The fat man was -about sixty, but his extraordinary corpulency neither destroyed the -activity of his limbs nor the charm of his manners. He spoke with a -soft, low, kindly voice with a marked Flemish accent, and not like the -haughty man of war so common at that time. Everything in him betokened -the obsequious courtier, accustomed to the yoke of powerful masters. -Very courteously he told the widow who he was, the object of his visit, -and what he hoped and wished from her. His name was Charles Prevost, a -servant of the Emperor, who had come to Castille on his own business, -but had also brought a special and secret message for her from Adrian du -Bois, valet to the Emperor, and therefore his fellow-servant. - -Here the courteous Fleming made a pause and, slightly raising his voice -and accentuating his words, added that this business had been urgently -recommended to him by the very high and mighty gentleman Luis Méndez -Quijada, Steward to the invincible Cæsar Charles V. - -Hearing the name of Cæsar all bowed their heads in token of respect, and -on hearing that of Quijada the cleric and the widow exchanged a rapid -glance of fear and suspicion. Jeromín, calmer than the rest, sat on a -high stool, swinging his legs and never taking his eyes off the -stranger, as if he were trying to decipher in that round red face some -problem which he was turning over and over in his baby mind. - -Charles Prevost pointed to the child as if its presence were an -obstacle, so the widow took Jeromín by the arm and shut him up in a -room, telling him to wait there. Meanwhile Prevost had produced a paper -carefully wrapped up in two covers of linen, which he held out to the -widow folded in four. As she could not read, shrugging her shoulders she -passed it in her turn to Bautista Vela, who, very much astonished, -unfolded the letter and slowly and solemnly read as follows: - - "I, Francis Massy, musician to His Majesty, and Ana de Medina, - my wife, know and confess that we have taken and received a son - of Señor Adrian de Bois, valet to His Majesty, which we did by - his wish, and he prayed us to take and bring him up like our own - son, and not to tell anyone whose son he was, as Señor Adrian - did not wish that by this means his wife or anyone else should - know or hear of him. For this reason I, Francis Massy, and Ana - de Medina, my wife, and our son Diego de Medina, swear and - promise to the said Señor Adrian not to tell or declare to any - living person whose this child is, but to say that it is mine, - until Señor Adrian sends someone with this letter or the said - Señor Adrian comes in person. - - "And because Señor Adrian wishes to keep the matter secret, he - has begged me to do him the favour of taking charge of this - child, which my wife and I willingly do and acknowledge to have - received from the said Señor Adrian 100 crowns which he gave me - for the journey, for taking the child, for a horse and clothes, - and keep for one year that is to say that the year is counted - from the 1st day of August of this present year 1550. For which - I hold myself content and paid for this year, as it is the - truth. I sign my name to it, I and my wife, but as she cannot - write I begged Oger Bodarce to sign her name for her. And the - said Señor Adrian shall give me 50 ducats each year for the keep - of the child. Dated, Brussels, 13th of June, 1550." - -A long silence followed the reading of this letter; and when Ana de -Medina understood that the hour had arrived for giving up the child she -had looked upon as her son, she burst into tears and between her sobs -said that she perfectly recognised this document to be genuine from end -to end. She had done as she had sworn, and would act in the same way in -the future, and give up the child to whoever was sent to fetch him; but -for God's sake and Our Lady's and a multitude of saints, let him stay -until seed-time, so that there should be time to make him some new -clothes and render him more presentable. Bautista Vela seemed also -touched, and timidly added his entreaties to those of the widow. - -But the Fleming, with roundabout reasonings and kindly, comforting -words, showed all the same his absolute determination to leave the next -day at daybreak, taking Jeromín with him. Then, in a long talk and by -clever questions, he let the widow and the priest know how very -displeased the powerful Luis Quijada would be when he found the state of -absolute mental neglect in which the boy had lived all these years, as -he was healthy in body and appeared to be so also in mind; but it was -clear that he knew nothing except how to run about the country shooting -at birds with his crossbow and arrows, nor had he had other lessons than -those of the sacristan Francis Fernandez, and those just lately in the -school in Getafe. The blame for this fell on Bautista Vela, because he -had written from time to time to Luis Quijada that he was seeing that -the boy's education was cared for and that it was not that of a little -peasant. - -At this the priest and the widow were silent, knowing they were in the -wrong, the more so as more than once the idea had occurred to them that -Jeromín was not the son of Adrian de Bois, from whose hands they had -received the child, but of Luis Quijada, Steward to Cæsar and one of his -greatest lords. And their idea, which no doubt Prevost also shared, was -confirmed when the supper-hour arrived and he ordered that the table -should be set with the silver and service he had brought in his baggage, -and, seating Jeromín in the place of honour, himself served the meal and -waited. - -Jeromín let himself be waited on without showing any diffidence or -surprise, as if all his life he had been used to such attentions. But -when he saw Ana de Medina remaining by the fire and helping to pass the -plates, without daring to come to the table, he said, without looking at -anyone, in a tone which might be a question, or a request or an order, -"Isn't she going to have any supper?" This made the widow burst again -into sobs and lamentations, and the boy bit his lips to restrain the -tears which filled his eyes. We cannot be certain whether Jeromín slept -that night or not, but it is certain that no one had to rouse him the -next morning, and the first light of dawn found him already awake, -dressed in his best clothes, with his fair hair covered by the -picturesque "monterilla." He twice kissed Ana de Medina at the door, and -then turned back and kissed her a third and fourth time. But he did not -shed a tear or say a word, nor did his face change, though it was paler -than usual. - -The whole village was at the door, the children in the front row, -Christians and Moors all mixed up, filled with awe and envy at seeing -him in the seat of honour in the little house on wheels which had -frightened them so much the day before. - -Then Jeromín asked the widow for his crossbow, so she brought the -roughly made plaything with which he had acquired such wonderful -dexterity, and he gave it to his enemy of the battles, Pedro Verde, -saying shortly, "Keep it." - -All the neighbours accompanied the coach to the outskirts of the -village, and the children much farther, also Ana de Medina, crying out -and begging that they would not take away her Jeromín, but would give -her back her son. - -He did not stir inside the coach, or put out his head, but remained so -quiet with his eyes shut that the Fleming began to think he was asleep. -But at the last turn, passing the orchard of Maricuernos, at the place -where the Hermitage de los Angeles was afterwards erected, Jeromín's -little hand could be seen out of the window, making last signs to his -playfellows and to the humble woman who had brought him up. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - -Jeromín went from one surprise to another, seeing pass, for the first -time before his eyes, lands and mountains, villages, castles, and people -who were not like those of Leganés or anything he had imagined. Charles -Prevost answered his doubts and questions with real and kindly anxiety -to enlighten him, now explaining curious things, now making instructive -remarks which opened new and wide horizons before the boy's virgin mind. -But in spite of the Fleming's kindness, which sometimes seemed natural -and at other times only courtly manners which had become a second -nature, the child's innate sharpness showed him that Prevost always hid -him from the gaze of the people; that he never explained in inns and on -the road who the boy was, or where he was taking him, which Jeromín -himself did not in the least know either. This restrained the natural -open character of the boy and armed him with a certain reserve, which -without being sulky was a want of confidence, the offspring, no doubt, -of offended dignity. - -They arrived at Valladolid one May morning, between the 12th and 14th, -at midday. Not to attract attention to his conveyance, Charles Prevost -got out and entered by the small gate of Balboa and went on foot holding -Jeromín by the hand. - -Great animation and movement reigned in the streets, because at the -moment the big suites of Grandees, gentlemen, servants and armed men who -were to accompany the Prince of the Asturias, D. Philip, on his famous -expedition to England were in Valladolid, and no doubt for this reason -Charles Prevost chose back streets by which to reach a convent of -barefooted friars. They evidently expected him here, for without more -words than politeness demanded the Fleming handed the boy over to the -Prior, a venerable old man, and left without saying anything further, -promising Jeromín to fetch him in a few days. - -The little boy was frightened at finding himself alone among these -austere figures, whom he saw for the first time, and who seemed, -therefore, strange and terrifying. With precocious self-command, -however, he disguised his feelings, and the brothers were so kind to him -that after the first day he got used to them and wandered about the -cloisters and the orchard as he might have done at Leganés. The Prior -told off a young, cheerful brother to keep him company and wait on him, -and gave him a little crossbow that he might gratify his love of -shooting at little birds in the orchard. In a few days they brought him -much fine white linen and three suits, made like a peasant's but of fine -cloth and beautifully trimmed, from Charles Prevost. Jeromín wanted to -try them on at once, as he was nice about his dress and rather vain, for -which there was excuse. He was strong, well made and extremely agile; -his skin was white, although burnt by the sun of Leganés; he had big, -clear blue eyes, soft fair hair, and his whole person was so graceful, -high and noble, that seeing him in his ordinary clothes he looked like a -little prince dressed up as a peasant. - -He arrayed himself in his new clothes at once, and that same afternoon -an adventure befell him in the orchard which made a deep impression on -his childish imagination. The orchard was very large and extremely -shady, and crossed in all directions by rows of trees. - -Tired with running about, Jeromín threw himself at the foot of a pear -tree, with his crossbow by his side; in front of him stretched a line of -the same trees, from one side of the low cloister to the big stew-pond -where the trout were kept. - -Very soon Jeromín saw two very important personages who were conversing -amiably, leaving the cloisters and coming towards him. One was the Prior -of the convent, a bent old man, who leant on his wooden crutch at each -step. The other was a great gentleman of not more than forty, spare, -with a bright complexion, a hooked nose, piercing eyes, and a long, -carefully tended beard which fell on his chest. He wore a doublet of -black velvet, slashed with satin, an old-fashioned cap of the same with -a black feather, and fine buckskin gloves which he carried loose in one -hand. He had the Prior on his right hand, and was listening to him with -great respect, bowing his proud head towards him, at other times -answering him vehemently, hitting one hand with the gloves that he -carried in the other. - -Jeromín, frightened, wanted to hide, but it was too late, and he had to -remain crouching under his pear tree hoping not to be seen. However, the -Prior espied him from afar, and at once began a strange manœuvre, which -made the boy wonder; continuing to talk he moved forward little by -little so as to put himself between Jeromín and the gentleman, who -passed by without noticing the presence of the little boy. He then saw -that when the Prior arrived at the stew-pond he secretly gave an order -to a lay brother, and soon after the young brother came and took him out -of the orchard by back paths, and shut him up in his cell without saying -anything or giving any reasons. - -Jeromín understood that they did not wish him to meet the great -personage, and this fixed the hooked nose and long beard so firmly in -his memory that, having seen them for only a brief instant, he was able -to recognise him years afterwards at a supreme moment. - -[Illustration: - - - _Photo Lacoste_ - - PHILIP II AS A YOUNG MAN - - _Titian. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -The next day the young brother came into Jeromín's cell looking very -pleased, and, as if to make up for the night before, told him that he -was going to show him the greatest and bravest soldiers who ever drew -sword. With much mystery he took the boy to the sacristy under the -church, and showed him a small rose window, which opened half-way up the -wall to let in air and sunshine. He made him mount a ladder, and through -this sort of peep-hole Jeromín could see one of the narrow, irregular -squares which are still so common in Valladolid. The whole square was -crowded; not only the windows and balconies, but even the roofs were -overflowing with men, women and children, all merry and looking as if -they waited for something. And such was the case. Prince Philip was -marching to the frontier to receive his widowed sister, the Infanta -Juana of Portugal, and from there was going to Corunna to sail for -England, and that day, his last in Valladolid, the Prince, with all his -suite, was going to attend a service at St. Mary's, and then parade -through the streets to take leave of his father's faithful lieges. -Jeromín, ignorant of all this, sought in vain the promised soldiers -among the crowd. But he had not long to wait. Very soon the silver -trumpets of the Archers of the Guard began to be heard. Jeromín gave a -jump as if he had received an electric shock, and proudly raised his -handsome little face, almost fiercely, like a charger who hears for the -first time the martial note of a trumpet. With eyes wide open with -wonder and admiration he seemed glued to his window. The brother had -mounted too, and was looking at what was happening in the square. -Slowly, heavily, like walking towers on their great horses, the hundred -Archers of the Guard began to pass six deep, wearing their cloaks of -yellow velvet, with stripes of three colours, red, white and yellow, -which was the device of the Prince. The trumpets duly gave out slowly -their melodious notes. Then followed another hundred of halberdiers of -the German Guard wearing the same colours and devices, and then another -hundred of the Spanish Guard with their captain the Conde de Feria at -their head. - -The square burst into joyful cries. The brother got down quickly and -wished the boy to do so too; between curiosity to see and fear of -falling he clung anxiously to the ladder, but he still had time to look -at a handsome, fair young man of twenty-six with his beard cut into a -point, who came slowly by himself into the square, and from the back of -a beautiful horse, caparisoned with velvet and gold, smiled and bowed to -the crowd. On his right, at a respectful distance, Jeromín also saw the -gentleman with the hooked nose and long beard who had been the cause of -his imprisonment the night before, wearing brilliant orders on his -embroidered dark grey doublet and riding a horse with green velvet -trappings and a cloth embroidered in silver. - -Jeromín could see no more, the brother made him come down. Once on the -ground the boy walked up and down the sacristy in a rage, with his -little fists clenched, like a lion cub from whom has been taken some -dainty morsel. Through the open window he could hear the measured tread -of the horses, and the cries of the people greeting the brilliant suite -which closed the triumphal march. - -He looked at the brother and thought him hideous; he went to the -cloister and thought it a horrible place; he thought of the older man -with the long beard and of the young one with the short beard, to try -and find some defect in them, but could not. What business had these -people to prevent him looking at the soldiers? - - - - - CHAPTER III - - -The Infanta Doña Juana arrived in Valladolid as Governess of the Kingdom -very soon after D. Philip left, and four days later Charles Prevost came -unexpectedly to the convent to fetch Jeromín to continue his journey. - -They arrived at Medina de Rioseco in two stages, and slept that night at -an inn in the outskirts. The next day, late in the morning, they set out -by the main road to Toro, and after half an hour's journey they could -descry standing against the horizon of vast plains a great castle, -flanked by four towers, a large village, and two churches lying at its -feet. - -Charles Prevost called the child's attention to it, and pointing to the -place said, "That is Villagarcia. You will stay there, but I must go on -much farther." Drawing the child towards him, and seating him on his -knee, he told him very kindly that he had come to the end of his -journey; and that in that castle he would find a great lady who was very -good, and who would be a mother to him, and, as such, he was to obey, -love and respect her, and profit by the lessons that would be given him, -and give a good account of himself in the service of God and the study -of letters and arms, and not leave the castle without becoming a learned -cleric, a great preaching friar, or a brave soldier, according to the -vocation God would give him and the advice of his benefactors. - -Jeromín listened to him with astonishment, never taking his beautiful -eyes off him. Charles Prevost, who noticed that, as they got nearer to -the castle, the child grew more and more uncomfortable and shy, took him -again on his knees and told him not to be frightened when he saw the -lady, but to greet her with the respect and reverence due to her rank. - -They had already reached the castle, which was at the entrance of the -village on the Rioseco side. To distract the attention of the child -Prevost made him notice the massive towers, the strong turreted walls -with loopholes for artillery, and the flag which waved from the tower of -homage, announcing to travellers, according to ancient and lordly -custom, the presence in the castle of the masters, and the offer of free -and safe hospitality to all those who asked for it. - -The castle had a fortified gateway which still stands, with a drawbridge -over the moat, and another of a later date towards the village with a -gentle slope up to it which served as an entrance. Prevost's little -Flemish cart went in by this way and entered into a big square -courtyard, a real parade ground, which was formed by the two northern -towers and the two walls on the east and west, the first precinct of the -fortress. - -Several grooms came out to receive him, and a grave, bearded squire with -his doublet emblazoned with arms and a big sword of the time of the -Comunidades. He made Jeromín and the Fleming enter into the second -courtyard through heavy iron gates; then they found themselves in -another court of elegant proportions, really that of the house. It was -formed by two ornamental cloisters, an upper and a lower one, with -slender columns, the top one shut in by a balustrade of stone. There was -a big well in the middle of the court, with a great chain and two copper -buckets, and the rest of the space was covered with little paths and box -bushes, except at the foot of the cloisters, where it was paved. From -this lower cloister there was a wide staircase of white stone which -Jeromín mounted trembling, not realising what was the matter with him. -At the first landing he became dazed. A group of people hurried down and -became confused before the dazzled eyes of the child, as if they -flickered like the rays of the sun which was shining on them—a majestic -figure dressed in velvet with things that sparkled—a tall Dominican -friar—two duennas with white caps and black shawls—some women—several -men. - -Jeromín became giddy and everything swam before his eyes, he only saw -that two hands of alabaster were stretched out towards him. The boy, -hardly knowing what he was doing, only remembering that Prevost had told -him to greet the lady with great respect, fell on his knees, joining his -little hands as Ana de Medina had taught him to do before the altar of -Our Lady of the Angels. - -Then he felt that the velvet arms were embracing him and lifting him up; -that a beautiful face was against his, covering it with tears, and that -a choked voice said to the friar these historical words: "God be with me -and help me, my lord brother! It is a pity that I am not the mother of -this angel." - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - -Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, Toledo, Osorio and Quiñones was one of the -greatest ladies of the Spanish nobility of the sixteenth century. She -was the sister of D. Rodrigo de Ulloa, first Marqués de la Mota, San -Cebrián, and the Vega del Condado, and of Doña Maria de Toledo, of the -ancient and noble house of the Condes de Luna. - -When she was very young God took from her, first her mother, and then -her father, and she remained an orphan under the charge of her -grandmother, the Condesa de Luna, and after her death under that of her -brother, who fulfilled his duties well and sought a wealthy marriage for -her by arrangement, after the custom of the time, between the two -families. The bridegroom chosen was Luis Méndez Quijada, Manuel de -Figueredo and Mendoza, Colonel of the Spanish infantry, Steward to the -Emperor Charles V, and Lord of Villagarcia, Villanueva de los -Caballeros, and Santofimia, and also of Villamayor in the region of -Campos, in right of his mother. The pair did not know each other; Doña -Magdalena lived in Toro with her brother, and Luis Quijada followed the -Emperor in his wars and journeys, having been his favourite for twenty -years. The marriage articles were arranged in Valladolid on the 29th of -February, 1549. D. Diego Tabera, Councillor to H.M. and the Inquisition, -represented the bride, and the bridegroom was represented by his uncle, -the Archbishop of Santiago, D. Pedro Manuel, and by the illustrious -gentleman D. Gómez Manrique and D. Pedro Laso de Castilla, Steward to -Prince Maximilian, Archduke of Austria. - -By these articles the Marqués de la Mota promised to give his sister a -fortune of ten million maravedises, paid by 5000 ducats in money, 2000 -in jewels, and the rest by an annuity, adding this clause: "Besides the -ten 'cuentos' she is to have clothes and apparel and furniture and -ornaments for the house, which she has or will have up to the day of the -wedding, estimated by two persons on oath." The bridegroom promised for -his part tapestry worth 4000 ducats and to endow her with the towns of -Villanueva de los Caballeros and Santafimia, which for this purpose he -pledged. The marriage was authorised by the Emperor. Luis Quijada sent -from Brussels, where he was then living, full powers to his brother -Álvaro de Mendoza to marry Doña Magdalena in his name, and this he did -in Valladolid on the 27th of November, 1549, adding this clause to the -document in his own hand: "And in the name of the said D. Luis Quijada, -my brother, for him and as if he himself were present and as a gentleman -of noble birth, I do homage once, twice, three times in the presence and -under the authority of D. Bernardo de Acuña, Commander of the Order of -Santiago, gentleman of noble birth, who through me, and in the said name -received him, taking my hand in his according to the law of Spain, that -the said Lord Luis Quijada, my brother, shall have and keep and fulfil -and pay all that is said and is contained in this writing in good faith, -and without deception and without adding or taking away under the -penalties which befall and are incurred by gentlemen of noble birth who -do not keep their word, faith and homage." - -In this strange way marriages were then made, and still more -extraordinary is it that they usually turned out as happily as did this -one. For when, soon afterwards, Luis Quijada arrived in Valladolid, -where his wife went to meet him, they were so attracted to each other, -he by her beauty and womanly discretion, she by his generosity and noble -bearing, that the Christian love and absolute confidence they then -plighted to each other lasted unto death. - -Notwithstanding that, there came a time when a severe test was put to -this mutual confidence. At the end of 1553 or the beginning of 1554 the -posts from Flanders began to come more frequently than ever to -Villagarcia. Luis Quijada was following Charles V in his last campaign -against the French, and the husband never lost an opportunity of letting -his wife have news of the dangers he ran or the triumphs he gained. She -was the first person in Spain to know of the taking of Terouanne and the -tower of Hesdin, where Luis Quijada so much distinguished himself, and -to her came the first rumours of the return of the Emperor and his -projected retirement to a convent. - -But among all this news which pleased her as a wife, and added to the -lustre of her house, one day there came unexpectedly a letter which -plunged her in perplexity. It was the letter which Luis Quijada had -written from Brussels, probably in February, 1554, although the date is -unknown. Quijada announced to his wife that before long, but after she -had heard again, a man who had his entire confidence would present -himself at Villagarcia, and that this man would make over to her a child -of seven or nine years old, called Jeromín, and he begged her by the -love she bore and which she had always shown him to accept the boy as a -mother would, and as such to protect and educate him. He also said that -the boy was the son of a great friend, whose name he could not reveal, -but whose position and prestige he guaranteed. And he added that though -the education of Jeromín was to be that of a gentleman, his father did -not wish him to dress as such, but to wear the garb of a peasant, in -which he would present himself. It was the desire of the father, -moreover, that with all gentleness and discretion the child Jeromín -should be urged to enter the Church, but not if it were not his vocation -or the Divine wish. The reading of this letter produced in the warm -heart of Doña Magdalena a first and keen sense of pleasure. She had no -children, nor had hopes of ever having any, and through the door, when -she least expected it, was coming to her one of God's own little ones, -sent by him whom she loved best, her own husband. Doña Magdalena's -imagination, spurred on by the charitable anxiety to protect the weak -and love the oppressed, made her see Jeromín already in her arms while -Luis Quijada looked on contentedly, smiling at her lovingly and -gratefully. - -This is what Doña Magdalena felt rather than thought at first, but then -came slow, cold reflection, extinguishing with its logic the eagerness -of her impulse and giving light with its reasons to the blindness of the -senses, tarnishing by its rough contact the smiling work of her -imagination, as a heavy shower of rain spoils the wings of a butterfly. -And more icy than reflection, who, if cold and severe, is still -honourable, came her bastard sister, suspicion, vile suspicion, who -undermines and poisons everything and worms her way into the most -upright souls. Reason placed this question roughly but frankly before -her. Why does not Luis Quijada have enough confidence in you to tell you -the name of the father, if he gives the child into your care? And -suspicion slipped gently into her bosom this mean reply, "Because who -knows but that he is himself the father." - -Doña Magdalena had a severe conflict with herself, but her heart was so -large that nothing and nobody except her conscience could ever stop her -in a generous act, and throwing everything, fears, suspicions and -imagined wrongs into the flames of her pure charity, she cried out, -"What does it matter where the child comes from, if he is a helpless -creature whom God throws into my arms?" - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -The presence of Jeromín in Villagarcia brought a ray of joy to the -sombre castle of the Quijadas, which reflected itself on its -inhabitants. The merry laugh of a child always enlivens its -surroundings, like the song of a bird in a gloomy wood, or a sunbeam -piercing a dark cloud. - -The retinue of Doña Magdalena consisted of two duennas, Doña Elizabeth -and Doña Petronilla de Alderete, both noble widows and first cousins; -four maids, of only two of whom are the names preserved, Louisa and the -Blonde; two squires, Diego Ruy and Juan Galarza, this last an old noble, -a companion-in-arms of Quijada; three pages; a steward, Pedro Vela by -name; an accountant called Luis de Valverde, who enjoyed the utmost -confidence of the lady. Besides these there was a swarm of cooks, -labourers, and grooms, also six of Luis Quijada's old soldiers, who -looked after the artillery and armaments of the fortress, unnecessary at -the moment as Castille was at peace, but ready in case of need. Doña -Magdalena also had two chaplains; one, García de Morales, who lived in -the castle, and the other, Guillén Prieto, a very learned doctor of -Salamanca, who came to educate Jeromín from Zamora. He lived in the -village and also served the chapel of the ancient hermitage of St. -Lazarus, which stood on the site where Doña Magdalena afterwards founded -the great house of the Society. - -The household fell in love with the graceful, childish figure, and each -outdid the other in serving and spoiling Jeromín, attracted by the charm -of his person and the halo of mystery which surrounded him. He, on his -side, with the discernment children have of the love, aversion or -indifference they inspire, and the degree of liberty they may take, felt -himself loved from the first moment, though not for an instant did he -feel, as do the spoilt children of to-day, that he was the master of the -house. Between the spoiling and flattery of these good people, and the -native pride and self-will of the boy, interposed the stately figure of -Doña Magdalena, neither severe nor austere, but smiling and lovingly -wise, and for this reason she kept him firmly in a secondary position, -in absolute obedience to her, according to Luis Quijada's wish. - -Doña Magdalena usually ate with the household, according to the custom -of the time, and Jeromín sat at her table, below the two duennas and -above the squires. Every day she heard mass in her oratory with Jeromín -at her side, but she did not give him either a cushion or a seat. On -Sundays and feast days the noble dame went with all her household to the -parish church of St. Peter, and heard high mass and a sermon from her -stall in the chancel, as lady of the place and patroness of the church; -as page of honour Jeromín stood at her side, between her stall and the -bench of the duennas. Similarly in the parlour, Doña Magdalena often -sent for him to hear her duennas reading aloud, while she embroidered -for the church, or spun for the poor, or sewed, or mended; but she never -gave him more than a cushion, and this far from the dais on which she -alone was seated. - -Once a day, however, everything was changed, and she forgot the dignity -of the great lady in the tenderness of the mother, coming into his room -and waking him, dressing him, and combing his hair, he still half asleep -with his pretty face in her lap, and his little hands in hers; and -making him kneel at her side, she prayed and taught him to pray before a -crucifix that she herself had given him. - -This crucifix was and is, for it is still preserved in a reliquary at -Villagarcia, an object of no great artistic merit, about a palm and a -half high without the pedestal. This is its history. Years before the -terrible rebellion in the Alpujarras, in one of the warning outbreaks of -the Moors, Luis Quijada was skirmishing in the environs of Valencia, -before embarking for Tunis. A suspected village was denounced to him, -where the Moors were holding secret meetings, and there Quijada went, -alone and disguised. He lodged in the house of the informer, and at -night saw a bonfire blazing in a Moorish enclosure, which was surrounded -by high walls. - -He got there as best he could, and in the yard saw a strange sight. As -many as sixty Moors were surrounding the fire, with gestures and mien of -adoration, but in profound silence. Others entered, carrying, tied to a -long reed, a figure of Christ, which they had stolen from a church. All -the worship was changed to angry grimaces and shaking of fists, and -taking the figure from its bearers, they threw it into the fire. - -The thud of the image falling into the flames roused Quijada from the -horrible astonishment which paralysed him; and without thinking, which -is the way heroic deeds are done, he jumped into the yard, and without -other weapon than his sword, set on the Moors, pushing some, upsetting -others, wounding many, and making them all take to their heels. When the -coast was clear, he threw himself into the fire, among the flames and -smoke and hot cinders, searching for the sacred image. He found it at -last, half burned, and went out of the door, holding it aloft and -calling down vengeance, his sword in his hand, his hair scorched, his -clothes burnt, and his face and hands blackened and covered with blood. -Doña Magdalena told Jeromín this story, and he asked the first time why -they burnt the crucifix. The child listened with his soul in his -tear-filled eyes, his mouth contracted, his nostrils dilated, and his -little fists clenched, with all the look of a Clodovic in miniature, -furious not to have been able with his Gauls to have prevented the theft -of the Christ. The lady understood the nobleness of this childish heart, -which beat at the sound of that which was great, holy, and brave, and -she looked at him for a moment in admiration, and then contented herself -by kissing him. But, by the next courier, she asked Quijada's permission -to place the child under the protection of the sacred image. This -Quijada readily granted, and the crucifix was moved from the head of his -bed, where it was, to Jeromín's, who always kept it with him, calling it -afterwards "His Christ of battles," and he died kissing it, invoking its -holy name. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -Doña Magdalena only allowed Jeromín two days in which to rest from the -fatigue of his journey, and to visit the village and castle; the third -day, which was a Monday, she made him begin at once to regulate his -hours and studies, according to the plans she had prepared. She had -given him a room near hers, and the chaplain García de Morales, who was -to be his tutor and instructor in religion and Christian doctrine, was -lodged on the other side. The chaplain Guillén Prieto was given the care -of his secular education, and the noble squire Juan Galarza undertook to -instruct him in the theory and use of arms and also in riding. - -Doña Magdalena for her part reserved the duty of training him in the -love of God and of his neighbour, which she easily did by always showing -him the good example of her saintly life, rather than by rules and -precepts. Charity was the distinguishing virtue of this great woman, -made brighter by her discretion. She thought that the duties of her rank -consisted in forwarding God's glory and the good of her neighbour, -particularly of her vassals, to whom she felt specially bound by the -mere fact of her position. She gave away her ample income, and, later, -distributed her fortune, which was not entailed, in this way, to relieve -misery and the material wants of the poor, to supply the needs of their -souls, and to increase the service of Our Lord and His honour. - -In order to further these objects she founded hospitals on her estates -and beyond them, in increasing numbers she redeemed captives, and so -continuous and copious were her alms, that after her death she was -called "God's almoner." She also founded colleges, schools, missions and -catechisings; and was so munificent in what referred to God's service -that, not content with raising sumptuous temples, at one time she -ordered 500 silver chalices to be made and distributed among poor -parishes which did not possess any worthy of the Blessed Sacrament, the -object of her special devotion. - -Doña Magdalena had ordered her accountant, Luis de Valverde, an -honourable old man, to ascertain the wants of the poor of Villagarcia, -and to give each one a paper signed by him, setting out what in his -opinion was lacking to the bearer. - -The poor brought the papers at a special time to Doña Magdalena, which -was very early in the morning, not to interfere with their work. She -religiously paid them, adding to the alms the balsam of compassion, good -advice and respect for misfortune. This was Doña Magdalena's hour of -recreation, and she had also chosen it to instil in Jeromín charity and -respect towards the poor, which after the fear of God is the first duty -of the great and powerful. - -This lady got up at sunrise at all times, and at once went to Jeromín's -room to wake and dress him. They heard the mass read by García de -Morales, and then Jeromín was dispatched to await in the cloisters the -arrival of the poor people. He made them sit on two stone benches which -ran along the lower cloisters, giving preference to the old and infirm, -and then went to tell his aunt, for by this name, according to Quijada's -wish, the child began to call Doña Magdalena. "Aunt! There are such a -lot of poor," he used to announce. - -Then she would come down with two big purses, one filled with silver -reales for the poor who were proud and had Valverde's papers, the other -one with pence for the ordinary poor who had no papers, to whom she -always gave 20 maravedises and upwards. Doña Magdalena collected the -papers, and Jeromín gave the money, very respectfully, kissing it first, -cap in hand. - -One day, however, there came among the poor a very dirty old man from -Tordehumos; it disgusted Jeromín to touch his hand, so he let the money -fall, as if by accident, and the old man had to pick it up. But Doña -Magdalena, guessing the reason, stooped down and picked it up herself, -and gave it to the old man, first kissing the dirty hand. Jeromín -flushed up to the roots of his hair, and full of shame went on with his -task. - -Three days afterwards the same old man came again. Jeromín turned -crimson on seeing him, intentionally dropped the money, stooped and -picked it up, and kneeling humbly down, kissed first the money and then -the hand of the old man. - -Thus the child profited by and understood the lessons given him, and -grew and flourished amid the love and blessings of everyone in the -castle. There was only one thing which drew on him scoldings from D. -Guillén Prieto and severe remarks from Doña Magdalena—his studies. He -could read Spanish fluently, write well in a running hand, and began to -stammer in French, which by the express order of Quijada was taught him -by a Fleming, who had come to Villagarcia for the purpose, but Latin -with its "ibus" and "orum," and Greek with its horrible letters like -flies' legs, were uphill work to the boy, which nothing save the wish to -please Doña Magdalena and to earn her approbation would have made him -undertake. But the boy had made a complete conquest of Juan Galarza. No -one, according to him, had a better eye, a steadier hand, or was more -quick and agile, or more daring and brave, and at the same time more -calm, "and when he got astride either the pony or the Roman mule of my -lord D. Álvaro, God rest his soul," wrote the squire to Fr. Domingo de -Ulloa, "a devil seems to enter him and make him more merry and active -and a greater romp than ever." - -And Doña Magdalena said with deep conviction, "Let him grow up and he -will be another Luis Quijada, my lord." - -Periodically she wrote about these things to Quijada, who passed them on -to a mysterious person, whom we shall often meet in the course of this -history. - -"The person who is in my charge," she wrote about then, "is in good -health and to my mind is growing and is a good size for his age. He gets -on with his lessons with much difficulty, and he does nothing with so -much dislike. He is also learning French, and the few words he knows he -pronounces well, though to know it as he should will take more time and -practice. What he likes best is to go on horseback riding either with a -saddle or bareback, and you will see that he seems as if he would use a -lance well, though his strength does not help him yet." - -This news must have proved to Luis Quijada and his mysterious -correspondent that Jeromín's tastes were not those of a cleric, as his -unknown father and Quijada desired they should be. Doña Magdalena had -seen it from the first moment with her usual perspicuity. On his arrival -at Villagarcia both she and her brother, Fr. Domingo de Ulloa, wished -that she should show the boy the castle and its treasures, so as to be -able to judge his character from his first impressions. Nothing caused -the boy wonder or even surprise. Not the rich Flemish tapestries with -which some of the halls were hung, or the sumptuous beds with their -columns and canopies; not the plate which shone everywhere, or the -embroidered ornaments in the oratory, purposely displayed before his -gaze, or the cast-iron stove which had come from Flanders to warm Doña -Magdalena's parlour, and which was something then unknown in Spain, and -so much prized that it was afterwards taken to Yuste, so that the -Emperor himself might make use of it. - -The boy looked at everything with the simple indifference of one who has -grown up among similar objects, and with high-bred ease that pleased as -much as it astonished. - -But when he came to the armoury and saw the heavy iron armour, the -lances four times as tall as himself, the trophies of shining cuirasses, -swords, and shields, the sight of these dread weapons filled him with -enthusiasm. He ran about looking at all the details, and at each step -stretched out his little hand to touch these wonders, and then drew it -back as if he was afraid of hurting them. - -Till at last admiration overcoming everything, he stopped before a small -suit of very beautiful armour, that Quijada had brought from Italy, -which was lying on the ground waiting to be cleaned, and he asked Doña -Magdalena's leave to touch it, with all a child's shyness. The lady -gladly gave him permission, and with trembling respect, as if he was -handling something sacred, he fingered the armour all over, examining -the joints, working the visor up and down, and ending by putting his -fist into the cuirass. This made a metallic sound, and Jeromín lifted -his radiant face towards his protectors with a smile on his lips, and a -look in his eyes that showed his character. - -The lady, half smiling and half astonished, said to her brother, "Luis -Quijada, my lord, will be annoyed. We have here a little soldier and no -monk." - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -Jeromín had a great fright on the morning of the 28th of August, 1556. -He was doing his lessons with D. Guillén Prieto, when Doña Elizabeth de -Alderete, first lady-in-waiting, appeared suddenly to tell him from Doña -Magdalena to come to the parlour. - -She considered his lesson time so sacred, and it was so extraordinary -that she should send for him during this hour, that the boy, frightened, -began hastily to examine himself to see what faults of commission or -omission he could have been accused of. Then he saw a courier covered -with dust passing through the cloister. He began to imagine that the -strange power which governed him and took him from one place to another -was claiming him once more, and was going to separate him from Doña -Magdalena, which made the child so miserable that he arrived in the -presence of the lady very crestfallen, and with eyes full of tears. - -Doña Magdalena was standing, an open letter in her hand, and joy in her -face, so that, with the discernment of a much-loved child, Jeromín was -comforted at once. "My aunt would not look so happy if they were going -to take me away," he said to himself. She came to meet him, holding out -her arms. - -"Come here, Jeromín, give me a kiss as a reward for good news," and she -gave him one on the forehead with all the tenderness of a mother, and -then added joyfully, "You shall be the first to know, Jeromín, that in -three days Luis Quijada, my lord, will be here." Everyone present, -duennas and maids, exclaimed with delight, and pleased with these -demonstrations, Doña Magdalena, more beside herself with joy than -Jeromín had ever seen her, then said, "And now, Jeromín, amuse yourself -all day and go with Juan Galarza wherever you please." - -Meanwhile the news, carried by the courier, had run through the castle -and village with many added details. The abdication of the Emperor was -already a fact, and despoiled of all his power Charles V had embarked at -Flushing for Spain, in order to shut himself up for the rest of his days -in the convent of Yuste. For this purpose the Emperor was sending -forward his steward Quijada, from whom he was inseparable, that he might -await Charles's arrival in Laredo, after having spent a few weeks in the -bosom of his family. - -This news convulsed the castle, village, and most of all Jeromín, who -had not a moment's peace during those three days, or passed a night -without dreaming of the noble figure of Quijada, whom he only knew by -hearsay, and imagined to be something gigantic. - -It was a great race, that of Quijada, four centuries of honour sustained -from generation to generation on the field of battle, and the present -one had not spilled their blood less gloriously. Luis's eldest brother, -Pedro, had been shot at the Emperor's side in Tunis. Juan, the youngest, -had died at Teruanne fighting for Castille, and Luis, the only one left, -had been wounded in the Goletta. He was the hero of Hesdin and the -inseparable companion of the Emperor in Africa, Flanders, Germany and -Italy, serving him loyally for thirty-five years. It pleased the boy to -conjure up this pair, formidable by their deeds, dazzling in their -glory, as Juan Galarza had so often described them to him in the battle -of Landresies, where the squire also fought. The Emperor gave Luis -Quijada his banner, and putting on his helmet said to the squadron of -the Court, that the day had come and that they must fight like -honourable gentlemen, and that if they saw him or his standard carried -by Quijada fall, they were to raise the flag before raising him. There -was no doubt about it: two great principles were taking hold of Jeromín -without his knowing it. God and the helpless, as Doña Magdalena felt and -taught. The Emperor, the King, authority and justice came from heaven -and were sisters, as their servant Quijada proclaimed! - -And then the poor child became miserable and wrung his little hands—why? -Because in three days he would see the glorious leader without having -done anything for his God or his King. - -Hearing him groaning and restless Doña Magdalena, who was also -sleepless, ran to his help, thinking him ill; and when with childish -confidence he told her his trouble, the noble dame could not do -otherwise than laugh and be astonished at the same time. - -All the neighbours in Villagarcia went to meet their lord half a league -beyond the village, the men with arquebuses to fire a salute, the women -in their best clothes and the children in two rows to sing the hymn of -the Quijadas, according to ancient custom. Some of the neighbouring -gentlemen, who were relations, went on horseback to Rioseco, where the -last stage began, and all the clergy of the place went with uplifted -cross as far as the hermitage of St. Lazarus, according to the privilege -of the noble house of the Quijadas. - -Night was already drawing in when the horn of the watchman, posted on -the tower of homage, announced that the suite was approaching. They -could hear the salvos and the voices of the girls and boys singing: - - Los Quixadas son nombrados - De valientes y muy fieles; - Azules y plateados - Sin quenta, mas bien contados - Traen por armas jaqueles.[1] - -Footnote 1: - - The Quixadas are called - Brave and very loyal; - Blazons - Without number and much esteemed - They carry for arms. - -The bells of St. Pedro and St. Boil and the small bell of St. Lazarus -all began to ring joyfully, and the clergy hastened to the hermitage to -give the cross to be kissed by the lord of the place and the patron of -the church. - -Luis Quijada came, riding a powerful mule, his thin tabard of taffeta -soiled by the dust of the journey, and wearing a head-dress of -unbleached linen on account of the heat. He was more than fifty, tall, -powerful, and spare, sunburnt until he seemed sallow, with a thick black -beard, his look intelligent but hard, his head bald beyond his years -from the continual friction of his helmet. Bending over his saddle he -kissed the cross of the parish with his head uncovered, and answered the -responses in correct Latin, trying to soften his naturally rough, harsh -voice; and putting his mule at a walk he rode, surrounded by the whole -village, followed by the gentlemen and men-at-arms and more than twenty -mules with baggage and provisions. - -He got off at the gate of the castle, for on the threshold Doña -Magdalena and all the household were awaiting him, in front of her -Jeromín in his best clothes, holding a tray covered with a rich cloth -with the keys of the castle, which he was to present to the master on -bended knee when he alighted. - -There was a moment of expectant curiosity; those present were breathless -and silent from the lady to the lowest villein of Villagarcia. The -suspicion that Jeromín was Luis Quijada's son had spread through the -castle, and had rooted itself in the village as a certainty, and all -wished to see the meeting of father and son, which they thought would be -dramatic. - -Whether Quijada had come prepared, or whether it was really a -spontaneous impulse, he sprang lightly off the mule, and without taking -the keys or looking at Jeromín, went straight up to Doña Magdalena and -embraced her tenderly with much joy and signs of affection. - -Everyone shouted, the artillery of the castle burst forth with salvos -which made the old walls echo and shake; fireworks whizzed through the -air, and from the cloister minstrels, who had come there on purpose, -saluted the arrival of the master with trumpets, drums, and other -instruments accompanying the hymn of the Quijadas: - -[Illustration: - - LUIS QUIJADA, LORD OF VILLAGARCIA - - _In possession of the Conde de Santa Coloma_ -] - - De la casa de Roland - Que es casa de gran substancia - Con gran trabajo y afan - Vino un muy gentil galan - Á Castilla de su Francia.[2] - -Footnote 2: - - From the house of Roland - Which is a very important house - With great labour and trouble - Came a very fine gallant - To Castille from his France. - -The coming of the lord of Villagarcia did not alter Jeromín's position -in the castle. Quijada treated him with the same affection and prudent -precautions as Doña Magdalena did, and never lost an opportunity of -studying Jeromín's nature and the springs of his character, and those -impulses of manliness and energy which are the base of real valour. - -One day when Quijada was in the armoury cleaning a gun and Jeromín at -his side giving him the pieces, he said suddenly, "Jeromín, would you be -capable of shooting off a gun?" and the boy answered him with perfect -confidence, "I should be ready to shoot off a gun or to receive a shot." - -The answer pleased Quijada, who from that time gave him leave to remain -covered in his presence, and gave him a little sword, more a childish -toy than an arm of defence. - -But very shortly Jeromín covered himself with still greater glory, -according to the detailed account of the licenciado Porreño. On the -occasion of a bull-fight in Villandrando, a very fierce bull charged the -barrier and put everyone to flight except Jeromín, who, sheltered by the -woodwork, faced the animal and tried to wound it with his little sword -in the head, making the bull go back to the arena, to the astonishment -of everyone, who did not attribute the deed to mad daring, but rather to -bravery or a real miracle. - -On which, says Porreño, "The ladies at the windows of the bull-ring sang -his praises and the whole crowd applauded the courage and daring of the -lad, who had firmly withstood this savage animal, and congratulated Luis -Quijada on the bravery, which under an humble garb his protégé showed, -judging that beneath the sackcloth there was the...." - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - -At three o'clock in the morning of the 2nd of October, 1556, a horseman -arrived at Villagarcia by road from Valladolid, and knocked furiously on -the door of the castle. The night watchman hastened at the noise from -the top of the wall, and asked who went there. - -"Praised be God," said the person below. - -"And the Virgin, Our Lady," replied he on the wall. - -Cap in hand, the horseman then added pompously, "A letter from Her -Highness the very Serene Princess Governess." - -This naturally made a stir throughout the castle. Luis Quijada himself -came out to meet the messenger, half dressed, with his spectacles in his -hand. He read the Princess's letter and then handed it to Doña Magdalena -gloomily, for he was one of those people who are all self-sacrifice and -abnegation in their acts, but grumbling and cross in their words. This -is what the letter said: - - "THE PRINCESS. - - Luis Méndez Quijada, Steward to the Emperor my Lord, - this morning I have received tidings that the Emperor, my Lord, - and the Very Serene Queens, my aunts, arrived last Monday, the - eve of St. Michael, at Laredo, and that H.M. disembarked that - day, and they on the following one, and that they are well, for - which much thanks to Our Lord, and were received with due - pleasure and contentment. And as you are wanted for the journey, - and as it is convenient to know where to lodge them in this - town, I pray you that as soon as you receive this you will start - and go at once to H.M. by post, and that when you are arrived - you will give an account of the two apartments which we had - arranged and let me know, with all diligence, which one H.M. - would prefer, and that you will say whether any stoves shall be - put in them or other things, so that it may be done ready for - his arrival. - - "Also I beg you that you will ascertain from H.M. if he wishes - that foot and horse guards should be sent for his escort or that - of the Very Serene Queens, my aunts. If it will be necessary for - any Grandees or knights to come as escort. Also if he wishes - that there should be any reception in Burgos or here for H.M. or - the Queens, my aunts, and of what kind. - - "If he wishes the Prince, my nephew, to go to meet them on the - road, and where. If he would like me to do the same, or the - councillors who are here. That you may advise me with all - diligence, particularly as to his wish in everything. - - "Also that you should undertake the charge, which I give you, of - seeing that His Majesty is well provided on the road with - everything necessary, and also the Very Serene Queens, my aunts, - and to see that the taxes are well collected, advising the - Alcalde Durango what it appears to you necessary for him to - provide, that nothing be lacking, and me here what it is - convenient to provide for him, in doing which you will please me - much. From Valladolid, 1st of October, 1556. - - "THE PRINCESS." - -Doña Magdalena returned the letter, after reading it, to Quijada, saying -sadly that he would be obliged to set out that afternoon or the next day -at latest, to which Quijada answered irritably that he saw no need to -wait until the afternoon when on the Emperor's service, and that he -would start at once. And he gave his orders so quickly, and so -expeditious was everyone in executing them, that two hours later, at -five in the morning, Quijada and his people were all ready to set out. -Jeromín came to kiss his hand with eyes full of tears; but shaking him -roughly by the shoulders Quijada told him "to keep those tears for when -he confessed his sins, that only at the feet of a confessor it became -men to cry." Ashamed, the boy swallowed his tears, and then Quijada, -thinking that he had been over-severe, gave him his hand to be kissed, -making the sign of the cross on his forehead, and promised him the suit -of Milanese armour the first time he should break a lance in public. - -Luis Quijada made the journey from Villagarcia to Laredo in three days -and a half, according to the letter he wrote himself to the Princess's -secretary, Juan Vázguez, on the 6th of October. - - "Illustrious Sir, - - I arrived here from Villagarcia in three days and a half, with - great difficulty, as I could not find posts or animals to hire." - And further, he adds, "Nothing more occurs to me to say except - that it does nothing but rain, that the roads are bad, and the - lodgings worse. God keep us; we shall have work, but not so much - as I have gone through this journey. I tell your Honour the - truth, I have never passed through worse or greater dangers, - because I could already see myself knocking off the tops of - thirty peaks, as a mule fell with me across a wide gap, and if - it had been to the left, I should have had a still worse fall. - From Bilbao, 6th of October, 1556, sent from Laredo.— - - LUIS QUIJADA." - -Luis Quijada then met those three august ruins the Emperor and his two -sisters, the widowed Queens of Hungary and France, in Laredo, who, -despoiled of everything, and weary of acting great parts in the world's -drama, were come to die in the peace of the Lord, each one in a -different corner of Spain. - -The eldest of the three was Queen Elinor, widow by a first marriage of -D. Manuel the Fortunate of Portugal and by a second of the magnificent -Francis I of France. Doña Elinor was fifty-eight, but more than years, -troubles, anxieties and the dreadful asthma she suffered from had aged -her, so that no one would have recognised in this sad, bent old woman -the former brilliant Queen of Portugal and France. But neither age, nor -illness, nor her many and bitter disappointments had been able to alter -the serenity of her character or her goodness, which made D. Luis de -Ávila and Zúñiga say in a letter written to the secretary, Juan Vázguez, -"She was really an innocent saint, and I think she had no more malice -than an old dove." - -The Queen of Hungary, on the other hand, was masculine and decided. As -quick to see as she was prudent and energetic to execute. Her brother -loved her beyond everything, and Doña Maria repaid his fraternal -affection with interest, and was always his greatest admirer, upholding -his policy with great ability. Her energy and talent got him out of -grave difficulties and real troubles during the twenty-five years this -great Princess was Regent of Flanders. At the time of her return to -Spain she was fifty-two, but had no signs of age except grey hair, and -in spite of her years, and the heart disease from which she suffered, -would have performed the journey on horseback by the side of her -brother's litter if the weakness of the Queen of France had not kept her -at her sister's side. Doña Elinor, recognising the affection and -superiority of her sister, always sought advice and help from her, which -Doña Maria gave, as the most loving mother might to the most trusting -daughter. The sisters were also physically a contrast. At that time Doña -Elinor was a little, short, dried-up old woman, with very white hair and -such a peaceful, sweet face that she attracted by this imposing but -gentle majesty, which was placed in relief by virtue of her rank. - -Doña Maria was tall for a woman, with a good figure and extremely -stately, though not in the same way as her sister, but with that other -majesty which stamps the fact of superiority by merit, rather than that -of superiority by birth. Neither of the Queens dressed in Spanish -fashion, but richly and plainly in the Flemish style, with double skirts -caught up, and severe coif of black velvet, linen collars, and black -veils which covered them from head to foot. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Lacoste_ - - EMPEROR CHARLES V. CHARLES I OF SPAIN - - _By Titian. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -Between these ruins came that of the no less august and worn-out -majesty, the invincible Emperor, vanquished only by years, wars, worries -and his gluttony, for this really great man who had controlled two -worlds could never control his own excessive appetite, and this had -overcome him, crippling his hands and paralysing his knees. His wide -forehead was bald, and his under-lip, already a characteristic of this -great race and still distinguishing it, fell more than ever. On the 6th -of October the Emperor set out from Laredo after dinner, and in one -march reached Ampuero, where he made the first halt. The road did not -permit all the suite to travel together, and they were divided in this -way. First went the Alcalde Durango with fifty alguaciles with wands, -and behind came the litter of the Emperor with Quijada at his side; it -looked more like the procession of a prisoner than the escort of the -greatest monarch on earth. As a matter of precaution there was also a -sedan-chair in which they could place His Majesty in difficult places, -and behind came valets and several mules with the things indispensable -to the Emperor wherever he was. - -At the distance of one march followed the litters of the Queens and -their ladies, some of whom went on horseback; also sedan-chairs in case -of necessity, and a mule and a horse saddled for the Queen of Hungary, -who liked to ride occasionally. The third group consisted of the rest of -the suite of the Emperor and the Queens and more than a hundred mules -laden with baggage. - -This modest escort was Quijada's despair, as only five alguaciles -guarded the Emperor like a prisoner, and he had several discussions on -this point, giving his opinion with his usual peevish frankness. The -Emperor sent him to the devil, as was his custom, and Quijada, annoyed -and in a bad temper, was silent till the next opportunity. - -The Constable of Castille and D. Francisco Baamonde came out to meet -them at Burgos, and accompanied them to Valladolid with a very brilliant -guard. At Cabezón, two leagues from Valladolid, the Emperor met Prince -Carlos; his grandson went to greet him with some gentlemen of his -household. The Emperor did not know this unfortunate Prince, who was -afterwards so tragically celebrated, and was very pleased to see him. D. -Carlos was then eleven, and as the day was rather cold had put on a very -richly lined doublet, which, according to a letter from Francisco Osorio -to Philip II, suited him very well, and His Highness looked a -"foreigner." The bravery of his attire, however, could not hide the -Prince's feeble frame, or the notable disproportion of his head to the -rest of his body. His grandfather and the two Queens gave him their -hands to kiss, which the Prince did very politely and respectfully. But -the first moment of shyness passed, the boy returned to his usual -restlessness and self-will, and began to make a noise and upset the room -with very little respect for those great personages. And seeing a -portable stove, which served to warm the Emperor's room during the -journey, a thing then unknown in Spain, he asked his grandfather to give -it to him. This was refused, and, the child still persisting, the -Emperor, almost angry, said sternly, "Be silent, D. Carlos. After my -death you will have time to enjoy it." It did not please the Prince that -the Emperor and the two Queens talked French among themselves, as they -usually did, as he could not understand this language, which drew down -upon him another reproof from his grandfather, who told him very -severely that his was the fault for having taken so little pains to -learn it. - -Meanwhile the good Queen Elinor begged her brother to tell the child -something of his campaigns; this the Emperor gladly did, and the Prince -listened with great attention. But when he referred to his flight from -Innspruck before the Elector Maurice, the Prince interrupted him -abruptly and disrespectfully, saying that he should not have run away. -The grandfather laughed at his grandson's outburst, and explained that -want of money, finding himself alone, and the state of his health had -obliged him to make this flight. - -"It does not matter. You ought not to have run away." His persistence -amused the Emperor, who went on arguing, "But if your own pages wished -to seize you and you were alone among them, you would have to run away -to escape from them." "No," said the Prince proudly and with anger, "I -should never run away." The Emperor laughed at this haughty persistence, -which pleased him, but he was not altogether very well satisfied with -the heir to the throne, as he said to his sister, the Queen of France. - -"He seems very noisy, and his manner and temper please me little. One -does not know what may become of such a hot-tempered youth." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - -Luis Quijada hoped that, once established at Yuste, the Emperor would -allow him to return to his castle of Villagarcia and rest by the side of -Doña Magdalena. The Emperor, however, thought otherwise, and all his -generosity consisted in giving Quijada a few days' leave two months -after his arrival, in April, 1557. - -The Emperor set out from Valladolid on the 4th of November, 1556, at -half-past three in the afternoon, after having dined in public, and -forbidding absolutely that anyone besides his servants should take leave -of him beyond the Puerta del Campo. In this second march he took an -escort of cavalry and forty halberdiers. The first stop was at Medina -del Campo, in the house of a celebrated money-lender named Rodrigo de -Dueñas, who, like all those who unexpectedly become rich, was vain and -ostentatious and wished to make a parade of his wealth, putting in the -Emperor's room a brazier of massive gold, and instead of ordinary fuel -fine cinnamon from Ceylon. This show, however, displeased the Emperor, -and the smell of the cinnamon affected his throat, so he ordered the -brazier to be taken away, and the money-lender to be paid for his -hospitality, to humble his ostentatious, vulgar vanity. Another five -marches brought them to Tornavacas on the 11th of November. Tornavacas -is on the side of the range which bounds the Vera of Plasencia. From -here it is only one march to Jarandilla, the next halt, but it was a -very troublesome one, as a horrible defile, called the Black Pass, had -to be traversed, which had no real road, only a track across torrents, -by precipices, and through dark chestnut woods which covered the steep -sides of the mountain. - -The Emperor decided to follow this shorter but more difficult route, and -left early on the 12th, preceded by many peasants with pikes and staves -to make the way practicable. In front went the Emperor, sometimes in his -litter, at others in his sedan-chair, or carried on men's shoulders, -according to the state of the road. At his side walked Quijada, a pike -in his hand, directing the march. Thus they went for three leagues. - -The rest of the suite came behind without order and only careful not to -leave their bones among the precipices. On arriving at the top of the -Puerta the view of the beautiful Vera de Plasencia stretched before the -gaze of the Emperor, and far away at the end of the valley on a little -hillock, surrounded by orange and lemon trees, was the monastery of -Yuste, which was to be his sepulchre. He looked on it for a time in -silence, and then, turning round towards the Puerta, through which he -had just come, said solemnly and sadly to Quijada, "I shall never go -through another pass in my life except that of death." - -The Emperor lodged in Jarandilla, in the castle of the Conde de Oropesa, -D. Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, and stayed there three months, waiting -until his rooms at Yuste were ready for him, and for money to pay the -servants who had accompanied him so far, and who were not to follow him -to the monastery. They amounted to about ninety, counting among them -Italians, Burgundians, and Flemings. At last the Emperor definitely set -out for Yuste, on the 3rd of February, 1557. At the door of his room he -took leave of his servants, amid their tears, and with no little emotion -on his part. After that everything was as silent and solemn as a -funeral. Punctually at three o'clock he got into his litter, accompanied -by the Conde de Oropesa riding on his right, Quijada on his left, and -the Lord Chamberlain La Chaux behind. - -The litter passed between two lines of halberdiers formed up at the -gates of the castle, and no sooner had it passed than the guards threw -down their halberds sorrowfully, as if they no longer wished to use -these arms, after having done so in the service of so great an Emperor. -The afternoon was rather foggy and the country dreary, and there was -much that was impressive and funereal in the passing of this modest -procession, which crossed the valley in silence and wound slowly up the -hill on which the monastery stands. The litter stopped at the door of -the church, among some orange trees, and the Emperor got out; they put -him like a corpse into a chair and carried him up the steps of the High -Altar. The Conde de Oropesa on his right, Luis Quijada on his left. The -Prior, Fr. Martin de Angulo, then intoned the Te Deum. "The bells were -overwhelmed and seemed to make more noise than usual," says the -ingenuous account of the anonymous monk of Yuste. - -The Emperor did not live at Yuste like a simple monk, as so many -historians have averred. His household consisted of more than fifty -persons, without counting the fifty-three friars who in various ways -were connected with his service, and were selected with great care and -sent to Yuste from the other convents of the Order. His house was large -and comfortable, though not sumptuous, as can still be seen, for, thanks -to its proprietors, the Marqueses de Mirabel, it remains intact. On one -side it joined the church, the other three looked on the brothers' shady -garden, which had been given up to the Emperor. The building consisted -of eight big, square rooms, four on the ground-floor for summer, and -four above for winter, which were those that the Emperor used. On each -floor, from east to west, went galleries, the lower one running round -both ends of the garden, the upper one leading to two large terraces, -planted with flowers, oranges and lemons, and embellished with beautiful -fountains, where, as in a stew-pond, were magnificent trout. - -The rooms were hung with twenty-four pieces of Flemish tapestry, -representing landscapes and scenes with animals. The study, or room, -where the Emperor received was in the deepest mourning. At the time it -was fitted up he was wearing mourning for his mother Queen Juana, so it -was put up and so it still remains. It was hung with long black cloths -and floating curtains and had a canopy and six big chairs of black -velvet; twelve chairs of walnut and artistically worked leather, and six -benches, which opened and shut, lined with black cloth. In the centre -and almost under the canopy was a large table with a black velvet cover -and an enormous arm-chair of a particular shape, with six very soft -cushions and wheels to move it about, where the Emperor sat. - -The bedroom had two beds, a big one and a little one, and a window in -front which was also a door, and opened on to the same level as the High -Altar of the church. Through it the Emperor heard mass from his bed when -he did not get up, and through it the brothers came to give him the Pax -and the Holy Communion when he received it, which he frequently did. - -He had also brought some family portraits with him and some of his -favourite painter Titian's wonderful pictures, rich jewels, and curious -clocks by Giovanni Torriano, who was called Juanelo, and abundant plate -for the use of his chapel, himself, and his table, little enough, -however, for one who had exchanged the kingdom of two worlds for this -corner. - -The valets, barbers, cooks, bakers, and clock-makers, Juanelo and his -assistant Valín, lived in a different part of the cloisters from that -inhabited by the monks. The doctor Mathys, the apothecary Overstraeten, -and the brewer Dugsen lodged in the hospice of the convent, while the -secretary Martin Gastelu, the keeper of the wardrobe Morón, and Luis -Quijada were boarded in the best houses of the village of Cuacos, whence -they came each day to the monastery. - -Having arranged all this difficult installation, Quijada waited -patiently for the Emperor to grant him permission to retire, as he had -already done to the Lord Chamberlain La Chaux. But the Emperor gave no -sign, and the days and weeks and months passed and Quijada poured out -his ill-temper in letters to the secretary Juan Vázquez, above all when -he had to wait on the illustrious personages who came to visit the -Emperor at Yuste and lodge them in his house at Cuacos. But all the same -he did not cease to care for the Emperor with the love and watchfulness -of a mother for a spoilt child, or to aid him at all times with the -light of his good sense and great prudence in those important affairs in -which the Emperor took part even after his retirement to Yuste, with his -observations, his counsel, and not seldom with his orders. - -But at last the Emperor made up his mind, and on the 28th of March he -told Quijada that he might go to Villagarcia, if such were his pleasure, -and there await orders. Quijada gladly promised this, and on the same -day adds this postscript to his letter to Juan Vázguez: "His Majesty has -been very good. He has ordered me, of his own freewill, to go home, and -says that he will tell me what to do. I assure your Honour that I shall -not return to Estramadura to eat asparagus and truffles." - -Quijada stopped in Valladolid to execute important commands of the -Emperor's for the Princess Governess Juana, and from there he wrote on -the 8th of April to his mysterious correspondent to whom alone he wrote -about Jeromín's affairs: - -"It seems to H.M. that as to the service of his person and house, -everything is in order and as it should be, and it is his pleasure to -send me to my house, as I have been there so little since he came, and -for many reasons my presence there is necessary." - -He found nothing changed in Villagarcia, Doña Magdalena was still the -model of all virtues and the helper of the poor, and Jeromín the joy of -the castle and the sun which shed light and movement and happiness -around him. An extraordinary event occurred at this time to strengthen -more and more the belief that Jeromín was Quijada's son and to expel the -bitter suspicion, on the contrary, from the noble heart of Doña -Magdalena. One night, while all slept, a severe fire broke out in the -castle, which spread to the rooms of Doña Magdalena and Jeromín, which, -as we have said, were contiguous. Quijada saw the great danger they both -ran, and without hesitation dashed first to save the child and then -afterwards Doña Magdalena. - -All saw in this the love of the father triumphing over that of the -husband; but Doña Magdalena, knowing how she was loved by him, saw the -noble nature of Quijada overcoming this immense love, and thought how -great must be the honour which Jeromín's custody conferred on Quijada, -that he should sacrifice to it what was dearest to him in the -world—namely herself. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - -The selfishness of the Emperor could not long bear the absence of -Quijada, and a messenger was sent to Villagarcia on the 10th of August, -1557, ordering him to return to Yuste. Quijada did not suspect the plot -which the whole of the diminished Court had made against him, with the -Emperor at its head. On the 17th of August the secretary Gastelu, who -much esteemed Quijada, wrote with much mystery from Cuacos to the -Secretary of State, Juan Vázguez, "If Luis Quijada comes here and there -is anything that you can do for him, will you do all you can to carry -out all his wishes, for I can assure you that he well deserves it, and -it is politic to gratify him now that it is a question of his staying -here and bringing his wife—but this for yourself." - -On the 23rd of August Quijada arrived at Yuste, and the next day, -directly after dinner, the Emperor himself opened the subject, by asking -him plainly to stay altogether with him, and to bring Doña Magdalena and -all his household to Cuacos. The proposal frightened Quijada, and -thinking, perhaps, first about Jeromín, and then of the various pros and -cons, he could give no answer. This same day, the 24th, by order of the -Emperor, Gastelu wrote to the secretary Vázguez, "Illustrious Sir, the -Emperor put before Señor Luis Quijada, just after dinner to-day, the -reasons for not leaving his service. Up till now he (Quijada) has not -settled to stay by reason of the many difficulties in the way, not being -able to do so alone, and the greater ones of bringing his wife here, and -it being so necessary to be in her company. Things being so (the -Emperor) has ordered me to write to your Honour that you should inform -him what is given to D. Garcia de Toledo, as he is steward to the Lady -Princess and also was so to the Serene Queen of Bohemia, when she was in -those kingdoms, and also to the King, our Lord, and to the Marqués de -Denia, who was so to the Queen, our Lady, that informed about -everything, he may see what is just to do, and you may tell him your -Honour's opinion, and that secretly, without anyone understanding what -he wants to know, and that the answer should come at the first -opportunity, because time presses; meanwhile the affair will be brought -to an end, although I find some difficulty in doing so." - -Six days later, on August 31st, Gastelu wrote again to the Secretary of -State Juan Vázguez, "The Lord Luis Quijada, after much talk over his -going or staying, has settled, in spite of all the difficulties of -bringing his wife and of her staying here, to conform to the will of -H.M. and to please him and to stay here, as he has probably written to -your Honour; and the emolument which he (the Emperor) has to give, waits -the answer of what I wrote to your Honour by the said post. His Majesty -is well, and very pleased about Señor Luis Quijada staying. Please God -he and his wife will be so in time." - -And when the note asked for from Juan Vázguez arrived the Emperor -himself wrote to Philip II: - - "Son, on the 8th ult. I wrote last in answer to your letters, - and I have heard that Ruy Gómez received mine in Laredo. Since - then Luis Quijada has arrived here, and I have talked to him - about remaining and bringing his wife; I ordered Gastelu to do - it as if I were there present, and although there were - difficulties in the way he agreed, however, of which I am glad, - as it is a thing I much wished. And desiring afterwards to talk - to him about the salary, he excused himself and left it to me. - And to find out more about this Juan Vázguez was written to, - that he might inform me what had been done as regards other - persons who had served under similar conditions, and he has sent - the report, of which I send you a copy. By it you will see the - result of the enquiry: and as I do not know what Ruy Gómez says - about this, nor has he told me beyond sending me a copy of the - letter which you wrote to him on June 10, in which reference is - made to it, I write to you so that in case he should not have - sailed, he should give you full information and his opinion - about the money aid that should be given (to Quijada); taking - into account that nothing has been given him since his arrival - in this Kingdom, and the expenses he has and those he may have - to incur in bringing his wife and household and establishing - himself in the house at Cuacos; with the order that, if the said - Ruy Gómez has left, the messenger should go on and overtake him, - or go wherever you are, that in view of all that is mentioned - above, you may learn what I should do and thereupon tell me." - -Once it was settled that Quijada should stay in the service of the -Emperor and that Doña Magdalena and Jeromín and all the household should -come to the neighbouring village of Cuacos, prompt as usual he lost no -time in finding the necessary accommodation. For this purpose he bought -two more houses contiguous to the one he occupied, making them into one, -and as comfortable as possible in such a wretched place. When everything -was prepared, he set out for Villagarcia to fetch and accompany Doña -Magdalena and his household on the arduous journey. He wrote from Yuste -to his mysterious correspondent, - - "Since August I have been here without going home. Now H.M. - is willing that I should go and fetch my wife, and that we - should establish ourselves, and although you must understand - what a work it is to live here, I do it, in spite of the - inconveniences, knowing that it is H.M.'s pleasure, so I go - and shall return with the companion you know." As soon as he - had returned from his journey and had established Doña - Magdalena and the "companion" in Cuacos, he hastens to - apprise the mysterious correspondent, sending the news this - time in a prudent "the rest," the innocent Jeromín being all - unconscious of their supervision. "After having done what - you asked in your letter in Valladolid and having found out - everything and how everybody was there, I went home, leaving - again as quickly as possible with Doña Magdalena and 'the - rest,' and arrived here on the 1st inst. (July). We found - the Emperor very well and fatter than when I left, and with - a very good colour and in good spirits." - -Doña Magdalena arrived at Cuacos on the 1st of July, as the preceding -letter relates. The same day the Emperor sent her a courteous letter of -welcome and a substantial present of "cecina," the meat of sheep fed -only on bread, and other victuals with which the larder of Yuste -overflowed, as Kings, Princes, Grandees and prelates disputed for the -honour of supplying it, and each sent the best produce of their estates. - -Jeromín came with delight to Cuacos, with the hope of knowing the -legendary hero of his martial dreams, the Emperor, whom he always -painted to himself as wearing a plumed helmet on his head, his shining -armour crossed by a red sash, riding the Andalusian horse caparisoned -with velvet and gold, as he is painted in his famous Muhlberg picture by -Titian, or as a thousand times Juan Galarza and Luis Quijada, -eye-witnesses, had described him. The boy quite understood that in his -humble position of an unknown child he would not see the Emperor close, -or kiss his hand, or hear his voice, but he counted on seeing him from -afar, and he knew from Quijada that the Emperor walked in the garden and -sometimes even dined in the open air on the terrace of the house. - -However, day followed day, and in spite of all his vigilance Jeromín -never caught a glimpse of the Emperor in the garden or on the terrace. -When at last, one night after supper, Doña Magdalena called him and told -him that his desire was to be more than fulfilled, as the next day he -was to accompany her, as page of honour, to visit the Emperor, it gave -the boy such a shock, and he turned so white, that the lady was -frightened and took him in her arms. Jeromín, throwing his round her -neck, with the affection that he felt for her, told her ingenuously that -the idea of speaking to the Emperor terrified him, and that he should -not know what to answer. - -The Emperor had invited Doña Magdalena to go and see him, and Quijada -had arranged that Jeromín should accompany her as page of honour, taking -a present which Doña Magdalena was to offer. This visit must have taken -place in the early days of July, as Gastelu writes on the 19th to -Vázguez and refers to it as a thing already long past. "Lord Luis -Quijada," he says, "is well, and so is my Lady Doña Magdalena, whom H.M. -was careful to order to visit him, and the other day she went to Yuste -to kiss hands, and he was all kindness." - -We have not been able to ascertain what Doña Magdalena's present was, -but it was probably either gloves or handkerchiefs that were taken the -next day to Yuste on a silver tray covered with embroidered damask. Doña -Magdalena set out at three o'clock in her litter, Jeromín riding beside -her on the little Roman mule which Luis Quijada had inherited from his -brother Álvaro de Mendoza; he was very smart in his new page's dress and -looked like a little painted statuette. - -Behind came Juan Galarza and the other squire mounted on good, strong -mules. They alighted at the door of the church, according to Quijada's -arrangement, and went to the High Altar, where he awaited them. Then he -took them by the glazed door into the Emperor's bedroom; he handed -Jeromín the present on the tray of silver, and the two went into the -Emperor's room, Jeromín following. - -The darkness added to the funereal aspect of the room, as the curtains -had been drawn and the windows closed because of the heat. Jeromín, as -Quijada had ordered him, groped his way to the wall on one side, and -there stood very straight, with the tray in his hand. At first he could -distinguish nothing, except a sort of mountain of black things, a white -spot in the centre, and heavy breathing like that of an asthmatic old -man. The Emperor received Doña Magdalena "con todo favor," as Juan -Vázguez wrote to the secretary Gastelu. She was the only lady he -received in Yuste except the Queens, Doña Elinor and Doña Maria; he sat -up in his chair as much as his swollen knees allowed, and took off his -thin silk cap. He gave his hand to be kissed, and, with all the grace -and gallantry of his youth, then asked Quijada's permission to kiss the -lady's. He ordered an arm-chair to be put near him, as if she had been a -princess of the blood, and also ordered the curtains to be undrawn and -the windows to be opened. - -Then the light streamed in, and Jeromín could see what remained of that -great Emperor, that hero of many battles: a bent old man, with a white -beard, a sunken head, and a tired voice. He was lost in the cushions of -his enormous chair, his legs covered with a rich and light quilt stuffed -with feathers, a present from his daughter Princess Juana. At his side -on a perch a beautiful parrot, and on his knees he had two tiny Indian -kittens, which had been sent him a short time before by his sister Doña -Catalina, the great widowed Queen of Portugal. - -Jeromín remained awestruck before this ruin, till gaining courage he -dared to look at him face to face. But at that moment the Emperor raised -his head, and, as if by accident, his glance fell on the child. Jeromín -shut his eyes and shrank up as if he saw a mountain falling on him. -There was the Emperor, the hero of so many battles—he saw the eagle's -glance which still had genius and glory in it, and which also had, as it -looked on the child, something strange and deep, which was neither stern -nor indifferent, but rather gentle and loving, though mixed with -something which oppressed and terrified Jeromín, without his knowing -why, because it was impossible for his innocent soul to perceive the dim -shadows which remorse sheds on love. - -All this only lasted a moment; Doña Magdalena spoke of her present, and -Quijada ordered the child to approach and offer it. Jeromín did so, -trembling like quicksilver, and knelt before the Emperor, lifting up the -tray to him. The Emperor took what was on the tray with many expressions -of pleasure and thanks, and placed the present on the table. Then he -stretched out his crippled hand for Jeromín to kiss, and laid it for a -moment on the fair head. At a sign from Luis Quijada, Jeromín returned -to his place. - -Meanwhile one of the Emperor's kittens had got away and ran to Jeromín -and began to make friends and scramble up his legs. The Emperor laughed, -and Jeromín, very confused, gently pushed the kitten away with his foot -to make it go back to its place. The Emperor said, "Carry it here." -Jeromín picked up the little animal and presented it to the Emperor on -his knees. - -The Emperor again gave his hand to be kissed, and placed it for a second -time, for a moment, as if in benediction or as a caress, on Jeromín's -head. They left as they had come in. On entering the church Jeromín -pulled Doña Magdalena's skirt, and throwing himself into her arms began -to cry. Astonished, she asked him what was the matter, and putting his -little red mouth close to her ear, he whispered between his sobs, "I do -not know, Lady Aunt, I do not know." Luis Quijada came and saw him -crying, but did not ask the reason or reprove him, this time, for his -tears. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -Jeromín never saw the Emperor near again; though from afar he did so in -the garden, on the terrace, and sometimes in the church. On many of -these occasions the Emperor also saw him, and then the boy felt the -strange, earnest glance fixed upon him. - -Neither did Doña Magdalena go again to visit the Emperor, but she had -daily received signs of his favour, by the visits of authorised persons -or by tactful presents. It was seldom that a day passed without the -Emperor sending her some dish from his table, and no convoy of meat, -preserves, fruit or sweetmeats arrived at Yuste without a substantial -portion being reserved for her, which was sent with messages of the -greatest kindness. These presents were as useful as honourable, since -there was a great scarcity of provisions in Cuacos, and what was -obtainable was not very good. On the 30th of August, 1558, Jeromín saw -the Emperor for the last time. The child was wandering about in the -garden at Yuste with his crossbow and arrows, as he did sometimes by -Quijada's own wish in his play-hours. The day was cold for summer in -that part of the world, and although the glare from the sun was great on -the terraces, the Emperor caused himself to be taken to the west one, -and ordered that dinner should be brought there. Hidden in the orange -grove that was in front of it Jeromín watched him for a long time. - -Luis Quijada and a groom of the chamber named Guillermo Van Male were -serving him, on a little table made on purpose, which fixed on to the -Emperor's chair. Van Male presented the dishes, Quijada carved them, and -four servants brought and took away the courses. D. Mattys was absent; -he should have inspected the viands, but was away in Jarandilla. The -confessor, Fr. Juan de Regla, was standing before the Emperor, austere -and grave as one of Zurbarán's Carthusians, reading as usual a chapter -from St. Bernard. - -The Emperor ate little and without appetite, and then, in spite of the -glare and against the wishes of Quijada, he composed himself there to -take his short siesta. He was awakened by the arrival of Garcilaso de la -Vega, who came from Flanders to treat with the Dowager-Queen of Hungary -to induce her to return to govern the States. The conversation lasted -for more than an hour, and at four o'clock the Emperor blew his golden -whistle, complaining of a severe headache. A change had come over him -and he was shivering. They put him to bed at once, and when the doctor -came back that night from Jarandilla, where the Emperor had sent him to -see the Conde de Oropesa, he was not pleased with the Emperor's looks. -Nor could he have been so himself, as that night he expressed to Quijada -his wish to add a codicil to the will he had made in Brussels on the 8th -of June, 1554. - -This desire did not frighten Quijada, as the Emperor had often expressed -the same wish before; but the continued fever, delirium and collapse did -alarm him, and on the 1st of September he wrote to the Princess Juana, -begging her to send as quickly as possible Queen Maria's old doctor, -Corneille Baersdorp, who was staying with her at Cigales. - -The Emperor felt himself sick unto death, and confessed and communicated -on the 3rd of September, fearing some new and mortal seizure would take -him unawares. Dr. Corneille arrived from Cigales on the 8th, as did also -Garcilaso de la Vega, bringing the welcome news that Queen Maria had -accepted the government of the Flemish States. The Emperor, however, did -not wish to see him until he had signed the codicil, which he did on the -9th. - -He conferred a long time the next day with Garcilaso and the last joy of -his life was knowing that his sister, Doña Maria, had, at last, given in -to what he so much desired. He asked with great interest for the -"Regente" Figueroa, and the Archbishop of Toledo, Fr. Bartolomé de -Carranza, who had come from Flanders with Garcilaso, and was expected at -Yuste. He then learnt that the "Regente" was ill at Medina del Campo, -and that the Archbishop, knowing nothing of the Emperor's illness, had -gone to Cigales to confer, by Philip II's wish, with Queen Maria, and -was coming to Yuste from there. - -This conversation tired the Emperor very much, and it was the last time -that he worried about the things of this world. On the 19th the doctors -found him so much worse that they spoke to Quijada about the necessity -of administering Extreme Unction. Quijada looked angry on hearing this, -as he was one of those men of violent character who always show their -sorrow by becoming cross and disagreeable, and he told them not to leave -off feeling the Emperor's pulse, and to put it off until the last -moment. This last moment seemed to have arrived at nine o'clock that -night, and the steward summoned Fr. Juan de Regla and three other monks -in a great hurry. He went to the Emperor first and said, "Your Majesty -has twice asked for Extreme Unction. If you please, it is here, as your -Majesty has health and sense to receive and enjoy it." The Emperor -replied, "Yes, and let it be at once." The curtains of his bed were then -drawn, and Fr. Juan de Regla gave him Extreme Unction, aided by three of -the principal monks in the convent. The next morning, the 20th, the -dying man somewhat rallied, and at eight o'clock ordered everyone to -leave his room except Luis Quijada. - -He was already almost without strength and was propped up by pillows. On -account of the heat he could only bear a shirt and a thin silk quilt -which covered him to his chest. Sadly Luis Quijada knelt at his pillow, -and the Emperor, in a feeble voice but with all his senses, talked for -half an hour. Here are his exact words as the same Luis Quijada wrote -them to Philip II in his letter of the 30th of September, 1558: - - "Tuesday, before receiving the Holy Sacrament, he called me and - sent away his confessor and the rest, and I kneeling down, he - said, 'Luis Quijada, I see I am ending little by little: for - which I give much thanks to God, because it is His Will. You - will tell the King, my son, to take care of these servants in - general, those that have served me here until death, and that he - should use Gilaone (Guillerno Wykesloot, the barber) as he - wishes, and order that in this house no guests should be allowed - to enter.' What he said about his wishes for me I do not care to - say, being an interested party. Also he wished me to say other - things to Y.M. which I will tell you when God brings me to Y.M. - Please God it may be with the happiness all desire." - -In this last conversation that the Emperor had with Quijada he left a -strange remembrance to Jeromín. He commissioned his steward after his -death to give to the child Jeromín, as his property and for his use, the -old mule which he rode on, the blind pony he had kept, and the little -mule that with the other two animals formed all his stud. - -At midday the Archbishop of Toledo, Fr. Bartolomé de Carranza, arrived -in Yuste, a robust old man with a loud, disagreeable voice, and long, -ill-kept white hair. He rode on a white mule, and was wrapped in a brown -garment over his Dominican habit, and over that wore a crumpled cloak -with a magnificent pectoral cross, a present from Mary Tudor, Queen of -England. His enormous suite followed him to Cuacos, but he came alone to -Yuste with the Dominicans who accompanied him, Fr. Pedro de Sotomayor -and Fr. Diego Jiménez. The Archbishop knelt when he reached the -Emperor's bedside and kissed his hand. The dying man looked at him for a -long time without speaking, and then ordered that a chair should be -given him, and asked for news of the King, his son, whom the Archbishop -had left in Flanders; but after a few words the Emperor interrupted him -abruptly, and ordered him to go and rest in his inn. Charles mistrusted -the Archbishop because the first suspicions had come to his ears of that -heresy which shortly landed the unlucky old man in prison, persecuted by -some, defended by others, and discussed by all, even to our times. - -So the Archbishop went to dine in Luis Quijada's house at Cuacos, where -Doña Magdalena was awaiting him. The grave condition of the Emperor had -made a great sensation in the village; the whole neighbourhood was to be -found in the street, making a cordon from Yuste to the church of the -place, where continual prayer was offered before the Blessed Sacrament. - -Doña Magdalena and Jeromín never rested; since dawn messengers had never -ceased coming from Yuste with news, and since the same hour the noble -lady came and went from the oratory, where she prayed and wept, to the -parlour, where she received the messengers and made preparations for the -arrival of the Archbishop, whom she expected from minute to minute. -Jeromín, nervous and trembling, could not keep still for an instant; at -times he wanted to cry, at others to shut himself up in the oratory with -Doña Magdalena and pray, or to dash off to Yuste, and, if it were by -main force, to reach the Emperor's room and gaze once more on that -pallid face, its snowy beard surrounding it like a fringe of silver. The -boy had never seen death, or heard it alluded to except as happening on -the field of battle, and it seemed to him like killing by treason that -so great an Emperor should die in his bed, and that to annihilate so -glorious an existence, thunder and lightning and stars would be -necessary, that the elements should war together and the whole earth be -convulsed. - -At four o'clock the Archbishop arranged with his suite to return to -Yuste, and then an idea occurred to Jeromín. Without saying a word to -anyone, he saddled the little Roman mule himself and went to the convent -among the Archbishop's following. His presence surprised no one, as he -was thought to be Luis Quijada's page, and without any difficulty he -went to the black hung room next to the chamber where the Emperor lay -dying. He found several monks there, the prelate, Juan de Ávila, the -Conde de Oropesa, D. Francisco de Toledo, his brother, and Diego de -Toledo, uncle to both. - -Luis Quijada hastened to meet the Archbishop and came face to face with -Jeromín. The great heart of the steward seemed to come into his mouth -and even his eyes to moisten when he saw him. With much love and -kindness he came towards the frightened child, and drawing him out of -the room, begged him to go back to Cuacos to the side of Doña Magdalena. -The boy obeyed without a word, hanging his head and casting a look at -the room where his hero was dying. He saw nothing; the black curtains -were drawn, and between them could only be seen the foot of the enormous -bed and, over the crippled limbs, the black silk coverlid. But he could -hear the difficult breathing of the dying man. - -When Jeromín returned, overcome, to Cuacos, he found Doña Magdalena in -the oratory, saying the prayers for the dying, again and again, with her -ladies and servants. He knelt in a corner amongst them, and there -remained for hours and hours. At ten o'clock sleep, that invincible -friend of children, overcame him, and obliged Doña Magdalena to put him, -dressed as he was, in her own bed, promising to wake him at the supreme -moment. The lady sat at the head of the bed leaning against it, inside -the curtains, telling her beads. Jeromín slept uneasily, with a sad -expression on his little white face, heaving deep sighs. Doña Magdalena -looked at him, anxious also and astonished. All at once, for the first -time a strong suspicion crossed her mind; she stopped praying, looking -earnestly at the child, and leant over him as if to kiss his forehead, -and then kissed his little hands. - -At this moment the big bell of Yuste tolled solemnly in the silent -night. Doña Magdalena sat up frightened and stretched out her neck to -listen, with her hands joined. Another bell tolled and then another. -There was no doubt, it was the passing bell. Doña Magdalena hesitated -for a moment, and then gently woke the sleeping child. Clinging to her -neck he asked, terrified, "Is he dead?" "Pray, my son, pray," she -answered. - -And, linked together, they prayed the psalm of the dead, "Out of the -deep I call." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -The grief of Luis Quijada at the death of the Cæsar was so great that -the anonymous monk of Yuste, who was an eyewitness of all these events, -writes as follows: "It happened that the Archbishop having left with the -other lords, as I have said above, to write to the King, our Lord, about -the death of his father, there remained in the room where the body of -the dead Emperor lay, the three men beloved by H.M., the Marqués de -Miraval, Luis Quijada and Martin Gastelbú (Gazletu), who did and said -such things in their sorrow for the death of H.M. that those who did not -know them might have judged them wrongly. They shouted, they cried, they -beat their hands and their heads against the walls, they seemed beside -themselves, and so they were, at seeing their lord die, who had brought -them to such honours, and whom they so tenderly loved; they said much in -praise of Cæsar, referring to his virtues. Such were their cries and -shouts that they woke all the household of H.M., and all behaved in the -same manner, till they were turned out of the room where four monks -remained, who embalmed the body, as I said above." This excess of sorrow -no doubt produced a certain nervous irritation in Luis Quijada, and made -him harder and more severe than ever for a long while, and perhaps also -less prudent. Only as regards Jeromín he seemed just the contrary, not -by his care and vigilance, for they could not have been greater than -before, but by showing the affection and regard which he had kept -hidden. - -For three days very solemn services were celebrated in Yuste, and Luis -Quijada presided over everything, dressed in a cloak of black baize and -a mourning hood which almost completely hid his face. During all these -days Jeromín was at his side, also dressed in a cloak and hood which -only left uncovered those blue eyes which saw and scrutinised -everything. "It certainly astonished us," wrote the nameless monk of -Yuste, "how he had the strength to remain standing so long." - -It happened that on the first day of these services Quijada saw the page -of the Marqués de Miraval bring a chair for his master into the church, -and ordered him to take it out. The page answered that his master was -ill, and that it was necessary for him to take it in. To which Quijada -replied, "Then let him stop outside; I will not allow anyone to be -seated before the Emperor, my Lord, alive or dead." - -Jeromín asked Quijada if he might have the Emperor's parrot and one of -the kittens, the other having died a short time before, and with real -pleasure Luis Quijada brought them to Cuacos and placed them in the -child's care, until they were claimed by Princess Juana, who had been -notified of their existence. And such weight had this august -"Zapirón"[3] with the austere steward that in a letter to the Secretary -of State, Juan Vázguez, he adds this curious postscript, "This letter -was written two days ago, and as I had much to do, and as I wished to -wait till they had all gone, I did not send it. To-day they have -finished taking out all his baggage. Your Honour will forgive the paper -being cut, because the devil of a kitten upset the inkpot on the other -sheet." - -Footnote 3: - - Zapirón is the feline hero of Lope de Vega's "Gatomaquia" - (Translator's note). - -Luis Quijada stayed in Cuacos until the end of November, as it took all -that time to finish the arduous task of arranging the Emperor's house, -making inventories, sending away servants, settling accounts, and paying -debts. Doña Magdalena took this opportunity of going with Jeromín to the -sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadaloupe, which was not far off. While she -was away something happened which surprised and displeased Quijada, -though he had had warning of it a long time back. - -It was that none of the many personages who stayed with him in Cuacos, -or the monks of the convent who often came there, or any of the thousand -people who, for one reason or another, arrived there during the stay of -the Emperor, could fail to notice the attractive little figure of -Jeromín, which had so much native charm, or the strange position that he -occupied in the Quijada household. Many suppositions were formed and -many remarks were made, and so serious were some, and to such exalted -circles did others reach, that one day, when Quijada least expected it, -he received a letter from the Secretary of State, Juan Vázguez, writing -on behalf of Princess Juana, asking him bluntly if it were true that the -Emperor had left a natural son, who had been for years in his care, -because H.M. wished to provide for him, if such were the case. Quijada -was much perturbed at this very important question, and hastened to -answer Juan Vázguez on the 18th of October. "Regarding what your Honour -says about the boy in my charge, it is true that a friend entrusted him -to me years ago, but there is no reason to think that he is H.M.'s son, -as your Honour says has been put about here, for neither in his will, a -copy of which he had and made Gastelu read in his presence to us, his -confessor and me, nor in the codicil which he afterwards made, is there -mention of this, and this being so I do not know what more I can -answer." - -Not content with this, Quijada wrote from Cuacos, as if to put himself -right with his unknown correspondent in Flanders, the only person to -whom he mentioned anything about Jeromín. "Twenty days after the death -of H.M., Juan Vázguez wrote to me from the Very Serene Princess that I -should tell her if it were true that I had in my charge a child, wishing -to make me understand that it was said to be H.M.'s, and that I should -tell her secretly or publicly if it were so, because, if true, she would -endeavour to fulfil any wishes left regarding him. To which I answered -that I had the boy of a gentleman, a friend of mine, who had given him -to me years ago, and that H.M. having mentioned him neither in his will -nor in the codicil, there was reason enough for treating it as nonsense, -and that I did not know what else to answer publicly or privately." - -Juan Vázguez returned to the charge, and the steward, who was already -put out, answered, alluding to the secretary's erroneous idea, in spite -of Quijada's assurance to the contrary, that the Emperor, months before, -was arranging the house of the Archbishop in Alcalá to go there, and to -leave Yuste. "It certainly appears to me that your Honour goes on about -this boy as if it were as certain as that H.M. was arranging the house -in Alcalá so as to go there. Will your Honour ask the agent the value -of, and what I said to him about, a certain annuity that I wish to -purchase for this child?" - -But as Quijada when passing Valladolid on his way to Villagarcia found -on all sides the same rumour, of which Vázguez had sent him the echo, -and was annoyed by direct and indirect questions, he wrote this time -without circumlocution to the unknown Flemish correspondent, who was -none other than His Catholic Majesty, King Philip II: - - "I find all that concerns the person Y.M. knows that I have in - my care, so public here, that I am frightened, and still more so - by the particulars I hear. I am alarmed lest the Very Serene - Princess should press me to tell her what I know, which I am not - at liberty to do. I have decided to be silent and not to answer - more than I did the first time, as I told Y.M. from Yuste. H.H. - is so gracious that up to now she has said no word to me; so I - shall answer no one who asks more than that I am ignorant of - what people say; but I am also aware that the Very Serene - Princess almost certainly knows the truth, from what I hear. But - H.M.'s wish, as you know, was that it should be kept secret - until your coming, and that afterwards what Y.M. commands should - be done. I have made no more demonstration than in the Emperor's - lifetime; but I am very careful that he should learn and be - taught the things necessary for his age and his rank, since it - is very important that every pains should be taken with him - because of the way in which he was brought up before he came - under my charge. So I thought that I had better advise Y.M. of - what was happening and of the Emperor's intentions, so that Y.M. - should understand and say what your wishes are. Also he has had, - these ten days, a very severe double tertian fever; but blessed - be God! when I came yesterday from my house, it had left him and - he was out of danger." - -D. Philip was grateful for this loyalty in Quijada, and answered with -his own hand that the secret should be strictly kept, as the deceased -Emperor had wished, until he himself arrived in Spain, which would be -very shortly; but Quijada was not to be alarmed by the rumours as the -fact was already public in Flanders. To the will that the Emperor had -made in Brussels was added a sealed note with this superscription in his -own writing: "No one is to open this writing but the Prince my son, and -failing him, my grandson D. Carlos; and failing him, he or she who -should be my heir according to my will, when it is opened." - -Inside the envelope was the following declaration, signed by the Emperor -and sealed with his private seal: - - "Besides what is contained in my will, I say and declare, that - while I was in Germany, after I was widowed, I had by an - unmarried woman, a natural son called Jeromín, and my intention - has been and is, for various reasons which lead me to this - decision, that he shall be well guided, that of his free and - spontaneous will he shall take the habit in some community of - reformed friars if he inclines to it without any urging or force - whatever. But if he cannot be thus guided and would rather - follow the secular life, it is my wish and command that he - should be given an income in the usual way each year of from - 20,000 to 30,000 ducats from the Kingdom of Naples, apportioning - to him places and vassals with the said income. All this, the - appointing of the aforesaid and the amount of the income - aforesaid shall be as the Prince, my son, thinks best, to whom I - commend it; and failing him, as it appears best to my grandson, - the Infante D. Carlos, or to the other person who, according to - this my will, should be my heir at the time it is opened. And if - the said Jeromín is not then already placed in the state I - desire, he shall enjoy the said income and places all the days - of his life, and after him his heirs and legitimate successors - and descendants, and whatever calling the said Jeromín shall - embrace, I charge the said Prince, my son, and my grandson and - whoever should be my heir, as I have said, when this my will is - opened, that they shall honour it and cause it to be honoured, - and pay him the respect that is seemly, and that they shall - cause to be kept, fulfilled and executed all that is contained - in this writing. The which I sign with my name and hand, and - close and seal it with my little private seal, and it is to be - kept and put into effect as a clause of my aforesaid will. Done - in Brussels the 6th of June, 1564. Son or grandson, or whoever - at the time that this my will and writing is opened, and - according to it is my heir, if you do not know where Jeromín is, - you may learn it from Adrian, a groom of my chamber, or, in case - of his death, from Oger, the porter of my chamber, in order that - you may act towards him according to the above." - -To this very important declaration was added a duplicate of the writing -signed by Francisco de Massy and Ana de Medina, which had served Carlo -Prevost to reclaim Jeromín at Leganés four years before. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - -Jeromín quickly recovered from his fever, and the happy, peaceful, -regular life flowed on at Villagarcia as before the disturbing interlude -of Yuste and Cuacos. Luis Quijada faithfully kept the Emperor's secret, -according to Philip's commands, and the very existence of Jeromín, once -more shut up behind the walls of Villagarcia, seemed completely -forgotten. - -But there is no accounting for the memory of an inquisitive woman, -however discreet and prudent she may be, and if few outdid the Governess -of Spain, Princess Juana, in virtue, prudence and discretion, few had -more curiosity, or better means of gratifying it at their command. - -As no one had found out from Luis Quijada who Jeromín really was, it -occurred to her that she might obtain the information from Doña -Magdalena, and with this object in view she sent a missive to -Villagarcia about the 15th of May, begging her to come to see the Auto -and to bring the boy she had with her, in the disguise in which he -lived. - -The Auto to which the Princess Juana alluded was the celebrated Auto da -Fe which took place in Valladolid on the 21st of May, 1559, at which Dr. -Augustin Cazalla and thirty of his heretic disciples were condemned. -This Lutheran conspiracy had been discovered many months before during -the lifetime of the Emperor, who had urged and begged Doña Juana and the -Inspector-General D. Fernando de Valdés, Archbishop of Seville, to mete -out prompt and severe punishment to the offenders. - -There lived then in Valladolid, at No. 13 of the Street of the -Silversmiths, a certain Juan García, a silversmith by trade. For some -time his wife had noticed that he was absent-minded and irritable, and -that he pretended to go to bed early and then went out again. Being a -brave, decided woman, she disguised herself one night and followed him, -supposing some intrigue. When Juan García reached the street now called -after Dr. Cazalla, he at once knocked at the door of a house between -what are now cavalry barracks and the old apothecary's shop in the -Square of St. Michel. The door was opened with great caution, and the -woman distinctly heard a password which seemed to be "Chinela," and Juan -García answered "Cazalla," on which the door opened and he went in. The -wife remained spellbound, and her astonishment grew as she noticed that, -singly and by twos, men and women came from both ends of the street. The -same ceremony took place, and they disappeared into the mysterious -house, which was none other than that of Doña Leonora de Vibero, mother -of Dr. Cazalla. Being, as we have said, a resolute woman, on seeing a -very devout woman (the Juana Sánchez who afterwards committed suicide in -the prison of the Inquisition by cutting her throat with scissors) -approaching, she followed secretly, gave the password, and entered -behind Sánchez into a large, ill-lighted room, where she saw and heard -Dr. Cazalla explain to more than seventy people the doctrines of the -Lutherans which he had brought back from Germany. She understood at once -that she was in a conventicle of heretics, and horrified, but not losing -her presence of mind, she left quietly and the same morning informed her -confessor of all that she had seen and heard. Whether he was infected -with the same doctrines or did not much believe the woman, he only told -her not to worry over the matter. However, the same day she warned the -Grand Inquisitor himself, and put the threads of the plot into his -hands. Following them with much prudence and precaution, he found the -plot so widespread that when in prison Cazalla rightly said, "If they -had waited four months to persecute us, we should have been as numerous -as they are, if six months, we should have done for them as they have -for us." The affair made a great stir throughout Spain, and it is -calculated that 200,000 people flocked to Valladolid to be present at -the Auto da Fe, which was to take place as the crowning act of the drama -on Trinity Sunday, the 21st May, 1559. - -Luis Quijada was party to all this, as he had been sent by the Emperor -from Yuste to the Princess and the Inquisitor to urge the swift and -severe punishment of the heretics. As a man of his time, a fervent -Spanish Catholic and a politician educated in Germany, Quijada thought -that only severe warnings would stop Protestantism from entering Spain, -and with it the breaking up of the kingdom and probably the end of the -monarchy. So it appeared to him a good lesson for Jeromín to go to the -Auto da Fe, and he insisted that Doña Magdalena should accept the -invitation of the Princess and go to Valladolid with the child and his -niece, Doña Mariana de Ulloa, heiress of his brother, the Marqués de la -Mota, who was at Villagarcia at that time. - -So Doña Magdalena set out with her niece and with the retainers suitable -to such illustrious ladies, and arrived very early on the morning of the -20th of May, the day before the Auto. They lodged in the house of the -Conde de Miranda, and to avoid tiresome visits and awkward questions, -the prudent lady sent Jeromín out and about the streets all day to see -the preparations for the ceremony with her squire Juan Galarza. Jeromín -went off delighted, and certainly nothing was ever seen like the streets -of Valladolid on that 20th day of May. So thronged were they with people -that it was hardly possible for the familiars of the Holy Office, who -ever since the morning had been making the usual proclamation, to force -their way through the crowd. The familiars went on horseback, emblems of -their office in their hands, preceded and followed by "alguaciles," and -surrounded by criers who announced at the street corners the two usual -proclamations, the first forbidding from that moment until the next day -the use of arms defensive or offensive under the pain of excommunication -and the confiscation of the said arms. Equally was prohibited by the -second proclamation, from that time until one hour after the executions, -the circulation of carriages, or litters, chairs, horses, or mules in -the streets where the procession was to pass, or in the Plaza Mayor, -where was the scaffold. - -To prevent people entering the square there was a double row of guards. -The finishing touches were being given to the enormous scaffold where -the Auto was to be held, that is to say the reading of the evidence and -the sentences, the only part of the function at which the Court and the -more refined portion of the public were present. Away beyond the gates -guards were also keeping a space on the Great, or Parade, Ground called -the "Quemadero," or the place of burning. To execute the sentences -fifteen small platforms were being made for an equal number of -prisoners. These platforms were very small and rested on the faggots -which were to make the fire, and above them rose a stake with its -pillory, like a modern one. To this the prisoner was tied and killed -before being burnt, as they were not burnt alive except in rare cases of -blasphemy and impenitence. The whole way from the Campo Grande to the -Plaza Mayor; and from there to the street of Pedro Barrueco, now called -Bishop Street, where stood the prisons and houses of the Holy Office, -there was not a corner or square without seats covered in black, for -which the enormous prices of 12, 13, and even 15 reales were paid. In -all the squares and at many of the cross roads pulpits also were -erected, covered in black, where every order of friars preached each day -to the enormous crowd which never ceased moving, all in mourning, all -sad, very similar in appearance to the scene which used to be general, -and still is common, in many places in Spain on Good Friday. The -official mourning, the real compunction of some, and the affected piety -of others covered the indifference of the many, and gave to the whole -concourse an appearance of sadness, even of terror, well in keeping with -the terrible scene which was to be enacted. At four o'clock the sermons -ceased, and in the streets, windows and balconies the crowd grew -greater. The traditional procession called "of the Green Cross" began to -leave the chapel. First walked all the religious communities of -Valladolid and its neighbourhood, the friars two by two, holding lighted -wax torches. Then the commissaries, clerks and familiars of the Holy -Office, then the high officers of the Tribunal, with the secretaries, -mayor and attorney-general, all carrying lighted candles. Last of all -this immense procession, a Dominican friar carried under a canopy of -black velvet a great cross of green wood covered with crape. The choirs -of the chapel intoned the hymn _Vexilla regis prodeunt_, which all the -people answered, alternating the verses. At the street corners from time -to time the voice of some friar was to be heard, imploring Heaven in -vehement language to grant repentance to the prisoners, which the people -answered with ejaculations, groans and prayers. It was rumoured that -among the fifty condemned men only one, the Bachelor of Arts, -Herreruelos, remained obstinate and impenitent. - -The procession passed slowly and solemnly through the principal streets, -and late at night found its way back to the Plaza Mayor, where the -scaffold was now finished. Then was prepared an altar on which the Green -Cross was solemnly placed with twelve lighted wax candles. Four -Dominican monks and a company of halberdiers were to watch it all night. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - -While Jeromín was going about the streets of Valladolid with more -amusement than astonishment or compunction, Doña Magdalena was -congratulating herself on having sent him away from the house. - -Shortly after her arrival she received a polite message from Doña Leonor -Mascareñes, lady to Princess Juana, announcing that at half-past three -in the afternoon she would visit her in the name of H.H. the Very Serene -Princess Governess, and would have the honour of kissing hands in her -name. Doña Magdalena replied with the pompous courtesy of those times, -that all hours would be good to receive so signal a favour, and that -she, Doña Leonor's humble servant, returned the honour, kissing her -hands on her knees. - -At the hour fixed, and with courtly punctuality, Doña Leonor arrived -with her ladies, pages and squires. She came on foot, as sedan-chairs -were forbidden by the proclamation, and in mourning, as the -circumstances demanded, with a cloth skirt in Castillian fashion, a -crape shawl, gloves and very high black clogs. Doña Leonor was already -past sixty, of a great Portuguese family, and for her virtues, merits -and talents was rightly one of the most respected ladies of the Court. -She had come to Spain as one of the ladies of the Empress Isabel, wife -of the defunct Emperor Charles V, then was governess to Philip II, and -afterwards to Prince Carlos, who was committed to her care by the same -Philip II with these notable words, "This child has no mother; be his as -you were mine." - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Casa Thomas, Barcelona_ - - DOÑA LEONOR DE MASCAREÑAS - - _From her portrait by Sir Antonio More_ -] - -Doña Magdalena descended to receive her with all the household at the -foot of the staircase, and here the ladies exchanged the first -courtesies. Doña Magdalena conducted her to the parlour, and then wished -to give her a high seat, while she sat on the carpet; but Doña Leonor -would not consent to this, and tried also to sit on the floor. Each went -on insisting that the other should have the high seat and the other kept -on refusing it, until, after this battle of politeness, both ladies -remained seated on great cushions of equal height. - -Then Doña Magdalena caused a collation of sweetmeats, fruits and drinks -to be brought, and offered half a dozen pairs of gloves scented with -ambergris to Doña Leonor in a little box. - -The first compliments and courtesies over, Doña Leonor spread out her -fan so as to exclude the duennas who were at the end of the room beyond -the dais, and said in Doña Magdalena's ear, as naturally as possible, -that H.H. the Serene Princess would be pleased if she would kindly -arrange an opportunity the next day for her _to make the acquaintance of -her brother_. - -Doña Magdalena had expected this from the moment of her arrival, and -with ingenuous but well-calculated simplicity she told the truth, point -by point. That she did not know what H.H. meant. That the child Jeromín, -to whom no doubt she alluded, was certainly given into the care of her -lord and husband Luis Quijada five years before, as the son of a great -friend whose name he could not reveal to her. As was natural (and with -noble dignity Doña Magdalena accentuated these words) she had never -tried to talk to her husband about the origin of this child, or to -allude by a single word to what he had first written to her from -Brussels. That various suspicions had at times come into her mind, but -that she had been able to stifle them as a Christian, for fear of -forming a judgment without any proof, which would doubtless be rash; and -as to the rumours which went about during the child's stay at Yuste, she -had never listened to them, and certainly had never confirmed them. Here -Doña Magdalena ceased speaking, and, as if by mutual consent, the two -ladies fanned themselves in silence for some time. The Portuguese was as -good as she was clever, and she needed no more to understand that her -exploring expedition was at an end. Her noble nature could appreciate -this simple account of Doña Magdalena's, the wife's dignity, the lady's -delicacy, and the Christian's absolute rectitude, and her native -perspicacity, sharpened by years at Court, made her understand that Doña -Magdalena knew no more about Jeromín, nor would it be possible to -extract another word beyond what Luis Quijada had told everyone. - -However, Doña Leonor wished to fulfil all her mistress's commission, and -asked with much delicacy if it would be possible to see the child, -because H.H. wished to be prepared, in some degree, for the meeting -which was to take place the next day, that surprise or fear should not -make her do something imprudent. - -Doña Magdalena answered that she was sincerely sorry, but she could not -gratify H.H., because the child Jeromín had gone out with a squire to -see the procession of the Green Cross, and she did not expect that he -would be back in time; but if it would be of service to H.H. she would -be careful to let her know as much as was prudent. - -It seemed most prudent to Doña Magdalena not to say a word to Jeromín -about the occurrence, or prematurely to arouse fantastic or ambitious -ideas in his mind which was sleeping peacefully, but to let it rest in -quiet and allow the boy's innocence and natural vivacity to inspire -them, or as the Divine Majesty should ordain. - -All the stars in the sky were shining when Doña Magdalena and her niece -left her house, she holding Jeromín by the hand, dressed as a peasant, -as the Princess had arranged. The two ladies were covered by ample black -shawls which almost hid their faces, and were dressed underneath in -mourning, but also with jewels, as was the custom of ladies at Court. -Accompanied by very trustworthy servants, and following the same -railed-off way as the prisoners, they arrived without much difficulty at -the Plaza Mayor, in spite of the great crowds. - -It was not yet half-past four in the morning, and already among the -seething mass of humanity there was not an empty spot, except in the -centre of the platform, where the prisoners were to be placed, and the -passage, or wide balcony, of the Casas Consistoriales, which was -reserved for the royalties and their numerous suite. At the extreme end -of this passage the Princess had ordered that a good seat should be kept -for Doña Magdalena, calculating that, as she must naturally pass by -there to get to the throne, she could stop and speak to Doña Magdalena -and see the child without attracting too much attention. Doña Magdalena -had also made her plans: she made Jeromín sit on the ground between her -chair and that of Doña Mariana, and covered his little person completely -in the lady's shawl, so that no one passing would notice the presence of -the child. Jeromín, very much amused, put out his little head from among -the folds of the shawl, and looked between the ironwork of the balcony, -asking a thousand questions about what he saw and what he hoped to see. -In the centre of the balcony of the Consistory, which ran all along the -front, there were two rich canopies of maroon velvet and lace of frosted -silver and gold, with two large thrones under them for the Princess -Governess and D. Carlos. Right and left the balcony was divided into -stands destined for the Councillors, the Chancellory, the University, -the Grandees, the ladies of the Palace and the servants of the Princes. -In the first of these stands, on the entrance side, was where Jeromín -and the two ladies were seated. - -In front of the Consistory, and back to back with the convent of San -Francisco, the magnificent, high scaffold was raised, enclosed by -balustrades and railings. It consisted of two stories, an upper and a -lower one, in the form of a triangle. In the centre of the front was the -altar, on which the Green Cross had been placed the night before between -two tapers of white wax whose light paled before that of the dawn. The -four Dominicans and the company of halberdiers were still guarding it. -Right and left of the altar there were steps for the condemned and a -pulpit for the preacher. The platform underneath was destined for the -ministers of the Holy Office, and at each end had two tribunes for the -reading of the trials and sentences, and another in the middle, but much -taller, from which each prisoner heard his sentence read. - -From the scaffold ran a sort of enclosure of wood, very similar to those -that are used to bring bulls into towns with safety, which stretched to -the prisons of the Inquisition, to keep the way clear for the prisoners. -The rest of the square was covered with more than two hundred small -stands, let to the curious, which at five in the morning already could -not hold another person. At this hour the royal guard arrived on foot, -opening a path among the packed crowd for the royal suite. First came -slowly and solemnly the Council of Castille, then the Grandees, the -Constable and Admiral among them, the Marquéses de Astorga and Denia, -the Condes de Miranda, Osorno, Nieva, Módica, Sadaña, Monteagudo, Lerma, -Ribadeo, and Andrade. D. García de Toledo, tutor to the Prince, the -Archbishops of Santiago and Seville, and the Bishops of Palencia and -Ciudad Rodrigo, which last was the famous and worthy D. Pedro de la -Gasca. - -The Princess's ladies followed in two rows, all in mourning, but richly -adorned with jewels, and behind them, as if presiding over them, the -Marqués de Sarria, Lord Steward to the Princess, and Doña Leonor -Mascareñes, who was, or was then acting as, Camarera Mayor. - -Then came two mace-bearers with golden maces on their shoulders, four -kings-at-arms with dalmatics of crimson velvet embroidered, front and -back, with the royal arms. The Conde de Buendía with a naked sword, and, -immediately behind him, Princess Juana and Prince Carlos; she dressed in -a skirt of mourning stripe, shawl and head-dress of black crape, a -bodice of satin, white gloves and a black and gold fan in her hand; he -with cloak and jacket also striped, woollen stockings, velvet breeches, -a cloth cap, sword and gloves. The procession was closed by the royal -guard on horseback with drums and fifes. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - INFANTA JUANA OF SPAIN - - _By Sir Antonio More. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -In this order the suite entered the Consistory and filed past Doña -Magdalena in the passage, each to go to their respective places. The -lady stood up to let them pass, hiding her niece with her person. Doña -Mariana was sitting with Jeromín on her knees, covered entirely by the -shawl. She had told him, to cover this manœuvre, that children were not -allowed in this place, and that as soon as the Court had passed she -would put him where he would see everything. Jeromín obeyed without any -outward sign of suspicion, but remembering, perhaps, his adventures in -the convent of Descalzos, where such care had been taken not to let a -certain great person see him. - -When the Princess passed Doña Magdalena in the narrow passage, she -stopped for a moment and held out her hand; the lady kissed it kneeling, -then the Princess said quickly and softly, "Where is the wrapped-up -one?" - -Then Doña Magdalena opened the shawl and Jeromín appeared, cap in hand, -the fair hair all untidy from the shawl, and with an attractive look of -annoyance on the pretty face which added to his natural charm. A ray of -tenderness illuminated the Princess's beautiful face, and, without -remembering who she was or where she was, she embraced him, kissing him -several times on both cheeks. - -Prince Carlos had also stopped, and looked with astonishment at the -little peasant his aunt was kissing, but when he saw the Princess make -as if she would take the child with her to the throne, he reproved her -harshly and angrily, according to his usual bad habit. - -Jeromín, on hearing him, abruptly left the Princess, and clinging on to -Doña Magdalena's skirt said, much ruffled, "I prefer to stay with my -aunt." - -The Princess insisted; D. Carlos began again to chide her, and Jeromín, -looking him up and down from head to foot, said again with greater -firmness, "I prefer to stay with my aunt." - -All this took less time to happen than it takes to tell, but it was long -enough for many people to understand, and for the gossips to guess the -riddle. From one end to the other of the balcony, and then into the -square, the news spread that a son of the dead Emperor was there in the -Consistory, in one of the Court seats. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - -The arrival of the prisoners completely distracted everyone's attention, -and so absorbed were they that it seemed as if that dense crowd hardly -breathed. - -Then clearly were heard the bells of the Holy Office, which tolled sadly -to announce that the prisoners had started, and the first thing to -appear in the square was the parochial cross of Salvador, with a black -handle, and two acolytes with candlesticks. Then came two long rows of -devout penitents with lighted torches, among whom were noble gentlemen -and a few Grandees. Between these two lines, and about thirty paces from -the parochial cross, came the Attorney-General of the Holy Office, -Jerónimo de Ramírez, carrying the standard of the Holy Inquisition, of -crimson damask with the black and white shield of the Order of St. -Dominic and the Royal Arms embroidered in gold; on its two extremities -these inscriptions could be read: _Exsurge Domine, et judica causam -tuam_—_Ad deripiendos inimicos fidei_. - -Behind the standard followed the prisoners, about a dozen steps one from -the other, and guarded each by two familiars of the Holy Office and four -soldiers. The first was D. Augustin Cazalla, cleric, preacher and -chaplain to His Majesty; a man of about fifty, now weak and shrunken, -and stooping forward as if overcome by the weight of his sorrow and -shame. He was wearing the ignominious "sanbenito," a sort of chasuble -made of yellow baize, with a vivid green cross on the chest; on his head -the ignoble "coroza" painted with flames and devils, and a lighted taper -of green wax in his hand. - -Behind him came in the following order, his brother Francisco de Vibero, -also a cleric, who did not repent until the last moment, and who was -gagged to silence his dreadful blasphemies; their sister Doña Beatriz de -Vibero, a devout woman of rare beauty; the master Alonso Pérez, cleric -of Palencia, the silversmith Juan García, Cristóbal de Campo, the -Bachelor of Arts Antonio Herrezuelo, also gagged, and impenitent to the -last, and for this the only one to perish in the flames; Cristóbal de -Padilla, a native of Zamora, Doña Catalina de Ortega, widow of the -captain Loaysa, the licentiate Calahorra, Alcalde Mayor in the -employment of the Bishop, Catalina Román, Isabel Estrada, Juan -Velásquez, and Gonzalo Baez, a Portuguese, and not a Lutheran heretic, -but a Jew. - -These were all condemned to be garrotted and their corpses burnt, and -for this reason they had flames painted on their sanbenitos and corozas. -Behind them two familiars of the Holy Office carried on a stretcher the -shapeless figure of a woman, also dressed with a coroza and sanbenito, -the bones of Doña Leonor de Vibero, mother of the Cazallas, exhumed from -the monastery of San Benito, to be burnt with her effigy. Behind this -first group came, guarded in the same manner, another sixteen prisoners, -men and women, condemned to various punishments, but not to death, for -which reason they did not wear the corozas or flames on their -sanbenitos; the men went bareheaded, and the women with a piece of linen -on their head to hide their shame. The most noteworthy among them were -D. Pedro Sarmiento, Commander of the Order of Alcantara, and a relation -of the Admiral, and his wife Doña Mencia de Figueroa, who had been a -lady of the Court; he was condemned to forfeit the robes of his Order -and Commandery, to perpetual prison and the sanbenito, with the -necessity of hearing mass and a sermon on Sunday, and to communicate on -the three great feasts, and forbidden to use silk, gold, silver, horses, -and jewels; she was only condemned to perpetual prison and the wearing -of the sanbenito. - -When Doña Mencia mounted the platform the ladies of the Court burst into -tears, and the Princess herself hurriedly left and went inside, wiping -her eyes with a handkerchief. The Marqués de Poza, D. Luis de Rojas, -also inspired deep pity, a gay boy, exiled for ever from the Court, and -deprived of all the honours of a gentleman; and even more Doña Ana -Enriquez, daughter of the Marqués de Alcañices, a girl of great beauty, -who was sentenced to leave the platform with sanbenito and taper, to -fast for three days, to return with her dress to the prison, and then go -free. Such was the repentance and confusion of this lady that, mounting -the tribune to hear her sentence, her strength left her, and she would -have fallen from the platform, had not a son of the Duque de Gandia, who -was there as a devout penitent, supported her. - -The prisoners were placed on the steps in the order arranged, those -condemned to death separated from the others, and the Auto was begun by -a young Dominican brother, of ruddy complexion, and rapid and violent in -his marvellous eloquence, mounting the centre pulpit. It was the -celebrated Maestro Fr. Melchor Cano, one of the most learned men of his -time, and he preached for more than an hour on the text of St. Matthew, -"Flee from false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but -inwardly they are ravening wolves." - -The sermon ended, the Archbishop of Seville, Valdéz, the Inquisitor of -Valladolid, Vaca, and his secretary mounted the throne to submit the -oath to the Prince and Princess. The Archbishop carried a beautiful -cross of gold and jewels, the Inquisitor a missal, and the secretary the -form of the oath written on parchment. Standing up, the Prince and -Princess, D. Carlos cap in hand, swore by the cross and missal in these -words, which the secretary read: "That as Catholic Princes they would -defend with all might and life the Catholic faith as held and believed -by the Holy Mother Church Apostolic of Rome, and its conservation and -increase; that they would give all the necessary favour and help to the -Holy Office of the Inquisition and its ministers, that heretics, -disturbers of the Christian religion which they professed, should be -punished according to the Apostolic decrees and sacred canons, without -omission on their part or making any exception." "El Relator" Juan de -Ortega then read this same formula to the people from one of the -tribunes of the lower platform, crying first three times, "Oyez! Oyez! -Oyez!" - -And the people, with the vehemence of conviction and the haste of those -who have received a warning, answered with one voice, with one cry of -fear and conviction, "Yes, we swear." - -Then the same "Relator," Juan de Ortega, and the clerk of Toledo, Juan -de Vergara, ascended the two tribunes on the platform, and began to read -alternately, the trials and convictions of the prisoners beginning with -Dr. Cazalla. From a high pulpit each heard his own sentence read, and -remained all the time with a lighted taper of green wax in his hand, -exposed to public shame. Then it was that Doña Ana de Enriquez nearly -fell out of the pulpit overwhelmed with confusion. - -At four o'clock in the afternoon the reading was ended. Then the -Archbishop of Seville put on his pontifical vestments, and solemnly -absolved and restored to the bosom of the Church the sixteen reconciled -prisoners, who were then taken back to their respective cells. The other -fourteen, who were condemned to death, left at the same time, some -walking, others riding on donkeys, to be garrotted, and afterwards burnt -on the Parade Ground. - -Such was then an Auto da Fe, certainly a sad and sorrowful sight, but -still, perhaps not so emotional as the sight of certain trials to which -in our day the public flock, not to sanction by their presence the -judgment and justice nor as a warning lesson, but greedy to see the -seamy side of sorrow and crime. As to the horrible scenes of the -"Quemadero" (the burning), no one attended them but those obliged by -their office, and a public low and ignorant, no doubt, and for this -reason much more blameless than those who nowadays attend our -executions, full of unhealthy curiosity or cold indifference. There is -no doubt, says the profound thinker Balmes, that, if the doctrine of -those who wish to abolish the death penalty should ever become -effective, when posterity reads of the executions of our days, they will -be as horrified as we are over those of the past. The gallows, garrotte -and the guillotine will be placed on a par with the ancient -"Quemaderos." - -Tired by the long wait and the dull reading, Jeromín ended by falling -asleep, his head leaning against Doña Magdalena's knees, but he woke up -in the midst of a strange tumult, of which he was far from knowing that -he was the cause. This is how Vander Hammen describes the scene: "At it -(the Auto) the greater part of Old Castille was present, and a great -number of Andalucians and those from New Castille, and as the news -spread about everywhere of the new son of Charles V, a little more and -there would have been a serious disaster, as everyone wanted to see him -and the guards could not check them. - -"The people threw themselves on each other without minding the halberds, -javelins or arquebuses. It came to this, that the Conde de Osorno had to -carry him in his arms to the Princess's carriage, because everyone liked -him. In it the sister took him to the Palace (the house of the Conde de -Benavente), followed by a crowd of people, and from there he went back -with Doña Magdalena to her Villagarcia." - -All the same, Vander Hammen is wrong in what he says about the Princess -and other things. The Conde de Osorno did, it is true, take Jeromín and -lift him up to show him to the people, but he did not give him into the -Princess's charge, nor did she commit the imprudence of taking him with -her to the Palace. He gave him into Doña Magdalena's care, from whom he -had got separated in the confusion, and this lady took him back the same -night to Villagarcia. - -The child, frightened by the tumult, whose cause he did not suspect, -asked with rather timid anxiety whether the heretics had escaped. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - -After an absence of five years Philip II at last returned to Spain and -disembarked at Laredo on the 8th of September, 1559. Six days later he -made his entry into Valladolid, and the following day his sister -Princess Juana made over to him the government of the kingdom, and -retired to the convent of Abrojo, about a league away. She and Philip -were not long separated, as on the 21st, the first anniversary of the -Emperor's death, he caused solemn services for the eternal repose of the -Emperor's soul to be celebrated in the same convent. - -Meanwhile Luis Quijada awaited at Villagarcia with real anxiety the -King's promised decision about Jeromín, which would so much affect the -whole family. But the King settled nothing, and the former steward, -accustomed to the promptness of the Emperor, who with the inspiration of -genius saw, ordered, thought and resolved all in a second, that which -more common intelligence would require months to decide, began to -despair and could not reconcile himself to D. Philip's slow parsimony. - -Philip, however, had not forgotten his brother, as is proved by the -famous state council of which Antonio Pérez speaks in one of his letters -to Gil de Mesa: "That they were so divided, having taken sides on the -subject, these great councillors, each to his own end, but with -arguments about the service of the King, whether the Catholic King -Philip ought to follow his father's wish about the position of his -brother." This last an invention, no doubt, of the crafty secretary -Pérez, as none of the councillors, much less Philip II, could quibble in -any way about what the Emperor had not _counselled_ but _ordered_ in his -will with regard to his bastard son. - -At last Luis Quijada received a message from the King ordering him to go -to the mountain of Torozos on the 28th of September, making hunting the -excuse, and taking Jeromín with him, dressed as usual like a peasant; -that they were to go towards the monastery of the Espina, and that about -midday he would meet them between the monastery and the forester's -tower. He also told Quijada to say nothing to the child to enlighten -him, as he wished to do this himself. - -What generally happens befell Luis Quijada: the realisation of that -which we have most desired fills us with sadness and disappointment. -Certainly for him had come the hour of reward, for the Emperor, who was -never very generous, had not granted him any favour, leaving only the -recommendation to his son to pay, in his name, this very real debt. But -at the same time had come the hour for separating from Jeromín, and -tearing him from Doña Magdalena who adored him, while as for himself, he -had become accustomed to seeing the boy the object of his affection and -care, and the living recollection of the Emperor, reincarnate in this -attractive little figure, capable for this reason alone of winning all -hearts. At this thought the eyes of the fierce victor of Hesdin filled -with tears. - -At first he thought to spare Doña Magdalena this sorrow until the last -moment; but men are weak about troubles, and as in other things they -trust proudly to themselves, so in sorrow they seek the aid of a woman, -weaker than they are in everything but suffering, because they more -often seek the virtue of fortitude from God. So not even until night -could Quijada wait, but that same afternoon he called Doña Magdalena to -a retired spot, and there told her everything about Jeromín, from the -moment that the Emperor had revealed to him the secret of his birth. The -husband and wife had never talked about this, and they might well wonder -at each other, she at his loyalty and abnegation, which had kept him -silent about so weighty a secret; he, at her prudence and delicacy in -asking no questions, nor investigating that which had so much mortified -her. Doña Magdalena did not think of herself for a moment. She well -understood everything, and knew how to estimate everything from its true -point of view, but one thing only filled her heart with fear—Jeromín, -her dear son, for so she considered him, at thirteen was going to -experience one of those sudden changes of fortune which are enough to -turn the wisest head. That in a few days the child would find himself at -the height of fortune, but exiled from all affection, alone, envied, and -perhaps envious, without her to defend the youthful soul, as in his -childhood she had done against bad natural inclinations and vexations of -vice and sin. - -Doña Magdalena had no sudden inspirations of genius, but she had good -ideas, and she proposed to Quijada without a moment's hesitation not to -abandon the boy, but to follow him to Madrid, sacrificing her quiet life -at Villagarcia in exchange for looking after him if only from afar, and -not to leave him suddenly and so young among the tumult and dangers of a -Court. Quijada thought that his wife had guessed what was passing in his -mind, as it was what he had himself been considering; but it seemed idle -to make any decided plans until they knew those of the King for Jeromín -and for the person of Quijada himself. - -Hunting expeditions were too frequent at Villagarcia for the simple -preparations that Quijada ordered for the 28th of September at Torozos -to call for much attention from Jeromín. Quijada wished to arrange -everything well and prevent the eleventh-hour inconveniences which -sometimes spoil the best-laid plot. He called his huntsman aside, and -ordered him to prepare two or three beats the first thing the next -morning, and real or false scents to draw them towards the monastery of -the Espinas, as he was obliged to be between the convent and the -forester's tower at midday. - -At dawn Quijada and Jeromín set out, with no more than the necessary -huntsmen and hounds. Jeromín was riding a black horse, and wore over his -peasant's dress a loose coat of green "monte." They hunted until ten -o'clock, having very good sport, and at that hour the huntsman announced -that the hounds were on the scent of a stag heading towards Espina. -Quijada and Jeromín followed penetrating into the country, which became -more and more solitary, until the hounds suddenly stopped breathless -and, questing about as if they had lost the scent, then started off on a -cross scent on the opposite side. At the same time, from that direction -came the sound of horns and a great noise of calling and shouting, and -like an arrow a noble stag was seen passing between the ilex trees, -another excited pack of hounds, and a lot of hunters who were following. - -Luis Quijada sat still on his horse, and said to Jeromín, who was -attentively looking at the disappearing hunters, "Those are the King's -huntsmen. Let us leave them the mountain." So they then changed their -course towards an open space which had been made by the felling of some -oaks, and to the right they saw the forester's tower, and to the left -the walls of the convent, and between the two edifices a spinney of -about a hundred oak trees, which had been left to afford shade for the -animals called "_atalayas_." From these trees came two gentlemen, riding -slowly as if they were waiting for something, or were talking quietly. - -Jeromín saw them first, and called Quijada's attention to them while -they continued riding towards them as if he intended to meet them. -Suddenly Jeromín stopped short; he had recognised in one of the riders -the man with a hooked nose and long beard whom he had seen in the garden -of the Descalzos in Valladolid five years before. - -Quijada also stopped, and turning in the saddle towards Jeromín, who -remained behind him, said with a certain emotion foreign to the calm -man, "Come up, Jeromín, and do not let this dismay you. The great lord -whom you see is the King; the other the Duque de Alba. Do not be -frightened, I say, because he wishes you well and intends to confer -favours on you." - -The two riders had come up, followed at a long distance by two others -who appeared to be huntsmen belonging to the convent. Jeromín had no -time to answer; but he recognised in the King the fair, pale young man -with the beard cut in the Flemish fashion whom he had seen cross the -square of Valladolid, among the shouts of the people, when he looked -from the rose window of the sacristy of the Descalzos. The five years -that had since passed had, without ageing him, given gravity to his face -and repose to his manners. D. Philip was at this time thirty-two. - -Those from Villagarcia alighted and went to kiss the King's hand, -kneeling on one knee. The King stretched out his hand to Quijada without -dismounting; but Jeromín was so small that he could not accomplish this -part of the ceremony in this humble posture. So the King dismounted and, -laughing gaily, gave him his hand to kiss, and taking Jeromín by the -chin, looked at him up and down for a long time with great curiosity, as -if he would embarrass the boy. But he did not succeed, however; nor was -Jeromín the timid, frightened child who had gone to Yuste, nor had D. -Philip ever for him the halo of the supernatural with which his -imagination always surrounded the person of Charles V. - -Then the King asked Jeromín many questions, which the boy answered -brightly with much modest composure, but without shyness. Then he went -with Quijada towards the oak spinney, leaving the boy alone with the man -with the hooked nose and long beard who Quijada had said was the Duque -de Alba. The huntsmen had taken the horses, and were waiting at a -respectful distance. - -Jeromín felt shy at finding himself alone with the grave magnate who -stood respectfully at his side, with his cap in his hand. This seemed -very odd to Jeromín, as the King had gone away and was even lost to -sight among the trees, and this humble attitude in so great a personage -worried him. - -The Duque at last broke this embarrassing silence, asking Jeromín after -Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, and saying much in praise of her talents and -virtues; which so pleased the child that the ice was at once broken and -sympathy established between the famous commander and the innocent boy. - -Meanwhile D. Philip was getting detailed information about Jeromín's -character and qualities from Quijada, and was confiding to him and -asking his advice about some of his plans for the child. - -It was his intention to acknowledge him publicly as the Emperor's son -and his own brother, and to give him the rank of Infante at Court -without the name, and for him to be addressed only as Excellency. He had -already formed an household with this object, and thought of educating -him with his son D. Carlos and his nephew Alexander Farnese, in order -that the good qualities of Alexander and Jeromín might arouse emulation -in the weak and not over well-disposed nature of D. Carlos. - -But for all this the help of Luis Quijada and his wife was necessary, -because it was certain that the abrupt change of fortune might be the -ruin of Jeromín, if he had not at his side to advise and correct him the -same persons who had so happily guided his first steps. For this reason -D. Philip wished that Quijada should go as his tutor to Court with -Jeromín to look after him and his house, and that Doña Magdalena should -go, too, to love and watch over him as a mother; a charge, said D. -Philip, which would be neither recognised at, nor rewarded by, the -Court, but which God and the King would thank them for and repay with -bountifulness. And to make a still greater link between Jeromín and D. -Carlos, and that the latter should benefit by the moral advantages the -former had enjoyed, the King also wished Quijada to accept the office of -Master of the Horse to the Prince; and to warrant this office and also -to help with his expenses, the King offered him to have the Commandery -of Morals of the Order of Calatrava very shortly, and to give him at -once the post of Councillor of State and of War. Delighted, Quijada -accepted everything which fulfilled all his expectations, and also the -wishes of Doña Magdalena, as if the King had consulted them beforehand. -D. Philip was also pleased, and giving way to his excessive love of -details, he gave Quijada a paper on which were the names of the people -who were to form Jeromín's household, and gave him entire liberty to -make any observations that occurred to him, because the King was ready -to modify, or even to change completely, anything that Quijada and Doña -Magdalena judged necessary for the well-being of the child. - -These were the names of the household: - - Luis Quijada, Tutor and Master of the Household. - - The Conde de Priego D. Fernando Carrillo, Lord Steward. - - D. Luis de Cordóba, Master of the Horse. - - D. Rodrigo Benavides, brother to the Conde de Santestiban, - Chamberlain. - - D. Rodrigo de Mendoza, Lord of Lodosa, Steward. - - D. Juan de Guzmán, D. Pedro Zapata de Cordóba, and D. Jose de - Acuña, Gentlemen of the Bedchamber. - - Juan de Quiroga, Secretary. - - Jorge de Lima and Juan de Toro, Valets. - - D. Luis Carillo, eldest son of the Conde de Priego, Captain of - his Guard, which was to be half Spanish and half German. - -When this list was approved by Quijada in his own name and that of Doña -Magdalena, the King gave the final order. That two days afterwards, that -is to say on the 1st of October, Jeromín was to be established in -Valladolid with the Quijadas in a house which Doña Magdalena owned -opposite that of the Conde de Rivadeo, which was henceforth to be the -residence of the new prince; and that on the 2nd, at midday, Luis -Quijada was secretly to bring Jeromín to the Palace, so that after -dinner the King could present him to the Princess Juana and Prince -Carlos, and acknowledge him as a brother before all the Court. The time -and place to publish this acknowledgment throughout the kingdom would be -determined later. - -The King and Quijada talked for more than an hour, walking under the -shade of the guardian oak trees, and when they emerged into the light -not the perspicacity of even such an accomplished courtier as the Duque -de Alba could have guessed from their faces what had passed between -them. On reaching Jeromín and the Duque the King said to Quijada, "It -will now be necessary to take the bandage off the boy's eyes." Then, -turning to Jeromín, he asked him pleasant and even joking questions, -and, as if recollecting something, all at once he said very kindly, "And -with all this, Sir Peasant, you have never even told me your name." -"Jeromín," answered the boy. "He was a great saint, but it must be -altered. And do you know who your father was?" - -Jeromín blushed up to his eyes and looked at the King, half indignant -and half tearful, as it seemed to him an affront which had no answer. D. -Philip then was touched, and putting his hand on the boy's shoulder, -said with simple majesty, "Courage, my child, as I can tell you. The -Emperor, my lord and father, was also yours, and for this I recognise -and love you as a brother." And he tenderly embraced him without other -witnesses than Quijada and the Duque de Alba. The huntsmen saw the scene -from afar off, without realising what was happening. The baying of the -hounds and gay fanfare on the horns announced in the distance that the -hunters were returning after a successful chase. - -Stupefied by this revelation Jeromín got on his horse, Luis Quijada -holding his stirrup. On the homeward journey to Villagarcia he only once -opened his lips, and turning round to Quijada, who followed, asked, "And -my aunt, does she know?" "Everything," answered Quijada. - -Jeromín hurried his steps as if he would be late getting to the castle, -and running through the courts and up the stairs, he arrived at the -parlour, opening and slamming the doors. Doña Magdalena was there alone -and very pale. The child went to her, and took her hand to kiss it. -"Aunt! Aunt!" "My lord, your Highness is no nephew of mine," answered -the lady. And she tried to kiss his hands, and set him in her big chair -while she sat on the carpet. - -But the child, beside himself, cried with great energy that made his -voice, all choked with tears, quite hoarse: - -"No! No! My aunt, my aunt, my mother." And he kissed her tearfully, -miserable and angry all at the same time, as one who cries for something -lost through his own fault, and by force made her sit in the chair, and -would not be silent or calm until he sat at her feet with his head -leaning against her knee, making her promise a thousand times that she -would always be his _aunt_, and that she would never leave off being his -mother. - -This all happened on a Thursday, and the following Monday, which was the -2nd of October, the acknowledgment of Jeromín took place in the Palace -of Valladolid, as the King, D. Philip, had arranged. It is related thus -in a manuscript, quoted by Gachard in the Maggliabecchiana library in -Florence: - - "Thursday, the 8th of September, it reached the lords of the - Holy Office that the King would not go before he had seen the - act, and so then they had it proclaimed for the 8th of October. - And thus the King went to la Spina, and there they brought his - half-brother, and he was pleased to see him, as he is handsome - and sensible, and he ordered that he should be brought secretly - to his house. And thus, the following Monday, he made everyone - in the Palace recognise him as his brother, and embraced and - kissed him, then his sister, then his son, and then the rest of - the black cloaks." - -It is, therefore, not true what Vander Hammen says of Philip giving his -brother the Golden Fleece, either at Torozos or in the Palace of -Valladolid. What really happened at this second interview was that the -King gave his brother the family name, and changed his name of Jeromín -for that of John, creating that which has descended to posterity -surrounded by rays of genius and glory—Don John of Austria. - - - - - BOOK II - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I - - -The change of Jeromín into D. John of Austria was so natural and -spontaneous that no one asked how a peasant could have turned into such -an accomplished prince; but rather, how such a sublime personage could -have been hidden for so long under such a humble disguise. - -The undeniable law of heredity had without doubt impressed the august -seal of his race on the child; the extreme tact with which God had -endowed him, and the counsels of such a finished courtier as Luis -Quijada and such a refined, great lady as Doña Magdalena, had easily -accomplished the miracle. - -He was received by the public with enthusiasm, by the Court with -respect, and with real brotherly affection by the Royal Family. The -King, pleased with his work, began to hope for great results from it; -Princess Juana opened her arms and heart with all the frankness and -goodness of her beautiful nature; and even Prince Carlos, who was hard -and suspicious of his relations, from the first moment was affectionate. -He called D. John apart one day with much mystery, and, taking a paper -from his breast, made him swear that he would follow Prince Carlos to -war whenever the time came. D. John promised, and the Prince, satisfied, -gave him a jewel with a big emerald for his cap. - -But from the moment of his presentation at Court D. John met what we -should call, but which was not so called in his days, a _twin soul_ in -his nephew Alexander Farnese, who, from the first, shared his studies -and his childish games, as later he shared D. John's labours, triumphs, -joys and sorrows. - -The King had convened the Cortes in Toledo for the 9th of December, with -the idea of causing his son D. Carlos to be sworn as Prince of the -Asturias, and it seemed to him an opportune moment for presenting D. -John as a royal prince in the official proceedings of the Court. - -The ceremony was fixed for the 22nd of February, 1560, and on the 12th -the new Queen Isabel de Valois, rightly called "of the Peace," Philip -II's third wife, made her first triumphant entry into Toledo. She came -by the Gate of Visagra, riding a white hackney, under a brocaded canopy -with an embroidered fringe, and on the shields an "F" and "I," initials -of Philip and Isabel. There were great festivities, which were -interrupted by the Queen having a slight attack of smallpox, which is -why she did not attend the function. On the eve of this ceremony -Princess Juana sent her brother D. John a very beautiful suit, begging -him to wear it the next day. The good Princess had herself settled and -chosen the colours and trimmings, as she judged would best set off the -good looks of the youth: a jacket and gown of deep red velvet, richly -embroidered with gold and silver thread, and magnificent diamond -buttons. - -The oath was to be taken in the Cathedral, at that time orphaned of its -Archbishop—who was the celebrated F. Bartolomé de Carranza, whom we have -already met waiting on the last moments of the Emperor. - -But the storm which was gathering over the unfortunate prelate had -already burst in all its fury, and he lay, ex-communicated, in the -rigorous prisons of the Holy Office. - -In the absence of the Archbishop, the King addressed himself to the -Chapter, who fulfilled his wishes with pomp and magnificence worthy of -the archiepiscopal church. The whole "trascoro" was hung with brocaded -cloths, and at the end of the nave was erected a platform forty feet -square, with eight steps, all covered with a costly carpet and -surrounded by a gilt balustrade. At the back of the platform rose a -sumptuous altar covered with gold brocade, and adorned with the richest -jewels of the Cathedral treasury. On the right a great canopy covered -three thrones with faldstools and cushions, also of gold brocade; the -centre one was for the King, the right-hand one for Princess Juana, and -the left-hand one for Prince Carlos; at Princess Juana's side, but -beyond the canopy, there was a seat, also of gold brocade, for D. John -of Austria. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - ALEXANDER FARNESE, PRINCE OF PARMA - - _Parmigiano, Museo Nazionale, Naples_ -] - -Before the altar was a throne of crimson velvet for the Cardinal-Bishop -of Burgos, who was to receive the oath, and at his side a little table, -with a cushion in front of it, all covered with velvet, where the oath -was to be taken upon a gold cross and an open copy of the Gospels. Right -and left of the nave, and at the foot of the platform, extended many -rows of seats, some with backs and some without, according to the rank -of those who were to occupy them, Ambassadors of Foreign Powers, -Bishops, Grandees, Castillian nobles, and members of the Cortes. The -centre of the nave was empty, but in its entrances and at the ends, also -in the seats raised above the nave, there was a dense crowd. - -The first to arrive at the Cathedral, at half-past eight in the morning, -was the Cardinal-Bishop of Burgos, in his Cardinal's hat and cloak; he -came riding a white mule, with purple trappings, which was led by two -deacons, and before him went the pastoral cross, although he was not in -his own diocese. He was preceded and followed by all his household and a -great following of canons and gentlemen of the town, who made a brave -show. This person was D. Francisco Hurtado Mendoza y Bobadilla, son of -the Marqués de Cañete, D. Diego, and grandson, through his mother Doña -Beatriz de Bobadilla, of the celebrated Marquesa de Moya, favourite -lady-in-waiting to the great "Reina Católica." He was much esteemed by -Philip II for his virtues and learning, and as the author of the -celebrated memorial presented soon after this date to the King, which -has come down to posterity as a curious book, now rare, called "El Tizón -de la Nobleza." The Cardinal dismounted at the door "del Perdón," where, -arrayed in their pontificals, the Archbishops of Seville and Granada, -and the Bishops of Avila and Pamplona received him. - -The Court arrived a quarter of an hour later. First came the Prince of -Parma, Alexander Farnese, with the Admiral of Castille, the Condes of -Benavente and de Ureña, the Duques of Nájera, Alba, and Francavila, the -Marquéses of Denia, Villena, Cañete, Mondejar, and Camares; the Maistre -of Montesa, the Prior of St. Juan en Castilla and en León, and many -other great lords, whose magnificence and luxury as regards their -clothes, harness, and mounts were so great that the value of the -trappings alone amounted to two thousand ducats, without counting that -of the jewels and pearls; these were all embroidered like the clothes -with gold thread, because ornaments of gold plates, being more showy, -had been given up by the dandies as being vulgar. - -Behind this brilliant, dazzling group Prince Carlos and D. John came -together, surrounded by all the officers of their respective households, -and the good looks of the latter formed a great contrast to the worn and -deformed figure of the former. The Prince was pale to lividness from a -quartan fever, and all the magnificence of his dress could not -completely hide his crooked shoulders, the deformity of his back, or the -unequal length of his legs. His dress was of dark grey cloth of gold -with pearl and diamond buttons, and he rode a horse with rich trappings, -the horse-cloth embroidered on grey cloth of gold to match his clothes. -D. John's horse was black, and his trappings and horse-cloth were of -velvet and gold, to match the costume, which we have already said was a -present from his sister Princess Juana. - -This illustrious and saintly Princess came behind them in a litter, -surrounded and followed by her ladies, all on horseback, on silver -saddles, gorgeously dressed, and attended by pages, and "delighted," -according to Luis Cabrera de Córdoba, "to come without the French -ladies, who, as the Queen was ill of smallpox, did not appear at the -solemnity." In honour of the occasion the Princess had changed her usual -simple dress for one of black velvet, with a few jewels and pearls in -the head-dress. - -Last came the King, preceded by the four kings-at-arms, four archers, -and four mace-bearers, all riding, and in front the Conde de Oropesa, -also riding, uncovered, and holding the symbolical Sword of Justice -naked at his shoulder. Luis Cabrera says, "He had begged the King, as he -was ill and the weather was cold, to be allowed to wear a little cap, -which was agreed to. Observing that he was tall, and being annoyed, he -(the King) ordered him to uncover, but he objected, because permission -had been granted, which did not seem to him a great thing. The King -never allowed anyone to usurp precedence or place which was not due to -their office or rank, even if it was inconvenient." - -After Pontifical Mass had been said by the Cardinal of Burgos, the King -seated himself in the chair where he was to receive the oath, the Duque -de Alba, with his staff in his hand as Lord Steward to the King, -standing on the Cardinal's right hand, and on the left the Conde de -Oropesa, as bearer of the symbolical Sword of Justice, which rested -naked on his shoulder. Then the oldest king-at-arms mounted on the -platform, and bowed first to the altar and then to the King, proclaiming -on the Gospel side, "Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! The writing which will be read to -you of the oath of homage and fidelity, which the Very Serene Lady the -Infanta Doña Juana, here present, and the very illustrious Lord D. John -of Austria and the Prelates, Grandees, gentlemen, and members of the -Cortes of these realms, who by the command of the King, our Lord, are -here present to-day, make to His Very Serene and Very Illustrious Prince -D. Carlos, eldest son of H.M., as Prince of these realms during the long -and happy days of H.M., and afterwards as King and their natural lord -and owner." - -The king-at-arms left, and then the licentiate Menchaca, the oldest -councillor of the Chamber, mounted and read from the same Gospel side -the form of the oath, which was very long and dull. Then the Conde de -Oropesa went to Princess Juana, and informed her that she would be -called on first to swear. The Princess rose at once, and, accompanied -beyond the canopy by the King and Prince, went and knelt before the -Cardinal, who asked her, "Will your Highness, as Infanta of Castille, -swear to guard and fulfil all that is contained in the writing of the -oath just read?" - -The Princess, placing her hands on the Gospels and the Cross, replied, -"I swear." - -And the Cardinal answered, "So help you God and the Holy Gospels." - -Then the Princess went to kneel before the King to do homage, and placed -her joined hands between those of the King, who asked her, "Will you do -homage once, twice, and three times; once, twice, and three times; once, -twice, and three times; and will you promise and plight your word and -faith that you will perform all that which the writing of the oath, -which you have heard read, contains?" - -"Thus I promise," responded the Princess. - -And she then wished to kneel before the Prince to kiss his hand; but he, -standing up hurriedly, prevented her, and embraced her tenderly. -Princess Juana returned to her seat under the canopy, and as there was -no other prince to swear, the king-at-arms advanced again and cried, -turning towards the seat of the Grandees, "Marqués de Mondejar! mount up -and take the oath of homage." Then the Marqués de Mondejar mounted the -platform, and placed himself standing at the Cardinal's left, and behind -him three councillors of the Royal Council of Castille, and four of that -of Aragón, to serve as witnesses. - -Then the secretary, Francisco de Eraso, came forward and said to the -King, according to the record of these courts, "That it is known that -the Illustrious D. John of Austria has not completed his fourteenth -year; but, as he wished it to be known that he has discretion, ability, -and understanding already in great abundance, H.M. supplies the defect, -so that he may be able to take the oath and do homage, in case it should -be necessary, and H.M. having specially heard, in intelligible voice -answered and said that such was his will, notwithstanding the law of -these realms. When the Most Illustrious D. John of Austria heard this he -rose from the chair where he was and went before the Most Reverend -Cardinal, and took the same oath as the Princess had taken, and, this -done, he rose and went to the said Marqués de Mondejar, who was standing -in front of H.M., and, putting his hands between those of the said -Marqués, did the homage contained in the said writing of the oath and -homage, which he did in sign of obedience, subjection, and vassalage, -and fidelity due to the Very Serene Prince D. Carlos, and knelt down on -the ground and kissed his hand, and then went back to sit in the chair -where he was before, as has been said." - -After D. John of Austria, the Prelates, Grandees, and nobles of Castille -took the oath, the members of the Cortes, D. Garcia de Toledo, tutor to -the Prince, the Conde de Oropesa, the Marqués de Mondejar and the -Stewards of the King next swearing. The last to swear was the Duque de -Alba, who as Lord Steward of the King had directed the ceremony, staff -in hand; but being absent-minded, after making his homage, he forgot to -kiss the Prince's hand, who gave him such a look of anger and rancour, -that no historian has forgotten to note and comment on it. - -The Duke remembered himself, and went at once to make his excuses to the -Prince, who then gave his hand to be kissed, but never forgot this -trifling inattention, which he took for an affront. The Cardinal of -Burgos afterwards took the oath at the hands of the Archbishop of -Seville, and finally Prince Carlos wound up by doing so at the hands of -D. John of Austria, "To guard the statutes and laws of these kingdoms, -maintaining them in peace and justice, and to defend the Catholic faith -with his person and property and all his might." - -This ended the ceremony, and the Court returned to the royal castle to -the music of minstrels, trumpets and drums. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - -At length the Court removed to Madrid, very soon after the investiture -of D. Carlos, and the King gave D. John of Austria, as his residence, -the house of D. Pedro de Porras, which was in front of St. Mary's and -very near the castle. Half a century later the Duque de Uceda erected -his magnificent palace on the site of this house, and it forms the -edifice occupied by the Military Governor and the Council of State -to-day. - -In it D. John was installed with Luis Quijada and Doña Magdalena de -Ulloa, and, beyond the respect due to the new position of the son of -Charles V, his relations with them were the same as in the six years of -quiet, happy intimacy at Villagarcia. D. John went each day to the royal -castle with all the pomp of a prince, to study and play with D. Carlos -and to pay his respects to the King and the good Queen Doña Isabel de -Valois, who always kept him a long time, and loaded him with attentions -and invitations, to the great satisfaction of all her ladies. He also -daily visited his sister, Princess Juana, and often accompanied her on -her visits to churches and other holy places. This all naturally pleased -the new-made prince; but when he got home and met Doña Magdalena in her -room, always occupied about something for his welfare, then it was that -he really opened out and showed himself the old Jeromín, loving his -_aunt_ as a very dear mother. He would sit on a cushion at Doña -Magdalena's feet, and, with his head leaning against her knee, according -to his custom, would confide to her the impressions of the day, and pour -out his soul with the candour and simplicity of his early years. - -An unexpected catastrophe came to trouble this quiet life. On the 24th -of November, a little before dawn, a peasant of Alcorcón came into the -town by the gate of the Vega riding his donkey. He was frightened by the -vivid light which illuminated the little square and façade of St. -Mary's, and he then saw that flames were issuing from the roof of D. -John of Austria's house. - -It consisted of only two stories, like all the best houses in the town, -which in arrangement and architecture were very like that of Valmediano -in the square of the Cortes, or that of the Marqués de Corbera in the -streets of La Bola, with the only difference that those of the nobles -had strong towers at not less than two of their angles. Alarmed that no -one in the house was aware of this formidable fire, the boy began to -shout and to knock on the door, crying out, "Fire! Fire! Wake up." - -They all woke up terrified, and Quijada, as years before at Villagarcia, -ran to save Don John of Austria. He met him getting out of bed and -hastening to help Doña Magdalena, but without taking any account of his -cries and efforts to run to the room of his _aunt_, Quijada took him in -his arms, dressed as he was in his shirt, and going into the street, -deposited him on the steps of St. Mary's. Then with great calmness -Quijada went back among the flames to save Doña Magdalena, and deposited -her, also half dressed, beside D. John. - -Then the fire broke out with such tremendous fury, that in spite of the -house being so large, in half an hour it was an immense bonfire, and -five hours later a mountain of rubbish, among which the only thing that -remained standing was the wall of D. John's bedchamber. - -Hanging on this wall the famous crucifix of the Moors, saved by Luis -Quijada once before from the flames, which, after D. John came to -Villagarcia, Doña Magdalena had placed at the head of his bed, remained -intact. This was thought to be a miracle, and it was certainly, at -least, a special providence of God to save such a venerated image. - -The neighbours hurried at once to the spot, mostly poor people who with -the utmost good-will offered clothes to D. John and to Doña Magdalena to -cover them. All, however, drew aside and formed a respectful path for a -pair who emerged from the narrow lane of St. Mary, which existed then -between the church of this name and the house which was afterwards that -of the Duque de Abrantes. "Rey Gómez," "Rey Gómez," murmured the crowd. -And all drew to one side and showed that sort of frightened admiration -which takes hold of the lower orders when they have to rub shoulders -with the great, whom they usually only see at a distance. - -He whom they called _Rey Gómez_ was a man no longer young, of noble -bearing and very refined features, with black, curly beard and hair -which was already beginning to turn grey. - -The lady accompanying him was wrapped up in a short cloak, which did not -hide her tall, good figure or her handsome, proud, pale face, sadly -disfigured by her right eye being blind. She came to Doña Magdalena and -embraced her with great signs of compassion and affection, as if they -were old friends, offering her clothes which her servants brought and -shelter in her own house, which was behind that called de Abrantes, and -is to-day the Italian Embassy. The gentleman did the same by D. John and -Luis Quijada, and they went to the house of the one-eyed lady, escorted -by the crowd. - -This lady was the very celebrated Princess de Évoli, Doña Ana Mendoza de -la Cerda, who later had so much influence over the fate of D. John of -Austria; and the gentleman was her husband, the Prince de Évoli, Ruy -Gómez de Silva, a great favourite, while he lived, of the King, Philip -II, for which reason the common people had changed his name from Ruy -Gómez to Rey Gómez, to show the great power and favour he enjoyed. - -For two long months D. John, Quijada and Doña Magdalena stayed in the -house of the Prince and Princess de Évoli, as the King did not have his -new house suitably furnished; this house was that of the Conde de Lemus, -joining the parish church of Santiago. - -Meanwhile the health of Prince Carlos got visibly worse from day to day, -making his character strange and gloomy. Philip II, by the advice of the -doctors, then determined to give him change of air, and for this purpose -sent him to Alcalá de Henares with D. John of Austria and Alexander -Farnese, that they might at the same time continue their studies there -under the care of Honorato Juan, who had directed them from the first. - -So the Prince set out with all his household for Alcalá de Henares on -the 31st of October, and three days later D. John of Austria followed -with his household, and Alexander Farnese with his humble retinue. The -two first lodged in the palace belonging to the Archbishop of Toledo, an -airy, healthy dwelling, with big orchards and shady gardens. - -King Philip spared no means or expense which could contribute to the -brilliant education of the three Princes. - -The most famous doctors of the then flourishing University of Alcalá -read them their lectures in private, and helped them with every kind of -book and manuscript, about which Honorato Juan was extremely learned. -Under his direction was copied at that time in Alcalá, solely with a -view to the education of the three Princes, the celebrated manuscript of -the scientific works compiled by Alfonso the Wise. Diego de Valencia -copied the text, and Juan de Herrera went expressly to draw the -astronomical figures with which it was illustrated. Philip II himself -ordered and wrote with his own hand the arrangement of the hours of -study, rest and recreation which the three illustrious students were -daily to observe. - -They got up at six in the morning in summer, at seven in winter, and -after bathing, dressing, and combing their hair, said their prayers in -the presence of the Lord Steward and Gentlemen of the Bedchamber, all on -their knees. In these prayers they very especially prayed for the Kings -of the earth and the souls of the dead. - -Then the three Princes breakfasted together, and afterwards heard Mass -in D. Carlos's private chapel. - -Two hours of continual study with masters followed, always presided over -by Honorato Juan. The lessons invariably began by reciting the Veni -Creator, and ended by giving thanks to God. At eleven the three Princes -left their room to dine in public; at twelve they had a music and -singing lesson till one, and from that hour until four o'clock they -returned to their studies, with which were interpolated riding and -fencing lessons. - -From four to five the Princes amused themselves as they liked with the -gentlemen of the bedchamber and the gentlemen whom, with the approval of -his tutor, D. García de Toledo, the Prince received. Supper was at six -o'clock, and after this, until nine, they went for walks and played -games, according to the weather and as they pleased. At nine they said -their beads all together, and then each one retired to his room. Sundays -and feast-days the hours of study were occupied in pious exercises, -walks and games of skill and amusement. The union and intimacy of the -three Princes grew owing to this life, though it did not prevent their -often having the quarrels natural to their age, which were always caused -by D. Carlos's hasty and ungovernable temper. Playing one day at pelota -with D. John of Austria, a discussion arose about a doubtful stroke, and -as the Prince had no more reasons to give he turned his back on D. John -very rudely, saying that he could not argue with him, as he was not his -equal by birth. D. John sprang like a wild beast, and, seizing D. -Carlos's coat, told him proudly that his mother was a German great lady, -and that his father had been a much greater man than was that of D. -Carlos. The latter was at once frightened, but afterwards, the first -time the King came to see them, he referred to the subject. To which D. -Philip gravely answered: - -"D. John is right. His mother is a German lady; and his father, the -Emperor, my Lord, who was much greater than I am or ever can be. Note -well, D. Carlos, the only thing in which he never equals you, is in -pride and bad manners." - - - - - CHAPTER III - - -The wise and respected Honorato Juan did not gain much credit from his -three pupils. Certainly D. John and the Prince of Parma studied, but -they did so because they were obliged to, and naturally progressed as -they were sharp, understood easily, and had good memories. But the -military proclivities of both, which afterwards made them such great -generals, always kept their thoughts on other things, and they only gave -a forced, listless attention to the literature and philosophy of Alcalá. - -The Prince of the Asturias for his part did not even do this; apathetic -and melancholy by nature, without other signs of character than pride or -temper, he did not care for science, or letters, or arts, or arms, or -wars, nor did healthy things amuse him; the only thing which pleased him -was to do harm to his neighbour. Such was the very harsh judgment, -according to our mind, of the Venetian Ambassador Paolo Tiepolo. - -The Prince was, therefore, bored at Alcalá, and his boredom grew as his -health improved. - -In this dangerous state of mind it was proposed by one of his servants, -of the sort who pander to the vices of their masters, that to amuse his -leisure he should pay court to a girl, the daughter of the palace -warden, who, according to probably true accounts, was named Mariana de -Gardetas. - -From a child the Prince had displayed an extraordinary aversion to -women, going so far as to grossly insult several, without more reason -than the sort of instinctive rage the sight of them caused him. He, -however, gladly accepted the servant's evil idea, and, using him as an -intermediary, presents and notes followed by assignations began between -the Prince and the wench. - -They met in the garden; she left her father's dwelling secretly, he -descending a narrow staircase, barred by an iron gate, which ran inside -the massive wall of the great, so-called, council chamber, and led into -the orchard. - -The vanity of D. Carlos did not allow him to keep the secret for long, -and he confided it to D. John of Austria, asking his help. But D. John -was too simple to understand the slippery ways of gallantry, and he -laughed heartily at the Prince's extraordinary idea of making a warden's -daughter into a Queen of Spain. - -In his turn D. Carlos laughed at his uncle's innocence, and with evil -intention tore off at a stroke the bandage which covered the still pure -eyes of the victor of Lepanto. The part of confidant which the Prince -had arranged for him in the unknown land opening before his eyes was -repugnant to D. John, and he refused his help and withdrew in disgust. -D. Carlos then sought other confidants, and found two very complaisant -ones among the gentlemen of his bedchamber, who began to urge him with -insistence along the dangerous path, on the pretence that love, as they -understood it, would sharpen the Prince's intellectual faculties and -build up his weak physique. But neither his tutor D. García de Toledo, -nor his master of the horse Luis Quijada, shared their ideas, and, when -they at last heard of the matter, with mutual consent, ordered that the -little gate leading to the orchard should be shut. D. Carlos did not -dare then to vent his rage on his tutor D. García, and contented himself -with cruelly thrashing the servant who shut the gate. With great secrecy -he procured another key, and on the 19th of April, 1562, which, being -Sunday, was for the Prince the freest day, made an assignation with the -girl for noon on the following day at the foot of the staircase. - -That day D. Carlos dined very hurriedly and as if agitated, and the meal -was hardly finished before he sent away all the servants and went out -himself, leaving the Prince of Parma and D. John of Austria by -themselves. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - DON CARLOS, PRINCE OF THE ASTURIAS - - _By Sanchez Coello. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -They had noticed the Prince's excitement, and, following him at a -distance, saw him disappear by the little staircase of the council -chamber without even troubling to shut the door. - -The Princes looked at each other and smiled, knowing what this meant. At -the same moment they heard a great noise on the staircase as of someone -falling, and pitiful cries coming from the ground. D. John ran there -with open arms, and Alexander Farnese very wisely informed D. García de -Toledo and Luis Quijada. - -They found the unfortunate Prince lying on the ground, with his head cut -open and covered with blood. He had descended the staircase in blind -haste, missed his footing on the last step, and fallen on his head, -giving it a tremendous blow against the heavy gate. - -From the first moment the doctors of the bedchamber Vega and Olivares -treated him, and also the Licentiate Deza Chacón, surgeon to the King; -and, as the Prince complained very much when he was being bandaged, the -surgeon rather stayed his hand. Quijada, who always thought badly of the -wound, said, "Tighter, tighter, Licentiate Deza. Do not treat him as a -prince, but as a peasant." - -D. García de Toledo at once sent off one of the Prince's gentlemen of -the bedchamber, D. Diego de Acuña, to tell the King what had happened, -and by daybreak the next day, Monday, the 20th, he had already returned -with Dr. Gutiérrez, first physician to the King, and the doctors -Portugues and Pedro de Torres, his surgeons. - -A few hours afterwards the King arrived in person, and in his presence -all the doctors examined the wound; they unanimously declared that it -was not dangerous; and, reassured by this, D. Philip went back to Madrid -that same night. - -But at daybreak on the 30th, the eleventh day, a high fever seized the -Prince, with severe pains in the wound, neck, and right leg, which -otherwise seemed dead. - -The doctors were frightened, and then declared that the symptoms -revealed a lesion in the skull, if not in the brain. - -Hastily the King was informed of this, and the same night, the 30th, he -arrived at Alcalá with the Duque de Alba, the Prince de Évoli, and -Charles V's former doctor, Vesale. A few hours later came the rest of -the Council and the Grandees who held offices at Court. - -The Prince was so ill on the 2nd of May that the King ordered the -sacraments to be administered to him; his face was inflamed, swollen -eyelids made him blind, and his right leg was completely paralysed. - -D. Carlos received the Viaticum with great devotion, and, clearing the -room, made signs to D. John of Austria to come near him. - -Taking his hands affectionately the Prince whispered to him that he had -offered to Our Lady of Montserrat his own weight in gold and three times -his weight in silver if he got well; and that he had also made the same -offerings at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadeloupe and to the Christ -of St. Augustine in Burgos; but that there was there in Alcalá, in the -convent of the Franciscans of Jesus and Mary, the body of a great saint, -who was called Brother Diego, to whom he wished to make the same -offering, and he begged D. John, as he loved him, to go himself and make -this offering at the saint's sepulchre in D. Carlos's name. Much -touched, D. John promised, and from that day he went morning and evening -to beg for the Prince's recovery before the sepulchre of Fr. Diego. The -illness had changed the miserable D. Carlos; he became docile and -gentle, obeyed everyone, and asked pardon, especially of his father and -Honorato Juan, the only person, perhaps, that he really loved. - -He liked D. John of Austria and the Prince of Parma to be always at his -side, and when, from exhaustion, he could not talk to them, he took -their hands and fondled them. - -King Philip presided over forty consultations of doctors between April -30th and May 8th. He sat on his throne with the Duque de Alba on his -right and D. García de Toledo on his left; behind were the Grandees of -the Court and in front the doctors, sitting on benches in a semi-circle. -D. García de Toledo indicated whose turn it was to speak. At one of -these consultations someone spoke of an old Moor in Valencia, called the -Pintadillo, who had effected wonderful cures with unguents of his own -making. The doctors protested; but the King sent to fetch the Pintadillo -post-haste, to the great annoyance and scandal of them all. - -The night of the 8th of May the doctors gave the Prince up, and told the -King that he could not live more than three or four hours. - -D. Philip did not wish to see him die, and left that same night, having -given the Duque de Alba and the Conde de Feria detailed instructions for -the funeral and burying of his son. Some of the lords of the Court -hastened to buy cloth for mourning. - -All that sad night D. John of Austria passed by the pillow of the dying -boy, and at dawn he told the Duque de Alba to accompany him to the -convent of Jesus and Mary, for the last time, to ask Fr. Diego to save -the Prince. - -Then the Duque de Alba had a sudden idea, inspired, no doubt, by God. He -ordered, in the name of the King, that the tomb of Fr. Diego should be -opened and the body taken to the Prince's room. - -The procession was arranged by midday; in front went the people begging -mercy from God; then followed hundreds of penitents in hoods and -sackcloth, their shoulders bare, cruelly disciplining themselves; then -four brothers of St. Francis, carrying on a bier the body of Fr. Diego, -which was in a coffin, covered with a shroud, his face, not decomposed, -but dried up as it is to-day, uncovered. - -Right and left of the coffin went two penitents, their faces covered by -a hood of coarse material, and, below, the sackcloth tunic showing their -bare and bleeding feet cut by the stones of the road; they were those -two "thunderbolts of war," Alexander Farnese and D. John of Austria. - -Behind them came the Duque de Alba, with uncovered head, followed and -surrounded by the University communities, students, nobility, clergy, -courtiers and professors, not in a devout and orderly procession, but -all anyhow, filling up the streets like a wave of sorrow and bitterness, -which carried to the palace the body of Fr. Diego, which was to save the -only male heir of the Crown of Spain. - -The body entered the Prince's room, the doors of which were already wide -open, as is proper for those of a death-chamber, and all followed who -could, without order, precedence or arrangement. - -The Prince was lying in bed on his back, his eyes closed through -swelling of the lids, his nose pinched, his mouth open, and his hoarse -breathing coming with difficulty from his dry throat. - -They placed the coffin on the bed, touching the body of the Prince; the -Prior of St. Francis took one of the inert hands and placed it gently on -Fr. Diego's chest. - -An unnatural silence reigned, during which no one breathed, a leaf -dropping would have been heard, the wings of the Guardian Angel bore to -heaven these clamours of faith, these tears of hope. - -Suddenly the Prince turned towards the coffin, and the rattle changed to -gentle breathing. - -The terror of the supernatural possessed them all, and made the hair of -many stand on end. Ten minutes later a gentle sleep overcame the Prince, -which lasted for six hours. They all went out on tiptoe, holding their -breath; silently the body was taken out. - -On waking the Prince called D. John of Austria, and told him that during -this sleep he had seen Fr. Diego de Alcalá in his Franciscan habit, with -a cross of reeds tied with a green ribbon. The saint had told him that -this time he would not die. Nor did he. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - -D. Carlos left Alcalá to complete his convalescence in Madrid on the -17th of July, and Alexander Farnese and D. John of Austria remained -alone to continue their studies until the end of 1564. - -D. John was then at the dangerous age of adolescence, when nature -unconsciously awakes, and the imagination wanders in unknown spheres, -giving rise to strange fears, vague desires, and curious dreams which -trouble the mind and heart, and sadly often lead the will from the right -road, if some evil influence changes its course. - -D. John, however, was too high-minded and had been too well guarded for -the vulgar influence of the student crew to affect him. These students, -of whom Alarcón has since said in the "Verdad sospechosa": - - Son mozos, gastan humor, - Sigue cada cual su gusto, - Hacen donaire del vicio, - Gala de la travesura, - Grandeza de la locura, - Hace al fin la edad su oficio.[4] - -Footnote 4: - - They are boys, prodigal of mirth, - Each one following his own will, - They make light of vice, - A glory of mischief, - A grandeur of folly, - In short—boys will be boys. - -But there were students in Alcalá of the highest nobility, who paid -their court to the Princes and shared their pleasures and exercises, and -one of these, who appears to have been D. Rodrigo de Mendoza, second son -of the Duque del Infantado, provided D. John with some of the romances -so much in fashion at the time. - -The effect of these readings on D. John's mind was that of throwing a -lighted torch down on a dry stubble field. - -Certainly his good sense reduced the fabulous deeds of Amadis and -Palmerin to the limits of possibility, but the spirit, and the -inclination to what is daring, chivalrous and romantic, inflamed his -already ardent imagination, and made his heart glow, having from his -childhood always been drawn to what was great and marvellous. - -To honour God and succour the poor, as Doña Magdalena de Ulloa had -taught him, always attracted him; his dream was to serve the King -loyally, as Luis Quijada had taught him, and on his own account to do -great deeds, to which he seemed to be called by the blood of Charles V -coursing through his veins. But, after his novel-reading, all this -seemed to him small and insignificant, without glamour or glory, and -besides a God to honour, a King to serve, and renown to earn, he then -added a kingdom to conquer for the faith of Christ, and a lady to love, -not in the low, sinful way of Prince Carlos and Mariana Gardeta, but -spiritually and platonically, like the Oriana of Amadis of Gaul. - -These dreams, pondered over during those two years, determined for ever -the great qualities and perceptible faults of D. John of Austria. While -he was in this state of mind he learnt, we do not know how, that his -brother D. Philip had begged a Cardinal's hat for him from the Pope Paul -IV, but this was not really the wish of Charles V, as expressed in his -will; because the Emperor never orders that D. John should be forced -into the Church, or even adorned with the purple of a Cardinal; but only -desires "that he should be well guided, that of his free and spontaneous -will he should take the habit in some house of reformed friars, to which -he shall be led without undue pressure or extortion whatever." - -The sorrow and indignation of D. John on learning this news was -boundless, and he hastened to tell it to the good and discreet Doña -Magdalena, bemoaning his lost illusions with all the bitterness and -despair of youth. - -Doña Magdalena understood the enormous mistake it would be, and the -dangers to which the soul of D. John would be exposed, were he forced -into a career for which God had given him no vocation; and with the -independent spirit of strong and saintly souls she earnestly besought -him to do all in his power to prevent the hat being given to him, and in -case of not being able to prevent it, openly to resist the King with as -much respect as firmness. - -Conscience and honour are outside vassalage, and the noble dame, like -many others of the time, shared the feeling of Calderón, who, making -himself the echo of this race, already so degenerate in his day, said: - - Al Rey la hacienda y la vida - Se debe; pero el honor - Es patrimonio del alma - Y el alma es solo de Dios.[5] - -Footnote 5: - - To the King property and life - Belong; but honour - Is the patrimony of the soul - And the soul is God's alone. - -Encouraged by this, D. John said no more about the matter, even to Doña -Magdalena, and nobody could have suspected that he knew what was on -foot. - -D. Philip returned to Madrid shortly afterwards from the Cortes de -Monzón, which he had been attending, bringing with him his two nephews, -the Archdukes Rudolph and Ernest, sons of the Emperor Maximilian and of -the holy Empress Maria, sister of Philip and of D. John of Austria. D. -John went at once to greet the King and welcome the Archdukes, and he -met them at the castle of Valsain, away in the wood of Segovia. There -was nothing else talked of at the Court, or in the town, but the -formidable attack of the Turks on the island of Malta, and the heroic -defence made by the old Master of the Order, Juan Parissot de la -Valette. The leader of the strong Ottoman squadron was Admiral Pialy, -with those two terrible pirates, Hassen and Dragut, with whom were -45,000 men to be landed, led by Mustafa Pacha. The Grand Master de la -Valette, only having 600 knights of the Order and 4500 soldiers to -defend the whole island, earnestly sought help from the Princes of -Christendom, but specially from the Pope and the King of Spain, the one -being particularly interested in the defence of the faith, and the other -in the preservation of his dominions in Africa and Italy, which were -safeguarded by the island of Malta. - -Philip II at once ordered a squadron to be prepared with 25,000 -soldiers, of whom some were to go from Barcelona and the rest to be -taken from Sicily. The besieged urged promptness more and more -earnestly, and at the same time came tidings of the heroic valour of -their resistance and of the ferocity of the Turk. In mockery of our holy -religion Mustafa had made a cross with the numerous hearts of the -Knights of Malta killed in the encounter, and had stuck it up at the -confines of his camp; and the Grand Master de la Valette had answered -this barbarous sacrilege by charging his big cannons with the heads of -Turks, as bombs, and firing them at the enemy. - -All this made D. John's young blood boil, and he silently made his -plans. Certainly here was an enterprise that included everything! The -glory of the faith, the succour of the helpless, the service of the -King! The kingdom to be conquered was lacking, but, on the other hand, -it was an occasion to show the King at once that an iron helmet suited -the son of Charles V better than a red hat. Also the lady was wanting; -but who could say that in the course of the enterprise he would not meet -with her? Nobody noticed, however, that D. John was preoccupied, and -they only observed that he had long talks with D. Juan de Gúzman, one of -his gentlemen of the bedchamber, and with D. José de Acuña y Peñuela, -keeper of his wardrobe. - -He went out one morning, the 9th of April, 1565, for a ride with Prince -Carlos, and with studied pretence separated from him and turned towards -Galapagar, followed only by D. Juan de Gúzman and D. José de Acuña. - -D. John did not return that night, and the King, as he missed him next -day, sent for Luis Quijada, who thought that he was with Prince Carlos -and the Archdukes, but when the King undeceived him he could give no -information as to his whereabouts. - -Everyone was alarmed; a great search was made, and at length the Duque -de Medinaceli said that according to a postillion who had met D. John on -the road, this last had taken post for Galapagar with two gentlemen of -his household, and was on the way to Barcelona, to embark on the galleys -which were going to help the Island of Malta. The annoyance of the King -at his independence was somewhat softened by the generosity of the boy's -impulse, and couriers were sent to all the ports, and Viceroys, in order -that he should be stopped with this message, "that he was to come back -at once, as the enterprise was without his (the King's) knowledge or -sanction, and that the boy was very young for such a long journey and -such a dangerous undertaking." D. Pedro Manuel was dispatched with this -message, and with orders that he should follow until he had overtaken D. -John, and the King charged Luis Quijada also to write and show how -displeased he was. Luis Quijada's displeasure was indeed great, not on -account of D. John's escapade, for that pleased him extremely, but on -account of the want of confidence in having said nothing to him. But -Doña Magdalena, who saw better than anyone to the root of all this, made -Quijada note the prudence and affection of D. John in using such great -reserve towards him; because if he had told his project to Quijada, he -would have been obliged, by virtue of his trust, to forbid it, and to -have countenanced it would have been to incur the annoyance of the -Monarch. So it was most prudent to be silent, and this is what D. John -had been. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -The news of D. John's spontaneous departure for the island of Malta to -fight the Turks caused such enthusiasm among the people of Madrid that -they went shouting through the streets, applauding the worthy son of -Charles V. - -The nobility, for their part, then paid to this lad of eighteen the most -sincere homage which can be paid to the perfect man, set up as our -model, that of copying him. The greater portion of the young nobles -hastened to embark with D. John at Barcelona, some only with their -swords and good intentions, having nothing else to bring; others, at -their own cost, brought men-at-arms to fight against the Turk, the -constant nightmare of the Europe of that day. - -The most important of these gentlemen was D. Bernardino de Cárdenas, -Lord of Colmenar de Oreja; D. Luis Carillo, eldest son of the Conde de -Priego, and his uncle D. Luis with a great company taken at his charge -of gentlemen, kindred, captains, and servants; D. Jerónimo de Padilla, -D. Gabriel Manrique, son of the Conde de Osorno, D. Bernardino de -Mendoza, brother of the Conde de Coruña, D. Diego de Gúzman, Steward to -the Queen, D. Lorenzo Manuel, D. Francisco Zapata de Cárdenas, D. Pedro -de Luxán, D. Gabriel Niño, Juan Bautista Tassis, afterwards Conde de -Villamediano, and a lot of other Castillian, Andalucian, and Aragonese -gentlemen. - -There arrived also at the last moment four of Prince Carlos's gentlemen, -of whom one was afterwards the famous Marqués de Castel Rodrigo, D. -Christóbal de Moúra. - -All this made Philip II think, and from that moment he gave up the idea -of forcing his brother into the Church, understanding that he would gain -more from D. John by using his prestige and courage in matters of war. - -Meanwhile D. John was flying from the hat in search of glory, with such -bad luck that on arriving at Torija he had to stop, ill of a tertian -fever. He was cared for as well as they could manage in a castle that -the Conde de Coruña had there, and, more plucky than cured, he went on -his way to Frasno, five leagues from Saragossa. Here the fever returned -with such force that he could go no further. This place belonged to the -Conde de Rivagorza, the Duque de Villahermosa, D. Martin de Aragón, a -great gentleman who experienced shortly afterwards, in the person of his -eldest son, the most tragic disaster, perhaps, in all the history of the -Grandees. - -This nobleman was the widower of Doña Luisa de Borja, sister of St. -Francis; after fighting in Flanders, and much distinguishing himself at -the battle of St. Quintin, he was then living in retirement with his -sons in the town of Pedrola. The Duke was told of the illustrious guest -on his property, ill in the miserable inn of Frasno, and he hastened to -send eighteen mules with everything necessary for the use of a prince, -even to beds and coverings, and a complete set of hammered plate. - -Not satisfied with this, the Duke went to Frasno with two of the doctors -in his service, and pressed D. John to move to his country house at -Pedrola or to his castle of Benabarre, the principal place of the county -of Rivagorza, where he could be attended to and looked after with the -greatest care. - -D. John had not time to accept the invitation of the first Grandee of -Aragón, because the Archbishop of Saragossa, hearing of his illness and -being at Frasno, at once sent the Governor of the town, with many other -noble gentlemen, to fetch D. John and carry him off to be well looked -after in his own palace. - -This Archbishop was D. Hernando of Aragón, grandson of King Ferdinand -the Catholic, and was respected as much for his age as for his -illustrious lineage. - -So D. John was moved with many precautions by mules and litters -belonging to the Duque de Villahermosa, who accompanied him with great -courtesy until he left him installed in the Archbishop's palace. - -The Archbishop received him outside the palace, and the people ran to -see the Emperor's son, and to show by their applause their sympathy with -him in his youthful escapade. - -D. Pedro Manuel had arrived in Frasno, and no sooner did he see D. John -a little better, than he hastened to give him D. Philip's order, adding, -on his own account, "that he could not go on unless he wished to make -the King angry, as the galleys in which he could have sailed had left -Barcelona." - -To which D. John answered gravely, that the undertaking was in the -service of God and of the King his lord, and that this being so, he -could not give it up with honour; so he sent D. José de Acuña to -Barcelona, to see if there was a galley for his passage. The Archbishop -and Governor and many gentlemen also begged him "to go back to Madrid, -as they had orders from the King to stop him." - -But to this D. John would not give in either. The Archbishop, -accordingly, with the King's letter in his hand, notified him "that he -should not go further," but D. John, without losing his calmness or -politeness, persisted in his wish. Then the Archbishop, Governor, and -notables of Aragón, who had hurried to Saragossa, were so charmed by the -audacity and firm purpose of this lad of eighteen, that they begged him, -if he still persisted in going, "to take 500 arquebusiers for his guard, -as it was not right to go alone, and that the Kingdom would pay for -them, as long as the expedition lasted." To which D. John replied that, -"if he embarked, he would accept their offer." Then they offered him a -great sum of money in crowns, but D. John gratefully and courteously -refused this. - -With an enthusiastic farewell from everyone D. John set out from -Saragossa for Belpuche, where he lodged with the Viceroy of Naples. Then -he went to Montserrat, to visit the celebrated sanctuary, and the monks, -in league with the Viceroy of Catalonia, who was the Duque de -Francavilla, arranged to amuse him in the monastery until the galleys -for Malta had set sail from Barcelona. - -Then the Viceroy, the Duque de Francavilla, with the magistrates, the -Archbishop of Tarragona, and the Bishop of Barcelona came to receive him -in Montserrat, begging him to return to Madrid in accordance with the -King's will as the galleys had sailed for the island of Malta. To which -D. John answered imperturbably that, if there were no galleys in -Barcelona, he could easily find one by crossing France, as he thought of -doing, to seek one in another place. - -Puzzled what to do, the Viceroy accompanied him to Barcelona, with much -honour and a great following, and entertained him there with feasts, -rejoicings and balls, in order to give time for the last resource, which -was an autograph letter from the King to D. John, ordering him to return -at once, without delay, to Madrid, under pain of his royal and lasting -displeasure. - -D. John bowed his head to such a conclusive threat, and returned at once -to Madrid, with as much applause from everyone for his obedience as for -his first brave resolution. - -He was received with great enthusiasm in Madrid, and the first to go and -meet him was Prince Carlos, who gave him a gold ring with a magnificent -diamond, the work of Jacome Trezzo, which cost 800 ducats. - -The King was not then in Madrid, having gone to Segovia and Sepulveda to -meet the Queen Doña Isabel, his wife, who was returning from the -celebrated conference of Bayonne. - -Their Majesties' return was announced for the 30th of July, and Prince -Carlos and D. John went three leagues from the town to receive them. - -The King and D. John had not met since the latter's prank, and the -interview promised to be embarrassing. - -But good Queen Isabel's prudence and cleverness, however, gave it a more -pleasant turn, for, as soon as she saw D. John, she made him approach, -and, without giving him time to say anything or make any sign, she asked -him, with a sly smile, if the Turks of Malta had seemed brave to him. -The would-be champion became as red as a poppy, and answered bitterly -that, to his great sorrow, he had not been able to find out. - -At this D. Philip laughed, and affectionately embraced his brother, -whispering to him to have patience, that very shortly the armada would -be ready to go against the pirates of the Mediterranean, of which he had -already decided to make D. John Generalissimo. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -This adventure made D. John the fashion, as we should say now, a thing -which existed in the sixteenth century without being so called. He -became the spoilt child of the Court and the idol of the people, to such -a degree that many of them wished him to be the heir to the crown, in -default of D. Carlos. - -D. John's good looks had much to do with this; he was then only -nineteen, but was already perfectly developed. - -He was of a good height, slim and altogether graceful, because neatness -was as much a part of him as flexibility is of fine-tempered steel. - -He had fair hair, brushed up to the left in the form of a toupee, a -fashion made common by his imitators and called "à la Austriaca"; his -beard, the same colour as his hair, was thin; his complexion pale, but -rather sunburnt, which gave him a pleasing, manly appearance; big blue -eyes, always clear and bright, which could be smiling and loving or -grave and severe, as he wished. - -He was debonair and very nice in his person, and ostentatious in his -dress, which was always in the extreme of fashion, as may be seen in -some of his pictures. - -That which radiated from him and made him so irresistible was that "je -ne sais quoi" belonging to very superior men, which attracts, enchants, -and subjugates, and, according to a very profound writer, consists in -the mysterious combination of grace, talent, and desire to please. - -Such was the attractive figure of D. John when he began to be a real -personage at the much-discussed Court of his brother. - -Certainly that Court was not then, if it ever was, the gloomy, austere -convent, represented to us by those who believe, or seem to believe, in -an awesome legendary Philip II, surrounded by holocausts and gallows, -and Inquisitors and friars. - -Nor was it either the united family of devout maidens and saintly -matrons, venerable old men and immaculate pages, which those make out -who would, in all good faith, imprison the colossal Philip II in the -rickety form of a devout monk. - -The Court of Philip II was certainly the strictest of its day, but it -was also the most magnificent, sumptuous and full of harmless amusement -and the knight errantry of those times, without lacking, as was natural, -intrigues, plots and scandals between gallants and ladies. These D. -Philip sometimes put down openly with a firm hand, at others corrected -secretly, and not a few he pretended not to notice, for reasons which -must always remain unknown. - -The Court was divided, as nearly always happens, into two absolutely -different camps—the courtly and the political. - -The principal personages of the former at that time were two princesses, -as remarkable for their virtue as for their beauty, and united by the -bonds of the tenderest friendship. They were the Queen Isabel de Valois -and the widowed Princess of Portugal, Doña Juana, the first aged only -twenty and the other thirty at this date. - -Their circle included the numerous ladies of both their suites, -belonging to the highest Spanish nobility, although the Queen's included -a few Frenchwomen and the Princess's several Portuguese, and these -foreigners were always at war with the Spanish women. - -The Queen's ladies numbered over fifty, all spinsters, and they only -remained at the palace until the King had found advantageous alliances -for them. - -There were also ten duennas of honour, all widows and ladies of high -rank, and at their head the Camarera Mayor, who had to be a lady of -quality, and was, at that time, the Dowager Condesa de Urena, Doña Maria -de la Cueva, a matron of great judgment and experience and the mother of -the first Duque de Osuna. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - ELIZABETH DE VALOIS. ISABEL DE LA PAZ, - THIRD WIFE OF PHILIP II - - _From her picture by Pantoja de La Cruz in Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -Princess Juana also had her ladies, her very respectable duennas, and -her Camarera Mayor, Doña Isabel de Quiñones. Doña Elenor Mascarenas, her -former and beloved and revered governess, had already retired from the -Court, and was then founding, in what is to-day the square of Santo -Domingo, the convent of the Angels, where, years afterwards, she ended -her holy life. - -It pleased the Queen to amuse her ladies with riding, hunting, picnics -in the groves, balls, masquerades and theatricals in her apartments, in -which they all, including the Queen, took part, and where they also -played, at times so high, that in one night Prince Carlos, at a game -called "el clavo," lost 100 golden crowns, according to the declaration -of his barber Ruy Diaz de Quitanilla, who had lent them to the Prince. - -To these entertainments the Queen was in the habit of inviting also all -the great ladies who had no places at Court, but who lived in Madrid, or -those who were only passing through, particularly the Princess of Évoli, -of whom she was always a great friend, and the Duquesa de Alba, Doña -Maria Enríquez, who was afterwards her Camarera Mayor, and at all times -deserved the greatest affection and respect. - -Princess Juana for her part was very fond of the country, and often -retired to the Pardo, where she had brilliant concerts which were -festivals of real pleasure and enjoyment, with many musicians and -singers, whom she kept in her service and paid. - -In these high circles D. John of Austria sought and found his lady love, -and here he performed his first deeds of arms and of gallantry, -thinking, in his simplicity, that the loves of youth might be found in -the midst of dangers, in the platonic spheres of the fantastic Orianas, -Angelicas, and Melisandres of whom his head was full, and who stirred -his blood and heart. - -All that was most select among the youth at the Court naturally grouped -itself round D. John, and it was he who set the tone, arranged the -tournaments, hunts, cane games, masquerades and "camisadas" which then -formed the pleasures of the young nobles. - -But although all sought his favour, only two became intimate with him, -and continued so until death, the Conde de Orgaz and D. Rodrigo de -Mendoza, second son of the Duque del Infantado. - -At this time, too, there inserted himself first into D. John's -acquaintance and then into his friendship, a very clever youth of mean -birth and great personal charm, who afterwards brought D. John great -misfortunes, and who at that time was driving him with great astuteness -into one of the two parties which then divided the political camp at -Court. His name was Antonio Pérez, the illegitimate son of the -ecclesiastic Gonzalo Pérez, secretary first to the Emperor, then to -Philip II. - -The two parties in the Court fought over the little power which the -all-absorbing personal government of Philip left to his ministers. At -the head of one was the great Duque de Alba, who represented the purely -warlike policy of force; the other was led by the Prince of Évoli, D. -Ruy Gómez, representing the opposite policy of diplomacy, intrigue and -peace. - -The followers of the first were the Prior D. Antonio de Toledo, the -Prince of Mélito, the Marqués de Aguilar, and the secretary, Zayas; the -partisans of the other were the Archbishop of Toledo, D. Gaspar de -Quiroga, the Marqués de los Vélez, Mateo Vázguez, Santoyo and Gonzalo -Pérez. - -It is most extraordinary that the open, generous nature of D. John did -not lead him to the side of the Duque de Alba, and that, on the -contrary, he joined the Prince of Évoli, who rather represented the -lawyers and churchmen, but no doubt the explanation must be sought in -the cleverness which this party displayed in attracting him, guessing -the genuine great qualities of the illustrious youth. - -They first provided Antonio Pérez, who with adroit flatteries, in which -he was a past master, and with studied confidences as between man and -man, made D. John understand how much he was appreciated by the coterie -of Ruy Gómez, the great hopes they placed in his bravery and influence, -and how much they were trying to work on the King to name him -Captain-General of the Mediterranean galleys, as he had already -promised. - -All of which, it is unnecessary to say, assumed a great air of truth in -the mouth of the son of Gonzalo Pérez, who through this channel might -well know what was happening, since it was intended that he should -succeed his father in the appointment. - -When the ground was sufficiently prepared for such an important -personage to step in without danger, Ruy Gómez arranged a meeting, as if -by accident, with D. John, and repeated the same things in a different -way, adding that his appointment was already settled and that it was a -magnificent one, as also was the ship "Capitana," which was being got -ready at Barcelona, that it would not be long before his desire of -fighting the Turks was gratified at the head of a brilliant squadron, -and that was a foregone conclusion. - -Gonzalo Pérez died this year (1566), and Philip II resisted the efforts -of Ruy Gómez to obtain his father's vacant secretaryship for Antonio -Pérez, giving as a pretext, not his youth, for he was thirty-two, but -the laxity of his life and the depravity of his morals. - -Taking, however, as a sign of repentance and amendment Antonio Pérez's -marriage with Doña Juana de Coello Bozmediano, which was celebrated on -the 3rd of January, 1567, D. Philip hastened to bestow on him Gonzalo -Pérez's secretaryship, which delighted D. John as much as if it were the -summit of his ambitions or the triumph of his interests. - -Once having caught the Prince on the weak side of his ambitions, they -wished to do so on that of his platonic love. The Princess de Évoli -undertook this, attracting him to her house, giving in his honour balls -and banquets, and putting before his eyes, and even within his reach, -the lady, the object of his then honest intentions, Doña Maria de -Mendoza, one of the ladies of the Palace, and it is thought a near -kinswoman of the restless, intriguing Princess. Such artifices did the -Princess use to influence the will and gain the confidence of the -grateful D. John, that years afterwards, when she was no longer the -intriguing, restless lady of former times, but the shameless, criminal -woman who plotted with Antonio Pérez perfidious treasons which were, -incidentally, to ruin D. John himself, the latter wrote, nevertheless, -to his friend D. Rodrigo de Mendoza with the utmost affection and blind -confidence: "I kiss the hands of my one-eyed lady, and I do not say her -eyes until I write it to her, in order that she may remember this her -friend, so much her friend now, who cannot do more, nor has anything -else to offer her in payment of his debt. And the reason that this -message is sent with so much prudence is that, coming from such a -distance, it cannot be otherwise." - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -The figure of Doña Maria de Mendoza appears for a moment in the story of -D. John, discoloured and blurred like the melancholy picture of a fading -memory, leaving behind the sad trace of a fault repented and wept over, -and the painful sequel which human weaknesses always bring. Without the -interference of the Princess de Évoli the loves of D. John and Doña -Maria would have passed innocently away, as a bright bubble vanishes in -the air, without leaving trace or mark or memory. But the influence of -this wretched woman gave substance to his dreams and fire to his -desires, and at last made the deluded lovers fall down the precipice. - -Never, however, was trouble of this sort so discreetly managed, as this -episode of D. John's first youth. Doña Magdalena de Ulloa took the -matter in hand, and by her own abnegation salved the conscience of D. -John and the honour of a noble family which he had stained. Nobody in -the Court or town suspected what had happened, and it was only after D. -John's death that Philip II himself, usually so well informed and -suspicious, heard of the existence of the daughter, the fruit of their -loves. A letter from Alexander Farnese, more well-intentioned than -prudent, informed the King of the fact, and, had it not been for a -tragic event in which years afterwards this innocent lady was mixed up, -and of which she was the victim, it is certain that her existence would -be as unknown to history as it was to her contemporaries. - -All this happened between 1565, when D. John of Austria returned from -Barcelona, and 1568, when he embarked on the Mediterranean armada, and -it must have been in October, 1567, that Doña Magdalena came to the -rescue. - -At the beginning of this month the Queen had given birth to a daughter, -called Catherine, after her maternal grandmother of Medicis, who was -solemnly baptized on the 19th, at three in the afternoon, in the parish -church of St. Giles, which was the church of the castle, and this was a -day of great emotion for D. John. - -On waking he was presented with a magnificent dress, sent to him as a -gift by Princess Juana, as was her custom on all great occasions. - -It was of cloth of silver, embroidered with green silk and gold thread, -with linings and turnings of dark red cut velvet, and to go with it a -neckband of rubies and big pearls. - -D. John was simply delighted with his sister's present, because red and -green, the colours of the clothes, were those of Doña Maria de Mendoza; -a fact of which the austere Princess was doubtless quite ignorant, as -she would never have chosen these colours wittingly. - -This Princess was the godmother, the Archduke Rudolph the godfather, and -D. John of Austria had to carry the baby in the procession. This was to -set out at three o'clock punctually, through one of the special passages -which used to be improvised then, and which united the castle with the -parish church of St. Giles, already at that time a convent of -bare-footed Franciscan monks. - -First in the procession walked the officers of State, the gentlemen of -the bedchamber and of the table, four archers, four mace-bearers, and -the stewards of the Queen and the Princess. Four kings-at-arms followed -in very rich dalmatics, and then the Duques de Gandía and Nájera, the -Prior, D. Antonio de Toledo, the Marqués de Aguilar, the Conde de Alba -de Liste and Chinchón, D. Francisco Enríquez de Ribera, President of the -Orders, and the Stewards of the King. - -Behind came six Grandees, who were the Duques de Arcos, Medina de -Rioseco, Sesa, and Bejar, and the Condes de Ureña and Benavente, -carrying respectively the hood, the taper, marchpane, salt-cellar, basin -and towel, and in the midst of them D. John of Austria, with the baby in -his arms, wrapped in a mantle of crimson velvet embroidered with gold -thread and lined with cloth of silver; on his left the Emperor's -Ambassador, and, behind, those of Portugal and France. - -The two godparents came next, the Archduke Rudolph and the Princess -Juana, who was preceded by her Lord Steward, D. Juan Manrique de Lara, -and the Queen's, the Conde de Lemus, and followed by the Camarera Mayor, -Doña Isabel de Quiñones, the Infanta's governess, Doña Maria Chacón, and -the duenna Guarda Mayor, Doña Isabel de Castilla, all three in a row. -Behind them were the duennas of the Queen and the Princess, their -ladies, and the "meninas,"[6] who closed the procession. - -Footnote 6: - - "The Meninas, which are a set of ladies of the nature of ladies of - honour in that (the Spanish) Court, children in years, but higher in - degree (being many of them daughters and heirs to Grandees of Spain) - than ordinary ladies of honour attending likewise that queen."—From - Heathcote MSS., page 236. _Vide_ the 1907 edition of "Memoirs of Ann - Lady Fanshawe" (Translator's note). - -But vainly amid this brilliant throng or in her allotted place D. John -sought for his lady love, Doña Maria de Mendoza, which upset him very -much, partly, no doubt, because he could not see her, and, perhaps, even -more that she should not see him, so smart, and fine and honoured, as -happens at his age and on similar occasions. - -That night Doña Juana gave a ball in her apartments, in honour of her -goddaughter's christening, and, to add to D. John's anxiety, neither -Doña Maria de Mendoza nor the Princess de Évoli appeared there either. - -He no doubt heard there from Doña Maria Ana de Aragón, daughter of the -Conde de Rivagorza, who was one of the Queen's ladies, and a great -friend of Maria de Mendoza, that she had gone several days before to the -house of her relative, the Princess de Évoli, which redoubled D. John's -anxiety, not only for the fact itself, but for not having been told so -by Doña Maria. - -His sister Princess Juana then called him apart, and begged him, with -all the goodness of her kind heart, to make the young men improvise a -"camisada," with the double purpose of celebrating the Infanta's -christening, and of stopping, if only for one night, while the King was -at Court, the strange walks of Prince Carlos, who, at those hours, used -to visit alone the houses of ill-fame in Madrid, an arquebus in his -hand, and disguised by a false beard. - -D. John agreed with the good grace he always showed in pleasing his -sister, and arranged the "camisada" with the two Archdukes Rudolph and -Ernest, the Prince of Parma, and all the young lords of the Court; but -no one succeeded in recruiting Prince Carlos, who, as usual, had slipped -away to his strange and dangerous adventures, which at that time were -the scandal of the Court. - -It was already past midnight when the "encamisada" collected together in -the little square of Santiago, in front of D. John's house. This -singular amusement consisted of a large cavalcade, in which all the -riders wore white shirts over their ordinary clothes, and had their -heads disguised by picturesque turbans, plumed helmets, or queer caps -with ribbons and feathers. Each carried a lighted torch in his left -hand, and kept the right arm out of the shirt to display his lady's -colours. - -In this way they went through the streets of the town until the house of -the person to be honoured was reached; then under the windows they -executed one of those equestrian dances, in which the riders of that day -were such adepts. At their passing the neighbours awoke, lighted up -their windows, and applauded the "encamisados," until in a few moments -the whole place became a scene of rejoicing and festivity. - -"Camisadas" were always improvised when the scarcity of time prevented -the preparation of liveries and disguises which the more solemn -cavalcades demanded; these were also much the fashion, and were called -masquerades, although no one had his face covered. - -This "Camisada" went to the royal castle from the square of Santiago, -where D. John lived; he took care that it should pass before the house -of the Princess de Évoli, where, as he had heard, Doña Maria de Mendoza -was staying. - -But his alarm and astonishment grew at seeing the house all dark and -shut up, and that neither music, nor torches, nor the sound of horses, -nor even the cheers that they gave on passing the house of the Princess -attracted anyone to those shut balconies and windows; this was in itself -strange, as it was then thought an act of great discourtesy not to -display illuminations and signs of rejoicing at the passing of the -"encamisadas," except in the case of grave illness or recent mourning. - -However, a man, covered by a hood, came from a little door in front of -St. Mary's Church as D. John was passing, and put his hand on his -saddle-bow and quickly gave him a short message. The agitation of D. -John knew no bounds, and his only idea was how to shorten the festivity, -and, some way or other, to end the quadrilles that had to be danced by -torchlight in the square of the Armoury. At last he escaped, and, just -as he was, covered by the shirt, hastened alone to the house of the -Princess de Évoli. - -The man in the hood was still waiting for him at the little gate by St. -Mary's, in front of the house which afterwards acquired so much -historical celebrity,[7] and, without waiting, the man opened the door, -the key of which he had. - -Footnote 7: - - According to tradition it was from this doorway that Philip II, - muffled up to his eyes, witnessed the arrest of the Princess de Évoli - in the night of July 28, 1579. - -Now the mystery begins to be cleared. - -D. John did not return to his own house till just before dawn, and, -according to the testimony of his valet Jorge de Lima, who was on duty -that night, neither rested a moment nor went to bed; on the contrary, he -paced up and down his room in a state of great agitation until it was -daylight and Doña Magdalena should be dressed, as was her custom, at -sunrise. Then D. John went to her rooms, where he passed the whole day, -receiving no one, and eating no food except two porringers of broth with -eggs beaten up in it which Doña Magdalena served him alone. - -At dusk this lady went out in her litter to the house of the Princess de -Évoli, her old squire Juan Galarza riding on a mule. In two hours she -returned, but not alone, as she went, for she carried, carefully hidden -in her shawl, a little girl, born unexpectedly and prematurely two days -before, and already baptized by the name of Ana. - -A few days later Doña Magdalena asked the King's permission to go and -visit her estates, Luis Quijada not being able to do so on account of -his duties with D. John and Prince Carlos. The King readily granted -this, and Doña Magdalena left for Villagarcia, taking the baby with the -greatest secrecy. D. John accompanied her on the first stage, and left -her at the post-house; he asked her benediction as a mother, and she -made him repeat two things he had promised, and which he religiously -performed. Not to see Doña Maria de Mendoza again, and retire, as soon -as he could without drawing attention, to the monastery of Abrojo, to -meditate for a few days on the eternal truths away from the atmosphere -of the Court. - -As to Doña Maria de Mendoza, she vanished into the mist, crying like -Andromache, and never saw D. John of Austria again. She stayed for a -long time at the Princess de Évoli's house at Pastrana, and, on the -score of delicate health, retired little by little from the Court. -Without attracting anyone's attention, she succeeded in so effacing her -memory, that to-day no one knows to which branch of the house of Mendoza -she belonged, or where she lived after the sad episode which ruined her -life. It is probable that she went to some convent to weep over that -which was certainly her first false step, and very likely her only -sin.[8] - -Footnote 8: - - Doña Magdalena de Ulloa brought up the child with the greatest care - and secrecy until Doña Ana was seven years old, when she placed her in - the convent of Augustins at Madrigal, with the intention that she - should become a nun, as, in fact, she did, no one suspecting the name - and rank of her ancestors. After D. John's death, in order that the - King might help and protect her, Alexander Farnese divulged the fact - of her existence. Philip granted her the surname of Austria and to be - addressed as Excellency, but her name and rank were not known until - the tragic event occurred to which we alluded in the text, which was - as follows: - - About the year 1590 or 1591 a Portuguese Augustin monk, named Fr. - Miguel de los Santos, arrived in Madrid. He was a wild, scheming man, - who had been exiled from his country as a supporter of plots and - revolts in favour of the Prior of Crato, D. Antonio, then claiming the - throne of Portugal. He was appointed vicar of the Augustin nuns at - Madrigal, and for this reason used to confess and see much of Doña Ana - de Austria, who, besides being very young then, seems to have been - also very simple. At that time there was a shepherd named Gabriel - Espinosa, who the monk thought bore a great resemblance to the King of - Portugal, D. Sebastian, who had been killed shortly before at the - battle of Alcárzarquiver in Africa. All these circumstances suggested - an intrigue to Fr. Miguel, which, daring and absurd as it was, made - much stir in Portugal and also in Castille. He persuaded the shepherd - to pretend that he was the King, who by a miracle had escaped from the - famous defeat, promising him by this deception to place him on the - throne of Portugal. The first person he made to believe his story was - Doña Ana, pretending that God had revealed to him that she was - destined to share the throne of the spurious D. Sebastian. The simple - Doña Ana fell into the trap, and, convinced that the shepherd was King - Sebastian and she chosen by heaven to be his spouse, she sent rich - jewels to Espinosa and established an "amoroso-politica" - correspondence with him, which still exists in the archives of - Sinmancas. The friar used these letters to obtain deluded partisans - for the sham king, and so many did he thus gather in Portugal as well - as Castille, and so much did the farce grow, that Espinosa was at last - arrested in Valladolid on suspicion and tried with the monk and Doña - Ana. Espinosa was condemned to be dragged from prison, put in a basket - and hanged in the square of Madrigal, quartered, and put on the - highway and his head placed in an iron cage. Fr. Miguel de los Santos, - after being degraded, was given over to the secular law and was hanged - in the square of Madrigal on the 19th of October, 1595. As to Doña - Ana, she was ordered to be transferred to the convent of Augustins at - Aviles, rigorous seclusion in her cell for four years, and to fast on - bread and water during this time every Friday, to lose her right to be - an abbess and to be addressed as Excellency. This sentence was, - however, shortly afterwards remitted, and she was transferred to las - Huelgas at Burgos, where she was elected perpetual abbess. The - licentiate Baltasar Porreño dedicated his life of D. John of Austria - to her about the years 1620 to 1625. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - -During all this time Prince Carlos's strangeness had been increasing -little by little, until it had become madness, his overbearing nature -cruelty, and the aversion he showed to his father deep hatred. - -It was in vain that, when the Prince was nineteen, D. Philip admitted -him to the Council of State (1564), and gave him a new household, -leaving Luis Quijada as Master of the Horse, but naming no less a person -than Ruy Gómez de Silva, Prince of Évoli, as Lord Steward, in the place -of D. Garcia de Toledo, lately dead. - -All D. Carlos's household were the victims of his violence and abuse, -from Ruy Gómez, whom he continually threatened that, when he was King, -Ruy Gómez should know it, to the lowest barber, whom he beat with his -own hand for the least delay or mistake. - -One day the King was consulting with his ministers about Flemish -affairs; the Prince, who was very curious about the subject, went to -listen at the door, with one ear at the keyhole, the Queen's ladies and -pages seeing him in this ignoble position from the gallery above. His -gentleman D. Diego de Acuña hearing of it, wanted to get him away, but -D. Carlos answered him by a slap in the face, which so enraged D. Diego -that it was with difficulty that he restrained the impulse of plunging a -dagger into the Prince's heart, and he went straight to the King and -resigned his appointment. D. Philip soothed his wounded feelings by -taking him into his own service, with doubled honours and salary. - -D. Carlos insulted another of his gentlemen, D. Alonso de Córdoba, son -of the Marqués de las Navas, in the same way, slapping his face because -he did not hasten when D. Carlos called, saying that he had intended to -do it for six months, and it was fair that he should at last give vent -to his desire. - -One day he waylaid Cardinal Espinosa, President of Castille (who had -exiled an actor named Cisnero, who was on intimate terms with D. Carlos, -from the Court), at the door of the Council Chamber, and rushed at him, -dagger in hand, and, pulling off his rochet, cried, "Little priest! You -dare to stop Cisnero coming to wait upon me? By the life of my father, I -must kill you." And so he would have done, had not some of the Grandees, -who hastened at the cries, released the Cardinal from him. - -This insolence to great personages became monstrous cruelty to the lower -orders. In the Palace accounts, preserved in the Archives of Simancas, -one meets with entries of indemnification paid to the fathers of boys -caused to be beaten by D. Carlos. One day he wanted to throw his valet, -Juan Estévez de Lobon, out of a window into the castle moat, after -having beaten him, and he obliged a shoemaker, who had made him boots -that were too tight, to eat them cooked and cut up in small pieces. -Water fell on him one day from a window, and he at once sent a guard to -burn the house and kill the inhabitants, and, "to satisfy him," says -Cabrera de Córdoba, "the guard returned and said that the Holy Sacrament -of the Viaticum was entering the house, and for this they had respected -the walls." - -On one occasion he shut himself up for five hours in the stables, and on -leaving left twenty horses rendered useless through his ill-treatment, -including a favourite one of the King's, which died two days afterwards. - -He added to these cruel extravagances, the work of an unhinged mind, -unkind, barefaced exhibitions of aversion towards his father, of which -good proof was found in his papers afterwards. - -Among these there was a blank book, with the title, written by the -Prince's own hand, "The Great Travels of the King Philip II," and then -on each of its pages these sneers: "The journey from Madrid to the -Pardo," "From the Pardo to the Escorial," "From the Escorial to -Aranjuez," "From Aranjuez to Toledo," "From Toledo to Valladolid," "From -Valladolid to Burgos," "From Burgos to Madrid," and "From the Pardo to -Aranjuez," "From Aranjuez to the Escorial," "From the Escorial to -Madrid," etc. - -In another paper, written also by him, was "The list of my enemies," and -the first name that figured on it was "The King, my father." Then -followed Ruy Gómez de Silva, the Princess de Évoli, Cardinal Espinosa, -the Duque de Alba, and various other lords. On the other side of the -paper he had written "List of my friends," "Queen Isabel, who has always -been very good to me." And then "D. John of Austria, my much-loved -uncle," then Luis Quijada, D. Pedro Fajardo, and very few more. - -Indeed, Queen Isabel and D. John were the only two people the unlucky -Prince spared in his hatred and general rudeness; and this has furnished -poets, novelists and pseudo-learned persons with the supposition that -between this unfortunate Prince, who never became a man, and the -virtuous D. Isabel of the Peace, model of queens and wives, there -existed a romantic and incestuous passion, which has served as a base -for their midnight studies, calumnies to-day for those who even -partially know history. Everyone in Madrid knew of and regretted D. -Carlos's mad conduct, and foreign Courts also knew of it, as in their -dispatches Ambassadors hastened to send the information, which has -enabled posterity to know and judge all these circumstances. - -But, although D. Carlos's physical and moral defects were so well known, -there was not a Princess in Europe then who would not have been very -pleased to give her hand to the heir of the most powerful monarch in the -world. - -So the various Courts began to present their candidates, first Queen -Catherine de Medicis, who proposed for the Prince of the Asturias her -younger daughter Margaret de Valois, the celebrated Margot, afterwards -Queen of Navarre. At that time the King of France, Francis II, died, and -the Guises, always friendly to Philip II, proposed their niece, the -recently widowed Mary Stuart, who was also Queen of Scotland in her own -right. - -The Court of Lisbon, on their part, proposed Princess Juana, and in this -sense the great widowed Queen of Portugal, Doña Catalina, wrote to D. -Philip, with whom her opinion had much weight, as being grandmother of -Prince Carlos and the only remaining sister of the Emperor, and a lady -of such great virtues and talents. This alliance was also desired by the -nation, as, although the difference in age between the nephew and the -aunt was considerable, even this added to the great qualities of the -Princess, who had done so well during her regency, and was considered to -be a guarantee that her merit would supply the great deficiencies that -they noted and feared in D. Carlos. - -Last of all, but with great probabilities of success, the Emperor -Maximilian of Austria suggested his granddaughter the Archduchess Doña -Ana. - -Philip II received all these proposals with his usual reserve, neither -accepting nor refusing, and, slowly studying them, gave or took away -hopes as it suited his policy, but, as was usual in such cases, taking -into consideration neither the tastes nor wishes of his son. But D. -Carlos was not a man to have the wishes of others foisted on him, least -of all those of his father; and, without considering them, resolved to -act for himself. He asked for the portraits of the three Princesses, -and, after having carefully examined them, he resolved to fall in love -with his cousin the Archduchess Ana, and told everyone so, and even -convinced himself. He was seen passing hours gazing at the portrait of -the Archduchess, which he kept in his room in a round ebony box with -silver mouldings. - -D. Carlos laid his plans, and neither with the submission of a son nor -the humility of a subject, but as from one power to another and as one -who asks and demands in his own right, he announced to the King his wish -to marry the Archduchess, and to be given the government of the States -of Flanders. - -Perhaps this was Philip's own idea, and whether because it was so, or -whether to ingratiate himself with the Prince, or whether, as some say, -D. Philip did not show the same determination face to face that he -always did from afar, it is certain that he heard his son favourably, -and promised at once to negotiate his marriage with the Archduchess, to -accompany him to Flanders with the expedition which was preparing, and -himself instruct his son in the manners and customs of that country. - -Satisfied by this, D. Carlos wished to secure the success of his plan by -a _diplomatic stroke_ in his own way, which he did with so much haughty -folly, that he displayed his incapacity for anything like prudence and -government before the whole of Europe. - -The Cortes of Castille had been convoked since the 1st of December of -that year 1556, and the meetings were held in one of the rooms of the -castle. On the 22nd of December Philip II, as usual, went to the -Escorial for the Christmas festival, and D. Carlos availed himself of -this absence to effect his stroke. - -He therefore presented himself one morning, unexpectedly, at the meeting -of the members, and, without any warning, preamble or announcement, said -in a very angry, haughty way, "You must know that my father is thinking -of going to Flanders, and I wish at all costs to accompany him. I know -that at the last Cortes you had the impertinence to ask my father to -marry me to the Princess, my aunt; I do not understand why you should -interfere with my marriage, or that it matters to you whether my father -marries me to one or the other. I do not wish that you should allow -yourselves the fresh impertinence of asking my father to leave me in -Spain, and I therefore forbid you to make such a petition, on the -understanding that the member who does this will have me for a mortal -enemy, and I will do all I can to ruin him." - -Having said this, he ordered the members not to dare to say anything of -this scene to the King, and he turned his back, leaving these worthy men -astounded by his folly and insolence. - -Grave disorders broke out in Flanders soon after, and the King put off -his journey, sending on the Duque de Alba to pacify those States. The -anger of Prince Carlos on hearing this knew no bounds, as he saw his -plans in danger, and felt himself passed over, thinking in his heedless -pride that, better than anyone, he could pacify the Low Countries. - -The Duque de Alba could not help taking leave of the Prince when he went -to kiss the King's hand at Aranjuez, where the Court then was. - -But no sooner did D. Carlos see him come into the room, than he shouted -out in a rage, that "he was not to go to Flanders, because it was his -journey; that he should not do it, and if he contradicted he should be -killed." - -The Duke respectfully answered that the life of H.H. was too precious to -expose on such an expedition, that he was only going first to pacify the -States, that H.H. should then come and find himself on firm ground. But -the Prince, blind with anger, drew out his dagger and threw himself on -the Duke, crying out, "You are not to go to Flanders, or I must kill -you." The Duke took hold of both his arms, and they joined in a -struggle, until the Prince, overcome, fell back breathless. And as the -Duke continued with his reasons, in order to calm him, the Prince, all -at once, set on him again, this time treacherously, meaning to plunge -his dagger in Alba's breast. The Duke held him, and the struggle began -again, until the courtiers, this time attracted by the noise, separated -them, taking hold of the furious Prince and allowing the Duke to retire. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - -The temporary healing of the breach between Philip II and Prince Charles -was ended by all this, and it widened again when the latter saw that the -King was beginning to delay and put obstacles in the way of his -projected marriage with the Archduchess Ana. D. Philip's reasons, -however, for so doing could not have been better or more conscientious. -Up till now the Prince's unfitness for marriage had only been a rumour, -more or less explained, to which his looks and conduct gave an -appearance of truth. - -At this time circumstances occurred which made patent what previously -had only been conjectured. - -From that time D. Carlos began a strange life, which offered grave -suspicions; he spent large sums of money, no one knew how; he went out -alone every night, wearing a false beard, and with an arquebus in his -hand, to all the houses of ill fame in Madrid; he came back sometimes -without his shirt, at other times he had the one he was wearing burnt in -his presence; in short, everything in him showed a strange intemperance, -in whose muddy depths, perchance, may be found the key of the mystery -which surrounds his imprisonment and death. - -Because it is really extraordinary that in all the very intimate letters -which Philip II, on the imprisonment of D. Carlos, wrote to the Pope, to -the Dowager Queen of Portugal, Doña Catalina, the Prince's grandmother, -to the Emperor Maximilian and the Empress Maria, who were to have been -his father- and mother-in-law, and to the great Duque de Alba, he -hastens to clear his son from all suspicion of heresy, rebellion, -disrespect to his person, or other such crimes which would justify his -rigorous measures, and only makes an attempt to do this in all of them -by repeating almost identically the same sentence: "In excesses which -result from his nature and particular condition, which cannot be -repeated for the decency of the case and the honour and estimation of -the Prince." - -At last D. Carlos, despairing of governing Flanders by his father's -leave, and also fearing that his father was breaking off his marriage -with Doña Ana, determined to fly from Spain and go to Italy, and from -thence to Flanders or Germany, as the circumstances should dictate. The -most necessary thing for this was money, and he sent his attendants, -Garci Álvarez Osorio and Juan Martinez de la Cuadra, therefore, to -borrow 600,000 ducats from among the merchants of Toledo, Medina del -Campo, Valladolid and Burgos. But the credit of D. Carlos was very bad -on those markets, because they all knew him to be as free in borrowing -as he was faithless in paying, and the efforts of Osorio and de la -Cuadra only produced a few thousand ducats. - -Nothing daunted by this, D. Carlos sent Garci Álvarez Osorio to Seville -with twelve blank letters of credit, of which the text was: "The Prince. -Garci Álvarez, my attendant, who will give you this, will speak to you, -and will ask you, in my name, for certain sums of money to be lent for a -pressing and urgent necessity; I beg and charge you much to do it; on -the one hand you will perform your obligations as vassal, on the other -you will give me great pleasure. In all that concerns payment I rely on -the said Osorio, that what he settles I accept as settled. Madrid, 1st -of December, 1567." - -And in his own hand: "In this you will please me much. I, the Prince." - -He wrote at the same time to many of the Grandees of Spain, saying that -he had to go on a journey of great importance, and hoping that they -would accompany him and give him their aid. - -These requests were answered in very different ways; some, like the -Duques de Sesa, Medina de Rioseco, and the Marqués de Pescara, answered, -without suspecting anything wrong, that, unconditionally, they would -follow him; others, more suspicious, said that they would lend their aid -to anything that was not against religion or the service of the King; -and a few, like the Admiral, knowing better how the land lay, secretly -sent the Prince's letter to the King, begging him to read and study it. - -Meanwhile Garci Álvarez Osorio returned from his journey to Seville, -where he had made many good and quick negotiations on behalf of D. -Carlos, who, seeing the money, thought that everything was settled, and -began to make his final arrangements. - -He wrote a long letter to the King, his father, full of bitter and -offensive complaints, throwing on him the responsibility for his -conduct, and also to the Pope, to his grandmother Queen Catalina, to all -the Princes of Christendom, Grandees, Chancellors, Courts, and cities of -the kingdom, explaining his flight, and attributing it to his father's -tyranny and hatred. - -All these letters were to have been sent to their destinations after the -flight had become an accomplished fact, and meanwhile D. Carlos kept -them in a steel casket inlaid with gold, which he locked up in his -writing-table. - -One thing which D. Carlos judged essential, as it was, he had not done; -this was to consult D. John of Austria. Two months before, at the -beginning of October, the King had sent for D. John to the Escorial, and -had at last granted him the command of the Mediterranean galleys, as he -had promised. - -It was in one of these galleys, now anchored at Cartagena, that D. -Carlos intended to go to Italy, and it was this indispensable help, -added to the great prestige that D. John enjoyed among the nobles at -Court and all over the kingdom, which made D. Carlos think, this time -very rationally, that the success of his project perhaps depended on D. -John's yes or no. So, on Christmas Eve, he called his uncle, and was -closeted with him for two long hours in his room, unfolding his plans, -begging D. John's help, and in return making him great offers. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - DON FERNANDO ALVAREZ DE TOLEDO, THIRD DUQUE DE ALBA, - CALLED THE "GRAN DUQUE" - - _By Titian. Belonging to the Duque de Berwick y de Alba. Palacio de - Lirio, Madrid_ -] - -[Illustration: - - THIRD DUQUE DE ALBA, AGED 61 - - _Gulliermo Key. Belonging to the Duque de Berwick y de Alba - Palacio de Liria, Madrid_ -] - -According to D. Carlos, D. John could hope for nothing from the King but -stingy rewards, limited ever by his envy, avarice and tyrannical deeds; -he, on the other hand, would give D. John all a king's best friend could -hope for, and he then offered, as if he owned them, the States of Milan -or the Kingdom of Naples. D. John looked at him up and down, amazed, -without knowing whether to wonder more at the blackness of the treason -or the absurdity of the design. He understood, however, how useless and -dangerous it would be to contradict D. Carlos openly, or to throw in his -teeth, as he deserved, all the contempt and horror which his plan -inspired. - -So he chose a side attack, making D. Carlos see how difficult and -dangerous an undertaking it was, the dreadful consequences to which it -might lead in Flanders and Italy, and even among the restless Spanish -Moors, the bad example of a son rising against his father, and the grave -risk there was of discovery, so many people having been told by D. -Carlos. The Prince had an answer for everything. - -Everything, according to him, had been thought of and arranged, and it -only remained for Garci Álvarez Osorio to exchange for money some -letters of exchange he had brought from Seville, and for him, D. John, -as General of the Sea, to give him a safe conduct, putting at the -disposal of D. Carlos one of the galleys in Cartagena, and then to come -with the rest to join D. Carlos in that part of Italy which he should -designate. - -This determined D. John. Seeing, as a Christian, a brother of the King, -and as an honourable gentleman, that there was only one way of stopping -such disasters, and in order to adopt it, he asked D. Carlos to give him -twenty-four hours in which to think the matter over. This the Prince -conceded reluctantly, as it was, according to him, necessary to profit -by the absence of the King, who had gone to the Escorial three days -before, and was to return to Madrid for the Feast of the Epiphany. - -Very early the next day D. John started for the Escorial, where, as a -loyal prince and an honourable gentleman, he told his brother the absurd -plans and mischievous intentions of D. Carlos, to whom he explained his -audience as a command from the King, who had sent for him to give him -urgent orders about the galleys at Cartagena. - -D. Carlos had no suspicions and continued his preparations, until the -situation was complicated by a notable incident, very characteristic of -the time. That year (1567) the general Jubilee granted by Pius V, in -honour of his elevation to the Pontificate, was being celebrated, and to -gain it he fixed the 28th of December, the Feast of the Holy Innocents. - -On the 27th D. Carlos went late to the convent of St. Jerónimo to -confess and to gain the Jubilee the next day. It was already eight -o'clock, and he went in a coach, with a very small retinue. It should be -noted that the official and usual confessor of D. Carlos was Fr. Diego -de Chaves, and that on that day he asked for some other brother. - -The result was that this confessor would not give the Prince absolution, -because he said that he harboured the mortal sin of hatred of a man, and -that this hate would not end until he had killed him. - -The brother, as we have said, refused absolution. The Prince said, -"Father, make up your mind quickly." To which the friar answered, "Your -Highness must consult the theologians." - -D. Carlos got up very much put out, and sent his coach to Atocha to -bring theologians, and fourteen came, as many as the coach, which was -small, would hold, two by two. "And then," says the account of one of -the Prince's attendants, who was there that night, "he sent to Madrid -for Alvarado the Augustin, and for Trinitario, and the Prince disputed -with each, and persisted that they should absolve him, even for killing -a man who was on bad terms with him. And as all said they could not, -they resolved, for the sake of the people, to give him an unconsecrated -wafer at communion." - -"Here all the theologians became upset, as other very deep things -happened which I do not tell you. And as they were all there, and the -negotiations were going so badly, the Prior of Atocha took the Prince -apart, and with skill began to confess him and ask him the rank of the -man that he wished to kill, and he answered that he was of high rank; -but he could not drag the name from him (the Prince). The Prior deceived -him by saying, 'Sir, say who it is that it will be possible to absolve -you, according to your Highness's wish.' And then he said that it was -the King, his father, whom he was on bad terms with and had to kill. The -Prior very quietly said, 'Alone? or who do you think will help you?' - -"In the end he remained without absolution or gaining the Jubilee, on -account of his obstinacy. And all this ended at two o'clock in the -night, and all the brothers left, very sad, especially his confessor, -who went the next day to the Palace and to H.M., and told him at the -Escorial all that had passed." - - - - - CHAPTER X - - -D. John of Austria's revelations painfully irritated Philip II; but he -gave no sign by which his intentions could be divined or in any way -modified the pious programme he had arranged for the festivals. - -He kept D. John at the Escorial, and together they gained the Jubilee on -the 28th, and together also on the same day they witnessed the -Jerónomite Fathers take possession of the provisional convent where they -were to lodge until the sumptuous fabric of the monastery, then being -built, was ready for them. - -On the 6th they were present at the consecration of the provisional -church, and on the 11th at the profession of a new monk; on that day the -King sent a circular to the Superiors of all the convents in Madrid and -its neighbourhood, ordering them to offer continual prayers that God -might inspire him with skill and resolution in an affair of the greatest -importance for the welfare of the kingdom. - -It was also noticed that on those days more couriers came and went -between Madrid and the Escorial, and that the King had more frequent and -longer meetings with the lords of the Council. - -On the 15th of January, 1568, D. Philip left the Escorial with his -brother and came to sleep at the Pardo. D. Carlos heard of this, and -sent an urgent message to his uncle to go secretly to the furze near the -Palace with the Prior D. Antonio de Toledo, and that he would go there -to speak to him. - -D. John and the Prior waited for him in the balcony of the Palace, with -the authorisation of the King, and from there saw D. Carlos enter the -furze on horseback with five others. They went to meet him, and D. -Carlos, with much anxiety, asked if the King was very much displeased at -the bad example he had given the Court and town in not gaining the -Jubilee on the day of the Holy Innocents. - -Then the Prince took D. John apart and told him that Garci Álvarez -Osorio had got the money together; that everything was ready for the -morning of the 18th, and that nothing was wanting but the safe conduct -which D. John was to give him to enable him to embark on the galleys at -Cartagena, and a document which would oblige D. John, if he did not wish -to follow at the moment, to do so at his call when he so ordered. - -Driven into a corner, D. John answered that he was starting the next -day, the 17th, for Madrid, with the King, and that they could there -settle what was best. - -D. Carlos went back to Madrid still of the same mind, and, not to lose -time, sent to order eight post-horses for the morning of the 18th from -the head of the post, Raimundo de Tassis. - -Tassis, alarmed, answered the Prince _that all the horses were on the -road, but when they came he should be served_. And he at once informed -the King of the demand of D. Carlos, who reiterated his order again a -few hours later. The terrified post-master sent all the horses he had -out of Madrid, and hurried to the Pardo to tell the King. This happened -on the night of the 16th, and Tassis arrived at the Pardo at daybreak on -the 17th. - -The same day D. Philip went to Madrid with D. John of Austria, without -displaying any hurry or anxiety, and, as he always did, went straight to -the Queen's apartments to greet her and his daughters. - -Princess Juana was also waiting there for him, and, seeing him enter, -took her goddaughter, the little Infanta Doña Catalina, from her -governess, Doña Maria Chacón, and showed her to the King, that he might -admire the tiny and pretty tooth which the child had cut during his -absence. The Princess adored her godchild with all the enthusiasm and -passion of a most devoted mother. - -The Queen laughed at her sister-in-law's enthusiasm, and called her the -"Portuguese," and presented the little elder Infanta, Doña Isabel Clara -Eugenia, whom the Camarera Mayor, the Duquesa de Alba, then brought. The -sad heart of D. Philip softened for a moment with that tenderness -towards his daughters which no one would have expected in the severe -monarch, and which the learned Gachard has made patent in his studies on -these two illustrious Princesses, who did so much to add lustre to the -House of Austria. - -Doña Juana also made her brother D. John admire the little tooth, and at -that moment D. Carlos came into the room to welcome and kiss the hand of -the King, his father. - -D. Carlos greeted him with apparent respect and pleasure, which D. -Philip received with a good grace, no less well feigned. No one would -have suspected, on seeing the royal family in such affectionate harmony, -that such a horrible affliction hovered over them. - -Princess Juana spoke of the banquet and ball she thought of giving the -next day, the 19th, in honour of the birthday of her son D. Sebastian, -the King of Portugal, and wishing, as usual, to draw D. Carlos towards -the Court and its circles, and to wean him from the dark and bad ways he -frequented, she asked him to arrange with D. John a solemn masquerade -for that day, which, besides being the birthday of her son, was also his -coming of age. - -With the greatest aplomb the Prince promised, and D. John did the same, -not being able to do otherwise, and the King gave his consent by nodding -his head without saying a word. - -They all left the Queen's room together, and then D. Carlos, taking D. -John of Austria's arm, took him off to his rooms, which were in the -"entresol" of the Palace, looking on the side now called "el Campo del -Moro." - -D. Carlos ordered the doors to be shut, and no one has ever known for -certain what passed between the nephew and the uncle during the two -hours they remained there. - -At the end of this time the valets heard a noise inside, and the loud, -manly voice of D. John of Austria, who shouted indignantly, "Keep there, -your Highness." - -Frightened, they opened the door, and saw D. John, looking furious, -keeping the Prince at bay with his sword, who, livid with rage, was -trying to attack D. John with sword and dagger. - -The valet's account says that, "after this scene D. John went to his -house." Perhaps D. John pretended to do so, to disarm D. Carlos's -suspicion, but it is certain that he went straight to D. Philip and told -him of the occurrence. The King then feared for D. John's life, and -would not let him leave the castle. He sent and had a room prepared, -where he made D. John sleep that memorable night. - -Meanwhile D. Carlos, fearful that the King would wish to see him alone, -went to bed, pretending to be ill. He was not mistaken; for soon -afterwards D. Rodrigo de Mendoza brought an order from the King that D. -Carlos should go up to his room. D. Carlos gave his pretended illness as -an excuse, and, thinking the danger past, got up again at six o'clock; -putting on a long overcoat, without dressing, and sitting in the warmth -of the fire, he supped off a boiled capon. The mad Prince had not given -up his plan for a minute, and more than ever persisted in his project of -running away the next day at dawn. - -For some time past D. Carlos had taken the most extraordinary -precautions for his personal safety, above all while he was asleep. He -had sent away the gentleman who, according to etiquette, should have -slept in his room at night, and secured his door inside with a curious -mechanism which he had had made by the French engineer Luis de Foix; it -consisted of a series of springs which prevented the door opening unless -D. Carlos pulled a long red silk cord which hung at the head of his bed. - -He had also had an extraordinary weapon, which he himself had devised, -and the construction of which he superintended, made by the same -engineer. - -He had read of the deed of the terrible Bishop of Zamora, D. Antonio de -Acuña, who broke the head of the Alcaide of Simancas with a stone which -he carried hidden in a leather purse, as if it were a breviary. - -Enchanted with the idea, the Prince ordered de Foix to make a book -composed of twelve pieces of very hard blue marble, six inches long by -four inches wide, covered, as if they were bound, with two plates of -steel masked with gold. - -D. Carlos always had this disguised arm at hand, ready to break the head -of anyone as the fancy might take him, an extra proof of the traitorous -and perverse nature of the unlucky Prince. - -Besides this, there was always an arquebus at the head of his bed, and -an arsenal of powder and shot hidden in his wardrobe. - -After supper D. Carlos looked through the letters and papers he had -prepared, and went to bed at half-past nine, leaving by the side of his -bed a naked sword and a loaded arquebus, and having an unsheathed dagger -under his pillow. - -Meanwhile all seemed to sleep in the royal castle; nevertheless, within -its walls one of the most discussed and terrible events in history was -preparing. - -The King kept vigil in his room, and after eleven o'clock, one by one, -there arrived, cautiously, the Prince de Évoli, the Duque de Feria, the -Prior D. Antonio, and Luis Quijada. These were afterwards joined by two -of the King's gentlemen, D. Pedro Manuel and D. Diego de Acuña, and to -all of them D. Philip spoke "as never man spoke before," according to a -document of the period, and showed them the hard and terrible necessity -he saw of arresting and shutting up his son Prince Carlos. - -The best way of carrying this out, without scandal or dangerous -resistance, was then discussed, and the King proposed his plan, which -was naturally accepted. At midnight they all descended by an inside -staircase, on tiptoe, in the dark, cautiously, not to arouse the guard, -almost trembling, as justice has to tremble sometimes, to prevent and -surprise crime. - -The Duque de Feria went first, with a dark lantern in his hand; the King -followed, very pale, a cuirass under his clothes, a naked sword under -his arm, and an iron helmet on his head. Behind him came all the rest, -with naked swords, more to inspire terror and respect than because there -was need to use them. Two of the King's servants, Santoyo and Bernal, -with nails and hammers, and twelve guards with their lieutenant, also -came. - -In the Prince's ante-room they met his two gentlemen, D. Rodrigo de -Mendoza and the Conde de Lerma, who were on duty, and the King gave them -orders to let no one pass. - -The door of the room opened without resistance, because the King had -ordered the engineer de Foix secretly to make the Prince's springs -useless. - -Ruy Gómez and the Duque de Feria approached the bed of D. Carlos with -much caution; he was sleeping soundly, and without his knowing it they -were able to put the arquebus and the unsheathed sword out of reach of -his hand; the dagger they did not find. - -D. Carlos then woke, and, sitting up frightened, called out in a sleepy, -startled voice: - -"Who goes there?" - -"The Council of State," replied Ruy Gómez. - -The Prince then threw himself out of bed with great violence and wished -to grasp his weapons; with this movement the dagger slipped down, and -Ruy Gómez picked it up from the ground. At the same time the Duque de -Feria opened his lantern, and the Prince found himself face to face with -his father. - -He threw himself back and cried, all beside himself, putting both hands -to his head, "What is this? Does Y.M. wish to kill me?" - -The King answered very quietly that he wished to do the Prince no harm, -but that he wished him and all the kingdom well. Then he ordered the -servants to bring lights, to nail up the windows, and take away all -arms, even to the fire-irons. - -The Prince then realised that he had let himself be arrested, and in his -shirt, as he was, he threw himself on the King, crying, "Kill me, Y.M., -but do not arrest me, because it is a great scandal for the kingdom; -and, if not, I shall kill myself." - -To which the King answered, "Do not do this, which would be the act of a -madman." - -"I shall not do it as a madman, but because I am desperate at Y.M. -treating me so ill." - -Tearing out his hair, and gnashing his teeth in a way horrible to hear, -he tried to throw himself headlong into the fire. The Prior seized his -shirt, and between them they once more placed him in his bed, "and many -other arguments passed," says the valet's account, "none of them were -ended, it not being the time or place for this." - -Meanwhile the King ordered that the papers of D. Carlos should be sought -for and collected. Then appeared the steel casket with the prepared -letters inside, the book of travels, the list of friends and enemies, -and other documents, some silly, some culpable, all compromising. - -The King then retired, taking the papers with him, having ordered and -arranged, with the most scrupulous exactitude, everything referring as -much to the service and care of the Prince as to his most strict -restraint. - -The consternation of the people of Madrid, on hearing the next day of -the imprisonment of the Prince, knew no bounds. - -"The most sane looked at each other," says Luis Cabrera de Córdoba, -"sealing their lips with a finger and silence: and breaking it, some -call (the King) prudent, others severe, because his laugh and his sword -went together. The Prince, unlucky youth, had thought ill and talked -with resentment, but had done nothing; without such extremes he could -have punished his unwarned heir, as they do in other countries. Others -say that he was a father, and very wise, and that much force drove and -obliged him to this determination. Others, that princes are jealous of -those who are to succeed them, and that cleverness, bravery, and great, -generous natures displease them in their sons; and that if the King -fears them, the subjects will fear them more, and that to secure them -they should give them a share in the government with moderation. Others, -that by a bad instinct heirs are spurred on by the desire to reign and -be free, and that few loyal acts come from discontented heads, as the -Prince wished to be with the Flemings." - -The distress of the Queen and Princess Juana was very great, and in vain -they both implored the King, over and over again, to be allowed to visit -the Prince. D. John came that evening to the Queen's apartment, dressed -carelessly in dark clothes, as a sign of mourning, but the King reproved -him, and ordered him to attire himself as usual. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -D. John of Austria never saw Prince Carlos again, or heard from the lips -of D. Philip the slightest allusion to his unhappy son. These sad events -drew the brothers together, and it must be confessed that D. Philip was -at this time a real father to D. John. - -At the beginning of May, 1568, he announced to D. John that the hour had -come for him to take command of the galleys of Cartagena, first to meet -and escort the fleet coming from the Indies, and then to clear the -coasts of the Mediterranean of corsairs. - -These pirates went far inland with the greatest effrontery, and it was -known that their real leader and protector, Selim II, was having galleys -and engines of war constructed with the intention of taking them to the -Ionian Sea. - -The news of the expedition prepared for D. John filled the young nobles -with enthusiasm, as formerly the unlucky Maltese one had done, and the -flower of them hastened to enlist under his banner. - -D. Philip was pleased to see his brother's influence, which might be so -useful to his political ends, and, in order to stimulate and inspire -warlike ardour in these illustrious volunteers, divided the galleys -among parties of four, giving the command of each to a captain, chosen -from among them, who afterwards were commonly called "cuatraldos." - -As lieutenant to D. John, D. Philip named no less a person than D. Luis -de Requesens, Knight Commander of Castille, who was ambassador at Rome, -and, as secretaries, Juan de Quiroga, already acting as such, and -Antonio de Prado, a man of great parts, who was afterwards a statesman -under Philip III. - -Among the brilliant band of volunteers who followed D. John the most -distinguished were D. Martin de Padilla, who was afterwards Governor of -Castille and Captain-General of the Ocean; D. Pedro de Cervellon, D. -Juan de Zúñiga, afterwards Conde de Miranda; D. Francisco de Rojas, -afterwards Marqués de Poza and President of the Treasury; the brothers -D. Jerónimo and D. Antonio de Padilla, D. Luis de Córdoba, D. Juan de -Gúzman, D. Alonso Portocarrero, D. Rodrigo de Benavides, D. Mendo -Rodriguez de Ledesma; D. Hernando de Gamboa, D. José Vázguez de Acuña, -D. Hernando de Prado, D. Pedro Zapata de Calatayud, and D. Hernando de -Zanguera. - -All these gentlemen accompanied D. John to take leave of the King, who -was at Aranjuez, and were received with much attention by all the Court. -On saying good-bye D. Philip handed to his brother, for his guidance, -the following document, written by his own hand, notable for the great -maxims for the rule and conduct of a prince which it contains, and for -the fraternal solicitude which it shows on the part of Philip II towards -his brother: - - "Brother: Besides the instructions which you have been given - respecting the appointment of Captain-General of the Ocean, and - its powers and duties: for the great love I have for you, and - also that in your person, life and manners, you should possess - the estimation and good name persons of your rank should have, - with this end it has occurred to me to give you the following - instructions. First, because the foundation and beginning of all - great things and of all good counsels is God, I charge you much, - that as a good and real Christian, you take this as the - beginning and foundation of all your doings and enterprises, and - that you dedicate to God, as your chief aim, all your business - and affairs, from whose hand comes all the success of your - undertakings, negotiations and labours. And that you will take - great care to be very devout and God-fearing, and a good - Christian, not only in reality, but also in appearance and - demonstration, setting all a good example, that by this means - and on this foundation God may show you grace and your name and - fame may always be increasing. - - "Be very particular to go to Confession, especially at Christmas - and Easter and on other solemn days, and to receive the Holy - Sacrament, if you are in a place where you are able to do so; - every day, being on land, hear Mass; and perform your devotions - with fervour at stated times, as a good and very Catholic - Christian. - - "Truth and the keeping of one's word and promise are the basis - of credit and esteem on which are founded and built up friendly - intercourse and confidence. This is required, and is the more - necessary for great ones, and those who have important public - duties, because on their truth and integrity depend faith and - public safety. Be sure that in this you take great care and - pains, that it should be known and understood everywhere that - trust may be placed in what you say, as besides its affecting - public matters and your appointment, it matters much to your own - honour and esteem. - - "Use justice with impartiality and rectitude, and when necessary - with the severity and example the case requires: as regards this - be firm and constant; and also when the quality of persons or - things permit it, be pitiful and mild, as these are very - appropriate virtues in people of your rank. - - "Flattery and words leading to it are ignoble in those who use - them, and a shame and offence to those to whom they are - addressed. To those who make these professions, and treat you - thus, show by your face and manner that they may understand how - little acceptable to you such conversation is. Do the same to - those who in your presence speak ill of the honours and persons - of the absent, that such conversation should not take place, - because, besides being prejudicial and an injury to the third - person, it tends to turn them from your authority and - estimation. You must live and act with great prudence as regards - all that concerns the uprightness of your private life, because - forgetfulness of this, besides being an offence to God, will - bring about inconveniences, and cause a great stumbling-block to - the work and fulfilment of what you have to do, and will entail - other risks which are dangerous and of evil consequence and - example. Excuse yourself, when possible, from games, especially - cards and dice, on account of the example you should set others, - and because, in gambling, it is not possible to act with the - moderation and restraint which is required in persons of your - rank. And it often happens that, through gambling, men in high - positions lose their temper and dishonour themselves. I charge - you, that if at any time you play to amuse yourself, you should - preserve the decorum due to your person and authority. - - "Swearing, without the greatest necessity which obliges one to - do so, is very wrong for every man and woman, and takes away - good opinion, but, above all, in men of position, in whom it is - very indecent and goes against their credit, dignity, and - authority, so I charge you to be very careful about swearing, - and never to swear by God or other rare oaths, which neither are - nor should be used by people of your rank. - - "As I wish that your table, food and way of living should be - suitable, use the decency, ostentation and cleanliness that is - proper; but also it is well that there should be much moderation - and temperance, because of the example that you have set to all, - and because of the profession of arms which you have to follow, - and because it is good, and it is well for you to show - moderation and temperance, because your table has to settle the - rule and order for the rest. - - "Be careful not to say anything rude or injurious to anyone, - that your tongue may be used to honour and do favours, and to - dishonour no one. You should punish those who err or commit - excesses, being just to all. This punishment should not come - from your mouth with haughty words, or from your hand. And also - be very careful that in your usual ways and talk you use modesty - and temperance without ill-temper or arrogance, which are things - that detract much from a person's authority. And at the same - time have a care that your conversation and that which takes - place in your presence is decent and straightforward, as is - required by your rank and person. - - "Also be very courteous in your intercourse with every sort of - person, being very affable, quiet and gracious, maintaining the - decency and decorum of your person and office, because - affability gains people's affection, but also preserves the - reputation and respect that are due to you. In winter, and at - other times, when you are not at sea, but on land, do not - neglect the business of your appointment, to which you should - pay great attention; occupy yourself in good exercises, - especially those of arms; in which also those gentlemen who - reside with you should occupy themselves, avoiding by these - exercises, expenses, ostentation and excesses, and that all - should be prepared for the real exercise of arms. The use of - these will make the said gentlemen dexterous and expert in any - occasion that may offer. And also by this means the said - expenses and extravagance in vesture, clothes and everyday life - are avoided, giving an example by what you yourself and your - servants wear. - - "This is what it has occurred to me to remind you about, - confident that you will act in an even better manner than what I - have told you. - - "It is for you only, and for this, goes, written by my hand. - - "At Aranjuez, the 23rd of May, 1568. I, the King." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -D. John arrived at Cartagena quite at the end of May, and found, waiting -for him there, his lieutenant, the Knight Commander D. Luis de -Requesens, who lodged in his house. By the King's orders, D. Álvaro de -Bazán, who was afterwards first Marqués de Santa Cruz, D. Juan de -Cardona and the veteran Gil Andrada were also waiting for him as -councillors. - -They took him first to visit the galleys anchored in the port, and D. -John was as much pleased as surprised at the "Capitana" which his -brother the King had had prepared for him, with all the improvements of -the time. - -It was a galley of the Venetian type, with sixty oars, as easy to -navigate as it was strong to attack or resist. The hulk had been built -in Barcelona of Catalonian pine, which is the best timber for ships in -Asia, Africa or Europe, and the magnificent poop in Seville according to -the designs of the painter and architect Juan Balesta Castello, surnamed -the Bergamesco. The keel measured 468 "palms" and the deck 492 "palms," -and it stood 72 "palms" above the water. - -It was painted white and red, and the stern was adorned with fine -pictures and friezes and ornaments, all symbolical of the qualities a -great captain should possess. - -By the bowsprit there were large pictures divided by two spaces; the -centre one represented the capture of the "Golden Fleece" by Jason, who, -according to Pliny, was the first man to sail in "nao prolongada," the -right-hand picture represented Prudence and Temperance, the left-hand -one Fortitude and Justice, and in the dividing tapestries were displayed -on one the god Mars, with the sword of Vulcan and the shield of Pallas, -and this motto—_Per saxa, per undas_—and in the other the god Mercury, -with his finger on his lips, as one commanding silence, with this -legend—_Opportune_. - -From here extended on each side great chains of the "Golden Fleece," -interlaced with masks and other symbolical pictures, which reached to -the prow, the figurehead being a powerful Hercules, leaning on his club. -Over the stern shone the great lantern, emblem of command, of wood and -bronze, all gilt, crowned with a statue of Fame. - -On the 2nd of June the first council presided over by D. John was held, -the Knight Commander D. Luis de Requesens, D. Álvaro de Bazán, D. Juan -de Cardona, and Gil Andrada being present. It was the first council that -D. John had presided over, and without showing self-sufficiency -unsuitable to his years, or the timidity very natural to them, he at -once gave proof of one of the best qualities a leader can possess, in -order to direct and govern: _To know how to ask and how to listen_. The -council decided to set sail without loss of time, to fall in with the -fleet coming from the Indies, and escort it as far as Sanlucar de -Barrameda; then to go and follow the corsairs along all the -Mediterranean coast to the ports of France and Italy. - -The embarkation and departure were fixed for the 4th, and it was a brave -sight that the beautiful port of Cartagena offered that day. The -thirty-three galleys which composed the fleet were dressed with the -magnificence of the period, streamers hung from the lower decks, -pendants from the yards, banners at the stern; and the most beautiful of -all, the "Capitana," flying, by D. John's orders, as well as the royal -ensign, the standard of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. - -Very early that morning D. John confessed and received communion, and at -nine o'clock went on board the "Capitana," followed by a great retinue. -Then all the galleys burst forth with salvos of artillery, and music of -drums, and trumpets and clarions and Moorish horns; the crews manned the -rigging, the people in feluccas and on the mole, crowded so together -that many fell into the water, cheered wildly, and D. John, the great D. -John that Doña Magdalena had made of the humble Jeromín, held up his -head as if among the smoke of the powder he smelt the perfume of the -glory which was coming to meet him, and felt his chest swell and his -heart expand as if for the first time he realised Heaven's high mission -for him, which was announced not long afterwards to the world by the -great Pontiff Pius V, in these words: - -_Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes._ - -(There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.) - -The expedition lasted until the middle of September, when the fleet -returned to Barcelona to winter in that port, according to the custom of -those times, except in the case of great urgency or grave peril, during -the months of October, November, December and January. - -In this expedition, however, there were neither dangers, nor battles, -nor rich and abundant prizes. But there was for D. John (and this was -Philip II's idea in giving him the command) deep and practical -instruction in the working of a fleet and of disembarking an army; a -very useful apprenticeship in the way of combining and directing these -united forces, and a good opportunity to display to great and small -those gifts of energy and courtesy which make the perfect leader, and -with which with so unsparing a hand God had endowed D. John of Austria. - -His sure, sound judgment, his prudence in deciding, his frankness and -courage in performing, and his firmness and energy in reprimanding and -punishing revealed to all in the new leader the not unworthy son of -Charles V; and his noble magnanimity towards the vanquished, his -gracious compassion for the unfortunate, and his respectful charity -towards all the poor and miserable, be they ever so low and vile, also -revealed the former Jeromín who marshalled Doña Magdalena's poor people -in the courtyard of Villagarcia, cap in hand, and who had learnt from -that noble woman to see and respect in the poor the image of Our Lord. - -Never, she used to say, does a crucifix cease to be a symbol of our -redemption; even though evil hands have profaned it and thrown it on the -dust-heap, it will always be capable of being cleaned and polished, and -always merits the same veneration. In the same way, no man ceases to be -the "_redeemed of Christ_"; and, however tarnished by infamy and stained -by crime, is always susceptible of repentance and pardon, and will -always merit the respect appertaining to that which has cost the blood -of God. - -This expedition, then, made firm the pedestal on which had been erected -the great figure of D. John of Austria, and thenceforward he was looked -up to by the captains as a leader, loved like a father by the soldiers -and crews of the ships; the poor galley slaves, _tied to the hard -bench_, saw in him a sort of archangel who descended to the purgatory of -their prison to ease their work and raise their hopes, and never -throwing their offences in their teeth. - -The death of Prince Carlos was announced to D. John when he disembarked -at Barcelona; it had occurred two months before on the 24th of July, the -Eve of St. James's Day, while D. John was at sea. This news affected him -greatly, not so much for the death of the Prince, which was holy and -Christian, and the best thing that could have happened to the unlucky -man, but more for the sorrow he imagined it would cause to D. Philip as -King and father. - -These sad warnings of the uncertainty of life made D. John remember the -promise he had made Doña Magdalena de Ulloa to retire for a while to the -convent of Abrojo to meditate in solitude on the eternal truths, and -this seemed to him the best opportunity of fulfilling his word. - -The King gladly gave permission, and D. John set out for Madrid and from -thence to Valladolid, where Doña Magdalena de Ulloa was waiting for him. -There the sad news reached him that his sister-in-law, the good and -gentle Queen, Doña Isabel of the Peace, had died on the 3rd of October -(1568); this fresh sorrow spurred D. John on to put into execution his -design of retiring to the convent of Abrojo, with only two valets and -the secretary Juan de Quiroga. - -The monastery of Scala-Cœli, commonly called "of Abrojo," from the wood -of that name in the midst of which Alvar Deaz de Villacreses founded it, -was a convent of bare-footed Franciscans, situated in this thicket, half -a league from Valladolid. The Kings of Castille had much veneration for -it and made it a royal fortress, surrounding it with towers and -battlemented walls, and by the church they kept for themselves a humble -lodging where they retired for certain religious solemnities and in -their times of mourning and sorrow. - -There was, in D. John's day, a very devout servant of God, called Fr. -Juan de Calahorra, at Abrojo, who had known him as Jeromín in his -youthful days, and had confessed him and often directed him in -Valladolid and Villagarcia. - -D. John much esteemed his holiness and gentle ways, and wished to keep -the brother at his side as confessor and spiritual director during all -the time he was in retreat, which was more than two months. - -But during this time alarming news reached the solitude of the convent -of Abrojo of the rebellion of the Moors of Granada, and Juan de Quiroga, -who, like all those who knew him well, simply adored D. John and -recognised his military qualities, which only needed scope in which to -expand and triumph, advised him to beg the King to give him the command -of the expedition. - -D. John was fired with the idea, but first desired to consult Fr. Juan -de Calahorra and Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, who came to see him several -times during those two months. The brother much applauded the project, -and as if moved by a spirit of prophecy, said to D. John _that not only -would he obtain the command, but that it would procure a great name for -him throughout Europe_. - -As to Doña Magdalena, she equally approved of the idea, and insisted on -its realisation with even more warmth than Juan de Quiroga or the -brother; according to her, the indolent luxury of the Court was always -harmful to D. John's youth, and only the responsibilities and hardships -of war could keep the proper balance of his ardent nature. - -And expressing herself more freely to Fr. Juan de Calahorra, the -discreet lady said, "As only the King can marry him to a princess, let -us meanwhile betroth him to war; masking her ugliness with the cosmetics -of glory." - -Satisfied by this, D. John posted to Madrid, and before presenting -himself to his brother D. Philip, sent him the following letter: - - "Y.C.R.M. The obligation I am under to Y.M., and my natural - faith for and love for you, make me always tell you what seems - to me suitable, with all submission. I informed Y.M. of my - arrival in Madrid, and the reason why I came, and I thought that - it was not necessary to worry Y.M. with papers of so little - importance as mine. Now I have heard of the state of the - rebellion of the Moors at Granada, and how hard pressed the city - is, and the rumour is certainly true; as the vindication of - Y.M.'s reputation, honour and greatness, lowered by the - impudence of these rebels, is very near my heart, I cannot help - breaking the obedience and submission I have always shown to the - will of Y.M., by telling you my own and begging Y.M. (as it is - the honour of kings to be constant in their favours and to make - men by their hand), as I am Y.M.'s handiwork, to use me to apply - your punishment, and you know that you can trust me more than - others, and that no one can better inflict it on these rascals - than I can. I confess that they are unworthy of much notice and - that someone to punish them is all that is required; but as - people, however vile, when they are strong become proud, and as - they say that this is not wanting in the present case, it is - necessary to deprive them of power: the Marqués de Mondejar is - not strong enough for this (because they say that he disagrees - with the President and that he is obeyed with a bad grace) and - it is advisable to send someone who, like me, is naturally - inclined to such work, and I am as obedient to the royal will of - Y.M. as clay in the potter's hand, and it would seem to me a - grave offence against my love, my inclination, and what I owe to - Y.M. if I do not fulfil this duty; but well I know that those - who serve Y.M. and are under your royal hand hold all securely - and can ask for nothing further, but this is no reason why this - action should be blamed, it should rather be esteemed. If I gain - my wish, it will be sufficient reward. For this I came from - Abrojo; which I should not have presumed to do without an - express order from Y.M. except on such important service for - Y.M. Our Lord keep the C. and R. person of Y.M. - - "From the inn, the 30th of December, 1568. From Y.M.'s handiwork - and most humble servant who kisses your royal hand. - - "D. JOHN OF AUSTRIA." - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - -It is certainly extraordinary that a king, so well informed and cautious -as Philip II, did not foresee at once the terrible consequences which -the rebellion of the Moors of Granada in 1568 might have for Spain and -for all Christendom. And it is the more surprising considering that all -nations, alarmed from the beginning, never removed their eyes off that -corner of the Alpujarras and took precautions according as the defeat or -triumph of the rebels suited their interests. The rebels triumphant and -the shores of Andalucia open to the "Berberiscos," Moors and Turks who -favoured and encouraged them, would make realisable the treasured dream -of Selim II of subjugating Spain, a not impossible task for the -formidable power of the Turk at that time. - -The rebellion had been well prepared beforehand, but it broke out -suddenly, as flames fanned by the gentlest wind may burst out from a -heap of dry wood which has long lain on embers. - -It was whispered in Granada that the Moors of the Albaicin had joined -with those of the Vega and the Alpujarras to invade the town and behead -the old Christians, and it was held for certain that they were in treaty -with the Kings of Algiers and Tunis and Selim's Turks to raise their -standards and make over the kingdom to them. All in Granada was -consequently suspicion, want of confidence and of trust: houses shut up, -shops deserted, commerce with the neighbouring places interrupted and -the people always nervous and cautious, taking refuge every moment in -the Alhambra and the churches, as being the strongest places. - -Things were in this state on the 16th of April, 1568, Easter Eve; the -night was closing in, dark and rainy, when between eight and nine -o'clock suddenly the bell of the fortress of the Alhambra began to ring -the alarm furiously. Fear was everywhere, which was even more increased -by hearing the sentinel who rang cry, terrified, "Christians, save -yourselves. Look out for yourselves, Christians! This night you are to -be beheaded." - -The confusion was dreadful; half-dressed women threw themselves even -from the windows; men came out buttoning their jackets and clothes and -trooped to charge the arquebuses and get ready the crossbows. The -brothers of St. Francis arrived at the square all armed with arquebuses, -and other friars formed up before the "Audiencia Real" in a company with -pikes and halberds. - -There also hurried up, each one as he could, the Corregidor, the -President of the Chancellery, D. Pedro Deza, and the Conde de Tendella, -Captain-General in the absence of his father the Marqués de Mondejar, -and then it was known to be a false alarm. - -The alguacil Bartolme de Santa Maria, who was on guard, had sent four -soldiers at nightfall to the tower of the Aceituno on the top of the -hill on which the suburb of the Albaicin was situated; the night was -extremely dark; the soldiers had torches of esparto grass to light them, -and arriving at the foot of the tower, the ascent to which was open and -difficult, those who first gained the summit waved their torches to give -light to those who were climbing up, and when they had arrived, threw -the torches down. The watchman on the Vela tower, seeing this movement -of lights and thinking that the Moors of the Albaicin were making -"almenares," that is signals to those of the Vega from the tower of the -Aceituno, hastened to ring the tocsin; which showed the state of -excitement of those souls and how much they certainly feared from one -moment to another that the Moors intended to slay the Christians. - -This simple explanation did not quiet the frightened people, and the -crowd began to attack the Albaicin and to be beforehand with the Moors -by killing them. So the Corregidor, with gentlemen and other trustworthy -persons, then guarded the lanes which mounted up to the Albaicin to -impede the passage of the crowd. But nothing would have stopped the -pillage and bloodshed, if a violent storm of thunder and lightning had -not come at that moment to clear the streets and damp the fury of the -citizens. - -Meanwhile all seemed to sleep in the Albaicin; but behind the barred -doors and shut windows the Moors were watching in ambush, prepared for -defence, and, knowing that night the risk they ran if they let the -Christians be beforehand, resolved to hasten the atrocious undertaking -that they were meditating. They met in the house of a wax chandler of -the Albaicin named Adelet, and there discussed their doubts and laid -their plans. - -They decided to strike the blow on New Year's Day and not at Christmas -as they had intended, because there existed a prophecy that the Moors -would regain Granada on the same day as that on which the Christians -took it, which was the 1st of January, 1492. It was determined to make a -register among the farms of the Vega and the villages of Decrin and -Orgiba of 8000 men, who were to be ready, at a signal made to them from -the Albaicin, to attack the town by the gate of the Vega, wearing -coloured caps and Turkish head-dresses so as to inspire confidence in -some and terror in others, passing themselves off as Turks or Berbers -who had come to help the Moors. - -This register was well filled by two saddle-makers, who, making a -pretext of their trade, went through all these places without awaking -anyone's suspicions. They also enrolled among the mountains another 2000 -picked men, who, hidden in a bed of reeds, should wait the signal of the -Albaicin to scale the wall of the Alhambra, which looks towards the -Generalife, with seventeen ladders which were being made in Quejar and -Quentan; they were ladders of hempen rope with rungs of wood so wide -that three men could easily mount at the same time. The attack which was -to be made on Granada from outside being arranged, they then settled -that which the Moors of the Albaicin were to make from within. They -divided themselves into three parties each with a head. Miguel Acis with -the inhabitants of the parishes of St. Gregory, St. Christopher and St. -Nicholas and a flag of crimson silk with a silver half-moon and a fringe -of gold were to take the gate of Frax el Leuz on the top of the -Albaicin; Diego Miqueli with the dwellers of St. Salvador, St. Elizabeth -and St. Luis and a yellow silk flag the square of Bib-el-Bonut; and -Miguel Moragas with the people of St. Michael, San Juan de los Reyes, -and St. Peter and St. Paul and a flag of turquoise-blue damask the gate -of Guadix. - -When united all were to fall first on the Christians who lived on the -Albaicin, beheading them without truce or pity. Then the first group -would descend to the town to the prisons of the Holy Office to release -the Moorish prisoners, killing and burning all in their path. The second -group was to go to the town prisons to liberate the prisoners, then to -murder the Archbishop and burn his palace. The third group was to attack -the Royal Courts, murder the President, and set free the Chancery -prisoners, all reuniting in the square of Bibarrambla, whither the 8000 -Moors of the Vega were also to repair. From there they would go all over -the city, as it seemed best, to put everything to fire and sword. The -principal instigator of these plans was the sanguinary Farax Abenfarax, -an African renegade, of the house of the Abencerrajes, a bandit of the -kind the Moors call "monfies." To this fierce and brutal man the Moorish -conspirators entrusted the work of making known this decree in the -Alpujarras, and the summoning of a numerous assembly to elect a king, -assuring them that from that moment the choice of the Alpujarras should -be confirmed in the Albaicin. - -This chosen man was D. Hernando de Valor, a very rich Moor of the -Alpujarras, a descendant of Mahomet through the families of Aben-Humeyas -and Almanzores, Kings of Córdoba and Andalucia. D. Hernando's ancestors, -as they lived in a place in the mountains called Valor, had taken the -name. He was a youth of twenty-four, swarthy, with scanty beard, big -black eyes, eyebrows that joined, and a very fine figure; sensual, -vindictive, sly and false, and, as he showed himself later, extremely -wicked. - -He was elected according to the ancient ceremony of the Kings of -Andalucia, widowers at one end, those going to be married at the other, -the married on one side, the women on the other: in the midst the -priest, an "alfaqui," who read an ancient Arab prophecy, that a youth of -royal lineage who was baptized and a heretic to his law, because in -public he professed that of the Christians, should liberate his people. - -They all shouted that these signs were found united in D. Hernando; the -alfaqui assured them that according to his observations the courses of -the stars testified to the same thing and hastened to clothe him in rich -purple, and to put round his neck and shoulders a coloured badge, like a -sash, and on his head a crown with a cap also of purple. They spread -four flags on the ground, for the four quarters of the world, and D. -Hernando prayed, leaning over them, with his face to the east, and -swearing to die in his law and his kingdom, defending them and his -vassals. Then he lifted one foot and, as a sign of general obedience, -Farax Abenfarax prostrated himself in the name of all and kissed the -ground where the new king had stood. Then he was lifted up on their -shoulders and all shouted, "May God exalt Mahomet Aben-Humeya, King of -Granada and of Córdoba." - -This act made him King, and he named officers and gave appointments, -among others that of Chief Magistrate to Farax Abenfarax and that of -Captain-General to his uncle D. Fernando el Zaguer, called in Arabic -Aben Jauher. He sent his ambassadors to the Kings of Algiers and Tunis, -notifying his election and asking for brotherly help: to which they -replied with great promises and demonstrations, offering to send galleys -with men, arms, and provisions, which should be known by their red-dyed -sails. - -Meanwhile the month of December had arrived and Farax Abenfarax went -secretly to Granada, leaving the sedition prepared behind him, like a -train of powder which can be fired in a second when the moment arrives. - -But the covetousness and ill-contained hatred of the Moors took fire -before the time. On the 28th of December seven clerks of the Courts of -Ujijar of Albacete set out for Granada guided by a Moor; they were going -to spend Christmas with their wives and were taking a large quantity of -fowls, chickens, honey, fruits and money. - -Entering a vineyard at the boundary of Poqueira, they met, lying in wait -for them, a band of armed Moors, who spoiled them of everything and put -them to a cruel death. One called Pedro de Medina escaped with the -guide, and they went to raise the alarm in Albacete de Orgivar. The same -day five squires of Motril, also going to Granada with Christmas -presents, met with a similar fate. That night there arrived to sleep at -Cadiar the captain Diego de Herrera with his brother-in-law Diego de -Hutado Docampo, of the order of Santiago, and fifty soldiers who were -carrying arquebuses for the fort of Adra. D. Fernando el Zaguer, -Captain-General and uncle of the new King, was hiding in the place, and -he arranged with the other conspirators this blackest treason. He made -all his neighbours give hospitality to one soldier, and at midnight, at -a preconcerted signal, beheaded them all, from the captain downwards, so -that only three remained to return to Adra. - -These tidings did not alarm the authorities of Granada as they should -have done; on the other hand, the Moors of the Albaicin mistrusting -them, and fearing lest the hasty rashness of their brothers in the -country should have compromised their plans, hastened to send messengers -everywhere to say that nothing was to be done without fresh orders from -the Albaicin, which was, according to them, the head-quarters. - -But the impetuous Farax was not of this mind, and thinking, on the -contrary, that everything would be lost if the events were not pushed -forward, decided to enter the Albaicin that same night and either rouse -the Moors or compromise them. - -He then recruited as best he could 180 men from the nearest villages, -and with them went round Granada, defying the cold and the snow which -fell that night, the 25th of December, a Saturday, the first day of -Christmas. - -Punctually at twelve o'clock he reached the gate of Guadix, which was in -the wall of the Albaicin; breaking down a mud wall, closed by a small -door, with pikes and implements that they had taken by force from some -mills on the Darro, they entered the town and went straight to his -house, joining the parish church of St. Elizabeth, leaving his people to -guard the door, wearing coloured Turkish caps and over them white gauze -head-dresses, so that they might appear to be Turks. - -Farax summoned the principal leaders of the rebellion there and tried to -persuade them of the necessity of rising as one man that same night; but -they of the Albaicin, false and disloyal even to their own brothers, -thinking that enough had already been done to frighten the Christians -without further exposing their lives or properties, excused themselves -on the score of lack of time and of men, as of the 8000 men who were to -accompany him he had only brought 180. - -Then Farax, in a fury and mad with rage, insulted them, and, two hours -before dawn, assembled his people and with horns, drums and "dulzainos," -went through all the streets of the Albaicin, giving mournful cries. -They carried two unfurled flags, between which went Farax Abenfarax, a -lighted candle in his hand, the white Turkish head-dress stained and the -thick, unkempt beard covered with fresh gore. He was small, fat, with an -enormous stomach and such long, powerful arms that they seemed deformed. -The sight of him certainly inspired terror in the flickering light of -the candle; when he stopped from time to time he threw back his enormous -head, turned up his bloodshot eyes and cried in Arabic, in a hoarse and -mournful voice, "There is no God but the one God, and Mahomet is his -prophet. All Moors who wish to revenge the injuries which Christians -have done to their law and persons will be revenged by joining this -banner, because the King of Algiers and the Cherif, whom God exalt, -favour us and have sent all these people and those who are waiting for -us up there." - -And all the rest answered in a chorus, "Well! Well! Come! Come! as our -hour has arrived and all the land of the Moors has risen." - -Nobody, however, responded to the call, nor did a single door or window -open, nor was any noise heard, as if the quarter was a real city of the -dead. Only, they say, an old man shouted to them from a housetop, -"Brothers! Go with God, you are few and come out of season." - -They reached the square of Bib-el-Bonut, where was the house of the -Jesuits, brought there by the Archbishop D. Pedro Guerrero, and called -by name for the famous Padre Albotodo, who was of Moorish origin, -insulting him and calling him a renegade dog, who, being the son of -Moors, had made himself the alfaqui of the Christians, and as they could -not break the door, which was strong and well barred, they contented -themselves with destroying a wooden cross which was placed over it. - -Now the bells of Salvador began to sound the alarm, because the Canon -Horozo, who lived at the back of the sacristy, had got in by a hidden -door and was ringing them. Farax then returned to the slope by which the -tower of the Aceituno is reached, and from there made another -proclamation; and as nobody flocked here either, he began to insult -those of the Albaicin, crying, "Dogs! Cowards! You have deceived the -people and do not wish to fulfil your promise." And with this outburst -he left, as dawn had come, and was lost in the distance amid the -tempest, like the coming and going of the threatening storm which -discharges itself elsewhere. - -Next day the hypocritical Moors of the Albaicin descended to the -Alhambra and begged the Marqués de Mondejar to help and protect them -against the "monfies" who the night before had come to their quarter -inciting them to rebel, and putting to the test their loyalty to -religion and the King, endangering their lives and property. The Marqués -gave more credit to their words than they deserved, and these bad men -remained satisfied that they had unchained the storm without risk to -themselves. In truth the storm was afterwards let loose, fierce and -terrible, as few other in history. - -In less than a fortnight the Moors of Farax had burned more than 300 -churches, destroying their images, profaning the Blessed Sacrament, and -killing more than 4000 Christians, men, women and children, putting them -to such dreadful deaths and refined tortures that they find no parallels -in the annals of the martyrs. And it was a great marvel and glory that -not one of these victims apostatised, but all died with the name of our -Lord and His Holy Mother on their lips; which so exasperated these true -Mahomedans that to avoid these saintly cries, which sounded as -blasphemies to their impious ears, they filled the victims' mouths with -gunpowder and lighted it. The renegade Farax Abenfarax ordered these -cruelties, and the new King Aben-Humeya took such advantage of them, -that in a short time he found himself master of more than 300 villages -in which he proclaimed Mahomedanism; the leader of more than 20,000 men -who acclaimed him King, and having within his reach the port of Almeira, -which, as in other times Gibraltar, could well be the key of all Spain. - -Then Philip II really grasped the situation, and to stifle the rebellion -and do away with the rivalry between the Marquéses de Mondejar and de -los Vélez, so dangerous before such formidable enemies, he sent his -brother D. John of Austria to Granada. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - -D. John of Austria arrived on the 12th of April, 1568, at Hiznaleuz, -where he halted to arrange his solemn entry on the next day into -Granada, which was only five leagues off. He was accompanied by a great -number of gentlemen, who formed his suite, and at the head of them was -Luis Quijada, placed at D. John's side by the King, as adviser and -counsellor. The Duque de Sesa, who also had received the King's orders -to help D. John, in the same way as Luis Quijada, was to follow in a few -days. The same day the Marqués de Mondejar came, with many captains and -kinsmen, to visit D. John; he stayed the night at Hiznaleuz to report -about the state of the war, and went back early in the morning to -Granada, to fill his post in the solemn reception. - -The King had written very minute details to the President, D. Pedro -Deza, notifying even how many of the officials of the Courts and Chapter -were to go to meet his brother. But the King could not regulate the -enthusiasm of the neighbours, or the joy of the troops, some of whom had -become slack through the indolence of the Marqués de Mondejar, and -others discontented through the harshness and severity of the Marqués de -los Vélez. So there was universal hope and joy that day in Granada, and -all went to meet the new leader through the fields of the Vega, which -were as fresh and as full of sunshine and flowers as were their hopes. - -The first to set out was the Conde de Tendilla, eldest son of Mondejar, -and he reached the village of Alboloto, a league and a half from -Granada; with him were 200 men, 100 of the troop of Tello Gonzalo de -Aguilar, and 100 of his own, whose lieutenant was Gonzalo Chacón, -shortly afterwards the hero of a certain noisy adventure in the capital. -The latter were all finely turned out in Moorish costume, the others -wearing crimson silk and satin in the Spanish fashion, and all well -armed with cuirasses, helmets, shields and lances, as if they wished to -show by their dress that it was a day of rejoicing though a time of war. -In the same manner came D. John and his men; he wore a breastplate, -shoulder-piece, and gorget of burnished steel, garnished with golden -nails, "cuxotes" or wide breeches of cloth of silver and gold, over -mulberry-coloured silk, caught in by strings of pearls; crimson -stockings, high white leather boots with golden spurs, cuffs and ruff of -rich Flemish point, and a high hat of cut velvet with a tuft of -feathers, fastened with a magnificent jewel of emeralds; on his breast -hung the Golden Fleece, and on his left arm he wore a crimson cockade, -the badge of his command, which was afterwards changed for a flowing red -sash. They met at Alboloto and exchanged compliments, and together -returned to Granada, forming a brilliant squadron. First came D. John of -Austria between Luis Quijada and the Conde de Miranda, behind them -followed the gentlemen and the troops. Meanwhile, at the Royal Hospital, -outside the gates, were waiting the President D. Pedro Deza, the -Archbishop, and the Corregidor; the first had brought four judges and -the magistrates; the second four canons and the dignitaries of the -Chapter; and the Corregidor four aldermen and their deputies. - -These were those specified by the King in his letter to D. Pedro Deza, -but the entire nobility of the town, the principal citizens and the -whole neighbourhood were also assembled, without anyone being able or -wishing to stop them. The Moors of the Albaicin, discarding their own -dress for that prescribed by the much-discussed decree, came from all -parts, mixing with their neighbours, making false sounds of joy and -gladness, which, according to the subsequent declaration of some, were -mingled with curses under their breath on D. John and the Christians in -Arabic. The crowd stretched from the gate of Elvira to the stream of -Beyro, where the reception was to take place; in the plain of this name -were drawn up all the infantry, which formed a body of 10,000 men, the -Marqués de Mondejar at their head. When D. John came in sight, the -President and the Archbishop pressed forward to the stream, riding -powerful mules with fine trappings, followed by their friends and the -Corregidor on horseback with his following, and behind them all the -gentlemen and citizens. The first to alight was the President, who very -humbly made his compliments to D. John, who promptly threw himself off -his horse, receiving the President, hat in hand, in his arms, where he -held him a while. He did the same to the Archbishop, and then passed -before him, according to their seniority, the judges and the Alcaldes, -the dignitaries of the Chapter, the Corregidor and the notable citizens. -The President, standing on D. John's right hand, presented them all by -name, and to each he said something kind or appropriate, and pleased -them all; as besides his natural good heart, which made D. John -courteous without affectation or study, he possessed a priceless quality -for princes, that of making himself sympathetic and winning affection at -first sight. - -This ceremony over, Luis Quijada and the Conde de Miranda passed in -front of D. John, to leave their places at his right and left hand to -the President and Archbishop. In this way they walked to the town, with -an incredible crowd of people who filled all the fields. As the suite -came up to the first rows of the troops formed up in the plains of -Beyro, all the bells of the town began pealing, and the drums to roll; -trumpets and clarions sounded, and the arquebuses were fired without -intermission, making an impressive salute, the thick smoke of which -covered everything as with a transparent cloud, giving to the manly -figure of D. John something warlike and supernatural, which charmed the -gaze and fired the imagination. - -But, suddenly, within the city arose the sound of loud cries and -wailing, and D. John saw, leaving by the gate of Elvira, more than 400 -women, with dishevelled hair, and torn mourning garments, who filled the -air with groans, and running towards him in a disorderly troop, threw -themselves under his horse's feet, plucking their hair, beating their -breasts, tearing their clothes, covering themselves with dust, and -uttering lamentations and shrill cries. Till at last one of them, an old -woman, lifting herself up, with her grey hair flying and her mourning -garments rent, extended her trembling, withered arms towards D. John, -and in a hoarse, disconsolate voice addressed him in these words. -"Justice, my lord, Justice is that for which these poor widows and -orphans beg, who now must love tears in the place of husbands and -fathers; who did not feel so much pain when they heard the cruel blows -of the arms with which they were being killed by the heretics, as on -hearing that these should be pardoned." - -D. John was first taken aback, and then touched, when he learned that -these poor women were the widows and orphans of those Christians who -lately had been killed and martyred by the Moors, and extending his hand -towards them, he performed the miracle of silencing them, and consoled -them, as much as he could, by promising to see justice done. Then the -lamentations ceased in the city, and D. John saw nothing but hangings -and awnings of brocade and cloth of gold, and a crowd of richly adorned -dames and maidens, who threw flowers from the windows as he passed and, -according to the Moorish custom, glass balls filled with scent. D. John -alighted at the door of the "Audiencia," where his lodging was prepared; -_the house of ill fortune_, as the Moors called it, because from it was -to come their ruin. - -Two days later, D. John being still covered, as one may say, with the -dust of the journey, the Moors of the Albaicin sent four of their number -on an embassy to him, _the most crafty among them_, says a chronicler. -They wished to sound the new leader and deceive what they presumed to be -the inexperience of his youth, as they had deceived the sordid nature of -the Marqués de Mondejar, and the fervent piety of the Archbishop. They -presented themselves consequently as injured, instead of humbling -themselves as offenders, enumerated the injuries that they had received, -asking for justice and proclaiming their innocence, and with the -greatest effrontery clamoured for the help and protection of D. John for -their lives, honour and property. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - DON JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - _Attributed to Sir Antonio More_ - - _In possession of Don Fernan de Fernandez de Velasco_ -] - -D. John let them talk freely, giving the sustained and courteous -attention which all judges should show to the prisoner who is defending -himself; but, when they had finished, he began to speak gravely and -firmly, his face so impassive that not all the quickness of the Moors -could guess his intentions, answering them in these studied words: - -"The King, my Lord, has ordered me to come to this kingdom, for its -quiet and pacification; be certain that all those who have been loyal to -the service of God, Our Lord and his Majesty, as you say you have been, -will be looked on favourably, and honoured, and you will keep your -liberties and freedom. But also I wish you to know, that as well as -using equity and clemency to those who deserve it, those who have not so -behaved will be punished with the utmost rigour. And, as regarding the -injuries which your spokesman says that you have received, give me your -writing so that I may send and have them remedied, and I wish to warn -you that what you say had better be true, as otherwise you will bring -trouble on yourselves." - -The Moors left crestfallen on hearing this, understanding that they had -not succeeded in taking the youth by surprise, and already fearing his -resolution and prudence. And they were right to be afraid, as from the -first moment D. John was convinced that the mainspring of the rebellion -was the Albaicin, that from there it was always being stirred up with -help and news, and sustained and animated by well-grounded hopes of -being assisted by Turks and "Berberiscos" from the coast. He, therefore, -resolved at once to guard the coast in a way that should make landing -impossible, and to clear out the Albaicin, that sink of treason and -espionage, at one blow casting forth all the Moors from Granada. So D. -John put these two proposals before his Council of War, and without a -murmur they approved of the first one, agreeing that the Knight -Commander D. Luis de Requesens, Lieutenant-General of D. John at sea, -should assist, with the galleys he had in Italy, to guard and defend the -coasts. As regards the expulsion of the Moors from the Albaicin, their -opinions were divided, and each defended his own with more or less -reason and courage. But D. John, firm in his purpose, which was upheld -by the authority of the President, D. Pedro Deza, sent the advice to the -King, begging him, if he approved, to give instructions about the -villages, and how to settle these dangerous people beyond the radius of -the rebellion. - -D. John did not waste time while the King was arranging the business. He -first applied himself with great activity and energy to repress the -excesses of the captains and soldiers as to lodging, taxes and rapine of -all kinds, and to reduce the war to a plan, under one leader, a thing -hitherto impossible, owing to the rivalry and mutual dislike of the -Marquéses de Mondejar and de los Vélez, and the want of discipline and -cupidity of the officers and soldiers, who were more occupied with -pillage and booty than in gaining victories or taking positions. They -did not fight to win, but to rob, and at times, overburdened with their -plunder, they let themselves be killed rather than abandon it; others, -already having enough booty to satisfy their greed, fled with it inland, -deserting their colours. - -Luis Quijada unfailingly helped D. John with his sound judgment and his -great experience in the art of war, without sparing him arguments or -grumblings, as in other times he had not spared the Emperor, D. John's -father, and a month after Quijada's arrival at Granada, the 16th of May, -he wrote the following disconsolate letter to the Prince of Évoli, which -gives an idea of the sad state of the campaign. - - "I owe an answer to your lordship's letter of the 7th of this - month: for three or four days I have had no fever and have - endeavoured to get up, but I could only do so for a few hours, - as my weakness is great, and I return to bed tired out; I eat - and sleep with scant pleasure. I will go as I can and not as I - should wish, because if ever I felt ill it is now, and I do not - want to make myself out such a great soldier that I could have - remedied everything; but I do think that much might have been - done at the beginning. These damned soldiers, volunteers and - citizens, live in a way never before known; they have no - discipline and behave in a way that is not reasonable or right - for men of war, because they think not of fighting, but of - robbing God and everyone. God's Will be done, but I tell you - that such a disaster at such a time has never been known as the - one that befell the Knight Commander;[9] we placed our hopes in - him to hold the sea, not less than on the soldiers he was - bringing us, to produce the good effect that could be brought - about. This is over, and so entirely over that for hours at a - time and without any difficulty the arms and ammunition these - dogs expect, which it is said is a great quantity, can be - landed: to receive them there are more than enough people, but - not enough to carry them away; according to report the galley - slaves will arrive at a signal, and will go to the mountains, to - which those of the plain have already retired, taking the - remainder of their property, determined to die, and I have no - doubt that they will do so if the soldiers were to press them, - although the formation of the ground will protect them; but, - sir, it grieves me much that these are not soldiers any more - than their captains and officers. Then the galleys which came - from Italy and the soldiers in them were of so little use that - it was best to order them to return, and until Gian Andrea - arrives, as D. Álvaro de Bazán is in Sardinia, I do not know if - it would be wise to order him to join D. Sancho, that they - should not dare to disembark in such a barefaced way, but they - will know what is best there. I am afraid we shall pay for the - delay of Gian Andrea and the haste of the Knight Commander. - These dogs have been making signals for eight days and have - assembled 12,000, among whom are 6000 marksmen, the rest with - weapons, swords, and slings, and in other parts 8000 are - assembled. I do not believe that they are as well armed as they - tell us, or that they have as much powder as they make out. - Through my illness I have not been near a Council or heard - anything for days. You will know what is happening by what the - Lord D. John writes; my opinion is that it will be best to press - them and bring this business to an end. It might be wrong - according to how long the people tarry that we have sent for and - whether they are as good as we could wish. The horse soldiers - are very good, and wherever they go, however few they be, the - Moors do not wait for them, nor please God will they do so - unless they alter the order which has been kept here hitherto, - as with theirs they can hope for no success; for bad as we are, - they are worse, as we at all events try to be more or less - worthy men. The Lord D. John does all he can with the assistance - of those you know of with all possible care and diligence and in - finding out bribes and swindling and wrongs which the officers - have done, but it requires great skill, as many arrange that if - they lose their money, they have still more left as they give it - to the others: they say it is beyond all words, even after they - have heard that D. John has named an auditor to look into the - matter. It was the wisest thing to have sent the Licentiate - Biguera, for many reasons, but specially to see what belongs to - His Majesty, which is a great quantity, if it is well looked - after, but it is much for one man to do. Oh, my lord! What land - to buy! What is worth ten to-day in ten years will be worth a - hundred; I should not be sorry to hear you were thinking and - finding out about it; for much less than what you gave D. Diego - you could buy a better estate: His Majesty must sell and at a - good price, and the profit will be great for him who buys. I beg - Y.L. to forgive such a long letter, but it is after two o'clock, - and I cannot sleep; if it pleases you that I should tell you - tittle-tattle I have certainly done so. That Pastrana so much - pleases the Princess now it is hers I can well believe: may your - lordship and ladyship enjoy it for many long years. I kiss your - lordship's hands many times. From Real before the Moors. 16th of - May, 1569." - -Footnote 9: - - He alludes to the dreadful storm that the twenty-four galleys under - the command of Luis de Requesens encountered for three days on leaving - the port of Marseilles; some were lost, others dispersed and went, - disabled, to Sardinia. It was impossible for the Knight Commander to - fulfil D. John's orders. Gian Antonio Doria was then instructed to - come from Naples with his galleys and D. Álvaro de Bazán to bring his - from Sardinia; but it was too late, and meanwhile the Moors could - receive provisions and reinforcements of soldiers, Turks and Berbers. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - -Philip II approved of his brother's proposal and authorised him to expel -all Moors over ten and under sixty from Granada. - -They were to be assigned places of habitation in the villages of -Andalucia and Castille, which the King indicated, and handed over lists -to the justices there, that they might know about them. - -The King also desired, to avoid scandal and to perform the matter more -gently, that the exile should not be inflicted as a punishment, but that -they were to be given to understand that they were taken away from -danger for their own good and peace, and that, quiet being restored, -they would be taken care of, and that the loyal and innocent would be -rewarded. Few were so in their acts and none were so in their feelings. - -As D. Philip said, it was a dangerous piece of work for two different -reasons. It was to be feared that the Moors, seeing themselves found -out, would try some last and supreme stroke; and it was equally probable -that the populace of Granada, on seeing them captured and without arms, -would rise against them and commit some barbarous injury to their -persons and property. D. John foresaw all; with great prudence and -secrecy he sent to warn first of all, the armed men in the towns and -villages of the plain, and on the 23rd of June, the Eve of St. John's -Day, he suddenly issued a proclamation, ordering that in two hours' time -all the Moors who dwelt in the town of Granada, or its castle, and in -the Albaicin, citizens as well as strangers, should repair to their -respective parish churches. - -The terror of the Moors was great, and fear and surprise stopped all -idea of resistance; they knew themselves to be criminals worthy of the -extreme penalty, and they were afraid that they were going to be -imprisoned in order that they might be beheaded. - -With a great tumult of groans and tears they all ran to the square of -Bib-el-Bonut, to the residence of the Jesuits, and, giving mournful -cries, called for Father Juan de Albotodo, a Moor by origin, who was so -often their protector, helper, and also their dupe. The Father appeared -at a window, without cap or cloak, as he was in the house, and heard the -cries of these shameless ones, who already did not dare to demand -justice, but only craved for mercy from the King, and charity and help -to save their lives from the Father. Albotodo was truly a saint, a man -of about forty, worn in body and face, very sunburnt and with such black -eyes and hair that they proclaimed his Arab origin at once. - -Albotodo descended to the square, and these wretched people did and said -such things that they touched the Jesuit's very tender heart, and he ran -off to the Audiencia without stopping to get hat or cloak, hoping to -soften President Deza's heart, or, if necessary, D. John of Austria's. -All the people followed him with groans to the entrance of the Albaicin, -but no one dared to descend the hill, as the danger and their bad -consciences had made cowards of them, as always happens to criminals. - -Breathless the Jesuit arrived at the Audiencia, and the President -received him as if he saw an angel coming down from heaven. Nothing -could have been more opportune than his intervention, because no one -could quiet the Moors as he could, and convince them that their lives -were not in danger. In such good faith did D. Pedro Deza act, that he -spontaneously offered to give a paper, signed with his name, to the -Jesuit, assuring their lives to the Moors. The Father accepted his word: -and wrote the document himself, which D. Pedro Deza signed, and the -Jesuit, satisfied with this, ran back to the Albaicin, waving the -parchment above his head, as if to quicken the hopes of the unhappy men -he detested as criminals, but whom he cordially pitied as brothers and -doomed men. - -Father Albotodo read the parchment from the window: they believing it as -he was a priest, says a chronicler, decided to go to their parish -churches, depressed, gloomy and suspicious, because as soon as their -hopes for their lives were confirmed, their anger and spite were -rekindled, which only death could extinguish. - -D. John ordered the parish churches to be guarded with several companies -of infantry, and, having managed to establish order as regarded the -Moors, he anticipated any trouble on the part of the Christians by -issuing a proclamation, in the name of the King, to the effect that the -confined Moors were under the royal protection and care, and had been -promised that no harm should befall them, and that they were being taken -from Granada out of danger from the soldiers. - -Everyone in Granada, however, awoke the next morning uneasy and full of -anxiety, because the Moors had to be moved from the parish churches, -where they had spent the night, to the Royal Hospital beyond the gates, -and there given over to the charge of the clerks and royal enumerators -in order that the former should make a list of them, and that the others -should undertake to assign them residences in those villages in Castille -and Andalucia settled beforehand. Rebellion and mutiny were feared on -both sides, and such would have been the case had not D. John foreseen -everything. He ordered that all the soldiers should form up at daybreak -in the plain between the gate of Elvira and the Royal Hospital, which -was the most open and dangerous place. He commanded the first of the -companies himself, and the other three were led by the Duque de Sesa, -Luis Quijada, and the Licentiate Briviesca de Muñatones. - -D. John took up his position at the door of the hospital, which was the -most critical post. His standard of Captain-General, which was of -crimson damask, much adorned with gold and having a figure of Christ on -one side and of His Blessed Mother on the other, was carried in front of -him to give him more authority. Pity towards these unarmed wretches was, -however, stronger in the inhabitants of Granada than hatred and the -desire for vengeance, and all the Moors were able to descend from the -Albaicin, cross the town, and enter the hospital without being molested -by anyone. - -"It was a miserable sight," says Luis de Marmol, an eye-witness, -participator in and chronicler of all these events "to see so many men -of all ages, hanging their heads, their hands crossed, and their faces -bathed with tears, looking sad and sorrowful, having left their -comfortable houses, their families, their country, their habits, their -properties and everything they had, and not even certain what would be -done with their heads." - -Twice, however, they were on the verge of a catastrophe, as it occurred -to a certain captain of infantry from Seville, called Alonso de -Arellano, from a stupid wish to be remarkable, to put a crucifix covered -with a black veil on the top of a lance, and to carry it as a trophy in -front of his company, which was guarding the Moors of two parishes. -Seeing this token of mourning, some Moorish women in the street of -Elvira thought that D. John had broken his word, and that their husbands -were being taken to be beheaded; they began to weep and cry out in their -Arabic dialect (aljamia), tearing their hair, "Oh, unlucky ones! they -are taking you like lambs to be slaughtered. How much better for you to -have died in the houses where you were born!" This inflamed the feelings -of all, and Christians and Moors would have come to blows, had not Luis -Quijada arrived in time to calm them, assuring the Moors afresh of their -safety, and ordering the crucifix to be taken away. - -At the door of the Royal Hospital there was another great commotion. A -"barrachal" or captain of the alguaciles, named Velasco, gave a blow to -a Moorish boy, an imbecile, who threw half a brick that he was carrying -under his arm at the captain's head, wounding an ear; in the confusion -it was thought that the injured man was D. John of Austria, as he wore -blue like the "barrachal"; the halberdiers fell on the Moor and cut him -to pieces, and the same thing would have happened to those that -followed, had not D. John urged his horse into the middle of the throng -and, stopping everything, said in a voice burning with indignation and -with a commanding look, "What is this? Soldiers! Do you not realise that -if misdeeds displease God in the infidels, how much more they do so in -those who profess His laws, because they are the more obliged to keep -faith with all sorts of people, especially in matters of confidence. -Have a care, then, about what you are doing, that you do not break the -pledge I have given them, because once broken it would be difficult to -renew it, and if God tarries in their punishment it is not for me to -forestall His justice." - -Having spoken thus, he ordered D. Francisco de Solis and Luis del -Marmol, who saw and relate all this, to have the gates guarded and to -let no one enter, that the report should not spread, and he told the -"barrachal" to go and get his wound dressed and to say that no one had -hurt him, but that his own horse had kicked him. - -Once out of Granada, that dangerous focus of the rebellion, D. John -determined, with his native energy, to finish the barbarous war, the -continual drain of blood, honour and money, at all costs and as quickly -as possible; but far from dying out it only went on growing, owing to -the quarrels and plunderings of the Christians, to such a point that the -Moors no longer fell back and defended themselves in the fastness of the -mountains, but attacked and took places as strong as those on the River -Almangora or the castle of Serón, where they killed 150 Christians and -took as many captive, including the Alcaide Diego de Mirones. - -These victories puffed up the kinglet Aben-Humeya, and his pride -increased quicker than his power, so that he even dared to write as a -king to D. John asking that his father D. Antonio de Valor should be set -at liberty, who for a common offence had been shut up in the Chancellery -of Granada before the rebellion. He sent the letter by a Christian boy, -a captive in Serón, and gave him a safe conduct which said, "In the name -of God, the merciful and pitiful. From his high state, exalted and -renewed by the grace of God, the King Muley Mahomet Aben-Humeya, by him -may God comfort those afflicted, and sorrowful through the people of the -West. Let all know that this boy is a Christian and goes to the city of -Granada on my business, concerning the welfare of Moors and Christians, -in the way it is usual for kings to treat with each other. All who see -and meet him are to allow him to go safely on his way and to give him -all aid in carrying this out; those who do otherwise and stop or take -him will be condemned to lose their heads." Underneath was, "Written by -order of the King Aben Chapela." On the left hand, underneath, in big -letters, apparently written by his own hand, was, "This is true," in -imitation of the African Moorish Kings, who, for greater grandeur, were -accustomed to sign in this way. - -D. John did not consent to receive either the messenger or the letter of -the rebel heretic; the one, however, was read and the other examined by -the Council, who decided to send no reply; but the father of -Aben-Humeya, D. Antonio de Valor, wrote that he was being well treated -in prison; that he had not been tortured as had been falsely put about, -and that he, as a father, deplored his son's rebellion and counselled -submission and repentance. - -Shortly afterwards Aben-Humeya wrote again to both D. John and his -father, this time sending the letters by Xoaybi, Alcaide of Guejar. This -traitor read and kept them, in order to accuse and take him, as he in -fact did. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - -At length D. John set out on his campaign with all his native energy, -according to his wishes so long kept in check by his continual struggle -with his advisers, all quarrelling, as D. Diego Hurtado de Mendoza so -graphically paints in his laconic and celebrated letter to the Prince de -Évoli. "Very illustrious sir—Truly nothing happens in Granada; the Lord -D. Luis listens; the Duque (Sesa) fusses; the Marqués (Mondejar) -discourses; Luis Quijada grumbles; Munatones submits; my nephew is there -and is not missed here." - -D. John sent one company of the army towards the Alpujarras, with the -Duque de Sesa at their head, and himself attacked with the other, first, -Guejar, a formidable place in which the Moors had one of their centres -of operations, then reinforced with Berberiscos and Turks. By the clever -manœuvre arranged by D. John they fell upon it unawares, and took the -place and the castle with fewer losses and less difficulty than was -feared. - -The first to fly was the Alcaide Xoaybi, and he went proclaiming -everywhere, to spite Aben-Humeya, that the latter was in treaty with the -Christians to end the war and to give up the Moors, and in proof of this -he showed a wrongly interpreted letter, kept by him at Guejar. They all -believed the evil deeds of Aben-Humeya, which were many, and most of all -a certain Diego Alguacil, a native of Albacete de Ujijar, who owed him a -bitter grudge, because Aben-Humeya had, by evil intrigue, decoyed away a -widowed cousin who was the mistress of Diego Alguacil. The kinglet took -her by force, but she always kept up a correspondence with her cousin, -to whom she told all Aben-Humeya's doings and plans. - -Diego Alguacil made use of these advantages, and with a nephew named -Diego de Rojas, and the renegade Diego Lopéz Aben Aboo, a dyer of the -Albaicin, and the Turkish captains Huscein and Carafax, who had come -from Algeria, contrived a plot, which would have been iniquitous had it -not been against such a scoundrel as Aben-Humeya. They forged letters -from him to Aben Aboo, ordering him to kill all the Turks treacherously, -and then they went to Laujar de Andarax, where Aben-Humeya was, -intending to take him and kill him. He, however, had had warning of what -was happening, and decided to fly to Valor at daybreak on the 3rd of -October, but he was kept that night by a festival, and tired by -merry-making, put off the journey until the next day, though the horses -were already saddled. This was his ruin, as with the dawn Diego -Alguacil, Aben Aboo and the others arrived and assaulted the house, -taking him unawares. Aben-Humeya went to the door half dressed, with a -crossbow in his hand, followed by the Moorish widow; but, as this bad -woman saw at a glance what was happening, she clung to him, as if -frightened, but in reality to stop him using his arms or the crossbow, -and to make it easy for the others to capture him. This Aben Aboo and -Diego Alguacil did, tying his hands with an "almaijar" (turban of gauze) -and his legs very tightly with a hempen cord. - -They were then joined by the Turkish captains, and in the presence of -the Moorish woman began to hold his trial and to judge him. They -produced the forged letters, which he, innocent and surprised, -repudiated with energy, but they felled him to the ground with a blow, -as one already sentenced and executed, and began in his presence to sack -the house, and divide among themselves his women, money, clothes and -goods, ending by designating Aben Aboo as the poor wretch's successor, -who saw in his lifetime his most mortal enemies dividing his whole -property. From the corner in which he lay bound, Aben-Humeya watched -them and followed them with bitter speeches, which revealed the depth of -his fury and the blackness of his heart. That he never intended to be a -Moor except to avenge himself on one or the other. That he had hanged -his enemies, friends and relations; cut off their heads, taken their -women, stolen their property, and as he had fulfilled his desires and -vengeance, now they were taking theirs, but not for all this could they -take away his heartfelt satisfaction. When he heard that Aben Aboo was -designated to succeed him, he said that he died content, because Aben -Aboo would soon find himself in the same situation as he was in at the -moment. - -At daybreak Diego Alguacil and Diego de Rojas took him to another room -and there strangled him with a cord, each pulling an end. In the morning -they took him out and buried him in a dunghill, as something despicable. - -Meanwhile D. John of Austria was driving the Moors from place to place, -and from rock to rock, towards the Alpujarras, where the other wing of -the army was to cut them off. And such were his ardour, forethought, and -wish to participate as much in the responsibilities of a leader as in -the fatigues and dangers of a soldier, that the then veteran D. Diego -Hurtado de Mendoza says of this, "And those of us who were in the -engagements of the Emperor seemed to see in the son an image of the -courage and forethought of the father, and his desire to be everywhere, -especially with the enemy." Luis Quijada never left him for a moment, -restraining at each step D. John's imprudent rashness in what concerned -his own person, as he exposed his life with dangerous frequency. -However, on this path of triumph, D. John met with desperate resistance -from the town of Galera, where even the women fought with the vigour of -valiant men. It was a very strong place, situated on a long ridge like a -ship, whence its name, and on the summit it had an old castle surrounded -by high mounds of rock, which supplied the lack of the fallen walls. In -the town were more than 3000 Moorish fighting men, with a good handful -of Turks and Berberiscos; so safe did they think the place that they had -stored there wheat and barley to last more than a year, and great -treasure of gold, silver, silks, pearls and other costly things. - -D. John made a careful survey of the place from one of the high hills -which dominated it, with Luis Quijada, the Knight Commander of Castille, -and other renowned captains, and then ordered the batteries and trenches -to be prepared for the assault. D. John personally inspected this work -as Captain, General, and soldier, and, because it was necessary to go -for the esparto grass of which the gabions were made to a distant hill, -he went on foot in front of the soldiers to encourage them to work, and -carried his load on his back like the rest, even to placing it in the -trench. They began, as soon as it was light, to fire at the tower of the -church with two big cannon, and in a few shots they opened a high, -though small breach, through which to make the assault, and D. Pedro de -Padilla, the Marqués de la Favara, and D. Alonso de Luzón entered with -others of the courageous gentlemen who followed D. John with his people -from simple love of him. - -The artillery went on firing at some houses, seemingly of earth, which -were beside the church; but when they tried a second assault, so great -was the fury with which the Moors repulsed them, and so strong was the -resistance these miserable hovels offered, that the Christians had to -retire with great damage, leaving several gallant gentlemen who had -clamoured to advance penned in. One of them was D. Juan de Pacheco, a -knight of Santiago, who was dismembered limb by limb, on account of the -rage which the red cross on his breast inspired in the Moors. He had -only arrived at the camp two hours before, from his home, Talavera de la -Reina, and without more than just kissing D. John's hand entered the -fray where he met with his death. - -D. John, nothing daunted by this defeat, ordered new mines to be laid -and fresh batteries placed, and settled another assault for the 20th of -January, which, from the mines exploding prematurely, ended in a second -disaster. Both sides fought with great valour, and ensign D. Pedro -Zapata succeeded in planting his flag on the enemy's wall with such -boldness that, if the entrance had permitted others to help him, the -town would have been gained that day; but the narrowness of the place -prevented all help, and the Moors fell on him and threw him, badly -wounded, down from the battery, still holding his flag, which he never -let go, nor could anyone tear it from him, pull as they might. That day -died more than 300 soldiers, among them many captains and men of worth, -and more than 500 were wounded. - -D. John's sorrow changed to ill-concealed rage, and he swore that day to -level Galera to the ground and to sow it with salt, and to put all its -dwellers to the sword; which he soon afterwards accomplished, as at the -third assault, with new mines laid to the foundations of the castle, and -enormous breaches made by heavy artillery brought from Guescar, almost -the whole village blew up with a dreadful noise and earthquake, which -made the hill tremble, and the Christians dashed forward and gained the -town inch by inch, until they penned up more than 1000 Moors in a little -square, where they slew them without mercy or pity. The streets ran with -blood and it made the roads slippery, covering the bushes and brambles -as if with crimson flowers. They took great booty of things of much -value, and D. John ordered that the great quantity of wheat and barley -which the Moors had stored there should be seized; he also ordered D. -Luis del Mármol, who relates all these events, to raze the town and sow -it with salt, as he had sworn. - -D. John of Austria left Galera and went straight to lay siege to the -town and castle of Serón, where awaited him the first real sorrow which -embittered his life. He encamped his troops at Canilles, and from there -he wished to go personally to reconnoitre the place, taking with him the -Knight Commander of Castille and Luis Quijada, with 2000 picked -arquebusiers and 200 horses. - -The Moors of Serón saw them coming, and hurriedly began to make signals -from the castle, asking for help. Many went to take shots at the -Christians from the slope and then fled, pursued by the Christians, all -of whom entered the place, which seemed deserted; the women could be -seen running to take refuge in the castle, and from there were making -signals. The soldiers gave themselves up in a shameless manner to -sacking the houses, and better to secure the plunder many shut -themselves up in them. Suddenly there appeared more than 1000 Moors from -Tijola, Purchena, and other villages on the river, in response to the -signals, and the panic of the Christians was then boundless. - -They fled in a disorderly way, and unwilling to leave the booty they had -already in their hands, and encumbered with the loads, they stumbled, -fell one on the top of the other, affording a good mark for stones, -arrows, and bullets. D. John, from the hill where he was, saw all this -confusion, and angry at the danger to his soldiers and at their want of -discipline, fearlessly plunged his horse into the midst of them, crying -with heroic force: - -"What is this? Spaniards! Whom are you flying from? Where is the honour -of Spain? Have you not your captain D. John of Austria in front of you? -What do you fear? Retire in order like men of war with your faces to the -enemy, and you will soon see these barbarians terrified at your arms." -But Luis Quijada also saw the danger D. John ran within reach of shot, -and he went with all speed to make him retire. At the same moment a ball -from an arquebus struck the Prince's helmet, and, had it not been so -solid, would have killed him. Like a lion whose cubs are being hurt, -Luis Quijada turned and urged his horse on as if he would annihilate the -marksman. He then received a shot in the shoulder, and they saw him -first stagger and then fall heavily from his horse, among the cries of -grief and shrieks of rage of those who were near. D. John covered him -with his person, and with wonderful presence of mind, ordered him to be -taken to Canilles with an escort by Tello de Aguilar and the horses from -Jerez la Fontera. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - -Luis Quijada arrived at Canilles very much exhausted on a stretcher made -of poles, carried by four soldiers who were continually changed; they -took him to his inn, poor and bare, it being war-time and in an enemy's -country, and there D. John's doctors hastened to dress the wound. He was -consumed with thirst and continually asked for water, and, above all, -was anxious about D. John, whom he had left in such a dangerous -situation. At last Juan de Soto arrived, D. John's new secretary, good -Juan de Quiroga having died months before in Granada. He said that D. -John had been able to effect a retreat with great loss, and that he had -received such a blow from a stone on his shield that the pebble remained -fixed in the metal: a wonderful performance, but by no means unique, -considering the strength of those terrible Moorish slingers, who could -do as much harm with a stone as with an arquebus. - -D. John returned to Canilles after dark, his left arm somewhat hurt by -the terrible rebound of the shield on receiving the blow; he went direct -to Luis Quijada's room and shut himself up with the doctors. These all -declared the veteran's wound to be mortal; but they did not think that -death was imminent, and without hope of saving him, they nevertheless -believed that they could ward it off for at least a few days. D. John -was profoundly grieved, and thought first of all of Doña Magdalena. This -lady was in Madrid, in order to have the quickest and most reliable news -about the war, and that same night D. John sent a messenger there with a -true and detailed account of what had happened. Knowing the great heart -and courage of the lady, he did not doubt for a moment that on hearing -the news she would at once fly to her husband's side, so he also sent an -itinerary, written by his own hand, marking the safest route by which to -make this undoubtedly brave journey considering the roughness of the -road, the coolness of the season, and even the age of the lady, who was -already fifty, and, above all, the continual risk of being surprised and -attacked by the Moorish highwaymen, scattered all over that part of the -kingdom of Granada, which was then the seat of war. - -To prevent great dangers, D. John wrote to all the places where there -were garrisons, which most places had, ordering them to give Doña -Magdalena a strong and safe escort on her way, and he also ordered that -daily two messengers might leave, one at daybreak and one in the -evening, so that she should have frequent reports, whether she was in -Madrid or on the journey, at the close of each day. D. John wrote these -dispatches daily with his own hand after having consulted the doctors -and heard their opinion. The first news D. John sent to Doña Magdalena -by his favourite and confidential valet Jorge de Lima. He had not judged -the intrepid lady wrongly; as no sooner did she hear the terrible news -than she at once arranged her journey, without hesitation or foolish -hurry, but with the calmness and prudent activity which carry superior -souls through difficult situations. She was accompanied by her brother -the Marqués de la Mota, D. Rodrigo de Ulloa, several relations and -friends, and a good many armed and trusty servants. Doña Magdalena -performed this journey as far as Granada in a litter, and from there to -Canilles she rode strong mules lent her by the Archbishop; so long were -the stages and so short the rests, that in five days she had traversed -the sixty leagues which separated her from her lord and husband Luis -Quijada. Meanwhile he felt that he was _dying little by little_, as he -had himself said of the Emperor on the eve of his death. D. John had -suspended operations, and looked after and helped Luis Quijada by -himself as long as possible. These filial cares touched the old soldier, -and he gave him counsels and warnings, and warmly commended good Doña -Magdalena to him, although he did not really believe that he was -actually dying. - -But when he heard from D. John himself that Doña Magdalena was already -on the way, and knew of all the loving precautions he had taken to -protect her journey, the veteran's eyes filled with tears, and putting -his only available hand on D. John's head, he pressed it with a manly -and supreme effort. The advent of death laid bare the tenderness of his -heart and smoothed his rugged nature. On the 20th of February, 1570, he -was very much exhausted, and for the first time realised that his end -was near. He at once asked for the sacraments, and D. John brought a -Franciscan friar, one of those who followed the army, and was at the -convent of Canilles. He was the then celebrated Fr. Christóbal de -Molina, the hero of Tablate, whose dreadful gorge he was the first to -cross, on a fragile plank, his frock turned up, a sword in one hand and -a crucifix in the other. Owing to the great terror inspired in the -Moors, and the heroic emulation of the Christians, to the daring of the -friar was due the defeat of the former and the victory of the latter, -and the relief of Orgiva, sorely pressed by Aben-Humeya. Fr. Christóbal -was small and ill-looking, and at his first visit Luis Quijada did not -like him. When D. John, who revered him much, asked the reason, Quijada -answered candidly, "He distracts me and makes me worry, thinking how -such a wretched little man could do so brave a deed." - -Quijada, however, confessed to him with great contrition for his sins, -and the same day they brought the Viaticum from St. Mary's and he -received extreme unction, waited on by D. John, who most lovingly -uncovered his hands and feet to be anointed with the holy oils. The next -day, before the auditor of the army, Juan Bravo, he made a long codicil -whose clauses all breathe the same simple piety, at times rude, of the -great warriors of former times, in which, no doubt, lay the secret of -their courage. A celebrated, but by no means devout author, says, -"Heaven smiles on the soldier who can dash into the fray uttering the -holy war cry 'I believe.'" - -Luis Quijada left the poor heirs of all his considerable wealth that was -not entailed, and the usufruct of it to Doña Magdalena. He founded -granaries and "monts de piété" in his four towns of Villagarcia, -Villanueva de los Caballeros, Santofimia and Villamayor, founded -schools, endowed hospitals with a special income that the dying should -want for nothing, and added clauses referring to Doña Magdalena in this -tender way: "And if Doña Magdalena thinks it best to join our estates -and found some convent of friars or nuns, provided that they are not the -bare-footed nuns, as it is so cold at Campos that they could not live -there, in this case I give power to Doña Magdalena and my executors, -that joined, she may dispose of and order them, as our wishes have both -been to make a perpetual foundation with her property and mine, and that -we should be buried together and have in death the same good -companionship we had in life." - -On the morning of the 23rd Luis Quijada was rather restless from fever, -and a little before noon Jorge de Lima arrived saying that Doña -Magdalena was only one hour behind. D. John went to meet her at the -entrance of the village, and led her himself to Quijada's bedside. In -his delirium Quijada did not know her, but at dawn this disappeared as -the fever lowered, and he had long, loving talks with her. He again -wandered in the afternoon of the 24th, and never again came to himself; -this strong life was ebbing away, little by little, and on the 25th of -February at dusk he quietly expired, as one who passes from the natural -to the eternal sleep. D. John held the hand which grasped the candle of -the dying, Doña Magdalena, on the other side, showed him the crucifix, -and Fr. Christóbal de Molina, kneeling at his feet, commended the -passing soul. - -At the moment of death D. John embraced Doña Magdalena, pressing her to -his heart, as if he wished to show that he still remained to love and -care for her; the lady hid her face for a moment in that loyal breast, -and three or four dry, hoarse sobs escaped from her, signs rather of -manly sorrow than of feminine weakness; but she recovered herself at -once, and with great calmness and devotion closed the dead man's eyes, -according to the custom of the times, sealing them with drops of wax -from the candle of the dying; keeping the lids closed with her fingers -and D. John dropping the wax. There were present the Knight Commander D. -Luis de Requesens, the Marqués de la Mota, and the other captains and -gentlemen who filled the poor habitation, the rest grouping themselves -in the street, waiting sorrowfully for the fatal conclusion. - -They dressed the corpse in his war armour, and, as a sign of piety, in a -Franciscan's cloak; the hands were crossed over the breast, on which -rested his sword, whose handle was a cross. D. John arranged that the -corpse should be exposed all the morning before the army, on a litter -adorned with trophies and flags, and that in the afternoon they should -carry it and bury it in the convent of the Heronimites at Baza, which -was the place Quijada had himself chosen, until Doña Magdalena could -carry it elsewhere.[10] All the army were on the march with arquebuses -reversed, the lances, pikes and flags trailing, the drums muffled, the -clarions and pipes untuned. The oldest captains carried the litter -alternately, and behind them went D. John, riding a mule, covered to the -ground with mourning, he wearing a cloak with a hood which covered him -to the eyes, his standard of Generalissimo in front, not reversed like -the other flags, but carried high as usual; the Knight Commander -followed and all the leaders of the army, more or less wearing mourning, -according to what black cloth they could procure in that wretched place. - -Footnote 10: - - The remains of Luis Quijada were translated two years later with much - pomp to the church of S. Luis at Villagarcia by Doña Magdalena de - Ulloa, where she also now rests near the high altar. The figure of his - tomb no longer exists, but the inscription still does, which says that - he is buried under the altar and that he died "as he would have - wished, fighting against the infidel, 25 Feb., 1570" (note abridged by - Translator). - -Doña Magdalena stayed on three days in the camp and then went to the -convent of Abrojo, where she intended retiring for a few weeks. She -travelled in a very comfortable mourning litter which D. John had -provided for her, and he accompanied her for two leagues beyond -Canilles, riding by the side of her litter. There they separated: she -sad as one having left behind all she loved; he sad too—as sad as one -can be at twenty-three. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - -During these days of encampment at Canilles D. John reformed his army, -and falling again on Serón with great force and good fortune, the Moors -had no choice but to fly, first setting fire to the village and castle. -Then he entered Tijola, Purchena, Cantoria, and Tahali, and went from -victory to victory all along the River Almanzora, and so great was the -dread of the Moors that on only hearing of his coming they fled -incontinently, abandoning without resistance places and fortresses; -which was due not only to D. John's great reputation for valour and -energy, but also because this youth of twenty-three was already one of -those valiant and honoured leaders who only make war to gain peace, and -while on one side he terrified the enemy with the renown of his -victories, on the other he secretly held out his hand to arrive at a -just judgment, which would spare bloodshed, although it might detract -some rays of fame from his glory. - -For some time D. John had contemplated making a truce with the Moors, -and with the greatest secrecy he had put this matter into the hands of -the captain Francisco de Molina, a friend from childhood of the Moorish -leader in that land, Hernando el Habaqui. With much secrecy, then, the -two friends had an interview, and the proposals did not displease the -Habaqui; he was a very discreet man and, unlike most of his race, loyal -and frank. - -They discussed the conditions, and at last the Habaqui agreed, and -promised to do all that he could to make the kinglet Aben Aboo agree -also. D. John had not sufficient confidence in these treaties to make -him suspend operations; on the contrary, the war went on, cruel and -sanguinary, at Terque, the River Almanzora, and the Padules de Andarax. -But on arriving at Santa Fé, on the 17th of April, the negotiations were -so far advanced that he decided to issue a proclamation, whose principal -articles were as follows: "It is promised to all Moors who have been in -rebellion against His Majesty, men as well as women, of whatever rank -and condition they may be, if within twenty days, counting from the date -of this proclamation, they will come and give themselves up, and deliver -their persons into the hands of his Majesty and of the Lord D. John of -Austria in his name, he will grant them their lives and will order that -they shall be heard, and justice done to those who afterwards desire to -prove the violence and oppression they have suffered to force them to -rebel; and he will act towards the rest with his usual clemency, to -these, as to those, who besides giving themselves up, render some signal -service, such as beheading or taking prisoner Turks or Berberiscos of -those who joined the Moors or other natives of the kingdom who have been -captains or leaders of the rebellion and who still persist, not caring -to enjoy the grace and mercy that his Majesty offers them. - -"Furthermore; to all those who are above fifteen and under fifty who -come within the said time to give themselves up and who give into the -keeping of his Majesty's ministers, each one a gun or a crossbow with -ammunition." - -Thousands of this proclamation were scattered throughout the kingdom of -Granada, and from the first minute Moors began to present themselves in -the camps of D. John and the Duque de Sesa, craving for pardon. All had -a cross of red cloth or linen sewn on the left sleeve, so that they -might be known from afar and not hurt, as was ordered in one of the -articles of the proclamation. Meanwhile the Habaqui fulfilled his -promise to obtain leave from Aben Aboo to submit, and he begged D. John -to name commissioners to arrange the form in which the kinglet and he -should make their submissions, as well as the other leaders for whom -they were acting. On Friday, the 19th of May, the gentlemen named by D. -John conferred in Fondon de Andarax with the Habaqui and his men, and it -was settled that the Habaqui, in the name of all, should throw himself -at the feet of D. John of Austria, begging mercy for his sins, and -delivering up flag and arms. - -They then set out the same day for the Padules, where D. John was -encamped; the Habaqui and the gentlemen commissioners, with 300 Moorish -marksmen whom they brought as escort. The Habaqui rode an Algerian -horse, with Arab trappings; he wore a white turban and a crimson caftan, -his only arms a sword set with many precious stones; he was a spare man -with a good figure, with a thin beard which was beginning to turn white. -At his side an ensign of the escort bore the banner of Aben Aboo, of -turquoise damask, with a half-moon on the point of the staff, and some -words in Arabic which meant, "I could not desire more or be contented -with less." The marksmen followed five in a row. Four companies of -Spanish infantry, who were waiting at the limits of the camp, surrounded -them, and on passing the lines the Habaqui gave up the banner of Aben -Aboo to the secretary Juan de Soto, who was riding at his side. In this -way they passed through the ranks of the infantry and horse soldiers, -who played their bands and fired a fine salute of arquebuses, which -lasted a quarter of an hour. - -D. John of Austria waited in his tent, attended by all the captains and -gentlemen of the army; he was in full armour, one page held his helmet, -and another, on his left hand, the standard of the Generalissimo. The -Habaqui alighted in front of the tent and went straight to throw himself -at the feet of D. John, exclaiming, "Mercy, my lord, may your Highness -grant us mercy in the King's name, and pardon for our sins, which we -know have been great," and taking off the sword with which he was -girded, he placed it in D. John's hand, saying, "These arms and flag I -give up to His Majesty in the name of Aben Aboo and of all the rebels -for whom I am empowered to act." And at that moment Juan de Soto threw -down the kinglet's banner at D. John's feet. - -D. John listened to him and looked at him with such quiet and peaceful -dignity that he well represented the justice and mercy of which he was -the guardian. He ordered the Habaqui to rise, and giving him back his -sword, told him to keep it, and with it to serve His Majesty. D. John -afterwards loaded him with favours, and ordered his gentlemen to do the -same: that day the Habaqui dined in the tent of D. Francisco de Córdoba, -and the following one in that of the Bishop of Guadix, who was in the -camp. - -The next day the festival of Corpus Christi was celebrated in the camp, -with all the pomp and solemnity possible in such an out-of-the-way -place, and with the joy natural to those who believed that the -disastrous war was ended. By cartloads and armfuls the soldiers brought -flowers and herbs, so plentiful in May in that fertile country, to adorn -the altar and the road by which the Holy Sacrament was to go. They hung -with fair and fragrant garlands the tent in which Mass was said, and -which stood, raised, in a sort of square in the centre of the camp, and -around it they planted green groves and arches of foliage, with flags -and streamers. The soldiers had made it a point of honour to adorn their -tents, and there was not one which was not beautified with wreaths, -flags, and little altars of different kinds; many of them were -ornamented with rich cloths and other precious things, the booty of war. -The Host was carried by the Bishop of Guadix, under a brocaded canopy, -held up by D. John of Austria, the Knight Commander of Castille D. -Francisco de Córdoba, and the Licentiate Simon de Salazar, Alcaide of -the King's Court and household; in front, two by two, went all the -friars and clergy of the camp, who were numerous, and the knights, -captains, and gentlemen, with torches and tapers of wax, lighted, in -their hands. From one end of the camp to the other the infantry and -horsemen had formed up with their flags flying, and as the Blessed -Sacrament passed, they knelt down, lowering their arms, standards and -banners, kissing the dust; the bands played martial hymns, and through -the air thundered salvos of arquebuses, which did not cease for at least -a quarter of an hour. "A friar of St. Francis preached that day," says -Luis del Mármol, "who with many tears praised Our Lord for His great -favour and mercy in having made the place Christian by bringing the -Moors to a knowledge of their sins; and besides this he said many things -which consoled the people." - -But, unluckily, these rejoicings and consolations were premature, as -very soon afterwards the traitor Aben Aboo went back on his word, and -fortified himself in the Alpujarras, and began to prevent, with -atrocities and punishments, the pacification of the Moors, who had -thronged to submit, and he asked for fresh help from the Kings of -Algiers and Tunis. Loyal and honourable for his part, Hernando el -Habaqui was furious; he went to the Alpujarras swearing to bring Aben -Aboo to reason, or to bring him into the presence of D. John tied to his -horse's tail. But the crafty Moor knew how to lay a snare into which the -loyal Habaqui incautiously fell, and was treacherously killed, and his -corpse hidden for more than thirty days in a dung-heap, covered up with -a matting of reeds. - -Few, however, were the followers who remained to Aben Aboo after this -crime was discovered; and pressed without respite, he fled from cave to -cave, always seeing his following diminish, until it consisted of few -more than 200 men, and these tired and worn out. Gonsalo el Xeniz, who -was Alcaide, agreed with a silversmith of Granada, called Francisco -Barrado, to capture Aben Aboo or to kill him, as he was the cause of so -many lives being lost. So, one night, el Xeniz arranged to meet Aben -Aboo in the caves of Berchul, on the pretext that it was necessary to -talk over matters which concerned everyone. Aben Aboo came alone, as he -confided to nobody where he slept. El Xeniz said to him, "Abdala Aben -Aboo: what I wish to say to you is that you should look at these caves, -which are full of unhappy people, sick folk and widows and orphans, and -things have come to such a pass, that if all do not give themselves up -to the King's mercy, they will be killed and destroyed: and by doing the -contrary they will be relieved of their great misery." - -When Aben Aboo heard this, he gave a cry as if his soul were being torn -out, and looking furious, he said, "What? Xeniz! You have brought me -here for this? You harbour such treason in your breast! Do not say any -more, or let me see you again." - -And saying this he left the cave, but a Moor called Cubeyas seized his -arms behind, and a nephew of el Xeniz gave him a blow on the head with -the butt of a musket and stupefied him and threw him to the ground; then -el Xeniz gave him a blow with a stone and killed him. They took the -body, wrapped in a matting of reeds, lying across a mule, to Berchul, -where Francisco Barrado and his brother Andres were waiting for them. -There they opened the corpse, took out the intestines and filled the -body with salt to preserve it; they then put it on a sumpter mule, with -boards at the back and front under the clothes, to make it appear -living. On the right rode the silversmith Barrado, el Xeniz on the left, -bearing the musket and scimitar of the dead man, surrounded by el -Xeniz's relations with their arquebuses and muskets, and Luis de Arroyo -and Jeronimo de Oviedo formed the rear-guard with a troop of horse. In -this manner they entered Granada with a great crowd of people, who were -anxious to see the body of the dyer of the Albaicin, who had dared to -call himself king in Spain: the arquebuses fired salvos in the square of -Bibarrambla and again in front of the houses of the Audiencia, which -were answered by the artillery of the Alhambra. The President D. Pedro -Deza came out and el Xeniz gave him the musket and scimitar of Aben -Aboo, saying that he did so like the faithful shepherd, who being unable -to bring to his master the animal alive, brought the skin. Then they cut -off the head of the corpse, and abandoned the body to the boys, who -dragged it about and then burned it; the head was nailed in an iron cage -on the gate "del Rastro," facing the road to the Alpujarras, with an -inscription underneath, which said: - - This is the head - of the traitor Aben Aboo. - No one shall take it away - on pain of death. - -Thus ended this celebrated Moorish war, another step by which D. John of -Austria mounted to the summit of his glory. - - - - - BOOK III - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I - - -From its narrowness and bareness it seemed a prison, and no comparison -could be found for the scarcity of its furniture; its triangular shape -and massive walls, on which could be seen the remains of torn-down -tapestry, luxurious gilt cornices, and carved, vaulted ceiling, -suggested, as in reality was the case, the corner of a sumptuous room -which, for convenience or by caprice, had been cut off by a partition. -In the centre of this partition rose an altar of dark wood, without -other images or adornments than a life-sized crucifix; the pallid limbs -of the Christ stood out with imposing realism against the dark -background; the dying head was bowed, and its agonised gaze fixed -itself, with a gentle expression of mercy and sorrow, on those who knelt -beneath it. In the opposite corner was one of those carved -fifteenth-century cupboards, of so much value now, but of so little -then; it was open, and in its depths were to be seen many and terrible -instruments of penitence and a few books of prayer; leaning against the -wall was a shut-up folding seat, the only one, and the only piece of -furniture to be seen in this curious room; a great silver lamp glowed in -front of the altar, and by its light could be vaguely seen the outline -of a strange figure, which was moving on the ground on the frozen -stones, giving vent to deep groans and dis-jointed words. - -Little by little the light began to filter through the narrow, arched -window which pierced one of the walls, and then the solitary personage -could be plainly seen; he was old, with a pronounced aquiline nose, a -white beard fell on his chest, and he was so spare and decrepit, that it -might have been said of him as St. Theresa said of St. Peter Alcantara, -"That he seemed made of the roots of trees." He was wrapped in a big -black cloak, underneath which a kind of white gown showed. He was -prostrate before the altar, on the cold stones, and was writhing like a -feeble worm, at times leaning his bald head on the ground, at others -raising his withered arms towards the crucifix, with a movement of love -and anguish, like a sorrowful child who craves the help of its father; -then could be seen the big gold ring with a great seal which moved up -and down on his finger as if it were threaded on a dried-up vine branch. -It was full daylight before the old man finally abandoned his lowly -position and somewhat arranged the disorder of his dress, which was none -other than the habit of a Dominican monk, whose wide folds seemed only -to heighten his tall figure. With a firm step he went to a little door -in the partition, almost hidden by the altar, and through it went into -the adjoining room. This was a sumptuous octagonal oratory, whose altar -was exactly in front of the one in the miserable room where the old man -prayed, so that the rich silver cibary which enclosed the Blessed -Sacrament on the altar of the front room corresponded with the feet of -the crucifix in the back one. There was only one picture on this -magnificent altar, an artistic marvel: the celebrated Madonna of Fra -Angelico, known as the "Salus Infirmorum." On the Gospel side there was -a rich canopy of cloth of gold, with faldstool and cushions covered with -the same; and in a line in front of the altar there were four other -faldstools covered with brocade, where four prelates were praying; they -wore white rochets over their purple cassocks, and stoles embroidered at -the neck. On the brilliantly lighted altar could be seen everything -arranged that was necessary for celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the -Mass. As the old man entered the oratory, the four prelates rose at once -and bowed low before him, because this old man, who a few seconds before -was moaning like a feeble child, and writhing on the ground before the -crucifix like a vile worm, was no less a person than Christ's Vicar on -earth; called then in the chronology of Roman Pontiffs Pope Pius V, now -in the calendar of saints, St. Pius V. - -The Pope knelt under the canopy and buried his wrinkled forehead in his -thin fingers for a long while; then at a sign from him the four prelates -approached and began to robe themselves in the sacred vestments to -celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Pope was celebrant, with -solemn slowness and deep devotion, although nothing revealed to the -outside world the depth of his internal emotions. - -But on reaching the Gospel of St. John an extraordinary thing happened; -he began to read it slowly, pausing, and marking all the words, as one -who understands and appreciates its deep meaning, and suddenly, with his -face strange and transfigured, and in a voice which was not his own, he -said these words: "Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes!" -(There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.) He paused for a -minute, turned his face towards the Virgin, gazing into space, as if -seeing celestial visions, and repeated in a questioning, humble, -submissive, loving tone, like a child asking his mother, "Fuit homo -missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes?" and in his natural voice, firm, -strong, and decided, he repeated, for the third time, "Fuit homo missus -a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes." - -From that moment the weight which was burdening the Pontiff seemed -lifted. The Holy League against the Turk, between the Holy See, the -Signory of Venice and the King of Spain, had been formed, thanks to the -efforts, energy, heroic patience and fervent prayers of this feeble old -man. The united forces of the three powers amounted to 200 galleys, 100 -ships, 50,000 infantry, 4000 horses, and 500 artillery with ammunition -and apparatus. The expense of this army was calculated at 600,000 crowns -a day, of which Spain paid half, Venice two-sixths, and the Holy See the -other sixth part. The Pope had named Marco Antonio Colonna, Duke of -Paliano and Grand Constable of Naples, to be General of his fleet; -Venice placed at the head of her contingent the veteran Sebastian -Veniero; and the King of Spain appointed as General of all his forces by -land and sea his brother D. John of Austria, who had just ended the war -with the Moors. - -The Pope in person promulgated the articles of the Holy League from the -altar of St. Peter's. The Roman citizens filled the immense Basilica, -and Pius, standing in front of the altar, surrounded by the Cardinals -and foreign ambassadors, read the text of the document himself with -profound emotion. Then the Te Deum was intoned and 30,000 voices replied -at once, and 30,000 hearts were moved with faith and hope, because the -horrors the Turks committed at the taking of Nikosia, and the danger -which threatened Famagusta and all the island of Cyprus at the moment, -made the whole of Europe fear that Selim would execute, if he were not -checked, the plan which Mahomet II and Solomon the Magnificent had made, -of overcoming Italy and destroying Christianity there. - -There remained, however, to be settled a matter of the utmost -importance, and it was this that overburdened the Holy Pontiff at the -time we saw him praying and groaning in the lonely corner, which he -himself had made, behind his oratory, to conceal from men his converse -with Heaven. It was the appointing of a Generalissimo for the armada of -the Holy League, who was worthy to be the leader of the great -enterprise, and who would be a skilful manipulator of this complicated -and difficult machine, on which all Christendom was gazing and fixing -their hopes. The allies did not agree over this, and, as so often -happens in politics, they put personal and wounded vanity before the -holy and noble end that the Pontiff had in view. He proposed his own -general, Marco Antonio Colonna; the Spaniards wished for their D. John -of Austria, the Venetians, without daring to propose their general, -Sebastian Veniero, rejected Colonna, as having been a failure in the -first League; they also objected to D. John of Austria, on account of -the lack of experience which they imagined he must possess at -twenty-four, and proposed the Duke of Savoy, Emanuele Filiberto, or the -Duke of Anjou, afterwards Henri III of France, who had not revealed as -yet his ineptitude and vices. The arguments about D. John's youth -weighed with the Pontiff, and he inclined to the Duke of Anjou, thinking -that his appointment might possibly gain the help of his brother the -King of France, who hitherto had refused it. However, the time passed in -vacillations and doubts, proposals and refusals, until at last the -allies resolved to leave the appointment absolutely in the hands of the -Pontiff, which did not prevent anyone from using all the means in his -power to influence the august old man in their favour. - -However, his holy diplomacy was too far above human cabals for intrigues -to affect his upright policy. The Pope resorted for three consecutive -days to prayer and penitence, as was his humble custom in difficult -circumstances, and on the fourth, on which we saw him saying Mass before -the Madonna of Fra Angelico, he convoked for that morning the presence -of the Cardinals Granvelle and Pacheco and D. Juan de Zuñiga, the -delegates of the King of Spain, and Michele Suriano and Juan Surenzo, -ambassadors from Venice, and told them distinctly, without evasion, and -in contradiction to his previous opinion, that he named the Lord D. John -of Austria Generalissimo of the Holy League. - -The Venetians looked disgusted; but the astute Granvelle was before them -with the only possible objection to D. John: "Holy Father! In spite of -his twenty-four years?" To which the Pope answered with great firmness, -"In spite of his twenty-four years." - -The Venetians then knew that they were vanquished, but made it a -condition that the Generalissimo should consult, in cases of importance, -with his two colleagues, thenceforward subordinates, Marco Antonio -Colonna and Sebastian Veniero. - -The Pope agreed, shrugging his shoulders as if he granted a thing of -scant importance, and the next day signed the commission of D. John -which the Cardinal Granvelle presented to him, repeating, with the -profound feeling of security which Heaven gives to holy souls, "Fuit -homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes." - - - - - CHAPTER II - - -Pius V wrote at once a brief to D. John of Austria, informing him of his -appointment, and telling him to come quickly to Italy to take command of -the fleet, saying that henceforward he looked on D. John as a son; as a -father he would care for his interest, and _would at once reserve for -him the first kingdom conquered from the Turk_; that D. John was never -to forget for a moment the great undertaking which had fallen to his -charge, and _that he could count on victory, as he_ (the Pope) _promised -it in God's name_. - -The Pope sent this brief to D. John by his legate _a latere_ to Philip -II, Cardinal Alexandrino, who also bore, at the same time, important -communications for the Kings of France and Portugal. The Cardinal -Alexandrino Michele Bonelli was a nephew of the Pope, and still only a -boy, but he had so much prudence and sagacity and tact in the management -of affairs, that he enjoyed the full confidence of the Pontiff, who had -named him his Secretary of State. However, the Pope wished to -counterbalance the youth of Alexandrino by the importance and grey hair -of those who accompanied him, and sent in his suite Hipolito -Aldobrandini, afterwards Clement VIII, Alessandro Rierio, Mateo -Contarelli, and Francesco Tarugi, all soon afterwards Cardinals. This -learned and splendid company all disembarked at Barcelona, where they -found awaiting them the Nuncio Giovanni Battista Castagna, afterwards -the Pope Urbain VII, and the General of the Dominicans, Vincenzo -Giustiniani; also, representing the King, the Legate D. Herando de -Borja, brother of the Duque de Gandia, and representing D. John of -Austria, his Master of the Horse, D. Luis de Córdoba. - -But it happened that while the embassy of Pius V was disembarking at -Barcelona, by other channels came the dreadful news of the surrender of -Famagusta, the awful death of Marco Antonio Bragadino, and the horrible -treachery committed by Mustafa on these conquered heroes. For -seventy-five days Famagusta withstood the assault of 250 galleys which -blockaded the island, and of 120,000 Turks with whom Mustafa besieged -the walls of the unhappy town, which had to defend it only 4000 Italian -soldiers, 200 Albanians, 800 horse, and between peasants and fishermen -3000 Cypriotes. Till at last, defeated and wanting food, the brave -Governor of the place, Marco Antonio Bragadino, counted the forces left -to him, and found them to be only 1700 soldiers and 1200 Cypriotes, -counting sick and wounded, provision for two days, six barrels of -powder, and 120 cannon balls. - -Then he thought of capitulating, and Mustafa favourably received the -first overtures they made, loading the officers who went to propose the -capitulation with presents and praises. The besieged asked that their -officers and men of war might be taken to the isle of Crete with their -arms and baggage: that the Turks should supply galleys for the transport -of the troops: that the inhabitants of Famagusta should be allowed to -keep their property and practise their religion freely. - -Mustafa agreed to everything, and even wished the soldiers to take five -cannon and three picked horses, as a testimony to their heroic defence. - -The capitulation was signed by both parties, and the soldiers began at -once to embark on the Turkish galleys. - -The next day Bragadino set out from Famagusta to deliver up the keys to -Mustafa, who waited in his tent. He rode a magnificent horse, preceded -by trumpeters in gala armour, with surtout of purple and a scarlet -umbrella which a squire held over his head. The principal leaders and -gentlemen followed, to the number of twenty. Mustafa received them in -his tent with much courtesy, he made Bragadino sit down at his side on -the same divan, and talked for a long while of the incidents of the -siege. But, suddenly throwing off the mask and revealing his black -perfidy, he began to reproach the Venetian General with having killed -several Turkish prisoners in time of truce, and with insolent arrogance -and vehemence, asked him, "And what guarantees, Christian, are you -giving me for the safety of the boats which are taking you to Crete?" - -Bragadino was indignant at this question, which was an outrage on the -good faith of Venice, and replied that such an insulting suspicion -should have been shown before the capitulation was signed. Mustafa then -rose in a fury, and at a signal, which must have been previously -arranged, his guards threw themselves on Bragadino and his comrades and -loaded them with chains. In front of Mustafa's tent there was a wide -esplanade, and there they were beheaded, one by one, with such violence -that more than once their gore bespattered Bragadino's purple surtout; -three times they made him kneel down at the block to be beheaded, and as -often they took him away again, just for the pleasure of causing him -anguish, contenting themselves at last by breaking his teeth, cutting -off his nose and ears, and pulling out his nails. Meanwhile the Turkish -seamen threw themselves on the Christian officers and soldiers already -embarked, took away their arms, and chained them to the benches, to -convert them into galley slaves. By dint of tortures the cruel Turks -wore out the noble Bragadino in twelve days. Every morning they beat -him, tied to a tree, and with two baskets of earth hanging from his neck -they made him work at the same forts which the illustrious General had -so gallantly defended. When he met Mustafa out walking, the soldiers -obliged him to kneel down and kiss the dust with his mutilated lips. - -Mustafa converted the cathedral of Famagusta into a mosque, and to -celebrate the sacrilegious ceremony, he ordered the martyred Bragadino -to be brought to his presence. Mustafa was seated on the high altar, on -the very _ara_, and from there condemned Bragadino to be flayed alive, -crying out in a diabolical rage, "Where is your Christ? See me seated on -His altar! Why does He not punish me? Why does He not set you free?" - -Bragadino answered nothing, and with the calm dignity of a martyr began -to say the Miserere. They began flaying him by his feet, fearing that he -would not be able to live through the torture, and they were right; when -his executioners reached his waist, and while the heroic martyr was -repeating the words _cor mundum crea in me Deus_, he gave a dreadful -shudder and died. They filled the skin with hay, and put it on the yard -of a ship, that all the crews might see it. - -These terrible tidings spread fear and consternation everywhere, but -specially in Italy and Spain; because the Ottoman monster, with its gory -claws fixed in defeated Cyprus, was lifting its head and surveying -Europe, seeking new conquest to satisfy its rage and cupidity. Italy and -Spain were the most exposed to fresh attacks of the monster, with whom -no power could then grapple successfully single-handed, and this is why -they welcomed the Holy League with such enthusiasm, and the anxiety of -those who meet with a means of dissipating a looming danger; and for -this also, that the arrival of Cardinal Alexandrino was looked upon in -Spain as an embassy from Heaven, who was come to confer, as defender of -the kingdom, the invincible sword of the Archangel on D. John of -Austria, its best loved prince. - -The Legate's journey from Barcelona to Madrid was one continued -triumphal march, and his entry into the city one of those events which -mark the history of a people. The pontifical ambassador lodged -provisionally at the convent of Atocha, while his official entry into -Madrid was being prepared. - -The next day Prince Ruy Gómez de Silva came to visit the Legate in the -name of the King, accompanied by all the principal personages of the -Court, with much pomp and decked out with many jewels, and two hours -later D. John of Austria arrived on the same errand, with the four -Archdukes Rudolph, Ernest, Albert and Wenceslas, brothers of the Queen -Doña Ana, fourth wife of Philip II. The Legate was very pleased to make -D. John's acquaintance, and talked to him for half an hour, addressing -him as _Highness_, which displeased Philip, and was the reason why he -secretly advised all the Chancelleries not thus to address his brother, -as Philip had not granted him this honour. - -The solemn entry of the Legate was fixed for the next day, and for it, -adjoining the hospital of Anton Martin, and in front of the gate of that -name, was erected a big platform which occupied all the width of the -street, with five wide steps by which to mount on to it, covered with -costly carpets. In the midst of the platform an altar was raised, with -the finest tapestry and ornaments that the palace could provide, and at -the back a gorgeous room in which the Legate might rest, as from there -he was to see all the clergy and monks of Madrid and the neighbourhood, -who had come to receive him and to offer their homage, pass before him. - -At two o'clock D. John of Austria set out in a coach, and went to the -convent of Atocha to pick up the Legate, and enter by the gate of St. -Martin in his company; he was accompanied by his entire household, in -gala attire, and by several Grandees and gentlemen of the Court, whom -the King sent to add to his importance. D. John was greatly beloved by -the people of Madrid, and the naming him Generalissimo, and the hopes -that all Christendom placed in the brave Prince, had increased their -enthusiasm. His coming was awaited by a great crowd of people, who at -once surrounded his coach and accompanied him to Atocha, applauding him -and shouting for joy. The Legate got into D. John's coach wearing his -Cardinal's cloak, hood and hat, and the enthusiasm of the people grew to -such a pitch, and so loudly did they acclaim D. John, the Legate and the -Pope, that Alexandrino, not accustomed to such a display of feeling, was -first frightened, and then wept for joy, bestowing blessings right and -left, anxious to show his gratitude. - -When Alexandrino arrived at the platform, the procession had already -mounted by the street of Atocha, and he seated himself on the velvet -throne, which was placed on the Gospel side, with many Monsignori, -prelates and gentlemen of his household, and a little before him on his -right hand was a Papal Protonotary with the pontifical standard, which -was of white damask, with the tiara and keys on one side and Christ on -the cross on the other. Right and left of the throne and on the steps, -the soldiers of Spain and Germany guarded him like a royal personage. -Then, before the platform, began to file the Confraternities with their -standards, the monks with their banners, and the parishes with their -crosses, and many of the neighbouring villages had brought their -dancers, minstrels, and clarions, and others were accompanied by -Alcaides, Regidors and Alguacils, all with their wands. On passing they -bowed first to the altar and then to the Legate, who, in return, gave -them his blessing. - -The King had so nicely calculated the time and the distance, that, as -the procession left by one side of the square, he entered by the other -in a coach, followed by his Spanish and German guard and by the hundred -noble archers. The King went towards the altar and the Legate came to -meet him, taking off his hat and the hood of his cloak; to which D. -Philip replied by bowing, hat in hand. - -Then there passed between the two many polite words of welcome, and then -D. Philip and D. John of Austria mounted their horses, and the Legate a -beautiful mule, with cloth of crimson velvet, a present from the city, -and they went together to St. Mary's to sing a Te Deum and announce the -arrival of the Legate. - -Twelve trumpeters headed the march with the attendants; two spare horses -covered with crimson velvet with fringes and trimmings of gold, with -saddles and saddle-cloths and bridles of great value; the family, -attendants and retainers, lackeys and pages with their bags of crimson -velvet embroidered with gold. The household of the Legate and then that -of the Alcaides de Corte, many private gentlemen and members of the -Orders, gentlemen purveyors and of the bedchamber, and a great concourse -of nobles and native and foreign gentlemen. Then followed the Masters of -the Horse and Stewards of the King, Queen, Princess, and of D. John of -Austria, and mixing among them, in different lines, gentlemen and -prelates who had come with Cardinal Alexandrino. - -Then a short space, in the midst of which rode, dressed in mulberry, a -Protonotary with the pontifical standard, preceded by two lictors, and -followed by two others wearing the livery of the Legate and carrying the -_fasces_ of the Roman Consuls of old, which had been granted to the -Popes, as a sign of great respect, by the Emperor Constantine. - -The standard was escorted by two of Alexandrino's mace-bearers and four -of the King's, with their coats of arms and crowned maces, and then -followed the Grandees in such numbers, that seldom have so many been -together at one ceremony. - -Then came D. John of Austria, and twenty paces behind, the King, giving -the Legate his right hand; but whether it was accidental or intentional, -it happened that on entering the street of Léon D. John fell back to the -King's left, and the three proceeded in a row, conversing pleasantly, -which was so extraordinary and unlike the rigid etiquette always -observed by D. Philip, that it was interpreted as a public honour the -King was doing to the Generalissimo of the Holy League, and was greeted -and welcomed by the populace with great applause and renewed rejoicing -and enthusiasm. - -At the porch of St. Mary's the King took leave of the Legate, without -alighting, doffing his hat with great politeness, and the Legate replied -from his mule, in his turn taking off his hood and hat. - -Then in the historic church they sang the Te Deum and the Regina cœli -lætare; Alexandrino gave the blessing from the epistle side, and a -Protonotary announced afterwards to the people, from the centre of the -altar, that _the Very Illustrious Lord Cardinal Alexandrino, nephew of -the very holy Father and Lord Pius V, came to these kingdoms of Spain as -Legate_ a latere _of His Holiness, and conceded 200 years of pardon to -those present_. - -This ended the ceremony, and D. John of Austria got into his coach again -with the Legate, and conducted him to the lodging which was prepared in -the house of D. Pedro de Mendoza, where the Presidents of Castille -afterwards lived. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - -D. John's departure once settled and fixed, his first thought was to say -good-bye to Doña Magdalena de Ulloa. Neither years, nor the natural -dazzling of triumph and glory, nor the dark clouds which, on the -contrary, brought disillusion and disenchantment, were ever able to -deaden in D. John his tender love for Doña Magdalena; away at the bottom -of his heart, joined to the religious faith which had taken such firm -root in his soul at Villagarcia, the loyal chivalry, strong and manly, -learned from Luis Quijada, and the active and practical charity taught -by Doña Magdalena herself, there was, so to speak, like the foundations -of the castle of his great nature, the tender, respectful, confiding -love he bore for Doña Magdalena, his _aunt_, true remains of the former -Jeromín who had become the D. John who filled the world with his fame, -and there always flourished in him, as in all loyal breasts, the -fragrant flower of gratitude. - -D. John made a glory of his love and gratitude towards Doña Magdalena de -Ulloa, and in how many of his papers do these natural and spontaneous -gloryings burst forth, like a spring of crystal water which seeks the -first fissure by which to escape. Soon after the triumph of Lepanto he -wrote to the Marqués de Sarria, "That my aunt really is as delighted as -she seems to be, I am very certain, as we share each other's good -fortunes, for no son owes his mother more than I owe her." - -So D. John wrote to Doña Magdalena, telling her of his appointment as -Generalissimo, and at the same time begging her to name a place where he -could go to receive her blessing and take leave of her. He proposed that -she should, as she had done before, leave Villagarcia, where she was, -for the convent of Abrojo or Espina, where, without entering Valladolid, -he would go to meet her. It is certainly a curious circumstance, the -reason for which we do not know, that in none of the many visits D. John -paid Doña Magdalena, did he ever wish to enter Valladolid or stop in -Villagarcia, but they always met at one or other of these convents. - -The courier who took D. John's letter brought back Doña Magdalena's -answer, that she would come to Madrid to give him the blessing he craved -and the embrace he desired, and thousands of other blessings and -embraces that she wanted to give him on her own account. D. John, -delighted, ordered the rooms to be prepared that were always kept in his -house for Doña Magdalena, which were comfortable and apart, in one of -the towers which flanked the palace, which was, as we have said, that of -the Conde de Lemus, in the square of Santiago; it was spacious and -magnificent, with two stories and two towers, very like the Casa de -Lujan, which still exists in the Plaza de la Villa. - -D. John and Doña Magdalena had not seen each other since the death of -Luis Quijada, and D. John was very much shocked at the great change he -saw in her. Doña Magdalena was no longer the beautiful fine lady of whom -good Luis Quijada had been so proud at the entertainments and -solemnities of the Court. His death had freed her from the obligation of -complying, like a good wife, with his wishes, innocent vanities, and the -calls of high rank; and now, free from all such obligations, she had -given herself entirely to the saintly impulses of her austere virtue. - -Two pictures of her still exist, which fully show these two phases of -her life. One is in the church of St. Luis at Villagarcia, and the other -in that of St. Isidoro at Oviedo, both founded by the noble dame. In the -first she is seen in all the glory of her youth and beauty, which was -remarkable, in magnificent attire, with costly jewels and a commanding, -though at the same time modest, attitude: the great lady who hides -beneath her velvet and laces the austere virtues of the saint. In the -second picture she wears the severe dress of the widows of the sixteenth -century, more or less similar to that of many nuns of our own day, still -handsome, but worn by years, penitence and vigils; her weeds of coarse -woollen material, with wide stays stiffened with wood at the waist; she -wears no jewels, nor is there anything white in her dress, not even the -coif or veil which surrounds her pale face; her pose is humble, but at -the same time it has something noble and commanding, even elegant: the -picture of the saint who cannot altogether hide under her mourning and -sackcloth the dignity of the lady of high degree. - -It was this last Doña Magdalena in her humility and mourning that D. -John received in his arms when she alighted from her litter, at the old -palace in the square of Santiago. Without a word she pressed him for a -long while to her heart, and then made the sign of the Cross on his -forehead, as she always did in old times to Jeromín when he got up and -when he went to bed. D. John seized the generous hand, and kissed it -again and again, at which those present were much affected, not only the -faithful servants from Villagarcia, who had come with Doña Magdalena, -but all D. John's household, who had gone to receive her as if she -really were his mother. - -For some time Doña Magdalena had known that envy was making unworthy -murmurings against D. John, and with all a mother's solicitude and fear -she had told him of this. D. John's answer to this letter from Doña -Magdalena is the only one that remains of this interesting -correspondence; it breathes the lad's noble confidence and his absolute -faith in the justice of the King, and the tranquillity of his -conscience. After several arguments which prove this, he adds, "You tell -me, making me very great, to be careful what I do, as all eyes are fixed -on me, and that I should not be too gay, but rather avoid all occasions -which might be harmful. Again I kiss your hands for what you are doing -for me, and I beg you not to tire in so doing. To this, Lady, I reply -with the simple truth of which I am such a friend; I give endless thanks -to Our Lord that since the loss of my uncle and father I have always -tried to live though absent from one who was always so good to me as he -would wish me to live, and thus I think that I have not ruled myself so -badly or done so little, that in this respect anyone can affirm the -contrary. However much I should wish to wear smart clothes, the work of -a nine months' campaign would not afford me much opportunity to do so; -moreover, Lady, all times and conditions are not the same, and I see -that sensible people, who are not fools, change as they get older; if -there are others in the world who, in order to speak ill, fall on -anybody, it does not alarm me, whatever they may murmur or say, and as -you write that this has come to such a pitch that you did not even dare -to ask news about me; however, as far as that goes, saints are not free -from the vexations of the world, but I will try to do my utmost to -behave as you think best, whose good advice I pray that I may always -enjoy, because there is no one I wish or ought to please like her to -whom I owe my up-bringing and my present position; this I shall remember -even in my grave. I pray you to forgive such a long discourse, as the -inventions of the times are enough to make a man do what he least -intended, and let me know if those of the Lady Abbess[11] are such as to -disturb greatly your peace of mind." - -Footnote 11: - - His little daughter. - -These murmurs wounded Doña Magdalena more than if they had been directed -against herself, and her wish to defend D. John and warn and advise him, -were the principal reasons for her coming to Madrid; because it seemed -to her that all this would be easier in her leisurely visit than to -await a passing one from him, which would of necessity be hurried and -agitated. D. John quieted Doña Magdalena, opening out his heart to her. -These rumours, according to him, came from the Marqués de los Vélez and -the Marqués de Mondejar, whose vanity was wounded, especially the -former's, by D. John's victory over the Moors, which they had not been -able to effect with more time, money and means of action. But these -murmurs had had no influence on the King, so D. John declared. He showed -himself a most loving brother, giving such positive proofs of his -confidence in D. John by appointing him General of the Fleet, and of his -paternal solicitude by counsels and instructions, so that even two days -before he had given a big sheet, corrected by his own hand, in which was -set forth the addresses and formulas to be used in D. John's -correspondence with every sort of person, from the Pope and Kings to the -humblest Councillor or Prior of the Orders. Then Doña Magdalena asked -whether to the names of Mondejar and los Vélez should not be added -another, not so illustrious, but at the same time more powerful, Antonio -Pérez. - -D. John strongly repudiated the suspicion. Antonio Pérez had always been -one of his warmest friends. So Doña Magdalena did not insist further, as -she had spoken more by instinct than having certain proof. She, however, -permitted herself to repeat smilingly an Italian proverb, which Luis -Quijada was always quoting, about the honeyed snares and deceptions of -the Court, "Chi non sa fingersi amico non sa essere inimico." Which -impressed D. John, coming from her, although, unfortunately, not as the -instinctive cry of alarm should have done, no doubt an inspiration from -Heaven. Then D. John talked of another person, who was at that time a -thorn in his side, his mother Barbara Blombergh. Away in Flanders, where -she lived, the frivolity and want of decorum of this lady's life had -begun to displease the great Duque de Alba, the Governor of those -States, and he was contemplating taking some violent measures, as she -seemed not to listen to prudent counsels, and the solution D. John -wished was to move her to Spain, for Doña Magdalena to receive her and -constitute herself Barbara's guardian angel. - -It grieved Doña Magdalena to see him so sad, and she promised, and, as -we shall see later, performed all he asked; and to distract his -attention from such bitter thoughts, she showed him with glee the rich -neckties and fine shirts she had brought him as a present, because one -of Doña Magdalena's attentions to D. John was that he never wore any -linen that was not sewn by her own hands. She was always at work, and -then sent him large parcels, carefully packed, wherever he happened to -be. - -Doña Magdalena's faithful servants came to pay their respects to D. -John, whom they had known as a little boy at Villagarcia. The old -accountant Luis de Valverde, the two squires Juan Galarza and Diego -Ruiz, and the first duenna of honour Doña Petronilla de Alderete, all -came; the other duenna Doña Elizabeth de Alderete was left behind at -Villagarcia to look after Doña Ana of Austria; the duenna came in very -much overcome, and knelt down before D. John to kiss his hand; but he, -touched and smiling and always full of fun, lifted the frail old woman -in the air like a feather, and clasped her in his arms, and, seeing -Jeromín, she dared just to press the smooth, noble forehead of the -future conqueror of Lepanto with her lips. What joy for her this embrace -of her beloved Jeromín, and what an honour and glory to have kissed the -forehead of this august prince, for whom she—she and nobody else—had -sewn and tried on his first breeches! - -The satisfaction lasted the good woman to the end of her days, and in -her will, made three years later at Villagarcia, she left D. John her -savings, 320 ducats, to redeem captives of Lepanto, who were to give -honour to D. John and to pray for her soul. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - -D. John started from Madrid to embark at Barcelona on Wednesday, the 6th -of June, 1571, at three o'clock in the afternoon. He was accompanied -only by his Master of the Horse D. Luis de Córdoba, his gentleman D. -Juan de Gúzman, the secretary Juan de Soto, the valet Jorge de Lima, a -caterer, a cook, two _D. Juanillos_ or fools, two couriers, a guide and -three servants, in all fifteen horses. The rest of his following and -servants had been divided into two parties, one which went on ahead with -his Lord Steward the Conde de Priego, and the other which followed under -the chamberlain D. Rodrigo de Benavides. D. John had arranged this in -order to set out more quietly, and to avoid the manifestations of the -love and enthusiasm of the people of Madrid, which he well knew not to -be to the taste of certain personages. His precaution, however, was -useless, because the people got wind of his departure, and from the -morning waited in the little square of Santiago, watching for his -coming, and when he got to the gate of Guadalajara, the crowd was so -great, that it overflowed into the country and extended all along the -side of the road. - -The magnificent Roman gate called Guadalajara still existed then, its -strong blocks of rock united by an enormous arch with railings and -balustrades of the same golden stone. Above this archway, and standing -out bravely between two towers, was the beautiful chapel with two -altars, one to venerate the figure of Our Lady, called _la Mayor_, the -other that of a Guardian Angel, with a naked sword in his right hand and -a model of Madrid in his left. All travellers used to pray there, and -following the usual custom, D. John alighted and mounted to the chapel; -and he appeared afterwards at the railing to bow to the people, who were -acclaiming him, and such were the cries of blessing, good-byes and -hurrahs, that, according to a writer of the time, "_it resounded more -than was necessary in some crooked ears_." - -D. John slept that night at Guadalajara, in the country house of the -Duque del Infantado, who was waiting there for D. John, with his two -brothers D. Rodrigo and D. Diego de Mendoza, his brother-in-law the -Duque de Medina de Rioseco, and the Conde de Orgaz, all most intimate -friends of D. John. He spent Thursday there, and on Friday, after -dinner, continued his journey, with _more haste and courage_, says -Vander Hammen, _than pleased those who followed him_. D. John truly -journeyed with a light heart, and the way seemed long which separated -him from his dreams of glory. His absolute confidence in Doña Magdalena -and her promises had dispelled the fears he had for his mother's future, -and the affectionate farewell, and fatherly, prudent warnings of his -brother the King, had made him believe that the murmurs and -tittle-tattle of those envious of him had made no impression on the -severe monarch. So D. John was at peace, and he smiled at life, as -fortune smiled on him; he received everywhere honours and ovations, and, -what pleased him more, sincere marks of love and appreciation. A courier -overtook him at Calatayud with a papal brief and letters from Marco -Antonio Colonna, General of the pontifical fleet, and from the Cardinal -Granvelle, temporary Viceroy of Naples, urging him to come to Messina, -which was the meeting-place of the fleets of the Holy League. - -He stopped two days at Montserrat to visit the celebrated sanctuary of -the Virgin, and on Saturday, the 16th of June, he entered Barcelona at -five in the evening, amidst the salutes of artillery on land and sea, -the pealing of bells and the cheers of an enormous crowd. The Prior D. -Hernando de Toledo, who was Viceroy of Catalonia, received him, with all -the magistrates and nobility and the Knight Commander D. Luis de -Requesens, D. John's naval lieutenant, who had been awaiting him there -for three days. The city overflowed with the noise and animation natural -to a seaport on the eve of the embarkation of a great enterprise. Flags -were plentiful at sea, and on land soldiers, adventurers, and those -seeking to be enlisted, long strings of slaves destined to row in the -galleys, noble volunteers with brilliant suites, workmen from other -arsenals who had come to work in these dockyards, merchandise of all -kinds, pedlars, friars looking for souls, women seeking gain, and the -curious who thronged the streets and encumbered the dock, already full -of chests of provisions and ammunition, piles of arms, and pieces of -artillery waiting to be put on board ship. - -D. John was in his element, and with intelligent and methodical activity -at once began to receive information and to take measures to hasten the -embarkation. He took counsel of the Knight Commander, the Viceroy of -Catalonia, and the secretary Juan de Soto, and decided first to send an -urgent message to the Marqués de Santa Cruz, who was at Cartagena, and -to Sancho de Leiva and Gil de Andrade, who were waiting at Majorca, to -come with the galleys they commanded to Barcelona; these last were to -bring all the biscuit they possibly could. The Archdukes Rudolph and -Ernest then arrived, as they were to embark with D. John to go from -Genoa to their own home, and the next day, at four o'clock in the -afternoon, the merry pealing of all the bells and the shouts of the -people announced that the galleys of Gil Andrade and of Sancho de Leiva -were in sight. - -They entered the bay at nine that night, in battle array, with beautiful -illuminations on yards and sides, firing salutes of arquebuses, which -were answered by all the cannon of the city's walls and dockyards. - -D. John's royal galley came with these, the same built for him on his -first expedition against the corsairs of the Mediterranean. The next -morning, very early, he went to visit her, and was pleased with the new -improvements, made under Sancho de Leiva's directions, following the -original plan of Bergamesco and Tortilla. The hull had been carefully -careened, the paintings and ornaments renovated, the sails and rigging -renewed, and the artillery reinforced. The figure-head was changed, and -instead of the former Hercules with his club was a Neptune, holding his -trident, riding on a dolphin, and at the stern a new goddess—Thetis, -between two golden eagles with black outlines, and above two life-sized -lions, also gilded, supporting the arms of the King, those of D. John of -Austria, and the Golden Fleece, whose chains ran along each side, -standing out well on the red background, and joining at the prow. The -old lantern with its statue of Fame had disappeared, and in its place, -crowning the stern, were three great lanterns of bronze and copper, gilt -outside and silvered inside, with figures of Faith, Hope and Charity, -more than a palm high. The deck of the round-house was also new, formed -of ninety squares of walnut, with outlines of ebony, boxwood, tin and -blue enamel, with a large flower in gilt bronze in the centre of each; -one could open these squares by means of a key, and beneath appeared -chests in which were stored, in beautiful little wicker baskets, fresh -bread, fruit, and all the service for the table. The crew wore as -uniform jerkins of crimson damask, with little caps of the same, and the -greatest order and cleanliness reigned everywhere. - -D. John was very pleased with his galley, and on the 1st of July he took -his two nephews, the Archdukes Rudolph and Ernest, to visit her and gave -them a collation. The galley was decked with streamers and pennons, and -was adorned from stem to stern with red cloth, with many flowers and -ribbons and crimson damask, which covered the bows. They arrived in a -big boat, all hung with tapestry, and with a canopy of damask at the -stern, under which their Highnesses sat; the twelve rowers wearing -jerkins of crimson damask, and caps of the same slashed and trimmed with -gold and feathers. - -When the Princes embarked on the galley, the slaves made their "salva de -forzado," which was a kind of song, or rather a sad complaining but not -disagreeable cry, by which these wretches implored mercy of the -visitors. Then a royal salute was fired from all her guns, which was -answered by the galleys in the port. The Princes sat at a table in front -of the roundhouse, under an awning of damask with crimson and white -stripes, and there was served a collation of fruit, sweetmeats, green -and cool drinks, which the heat of the day made delicious. - -Meanwhile, at the stern a band of musicians dressed in turquoise brocade -were playing, and to their music the crew were executing a sort of -flying dance, jumping, climbing, and doing a thousand feats among the -yards, topsails, masts and rigging, with such agility, quickness and -order that it was a spectacle of real merit. - -When the Princes rose, the Viceroy, the Knight Commander and all the -gentlemen of the suites were served at the same table, with equal -plenty, and at nightfall D. John regained the Viceroy's palace, where he -was living, and where was waiting for him the greatest blow, perhaps, he -ever received in his life, as it was the first and the most unexpected. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -During the absence of D. John on the royal galley that afternoon a -courier had arrived at Barcelona from the Court, bearing various letters -from the King, all in D. Philip's writing, and one of them, dated the -17th of June, or six days after D. John had left Madrid, caused the -latter the bitterest and deepest dismay. It is not recorded what the -orders of D. Philip were which caused such distress to D. John of -Austria; but judging from the two letters which he wrote then, and from -other preceding and following ones, it is certain that following other -orders, unknown to us, this letter also brought reproaches, more or less -severe, from D. Philip to his brother, for having allowed himself to be -addressed as Highness, and for having accepted the honours due to an -Infante, which on all sides were given him; forbidding D. John in future -to accept these honours, which the King had not granted him, and saying -that a letter from Antonio Pérez was coming with a copy of the -instructions which had been sent to the ministers in Italy, respecting -the way in which D. John was to be received and addressed, and he was to -keep strictly to these same instructions. - -D. John was thunderstruck at this letter, and it amazed the faithful -secretary Juan de Soto, the only person to whom D. John dared to confide -it. Up to a certain point the fact was true, because it is certain that -nobles and people, great and small, regarded and respected D. John, both -in Spain and out of it, as an Infante of Castille, as he was a son of -the great Emperor and brother to the present King, and because his -personal gifts and deeds made him worthy of the high dignity. But that -which was the spontaneous act of nations and peoples had been -transformed by those envious of D. John into intrigues and presumptuous -efforts to occupy a rank he did not possess, and this had been -treacherously whispered in the Monarch's ear. It seems certain that D. -John's enemies had carried their tittle-tattle and misrepresentations to -Philip II himself; it was also certain that he believed them, and -equally certain—and this is what so pained D. John's loyal heart—that D. -Philip had hidden his displeasure as King and brother, and had said -good-bye to him with false words of kindness and confidence, condemning -him unheard, in his absence, and deputing a minister to sanction, by a -letter, the grave humiliation which he was imposing. - -D. John's youthful blood boiled at these thoughts, and, depressed and -dismayed under the weight of his first disillusion, he seriously thought -of renouncing his dreams of glory, and of taking refuge in the -ecclesiastical state, as the Emperor, his father, had counselled, as -being quieter and more peaceful. Juan de Soto comforted him with much -wise reasoning, and for his counsel and encouragement wrote to the -Prince de Évoli, to whom Soto owed his appointment as secretary, the -following letter, asking for advice and explanations, which clearly -shows the trouble and fears which perturbed him: - - "Lord Ruy Gómez, as you well know of H.M.'s new wishes for me - since I came here, I will not weary you by mentioning them; but - availing myself of your knowledge, and the permission you gave - me to go to you as to a father about my concerns, I will say - that I have resented and do feel it, as I cannot help doing; not - so much, my lord, is my vanity wounded—as I take God to witness - that I am free from that—but it gives me much pain that I, alone - in the world, have deserved such fresh orders, as I lived in the - utmost confidence that H.M. would show to all that he held to - me, and that he would be pleased by my being more honoured. I - confess that the disfavour of putting me on the common level has - wounded me so much that at times I feel inclined to find some - other way of serving God and H.M., as in the one I am following - I am so clearly shown that I do not succeed; however, if - anything deters me, it is that, as I do not deserve it, it is - not H.M.'s wish, but that of someone who has more influence with - him than I have. Consequently, then, Lord Ruy Gómez, if one - could see through people, perhaps those who enjoy the public - confidence would have most need of advisers and of reform, and - this truth I feel the more as the present and future punishment - is bitter, not through the fault of those less opinionated, who - have less say in the matter, but by means of those who through - being so much in favour, and this is certainly seen, show - themselves finding fault in every way. All this moves me to - speak and hear others more than to be silent, believing that I - am pursued by false stories; at all events, I have great cause - to complain, when you come to think of the little value that has - been placed on all that I have done, to find myself, which is - what I feel most, now ordered by H.M. to be placed on a level - with those whom God, having made me his brother, did not place - between him and me. I well know that my services do not deserve - crowns of laurel; but that what I desired to arrive at, and for - which I worked, should be so little esteemed, and that instead - of being appreciated it should be thought less of by H.M. is - what weighs on my mind. I put my trust again in you, whom I - implore without keeping anything back to write and tell me what - are the causes of H.M. treating me thus, because if you will - only let me know that I do not deserve his favours, I would - rather serve him in some other way than weary him in my present - one. On which matters, if it appears well to you, I would like - you to talk to him and give me your advice, reminding him how - much he will be worthy of God's pleasure in acting as a father - to one who has no other, but a thousand people who will take - advantage of my youth and want of experience to compass my ruin, - as if that were an honour and glory to them. And as far as this - concerns me I again commend myself and it to your notice, to you - whom alone I entirely trust. - - "Our Lord, etc. From Barcelona, July 8, 1571." - -[Illustration: - - CARDINAL DE GRANVELLE - - _From his portrait by Gaetano in Musées Municipaux, Besançon_ -] - -But not satisfied with this, and thinking that it was disloyal not to -tell the King what he was feeling, he wrote this other letter on the -12th of July, humble and submissive, as a vassal of the King, but -dignified, loyal and energetic, as was always his heart and conduct. - - "Sir! For the grace and favour Y.M. has done me by writing with - your own hand, from the bottom of my heart I kiss your hands. I - have also received the instructions and other dispatches for my - journey, and they have arrived in such good time that it annoys - me how much is being lost here, and consequently so much for - Y.M.'s service; every day I expect the Marqués de Santa Cruz, on - whose arrival we can set out, as everything is ready. As to - following the instructions and opinions of those whom Y.M. has - designated to help and counsel me, particularly the Knight - Commander, I will certainly do so, as I know it is my duty, and - this being so, it will be my pleasure to care for Y.M.'s - affairs, with as much sincerity and prudence as the one I am at - present entrusted with. In truth, I have no other desire, and it - is my duty to arrive at this object, postponing the things of - less importance, and Y.M. must not doubt that I will continue to - act thus, and I beg you to tell me always what I do not - understand, for, as I have written before, I trust so little to - my youth, experience and judgment, that I well see the want I - have of another's help; for which reason I again beg Y.M., with - all humility, that you will continue to warn and reprimand me as - you think well (after having heard) of what I have left undone, - because it will not be want of devotion which will prevent me - doing my duty. The instructions Y.M. gave me on my first setting - out on a galley, I look on as very precious, and they will be - the more so now that I realise that it gave Y.M. pleasure, and - nothing I hold dearer than fulfilling your desires. - - "I answered the Pope as the Knight Commander thought it was best - not to wait for Y.M.'s reply; and that it was well to let him - know how the matter stood: however, in future I will keep such - things secret. - - "You have done me a great favour in ordering Antonio Pérez to - let me know what he is writing to the ministers in Italy, about - the way I am to be addressed, and not only shall I be very - pleased to conform to the wishes of Y.M. in this, but also it - will be my delight to guess your desires, in order that I may - follow them as I ought to do; only I make bold to say, with all - the humility and respect due, that it would be a boundless - favour and grace if Y.M. would be pleased to communicate - directly with me about what you desire, for two reasons; the - chief one being that it is now your pleasure that any of your - ministers should confer with me as to your wishes, as none of - them are under as great an obligation to do them as I am; the - other reason is that before leaving I ought to have given some - notice that what Y.M. wished should have been done and with less - fuss; and inasmuch as God has made me Y.M.'s brother, I cannot - help saying, or continuing to feel, that personally I am worth - little, but when everyone thought that I deserved more from - Y.M., and expected to see it, by Y.M.'s orders I see exactly the - opposite, putting me on the common level, which I do not - deserve, because I have put the service of Y.M. before vanity - and everything else, of which God is my witness, and it has - given me so much pain to see how little you are satisfied with - me, that often I think that if it is Y.M.'s pleasure I will seek - some other way of serving you, as in the present one I seem so - unfortunate in obtaining what I yearn for. Meanwhile I will obey - Y.M.'s orders as far as possible, although it will be difficult - amid the adulation I am told exists in Italy. Y.M. will believe - me that I desire neither honour nor good except that with it one - can serve the better, but the consideration of this detail does - not affect me, only to execute your orders, which for no reason - will I fail to do. - - "Our Lord, etc. From Barcelona, July 12, 1571." - -This was the first sign that Philip II gave his brother D. John of -Austria of the unjust want of confidence which the ingenious Antonio -Pérez knew how to sow in his path, to whom belongs the doubtful honour -of being the only man who for long years could deceive and often pervert -the straight and calm judgment of the prudent Monarch. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -When for the first time D. John of Austria trod Italian soil, on -disembarking at Genoa, he hastened to send his old Lord Steward D. -Hernando de Carillo, Conde de Priego, to Rome, to kiss, in his name, the -Pope's foot, to thank him for his appointment of Generalissimo, and to -declare himself the most submissive and obedient of his sons. The Pope -answered the steward in the words which he had already written in his -brief: "That I consider him a son, that he must hasten to fight, as, in -the name of God, I assure him victory, and for his honour and -advancement I promise him the first kingdom conquered from the Turk." At -the same time D. John sent D. Miguel de Moncada to Venice, to visit the -Signory, also in his name to cheer them, and tell them that in a very -short time he would be at Messina to settle what was best to be done. - -The reception accorded to D. John at Genoa confused and perplexed him, -after the blow that he had received in Barcelona, and he called upon the -Knight Commander and Juan de Soto to witness that he had neither sought -these honours, nor was there any possibility of refusing them. - -He did, in fact, receive in Genoa that which had never been granted -before: the Doge in person and all the Signory awaited him at the foot -of the landing-place, and the Dukes of Savoy, Parma, Florence, Ferrara, -Mantua and all the cities of Lombardy sent their representatives to -welcome him. Gian Andrea Doria lodged D. John in his palace, and in his -honour gave a splendid masked ball, at which the Generalissimo delighted -everyone with his great skill in the complicated dances of the day. - -The greatest lords of Italy were assembled at Genoa, craving to be -allowed to fight under his orders as volunteers; the best known of them -were the Prince of Parma, Alexander Farnese, and the Duke of Urbino, -Francesco de la Rovere, who was twenty-two, and had just married -Lucrezia of Este, daughter of the Duke of Ferrara. Accompanied by his -brilliant staff, which the most powerful king might have envied, on the -10th of August D. John disembarked at Naples, where the celebrated -Antonio de Perronet, Cardinal Granvelle was temporary Viceroy owing to -the death of the Duque de Alcalá. He was much too clever and politic to -oppose the wave of sympathy which flowed towards D. John throughout -Italy, and allowed the enthusiasm of the Neapolitans to show itself -freely, limiting himself, according to the instructions of D. Philip II, -in not, as everyone else did, addressing D. John as _Highness_. - -At Naples was to be given to D. John of Austria the standard of the -League and the baton of Generalissimo, blessed by the Pope, who had sent -it there by Count Gentil de Saxatelo. Cardinal Granvelle was -commissioned by the Holy Pontiff to make the presentation, and he -arranged the ceremony with the greatest pomp and magnificence, in the -Church of the Franciscan convent of St. Clara. On the 14th the ceremony -took place; the first to arrive at St. Clara's was the Cardinal, in -order to receive D. John in the porch. This famous statesman was already -over fifty; he still retained his upright and handsome presence, about -which, with more or less reason, there was so much gossip in his day, -his beard, already quite white, fell, carefully combed, on his breast, -and his rich scarlet vestments were as correct in their ecclesiastical -cut as ever were the secular ones of such a dandy as D. John of Austria. -But it was not in a courtier's fine clothes, but in the garb of war, -that D. John arrived, as being more suitable to the leader who was about -to receive the insignia of Christendom on the eve of battle. He wore a -light Milanese coat of mail of white steel, richly inlaid with gold; the -collar of the Golden Fleece round his neck, and on his helmet a goodly -plume of feathers of the colours of the League; his horse was black, -also covered with white steel, cut out and fastened on crimson velvet, -with arms, tassels, feathers and allegorical figures on the crupper and -headpiece. Similar dress was worn by the greater part of his enormous -suite, among which was the flower of the chivalry of Italy and Spain. - -D. John advanced to the steps of the high altar with the Princes of -Parma and Urbino, and sat in front of them on a high seat covered with -brocade. On the Gospel side were displayed the standard and baton on a -dresser with many lights and flowers. The standard was very big, -suitable for a galley of the largest size; all of blue brocade with -great tassels and silken cords; embroidered on it was a great crucifix -with many arabesques of silk and gold round it, and at the foot the arms -of the Pope, with those of the King of Spain on the right hand, and -those of the Signory of Venice on the left, and those of D. John -underneath, all surrounded with an embroidered golden chain, to signify -the union of the League between the three nations. The baton was also -symbolical, forming three batons united by a ribbon, splendidly carved, -with handle and chape of gold adorned with jewels and engraved with the -three coats of arms encircled by a chain. It measured about 24 inches in -length, by about 2-1/2 in diameter. - -Cardinal Granvelle celebrated the Pontifical Mass, and at the end of it -D. John of Austria mounted to the chancel, and, kneeling in front of the -altar, received from the hands of Granvelle, first the baton and then -the standard, with these words, which the Cardinal said over three times -in Latin, Spanish and Italian: "Take, fortunate Prince, the insignia of -the true Word made flesh; take the living sign of the holy faith of -which this enterprise is the defender. He gives thee glorious victory -over the impious enemy, whose pride shall be humbled by thy hand." Then -a shout burst out in the church, and a thousand voices, with one accord, -cried "Amen! Amen." - -Then a brilliant military procession was formed to carry the standard -from the church to the port; it was carried, furled, on the back of a -white horse, whose crimson velvet cloth dragged on the ground, led by -two captains who took it in turns. Behind came the Lord D. John, -carrying the baton of Generalissimo, followed by the brilliant suite, -all with drawn swords, as if ready to defend the insignia of the Holy -League. It was at length hoisted at the magnificent stern of the royal -galley at one o'clock. D. John himself directed this, and the fleet and -the port saluted him with a formidable salvo of artillery, muskets and -arquebuses, which lasted more than half an hour. - -D. John then embraced Count Gentil de Saxatelo, who had brought the -baton and standard, and threw round his neck a golden chain worth 400 -crowns. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -Meanwhile in the port of Messina Marco Antonio Colonna and Sebastian -Veniero, with the Pontifical and Venetian fleets, awaited the coming of -D. John of Austria. The delay made the two Generals impatient, -especially Veniero, an irascible, vehement, fiery old man of seventy, -who saw with anxiety the season advancing and the provisions being -consumed during that useless delay. Colonna shared his fears and -impatience, and a dreadful blow, moreover, came to distract him at this -supreme moment. His angelic daughter Giovanna Colonna, Duchess de -Mondragone, died suddenly in Rome, and this unexpected sorrow plunged -him in the deepest grief. He retired to his galley, not wishing to see -anyone, and ordered that all the galleys of his fleet should be painted -black; the ropes and the sails were also to be stained black, and the -lanterns, escutcheon and flags covered with crape. This sombre mourning -fleet anchored in the port was looked on as a bad omen in Messina, and -sinister rumours of fresh pillage by the Turks in Corfu, and that their -fleet was hastening to fall on Sicily, caused great alarm among this -superstitious and fanatic people, which neither the news that D. John -had left Naples nor the sumptuous preparations for his reception -sufficed to calm. On the 23rd of August, at noon, the Sicilian watchmen -spied a numerous fleet, with all sails set, making for the lighthouse. -Hope awoke in some, terror in others, for while all sensible people were -certain that this was the expected fleet of D. John of Austria, the -ignorant were frightened, and cried out that it was the dreaded Turk, -and upset the town with their shouting and hurrying to and fro. The two -fleets, Pontifical and Venetian, set out to meet the coming one, and on -the weighing of the anchors of Colonna's mourning ships, a great clamour -arose among the superstitious populace, begging that if he left he would -not return, because this black fleet could only bring desolation and -death to Messina. Two miles beyond the entrance of the straits the two -fleets met that of D. John, and the joy and enthusiasm were equal on -both sides. Marco Antonio left his captain's cabin for the first time, -and boarded the royal galley to kiss D. John of Austria's hand; but he -ran to meet the afflicted father, and took him in his arms, and pressed -him to his heart. Marco Antonio Colonna was the picture of a great -Italian noble of his day: tall, well made, and of proud bearing, an oval -face, with a wide, bare forehead, and big moustaches getting grey, -although he was only thirty-five. He was of great intelligence, very -brave and magnanimous, and had the soul of a poet. - -The effect of the entrance into Messina of the three united fleets -cannot be described. From the most saintly Christian hope to the most -animal instinct of self-preservation, all passions, ideas and sentiments -of which human nature is capable, joyfully united to bless and welcome -the realisation of their hopes and the overcoming of their fears, -represented at that moment by the Generalissimo D. John of Austria. - -He entered Messina by the Royal Gate, under a triumphal arch which ran -out to the sea, and was twenty-five poles in length; there were three -stories and three arches on each front, and 128 columns, which divided -the niches, pedestals and divisions of the endless statues, emblems, -inscriptions and couplets which adorned them, this great fabric ending -in a colossal figure of D. John of Austria, with the vanquished Moors of -Granada at his feet. Perhaps what was greatest and strongest among all -this magnificence was the quiet nature of the youth of twenty-four, who, -far from being made vainglorious by all this adulation, said humbly to -his lieutenant, the Knight Commander: "They give me this in advance; I -trust to God that I shall pay the debt." - -D. John assembled all the leaders and generals at once, more to greet -them than to hold a Council, as he fancied some of them were vacillating -from fear, and he preferred to await the arrival of the fresh Nuncio, -whom the Pope was sending to uphold his valorous designs. The Nuncio, -Mons. Odescalchi, Bishop of Penna, came with a great following of -Capuchins, Dominicans, Jesuits and Franciscans, whom the Pope sent to -serve the galleys; he also brought letters for D. John and Marco Antonio -Colonna, exhorting them without hesitation to give battle to the Turk, -as in God's name he assured them of victory. D. John did not require -such advice, and had, with much prudence and cleverness, been meanwhile -preparing the Council, according to what the great Duque de Alba -indicates in the following letter: "Before proposing the matter at a -Council," wrote the Duke from Brussels to D. John, "it would be well to -talk familiarly with each of the Councillors, commending them to -secrecy, and in this way learning their opinion, which is a very good -thing to do; as the person to whom Y.E. thus talks will feel very much -honoured and will be grateful to Y.E. for the confidence placed in him; -and will tell Y.E. freely what he thinks. Because it often happens in -the Council that the soldiers wish to get the best of each other, but -having already told Y.E. their opinion, they will not fall into this -error, or contradict those to whom they owe a grudge for the sake of -contradicting, which is a common habit. And Y.E. having heard all, will -have time to think over the pros and cons which each one has put -forward; and when you go to the Council you will have made up your mind. -Because while hearing and questioning each one, Y.E. must never tell -anyone your own opinion, except to those whom H.M. has ordered you, or -it is Y.E.'s pleasure to consult. In Council do not allow them to be -obstinate; it is well to discuss matters, but private obstinacy Y.E. -must never allow, as it will lower your authority. And Y.E. will be -bound, and it will be a very good thing sometimes, to summon to a great -Council the field-marshals, and some colonels and captains, and those -who can be called to such councils, to give them a taste of public -business, because it will give much satisfaction to people a grade lower -than those summoned." - -In this way D. John more or less knew the opinions of all the Council -when he convoked it for nine o'clock on the morning of the 10th of -September. There assembled that day on board the galley "Real" seventy -persons, among whom were thirty officers; it was presided over by the -Nuncio Odescalchi, the honour being conceded to him by D. John, out of -respect for the Pontiff. The Nuncio spoke first in the name of the Pope, -and in a brave speech, full of faith and enthusiasm, exhorted them to -set out without losing time to seek the Turk, and to offer him battle -without hesitation; such was the wish of the Pope, and, in the name of -God, he promised them victory. Then the old Conde de Priego rose, who -had just been able to appreciate for himself the holiness of Pius V, and -without more words or arguments, said that if the Pope desired fighting -and promised them victory in the name of God, it was impiety and madness -to shut their ears and fail in the enterprise. All the captains were -fervent Catholics and friends of the Pope, but most of them did not -equal D. John of Austria's old steward in faith and enthusiasm. One of -them, a long, thin man, with a pointed head, sunken eyes and a flat -nose, who looked more like a Barbary corsair than an Italian prince, -slowly rose, and with much pompousness and dignity said, "That he -thought it rash to provoke the Turk so late in the season in those seas, -and it was, in his opinion, safer to concentrate all the forces of the -Holy League against Tunis, than to expose themselves to a defeat from -such a formidable sea power as Selim II, up to then invincible." The -proposal pleased many, because the courage of the man who made it was -above suspicion; he was none other than Gian Andrea Doria, one of the -most experienced mariners and bravest captains of his day. However, -Marco Antonio Colonna openly contradicted him, proposing a prompt and -decisive battle, according to the wish of the Pope, and turning to D. -John, whose desire to fight he knew, repeated in public what he had said -in private: - -"Etiamsi oportet me mori, non te negabo." - -Sebastian Veniero upheld Colonna with great vehemence, and the two -Venetian commissaries Barbarigo and Quirini, and then D. John breathed -freely, because once the two other Generals of the League were agreed, -he, as Generalissimo, only had to make up the quarrel. He, however, -allowed all to talk who wished to do so, some for and some against, and -when they had finished, he contented himself with saying, "Enough, -gentlemen; all that remains to be done is to hasten the departure and -set out in search of victory." - -Very simple words certainly, but they were undoubtedly the most heroic -in all the story of Lepanto, because it required superhuman courage to -undertake the responsibility of an enterprise so dangerous, that men of -the stamp of Gian Andrea Doria recoiled before it. - -D. John began his preparations for his departure by visiting all the -forts and the vessels anchored in the port, which amounted to 200 -galleys, fifty-six ships, six formidable galliasses, and more than -80,000 soldiers, counting mercenaries and volunteers. D. John found all -the fleet well supplied and prepared, except the Venetian galleys, which -were very short of soldiers; this the Generalissimo remedied by dividing -among them four Spanish regiments, two of veterans and two of recruits, -which wounded the pride of the Venetians, and was the cause of the -trouble and danger we shall hear of later. In the galley "Marchesa," of -the Pontifical fleet, D. John passed an obscure soldier, whom he did not -particularly notice, but whose fame, nevertheless, was to compete with -his own in the coming ages; he was Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. So it -happens sometimes in life; two geniuses brush against each other without -knowing it, separate personages to whom Providence allots similar -destinies. D. John distributed the monks sent by the Pope among the -various galleys, the Capuchins to the Pontifical ships, the Franciscans -to those of Genoa, Venice and Savoy, and the Jesuits to the Spanish -ones. On board the "Real" was the Franciscan Fr. Miguel Servia, -confessor to D. John, and two other Jesuits, H. Briones and Father -Cristobal Rodriguez, a man of great learning and virtue, who had been a -prisoner of the Turk. Pius V much esteemed Father Cristobal Rodriguez, -and entrusted him to tell D. John very privately and with great -insistency what he had conveyed to him by other channels: not to -hesitate to give battle, as, in the name of God, he promised victory. He -also conveyed from the Pope a piece of the True Cross, an inch long and -half an inch wide, in a clumsy reliquary of silver with two angels at -the sides: it was the wish of the Pontiff that D. John should wear it on -his breast during the battle. - -Meanwhile Mons. Odescalchi promulgated a plenary jubilee which the Pope -had granted to all on board the armada who had confessed, communicated, -and prayed to God for victory against the Turk. - -The forces all fasted for three days to prepare themselves to gain these -spiritual graces, and there was not a soldier, sailor or galley slave -who did not confess and communicate, and receive from the hands of the -Nuncio a wax Agnus Dei blessed by the Pope, the Generalissimo D. John of -Austria setting the example with all the leaders and officers. Then they -organised a solemn procession of rogation and the Pontifical Nuncio, -wearing vestments, conceded from the high altar to all those who were to -fight the same graces that the Church had granted to the conquerors of -the Holy Sepulchre. On the 16th of September the fleet at last left -Messina for Corfu, and the Nuncio, in a small vessel at the entrance of -the port, blessed the galleys and smaller vessels, one by one, as they -passed. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - -The fleet moved away carefully, to prevent any surprise from the Turk, -in the order and formation planned by D. John, and communicated in -writing to all the Field-Marshals, Colonels, Captains, Sergeant-Majors -and other officers. In the vanguard was D. Juan de Cardona, with three -Sicilian and four Venetian galleys. He was followed on the right wing at -a distance of twenty miles during the day and eight at night by fifty -galleys, under the orders of Gian Andrea Doria. Behind, on the left -wing, were fifty-three galleys, commanded by the Commissary Agostino -Barbarigo. Then came the centre division of the fleet, consisting of -sixty-two galleys, commanded by the Generalissimo D. John of Austria; on -the right of the "Real" was the flagship of Marco Antonio Colonna, on -the left that of Sebastian Veniero. The rearguard of thirty galleys, -commanded by the Marqués de Santa Cruz, was a mile behind. None of these -divisions were formed of the galleys of one nation only, they were all -intermingled, nor did they fly their own flags, only a pennant of the -colour the Generalissimo had selected as a distinguishing mark. Doria's -pennants were green, Barbarigo's yellow, Don John's blue, and those of -the Marqués de Santa Cruz white. The "Real" and the flagships, instead -of these, flew broad pennants of their respective colours. - -The fleet cast anchor that night in the roadstead of San Giovanni, and -at dawn they erected a tent on the shore, in front of the "Real," and -before weighing anchor celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as it -was not then lawful to celebrate it on board ship. At the elevation of -the Host so loud were the cries and shouts with which the whole fleet -besought the God of Battles for triumph over those whom they were -pursuing, that the clamour drowned the noise of the drums and clarions -and the salutes of the artillery as they rolled across the waves. - -The Armada of the Holy League cast anchor at Corfu on the morning of the -28th of September; there were no signs there of the whereabouts of the -Turk, but on all sides the island showed the marks of his devastating -steps. Then D. John sent Gil de Andrade with four galleys in search of -news, and meanwhile embarked the considerable reinforcements of -artillery, ammunition, victuals and soldiers which the Venetians had -kept there ready. - -On the night of the 28th a frigate arrived at Corfu from Cephalonia, -sent by Gil de Andrade, bringing word that the Turks were at Lepanto, -and, without doubt, flying from battle, and retiring to their winter -quarters, because their Generalissimo Ali Pasha had taken leave of the -Viceroy of Algiers, Aluch Ali, with his 110 galleys; so that the Ottoman -fleet was reduced to 180 galleys; but unfortunately, these tidings were -absolutely false. It was true that the Ottoman Armada was at Lepanto, -and also that the Viceroy of Algiers, Aluch Ali, had separated himself, -with his galleys, from it; but it was only a temporary absence, to -reconnoitre the archipelago, and he was already back at Lepanto, where -the whole powerful fleet was, much superior to the Christian one, and, -far from fleeing from fighting, they were trying to provoke a battle. -This mistake on the part of the Christians, and a similar one, as we -shall see, on the part of the Turks, was no doubt the simple means which -Providence employed to bring about the decisive combat between the Cross -and the Crescent, which could have been effected in no other way. - -D. John, satisfied with this information, ordered the decks to be -cleared for action, and this time, in agreement with all the Generals, -decided to wait at Gomenizza, while the wind, then contrary, did not -permit them to make for Lepanto. The bay of Gomenizza is on the Albanian -coast, thirty miles south-east of the port of Corfu, and there for the -last time discord managed to upset the plans God was unfolding. This was -on the 2nd of October, and the order had already been given to have -everything in readiness for sailing the next morning at daybreak. -Consequently there reigned in all the galleys the confusion that such -manœuvres always bring, and on the Venetian Áquila, whose Captain was a -native of Crete, Andres Calergi, two Spanish arquebusiers were disputing -with a Venetian sailor as to whether or no the latter had come against -them with the end of a yard; the contention became general, owing to the -bad feeling between the Spanish arquebusiers and the Venetian sailors, -who looked upon them as interlopers on their ships, and it was all -aggravated by the Captain, Muzio Alticozzi, taking part. He was a -quarrelsome, wrong-headed man, who had already got himself into trouble -with the law; words changed to blows, and then arms were used with such -rage and violence, that in a few moments the deck was covered with many -wounded and some dead bodies. The Ammiraglio, or head of the police, -hastened with four boatswains, sent by Sebastian Veniero himself, to -make peace, arrest Muzio, and end the fight. But Muzio was not a man to -let himself be taken easily, and seizing the first arquebus he could -find, he stretched the Ammiraglio dead with a ball in his chest, and put -the boatswains to flight, wounding two of them. Meanwhile the Colonel of -the arquebusiers, Paolo Sforza, flew to the flagship of Veniero, begging -him to go in person to quiet his men, and already blind with rage, -threatening to throw him overboard and also to sink his galley, the old -Venetian sent his Captain to go on board the ship which was the scene of -the struggle. He went on board at the head of his sailors, arrested -Muzio and two of the most turbulent Spaniards, and in less than ten -minutes the fleet could see all three hanging from a yard. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - SEBASTIAN VENIERO, DOGE OF VENICE - - _By Titian. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -Sebastian Veniero's usurpation of the exclusive right of the -Generalissimo to administer justice was so great and grave an offence -against the person of D. John and the King of Spain, whom he -represented, that on seeing the corpses swinging in space, in all the -fleet there was a moment of terrified silence; the same idea, the same -thought of danger, crossed all minds and dismayed all hearts, and -without an order being given, or a word spoken, or a signal made, the -Venetian galleys were seen slowly grouping themselves round Veniero's -ship, and the Spanish and Pontifical ones falling back in order to -surround that of the Generalissimo D. John of Austria, all the -artillerymen charging their guns, the sailors sharpening their axes, and -the soldiers, without a word, seizing their pikes and arquebuses. A -stray shot, an ill-timed cry, and farewell to the Holy League, and -Christian would have fallen on Christian, the Turks a mile away, and the -whole future of Europe and the triumph of the Cross at stake! - -D. John was on deck with Juan de Soto and the Prince of Urbino, playing -with a little monkey, which was a great amusement to him, when his -attention was aroused by the shots and shouting. He at once asked the -cause of the tumult, and before they could give him any reply, Colonel -Paolo Sforza hurried on board the "Real," livid with rage, and with loud -voice calling for justice against the injuries that Sebastian Veniero -was doing him. D. John heard him with astonishment, hardly believing his -own ears, when he saw slowly being raised, on the galley "Aquila," the -yard from which were hanging the three Spanish arquebusiers. Then he was -so furious that he walked up and down the bridge like a caged animal, -muttering words which seemed like the growls of a lion when pierced by a -spear. The Spanish Captains, mad with rage, came round him, the most -moderate asking that the "Real" should attack the Venetian Admiral's -ship and throw Veniero, laden with chains, into the hold. At the same -moment from different directions, came on board the "Real" Marco Antonio -Colonna, and a corpulent, vigorous old man with an enormous moustache, -who was Agostino Barbarigo, coming to D. John with the greatest -earnestness, begging for peace, offering explanations and shedding -tears. D. John listened to them, leaning his elbows on the side of the -ship, digging his nails into his chest until they drew blood, and so -much did these two brave and honourable men do and say, that at length -the rage of the Generalissimo softened, not little by little but all at -once, as a hurricane ceases when God clips the wings of the storm, and, -his great nature already freed from the chains of wrath which bound it, -he turned to his Captains, who, almost in arms, were asking for -vengeance and extreme measures, and said to them quietly, "I know better -than anyone what I owe to the King, my brother, and to God, who has put -me in this enterprise." - -And he sent Barbarigo to tell Sebastian Veniero to go back at once to -his flagship; that never was he to show himself on board the "Real," and -that from that moment Barbarigo was appointed in his stead to represent -Venice on the Council, and that he should prepare everything to weigh -anchor that night, to make for Lepanto. - -In the log kept on board the "Real" by D. John's confessor Fr. Miguel -Servia, after referring to these events, it says: "This same day (3rd of -October), by order of His Highness, a proclamation was made, that no -soldier should let off an arquebus under pain of death; and His Highness -went from ship to ship, giving orders as to what was to be done." - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - -Meanwhile the Turks had reinforced their fleet until their 290 galleys -held 120,000 men, counting soldiers and rowers. They had, like the -Christians, divided the fleet into three divisions: the centre one -commanded by the great Admiral Ali Pasha, an arrogant young man, more -brave than prudent, in all the pride of his youth and of being the -favourite of Selim II; the right wing was under the orders of the King -of Negroponto, Mahomet Scirocco, a cautious man of mature years, brave -as well as experienced; and the left wing was commanded by the Viceroy -of Algiers, Aluch Ali, surnamed "el Fartass," that is "The mean one," a -former Calabrian renegade, an old man of sixty-eight, careful, brave and -crafty, whom more than forty years of piracy had made familiar with -these seas. - -At Lepanto Ali Pasha received a message from Selim II, much to his -satisfaction, ordering him to give battle, and in order to do this he -assembled his Council of War on board his galley, "La Sultana," on the -4th of October. The Council consisted of the two Generals of the Fleet, -Mahomet Scirocco and Aluch Ali, the Serasker or general of all the -troops, Perter Pasha, and several great dignitaries of the Empire, to -the number of twenty, among whom were the former King of Algiers, Hassen -Pasha, and two sons of Ali, who were still children, Ahmed Bey, who was -eighteen, and Mahomet Bey, aged thirteen, who with their tutor Alhamet -commanded a galley. - -The Turkish fleet was undeniably superior to the Christian, and wherein -lay, perhaps, its greatest advantage was that it was not like the -Christian fleet compounded of different elements, who might, and in fact -did, have different and even opposing interests. Far from this, the -Turks were all vassals of one lord, and neither desired glory or power -for anything but the Empire. However, Selim II's order to give battle -was vigorously opposed in the Council, and the first to do so was Aluch -Ali, who, with many weighty reasons, drawn from his experience of -Christian warfare, showed what harm defeat would entail. The Serasker -Perter Pasha and Mahomet Scirocco agreed with him, being much perturbed -over the six formidable galliasses of the Christians; these vessels, the -greatest of their day, carried twenty cannon, and easily broke through -any line of battle which confronted them. - -Ali Pasha's arrogant petulance then turned to insolence; he jeered at -the fears of the veterans, and told the Council of the information he -had received from two spies, Kara Kodja and Kara Djali, Barbary -corsairs, whom he had sent to reconnoitre the Christian fleet in Corfu; -according to them it was so inferior in strength and numbers that it -would have difficulty in resisting the attack of the Turks. Ali, -however, did not know that this enumeration had been made while the -vanguard of D. Juan de Cardona and the rearguard of the Marqués de Santa -Cruz had been detached at Tarento with some other ships, and that, -consequently, there only remained at the moment seventy galleys in the -fleet of the League. Thus the confidence of both Generalissimos, Ali -Pasha and D. John of Austria, was founded on the same error; D. John -supposed that the galleys of Aluch Ali had separated themselves from the -Turkish fleet, and were on their way to Algiers or Tripoli; and Ali -Pasha, not reckoning on the ships of D. Juan de Cardona, or those of the -Marqués de Santa Cruz, and in his ignorance of naval matters, which was -great, failed to appreciate the importance of the six galliasses which -old Mahomet Scirocco so much feared. - -The discussions became embittered, until there was contention among the -Ottoman leaders, to which Aluch Ali put an end by saying, "Silence, I am -ready, because it is written that the youth of a Captain Pasha has more -weight than my forty-three years of fighting. But the Berbers have made -sport of you, Pasha! Remember this when the peril draws nigh." - -Having said this with impassive Oriental gravity, Aluch Ali left to -prepare his fleet. Then everyone was for Ali Pasha; but he, more for -appearance than from fear or want of confidence, desired to send the -corsair Kara Kodja to make fresh investigation of the enemy's strength. -So the Barbary pirate set out from Lepanto with two galleys, and began -to seek cautiously for the allied fleet; on the 5th he had crossed the -long, narrow channel of Ithaca, which is at the extreme north of the bay -of Samos, in Cephalonia, having to take refuge in the creek of Pilaros, -owing to bad weather. D. John proposed to reach the isles of Curzolari -from the north, and to shelter among these islands to rest the crews on -the 6th, and to fall back suddenly on Cape Scropha on the 7th, -surprising the Turkish fleet anchored at Lepanto. Kara Kodja, with -daring, entered the channel of Ithaca with his two galleys, and -discovered the allied fleet at Pilaros; but he had gone so far that the -Christians, in their turn, discovered him and gave chase, and it was -only by the great strength of his oarsmen, and because the wind favoured -him, that he was able to escape. However, again this time God desired to -blind this Barbary pirate, and in the hurry and fear of his flight his -sharp eyes failed to see the ships that were sheltered behind a bend of -the bay. So Kara Kodja thought that the fleet had not altered since he -saw it at Corfu without its rear or vanguard, and returned triumphant to -Lepanto, confident in his mistake, and he announced to Ali Pasha that -the Christians were at Pilaros, in Cephalonia, and that there was -nothing to diminish the enormous advantage the Turks had over them. - -Ali Pasha wanted no second telling; he hurried to leave Lepanto, to go -and cast anchor in the bay of Calydon, at the mouth of the gulf, only -twelve miles distant from that fatal Cape Scropha, to which the Turks -gave, the next day, the sinister name of Cape Sangriento. - -D. John, meanwhile, was anchored in the port of Petala, seven miles from -Cape Scropha, on the opposite side, without suspecting the proximity of -the enemy. Therefore both fleets were resting on either side of the -fatal point, like two enemies who, drawn through hatred, approach -without knowing, lie in wait, and suddenly meet each other without -expecting to do so, by rounding the same corner. D. John thought the -Turks were at Lepanto, Ali imagined the Christians to be still in -Cephalonia, and was going to seek them there. At daybreak on the 7th of -October, 1571, D. John of Austria ordered the fleet to leave the port of -Petala, and very carefully to go along the channel between the coast of -Greece and Oxia, the last island of the Curzolari; in the latitude of -Cape Scropha the watch on the "Real" made signals that two sails were in -sight. Then the curious at once covered masts and yards, but it was not -two sails that they saw; there were dozens and dozens which stood out -against the blue of the sky and the blue of the sea, skimming the waves -like a flock of white sea-gulls. There was no doubt; the enemy was in -sight; the belligerents had met face to face turning the same corner. It -was then seven o'clock in the morning. - -D. John of Austria at once ordered his pilot, Cecco Pizano, to disembark -on one of the high islets, to observe the strength of the enemy. From -this height could be seen all the wide bay, and in it Pizano spied the -Turkish fleet advancing, about twice as numerous as had been supposed, -favoured by the breeze, which was hindering and embarrassing the -manœuvres of the Christians. The pilot was horrified at what he saw, and -back on the "Real" he did not dare say what he had seen at such a -critical moment, and contented himself with whispering in the -Generalissimo's ear, "Put out your claws, my lord, for the job will be a -tough one." - -On hearing this D. John made no sign, and as at that moment several of -his Captains came to ask him whether he would not hold a last Council, -he answered blandly, "There is no time for anything but fighting." - -And he at once ordered a small cannon on the "Real" to be fired, and a -white flag to be run up in the centre of the galley, which was, ever -since Messina, the signal for battle. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - -Calmness in the presence of danger had always been one of D. John of -Austria's great qualities, and it did not fail him in this crisis. He -refrained from telling anyone of the fears and anxieties that Cecco -Pizano's information had inspired in him, and without wasting a second -he at once began to take measures with that intelligence and orderly -activity required by the art of war, seeing and taking in everything at -a glance, making his arrangements without hurry or confusion. - -He ordered that a little rowing and sailing galley, employed to transmit -orders, should come alongside of the "Real," and he embarked in her with -Juan de Soto and D. Luis de Córdoba, to visit, one by one, all the -galleys of the centre division and of the right wing; those of the left -he gave over to his lieutenant the Knight Commander, Luis de Requesens. - -In all the galleys D. John gave orders, the forethought and prudence of -which could be appreciated later. He ordered that in all the galleys the -high peaks should be cut off, to ensure the more effectual working of -the forward guns. - -He made them take off the chains and give arms to those galley slaves -who were condemned to row for ordinary offences, promising them pardon -if they gave a good account of themselves in the fight. These poor -creatures wept and embraced the boatswains who came to give them arms, -swearing to die, as, in truth, most of them did, for the Faith, the -King, and D. John of Austria. He also ordered on deck the best food in -the holds, and leather bottles of wine to be divided among the crews, -and then went among them to speak to them and to encourage them. - -D. John went unarmed, with an ivory crucifix in his hand, that he -afterwards gave to his confessor Fr. Miguel Servia, which existed in the -convent of Jesus, outside the walls of Palma in Majorca until 1835. His -words were not polished nor his arguments intricate; he only told them -that they were fighting for the faith, and that there was no heaven for -cowards. But he said it all so earnestly and courteously, and his -declarations and promises so evidently came from his heart, that they -filled all with enthusiasm and the wish to be brave, as if he were -filling them with some of his own heroism. - -He gave medals to some, money to others, to others scapularies and -rosaries, and, when he had no more to give, he bestowed his hat on one -and divided his gloves between two more. And when a Captain offered the -galley slave who had received it fifty ducats for one of the gloves, the -man promptly refused, and stuck it in his hat as if it had been the -finest plume. - -The two fleets came face to face at eleven o'clock in the morning, -scarcely a league dividing them. Then in a moment Ali Pasha could -understand the extent of his error, seeing ship after ship that he had -not counted on coming up the narrow channel of Oxia, and Marco Antonio -Arrozo narrates that, turning round to the Christian captives who were -chained to the benches, he said to them, deadly pale, "Brothers! Do what -is your duty in return for the good treatment I have given you. If I am -victorious, I promise you liberty, and if to-day is your day, God gives -it to you." - -Then the crafty Aluch Ali proposed to tack so as to bring the Christian -fleet under the fire of the entrance of the gulf; but the proud Ottoman -leader answered that never should the galleys of the Padisha, under his -command, offer even an appearance of flight. Meanwhile the two fleets -were manœuvring to form up for battle, the Ottoman one in the open sea, -light and favoured by the wind, the Christian one heavy, and shut in by -visible and invisible rocks which there surround the Curzolari islands, -and hampered by the contrary wind. They spread out their left wing to -the coast, getting quite close when the sounding allowed it, to prevent -the Turkish galleys passing and attacking them from the rear. It was -formed of fifty-three galleys, under Agostino Barbarigo, whose galley -went first, as guide on the land side, the guide of the other side was -Marco Quirini, with Venice's third flagship. The right wing, on the -other hand, went out to sea; it consisted of fifty-six galleys, -commanded and guided from the extreme right by Gian Andrea Doria, whose -flagship had a globe of glass as a lantern, with gilded hoops; the left -was guided by D. Juan de Cardona, with the flagship of Sicily. - -Between the two wings, forming the centre division, were sixty-two -galleys; in the middle the "Real" of D. John of Austria, flanked on each -side by the flagships of the Captains Marco Antonio Colonna and -Sebastian Veniero, and their stern guarded by D. John's "Patrona" and -the ship of the Knight Commander D. Luis de Requesens, who did not wish -to be separated for an instant from the Generalissimo; the two extremes -of the centre division were led, on the left by the flagship of Malta, -commanded by the Prior of Messina, Fr. Pietro Gustiniani. Behind the -centre division and at a convenient distance were the thirty galleys in -reserve, commanded by the Marqués de Santa Cruz. There was not more than -the space necessary for manœuvring between ship and ship, and the line -of the allied fleet extended at sea for nearly two miles. A mile in -front of the line of battle were the six galliasses, two appertaining to -each part of the fleet. - -Ali Pasha had disposed his fleet in an identical manner; he also spread -out his right wing, composed of fifty-six galleys, towards the land, -under Mahomet Scirocco. The left, formed of ninety-three galleys, also -went to sea, under the orders of Aluch Ali; and in the midst of the -centre division, formed of ninety-five galleys, a ship of Ali Pasha's -pressed forward, a very large one, with five high stanchions with five -great gilded lanterns in the stern, and well supplied with artillery and -with more than 500 men, Turks of Epacos, excellent archers and gunners -who were the pick of his force. Round her, to defend her, were seven -galleys, the strongest and best that the Serasker Perter Pasha had. -Behind the centre division, as in the allied fleet, were thirty galleys -in reserve. The space between the ships was the same in both fleets, and -the Turkish fleet stretched for over four miles. Therefore the two -armadas were each formed into three divisions, which each faced an -enemy. That of Barbarigo was opposite that of Mahomet Scirocco; that of -D. John of Austria was opposite that of Ali Pasha, and Gian Andrea Doria -was facing Aluch Ali, the real and most redoubtable Captain of the -Turks. - -D. John's visit had aroused enthusiasm among the galleys, and all -preparations being made, they only waited for the signal of battle. The -Generalissimo had also made his preparations on the "Real"; he ordered -that the deck should be cleared as much as possible, in order to give -plenty of room for fighting and for suitably posting the 400 veterans of -the Cerdena regiment whom he had on board. He confided the defence of -the platforms of the forecastles to the Field-Marshals D. Lope de -Figueroa and D. Miguel de Moncada, and to Andres de Mesa and Andres de -Salazar; the midships to Gil de Andrade; the kitchen to D. Pedro Zapata -de Calatayud; the boat to Luis Carillo; the quarter-deck to D. -Bernardino de Cardenas, D. Rodrigo de Mendoza Cervellon, D. Luis de -Cardena, D. Juan de Gúzman, D. Felipe Heredia, and Rui Diaz de Mendoza; -and as principal defender of the ship and true Generalissimo of the -battle, he had hung up, in a wooden box, the Moorish crucifix rescued by -Luis Quijada, which D. John always carried about with him. - -From the stern D. John followed the manœuvres of both fleets, and, not -to lose sight of them for a moment, he began to don his armour there, -under the little awning of red and white damask which was at the door of -his cabin; he put on a strong black coat of mail with silver nails; -below the cuirass he wore the "piece of the True Cross," the present of -Pius V, and over the cuirass the Golden Fleece, as by the statutes of -the order a knight should always wear it when he engages in battle. D. -John had just finished arming himself when he noticed that Gian Andrea -Doria had got too far ahead with the wing he was commanding, leaving a -wide space between the left and the centre of the line; he also observed -that Aluch Ali had followed the manœuvre of Doria with a parallel -Turkish one with his left wing, and at once understood the strategy of -the cunning renegade, who wished, and was succeeding in doing so, to -separate the Christian right wing from the centre division, in order to -surround them completely and cut them off. D. John hastened to send a -frigate to Doria, to warn him of the trap into which he had fallen, and -which threatened to cause the loss of the battle; but, unfortunately, it -was too late, and the frigate had not time to cover the three miles -which separated them from Doria. - -The Turkish fleet came on imposing and terrible, all sails set, impelled -by a fair wind, and it was only half a mile from the line of galliasses -and another mile from the line of the Christian ships. - -D. John waited no longer; he humbly crossed himself, and ordered that -the cannon of challenge should be fired on the "Real," and that the blue -flag of the League should be hoisted at the stern, which unfurled itself -like a piece of the sky on which stood out an image of the Crucified. A -moment later the galley of Ali replied, accepting the challenge by -firing another cannon, and hoisting at the stern the standard of the -Prophet, guarded in Mecca, white and of large size, with a wide green -"cenefa," and in the centre verses from the Koran embroidered in gold. -At the same moment a strange thing happened, a very simple one at any -other time, but for good reason then considered a miracle: the wind fell -suddenly to a calm, and then began to blow favourably for the Christians -and against the Turks. It seemed as if the Voice had said to the sea, -"Be calm," and to the wind, "Be still." The silence was profound, and -nothing was heard but the waves breaking on the prows of the galleys, -and the noise of the chains of the Christian galley slaves as they -rowed. - -Fr. Miguel Servia blessed from the quarter-deck all those of the fleet, -and gave them absolution in the hour of death. It was then a quarter to -twelve. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -The first shot was fired by the galliass "Capitana," commanded by -Francisco Duodo, and it smashed the biggest of the five lanterns which -crowned the stern of Ali Pasha's galley; the second injured the castle -of a neighbouring galley, and the third sunk a small vessel which was -hurrying to transmit orders. Then there was a retrograde movement -throughout the Turkish fleet, which the bravery of Ali Pasha at once -checked. He rushed to the tiller and made the "Sultana" pass between the -galliasses with the rapidity of an arrow, without firing a shot; all the -fleet followed him, their line already broken, but prepared to form up -again when they had passed the obstacle, as the water of a river -reunites after it has passed the posts of a bridge which has impeded and -divided it. The left Christian wing and the Turkish right one were the -first to engage. Mahomet Scirocco attacked with such force in front, and -with such tumult of shouts and savage cries, according to the Turkish -custom when fighting, that all attention was drawn to one point; -meanwhile some of his light galleys slipped past on the land side and -attacked the stern of Barbarigo's flagship, who saw himself sorely -pressed as the crew of Mahomet Scirocco's galley had boarded his by the -prow, and the Turks were already up to the mizzen mast. The Christians -defended themselves like wild beasts, gathered in the stern, and -Barbarigo himself was directing them and cheering them on from the -castle. He had lifted the vizor of his helmet, and was using his shield -against the storm of arrows that flew through the air. To give an order, -he uncovered himself for a moment, and an arrow entered by the right eye -and pierced his brain. He died the next day. - -Then there was grave risk of the Turks overcoming the Venetian flagship, -destroying the left wing, and then attacking the centre division on the -flank and from the rear, making victory easy. Barbarigo's nephew Marino -Contarini overcame the danger. He boarded his uncle's ship on the -larboard side with all his people, and fought on board perhaps the -fiercest combat of all on that memorable day. All was madness, fury, -carnage and terror, until Mahomet Scirocco was expelled from the -Venetian flagship and penned, in his turn, in his own ship, where he at -last succumbed to his wounds. Clinging to the side, they beheaded him -there and threw him into the water. Terror then spread among the Turks, -and the few galleys at liberty turned their prows towards the shore. -There they ran aground, the decimated crews saving themselves by -swimming. - -D. John had no time to reflect either on this danger, or that -catastrophe, or that victory, for he was also hard pressed. Five minutes -after Mahomet Scirocco had fallen on Barbarigo, Ali Pasha fell on him -with all the weight of his hatred, fury and desire for glory. He could -be seen proudly standing on the castle of the stern, a magnificent -scimitar in his hand, dressed in a caftan of white brocade woven with -silk and silver, with a helmet of dark steel under his turban, with -inscriptions in gold and precious stones, turquoises, rubies, and -diamonds, which flashed in the sunlight. Slowly the two divisions came -on, unheeding what happened on the right or left, and in the midst were -the galleys of the two Generalissimos, not firing a shot, and only -moving forward silently. When the length of half a galley separated the -two ships, the "Sultana" of Ali Pasha suddenly fired three guns; the -first destroyed some of the ironwork of the "Real" and killed several -rowers; the second traversed the boat; and the third passed over the -cook's galley without harming anyone. The "Real" replied by sweeping -with her shots the stern and gangway of the "Sultana," and a thick, -black smoke at once enveloped Turks and Christians, ships and -combatants. From this black cloud, which appeared to be vomited from -Hell, could be heard a dreadful grinding noise, and horrible cries, and -through the smoke of the powder could be seen splinters of wood and -iron, broken oars, weapons, human limbs and dead bodies flying through -the air and falling in the bloodstained sea. It was the galley of Ali -which had struck that of D. John by the prow with such a tremendous -shock that the peak of the "Sultana" entered the "Real" as far as the -fourth bench of rowers; the violence of the shock had naturally made -each ship recoil; but they could not draw apart. The yards and rigging -had become entangled, and they heaved first to one side and then to the -other with dreadful grinding and movement, striving to get free without -succeeding, like two gladiators, whose bodies are separated, who grasp -each other tightly, and then seize each other by the hair. From the -captain's place where he was, at the foot of the standard of the League, -D. John ordered grappling-irons to be thrown from the prow, holding the -ships close together, and making them into one field of battle. Like -lions the Christians flung themselves on board the ship, destroying all -in their path, and twice they reached the mainmast of the "Sultana," and -as often had to retire, foot by foot and inch by inch, fighting over -these frail boards, from which there was neither escape, nor help, nor -hope of compassion, nor other outlet than death. - -The "Sultana" was reinforced with reserves from the galleys, and to -encourage them, Ali, in his turn, threw himself on board the ship. The -"Sultana" rode higher out of the water than the "Real," and the men -poured down into her like a cataract from on high; the shock was so -tremendous that the Field-Marshals Figueroa and Moncada fell back with -their men, and the Turks succeeded in reaching the foremast. All the men -at the prow hastened there, and D. John jumped from the captain's post, -sword in hand, fighting like a soldier to make them retire. This was the -critical moment of the battle. There was neither line, nor formation, -nor right, nor left, nor centre; only could be seen, as far as the eye -could reach, fire, smoke and groups of galleys in the midst, fighting -with each other, vomiting fire and death, with masts and hulls bristling -with arrows, like an enormous porcupine, who puts out its quills to -defend itself and to fight; wounding, killing, capturing, cheering, -burning were seen and heard on all sides, and dead bodies and bodies of -the living falling into the water, and spars, yards, rigging, torn-off -heads, turbans, quivers, shields, swords, scimitars, arquebuses, cannon, -arms, everything that was then within the grasp of barbarism or -civilisation for dealing death and destruction. - -At this critical moment, by a superhuman effort, a galley freed itself -from that chaos of horrors, and threw itself, like a missile from a -catapult, hurled by Titans, against the stern of Ali's galley, forcing -the peak as far as the third bench of rowers. - -It was Marco Antonio Colonna who had come to the assistance of D. John -of Austria; at the same time the Marqués de Santa Cruz executed a -similar manœuvre on one of the flanks. The help was great and opportune; -still, the Turks succeeded in retiring in good order to their galley; -but here, pressed hardly by the followers of Colonna and Santa Cruz, -they tumbled over the sides, dead and living, into the water, Turks and -Christians fighting to the last with nails and teeth, and destroying -each other until engulfed in the gory waves. - -Among this mass of desperate people Ali perished beside the tiller; some -say that he cut his throat and threw himself into the sea; others that -his head was cut off and put on a pike. Then D. John ordered the -standard of the Prophet to be lowered, and amidst shouts of victory, the -flag of the League was hoisted in its place. - -D. John had been wounded in the leg,[12] but without limping at all he -mounted the castle of the vanquished galley to survey from there the -state of the battle. On the left wing the few galleys left to Mahomet -Scirocco were flying towards the land, and could be seen running -violently aground in the bays, the crews throwing themselves into the -water to swim ashore. - -Footnote 12: - - "I got without knowing how a small cut in my ankle; but one ought to - feel nothing considering such happy events." - - Letter from D. John to the Prior Hernando de Toledo about the battle - of Lepanto. From the Alba archives. - -But, unluckily, the same was not happening on the right. Doria, deceived -by the tactics of Aluch Ali, had followed him out to sea, making a wide -space between the right wing and the centre division; D. John's orders -to him to come back did not arrive in time. Meanwhile, Aluch Ali -contented himself by watching Doria's manœuvres, keeping up with him, -but not attacking; until suddenly, judging, no doubt, that the space was -wide enough, he veered to the right with marvellous rapidity, and sent -all his fleet through the dangerous breach, literally annihilating the -two ends which remained uncovered; the disaster was terrible and the -carnage awful; on the flagship of Malta only three men remained alive, -the Prior of Messina, Fr. Pietro Giustiniani, pierced by five arrows, a -Spanish gentleman with both legs broken, and an Italian with an arm cut -off by a blow from an axe. In the flagship of Sicily D. Juan de Cardona -lay wounded, and of his 500 men only fifty remained. The "Fierenza," the -Pope's "San Giovanni," and the "Piamontesa" of Savoy succumbed without -yielding; ten galleys had gone to the bottom; one was on fire, and -twelve drifted like buoys, without masts, full of corpses, waiting until -the conqueror, Aluch Ali, should take them in tow as trophies and spoils -of war. Doria, horrified at the disaster, in all haste returned to the -scene of the catastrophe, but D. John was already there before him. -Without waiting a moment, the Generalissimo ordered that the towing -ropes which already attached twelve galleys to their conquerors should -be cut, and although wounded, and without taking any rest after his own -struggle, he flew to the assistance of those who were being overcome. -"Ah! Brave Generalissimo," exclaims Admiral Jurien de la Graviere, in -his valuable study of the battle of Lepanto, "to him the armada owed its -victory, to him the right wing its preservation." The Marqués de Santa -Cruz followed with his whole reserve, and seeing this help, the already -victorious Aluch Ali understood that the prey would be torn from his -claws. - -The cunning renegade then thought only of saving his life, which he did -by a means that no one else would have employed; he placed his son in a -galley, and followed by thirteen other ones, passed like a vapour in -front of the prows of the enemy, before they could surround him, and -fled incontinently to Santa Maura, all sails set, he at the tiller, the -unfortunate rowers with a scimitar at their throats, so that they should -not flag or draw breath for a second, and should die rather than give -in. - -The first moment of astonishment over, the Marqués de Santa Cruz and D. -John of Austria hastened in pursuit; but the advantage Aluch Ali had -obtained increased each minute, night began to fall, and the storm which -had threatened since two o'clock began to blow, and the first claps of -thunder were heard. So the famous renegade escaped on the wings of the -storm, as if the wrath of God were protecting him and preserving him to -be the scourge of other people. - -This was the last act of the battle of Lepanto, _the greatest day that -the ages have seen_, as we are assured by a witness who shed his blood -there, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. - -It was then five o'clock on the evening of the 7th of October, 1571. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -In the afternoon of that same day, the 7th of October, 1571, the Pope -was walking about his room, listening to the relation by his treasurer, -Mons. Busotti de Bibiana, of various businesses committed to his care; -the Pope suffered terribly from stone, and as usually the pain attacked -him while seated, he had to receive and to do his business standing up -or walking up and down. He stopped suddenly in the middle of the room -and put out his head in the attitude of one listening, at the same time -making a sign to Busotti to be silent. Then he went to the window, which -he threw open wide, leaning out, still silent and in the same listening -attitude. Busotti looked at him in astonishment, which changed to terror -on seeing the face of the old Pontiff suddenly transfigured, his tearful -blue eyes turned to heaven with an ineffable expression, and his joined -and trembling hands raised; Busotti's hair stood on end as he understood -that something supernatural and divine was happening, and thus he -remained for more than three minutes, as the same treasurer afterwards -declared on oath. - -Then the Pope shook off his ecstasy, and with a face radiant with joy, -said to Busotti, "This is not the time for business. Let us return -thanks to God for victory over the Turks." - -And he retired to his oratory, says Busotti, stumbling, and with -beautiful lights coming from his forehead. The treasurer hastened to -acquaint the prelates and Cardinals with what had happened, and these -ordered that at once a record should be made, noting all the -circumstances of time and place, and that it should be deposited, sealed -up, at a notary's office. On the 26th of October a messenger from the -Doge of Venice, Mocenigo, arrived in Rome, to announce the victory of -Lepanto, and three or four days later the Conde de Priego, sent by D. -John to give an account of the details of the battle. Then they made a -calculation, allowing for the different meridians of Rome and the -Curzolari Isles, and they found that the Pope's vision announcing the -triumph of Lepanto took place exactly when D. John of Austria jumped, -sword in hand, from the quarter-deck to drive back the Turks who were -invading his galley, and when the "Sultana" was being attacked on the -side and at the stern by the Marqués de Santa Cruz and Marco Antonio -Colonna. Then they gave much importance to this event, and it afterwards -figured with all its proofs and documents in the proceedings of the -canonisation of Pius V, from which we have taken them. - -Meanwhile it was another of God's mercies that the storm which put the -renegade Aluch Ali in safety, did not end by destroying the armada of -the League. Without thought of danger, the galleys were drifting in the -wide gulf, busy, as far as possible, repairing their damages, putting -manacles on the Turkish prisoners, and collecting and disposing of the -enormous booty provided by the 178 galleys taken from the enemy. No one -thought of danger or of anything but enjoying the triumph. However, the -Generalissimo was looking after everything, and he suddenly ordered that -the alarm gun should be fired on the "Real"; the flagships repeated the -same signal, and with haste, by force, and, if one can say so, by -driving them, D. John gathered together this scattered flock, and shut -them up, as in a fold, in the port of Petala. It was time; the storm was -let loose, violent and terrible, and during all that night it swept over -those seas with alarming force. But for the prudence of D. John, the -victory of Lepanto would inevitably have been reduced to the opposite of -the battle of Trafalgar, two centuries and a half later, which was a -glorious disaster; Lepanto would have been a disastrous glory. - -Very early next morning D. John visited all the galleys, one by one, to -comfort and aid the wounded and to take count of the losses suffered. -The Christians lost in the battle of Lepanto fifteen galleys and nearly -8000 men; of these 2000 were Spaniards, 800 the Pope's men, and the rest -Venetians. Of the Turkish armada 30 galleys got away, 90 were sunk in -the gulf, and the remaining 178 were in the hands of the Christians, -with 117 big cannon and 250 of smaller size. At the same time more than -12,000 Christian captives whom the Turks had rowing in their galleys -regained their liberty. These poor creatures, wild with joy, offered -spontaneously, and with the greatest enthusiasm, to take the places of -the wounded and killed in the Christian fleet, both as soldiers and -sailors. - -The division of the spoil D. John made in the following manner, -according to what was stipulated in the articles of the Holy League. - -To the Pope, 27 galleys, 9 big cannon, 3 swivel guns, 42 small cannon, -and 200 slaves. - -To the Catholic King, Ali Pasha's galley, the "Sultana," with 81 others, -78 great cannon, 12 swivel guns, 178 small cannon, and 3700 slaves. - -To Venice 54 galleys, 38 cannon, 6 swivel guns, 84 small cannon, and -2500 slaves. - -To D. John of Austria, as Generalissimo, fell the tenth part of -everything; but he only took 16 galleys, 700 slaves, and one of every -ten pieces of artillery. Among the prisoners he kept the tutor of the -sons of Ali Pasha, Alhamet, who was taken with them by Marco Antonio -Colonna on the galley of the King of Negroponto, where they had taken -refuge after their own ship had gone to the bottom. - -From Santa Maura D. John sent the Field-Marshal D. Lope de Figueroa to -the King his brother; also his courier Angulo, carrying the standard of -the Prophet called "Sanjac," taken from Ali's galley. To the Pope he -sent the Conde de Priego; D. Fernando de Mendoza to the Emperor -Maximilian II of Austria; and D. Pedro Zapata de Calatayud to the -Signory of Venice, to offer them congratulations. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Lacoste_ - - DISPATCH ANNOUNCING THE VICTORY OF LEPANTO -] - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Lacoste_ - - POSTSCRIPT ANNOUNCING VICTORY OF LEPANTO - IN D. JOHN OF AUSTRIA'S WRITING -] - -In the delirium of triumph D. John of Austria did not forget his "aunt," -Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, and at the same time as he sent to the Pope, -King, Emperor, and Signory, he sent Jorge de Lima to her, taking her -that which he knew would please her most as a Christian, a Spaniard, and -a loving mother, the "piece of the True Cross," the Pope's present, -which he had worn at the battle of Lepanto, and a Turkish flag he -himself had taken from the galley of the Serasker. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - -D. John of Austria's kind heart was full of compassion for the -misfortunes of the sons of Ali, and he ordered that, without being -separated from their tutor Alhamet or their five servants, they were to -be brought on board the "Real," that he might have them under his own -eye to protect and comfort them, which was the reason of an episode -which shows the noble, great, and compassionate character of the hero of -Lepanto. - -The eldest of the sons of Ali, Ahmed Bey, was eighteen, handsome, -strong, manly and arrogant. He accepted his misfortune with dumb and -gloomy despair, which never lifted, but rather became stronger, making -him churlish, hard and irritable, with no other wish or idea than to -escape, like a wild bird shut up in a cage. The younger one, Mahomet -Bey, was, on the other hand, a child of thirteen, affectionate and -demonstrative, and without understanding the extent of his misfortunes, -his innocent eyes sought everywhere love and protection from anyone, and -finding both in D. John, he clung to him tenderly. This humbled the -pride of his brother, and seeing him one day playing on deck with D. -John's monkey, he tore the little animal violently from him, saying in -Turkish laconic words which may be translated, "The great infidel killed -our father." - -The kindness of D. John and his great tact at last overcame the boy's -animosity and fierceness, and then desperation changed to profound -sadness, which seemed to undermine him and consume him, without any -illness. D. John was very much disturbed at the fate of these poor -children, and to give hope and pleasure, on arriving at Corfu, he at -once liberated their tutor Alhamet and sent him to Constantinople, to -give news of them to their family, and to say how impossible it was then -to give them their freedom, but that it was his wish and intention to -give it them later. The two orphans formed one prize of war, of which D. -John's share was only the tenth part, according to the articles of the -League, the remainder in equal parts belonged to the Pope, the King of -Spain, and the Signory of Venice. - -D. John then begged from the three Powers that the two boys should be -set at liberty without loss of time, offering to give in exchange -anything that they should demand. He, however, judged it prudent to send -the brothers to Rome, with all their servants, to place them under the -protection of the Holy Father. The orphans did not like leaving D. John, -and so much did this absence aggravate the sadness and consumption which -was undermining Ahmet Bey, the eldest of the brothers, that he died in -Naples three days after their arrival, begging D. John, at his last -hour, not to forget his generous intentions of setting his innocent -brother at liberty, who, broken-hearted and afflicted, went on to Rome, -where he was placed, by order of the Pope, in the castle of St. Angelo, -with all the care and attention that his age, rank and misfortunes -demanded. D. John then, on his part, took the same steps on behalf of -Mahomet Bey as before for the two brothers, and wrote to Philip II and -the Doge Mucenigo, urgently and effectually, as the following noble -letter, written to the Spanish Ambassador in Rome, D. Juan de Zúñiga, -shows, the original of which is in the collection of autographs -belonging to the Conde de Valencia de San Juan: - - "Illustrious Sir. Several times I remember having written to - Y.E. of the great affection that I have for the sons of the - Pasha since the first day when they were taken captive in - battle, and they appear to me to be noble lads with very good - inclinations, and taking into consideration their misery, which - they incurred through no fault of theirs, as they were neither - of an age or power to do us any real harm. This same wish has - lasted, and still lasts, the more, when I at times reflect that - it is not the act of noble souls to ill-treat the enemy after he - is vanquished, and according to this my opinion, during the time - that these boys and the other prisoners of rank were under my - power and orders I desired that they should be well treated and - looked after, especially the said boys. Having sent them from - here to the city, and one of them dying in Naples, and desiring - extremely that the younger, who is here in prison, should be - given his liberty, the more, when I remember having several - times told you my intention of doing so, and to this end, wrote - to the King, my Lord, begging that it might be his pleasure to - give me the favour of the half of the boy, which he held by the - articles of the League, to which I await an answer. At present - it has occurred to me that it would be well in this vacant - see[13] to beg from the College of Cardinals, the part which - falls to this Holy See, as regards the Venetian's other two - parts I shall try to have them by the means which seem to me - best. Before engaging in this affair I wished to communicate - with Y.E. and to ask you, with much earnestness, to tell me your - opinion, and to do all you can that these captives should be - well treated, as I said above, that one should show fierceness - and bravery to one's enemies until one has conquered them, and - after they are conquered, gentleness and pity, and to advise me - on the first occasion that offers about this. - - "Our Lord keep the Illustrious person of Y.E. as I wish. - - "From Messina, the 7th of May, 1572." - -Footnote 13: - - Pius V having just died. - -[Illustration: - - PHILIP II AND HIS SON DON FERNANDO - - _Titian. In Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -At the end of this letter is the following postscript in D. John's own -hand: - - "I desire that this boy should be given me much more than I can - say, as he will do so little harm, and I am truly fond of him, - and almost under an obligation, and thus, as I have said, I - desire to have my wish gratified, and for this I truly want your - help, whom I beg that if it now appears to you to be the time - and occasion, to do me this favour, to grant it, and to see that - in every case and time the rest of those in the company of the - said boy should be well treated, as pity towards such is - certainly, in my opinion, the sign of a good heart, and, - moreover, I wish that they should know that I am watching over - their interests, and all this I confide to you, Don Juan. - - "At your service, - - "D. JOHN." - -The Pope, the King, and the Doge of Venice readily agreed to what D. -John asked, and left him exclusive master of the poor captive child. The -Generalissimo sent to set him at liberty with all his servants; but -beforehand, and while D. John was at Naples, there arrived in the port a -beautiful Turkish galley, with a safe conduct of embassy, sent by Fatima -Cadem, a daughter of Ali Pasha, and the only remaining relation left to -the orphan. Alhamet came in this galley, the tutor of the two brothers, -bringing a letter and a rich present from Fatima for D. John of Austria. -The following is the translation of her letter, given by Vander Hammen: - - "Great Lord: After kissing the earth Y.H. treads, that which - this poor and miserable orphan wishes to make known to Y.H., Her - Lord, is to tell you how grateful I am for the favour you have - done to all of us, not only in giving liberty to Alhamet, our - servant, but by sending him to give us news, that after the - death of my father and the destruction of the Armada, my poor - orphan brothers remained alive and in the power of Y.H., for - which I pray to God to give Y.H. many years of life. What - remains to us, My Lord, to me and all of us, is to beg Y.H. to - do us the favour and charity by the Soul of Jesus Christ, by the - life of Y. Royal H., by the head of your mother, by the soul of - the Emperor, your father, by the life of the Majesty of the - King, your brother, to give liberty to these poor orphans. They - have no mother, their father died at Y.H.'s hand. They are under - your sole protection. But if you are the courteous gentleman - people say, so pious and generous a prince, pity the tears I - shed for hours, and the affliction in which my brothers find - themselves, and concede me this mercy. Of the things I have been - able to get here, I send Y.H. this present, which I beg you will - be willing to receive. I well know that it is not worthy of - Y.H.'s greatness, which deserves greater things, but my - resources are small. Do not look at the smallness of the - service, but, like a great lord, accept the good-will with which - it is made. Again, My Lord, I beg Y.H. by the Soul of Jesus - Christ to do me the charity of giving liberty to my brothers, as - in doing this good, even to enemies, you will gain a renown for - liberality and piety; and, thinking of their tears, you were - pleased to send Alhamet, to say that they were alive and of the - good treatment Y.H. gave them (which all this Court thinks very - noble and does nothing but praise the virtue and greatness of - Y.H.), for you have ended in gaining this title from everyone, - there remains nothing but that Y.H. should grant this mercy, of - giving them liberty. - - "Your slave, the poor sister of the sons of Ali Pasha, kisses - the feet of Y.H. - - "FATIMA CADEM." - -D. John received this letter, wrapped in a cloth of brocade, from the -hands of Alhamet, and the eight Turkish slaves who came with him then -brought in the magnificent present. It consisted of four garments of -sable, two of lynx, one of ermine, another of lynx with crimson satin, -which had belonged to the King of Persia, with a trimming, half a yard -wide, of brocade, each piece seven ells long; two boxes of very fine -Levantine porcelain, a box of handkerchiefs and towels embroidered with -gold, silver and silk in the Turkish fashion; a cover of cut-out silk -embroidered in relief with gold; another cover of quilted brocade; a -quantity of table-covers of leather; perfumed leather tapestry; a -damascene scimitar which had belonged to the Grand Turk, set with gold -and adorned with fine turquoises; five gilt bows with 500 arrows, which -had belonged to the Grand Turk, much adorned with gold and enamel, and -the quivers chased and perfumed; a quantity of all sorts of feathers; a -little box of fine musk; some turban pieces of fine linen; six big -carpets; six felt covers; a bow and quiver all of fine gold, enamelled -in blue, which had belonged to Soliman; a quantity of water-bottles and -flasks of perfumed leather; four flasks of fine mastic of Chios; -twenty-four damascened knives, worked in gold, silver and rubies. - -D. John of Austria examined all these riches minutely, with many -expressions of courtesy and thanks; but then he made the slaves pack -them up again as they had come, and ordered Alhamet to take them himself -to Rome and make them over to the child captive, Mahomet Bey, to do as -he liked with them. The son of Ali arrived at Naples at the end of May, -and a few days afterwards embarked for Constantinople, with all his -servants and some other prisoners whom D. John had redeemed to do him -honour. The child took back this answer to his sister Fatima from the -Generalissimo: - - "Noble and virtuous Lady: From the first hour that Ahmet Bey and - Mahomet Bey, your brothers, were brought to my galley, after - having gained the battle over the Turkish Armada, knowing their - nobility of mind and good morals, and considering the misery of - human weakness, and how the state of man is subject to change, - added to which that these noble youths came more for the - pleasure and company of their father, than to do us harm, it was - in my mind, not only to order that they should be treated as - noblemen, but to give them liberty, when it seemed to me the - time and place. This intention grew when I received your letter, - so full of affliction and fraternal affection, and such - demonstrations of desiring the freedom of your brothers, and - when I thought I could send them both, to my very great sorrow, - came to Ahmet Bey the end of his labours, which is death. I now - send Mahomet Bey, free, and all the other prisoners he asked - for, as I would have sent the deceased, if he were alive; and be - certain, Lady, that it has been a special annoyance not to be - able to satisfy you or gratify part of what you ask, because I - hold in much esteem the fame of your virtuous nobility. The - present you sent I did not accept, and I have given it to - Mahomet Bey, not that I do not appreciate it as coming from your - hand, but because the greatness of my ancestors was not - accustomed to receive gifts from those who wanted favours, but - to grant them; and for this reason receive your brother from my - hand, and those I send with him; be certain, that if in another - battle I should take any of his kinsmen, with the same - liberality I will give them their liberty, and would procure - them all pleasure and contentment. - - "From Naples, 13th of May, 1573. At your service, - - D. JOHN." - - - - - BOOK IV - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - CHAPTER I - - -The downfall of the Ottoman Empire began at Lepanto and its ruin -followed. It is, however, certain that the immediate benefits of this -triumph did not correspond either to the splendour of its glory or to -the heroism of those who gained it. - -The Generals of the League were in a great hurry to separate; old -Veniero was anxious to find himself in Venice to have the wound he had -gained in the battle cared for; Colonna wished to be back in Rome to -enjoy the merited honours of the triumph, and D. John of Austria, shut -up in Messina by the definite orders of his brother Philip II, who had -instructed him to retire there and not to move, or do anything without -fresh orders from him, was consumed with impatience at seeing the -opportunity of plucking the fruits of the battle of Lepanto slip away, -and, as a natural consequence, the fulfilment of the promise made by the -Pope at the investiture, of granting him the first kingdom gained from -the Turks. - -A mysterious event, then very secret, but afterwards known by everyone, -came to spur on in D. John his desire to continue the campaign according -to the treaty of the League, and according to the continual demands of -Pius V, the only one who raised his voice, without worldly interests, in -absolute and saintly independence. D. John had entered Messina on All -Saints' day at the head of the Venetian fleet, towing the innumerable -captive galleys, with their standards lowered, their flags dragging -through the water, their cannon and arms crossed, forming trophies of -war. Nothing seemed enough in Messina with which to feast and welcome -the hero of Lepanto; the city, Archbishop and clergy received him under -a pall, and there on the mole they gave him the munificent present of -30,000 golden crowns, which D. John divided between the hospitals and -the wounded soldiers of the fleet. In his honour they gave the name of -Austria to the magnificent doorway which they had constructed on the -mole to receive him, and also to the street which ran from it. In the -most prominent site of Messina, in front of the palace and in the centre -of the square of Our Lady del Piller they erected, at that time, a -colossal statue, the work of the renowned sculptor and architect Andres -Calamech. This was (and is, for it still stands in the same place) of -gilded bronze; the right hand holds the triple baton of the -Generalissimo of the League, and it is placed on a very high column also -of bronze, on the pedestal of which are sculptured Latin verses and -allegories alluding to the short but glorious life of D. John of -Austria. - -While the feastings and rejoicings which lasted many days were still -going on, there glided one night, among the many boats in the harbour, a -Greek galley, of the kind which at that time brought the merchandise of -the East to Italy. It was there several days, without attracting -anyone's attention, moored to the mole, unloading its cargo under the -direction of the Captain, a portly Albanian, who was acquainted with the -principal merchants of Messina. But one night, after the curfew had -sounded, three men secretly disembarked from the Greek galley, and, -guided by the Captain himself, went through the deserted streets, -shrouded in ample cloaks, with hoods that hid their faces, two of whom -seemed to regulate their firm steps by those of the third man, who went -slowly and with fatigue. They gained the square del Piller, where was -the statue of D. John; the great mole of the old castle stretched in -front, constructed in the time of Arcadio and renovated lately by D. -Garcia de Toledo, and towards it the hooded men went, stopping at a -little door, which opened in the side looking towards the old arsenal. -They were, no doubt, expected, as at the sound of their steps the door -opened, and D. John of Austria's secretary appeared in person, lantern -in hand. Soto guided them, without a word, through dark and winding -passages to a distant room, luxuriously furnished, in which he left them -by themselves: the three mysterious visitors then took off their cloaks, -and appeared in rich Albanian dresses, embroidered with gold and silver, -with jewels of precious stones. Two of them were strong men in the prime -of life, the third one was very old and bent, with a long white beard: -the captain had remained respectfully behind at the entrance. D. John of -Austria appeared at once, followed by Juan de Soto, and the three -Albanians threw themselves at his feet, with marks of the greatest -respect: the old man was unable to do this as quickly as he wished, and -D. John was in time to prevent him. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Brogi_ - - STATUE OF D. JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - _By Calamech at Messina_ -] - -The captain acted as interpreter when they presented their credentials -and said who they were and where they came from. They were ambassadors -from Albania and Morea and were come to offer D. John of Austria the -crown of those kingdoms oppressed by the Turk, and to offer him their -allegiance at once in the name of the Albanian Christians. The old man -lifted up his voice and talked very quietly and with courtly ease, -laying great stress on the points which might decide D. John to accept -the offer, and insisting over and over again that it was necessary to -take advantage of the panic and despair that the terrible defeat of -Lepanto had produced in Constantinople and throughout the Ottoman -Empire. - -D. John was not in the least disturbed by the unexpected proposal which -had come so suddenly to realise the brilliant dreams of his school-days. -To conquer a kingdom for Christ! Was not the dream of his youthful -imagination intensified by the reading of romances at Alcalá, being -realized? and the kingdom calling to him, opening its doors, and holding -out its arms and offering sceptre and crown in exchange for the -Christian faith in Albania and Morea being safeguarded by the conquering -sword of Lepanto. - -The temptation was great to a youth of twenty-four, greedy of glory and -enthusiastic for his faith, spoiled by fortune and protected by the -great power that the Court of Rome then was; but the knightly ambition -of D. John, great and active as it was from his lineage and noble -qualities, was always subordinate to the obedience and loyalty that he -owed to Philip II as King and brother: so, without hesitating for a -moment, he answered the ambassadors, thanking them and making much of -the honour they were doing him, but frankly confessing _that he could -settle nothing which was not the will of the King his Lord and brother, -who was the master of his person and all his actions_. That he would -communicate with him _to gain his consent, and that time would show what -best to do, and Our Lord would dispose as was best, as he_ (D. John) -_placed the business in His hands_. - -The ambassadors retired in good heart, much pleased with D. John, who at -once sent a courier to Philip II telling him of the circumstance. He did -not have to wait long for the answer: D. Philip neither accepted or -refused the offer, which _came at a bad time_, he said, as his -acceptance might displease the Venetians: however, he advised D. John to -_keep up the hopes of the ambassadors, as the opportunity might come for -him to gain his desires_: and he reiterated his orders "That D. John was -not to stir from Messina." - -Vander Hammen comments on this answer from the King and says, "D. Philip -meant to fan his brother's hopes, so that, by them, he should obtain -greater things from his service; but never to let him be King." And a -celebrated modern historian, sometimes unjust to Philip, adds, "What was -it that made Philip II act in this way, when previously he had shown his -desire that D. John should hasten as quickly as possible on the -enterprise, to gain all the fruits to be expected from a first victory? -Was it only the difficulties that France was making about the war in -Flanders? Or was it fear that his brother should set too much sail, and -obtain one of the sovereignties, with which his friends and even the -Pontiff himself seemed to kindle his youthful ambition?" To us it seems -certain that Philip II did not wish D. John to rise above the sphere in -which Philip had placed him. Philip had told his ministers in Italy to -honour and serve the Lord D. John, but neither by word nor in writing to -call him "Highness," that "Excellency" was the most they should call -him, and Philip ordered them not to say that they had received this -order from him. The ambassadors of Germany, France and England received -the same instructions. And if he showed himself so jealous of the title -of "Highness" being given to his brother, it is evident that he would do -his utmost to prevent him being decorated with that of "Majesty." - -But in our opinion it is not necessary to descend to such a base passion -as envy to explain Philip II's conduct on this occasion. It was enough, -and more than enough, that his brother's good or bad plans, lawful or -unlawful ambitions, should hinder the progress of his complicated -policy, for Philip II to bring the plans to naught and smother the -ambitions without pity. If he had any jealousy of D. John at that time, -it was without doubt owing to what the sly traitor Antonio Pérez was -beginning cleverly to insinuate. He did not yet dare to attack the noble -Prince openly, and confined his shots to the secretary Juan de Soto, -accusing him of inflating D. John's vanity by his flattery and advising -Philip to remove him from his brother's side. - -On the 1st of May, 1572, Pius V died, and was succeeded in the -Pontificate by Gregory XIII,[14] who no sooner sat in the Chair of St. -Peter, than he began to stir up the League, and stimulate D. John, with -what he called "Briefs of Fire," that he should take the fleet to sea -and pursue his victories. Such were the confidence and estimation in -which his person was held, that he publicly extolled him in the -Consistory, calling him a Scipio for valour, a Pompey for charm, an -Augustus for fortune; a new Moses, a new Gideon, a new Samson, a new -Saul, and a new David without homicide or envy or the failings noted in -the others. What was written privately to D. John was said and repeated -three times publicly: _that before he died, it was hoped, in God, to -give him a king's crown_. - -Footnote 14: - - Reformer of the Calendar (Translator). - -And these three opposite influences embittered and shortened the -remainder of the life of D. John of Austria; the determination of the -Pontiff to give him a crown excited his always loyal, frank and noble -ambition; D. Philip's systematic policy of opposing and defeating these -plans, and the unbridled envy of Antonio Pérez, poisoning with his -calumnies and falsehoods the suspicious nature of the Monarch and -succeeding at last in making him detest his brother. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - -By one of its articles the Holy League insists that every year in the -month of March, or in April at the latest, the squadrons of the three -Powers should set out to sea, with an army at least equal to the one of -1571. But when Pius V died on the 1st of May, 1572, the Powers had not -been able to agree about this second campaign, in spite of the -superhuman efforts of the saintly old man. At last, in July, his -successor, Gregory XIII, managed to get the matter settled, and in July, -on the 6th, D. John of Austria left the port of Messina with Marco -Antonio Colonna, to join the Venetian fleet which was cruising in the -Levant at Corfu. Jacobo Foscarini commanded instead of old Sebastian -Veniero, against whom D. John had made grave complaints before the -Venetian Senate. The Duque de Sesa was D. John's lieutenant in the place -of the Knight Commander D. Luis de Requesens who had been appointed -Governor of Milan by Philip II. These were the only changes in the -fleet. - -"This expedition," says an historian, "was undertaken with inexcusable -delay, continued with slowness, and failed through quarrels. Nobody -could have believed in October, 1571, that the victors of Lepanto could -have returned thus in 1572." They did return, without having engaged in -any definite battle with the Turk, and without other loot than the -magnificent galley belonging to Barbarossa's grandson, taken by the -Marqués de Santa Cruz and brought back to Naples, to be rechristened "La -Presa." Then the expedition was considered ended, and the Venetians went -to winter in Corfu, the Pontifical fleet at Rome, and D. John of Austria -with his squadron to Messina and from there to Naples, where by -ill-fortune Philip II had ordered him to spend the winter. - -It was an unfortunate circumstance, for what Doña Magdalena de Ulloa -with her maternal foresight had foretold, when she sent D. John to the -Granada war, came to pass: "Indolent wealth will be always prejudicial -to his youth, and it is only by the labours and responsibilities of war -that he will be able to balance the youthful ardour of his nature." D. -John found himself unoccupied, because, while the fleet wintered, the -duties of his command did not satisfy his longing for activity; he was -wounded in his pride, that his advice about the organisation and -commencement of this campaign had not been listened to, the scanty -results of which were now deplored by all, when it was too late, proving -the Generalissimo to have been right. Something, therefore, was -necessary to distract him and fill up his time, and this he found in -that delightful country, under that matchless sky, in that corrupt -Naples of the sixteenth century, as dangerous then in its treacherous -delights as it is to-day. - -Naples was at that time one of the most beautiful cities in Italy or in -Europe; the famous Viceroy D. Pedro de Toledo had enlarged and -beautified it, throwing down the old walls, and constructing magnificent -palaces, monasteries and churches in the two miles which this -improvement added to the town. He also caused streets and squares to be -paved, and filled with trees and fountains, and made the celebrated road -more than half a league long, full of sumptuous palaces, which he named -the street of the Holy Spirit, and which to-day is called the street of -Toledo in his honour. Naples had then more than 300,000 inhabitants, and -was the centre to which all the aristocracy of the Kingdom flocked. - -In D. John's day, 40 Princes lived there, 25 Dukes, 36 Marquises, 54 -Counts, 488 Barons, and numberless gentlemen, not so rich in money as in -titles, and sometimes absolutely poor, but not the less proud of their -nobility on account of this, and as disdainful as the rest, with no -other occupations than riding, games with arms, and to "ruar," that is -to saunter about the streets, paying compliments to the ladies, and -lazily gossiping in the thousand comfortable seats which it was the -custom of the city to provide in the squares and streets. - -So, what we call good society was very numerous at Naples, and in it -could be noted, in certain elevated circles, as to-day, that fatal -anxiety for enjoyment and amusement of every possible kind, as if life -had no other aim or object. That lazy nobility, strange medley of the -virtues and vices of the time, strongly tinged with paganism, a relic of -the Renaissance, flighty and chivalrous, cultured and wild, devout and -corrupt, welcomed the hero of Lepanto as a demi-god, whose human charms, -which were many and great, were enhanced by the divine rays of Genius -and Glory. The men, overcome with admiration, slavishly imitated him, -the women, in love with his winning presence, vied with each other for -his glances, and solicited his favours as supernatural honours, and the -people idle too, and captivated with so much grace and splendour, -exaggerated his deeds and triumphs, followed him, and enthusiastically -applauded his skill and undoubted bravery in the cane jousts, and games -of "pelota," in masquerades, tournaments and bull-fights. - -In the diary of D. John's confessor, Fr. Miguel Servia, who had followed -him to Naples, we notice a circumstance which will make those smile -sadly who know the frailty of the human heart. The more D. John was -engulfed in the pleasures of Naples, the more the regularity and the -frequency with which the good Franciscan notes this simple phrase in his -diary diminishes, "To-day his Highness confessed." - -Submerged in these pleasures and the continual amusements of Naples, -there happened to D. John what always happens to the unwary, passionate -youth, that he went further than he intended. - -There was outside assistance for this first false step of D. John's in -Naples, which astonishes to-day more than it did then. This is what -happened. In the stable-yard of the Viceroy's palace, who was then the -Cardinal de Granvelle, there was a bull-fight every Sunday. The noble -families were invited in turns, as the place was too small for them all -to be bidden at one time; and the last Sunday in October, a radiant day -of a Neapolitan autumn, it fell to the lot of a certain gentleman of -Sorrento named Antonio Falangola, who lived in Naples with his wife -Lucrecia Brancia and his daughter Diana, said to be the handsomest woman -in Naples: "La piu bella donna di Napoli," says the Knight Viani. -Antonio Falangola was poor for his position, swaggering and not at all -scrupulous: Lucrecia sly and hypocritical, and both intending to profit -by the beauty of their daughter, who for her part was a great flirt. - -They showed themselves everywhere therefore, displaying much luxury and -ostentation, leaving hidden at home the misery and want due to their -poverty. They arrived that Sunday at the bull-fight in a coach, the -ladies finely dressed, and accompanied by duennas and pages, and settled -themselves in the seats covered with damask and tapestry, opposite the -place reserved for D. John of Austria. - -He was not there at the moment, as he was going to spear the bull in the -Spanish fashion, and waited in the little yard until it was his turn to -go into the arena. D. John speared his bull successfully, leaving the -neck covered with "banderillas" of all colours, which streamed on each -side of the bull's head; two gentlemen on horseback gave him the spear, -and they in their turn took them from servants wearing the Granvelle -livery. Then they gave him a big dart of ash with its wide iron sharp -and clean; at the first thrust he killed the wild animal, with a lunge -in the nape of the neck which made it fall to the ground, pierced with -the weapon, but the horse had no blinkers, so that the bull frightened -it, and it gave a false start, allowing the bull to wound it in one of -its shoulders, thus spoiling the brilliance of the feat. - -D. John returned to his place on the seats, surrounded by a crowd of -gentlemen who with much adulation applauded his skill and intrepidity, -and Cardinal Granvelle also came to congratulate him: showing him Diana -Falangola from afar on the seats opposite, as something wonderful, and -D. John, who did not know her, was amazed. - -It was then the custom for ladies to throw from the seats, at the bull, -what were called "garrochas," which were small darts with sharp points, -very like modern "banderillas." These "garrochas" were smartly adorned -with flowers, ribbons and feathers; the ladies threw them at the bull -with extraordinary skill, and it was very much admired gallantry for the -youth of that day to draw them out of the beast with brave daring and -return them to the ladies, without a stain or perceptible harm done to -the flowers and ribbons or feathers. - -D. John took one of these little "garrochas," very smart with its white -and yellow ribbons, which were the colours of Diana Falangola, and sent -it to her by a little page with a polite message, begging her to throw -it, for love of him, at the first bull which appeared. Diana received -the "garrocha" with transports of gratitude, and it was worth seeing the -obeisance of the father, the bows of the mother, and the attitude of the -daughter, who seemed not to wish to throw the "garrocha" for fear of -losing or destroying it, but to prefer to keep it like a beautiful toy -as a remembrance of the Prince. - -D. John sent a second message saying she must throw it: and that he gave -her his word to return it to her unhurt. On this, the bull, a very -fierce one, black as night, called Caifas, entered the ring; and as luck -would have it, after some turns came, snorting, to a standstill in front -of the seat of Diana Falangola, fierce and holding his head high, -casting wild eyes round the arena, as if seeking enemies to fight. D. -John made repeated signs to Diana from his place, until the maiden stood -up, threw and stuck with sure aim and great strength the "garrocha" in -the back of the bull. The ring broke into applause which stopped at -once: all saw D. John jump bravely alone into the arena, a naked sword -in one hand, a scarlet cloak in the other. All held their breath and the -silence was absolute; the bull was penned at one end bellowing and -scraping the ground as if anxious to attack; D. John went straight up to -him and at twenty steps called him, stamping on the ground. The bull -dashed forward with violence, and D. John, throwing the cloak to the -ground to the left, tore the "garrocha" out on the right, at the same -time giving such a strong cut on the muzzle, that the animal withdrew -from the man, and went and savagely laid hold of the red cloth with -roars of pain and in clouds of dust. Meanwhile D. John quietly and -slowly walked to Diana Falangola's seat, and cap in hand, on one knee, -smilingly presented the "garrocha" to her, without a speck of blood to -spoil it, or a stain to mar its feathers and ribbons. - -Antonio Falangola, touched and beside himself with joy, craved -permission to wait with his wife and daughter on D. John the next day to -show his gratitude. The day after D. John returned the visit, making -rich gifts to Lucrecia and Diana, and soon afterwards Antonio Falangola -set out for Puzzoli, of which he had been appointed Governor by -Granvelle, leaving his wife and daughter at Naples: "To appear to know -nothing about his shame," writes the spiteful author of the manuscript, -"Fatti occorsi nella città di Napoli," in the national archives of that -famous city. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - -This lapse of D. John did not last long; for in the middle of December -Fr. Miguel Servia writes thus in his diary: - - "At this time Christmas approached, and His Highness retired the - Monday before to a monastery outside Naples, of Norbertinian - monks, called Pie de Grutta, and the day before the Vigil he - sent a gentleman to the Duque (de Sesa) to order him to give - notice that he was going to confession. The next day, which was - the Vigil, we went, Fr. Fee and I. He received us very - graciously, and ordered a room to be given us, as he would not - confess until night; and when it was already the hour of matins - he called us, and I confessed His Highness and the steward, and - Father Fray Fee the valet and many other gentlemen; and His - Highness communicated at the first sung Mass, and afterwards all - the gentlemen who had confessed. We, on Christmas Day, after - having dined, returned to our convent." - -D. John had thought, no doubt, to ensure better the fruits of his -penitence, to go straight from the monastery of Pie de Grutta to the -Abruzzi, without entering Naples, to visit at Aquila, and make the -acquaintance of his sister Donna Margaret of Austria, the celebrated -Governess of the Low Countries and mother of Alexander Farnese. But -letters reached him in this retreat of piety from Philip II which were -much to his taste, and which obliged him to return to Naples and to put -off his visit. These letters made it clear that King Philip had decided -to bring about a third campaign against the Turks, according to the -injunctions of the League, for March of next year, 1573, and with this -end in view he ordered D. John not only to prepare the galleys, which -were wintering in Naples, for this date, but also to make their numbers -up to 300, and the fighting men to 60,000. - -"And now that the affairs of the League are understood and talked about -in Rome," wrote D. John to his sister, explaining why he was prevented -from paying the visit he had announced, "I must attend to them here, to -inform the ministers deputed to do this business about things which -require questions and answers. H.M. has very really taken up the -continuation of the League, and has, therefore, given orders, and -especially to me, to attend to the reinforcement of his fleet. So with -this idea all the suitable provisions are being made. I hope to God that -all may conduce to damage the enemy, who, one hears, are arming -themselves in a great hurry, intending to set out to meet us, but, -perchance, they will happen on us before they imagine." - -This was enough to awake in D. John the love which dominated all other -affections, and from that moment he thought of nothing but of obeying -his brother's orders, entirely forgetting Diana Falangola, until he took -a short holiday in the middle of February, and left Naples with a small -following, only thirty gentlemen, and set out for Aquila, the usual -residence of Donna Margarita of Austria. This lady was the eldest child -of the Emperor Charles V, born when he was twenty-two, four years before -his marriage; her mother was Margarita Vander Gheynst, a beautiful -Fleming, orphan of some wealthy carpet-weavers. Her father acknowledged -her a long time after her birth, and confided her to his sister, the -widowed Queen of Hungary, who was then Governess of the Low Countries. -The youthful Margarita was educated by her aunt, whose manly virtues and -hasty temper she always imitated, perhaps by natural impulse. They -married her when she was twelve years old to Alexander de Medicis, Duke -of Florence, who was assassinated during the first year of their -marriage; she then wedded Octavio Farnese, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, -by whom she was mother of the great Alexander, afterwards such a famous -leader. Her capacity was great, her character strong and masculine, and -her piety solid, strengthened by S. Ignacio de Loyola, who for some time -in Rome confessed her with much greater frequency than was then usual. - -When Philip II publicly acknowledged D. John as his brother Donna -Margarita hastened to send an affectionate letter by Francesco de -Berminicourt, Lord of Thieuloye, who was one of her "maîtres d'hôtel," -declaring herself a loving sister. D. John had answered suitably, and -from that time an uninterrupted correspondence had passed between -brother and sister, more filial than fraternal on D. John's part, and -more maternal on the part of Donna Margarita, as she was twenty-five -years older. When D. John came to Italy for the first time in 1571 Donna -Margarita sent one of her principal gentlemen, Pietro Aldobrandini, to -Genoa to welcome him, offer him hospitality, and to say how great was -her desire to see and embrace him. D. John was no less anxious to see -this unknown sister, who had shown him so much affection, and on the -first opportunity, the one we speak of, he set out for Aquila, where -Donna Margarita lived, having given over the government of Flanders to -the Duque de Alba. - -Donna Margarita was then fifty, and was so vigorous in her person and in -her way of moving about, that she appeared more like a man dressed up as -a woman, with her black cloth petticoat for winter, and of serge for -summer, and her simple coif with its band of pearls. "Nor was a little -beard wanting," adds P. Strada; "and down on the upper lip, which not -only gave her a manly appearance, but also one of much authority." Donna -Margarita received her brother with affectionate warmth, and during the -few days he was there diversions and rejoicings succeeded one another in -Aquila, especially hunts, of which she was never tired. She challenged -her brother to chase a stag on horseback; he accepted, and, as this sort -of hunting is enough to kill anyone, D. John did not have to use much -self-denial in letting himself be beaten, and so please the lady. - -They had long talks alone, in which she gave him prudent counsels and -wise political instruction, drawn from her experience as Governess. In -one of these talks she asked D. John whether he had any children. He -answered, "No." But said she, "If you ever have any, give them to me." -He got rather uncomfortable, and answered, "Possibly soon I may accept -this offer." She said no more; but after D. John left many things -happened, and on the 18th of June of this same year he wrote the -following letter to his sister from Naples: - - "Lady, Y. Highness will laugh when you read what is contained in - this letter, and although I blush, I feel like doing so too. - Does Y. Highness remember, among other private things, asking me - if I had any children, and ordering me to give them to you if I - had? I answered that I would not take the favour you offered; - but I said _it soon might be_ accepted. This soon, Lady, is - almost now; as in a month's time I think that, bachelor as I am, - I shall see myself an ashamed and blushing father, I say - ashamed, for it is absurd for me to have children. Now Y. - Highness must forgive, as you must be a mother to me and to him - who is coming, which will be the first. And thus I truly beg you - to do me the kindness of undertaking this new work and trouble, - and that it should be with all possible secrecy and caution. But - this and the rest which may seem right and proper to you I leave - and desire to leave to Y. Highness, begging you not only to take - charge of everything, but to advise me about this and all that - you judge best: as it is certain to be, when the time comes to - make over the baby to Y. Highness, which will be as soon as it - can be taken to where you are without danger. Cardinal - Granvelle, who, out of love for me and that all should be better - and more secretly done, has taken charge of it until it can be - made over to you, to whom the said Cardinal will write. Again I - beg Y. Highness to agree to this, and that henceforward you will - consider you are the mother of father and child. The real mother - is one of the most highly born and well-known women here, and - one of the most beautiful in all Italy. For all these reasons, - especially that of her noble birth, it seems that you will - better bear this upset. This is all, Lady. From Naples, July 18, - 1573. Your very true servant and brother kisses Y. High^n's - hands. Don John of Austria." - -This "directly" at last happened. On the 11th of September Diana -Falangola gave birth to a daughter, who was baptised by the name of -Juana. Cardinal Granvelle at once took charge of it, and gave it to the -care of a nurse, engaged beforehand. Two months later, the Cardinal -complied with the orders of D. John and Donna Margarita, and sent the -baby to Aquila, with its nurse and her husband, in charge of Francisco -Castano, of the Cardinal's household. Castano accompanied them as far as -the village of Rocca, near Sulmona, and there confided them to a trusty -person great secrecy that no one should guess the child's origin.[15] - -Footnote 15: - - Margarita of Parma carefully educated her niece, and kept her until - the death of D. John. When this happened she did all she could to - influence Philip II to recognise the child; but all she could obtain - from the King was an order that Doña Juana should enter the convent of - St. Clara at Naples, with a nun of noble birth to look after her and - four nuns to wait on her. For this he obtained a brief from the Pope, - and was always careful to commend the person of Doña Juana to the - Viceroys of Naples. This lady was very bright and intelligent: she - spoke several languages and wrote books in Latin which she dedicated - to the King and his son, afterwards Philip III. When he came to the - throne, persuaded that she had no vocation, he tried to arrange a - marriage for her and at last succeeded in 1603, wedding her to - Francisco Branciforte, eldest son of the Prince of Butera. Philip III - gave her a dower of 60,000 ducats and an income of 3000 for pin-money. - Doña Juana died at Naples on February 7th, 1630, when she was - fifty-six, leaving an only daughter called Margarita, after the - Duchess of Parma. This Margarita Branciforte, D. John's only - grandchild, married Federico Colonna, Duke de Patrano and Constable of - Naples. - -Historians wonder why D. John so flatly denied to his sister the -existence of his other daughter. What obliged D. John to keep up this -deception all his life was probably the promise of secrecy made to Doña -Magdalena, and his fear of scandal for the unhappy Doña Maria de -Mendoza. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - -D. John returned from Aquila on the 3rd of March, according to the diary -of Fr. Miguel Servia, so much pleased with his sister that the next day -he wrote to Gian Andrea Doria: - - "Yesterday, after dinner, I returned from Aquila, from having - visited and made the acquaintance of one of the bravest and most - prudent women known; and although I love her as a sister and a - friend, it is not affection which makes me say this, but because - it is so, and much more so than the world says." - -D. John was not equally pleased with the news in Naples. It was -whispered, without anyone knowing where the rumour sprang from, that the -Venetians were retiring from the Holy League, and making a shameful -peace with the Turk; and it was also said that this peace had been -negotiated by the Huguenot bishop Noailles, Ambassador of the French -King, Charles IX, at Constantinople. D. John did not give a thought to -this gossip, and went on actively arming the fleet, and it was almost -ready when he retired, for Holy Week, to a Carthusian convent. "Tuesday -in Holy Week, the 17th of March," says Fr. Miguel Servia in his diary, -"His Highness retired to the monastery of St. Martin, which is of -Carthusians, and Wednesday he sent for me and the other fellow-confessor -to go to the said monastery, and so we did. His Highness confessed the -night of Easter Eve, and communicated on the morning of Easter Day. -Father Fr. Fee confessed many gentlemen of his Highness's household. On -Easter Day His Highness and all his household went up to dine at the -castle of Sant' Elmo, where we took leave of His Highness and returned -to our convent. His Highness came down on the 3rd day of the festival -after dinner." - -And directly D. John came down from the castle he knew for certain that -the rumours which had been going about Naples were as true as they were -disgraceful. The Venetians had made peace with the Turk, without telling -the Pope or Philip II, just at the moment when everything was preparing -for a third campaign, and the expedition was already beginning to be -settled. D. John was furious at such villainy. He went at once, followed -by the gentlemen of his household and a crowd of people crying out -against Venice, and ordered that the flag of the League, on which were -the arms of Venice, should be torn down, and the Royal Standard of -Castille hoisted in its place. The indignation of Gregory XIII was also -great. He refused to receive the ambassador, Nicholas de Porta, whom the -Venetians had sent to pacify him, and gave vent, in public Consistory, -to hard words, saying that the Venetians were little religious, and had -kept ill their word and faith and oath to the Apostolic See. Philip II, -however, although he was no less annoyed, received Antonio Tiepolo, -entrusted to give him the news, with impenetrable calm, contenting -himself with saying that if the Republic acted thus in its own interest, -he had acted for the good of Christendom and the same Republic, and that -God and the world would judge. - -The Holy League once dissolved, there remained a problem to be solved, a -most important one for D. John, to which, however, he could give no -answer. What was to happen to the powerful fleet, so fully equipped at -the cost of so much labour and expense? Should it be disbanded without -honour or benefit to anyone? Or should it alone, without the help of the -Venetians, go to seek fresh advantages on the Turkish coast and fresh -glory for the arms of Spain? It was the theme of all the talk of Naples, -and great and small, wise and ignorant, gave their opinions, discussing -warmly, conquering kingdoms and annihilating Turks, with the reckless -daring of the vulgar of all times, who in one second settle the most -difficult questions of war and government. But these wild ideas were all -more or less harmless talk at that time, as happily then there were no -newspapers to pervert opinion in their interests and to belittle -legitimate authority. - -The grave men of the Council were also divided, and three opinions -principally prevailed. Some, with the Duque de Sesa, wished to take the -fleet to sea to fight the Turk, wherever they might find him, as at -Lepanto. The Marqués de Santa Cruz thought that the fleet should go at -once against Algiers, because, once this kingdom conquered and free from -the yoke of Selim, Tunis and Tripoli would yield, and the Mediterranean -would be free of Turks. The third opinion, which was that of D. John, -preferred first to attack Tunis, as most easy and feasible, leading to -the results the Marqués de Santa Cruz proposed. D. John, on this, -received a secret message from the Pope Gregory XIII, telling him to -attack Tunis, and that he ratified the promise of St. Pius V to invest -D. John with the crown of that kingdom. The Pontiff much desired to -found a Christian empire in Africa, which could gradually extend its -limits and thus realise the policy of the great Cardinal Ximénez de -Cisneros, set out in the will of Isabel the Catholic. This was the most -opportune occasion, and, if they had profited by it, perhaps the -destinies of Africa would be different to-day. But no orders came from -the Court, and not knowing what to do, D. John sent his secretary Juan -de Soto to Madrid, which caused great comment in Naples. Fr. Miguel de -Servia says, "This same day (May 22) the secretary Juan de Soto left in -a galley for Spain, sent by His Highness. Nobody knows why. It has -caused great astonishment." D. John notified the departure of Juan de -Soto to his sister Donna Margarita in this way: "The reason of not -having written to Y.H. for some days has been that all, and especially -myself, have been in suspense, without anything settled, waiting (to -hear) from the Court, where I have sent the secretary Juan de Soto, to -give account, as one so well informed of things past and future, and to -learn what we are to do in the time and circumstances in which we find -ourselves." - -Meanwhile Juan de Soto had been received in Madrid with concealed -suspicion on the part of Philip II, and with feigned want of confidence -by Antonio Pérez, who was slowly preparing the dark perfidy which was to -end in the mysterious assassination of Escovedo and the misfortune of D. -John of Austria. But to understand better the crafty plans of the -deceitful secretary, it will be necessary to make things plainer, and to -recall some past events to fix in the reader's mind the state of the -case at the time when the gloomy drama began to unfold itself. - -For more than twenty years two parties had divided the Court of Philip -II, which disputed for his favour and intimacy. One was led by Ruy Gómez -de Silva, Prince of Évoli, who was for diplomacy, settlements and peace; -the head of the other party was the Duque de Alba, who, on his side, was -for frank declarations, extreme resolutions and war, as a last resource. -For reasons we have given before, D. John was attached to the first of -these parties, and Ruy Gómez and his followers placed great hopes in the -young Prince. At that time good Juan de Quiroga was D. John's secretary, -appointed by Philip, in agreement with Luis Quijada, when he arranged -his brother's first household. By reason of D. John's youth, this -appointment had no importance then; but Juan de Quiroga saw D. John grow -up and his great gifts develop. He became devoted to him, attracted by -his good temper and frank, loyal manners; and on the first opportunity, -which was the Moorish war, encouraged and decided D. John to ask for the -command of the campaign, certain that the eaglet had sufficient feathers -and strength, and only needed to beat the powerful wings of his genius -and take his lofty flight. Juan de Quiroga did this out of his -disinterested affection for D. John, and out of respect for Doña -Magdalena de Ulloa, whose opinions about him we already well know. The -Prince of Évoli, on his part, Antonio Pérez and all his gang, approved -the conduct of the secretary Quiroga, aiding him with their efforts and -enthusiastically applauding this first flight of D. John, which placed -him on the level of the greatest captains of the Kingdom, and was -already gaining envy for him. - -Good Juan de Quiroga died at Granada before D. John set out on the -campaign, and Ruy Gómez and Antonio Pérez hastened to place a new -secretary at D. John's side, one of their creatures, who would guide him -according to the interests of their party. This new secretary was Juan -de Soto, a capable, active man, very skilful in business, and a great -friend of Ruy Gómez; but his judgment was at the same time independent, -and his generous heart scorned selfishness and injustice. - -Soto served D. John in the Moorish campaign and in that of the -Mediterranean against the Turks, and was present at and studied and, so -to speak, saw the internal workings of the great glories and triumphs -which in so short a time made D. John the terror of the Moor and Turk, -the hero of Christendom, the man of Providence, the "John sent from -God," that the Pontiff, at all costs, wished to see settled on a throne. -Soto was as captivated by D. John's real merit as Quiroga had been. The -offer of Albania and Morea seemed to him the most natural thing in the -world, and the promise of Gregory XIII to give D. John the Kingdom of -Tunis the just payment of a debt, and the most sure and certain way of -planting the Empire of the Cross in Africa. But the fact was that the -offer of these crowns did not have the same effect on Philip II, Ruy -Gómez or Antonio Pérez. D. Philip was full of jealousy of D. John, not, -as some have alleged, because he envied D. John—he was much too great to -envy anyone—but because these plans frustrated his policy, and, above -all, threatened to take away from him that strong and brilliant -instrument with which he had accomplished such glorious enterprises, and -counted on accomplishing more in the future. He wished to keep his -brother all to himself, flying as high as he wished or could, but always -subject to Philip's will, and without other ideas of his own or those of -other people besides his brother's. - -Ruy Gómez died on the 27th of July, 1573, when the drama began to -unfold, but Antonio Pérez remained heir to his favour and power, and -master of the King's ear, and chief of the party erstwhile led by the -Prince. His jealousy of D. John, for different reasons, was very unlike -Philip's. The secretary counted on the King never allowing his brother -to wear a crown. He had seen for a long time that D. John's brilliant -victories and applauded triumphs were separating him more and more from -the peaceful policy of his (Pérez's) party, and feared that, -disappointed, D. John would join the party of the Duque de Alba, more in -sympathy with his own warlike tastes, or create a following for himself, -which, given his personal popularity and the great help he could count -on in Rome, might well absorb and annihilate all other parties. - -It was necessary, then, to provide against these contingencies; and the -bad conscience of Antonio Pérez devised means of being forewarned -against everything; to poison Philip's jealousy by painting D. John's -ambitious ideas first, with a tinge of independence and then of treason, -which would for ever discredit the hero of Lepanto in the mind of the -King. It was necessary, however, to be very cautious in daring anything -with Philip II. This care Antonio Pérez used, and it is, in our opinion, -the most convincing proof of his false talent, cunning cleverness and -wonderful audacity. He was very careful not to attack D. John of -Austria, and confined himself to whispering to Philip that Juan de Soto, -carried away by his great affection for D. John and his own interests, -was inflating D. John's imagination with plans which went far beyond the -ideas of Philip II. Antonio Pérez, consequently, thought that it was -imperative to remove so dangerous an adviser from the side of D. John, -and to put in his place a temperate, energetic man, who would know how -to calm these ambitious ideas. In this may be seen the first drop of -venom for poisoning Philip's mind against his brother. Antonio Pérez -made him out to be a bold, ambitious boy, who could only be relied on -while under the rule of an energetic and temperate tutor. - -Such was the situation which Juan de Soto found at the Court, when sent -by D. John with a public mission to ask instructions from the King about -the way the fleet was to be employed, and a secret one to tell him about -the proposals of Gregory XIII, respecting Tunis, of which in Madrid they -had had some secret advices from the Ambassador in Rome, D. Juan de -Zúñiga. Philip II could therefore verify the plain truth of what his -brother's secretary said, who tranquillised him with respect to the -loyalty of the ambitions of both. But the warmth with which Juan de Soto -advocated the project of Gregory XIII, and the promptitude with which he -explained away the arguments Philip cunningly urged against it, -confirmed the stories of Antonio Pérez about stirring up D. John's -ambitions, and decided the King to act according to the advice of Pérez, -and to separate Soto from D. John. But knowing D. John to be very fond -of Soto, and not wishing to alarm or annoy him, nor having reason for -not making use of Soto's services elsewhere, D. Philip at once appointed -him a naval contractor, and sent him back to Naples, with the -instructions for which D. John begged, waiting to relieve him of the -duties of secretary, and to separate him from D. John, until the -temperate, energetic man Antonio Pérez talked of was found. - -The orders for the fleet were precise. They were to attack Tunis, take -this kingdom from the Turks, and place on the throne Muley Hamet, son of -the former Moorish King Muley Hacem, under the protection and dependence -of Spain, and to see quietly if it would be well to dismantle the town -completely, throwing down the fortifications, a policy to which the King -inclined. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - -When in 1534 the Turkish pirate Barbarossa, by treason and treachery, -overcame the kingdom of Tunis, and made himself King of those Barbary -Moors, he dethroned the legitimate lord Muley Hacem, who wrote to the -Emperor Charles V from Arabia, where he had taken refuge, asking for -help against the Turk, and it was then that the Emperor undertook the -glorious expedition against Tunis, which formed one of the most -brilliant pages of his history. Muley Hacem was restored to his throne, -Barbarossa and the Turks expelled ignominiously from Tunis, and the fort -of Goletta, the key of the kingdom, remained in the power of Spain as a -guarantee against Turks and Berbers, who, whether they were friends or -adversaries, were equally barbarians and enemies of the name of -Christian. - -This Muley Hacem had two sons, Muley Hamida and Muley Hamet; the elder -one, Hamida, was jealous because his father made a favourite of the -younger son, leaving him the crown, so he took up arms, chased him from -the throne and barbarously tore out his eyes. The second son, Muley -Hamet, fled in terror to Palermo, and placed himself under the -protection of the King of Spain, and Hamida, triumphant, refused to pay -the tribute arranged between his father and Charles V, and craved the -protection of Selim II, rendering him homage. This brought his -punishment, because Aluch Ali, who was then Viceroy of Algiers, invaded -the kingdom with his Turks in the name of Selim, and, on the pretext of -protecting it, subjected it with an iron hand to his tyranny of petty -king and the rapines of a renegade pirate. Such was the state of Tunis -when D. John of Austria received his brother's commands to conquer it -and place Muley Hamet, still a fugitive at Palermo, on the throne, under -the same conditions that the Emperor Charles V enforced when he had -reinstated the father, Muley Hacem. - -Apart from other interests, this enterprise held for D. John the special -enchantment of being like the one his father had so gloriously achieved -thirty-nine years before. He knew all about it from having heard Luis -Quijada refer to it thousands of times, as he was one of the great -heroes of this campaign. D. John therefore desired to follow his father -step by step, and left Naples on the 1st of August, 1573, with the -greatest part of the fleet and the Italian and Spanish infantry, hoping -to collect the rest of the ships, people, victuals and equipment of war -in passing Messina, Palermo, Trapani and the island of Favignana. At -Messina he joined the Marqués de Santa Cruz with the remainder of the -infantry, and, while the galleys were being loaded, drilled the soldiers -with continual exercises and manœuvres, subjecting them to the most -severe discipline. On one of these occasions, the Royal Standard being -hoisted and D. John a witness of the affair from an elevation, a -gentleman of Florence dared to pull out his dagger and wound an Italian -captain. D. John ordered him to be decapitated, without anyone being -surprised at the order or thinking it unduly severe. This happened at -Messina on the 19th of August. - -They also stopped at Palermo and Trapani, where they had a magnificent -welcome. "The Trapanians had made," says the confessor Servia in his -diary, "a pier for His Highness, which entered 100 feet into the sea. It -had three arches in front and 17 along it. On the centre arch towards -the sea were the Royal Arms, on the right those of His Highness, on the -left those of the town. The columns and arches were covered with blue, -yellow, green and red taffeta. On each column was a little red and -yellow taffeta flag. They presented to him a very nice grey horse -covered with black velvet with harness of gold." And further on he adds, -"On the 30th, after dinner, His Highness went to visit the Annunziata of -Trapani. It is a Carmelite convent, outside the city, of great sanctity, -and in the evening he confessed in the sacristy, where in other days his -father the Emperor Charles V had done so." - -At last all the fleet joined at Marsala, eighteen miles from Trapani, in -a beautiful harbour which had been long stopped up, and which since that -time has been named of _Austria_, as it was D. John who had it opened -and put in order. There were 140 ships of great tonnage, 12 large boats, -25 frigates, 22 feluccas, among which were divided 20,000 infantry, -Spaniards, Italians and Germans, without counting numerous volunteers -and 750 pioneers, 400 light horse, good artillery, abundant ammunition, -sufficient machines and victuals, and many yoke of oxen to drag the -cannon. In the Sicilian galley with the Duque de Sesa was the Moorish -Prince Muley Hamet, destined to ascend the throne of Tunis. - -On the 7th of October, anniversary of the battle of Lepanto, D. John -confessed and communicated in a Capuchin convent, in the outskirts of -Marsala, and at night left the port of Austria at the head of the whole -fleet, making for Africa. On the 8th at sundown they came in sight of -Goletta, and it was with great emotion that D. John saw from the castle -of his galley those white towers standing out on the grey mountains, -which it had cost his father so much blood to conquer. The soldiers -could be seen running joyfully about the fortifications, saluting the -Royal Standard, and they fired a big salute of artillery and arquebuses, -which re-echoed solemnly and lighted up with singular beauty the shades -of night which were slowly falling. Very early the next morning D. John -was the first to disembark with several gentlemen, among them Juan de -Soto, who was a navy contractor without ceasing to be secretary. They -had not even had time to reach the first outworks of Goletta, when they -spied coming from the direction of Tunis a group of Moors on horseback, -who hurried towards them brandishing bunches of oak leaves with white -streamers in sign of peace. - -D. John made them enter a room that was close by in the front part of -the fortifications, and sat to receive them, surrounded by his -gentlemen. The Moors seemed half terrified and half curious, and did not -dare to pass the threshold without taking off their shoes, throwing -their arms on the ground, which were Moorish scimitars, short and wide, -daggers and a few lances forty-five palms long. Only three of them came -in, seemingly the chiefs, bare-footed, wearing long dark cloaks which -reached to their ankles, and with their shaven heads covered with -Moorish turbans. The rest, apparently poor people, with sheepskin coats -and coloured "haiques," sat cross-legged on the threshold, according to -their custom, heads bowed and eyes lowered, as if D. John's presence -dazzled them so that they did not dare to look at him. - -Among them was a renegade Calabrian who acted as interpreter, and who -made known to D. John the state of Tunis, which was the object of their -coming. The mere advent of D. John had filled Turks and Moors with -consternation and terror; but when they heard the night before the news -of his arrival, and learnt from some Berber fishermen with what a strong -fleet he had come, the panic in Tunis came to a head: the 3000 Turks of -the garrison fled, after pillaging and sacking all they could from the -natives. They were followed by the 40,000 Moors of the militia of the -province, and the peaceful neighbours, without protection or soldiers to -defend and help them, fled, too, to Carvan, Biserta and to other -villages and mountains, carrying what they could with them, and hiding -what they could not take in wells, cisterns, caves and other places. The -old men, women and children only remained in Tunis, and as for the King, -Muley Hamida, deserted by everyone, alone and defenceless, he had -embarked for Goletta with his son, going out of the usual course, so as -to avoid encounters. He was willing to yield the kingdom to D. John, and -place himself under the protection of this Prince, who was extolled as -much for his heroic bravery as for his magnanimity and nobleness. The -triumph of D. John was great. He had gained other victories by the might -of arms, but this was gained by the prestige of his name. - -[Illustration: - - D. JOHN OF AUSTRIA - - _From a print_ -] - -D. John did not lightly accept the words of the Moors, well knowing how -crafty and untruthful they could be. He took leave of them, however, in -a kindly manner, and ordered them to return to Tunis, and to say there -that he was coming at once at the head of his army, and that, with the -help of God, he would take it at once, whether or not it opened its -gates. He also commanded his gentlemen to take the Moors and give them -food and make much of them, so as to give them time to see the -formidable engines of war which were then being disembarked, and to take -an account of them back to Tunis. - -The next day, the 10th of October, D. John selected 1500 old soldiers of -those who formed the garrison, and sent them on to Tunis, under the -command of the Marqués de Santa Cruz, to find out and confirm the truth -of what the Moors had said. Four hours later the rest of the army set -out, in orderly formation, and as equipped and ready as if they were to -meet an enemy at each step. The heat was stifling, in spite of its being -already October; the soil was sandy and shifting, and the soldiers -marched overcome by the weight of their heated armour and by the thirst -which became burning. To set an example, D. John, as his father Charles -V did in other days, went up and down the lines on horseback, in full -armour and carrying his baton as Captain-General. Fr. Miguel Servia, who -also took part in this expedition, says in his journal, "All the way His -Highness went on his horse, ordering people and forbidding them to -disband, showing himself first to the vanguard and then to the -rearguard, at times commanding the artillery to march, and ordering the -people to march in great order." - -At last they reached the famous olive yards on the road to Tunis, where -the veterans of Charles V had done such brave deeds, and there D. John -ordered them to encamp round the wells, so that the soldiers were able -to slake the burning thirst which devoured them. In all the march they -had not seen a sign of the enemy, or of other human beings, except an -old goatherd, who fled towards the mountains; this confirmed the news -that the Turks and Moors had left the town. - -Meanwhile the Marqués de Santa Cruz and his veterans had reached the -gates of Tunis and found them wide open. But still fearful of the -cunning and treachery of the Moors, they did not enter the town without -great precautions. The soldiers walked one by one, in two long rows, -close to the houses of the narrow lanes, arquebuses at their shoulders, -pointing at the doors and windows, which seemed absolutely deserted. In -many cases they saw signs of the recent sacking by the Turks, broken -doors and shutters, and the beautiful courtyards with their arches and -columns and marble cisterns in the centre, surrounded by orange trees -and pomegranates loaded with fruit ruined. - -In this way they crossed the town, and began to mount the Alcazaba, -which was on a height to the west. It was spacious, and had very strong -walls, and in one block of them, against a closed door, were to be seen -about twenty Moors surrounding a fat old man, who was making signs with -a piece of white linen, whom they guessed to be the Alcaide. The Marqués -went forward on horseback, with four of his veterans, and, standing up -in his stirrups, shouted out to know for whom the fortress was held. - -The old man replied for the King Muley Hamida; but, as he had fled to -Goletta, to put himself under the protection of the Lord D. John of -Austria, the speaker was willing to give up the fortress to the said -Lord D. John when he should appear. The Marqués was satisfied with this, -and refused to take the keys, reserving this honour for D. John of -Austria, to whom he sent a messenger at once, announcing the fact, and -collected his troops in the arsenal, which was in the lower part of the -town, there to await the arrival of the army. The soldiers went back -with less caution, and, as they on their part committed no acts of -violence, the people remaining in Tunis were reassured, and at the -openings of the shutters began to appear sun-burnt childish faces, the -forms of veiled women and old men, who came to the doors bowing to the -invaders. There was also a great number of domestic animals, fowls above -all, which wandered about the streets, seemingly having escaped from -open farm-yards or deserted stables. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - -D. John of Austria received the message from the Marqués de Santa Cruz -at a deserted place called Diana, two miles from Tunis, where he had -camped. He ordered a crier to announce at once that the town of Tunis -was given over to be sacked, on the understanding that no one was to be -either wounded, killed, or taken as a slave. Then he continued the -march, and arrived at Tunis at two o'clock. He left the army drawn up in -front of the walls, and entered the town accompanied only by his -captains, to reconnoitre it for himself, arrange barracks and billets to -avoid misbehaviour on the part of the soldiery and give courage to the -Moors who showed themselves, which were all those left in Tunis. The -Alcaide of the Alcazaba came with the other principal Moors, and -delivered up the keys of the fortress, with a humble but dignified -address. D. John listened courteously, without alighting from his horse, -and did not take the keys which the Alcaide offered on his knees. He -made a sign to the Marqués de Santa Cruz that he should take them, as he -was the first to enter the place.[16] Then he wrote at once from the -Alcazaba to his brother Philip II, announcing that His Majesty was Lord -of Tunis without a shot having been fired. At last he gave the signal to -sack the town. The loot was plentiful, and as far as it was possible the -sack was orderly, without other outrage than the death of an old man who -had taken refuge in a Mosque, and several fires, due to the Italians, -whom D. John punished without loss of time, causing four of them to be -hanged. "They found in the town," says the journal of Fr. Miguel Servia, -"much wheat, barley, wool, butter, oil, and many garments; pimento, -cinnamon, cloves, ginger, beautiful porcelain and veils. From the wells, -cisterns and caverns they drew rich garments, gold, silver and other -things; and these first days they all ate nothing but fowls, because -there were countless numbers of them. The soldiers divided the spoil -among themselves in their barracks afterwards, and nothing else was -heard but digging in various parts of the town, and then selling what -was found, clothing being sold for a low and wretched price. Some parts -of the town the Italians set on fire, which much annoyed His Highness, -but many people came up, and it was remedied." - -Footnote 16: - - These keys are still in the possession of his descendant the Marqués - de Santa Cruz. - -A very extraordinary thing happened to D. John at the Alcazaba. This -castle, which, as we have said, was big and strong, had within its walls -large cloistered court-yards, orchards, and gardens, comfortable rooms -richly furnished in the Moorish fashion, with pavements and fountains of -white marble. These were the rooms of the King Muley Hamida, and in them -D. John lived. There was a winding staircase by which to descend to a -shady little garden, with hedges of myrtle and beautiful flower borders, -and oranges and lemons, quinces and pomegranates. Beyond were the baths, -and behind these the old ruined part of the Alcazaba. The day after his -arrival D. John went to this garden, at the hour of siesta, in search of -coolness. He was accompanied by Gabrio Cervelloni, Captain-General of -the artillery, and by Juan de Soto, and they sat down on a sort of seat -of Moorish tiles, under the shade of some creepers. The heat, the hour, -the noise of running water, and the sweet peacefulness of this -enchanting spot soon overcame the feeble conversation, and they were in -that comfortable, charmed state which precedes sleep. Suddenly -Cervelloni jumped up from his seat and put his hand on his dagger, D. -John and Soto doing the same: along one of the myrtle-edged paths they -saw slowly advancing an enormous lion with a tangled mane. The animal -seemed astonished to see these persons, and paused for a moment, gazing -about as if surprised, with one paw poised in the air. Then it quietly -continued its walk, and went up to D. John, who had gone to meet it, -rubbing against his legs like a dog, and throwing itself humbly at his -feet. Then a Nubian slave appeared from the side of the baths, and -explained by picturesque signs that his beautiful animal was a tame lion -for the solace of King Hamida, and that it lived familiarly with all the -dwellers of the Alcabaza. D. John then gently caressed the mane, and -such a current of sympathy passed between the _lion of Austria_ and the -lion of the desert, that the latter became the devoted slave of the -former, and thus the great knight D. Luis Zapata de Calatayud describes -it, having often seen it: "D. John gave it his own name of Austria," -says the already quoted Zapata in his Miscellany, "and neither by day -nor by night, like a faithful captain, did it ever leave its post. When -transacting business at Naples he had it lying at his feet like a -greyhound, its head on the ground, and satisfied with the attention paid -to it. When he dined it was at the table, and ate what D. John gave it. -It came when he called it, and on the galley, the boat was its -dwelling-place. When he was riding, it ran at his stirrups like a -lackey, and if he went on foot, behind like a page. There was nothing in -his royal house at which this gentle and obedient lion was not present, -to the point of being by day or by night of those of his bed-chamber; -and if it was cross with anyone who took hold of it, in order to rouse -it, a word from the Lord D. John, calling, "Austria, quiet, come here," -pacified it, and it went to throw itself on his bed. This beautiful and -rare animal, when D. John left Naples for Flanders, gave such sighs and -roars that it saddened and astonished all those of that kingdom, until -at last, from sorrow for the loss and absence of its master, eating much -and eating little, it died." - -It is this lion which is painted in various portraits of D. John, whose -gay, chivalrous nature made him sign himself for fun in the letters to -his two great friends, D. Rodrigo de Mendoza and the Conde de Orgaz, as -the _Knight of the Lion_, and in another letter to Gian Andrea Doria, -lamenting his work in Flanders, he says, "The Knight of the Lion does -not in the least envy the good life of Genoa, and its coast, as his life -is as laborious as that of the Knight at Ease is peaceful." - -D. John, according to Philip II's instructions, made a thorough -examination of the fortifications and strategical position of Tunis, and -had long talks about it with Gabrio Cervelloni, who was well versed in -such matters; but, far from settling to dismantle the town, as the King -thought, he decided to build a new fort, capable of holding 8000 men, to -complete its defence. Tunis is situated on the banks of a lagoon, which -is so shallow that it is called "el estaño" (the pond), which is no -other than the ancient and famous port of Carthage, silted up by the -centuries, and the carelessness and the filth of all Tunis which emptied -itself there. The mouth of the lagoon is a narrow channel in the Gulf of -Tunis, and it is in this opening that Goletta is situated, defending the -entrance. On the opposite side there is an island, separated by another -channel from Tunis, and it is here that D. John thought to build the new -fort, with a covered communication with the Alcazaba. Most of those -consulted warmly applauded the project, a few condemned it, -faint-hearted ones or toadies, to whom not to agree with the King was -openly to disobey him. But D. John, firm in his idea, ordered Gabrio -Cervelloni to put it into execution without delay; which fact was not -overlooked, and later the crafty Antonio Pérez, always on the watch, -knew how to make capital out of it. - -Meanwhile the Moors were reassured by the humane and generous conduct of -D. John. They trusted him absolutely, and daily the fugitives returned -to their houses, and Moors of the country descended from the mountains -to sell bread, meat, eggs, olives, fish, beef, mutton, and a thousand -other things, as peacefully and with as much confidence and security as -they would in an ordinary market. There still remained, however, a -garrison of Turks in Biserta; but the Moor Horrus, who was the Alcaide, -surprised them with a few neighbours, and beheaded them all. He then -took a fine Turkish galley which was in the port, killing some of the -crew, making slaves of others, and giving liberty to the 156 Christian -captives on board. Having accomplished this feat, the twenty-two Moorish -magnates went to Tunis, with the Christian captives, to deliver them up -to D. John, and to make their submission to him. - -This happened on the 13th of October, and on the 14th D. John, satisfied -as to the submission of the kingdom, publicly gave it over to the Prince -Muley Hamet; not with the title of King of Tunis, but with that of -Governor in the name of His Catholic Majesty D. Philip II, King of -Spain. He also wrote the same day to Goletta, giving D. Juan de Cardona -orders to embark on a galley for Palermo, and gave another as an escort -to the dethroned King Muley Hamida and his son, and all the other Moors -of his suite who cared to follow them. At first the proud Moor refused -to embark, but, convinced by his son and by those about him that -resistance would be futile, he allowed himself to be taken on the galley -without resistance. He was wrapped in a long mulberry-coloured cloak, -with a white burnous over it, with the hood drawn, hiding his face with -its swollen features. He was swarthy, with an evil countenance and a -scanty beard. He walked slowly and with much dignity, his arms crossed, -and his eyes fixed on the African soil which he was treading for the -last time. When he embarked on the galley from the boat he received a -salute of two cannons, and the crew gave theirs also, which they called -"de forzado." Then his African impassiveness broke down, and he burst -into tears, saying bitterly in Arabic, "King without a crown, man -without freedom, salutes are unbecoming to you." Such was the King Muley -Hamida, whom Cervantes calls "the cruellest and bravest Moor in the -world." - -Tunis quieted and the Moors content with their new government, D. John -returned to Goletta and began the preparations for his departure. He -left 8000 men divided between Goletta, Tunis, Biserta and the island -where they were beginning the new fort, and named as Generals of these -garrisons D. Pedro Portocarrero, Gabrio Cervelloni, D. Francisco de -Avila, and D. Juan Zagonera. This done, he embarked on the 24th of -October in the evening, taking with him all the remainder of the army, -except the Marqués de Santa Cruz, who remained with the galleys under -his command as rearguard. At Palermo he learnt of the death of Princess -Juana, which had taken place at the Escorial on the 8th of September. -The loss of this beloved sister affected D. John very much, and those of -his household saw him, in the privacy of his room, cry like a child, -which proves that bravery and energy are not weakened by feelings and -the tears which spring from pure and tender affections. He ordered -funeral rites in the churches, and the fleet to go into mourning, -painting and hanging with black the masts, yards, oars and bulwarks of -the ships. - -This mourning, however, did not prevent the great reception D. John -received in Naples. It was something like the solemn triumphs of the -Roman conquerors of old; nor did the procession lack captive kings and -princes, to wit, Muley Hamida and his son, or strange wild beasts of -other countries, represented by the lion Austria, who walked at D. -John's stirrups, led by two strong Nubians who waited on it, without its -seeming surprised or put out by the bands, salutes, or the shouting of -the mixed multitude which accompanied D. John all the way from the mole -to the palace. - -D. John entered Naples on the 12th of November, and on the 13th Juan de -Soto left for Rome on a secret mission, to tell the Pope from D. John -that the Tunis expedition was ended as far as it concerned him, and that -if the Pope still intended to give him the kingdom as he had offered to -do, that he should interpose his good offices with Philip II, so that D. -John might accept it without any disloyalty and with Philip's absolute -consent. The ambassador D. Juan de Zúñiga knew of the arrival of Soto in -Rome, and although he did not know the reason, he hastened to apprise -Philip II of the fact, who by it was filled with suspicion and fresh -jealousy. He was, however, soon enlightened, as in a day or two the -Nuncio Ormanetto, Bishop of Padua, presented himself on a special -mission on behalf of Gregory XIII, and explained very minutely the -Pope's plans for the kingdom of Tunis and for D. John, urging strongly -that they should be approved and favoured. D. Philip listened -attentively, and as if these plans were not for the good of all -Christendom, but only for the benefit of D. John of Austria. He thanked -His Holiness very much for the interest that he took in his brother, and -charged the Nuncio to say so to Gregory XIII. - -Three days later he wrote a letter to his brother, of which Lorenzo -Vander-Hammen makes a precis thus: - -"That he was not to be anxious about his person or promotion, as he -would see to that as of one so near to him, but that this was not the -time until it was seen what would be the result of the past expedition, -nor could it be of use or value, but rather a great vexation and care to -all; that he would consider the matter well as the case demanded, and if -it were advisable he would be the first to assist in its execution, as -he desired it." - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - -Philip II was much annoyed at the result of his interview with the -Nuncio Ormanetto, because he saw that the Pope was seriously thinking of -raising D. John from his dependent position by giving him a crown, and -that D. John, on his part, would go as far as his chivalrous loyalty -permitted. Antonio Pérez confirmed the King's fears, making him see that -the preservation of the forts of Tunis contrary to D. Philip's opinion, -and Juan de Soto's secret journey to Rome, were acts of real -independence; and, although he did not dare to accuse D. John openly, he -threw the blame on the secretary Soto, attributing everything to his -influence and intrigues, and again insisted on the necessity of -separating D. John from such a dangerous adviser, and of substituting -for him an energetic, temperate man, who would know how to moderate -these fiery ambitions. This temperate, energetic man whom Pérez now -ventured to propose was Juan de Escovedo, a former retainer of the -Prince of Évoli and completely his creature, who was then secretary of -the King at the Treasury. - -All this irritated and perplexed D. Philip. He did not wish to vex the -Pope, whose disinterestedness and holy aims he well knew; nor did he -wish either to deprive his brother of all hope, because, although he did -not doubt D. John's loyalty, he was afraid, having become suspicious, of -subjecting it to undue proof. - -In this difficulty he judged very wisely that the danger would cease -with the opportunity, and he resolved to get rid, as far as possible, of -"_this care and worry of Tunis_," and in this sense wrote to D. John the -letter which we have already quoted. He also decided to follow the -advice of Antonio Pérez, appointing Juan de Escovedo as secretary to D. -John; and as his natural prudence and judgment saw no reason for -injuring Juan de Soto, or motive for depriving himself of Soto's useful -services elsewhere, he confirmed him in the appointment of Commissary of -the Fleet in Italy, which was both an honourable and lucrative post. - -So Juan de Escovedo set out to join D. John at Naples, bearing express -orders from the King and strong recommendations from Antonio Pérez, to -moderate D. John's ambitious aspirations, and reduce him to a mere -instrument of the policy of his brother, without any views of his own. -This man, celebrated afterwards for the gloomy drama of which he was the -victim, was then between forty-five and fifty years old. He appeared -rather a clownish peasant from anywhere than a noble of the Asturias. He -was of middle height, thick-set, with heavy shoulders, and so swarthy -and bilious-looking, that in the secret correspondence of Philip II and -Antonio Pérez he is often designated by the name of "verdinegro" (the -dark green one). However, he compensated with interest for his rough -ways and absolute want of manners by his generous, unselfish nature, his -sterling honesty, clear understanding, and energetic activity, which -rendered him capable of facing all obstacles. Ruy Gómez and Luis Quijada -esteemed him much and the latter honoured him not a little in his -lifetime, and Doña Magdalena de Ulloa had retained, in her retirement, -such a happy recollection of his honesty and uprightness, that no sooner -did she hear of his new appointment than she hastened to write him the -following letter: - - "Illustrious Sir; I desire to write to you to tell you the - pleasure that it gives me to see you in the company of the Lord - D. John, because I desire nothing in the world so much as to see - such persons about him, for I know the necessity he has of this, - and how he will profit by it, and as H.H. does not neglect to - keep me informed, I have begged him to make the duty over to - you, whom I ask to write by every post whatever you think that I - might care to hear about D. John and what he does, and I also - beg of you that no post should leave without bringing me - information, because if this is not carried out, and the post - comes with nothing, it gives me a great shock, and you can send - the letters to the house of D. Pedro Manuel, and I will reply by - the same means or as you may direct; and because I think that, - although it will be a trouble to you, you will do it as a favour - to me, I end by praying Our Lord to give you as good a journey - and as much success as I wish you. May Our Lord keep and prosper - your illustrious person as I wish. At your service, - - DOÑA MAGDALENA DE ULLOA." - - * * * * * - -Gregory XIII, on his part, never wavered in his ideas, and losing all -hope that Philip II would help him in his plans for the kingdom of -Tunis, he turned to another scheme which had been a failure in the time -of Pius V, but which he desired to resuscitate with fresh life and -vigour by confiding its execution to D. John of Austria, "because of his -valour and good fortune," quoth the Pontiff, who matured in silence his -secret project, which was to bring so much good to Christendom and so -much glory to D. John, and until he could divulge it he contented -himself with lavishing proofs of esteem and affection on him, such as -were then only shown to kings and reigning princes. - -In March of that year, 1574, he sent to Naples by his Chamberlain the -Golden Rose, blessed on Palm Sunday, which, according to ancient custom, -the Pope was in the habit of sending to the king or queen who had -deserved the most gratitude from the Holy See during the year. This -unusual honour frightened the Viceroy of Naples, Cardinal de Granvelle, -who was no friend of D. John, and he hastened to apprise Philip II of -the fact. The Chamberlain arrived at Naples with the Golden Rose on the -24th of March, and on the 25th the solemn presentation took place in the -church of St. Clara. The friars of St. Clara, great admirers of D. John, -put a crimson velvet carpet on the Gospel side, to receive him, with _a -chair and curtain_, as they would have done for an Infante of Spain. -Granvelle knew of this, but held his tongue and let it pass, in order to -have something against D. John, if he had accepted the honour; but he, -warned in time, ordered the canopy to be removed and another chair to be -placed at the left of his own for Granvelle. - -Great was the enthusiasm in Naples over the new honour bestowed on D. -John, and all wished to take part in it. It was a point of honour with -the ladies to go to the festival with symbolical roses in their -head-dresses and at their breasts, and they bombarded everyone, from the -Cardinal to the smallest acolyte, with demands for seats. It was, -however, impossible to satisfy them all, and on this day noble ladies -were seen in the gutter, crowded on the stairs, in the doorways, and -even in the recesses of the chapel, anxious to see everything and to be -seen. - -There were faintings from lack of air, cries of protest, bad-tempered -pushing, crumpled ruffs, crooked caps, creased petticoats, unfastened -shawls, lost jewels, and heaps of petals from the roses that had -occupied such honourable positions. The necklace of the wife of an -important Councillor was broken; it was a string of pearls, and only -half a dozen could be recovered. - -D. John came between the Cardinal Granvelle and the Archbishop of -Monreale, and was followed by all the numerous princes, marquises and -counts who were in Naples, and by a crowd of gentlemen. A Bishop -celebrated the Mass, and the Bishop of Castellamare, who was Chaplain to -the King, gave D. John the Pax and presented him with the Gospels to -kiss. The Pope's Chamberlain was on the Epistle side, on a seat without -a back covered with crimson velvet. He wore a black velvet cassock, and -over it a crimson garment. The Golden Rose was displayed on the high -altar in a big silver jar. It was of massive gold, with its foliage a -foot high; it had diamonds sprinkled over it like drops of dew, and the -green leaves were made of emeralds, some of enormous size. Mass over, -the Chamberlain took a brief of the Pope and gave it to D. John to kiss, -and then to a secretary to read aloud. The reading finished, D. John -knelt down on a cushion of crimson velvet before the Bishop who had -celebrated the Mass, and who, taking the Golden Rose from the hands of -an ecclesiastic, gave it to D. John, saying, "Our Holy Father, Gregory -XIII, Very Serene Prince, sends you this consecrated rose, in token of -his benevolence and paternal love. By his orders I give it to your -Highness." - -To which D. John replied, "I kiss the feet of His Holiness for so great -a favour, and I receive the rose with the veneration due to something so -sacred, sent by the Vicar of Christ, universal Shepherd and head of the -Church." - -At this time there broke out in Genoa the famous disturbances between -the old and the new nobility, called respectively "the Porch of St. -Luke" and "the Porch of St. Peter," and Philip II, who held the -protectorate of this republic, hastened to send D. John of Austria with -a few galleys to pacify the insurgents with skill and cleverness; and if -it were not possible to quiet them by any other means, to do so by force -of arms. The Pope heard of his passing Gaeta, which was only twenty -leagues from Rome, and on the pretext of greeting him, sent his son -Jacobo Boncompagni, who carried secret instructions to apprise D. John -of those mysterious plans over which the Pope had long been meditating. -Marco Antonio Colonna accompanied Jacobo on his own account, as also did -the Spanish ambassador in Rome, D. Juan de Zúñiga. - -The three illustrious personages came to visit D. John on the 18th of -April on board his galley with a numerous and brilliant suite, and the -next day D. John landed to give them a royally sumptuous banquet in the -house of the Governor of Gaeta. The long, wide table was set in the -principal saloon, with two places side by side laid with services of -rich plate, D. John giving the place of honour to Jacobo. On the right, -but at a respectful distance, was a similar place for Marco Antonio -Colonna, and at an equal distance on the left another for D. Juan de -Zúñiga. One hundred and twenty-three dishes were served with all the -viands and exquisite sauces for which Italian cooking was then so -famous, without counting dessert, which covered the table three times, -with different conceits of towers, tournaments, castles, and wild -beasts, with pastry and delicious sweetmeats; more than forty kinds of -wine were passed round. The merriment and good temper of the illustrious -guests never flagged for a moment, and the crowd of noble gentlemen, who -stood respectfully watching the banquet, snatched a mouthful at the -sideboard, and were satisfied with abundant cups of wine. - -At the end of dinner Boncompagni asked D. John's permission to present -him with the gift that Gregory XIII had sent: some very rich tournament -armour, a great black velvet pouch full of gold medals that had been -blessed, which D. John divided among those present, and a little chest -of red velvet containing a beautiful group of the Crucifixion, of great -artistic merit. The Pope kept this chest in his rooms, and it was -enriched with numerous indulgences. - -In return for these presents D. John gave Boncompagni a horse worth 500 -ducats, and its trappings which cost 2500, and a sword ornamented with -gold worth 800 ducats. - -The next day, on board the galley "Real," under the awning of striped -red and white damask which stretched in front of D. John's cabin, -Boncompagni confided to him the mysterious enterprise which Gregory XIII -proposed to undertake with D. John's help. D. John listened attentively -in silence, from time to time his blue eyes flashed with enthusiasm. It -was a question of setting at liberty a beautiful captive queen and -snatching a kingdom from the heretics. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - -Meanwhile the capture of Tunis had made patent to all Europe how deep -was the wound that the credit and power of the Ottoman Empire had -received at Lepanto. This great defeat was no doubt a disaster for the -Turks; but a glorious disaster, both on account of the deeds of valour -they had performed, and the titanic efforts it cost the victors to gain -the triumph. The flight from Tunis without firing a shot, at the mere -presence of D. John two years after this rude warning, showed how deeply -rooted was the terror in the souls of the infidels, and how the renown -of the Christian bravery had been enhanced, especially that of the -Spaniards. All this cruelly wounded the overweening pride of Selim, and -he was consumed with the desire of avenging himself by reconquering -Tunis and Goletta. He was urged, with malicious eagerness, to undertake -this enterprise by Aluch Ali and the renegade Mustafa, one of the -engineers who built Goletta in the time of Charles V. The name of this -traitor was Jacobo Zitolomini. Resenting the treatment he had received -from Philip II, he fled to Algiers to Aluch Ali, who took him to -Constantinople, where he revealed to Selim a sure and secret way of -taking Goletta. - -At the beginning of May, 1574, D. John received an urgent message from -Gabrio Cervelloni, to say that the Turks were preparing a very powerful -fleet; that it was feared that they would fall suddenly upon Tunis, and -that, in consequence of this, funds should be sent as quickly as -possible to finish the new fort, which was not yet completed. D. John -was at Genoa, quieting the disturbances there, and he hastened to send -the Commissary of the Fleet Juan de Soto to Madrid, to warn Philip II of -the danger which threatened. The King was not much alarmed about this, -and, perhaps, saw a prompt and certain opportunity of ridding himself of -this _care and worry of Tunis_. At any rate, his answer makes it clear -that this new conquest was the least of his cares, and while writing to -Cardinal Granvelle, Viceroy of Naples, and to the Duque de Terranova, -Regent of Sicily, that they were to guard the ports and reinforce the -garrisons, especially in Messina, Augusta, Syracuse, Trapani and -Palermo, he contented himself with adding that they were not to forget -to help his brother, and to look after the coast of Barbary. He also -ordered D. García de Toledo and the Marqués de Santa Cruz to watch how -D. John was garrisoning Goletta, and to the latter the King wrote that -he was to do what he judged best in the matter, but that he was to -remember that he had said that 2000 foot soldiers were enough to defend -Goletta. D. John then sent D. Juan de Cardona with all the galleys under -his command to Tunis without loss of time, taking the help for which -Gabrio Cervelloni craved. This was not sufficient, and those in Tunis -reiterated their request. D. John then exhausted all his resources, and -sent D. Bernardino de Velasco with twenty Neapolitan galleys and four -companies of Italian infantry. With these comings and goings summer was -getting old, and on the 13th of August, at the Cape of Carthage, -appeared the dreaded Turkish fleet of 300 ships and 60,000 soldiers, the -fleet being commanded by Aluch Ali, and the troops by Selim's son-in-law -Sinan Pasha, the renegade. - -A great outcry arose at the extreme peril of the Barbary Christians, and -by every means in their power they sent to ask help from Granvelle, -Terranova, and, above all, from D. John of Austria, in virtue of his -office and Christian piety. He wished to fly to their aid, abandoning -everything. He wrote first, however, to the Duque de Sesa, "To urge the -Cardinal to send people to help Goletta, as that province was in his -charge." But the imperturbable Granvelle replied coldly, "That he had -much to guard in the Kingdom, and that it did not suit him to divide his -forces." "This was," says Vander Hammen, commenting on the fact, "to -give colour to the excuse. The real reason was Granvelle's dislike to -support D. John, jealous of his favours with Mars and Venus, and because -he was a foreigner, and because his brothers conspired in the Flemish -rebellion;" and Luis Cabrera de Córdoba expresses himself in similar -words, equally severe, not forgetting Mars and Venus. And D. John -himself wrote to his sister Donna Margarita: "In short, Lady, everything -goes badly; and in truth it is not entirely the fault of His Majesty, -except for permitting those who govern his States to forget that those -in their vicinity, or those that are not, are as much His Majesty's as -those which each minister has charge of." - -Meanwhile D. John, tired of waiting for orders, troops and money which -did not come, and making it a point of honour to go to Tunis, moved with -desperate activity from Genoa to Naples, Messina and Palermo, recruiting -soldiers everywhere, chartering ships, and pledging for all this his -plate, his jewels, and even his word, until he had collected at Messina -a moderate fleet with no lack of fighting men. He was all ready to sail -for Africa, when he met with another obstacle, more powerful than the -calculated coldness of Philip II, or the jealous hatred of the Cardinal. -The sea! The terrible sea which rose in a furious storm which threw him -to Trapani, much against his will, and kept him there days and days, -giving time for Christians to perish and for the Turks to become -victorious. Three times he tried to leave the port, defying the storm, -and as often had to retire before the surging waves. Then he sent four -galleys without quarter-decks and platforms on the forecastles to take -the mere hope of help to Goletta, but the implacable tempest prevented -this by destroying two of them. At last the weather improved; but before -D. John could put to sea, a French galley, without masts and knocked -about by the storm, was driven into the port of Trapani. On board of her -was D. Juan Zagonera, with fifty soldiers, all that remained at liberty -of the garrison that D. John had left in Barbary. From them he heard of -the terrible disaster. The Turks were in possession of Tunis; three -thousand soldiers were dead, and the rest wounded or captives; Pagano -Doria had been beheaded; Gabrio Cervelloni, D. Pedro Portocarrero and D. -Francisco de Avila were the slaves of Sinan; the new fort razed before -it was finished; and Goletta, the glorious legacy of Charles V, blown up -by mines, and erased from the African soil by Aluch Ali, as the wind of -the desert obliterates footprints. - -Those who were jealous of D. John blamed him for this catastrophe, with -which he had had nothing to do; the sensible public opinion, at times so -right and sharp, blamed Granvelle, and songs, which have come down to -us, were sung on the subject in the streets. A few, but very few, said -in a whisper, as in those days it was necessary to do, that the Cardinal -was not responsible, since in refusing aid to Goletta he had obeyed -secret orders from Madrid. Of this, however, absolutely no proof exists. - -The energetic nature of D. John was not depressed by this bad news; but -it awoke a thousand different sentiments in his mind, and under the -impression of disgust, sorrow and wounded dignity, and, above all, his -loyal frankness, which always urged him to treat questions openly and in -a straightforward manner, he resolved to go to Spain to confer with his -brother Philip II face to face about three different questions which -were connected with each other—as to his remaining permanently in Italy -as Lieutenant-Governor of those States, his recognition as Infante of -Castille, and the mysterious scheme that Gregory XIII had proposed to -him. - -So it fell out, and by January, 1575, D. John was already in Madrid. On -the 15th of February he wrote to his sister Donna Margarita: - - "Lady, I, praised be God, arrived a few days ago at this Court, - where I have received such kindness from His Majesty that only - to have gained this I consider that I have spent my life well. - Since my arrival I think that he understands Italian affairs - very differently from what he did before. I had thought, as I - had prayed His Majesty, to stay some time in Madrid; but in the - end he is resolved to order me to return to those parts, and is - in a great hurry to send me off. I think that I shall start in - the middle of the coming month, and I also think that I go to - begin a new sort of service according to what suits His Majesty. - Meanwhile one has to overcome difficulties and hasten on the - things required for this summer's campaign. - - "To all this I pay so much attention that each day, in councils - and out of them, I do nothing else. It is already drawing so - near summer, that I am satisfied with nothing that I do not see. - Here, Lady, everything is councils; every day I hold two, - besides a thousand other occupations, which leave me no time - that I can call my own." - -D. Philip was under the spell of the fascination that D. John always -exercised, and, notwithstanding the groundless suspicions of Antonio -Pérez, he received his brother with loving affection and the gratitude -and graciousness due to a leader who had added such lustre and glory to -the arms and name of Spain. He listened long, and with great interest, -to D. John's information about Italian affairs, changing his opinion -much about them. He agreed with D. John in blaming the Ministers and -Viceroys of those States, especially Granvelle and the Duque de -Terranova. He talked over and fixed the loans which should be made to -the various councils to enable them to guard themselves that summer -against the Turk, whose pride had to be humbled after the recent capture -of Tunis; and finally appointed him, with the approval of the whole -council, and to the secret horror of Antonio Pérez, his -Lieutenant-General of all Italy, with authority over all the Viceroys -and Ministers who governed those States. This, however, was to remain a -secret, to spare the reputations and prestige of these functionaries, -and was only to be manifested in case of abuse of authority or boast of -independence. "This for Y. Highness only, I beg for many reasons," wrote -D. John from Naples to Donna Margarita. "I also bring an order that -everyone has to act with obedience; but this is only to be used when -some Minister persuades himself to the contrary, which I do not think -will happen, as by letters they have learnt what concerns them." - -D. John, encouraged by this, dared to present the second part of his -programme, which was that, in order to wound no one and to give an -outward sign of this supremacy over the Italian Ministers, the King -should concede to him the rank and title of Infante, which was -spontaneously given him by all, great and small. D. Philip did not like -to refuse this well-deserved favour, but with excuses made D. John -understand that the time was not ripe for this. He did not do this out -of ill-will, or from miserly stinginess, or still less from jealousy of -his fame and renown, as some say, but because it was one of the maxims -of this prudent King, inherited from his father Charles V, to stimulate -the services of the Grandees with a reward in proportion to their rank; -and without giving D. John a crown, which Philip did not wish to do, -there remained no other reward worthy of him but the title of Infante, -and it seemed premature to give him this now, considering the many and -important services Philip hoped to obtain from him in the future. - -As to the project of Gregory XIII, D. John did not have to broach the -subject to his brother. D. Philip himself began it, having already -talked over and settled it with the Nuncio Ormanetto. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - -Four years before these events, in June, 1571, a little old, nervous and -active Italian arrived in Madrid. He called himself Giulio Benasai, a -merchant from Genoa; he stopped at an inn, near the gate of the Viper, -now the Puerta Cerrada, and very early the next day began his visits, -which were anything but commercial ones. He visited Monsignor Ormanetto, -the Pope's Nuncio; Dr. Milio, governor, in the Duke's absence, of the -Alba estates; the secretaries Zayas and Mateo Vázguez, and lastly, five -days after his arrival, on the 28th, he visited the King, Philip II, at -the Castle. This visit, however, was very different from the others, it -was paid secretly at night, and once inside the Castle he no longer -called himself Giulio Benasai, or a native of Genoa, or a merchant. His -name was Roberto Ridolfi, a banker in London, and secret agent of His -Holiness Pius V in that heretic country. - -Ridolfi gave three letters, substantially alike, into Philip's own -hands. These begged him to give Ridolfi his entire confidence, and to -undertake what he would explain, granting all the resources he deemed -prudent in order to further the enterprise. They were from no less -personages than Pius V, the Queen of Scots, Mary Stuart, then a prisoner -in England, and the third one from the Duke of Norfolk. - -The project was this; to capture the heretic Queen of England, -Elizabeth, and the lords of her Council, and shut them up in the Tower -of London; to marry the lawful Queen, Mary Stuart, to the Duke of -Norfolk, and in this way to re-establish Catholicism in England and -Scotland. Philip's aid was sought for the plan, and they had already -obtained the support of the most influential English lords and of Mary's -partisans in Scotland, who were then numerous and powerful. The Pope had -prepared the way by hurling his terrible Bull against Elizabeth, -declaring her to be an obstinate heretic and an abettor of heresy, -deposing her from the English throne and absolving her subjects from -their oaths of fealty and obedience. He promised, moreover, all the -funds that the Holy See had at its disposal. - -For this enterprise the Duke of Norfolk asked the King of Spain for 6000 -arquebusiers, 4000 arquebuses, 2000 cuirasses and 25 pieces of -artillery, with the necessary money and ammunition. He promised, for his -part, to raise in England 3000 horsemen and 2000 foot soldiers and to -undertake the dangerous task of capturing the Queen and her Councillors -and of setting Mary Stuart free. He also promised to remain on his -estates in Norfolk, facing the coast of Holland, to protect the landing -of the troops that the Duque de Alba was to send from Flanders. The -Duque had talked to Ridolfi in Brussels and approved of the plan, with -certain reservations, and even thought it an easy one, once Elizabeth -was either captured or dead; he waited, however, for the orders and -consent of his Sovereign. - -Philip II listened to Ridolfi with his usual reserve and caution, and -sent him to the Escorial, where the Duque de Feria examined him at -length, and where an important council was held on the 7th of July, the -minutes of which are preserved in the archives at Simancas. They all -approved of the plan and agreed to order its prompt execution by the -Duque de Alba. But such was the slowness of Philip in settling the -details and such was his indecision about dictating the last orders, -that time was given for Norfolk to be denounced, tried, and publicly -beheaded in London. - -It was this scheme, ruined by the death of Norfolk, which Gregory XIII -wished to resuscitate. He sent another Bull, similar to the one of Pius -V, giving the sovereignty of England to her legitimate Queen, Mary -Stuart, and marrying her to D. John of Austria, who was to command the -Spanish hosts which were to invade England. The Pope had already -consulted the English and Scotch lords and other magnates who were -willing to support Norfolk's movement, and they undertook to perform all -that they had previously promised to the unhappy Duke. To reinstate the -plan in the same advantageous position it had held in the days of Pius V -only the consent and help of Philip and D. John were lacking. At his -interview at Gaeta with Jacobo Boncompagni D. John enthusiastically gave -his consent, subject to his brother's will, which was for him an -unbreakable law. But Philip, on his part, received the proposal coldly -when it was unfolded to him in the name of Gregory XIII by the Nuncio -Ormanetto; he very courteously thanked the Pope for the favour shown to -his brother, but excused himself from helping the enterprise because of -the necessity there was of concentrating large armies in Italy for fear -of the Turk, who had been heartened by the triumph of Tunis, and in -Flanders where the rebels were also encouraged by the departure of the -Duque de Alba. And as the Nuncio argued, pointing out the truth so well -known to the politicians of the day, that the focus of the rebellion had -to be stamped out, not in Flanders, but in England, where the Queen was -always stirring it up and helping the rebels in every way, D. Philip -answered that this was true and that he knew it full well; but that all -the same he could not remove a single pike from Flanders until the new -policy of gentleness and reconciliation, which he had entrusted to the -Knight Commander Requesens, had taken effect. Then he would consider -whether or no the expedition to England would suit him. - -Philip gave his brother the same answer when they treated of the -circumstance, adding other reasons, all tending to bind D. John tighter -to his service, without disappointing him or at once dissipating the -dreams he might have woven round such a romantic plan as conquering a -kingdom by setting a beautiful captive queen at liberty, which must have -appealed so strongly to D. John's chivalrous fancy. So D. Philip -promised, without any intention of fulfilling it, according to Antonio -Pérez, or as we think, meaning to do so if it suited the plans of his -policy to favour Gregory's scheme when the danger of a fresh war with -the Turk, which then threatened, was over. - -And as if to bring D. John down from the sphere of heroic ideas, where -genius usually dwells, to the petty weaknesses among which most mortals -struggle, in the next line the King spoke of what in certain ways was -the only thing which could humiliate and shame D. John, and which -embittered his life—the conduct of his mother—which had reached such a -pitch that no one frequented her house but low persons, among whom was -an Englishman, supposed to be on too intimate terms with her. The Duque -de Alba, who, though severe, was not straitlaced, had upbraided her -without success several times, and, tired out, had decided to write the -following letter to the secretary Zayas: - - "Very magt. Sir. An affair is taking place here which much - troubles me, because I have tried by every means to remedy it, - without success, and it has reached such lengths, that it would - be well if H.M. should quickly cure it. You will be doing me a - favour to tell H.M. that the mother of D. John lives with so - much liberty, in a manner so unlike that in which the mother of - such a son should live, that it is necessary to put a stop to - it, as the affair is so public and so free and open that they - tell me that no honourable woman will enter her doors. Things - have come to such a pass that they are changing the servants - every week, and in my absence she has gone so far, that most - days there are dances and banquets. She has turned out the two - honourable old spinsters I placed near her and has filled their - places with low women. She is dreadful and very obstinate. His - Majesty will order what he wills, I had resolved to take her by - night and put her in a convent, but I did not like to do so - without first consulting him." - -D. Philip answered the Duque de Alba by the following letter written in -cipher. - -"The King. - - "Duke and Cousin. Cayas has shown me the letter you wrote about - my brother D. John's mother, which, for reasons you mention and - enter into, grieves me much, because she does not live with - seemly modesty and respectability; and it appears to me, as it - does to you, that the only thing to do is to bring her here, and - her son is also of the same opinion, to whom I have sent Juan de - Soto, to say I have done it for her welfare, these States being - in the condition they are, without saying more, as there was no - need to do so, and, as I understand the journey is to be by sea, - if they were to tell her beforehand, it is very likely that she - would do something foolish; it would be well to keep her in the - dark until a safe ship is found, and then, everything being - ready and the weather fine, to put her on board, whether she - likes it or not, with a suitable retinue, giving orders that - everything necessary for the journey should be provided, and - that during it she should be well treated. Let me know in time, - that she may be met at the port, and from there taken to the - nearest and most suitable convent, which I have not yet decided - on." - -It was not the first time that the brothers had talked about this -painful subject; but now D. John knew all, without palliation or -reserve. D. Philip told him in wise and tactful words, like a kind -surgeon, who, without wishing to pain, probes a wound, and suggested the -remedy like a father who discusses a sad family matter. As there was no -other way, they determined to remove Barbara Blombergh from Flanders by -deceiving her, and to bring her to Spain, where, by D. John's proposal, -she should be given into the charge of Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, that -this noble lady should settle her in her own proximity, wherever, in her -prudence, discretion and charity, she deemed best. This idea appeared an -excellent one to D. Philip, and a few days later D. John set out for -Abrojo, where Doña Magdalena was expecting him. - -Never had the mourning figure seemed so dignified to him, or had he -found such sweet and deep repose in her company, or thought that he saw -in her still beautiful eyes such intense love, such maternal solicitude, -or such tender grace as when she showed him the big coffers of linen -which she had ready for him, neckties of Flemish point which she herself -tried on, and the full starched ruffs, very full as she knew that he -liked them. - -And it was his yearning for a mother, exasperated by the disillusion -about his own parent, that was comforted by the pure love and great -virtues of that other whom a merciful Heaven had sent to him. D. John -stayed four days at Abrojo, confiding everything that was on his mind to -Doña Magdalena, joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, triumphs and -disappointments, errors and repentances; and when she said good-bye at -the convent door, she thought, as she did the first time she saw him on -the staircase of Villagarcia, "It is a pity he is not really my son!" -And he said to himself with infinite bitterness, as he kissed her hand -for the last time, "It is a pity that she is not really my mother." - -D. John left Abrojo with the profound regret and vague mistrust that a -wanderer feels who sets out on the desert sand after a day's rest in an -oasis. A friendly voice, however, encouraged him all that day, telling -him that a glorious future was his, if he fought with firmness and -waited with patience, which is the advice constancy gives that fiery -activity should achieve its purpose: that Gregory XIII's idea was -certain to be realised because it was great and just, and easy and -feasible, and in the end he would share the throne with the hitherto -unfortunate Queen of Scots; the England of D. John and the Spain of -Philip being the two strong pillars of the Holy Catholic Church. - -He who spoke thus to D. John was Escovedo, whom Philip had commissioned -to moderate D. John's ambitious thoughts. And the most strange thing is -that Escovedo was clever and honest and was talking seriously. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - -Antonio Pérez relates in his famous "Memorial" that at first the -secretary Escovedo served the King very well in moderating the ambitious -ideas of D. John, but that "as time went on it was evident that he not -only did not fulfil the purpose for which he had been sent (to Italy), -but that his boldness, like that of Juan de Soto, increased, and that in -particular it was known that he began to have communication with Rome -for some benefit or grandeur for D. John, without informing his -Majesty." - -There is truth in all this, mingled with much falsehood, as is the case -with all the contents of this venomous book. Escovedo never thought that -D. John was acting through vulgar ambition; although vulgarity is found -in all spheres, it was distasteful to his heroic nature; but he really -thought, as Antonio Pérez assured him, that D. John was blinded by his -ambitious ideas, and was craving the protection of Rome to carry into -effect visionary plans, which, to say the least, would hamper his -brother's policy, and that, in short, he was a brave youth, flushed by -his victories, whom it would be necessary to lead by the hand along the -beaten path of common sense, that he should not engulf his own great -qualities in the abyss of daring and fantasy. This is what Escovedo -believed about D. John when he went for the first time to Italy in the -capacity of secretary: but, learning to appreciate the frank charm of -his ways and the simple cheerfulness of his loyal character, he -retracted this opinion, and, little by little, the more he knew of D. -John and his affairs, the more he became convinced that what Antonio -Pérez called his foolhardy notions were really vigorous flights of -genius; and that what he named fantastic plans were the well-considered -schemes of two Pontiffs like Pius V and Gregory XIII, who were those -that thought of and upheld the project of conquering England; and that, -quite contrary to what Pérez said, the solicitations at Rome, far from -being humiliating to the King of Spain, were honourable offers made, -times and again, to D. John by the Popes, who were enchanted by his -bravery and valour, and were convinced that _this John, sent by God_, -was called to be one of the firmest pillars of the Catholic Church. - -Then the same thing occurred which had happened to Juan de Quiroga and -afterwards to Juan de Soto. Escovedo became as devoted to D. John as -they had been; he was converted into a sincere admirer, who loudly sang -D. John's praises and began to favour his plans with all the force of -his energetic and passionate nature, giving a strange instance, which -proves so much, of three men of recognised merit, of unimpeachable -honour and upright intention, all warned by Antonio Pérez against D. -John's ambitious plans, falling, one by one, under the spell of his -charm, and, against their own interests, devoting themselves to serving -and helping him. A great proof that the spell D. John used to throw over -these people to draw them to him was, without any doubt, his own -worthiness. - -This change in Escovedo was effected very quickly, and Madrid knew of it -at once, as by June, 1575, it was already an anxiety there, as is shown -by the following note written, according to that prudent Monarch's -habit, by Philip on the margin of a letter of Mateo Vázguez's. "The -arrival of Escovedo is certain, as you will see by this letter, and -although it appears he is not coming to ask for money, I am, to the last -degree, broken-hearted and tired out by it: although it will be well to -send him on at once, I cannot help thinking that he is encouraging him -and that that is why he is sent and no one else." - -Escovedo did not come to Spain in search of money, although this was -very scarce, as it always was in all D. Philip's undertakings: D. John -sent him to notify to the King a new complication which had arisen in -Genoa, due to the intervention of the Pope in these circumstances, and -to ask for instructions on so delicate a matter. - -Having overcome the danger of the Turk in the summer of 1575, D. John -gave himself up with perseverance all the rest of that year and the next -to ending these quarrels which might undermine the influence of Spain in -Italy and even drag her into a war with France. He therefore watched the -trend of affairs, sometimes in Naples, sometimes in Genoa itself, -finding time and opportunity in both places to give himself up to gay -amusements, even to culpable excesses, to which his youth disposed him -and the relaxed morals of the day incited him. - -It is to this period of his life that must be assigned his intrigues -with the unhappy Zenobia Saratosio, who ended by crying over her sin in -the convent of St. Mary of Egypt, and with Doña Ana de Toledo, the proud -and domineering woman, who, perhaps, would have been the ruin of D. -John, had he not by an effort of his strong will, sharpened by a sense -of duty, torn himself in time from her evil influence. Luckily these -flowery chains did not bind D. John's manly soul; he broke at every step -all that impeded his indomitable temper, or what was insisted on by the -disquieting voice of remorse. - -One night D. John was supping in the palace of Doña Ana de Toledo with -several others of those who screened and upheld his evil ways. Suddenly -one of his captains of the guard entered hurriedly with the news that on -one of the galleys, taken at Lepanto, the "Renegada," the crew, formed -of one hundred captive Turks, had risen, killed four soldiers on guard -and a boatswain, and had fled with the galley. Crimson with rage, D. -John jumped up, leaving his cup of wine half drunk, and ordered the -captain to go before him to the mole to warn the galley "Real" that he -was at once setting out to pursue the fugitives. In vain Doña Ana begged -him not to go, but to send one of the 160 galleys anchored in the port. -D. John answered her that it would all be the work of a moment, and that -in less than three hours he would return to finish his half-drunk cup. -The wilful and tyrannical woman insisted with tears, wishing to bend him -to her caprice and menacing him with a cessation of her favours if he -refused her. But without saying more D. John dashed into the street, -preceded by two pages with torches, calling out to all the soldiers he -met on the way, "Quick! Soldiers! Quick! They have taken a galley from -us." - -He only met a dozen foot soldiers and one sergeant, Rivera, and with -them went to the mole, jumped on the "Real," and left the port. The -night was dark and the sea rough, and the "Real" flew along, with her -lanterns unlighted, impelled by the rowers, who were encouraged by the -great rewards offered by D. John. - -They overtook the "Renegada" off the entrance of Capri. Seeing the -"Real" suddenly appear and deeming it an ordinary galley, the crew -prepared to defend themselves; but when they recognised the ship, fear -paralysed the fugitives and they did not dare to do so, which explains -how fourteen men took a ship on which were a hundred by boarding her; -they killed the Turks, overcoming and binding those who survived and -took them back to Naples. A little before dawn D. John disembarked in -the port, and once more turned his steps to the palace of Doña Ana. He -found it all open and lighted up, as if he were expected; but not a -single living soul did he see in it; astonished, he reached the -dining-room, and there noticed, to his surprise, that the table was -cleared, and on it a small, black velvet cloth; at the corners were four -silver candlesticks, in which lighted tapers were burning, and in the -centre a small golden salver with the half-emptied cup, as D. John had -left it. D. John understood that the proud Doña Ana wished to show by -this means, very typical of the period, the funeral of her love, and so -he accepted it; he drained the cup of wine at a draught and placed it, -mouth downwards, on the table again. As he left the house a duenna, -placed there, no doubt, by her lady, called to him from one of the -grated windows; but D. John never turned his head nor darkened the doors -again. - -At this time (March, 1576) the Knight Commander Luis de Requesens died -in Brussels, from a carbuncle on the back, leaving Flanders, by his -death, without a Governor and these States in more danger than ever, as -the Provinces had risen and only Luxemburg remained faithful to Spain. -"It is to be observed," says a famous historian, "that whenever a grave -danger threatened or a state was about to be lost, Philip II turned to -his brother D. John of Austria, and confided to his bravery and talent -the most arduous enterprises and the causes which seemed the most -hopeless, as to one whom he held capable of rectifying what the -imprudence, faults or ill-fortune of others seemed to make difficult or -almost impossible to remedy." - -Thus it was now; in this difficulty Philip II named D. John Governor and -Captain-General of the States of Flanders, and until he could arrive to -take up the command, entrusted the government of them absolutely to the -Senate of Flanders. This last fatal advice was given to Philip by -Joachin Oppier, or Hoperus, as others call him, a Fleming who was -Secretary for the affairs of Flanders in Madrid. - -D. John's new appointment was secretly opposed by Granvelle from Naples -and by Antonio Pérez in Madrid. The secretary was much perturbed lest -all his efforts to discredit D. John with the King had come to naught; -because, although there was no doubt that distrust had entered and still -existed in Philip's naturally suspicious mind, still the embers required -much fanning to kindle them into a blaze capable of consuming all the -great esteem and confidence evinced by this appointment. So vigorously -did Antonio Pérez fan them that if documents in his own writing did not -prove it, never would it be credited to-day that a man of his astuteness -and talent should have been so blinded by his evil passions as to dare -to write to Philip II that for D. John, thunderbolt of war, victor of -the Moors, terror of the Turk, pacifier of Genoa, and hero of Lepanto, -"a clerical habit would be best suited and orders, so that he should not -go too far or ever be able to transgress." - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - -D. John of Austria received the news of his appointment in a letter from -the King, written on the 8th of April, 1576, just as he had sent the -secretary Juan de Escovedo to Rome, having been importuned by further -appeals from Gregory XIII about the English expedition. D. John, -therefore, deferred replying to this letter until the return of the -secretary, presuming with reason that his acceptance or refusal would -depend on the news brought from Rome by Escovedo. This delay, however, -joined to the information he had received of the secretary's journey and -of his interviews with various personages, gave Antonio Pérez an -opportunity of continuing his evil work of setting the King against his -brother. On the 16th of June he wrote with this intention to Philip, "I -am rather worried, Sir, at the way D. John's messenger tarries, because -ours must have arrived forty-two days ago, and I have seen a letter of -the 8th of May, from Naples, from Lorenzo Spinola, in which he answers -those written to him by the post by land and by Santiago; so that more -than twelve or fifteen days have gone by without answering, which is a -great delay, and makes one suspect the affair is being disputed over by -the leagues and congregations there, not that I doubt the obedience of -the Lord D. John, but the delay will cause trouble." - -On the margin of this letter Philip replied: "Certainly there is much -delay about this answer and it is very annoying, since I am hoping that -everything will be settled by it, and this delay is very bad for Flemish -matters, principally because I had hoped to send this decision by the -Marqués de Havré; but as the answer does not arrive and he must start, I -am sending someone by whom to forward it, and thus he must go with a -promise, which it will be very undesirable not to fulfil with all -dispatch." - -Antonio Pérez narrates, with much cynicism, in his "Relaciones" that the -King ordered him to pretend to favour the plans of Escovedo and D. John, -in order to learn their secrets, if there were any. He needed no command -from Philip to do this; but whether or no he had one, it is certain that -at this date he was already playing this vile part, as the following -letter to Escovedo proves, in which can be seen all the falseness and -perfidy of the man, who a few days previously had been advising the King -to invest D. John with a priest's dress. - - "Truly, Sir, with reference to that of England (the projected - expedition), about which your Grace was employed in Rome, I - thought that it would be well for H.H. to be at hand and - occupied in such serious business for H.M.; the more because I - wish to see the Lord D. John in some great appointment, in which - he would be master of all, so that H.M. might know his worth, - and the good account he would give of such a government, free - from embarrassment or rivalry of other Ministers; and it is not - a small thing for H.H. to see himself quit of this." - -The King sent D. John of Austria his commission and instructions to -Lombardy, ordering him to go direct from Milan to Flanders with the -haste and caution that the disturbance of these States demanded. But -this, however, was not D. John's idea; he wished, beyond anything, to -come to Spain, and, avoiding the dishonesty of intermediaries, to treat -in person with his brother about the resources on which he might count, -and the soldiers he could dispose of in his new and difficult command; -he wished also to learn D. Philip's schemes about the English -expedition, of which the Nuncio had already spoken to him a second time, -because, although it was D. John's greatest wish, he did not desire to -do anything in the least against his brother's will; and, lastly, he -wanted to plead for his recognition as "Infante," in order to have some -rank which would give him sufficient authority as Governor of Flanders, -also in England, if the expedition took place. So he wrote to Antonio -Pérez announcing his arrival; but the secretary, fearing frank and clear -explanations between the two brothers, as much as the King himself did, -planned, with him, to stop D. John's arrival by this letter from D. -Philip: - -[Illustration: - - ANTONIO PÉREZ - - _By Sir Antonio More_ -] - - "I sent you a messenger by land ordering you to prevent this, - and, above all, your coming here, because of the great mistake - it would be. I wish to repeat here, and to charge you that in - nowise or for any reason whatever you should come, and when your - coming will be suitable, nobody will know it or inform you - better than I." - -D. John, however, was so firm in his intention that, without hesitating -even after such a peremptory order, he sent Escovedo on ahead with -letters to announce his coming, and himself embarked at Genoa in a -galley belonging to Marcelo Doria, with another as escort, so as to -arrive at the beginning of September at Barcelona. D. Philip showed his -displeasure by sending the following note to meet him: - - "Last night Escovedo gave me your letter and advised me of your - arrival at Barcelona, and I cannot help saying that great as is - the pleasure and wish to have you here, you have taken away much - of the joy that it will give me." - -D. Philip did even more; he was at the Escorial, where he had spent the -summer with his family, and he prolonged his stay later than usual, in -order not to be in Madrid when D. John arrived, bidding Antonio Pérez -receive and lodge him in the latter's celebrated country house "La -Casilla." This is how Antonio Pérez refers to this remarkable incident -in the "Memorial": "And truly I must add here, without waiting to go -into details, that the reason why Antonio Pérez was the host of D. John -in his "Casilla" for a few days was, that the King did not wish to -concede the title of Infante, or refuse it, because hope would give D. -John better heart to settle things in Flanders. It is a usual habit of -princes to obtain fruit from hopes, as it is found in those inspired by -them and is generally wanting when the favour has been granted. And -since D. John had naturally to be in Madrid for his own private affairs -and did not wish to be in a hired house, but in the Palace, as a -beginning of his treatment as Infante, the King resolved not to return -to Madrid until D. John had left for Flanders, so that in this way and -at Antonio Pérez's expense the blow to D. John's hopes should be -disguised." - -Accordingly Antonio Pérez set out to meet him, going as far as -Guadalajara, where the Duque del Infantado already awaited D. John, -together with the Duque's brothers D. Rodrigo and D. Diego, the Conde de -Orgaz, the Duque de Medina de Rioseco, and other intimate friends, who -escorted him all that day's journey until they left him at Antonio -Pérez's "Casilla." This was the celebrated villa, the wonder of the -Madrid of that day, which stood on the site at present occupied by the -convent of St. Elizabeth, in the street of the same name. It is now -hardly possible to imagine that it was then surrounded by shady gardens, -big orchards, and by a green, dark wood more than a league in -circumference. The house was large and square, with four towers at the -corners, and its big windows with their beautifully wrought gratings -opened in two symmetrical rows; the entrance was by a great paved -courtyard, in which were rough-stone seats and two cisterns of granite -and many iron rings, in the form of heads of wild beasts, horses and -dogs, fixed in the wall for tieing up animals. The dining-room and rooms -for gaming and diversion were on the right hand; on the left were the -guest chambers, and the front of the house was taken up by a suite of -saloons, furnished as no house belonging to a Grandee in Madrid, was, -with pictures, tapestries, Venetian glass, furniture of precious woods -and massive silver, and thousands of other valuable things which made -the house an object of wonder and gossip for the whole Court: they asked -each other how Antonio Pérez could afford luxury greater than that -displayed by the most powerful Grandee, as he had no fortune either -acquired or inherited, and they whispered about, and even plainly -mentioned, bribes, falsehoods, intrigues, and infamous mean acts, the -truth of which was proved, years afterwards, in the celebrated trial of -the secretary. - -It was in the five front rooms that D. John was lodged; they were -furnished with all that was best and richest to be found, and as a -perfidious compliment from the false Pérez to the future King of -England, he placed canopies and attributes of royalty in each of them. -In the first room there was a rich gold and silver tapestry of the -sacrifice of Abraham and a canopy of tawny velvet, adorned with plates -of gold and hammered silver. In another room, arranged for the times -when D. John wished to dine alone, there was a similar tapestry with the -story of Joseph, a canopy and chairs embroidered in different colours, -and a wooden dais with a rich carpet. Then came the ante-room with gold -and silver tapestry, with scenes from the Æneid, and a canopy of gold -and silver embroidered in relief in different colours, and inlaid -writing-tables with their implements of gold and silver beautifully -wrought. The bedroom was next, with tapestry of brocaded green gold -(verde auro), a silk carpet, and tables and chairs of silver; the bed -was also of silver, with angels on the posts holding tablets with this -inscription: "The Lord D. John sleeps. Enter softly." Joining the alcove -was a closet, hung with gold and silver tapestry, which did not reach -the ground, with a bath with perfumes, a dressing-table of silver, and -all the necessary implements of the same metal. All over the house were -scent-burners with different sweet perfumes, even the courtyard held two -of them, under the care of as many lackeys, who perfumed the cloths of -the horses as they came in and out. "And to such lengths," says Luis de -Zapata de Calatayud naïvely, "did his luxury and ostentation reach, that -there was the wherewithal to clean the shoes of those who entered his -house on foot, who did not fail to leave them at the door, as the Moors -do on entering a mosque." - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - -Antonio Pérez gave up the "Casilla" to D. John and his household, and -retired with his wife and sons to his other magnificent and sumptuous -house "La Villa," which had belonged to the Conde de Puñonrostro, and -was contiguous to the church of St. Justin (the site now occupied by the -military school). Every day, however, he went to the "Casilla," to pay -his court to D. John and to attend him on his visits, business, and -pleasures. Antonio Pérez wasted no time; he had already on the way from -Guadalajara exaggerated D. Philip's displeasure, and had offered to go -post-haste to the Escorial to try to placate the King with some pretext -which he would invent. This he did as soon as he had installed his -illustrious guest in the "Casilla," and at the Escorial the King and the -secretary decided together that D. John should present himself there as -soon as possible, in order not further to delay his departure for -Flanders, and that Pérez should boast of the friendly act in having -smoothed the annoyance of the King, the more to confirm D. John's -incautious confidence, which Pérez was so treacherously acquiring. - -D. Philip received his brother with the greatest affability, and without -making the slightest allusion to the annoyance the coming of D. John had -caused him; he rose on seeing D. John enter the room, and at once gave -his hand to be kissed, embracing him tenderly, and then, what always -happened when the two brothers met face to face, occurred. The ice -melted, suspicion was calmed, and D. John's loyal frankness and lovable -charm penetrated and even overthrew D. Philip's cold reserve. It is -nowhere related that D. John spoke at that time, as he meant to have -done, about his title of Infante: perhaps the artful Pérez had dissuaded -him, or maybe he forebore of his own accord, in view of D. Philip's -determination to organise the English expedition, according to the plans -of Gregory XIII, as soon as Flanders should be pacified. D. Philip's -promises were so clear and definite that it is impossible to believe, as -Antonio Pérez asserts, that it was simply a strategy to animate D. John -by these hopes, without supposing in Philip a falseness and bad faith -capable of sweeping away and treading everything under foot. Because it -was not only D. John who was taken in by this strategy; it was also the -Sovereign Pontiff, the instigator and principal upholder of the English -enterprise, and the English and Scotch lords and all the Catholics in -these kingdoms, who were risking their lives and properties; and it was, -above all, the unlucky Queen of Scots who, deceived by these false -hopes, would lose time and the opportunity for using surer means of -freeing herself from captivity and death. - -Moreover, Philip II did not restrict himself to making these promises -privately to D. John, or only by word of mouth; he also made them in -writing in two letters which he sent to him in Flanders. Here are the -two important documents, which should be read with the greatest -attention, because they contain the standard of D. John's loyal conduct -in that appointment. - - "By another, which goes with this, you will see what I think - about the English business. In this I have desired to tell you - that the good-will I always have towards you as a brother is - such and so great that, after the service which I wish to render - to Our Lord in converting this kingdom to the Catholic religion, - I wish more than you can estimate, that this should succeed as a - way in which I can prove how much I love you; and as a sign and - proof of this, from this moment, I assure you that, the business - of this kingdom settled, it will be my delight to see you in - possession of it, marrying you to the Queen of Scotland, if she - be still alive, freeing her and setting her on her throne, which - seems to be her desire, and it will be more than due to him who - has delivered her from all this peril and placed her in freedom - and possession of her throne; even if your rank and quality were - not equal to hers, your bravery makes you well deserve each - other. And though if this happens there are some things to - settle and agree about, it seems to me useless to do so before - the time, and it suffices, at present, to tell you, as above, - what are to be the ways and conditions which seem to me best for - my service and for the welfare of our affairs and States." - -The other letter of the same date, alluded to in the one above, says: - - "Having considered the orders and advice that I gave you - regarding what should be done for the absolute pacification of - Flanders, and particularly about removing the Spaniards, if it - be necessary, and what to do with them, since you left I have - thought what it would be well to do with these soldiers in that - case, and whether at this juncture it would be desirable to - undertake the English affair, representing to myself, on the one - hand, that no better time could offer for taking the Queen of - that kingdom unawares and for withdrawing these soldiers from my - States with honour, and of the great service it would be to Our - Lord to convert that kingdom to the Catholic religion, and other - considerations which occurred to me; and, on the other hand, of - the responsibilities we undertake in beginning, without much - reason or certainty of success, of the difficulties which may - arise in this undertaking, and of the great troubles which might - be caused by upsetting Christendom and all the world. I wished - to advise you about all I think of this affair and my wishes - concerning it. First, you must not by any means embark on this - business until all is quiet and peaceable in those States. - Moreover, it must be well considered how much the help of the - English can be counted on in this enterprise, as there is no - kingdom, however small, that can be gained without the help of - that kingdom, nor should anyone try to do so. Besides this, we - must consider whether the said Queen is suspicious about your - going to those States, and has taken precautions and begun to - live with greater care for her safety and that of the kingdom, - because if this were so there would be no use in thinking of the - business. To allay the said Queen's suspicion and distrust that - the seeing you in those States may have caused her, it seems to - me that it would be well to continue to make much of her and to - be on good terms with her as opportunity offers." - -Philip appeared much pleased by his brother's visit to the Escorial, -and, contrary to what he had told Pérez, accompanied him to Madrid on -the 22nd of September, and ordered the prelates of the religious orders -to make public rogations and processions for the success of D. John's -journey and Governorship. D. John took advantage of the days during -which D. Philip lingered over dispatching him to enjoy the company of -his friends, and this he did at the sumptuous suppers which Antonio -Pérez gave daily at the "Casilla," followed by much gambling and picnics -at Los Chorrillos, a delightful spot in the wood, to which the great -ladies of the Court also came. The most sought after of these was the -Princess de Évoli, then a widow, about whose intimacy with Antonio Pérez -people had begun to whisper. This gossip had not yet reached the ears of -D. John, but it was then brought by the Marqués de Fabara, an -ill-natured busybody, who had fought under his orders in the Alpujarras, -and who now followed him about, wishing to be taken to Flanders. The -Marqués said much about the lady's light conduct and the presumption of -the haughty plebeian, and ended by consulting D. John whether as a -relation of the Princess he ought to beat Antonio Pérez or give him a -thrust with his sword. D. John cut him short by saying that he did not -understand questions of casuistry, only war; but what Fabara said made -him remember certain strange familiarities he had noticed between the -secretary and the Princess, on the several visits that he had paid her -in her house in the lane of St. Mary, always accompanied by Pérez. A -simple event happened the next day which ended by convincing him of -these impure loves which were to bring about the terrible drama which -Antonio Pérez was preparing. - -In the wood of the "Casilla" there was a delightful place called Los -Chorrillos, from the springs which burst forth there. Antonio Pérez had -built a cottage there, rustic in appearance, but in reality costly and -luxurious, and had made in front of it a wide space, on which cane -jousts could be held, or tilting at the ring, or even bull-fights and -other games of the period. Before D. John left, Antonio Pérez gave a -picnic to the ladies at the Chorrillos, and to amuse and please them the -gentlemen were to tilt at the "estafermo." This game consisted in a big -figure of an armed man, with a shield in his left hand, and in his right -some straps, from which bags of sand hung. The figure was placed on a -pole, above an axle, so that it could turn round; when a rider, coming -at it with his lance couched, struck the shield and made the figure turn -quickly, it gave him a heavy blow with the bags if he were not very -quick; to avoid the blow with dexterity was the first point in the game. - -The ladies arrived at the "Casilla," some in coaches, others in litters, -and the humbler ones among them on horseback, all very smart and -accompanied by gallants; at the head of them was the Duquesa de -Infantado, Doña Juana de Coello, the wife of Antonio Pérez, and the -Princess de Évoli. From the "Casilla" to Los Chorillos, a distance of -about half a league, the ladies went in carts prepared by Antonio Pérez; -these were adorned with tapestries and brocades and soft cushions, and -the oxen were caparisoned with crimson and had their horns gilded; the -herdsmen were dressed in shepherd's garb of brocade and fine skins, and -velvet caps, and in their hands were long wands of wood with silver -rings. The gentlemen rode around the carts, going from one to the other -with merry talk and seemly jests. The "estafermo" was erected in the -middle of the ground; it was a grotesque and corpulent warrior, armed -like a Fleming, a caricature of the Prince of Orange, the redoubtable -leader of the rebels in Flanders. And that no one should doubt the -meaning there was written in big letters on the support of the -"estafermo," "The Silent," which was the nickname given to Orange. - -It happened that, when tilting at the "estafermo," Honorato de Silva, a -gentleman much liked by D. John, gave such a hard thrust that one of the -bags fell off and by ill-luck knocked Antonio Pérez on the head, who -fell, stunned and unconscious from the blow. Everyone was upset; they -carried him to the rustic cottage, and the first fright over went back -to the game, laughing over the violence of the Prince of Orange. Antonio -Pérez remained resting in a little room apart. After a long while D. -John went to see him; at the door he met one of the Princess de Évoli's -duennas, named Doña Bernardina, sitting on a bench. She was much -perturbed at seeing him and wished to prevent his entering, saying that -the Lord Antonio was asleep; but as at that moment D. John heard -laughing behind the curtain, the duenna darted into the room to give -warning; unfortunately, as she lifted the curtain, D. John could plainly -see Antonio Pérez lying on a low sofa and the Princess de Évoli kneeling -before him, and with great liveliness, amid the laughter of both, -putting medicated cloths on his head, which she wetted in a silver bowl -placed on the ground. D. John pretended to have seen nothing, neither -did he dare confide the matter to anyone for fear of showing up the -weakness of a lady and the peccadilloes of a friend. But many months -later, away in Flanders, while he was talking one day to Escovedo about -certain demands of the Princess de Évoli, which the secretary wished to -grant, he was obliged, in order to convince Escovedo of the -shamelessness of the case, to tell him of Fabara's gossip and the scene -at the Chorrillos. D. John himself thus, unconsciously, unchained the -winds of the terrible storm of reproaches, hatred and shame in which -Escovedo perished. - -The King arranged D. John's journey with great caution and mystery, to -prevent his departure being known in Flanders, lest they should guard -against his coming. He set out at the end of October, without saying -farewell to anyone, and, as the story goes, went to the Escorial to -return again to Madrid, where Escovedo awaited him, arranging with the -Treasurer Garnica the necessary funds for paying the troops in Flanders. -At the Escorial D. John took leave of his suite, and with only Octavio -Gonzaga and Honorato de Silva went by post to Abrojo, where he was -expected by Doña Magdalena de Ulloa. D. John had written to tell her he -had prepared for the visit "a ceremonial which delights your Grace, as -you are so holy, and for the great love you have for me, the like of -which certainly I have never found or ever shall find in my life." - -This "ceremonial" which D. John had arranged was one of the proofs of -his tender affection, knowing the highly religious feelings of the noble -lady. The day of his arrival he confessed fully to the old Fr. Juan de -Calahorra, and on the next, in the Prior's private oratory, he -communicated humbly and devoutly at Doña Magdalena's side, partaking of -the same wafer as she did, as on the first occasion of his approaching -the holy table, led by the hand of Doña Magdalena, twenty years before, -away in Villagarcia. Tears of quiet joy streamed over the old lady's -wrinkled cheek, as she understood that in this way D. John wished to -show her that his faith and his love for her were unchanged, and tears -also ran down the face of the hero of Lepanto as he reflected that, -although his faith and filial love were unaltered, yet that he could not -kneel by the side of that saintly woman wearing, as before, the white -stole of innocence, but rather the rough, dark sackcloth of penitence. - -Then he gave her several Bulls and briefs obtained by him from the Roman -Pontiff, conceding graces and privileges to the church and house of the -Jesuits, founded by Doña Magdalena at Villagarcia, and the drawings of -the beautiful alabaster "retablo" representing the Passion of Our Lord, -which he had ordered for the same church, in which lay buried "his uncle -and father Luis Quijada," and in which a sepulchre for Doña Magdalena -was open and ready. Too soon for everyone came the moment of departure. -D. John was to make the rest of the journey disguised as the servant of -Octavio Gonzaga, and for this purpose donned a coat of brown homespun, a -cap of the same, and high boots of Cordovan leather; he also wished to -cut off his moustaches but Doña Magdalena cried out against this -profanation of D. John's manly beauty and the sacrifice of those fair -hair, she had seen slowly grow. She offered herself to stain his hair -and beard black with some dye he had brought, and did so, taking great -pains, holding D. John's head in her lap as when he was a child, amid -peals of laughter on his part and no small amusement and tenderness on -hers. Her work finished, Doña Magdalena contemplated it, and thought D. -John as comely as a black-haired servant as he was as a fair-haired -Prince, and, smiling complacently, she said, half pleased and half -nervous, "It must be a very obtuse person that Y.H. takes in—they will -all say, 'Under this sackcloth there is ——'" - -Doña Magdalena mounted a tower on the wall which surrounded Abrojo, to -see the last of him, with Fr. Juan de Calahorra, the Prior, and the -other monks, and, bathed in tears, to watch him turn his head and smile -at the last bend of the road, her kind heart not guessing that he was -disappearing for ever, that she would never see him again, and that in -less than two years all this youth, gallantry and greatness would be -dust, and that this deep, pure love would be nothing but a memory in her -old age. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - -D. John of Austria wished to make up for his delay in starting by the -haste with which he accomplished the journey, and so rapidly did he make -it, and so arduous was it, that with his usual good humour he could with -reason write to his great friends the Conde de Orgaz and D. Rodrigo de -Mendoza, "Octavio is very stiff, and the same would your lordships have -been, if you had slept as little, hurried as much, and gone through all -that we have, which made us often call out, Ah! D. Rodrigo! Ah! Conde de -Orgaz!" - -On the 20th of October he wrote to the King from Ventosa; and again on -the 24th from Irun, to announce that he was crossing the frontier alone -with Octavio Gonzaga, as he had left Honorato de Silva ill at -Fuenterrabia. On the 31st, at six in the morning, he wrote from Paris, -complaining of the dreadful roads and bad horses, and of having -journeyed two days with a French merchant, who had given him his trunk -to carry for three stages, being quite taken in by his disguise of -servant. On the 3rd of November they at last reached Luxemburg at night, -from where he wrote first to the Council in Brussels, which held the -temporary Government, representing the Senate, and afterwards to the -Spanish soldiers, notifying them of his arrival and the command he -brought from the King. He wrote also to D. Philip, telling him of the -dreadful disorder of these provinces, of the complete isolation of his -servants, friends and partisans, and the difficulties which offered -themselves with regard to handing over the command to him. - -In truth, the arrival of D. John could not have been at a more difficult -or dangerous time. On the 3rd of November, the day he first trod Flemish -soil, Antwerp was taken, and its horrible sack by the Spanish and German -troops took place. These furious and mutinous men then took in a cruel -and evil way the pay which the Council of Brussels maliciously held back -from them. The Council, terrified, authorised all citizens to arm -themselves, and ordered the expulsion of all foreign troops from the -States. At this juncture D. John's letters reached the Council in -Brussels and the victorious and mutinous troops at Antwerp. These obeyed -at once, laying down their arms as their beloved and respected General -ordered, and there was great rejoicing among them that he had come as -Governor and Captain-General. But the Council was divided within itself, -some refusing to hand over the command to D. John; others feared such -disobedience against the authority of the King, and they were only -agreed in asking the advice of William the Silent, Prince of Orange, the -oracle and shrewd instigator of all these more or less disguised rebels. - -The answer of Orange was precise: liberty bought at the price of so much -blood could not be given up by making over the command to D. John of -Austria; and if the Council lacked the courage to retain it, they were -first "with pride and arrogance" to exact from D. John that he would -confirm on oath the "Pacification of Ghent," one of whose articles was -the expulsion of all foreign troops from Flemish soil. This -"Pacification of Ghent" was in itself an act of rebellion and -independence, for it was resolved upon at a peace conference between the -Prince of Orange and the Council of Brussels, as provisional Government, -in the name of the King, but without the knowledge or authority of -Philip II. - -The Council agreed to the latter part of Orange's answer, not having the -courage to oppose D. John openly, and sent it to him by the senator -Iskio; but couched in such haughty and insolent language that the -ambassador was in difficulties, not knowing which to fear the more—the -wrath of the Senate, if he refused to take it, or the anger of D. John, -if he did. He took counsel of a guest in his house, who said, "Take my -advice, Iskio, for this Gordian knot use the sword of Alexander: when -you are alone with the Austrian, draw the steel with dexterity, and bury -it in the body of this man who is fraudulent and baneful to Flanders. By -his death you will free yourself from his annoyance, and will be certain -of the thanks of the States." Iskio understood with horror that this was -the general wish in Flanders, and resolved to take the message to D. -John on his own account, softening its terms as much as possible. But -such was the dignity and politeness of D. John in giving his refusal, -and such the graciousness of his reception of Iskio, understanding his -good intentions, that the messenger, completely subjugated and full of -enthusiasm, warmly praised D. John to the Senate when he returned to -Brussels, which brought him insults and bad treatment from many, and, -over-excited by such conflicting emotions, in a few days he went mad. - -His arguments, however, had impressed the Council, and they decided to -send D. John a second message by John Funk, this time a very respectful -and courteous one, begging him to deign to ratify the "Peace of Ghent." -D. John answered with equal politeness that he must have time to think -it over and to study thoroughly the eighteen articles of the said -convention: he suspected that there might be something against the -Catholic religion, and wished to submit it to the opinion of -theologians. D. John was also very perplexed about the expulsion of the -Spanish troops, and on this subject asked the opinion of the only two -confidential advisers he had there, Octavia Gonzaga and Juan de -Escovedo. - -Gonzaga replied at once without hesitation, as a man full of an idea who -takes the opportunity of displaying it, that he thought that it was -neither prudent nor seemly to send away the Spanish regiments; it was -not seemly, as the Governor was the King's representative, and he should -submit to no conditions save those imposed by the King; it was not -prudent, because once the soldiers had left Flanders, the royal -authority and the person of D. John, who represented it, would be -helpless, alone and without support in this country of shameless rebels, -secret enemies and lukewarm friends who could, with impunity, laugh at -the one and ruin the other whenever they wished. Escovedo, on the other -hand, thought that the Spanish regiments should leave Flanders as soon -as possible, because the King wished for peace at all costs, giving in -to everything which was not against religion or the royal authority; and -the expulsion of the Spaniards was against neither the one nor the -other, and was necessary to obtain peace in the actual state of affairs. -It also seemed to him that the noble confidence with which D. John -placed himself in the hands of the Flemings would oblige them the more -to act loyally, and in the opposite case that Gonzaga imagined, they -were not so badly off for German troops that they would not be able to -resist, nor the Spaniards so far off that they could not return there in -time. Escovedo also urged secretly, and pressed D. John with this other -argument; if, as the Council believed, the expulsion of the Spanish -regiments would assure the peace of Flanders, they could at once -undertake the expedition to England and use these famous and dreaded -troops, as Philip II remarked in a letter written from the Pardo which -D. John received from him just then. - -D. John pondered over and weighed these arguments. He could clearly see -that Gonzaga was thinking of the dignity of Spain and Escovedo of his -own golden dream, the expedition to England, and he did not dare to -decide for himself, fearing lest his own wish and feelings should carry -him away, so he loyally submitted it for Philip II to decide. At the -same time he sent the opinions of four Bishops, twelve Abbots, fourteen -theologians eminent in offices and dignities, nine doctors and -professors, and five jurists of Louvain, that there was nothing -prejudicial to religion or the royal authority in the eighteen articles -of the "Peace of Ghent." - -Meanwhile deputations of the clergy and nobility of those parts, who -publicly acknowledged themselves loyal to Spain and Philip II, came to -welcome D. John in Luxemburg, and these also urged that the Spanish -troops should be dismissed as soon as possible, adding arguments and -proposals, warnings, and presumptuous, even rude advice, which clearly -showed to what an extent the very name of Spain was distasteful and even -hated in Flanders. On one of these deputations came the Bishop of Arras, -with the Baron of Liquerque and the Marquis de Havré, who was brother to -the Duke of Arschot and had been to Spain several times, and to whom -Philip had shown much favour and proof of confidence. When the Marquis -saw that his companions were amusing themselves or pretending to do so -at the end of the room, he took D. John apart to the opposite end, and -there point-blank, without fear of God or respect for himself, proposed -that _he (D. John) should rise with all and rule over the States, and -they would help him_. The shame and anger which showed in D. John's face -cut the speech short, and mechanically he put his hand to his dagger, -according to what Vander Hammen and Porreño say, referring to this deed -of D. John's, "That, not being able to suffer this blow, which touched -his fidelity to the quick, he drew out his dagger and wounded him with -great indignation." - -D. John was more heroic than this, as, from prudence and loyalty to the -King, he was silent and swallowed the affront; and thus Escovedo refers -to it in a letter to the King, written on the 21st of January, 1577: -"And to advise Y.M. that Y.M. should see what good and loyal vassals -Y.M. has here, and how much they love you. Know that the Marquis de -Havré, on his own part and that of others, tempted the Lord D. John, -offering all this for himself, and that he should not lose the chance, -and although he tried to change the subject, pretending not to -understand, he was so bold and shameless that he repeated it. He -answered that God save Y.M., that they had a very good King, and that it -would not be well for them to alter, and he swore to me that he was -moved to box his ears, and that he would have done so, if it would not -have done harm to the main business." - -D. John speaks of the matter in a very veiled way in one of his letters -to D. Rodrigo de Mendoza: - - "Lately came a deputation and embassy from the States, among - others the Marquis de Havré, strangely without shame and respect - even, since he openly spoke of everything, trusting everything - and everybody without any respect, as I say." - -At last Philip's reply arrived, ordering D. John to sign, without demur, -the "Pacification of Ghent," and to send the Spanish regiments at once -away from Flanders. D. John felt greatly humiliated and discouraged, -because before sending away the regiments it was necessary to pay them, -and D. Philip did not mention this or send any money whatever. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - -Amid the struggles and anxieties which caused D. John to know contempt -and humiliations for the first time, he had one pleasure, which, in -spite of there being much to embitter it, must still have been a great -one, that of making the acquaintance of his mother, and of embracing her -for the first and last time. No sooner had he arrived in Luxemburg than -he wrote to her at Ghent, where she then was, inviting her to come and -see him, as he could not, as he ought to do, visit her at that moment; -and as the cold, shallow Barbara Blombergh neither came nor answered the -letter, he sent a second message, this time accompanied by everything -necessary for her to perform the journey in a suitable and comfortable -way. She came, and the mother and the son met. We do not know what she -felt on finding herself in the presence of this brilliant and renowned -son, who up to now had inspired her with nothing but indifference. As to -D. John, apart from the natural love and respect due to her name of -mother, she made a disagreeable impression on him, perhaps because his -ideals of mothers and widows were formed on the austere and refined -model of that great lady Doña Magdalena de Ulloa. - -Barbara Blombergh was then over fifty, and she preserved traces of her -great beauty, which she tried to enhance with cosmetics and fine -clothes, unsuited to her age or situation. She, however, lacked that -inborn distinction and dignity which then, even more than now, -characterised ladies of noble lineage; because education, which to-day -refines, polishes and levels manners to a certain extent, belonged then -exclusively to dames of high degree. Barbara Blombergh certainly did not -belong to this privileged class, although several historians have -asserted it, in order to exalt D. John's maternal descent. She was -simply a girl of the middle class, daughter of a citizen of Ratisbon of -moderate fortune. Three years after the birth of D. John she married -Jerome Kegel, who was not a noble gentleman either, but a poor "hére," -as Gachard calls him, who for a humble position at the Court of Queen -Mary, the Regent of Flanders, compromised himself by giving her his name -and sheltering her dishonour. - -Madam Blombergh, as from this time she began to call herself, was left a -widow in June, 1569, and then it was that her cold, shallow, hard, -extravagant and ungenerous character began to show itself freely. "As -vapid as obstinate," said the Duque de Alba. But what is really -surprising about her is the indifference that she always showed for her -son D. John, who by the greatness of his name would have seemed called -to be her glory and pride, and by his love, respect and solicitude for -her, her delight and good fortune. In the Alba archives there is a -letter from D. John to his mother, the only one known, which begins in -this way: "Lady, it is many days since I had news of you, which worries -me, having written and begged, last from Messina, that you should always -remember to advise me about your health and of what is your pleasure, as -besides the obligation I am under to procure it for you as your son, I -also much wish to give it to you, being certain that I owe it to the -good mother and lady you are to me." Compare this letter with another -from D. John to Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, and it will be plainly seen -that if Barbara Blombergh was in fact his mother, the one who responded -to his filial affections was the illustrious widow of Luis Quijada: -"Lady, I kiss your hands for the trouble you take in always answering my -letters, but principally because what I wish is to hear continually of -your health and welfare." - -When Kegel died D. John begged Philip II to come to his mother's -assistance, and the King sent the Duque de Alba, then Governor of the -Low Countries, to visit Madam Blombergh, and to suggest to her that, -having such a son as hers in Spain, she should make her residence there. -Madam Blombergh replied that although, doubtless, she would much like to -see her son, it was of no use talking to her about going to Spain, for -she well knew the way women were shut up there, and wild horses would -not make her go to such a country. Philip II then gave her an income of -4944 florins, with which she installed herself with a luxury and parade -it was impossible to support on these means. Her household consisted of -a duenna and six waiting-maids, a steward, two pages, a chaplain, a -butler, four servants, and a coach with all its paraphernalia of grooms -and horses. She then began the gay, but not very decorous, life of -festivities and banquets which caused the warnings and complaints of the -Duque de Alba, and first the admonitions and later the violent measures -of Philip II, which, however, on account of the political disturbances, -could not be carried out until the arrival of D. John in Flanders. This -made Barbara Blombergh's departure more than ever necessary, so as not -to compromise the authority of D. John at this difficult moment by her -frivolities and imprudences. But as neither by prayers nor by wise -persuasion could he overcome his mother's invincible obstinacy about -going to Spain, he resolved to use the stratagem he had devised long ago -with his brother Philip II. - -He told her that his sister Donna Margarita of Austria much wished to -know her, and had invited her to spend a few months at the palace of -Aquila in the Abruzzi. This invitation from such a personage as the -Duchess of Parma gratified Madam Blombergh immensely, and she accepted -at once, only bargaining to settle afterwards to live where she wished. -D. John agreed, and Madam Blombergh set out for Italy with all her -household the middle of March, 1577. As extra steward D. John sent a -confidential person called Pero Sánchez, who was used to travelling, and -who carried secret instructions. On arriving at Genoa they found a -luxurious galley which Pero Sánchez said was ready to carry them to -Naples, and thence they could journey overland to the Abruzzi. Without -any mistrust the embarkation was made, and after a disagreeable voyage -of some days' duration they sighted the grey mountains of Vizcaya, so -different from the blue Neapolitan coast, where they thought to arrive. -The galley had gone to Spain and was at Laredo. - -[Illustration: - - AUTOGRAPH OF BARBARA BLOMBERGH - - _From a photograph by Lacoste_ -] - -Barbara Blombergh was met at this port by Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, who -had been warned of her advent by D. John, and at San Cebrian de Mazote -she was awaited by Doña Magdalena's brother and sister-in-law, the -Marqueses de la Mota, who wished to help the illustrious widow of Luis -Quijada over this difficult meeting. In truth it needed all Doña -Magdalena's tact, patience, and love for D. John to tame the furious -wild beast who was disembarked at Laredo on the 3rd of May in the form -of Barbara Blombergh. Doña Magdalena took her at once to the castle of -San Cebrian de Mazote, where the Marqués de la Mota and his wife -received her very kindly, and entertained her splendidly, and such pains -did the good and discreet Doña Magdalena take, that in the three and a -half months Madam Blombergh was with her, the angry, wild animal was -changed into a gentle lamb, and when the hour of farewell came she -herself asked to retire to the Dominican convent of Santa Maria la Real, -in the village of San Cebrian, where Doña Magdalena had prepared for her -a comfortable, separate apartment, so that she could go in and out. - -From the 3rd of May, 1577, when she disembarked at Laredo, until the end -of July, 1579, when, after D. John's death, Philip II gave her an income -of 3000 ducats, all the expenses of Barbara Blombergh were borne by Doña -Magdalena de Ulloa. This is shown, without any shadow of doubt, by the -paper presented by this lady in the testamentary accounts of D. John of -Austria, which exists in the Alba archives, signed and with this label: - -"That which I, Doña Magdalena de Ulloa, have paid in virtue of two -letters from the Very Serene D. John of Austria, God rest his soul, one -dated from Louvain the 23rd of April, 1577, the other from Brussels the -4th of July of the same year, about the expenses of Madam Blombergh his -mother, also arranging her apartment and her ordinary expenses, and her -extraordinary personal ones, servants and wages and clothes and other -things, some furniture indispensable and necessary for her use, the -which I gave over to her servants, and that which I gave for this is the -following." - - A detailed account of the money made over to Madam Blombergh and - her stewards follows, divided into thirty-six items; then comes - the reimbursement by the same Doña Magdalena in three items by - the hand of Melchor de Camago, Juan de Escovedo, and Antonio - Pérez, and this curious document concludes by making the - following balance and protest: "So what I have paid by order of - His Highness, according to the said letters relating to the - building of the house and other things belonging to it, and - providing for the said house and servants of the said Madam his - mother, comes to one million three hundred and forty thousand - one hundred and ninety-two maravedis, which as I have said in - the items by God and my conscience I gave over to Madam and her - servants, and what I have received on account of this amounts to - nine hundred and seventeen thousand and eighty-eight maravedis: - so that it is more than the goods of the said Lord D. John by - four hundred and twenty-two thousand and five hundred and four - maravedis; and I certify that the account and items, of the - receipt as of the fact, by my conscience are certain and true, - and that the said amount is due to me, and I have not received - it, nor has anything been given to me on account, and this being - true, I sign this with my hand and with my name, this date at - Valladolid, fourteenth of July, one thousand five hundred and - eighty-two." - - "DOÑA MAGDALENA DE ULLOA." - -Thus it is proved that D. John, helped by Doña Magdalena, provided -everything necessary for his mother until his last hour; and when he was -dying he commended her to his brother D. Philip through his confessor P. -Dorante, for which reason Philip II granted her an income of 3000 ducats -for her life. No sooner was D. John dead, however, than Madam Blombergh -presented a memorial to the King, claiming D. John's estate as sole and -lawful heiress. This was granted to her without hesitation, as D. John -had no private property, and his debts amounted to much more than the -value of the jewels and furniture he possessed. - -Barbara Blombergh lived peaceably at the convent of Santa Maria la Real -for several years; but as regularity and quietness were not her strong -point, she became bored, and begged Philip II to move her to some other -place. As the house of the unfortunate Escovedo at Colindres was at -Philip's disposal at that time, she retired there, and there died the -same year as Philip (1598), leaving directions that she was to be buried -at the Franciscan convent in the town of Escalante. - -By her marriage with Jerome Kegel Barbara Blombergh had two sons. The -younger drowned himself in a cistern in his own house, eight days after -his father's death; the elder, who was named Conrad, took the name of -Pyramus, which his father bore, joined to that of Kegel. He began to -study for the Church, well supplied with funds by D. John, at whose -death he abandoned these studies, owing to his love of arms. He joined -the army, being helped by Alexander Farnese, and became a colonel. He -married the Baroness de St. Martin, and died before his mother, during -whose lifetime his widow came to Spain, and died there; but where or -when we do not know. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - -D. John of Austria at last signed the "Peace of Ghent," called the -"Perpetual Edict," on the 14th of February, 1577, with his heart full of -shame and depression. He was full of shame, because it was humiliating -for Spain, for his King, and for himself as Philip's representative to -give in to the rude and insolent demands of that band of rebels and -dissembling heretics; and it depressed him, because, in signing the -paper, he destroyed with a stroke of the pen, for a doubtful gain, the -brilliant hope of his golden and chivalrous dream—the expedition to -England. - -At that moment the key of the situation of the whole expedition was the -departure of the Spanish regiments from Flanders. D. John could send -them along the coast of Holland, and from there descend on England, -where everything was ready for their reception. But the Prince of -Orange, afraid lest these redoubtable soldiers should approach the two -provinces he had usurped, Holland and Zeeland, vigorously opposed the -plan of embarkation, and prevailed on the States to inform D. John, with -their usual rudeness, that the troops should not leave by being embarked -on the north, but should march towards Italy. A violent altercation took -place between the Council in Brussels and D. John, and all the -negotiations that had been made were on the point of being broken off, -because D. John was at the end of his patience, and the Council at the -limit of the insolence with which they endeavoured to tire and -exasperate him. But Philip, frightened lest the peace, which was his -only desire, should be endangered, stopped the quarrel by ordering D. -John to dispatch the troops by land, as the States wished. - -D. John bowed his head and signed the "Perpetual Edict," thus -sacrificing by his obedience the hopes of a kingdom, then more than ever -well founded, as Monsignor Filippo Sega, Bishop of Ripa Trazone, had -just arrived at Luxemburg, sent to Flanders by Gregory XIII as Nuncio to -D. John. The ostensible object of the mission was to counsel and guide -him, that in his treaties with the heretics there should be nothing -prejudicial to the Catholic Church; but in reality it came to give him -the Bulls from Gregory XIII, conceding him the kingdom of England, and -to give him the 50,000 golden crowns which the Pope sent to help the -enterprise, and offering 5000 well-armed infantry which the Holy See -would provide, and which only waited for D. John's signal to start for -England. This unhoped-for assistance from the Pope, joined to the news -from the English and Scotch lords that everything was ready, promised -such success to the expedition that it made it all the harder and more -disappointing to give it up. - -All the same, D. John sacrificed his hopes just as they were coming -true, and thus cruelly humbled his own personal pride, and smothered his -own legitimate aspirations, in order to obey the King, his brother, -loyally; and without loss of time he ordered the Spanish regiments to -assemble at Maestricht, to leave Flanders for Italy. It happened, as D. -John had foreseen, that the troops obeyed, because it was he who ordered -them; but they did so murmuring against the King, grumbling at the way -he treated them, promising that very soon he would call for them again, -and claiming, with great justice, their overdue pay before leaving. - -D. John then found himself in a fresh quandary; the States, who should -have paid the troops, refused to pay more than a third part of what was -due, and, by an unreasonableness which showed their bad faith, at the -same time refused to acknowledge D. John as Governor, or give him the -command so long as the troops did not leave Flanders. On the other hand, -in spite of D. John's repeated petitions and Escovedo's violent letters, -no money came from Spain, nor could D. John have found, by begging in -all the exchanges and banks, any to lend him the necessary sum, because -the King of Spain's credit was very bad in Flanders. - -In this difficulty D. John told Monsignor Sega, and, showing him all the -trouble of the situation, asked him to lend the 50,000 golden crowns -destined by Gregory XIII for the unlucky expedition to England, to pay -the soldiers, pledging his word and oath, in the name of his brother, -that they should be quickly and surely returned. Escovedo was able to -negotiate, for his part, by pledging his credit and oath, for the rest -of the amount that remained to pay off this dangerous debt, at the cost -of D. John's hopes and the self-denial of the secretary. By these means -the famous troops at last left Flanders for Italy, commanded by the -Count de Mansfeld, amid the great rejoicing of the Flemish rebels, who -then saw the coast clear for the further treasons they were plotting. - -This put an end to the pretext for not receiving D. John and making over -the command to him, and he was proclaimed Governor at Louvain amid a -crowd of gentlemen, and the real joy of some and the false and feigned -enthusiasm of the rest. From there he went to Brussels, in spite of the -fact that the loyal Count of Barlaimont warned him that they were -conspiring against his life and liberty. He came in sight of the city on -the 4th of May, and an hour before his entry an insurrection broke out, -promoted by the followers of the Prince of Orange. One Cornelius -Straten, a known agent and leader of highwaymen, began to harangue the -crowd, telling them that they should not let the Austrian traitor enter -Brussels, who, with falseness and deceit, was bringing them death. Upon -this a mass of riotous people dashed towards the gates of the city, -overthrowing the guards, and lowered the portcullis. The magistrates -arrived in haste, and, arresting Straten, quieted the tumult and cleared -the gates. D. John arrived a few minutes later, calm and quiet, showing -his bravery and greatness by dismissing his guard of halberdiers, as a -proof of his confidence in the people. This is how Famiano Strada refers -to D. John's entry into Brussels and his first acts as Governor: - - "But the Austrian, at the time the Spaniards left, entered - Brussels with extraordinary pomp, between the Pontiff's delegate - and the Bishop of Liége and a complete deputation of all the - States. It was he who made the brilliance of the show, with his - debonair person—he was not thirty-two—laden with fame and - triumphs by land and sea, and with these adornments representing - his father, the Cæsar Charles, beloved and popular name among - Flemings. Having solemnly sworn at the beginning of his - government, he started to fulfil these promises with incredible - clemency, rare affability, and all sorts of kindnesses, and an - unheard-of liberality, exercised towards those who had the least - claim, to such an extent that the citizens, attracted by his - gentle bearing, forgetting their first ideas, and how much they - had said against him, outbid each other in praising him, - principally for having seen him one day without the foreign - militia, and they congratulated themselves that the Austrian had - brought its former happiness back to Flanders." - -Philip II wrote to thank D. John for his trouble, very pleased with his -conduct, and letting him plainly understand that there was no reason for -definitely giving up the English plan. - - "On the 14th of last month," he says, "I told you of the arrival - of Concha, and of the receipt of the dispatches which he - brought, and how pleased I was to learn the good state of - affairs through the arrangement you have made with the States, - and the satisfaction everything you have done has given me, and - this to the extent that I do not content myself with what I - wrote then, without again thanking you for it, and certifying - that it has given me such satisfaction, that, although nothing - could add to the love I have for you, the desire to prove to you - how much I esteem your work, and the fruit and success which has - followed from it in all the business of my service, that I shall - praise you more each day, and my care will grow for all that - concerns you, knowing that every day you are putting me under - fresh obligations by remaining in the same cares and work as - heretofore, in order that the affairs of these States may become - settled, and that which is best for the service of God and my - service may be established; and although what you have done - hitherto is much, what is before you is indescribably more. And - as I know this, you may believe that it gratifies me much to - show you the good-will which I have towards you in all that - occurs, and that things will go on in such a way that that of - England will be effected." - -In the next line, and as if it were a means of arriving at this -conquest, so desired by D. John, he insinuates his approval of the new -and strange plans, invented by we know not whom, of substituting the -marriage of D. John and Mary Stuart, which would cost blood and money, -for that of D. John with Elizabeth of England, to which she seemed -inclined. - - "As to the marriage with the Queen of England, what I can tell - you is that if in this way and with this view it could be - treated of and brought about, it would be doing a great service - and sacrifice to Our Lord, converting this kingdom to the - Catholic Religion, which is in itself such an honour and glory - that nothing can surpass it." - -But D. John did not desire to be King of England by any and every means, -but by those of justice and nobleness, conquering the kingdom with his -sword, setting the lawful Queen, Mary Stuart, at liberty, and sharing -her throne by her own wish. He therefore protested against this short -cut of ignominy, which would lead him peaceably to the English throne, -with no more exertion than that of joining his fate to that of a -usurper, by her own apostasy and vices the scandal of Europe. "The -favours the Queen of England is everywhere conferring," answered D. John -to his brother, "are not so unimportant as to be disregarded and steps -not taken to prevent them; as the world is so full already of heretics, -she has very efficient ministers everywhere. It is natural to those whom -God rejects to take much thought for things here, and thus does this -unhappy Queen and her followers, of whose life and morals I have heard -and hear so much, _that I do not care to jest even about marrying her_." - -The summer was drawing on, and the letters from Madrid began to grow -fewer in a strange way, and nothing was said in them of the absolute -want of money, or of the loans which D. John and Escovedo had raised, -pledging their own word and credit, until at last D. John decided to -send the secretary to Rome, and from there to Spain, to tell Gregory -XIII everything about the English expedition, and to require from the -King the prompt acknowledgment and repayment of the debt contracted with -the Pope, and of the letters honoured by Escovedo, compromising his -credit and honour. - -Escovedo set out at the beginning of July, and D. John said good-bye to -him at Mechlin, little thinking he was sending him to be treacherously -killed by a sword-thrust in a lane at Madrid. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - -There was so much brave daring in D. John's act of entering alone a -country, for the most part rebel and not a little heretical, his Spanish -troops already dismissed, and without other guards than the Duke of -Arschot's Flemings, that the Prince of Orange and his followers were -amazed and understood that nothing would stop D. John if he were not -deprived of life or liberty. They determined, therefore, to effect one -or the other, and the numerous agents of Orange, helped by those of the -Queen of England, went about the country spreading clever calumnies -against him, to prepare the way, maliciously interpreting all his acts -and gradually making him and his government hated. Faithful to the -policy of peace which had been enjoined on him, D. John wished to confer -with Orange, and sent the Duke of Arschot to tell him that the Provinces -of Holland and Zeeland were the only two which had not signed the -"Perpetual Edict," and as they were under his command D. John confided -this task to him. Orange then threw off that mask, which had gained for -him the surname of "Silent," and with which he had covered his ambitions -and mischievous designs, and answered Arschot that Holland and Zeeland -would never sign the "Perpetual Edict," as both these provinces were -Calvinistic and neither would promise to keep the Roman faith, and -taking off his hat and showing his bald head, he said to the Duke, with -a smile, "You see my head is bald (calva)! Then know that it is not more -so than my heart." This play upon words signified that the traitor meant -he was also a Calvinist, and his apostasy being now known, all hopes of -agreement were at an end. In truth, Orange continued his infamous war of -calumnies and perfidious intrigues against D. John even more openly from -this time, and with the greatest effrontery as also all that he had -hitherto done in secret to the Catholic Church in the provinces of -Holland and Zeeland: persecuting the clergy, expelling monks and nuns, -destroying temples and altars, melting bells to make cannon, -confiscating ecclesiastical revenues for his own purse or those of his -partisans, and from the pulpits of Catholic churches making heretic -ministers preach the doctrines of Calvin. At such impious insolence D. -John proposed to the States to join their troops with those of the King, -and make war on Orange and seize the provinces he had usurped; but the -States put off his proposal with such shallow excuses that D. John could -easily see that mutual and secret confidence existed between them and -Orange. Meanwhile, in Brussels, the want of confidence and even the -hatred which the agents and partisans of Orange the Silent had sown -against the Austrian, grew more and more. These men became so barefaced -that they wore special caps and medals with allusive letters, and the -authorities and deputies became so arrogant that they ordered D. John to -be called the Magistrate of Brussels, as if he were what we should now -call the Mayor. He answered that they must come and see him, because it -was not usual for the Magistrate to hear anyone outside the Hôtel de -Ville. - -The solemn festivity which the magistrates were accustomed to hold in -the Hôtel de Ville, a banquet, always presided over by the -Governor-General, was about to take place. D. John received several -warnings not to attend it, as something was being contrived against his -person; but he, even more afraid of showing that he distrusted the -magistrates, came to occupy his place, accompanied by eighty musketeers -of his guard, who had orders that, happen what might, they were to wound -nobody. Half-way through the banquet a crowd of seditious people -attacked the Hôtel de Ville, intending to enter by force, uttering -insults and threats against the Austrian. The musketeers drove them back -without wounding any, but many of them were hurt. D. John retired with -those who remained uninjured, leaving the magistrates to deal with the -guilty ones, but they overlooked this and let them go free, to show D. -John that they did not consider an affront to his person worth -punishing. Then it came to D. John's knowledge that the Baron of Hesse -and Count de Lalaing, with two other great lords, confirmed heretics, -had assembled one night in the house of another noble, and had arranged -with the English ambassador and more than 500 neighbours to take D. John -at the first opportunity and to kill him if he resisted. They thought -that the procession of the Holy Sacrament, called in Brussels the -"Miracle," might afford a good one. It took place on the 3rd of July and -was always presided over by the Governor-General. D. John did not wish -to break with the States, who were consenting to all this, and preferred -to avoid the danger by going to Mechlin on the pretence of settling the -pay of the German troops, who were asking for their money, which was in -arrears. But his friends did not think him safe there and so they told -him; because the conspirators, furious at their prey having escaped -them, armed the militia and took the road to Luxemburg, which was a -quiet place where D. John and Alexander Farnese could take refuge, and -to which the Spanish troops could return. With great patience D. John -thought it wise still to dissimulate, and found another plausible excuse -for leaving Mechlin and not returning to Brussels and getting nearer to -a strong and safe place. He went to Namur, very quietly and calmly, to -receive the Queen of Navarre, Margaret of Valois, who was passing in -order to take the waters of Spa at Liége. This lady was the celebrated -Queen Margot, first wife of Henry IV of France, then at the summit of -her vaunted beauty and in the waxing period of her coquetry, which at -last degenerated, as it generally does, into shameless and complete -dissoluteness. - -Queen Margot entered Namur on the 24th of July in a litter entirely made -of glass, a present from D. John of Austria. The glass of the litter was -engraved with forty verses in Spanish and Italian, all alluding to the -sun and its effects, to which the poet gallantly compared the beautiful -Queen. D. John rode on her right, and their persons were guarded by the -forty archers who surrounded them; they were preceded by a company of -arquebusiers on horseback and one hundred Germans forming two lines, and -were followed by the Princess de la Roche sur Yonne and Mme. de Tournon -in litters; ten maids of honour, as pretty, coquettish and flighty as -their mistress, were riding amid a crowd of gentlemen, who waited on -them and flirted with them; six coaches were in the rear with the rest -of the ladies, and the female servants and an escort of lancers on -horseback. - -Queen Margot stayed four days in Namur, entertained all the time -magnificently by D. John; at eleven o'clock they dined in one of the -delicious gardens of the place, and then danced till the hour of -vespers, which they went devoutly to attend in some convent of friars. -Then they went for a ride and supped at six o'clock, also out of doors -in the gardens, when more dancing followed, or romantic walks by the -river in the moonlight with delightful music. The Bishop of Liége, who -had come there, was present at all these gatherings, also the Canons and -a crowd of native and foreign gentlemen, among whom Margot made her -treacherous propaganda, because this bad woman, (as she always was in -many ways) was in connivance with the Prince of Orange, and was working -secretly in favour of her brother the Duke of Alençon, whom Orange -wished to appoint Governor of Flanders, D. John being a prisoner or -dead. Margot knew this, and she, being very much taken with him and not -wishing any harm to befall him, gave him several very useful warnings; -through her he knew that the conspirators of Brussels had plans for -carrying out their evil designs there in Namur, and then it was that, in -agreement with the loyal Count of Barlaimont and his sons, he resolved -to retire to the castle of Namur and break with the States. - -He was, however, ignorant of the number of the soldiers in the castle, -and how far it was safe to count on the Governor de Ives; time pressed -and he then formed a scheme, the execution of which Vander Hammen refers -to as follows: "Mos. de Hierges, eldest son of the Count of Barlaimont, -said that he would go to sleep that night at the castle, as Mos. de -Ives, the Governor, was a great friend of his; and that His Highness -would come next morning to hunt, and as he passed, if he thought he -could install himself in the castle, he would put his hand to his beard -as a signal, and if not he was to commend himself to God and fly. They -agreed on the plan and executed it the following day, without telling -the Council of the States or the deputies or trusting them. He therefore -pretended to go hunting, and passing by the gate of the castle asked -what it was. They answered, 'One of the best in Flanders.' Monsieur de -Barlaimont then said, 'My eldest son is there: would Y.H. like us to see -if he wishes to go hunting?' D. John stopped and ordered him to be -called. He came to the gate; His Highness asked why he had gone to sleep -at a castle and had left the town, and then they began a conversation. -In the middle of it he said, 'If you like to see it, it is still early -and it will please them greatly,' and made the sign. D. John turned to -the Duke of Arschot and the Marquis de Havré, and said to them, 'It is -early, let us see it.' With this he reached the door and dismounted, -carrying a pistol he had taken from the saddle-bow. Twenty-four Spanish -lackeys preceded him. As relations were not ruptured, Mos. de Ives -ordered the few Walloons (they were old soldiers, wearied by long wars) -to open the door, and the twenty-four lackeys entered and disarmed the -guard. The Lord D. John, standing at the door, said, 'All who are -servants of the King, my Lord, come here to me,' and turning to Ives, he -told him 'not to fear, because he had taken the castle for the King, his -Lord, to whom it belonged, to free himself from a conspiracy formed -against him.' He gave him the keys and permission to leave to all those -who did not wish to stay with him. Nobody stirred, all mounted with him. -Upstairs he took Arschot and Havré on one side, and told them all that -had passed and the treaty they had made, and showed them his letters. -The Duke, being convinced, offered, in the name of the States, to -acknowledge him Lord of Flanders, and said that all would readily obey -him if he liked to take them as vassals; but the Lord D. John reproved -him very severely for the offer, and said many angry words. It was only -his courage and loyalty which could do so heroic an action and resist -such a great temptation. The talk ended by the two leaving the castle -and going to the town, where their wives were; but on reaching it they, -also Mos. de Capres and the soldiers who had come to capture His -Highness fled, so hurriedly, that they scarcely collected their clothes, -saying that there was nothing further to do there as he had escaped -them. D. John's chief almoner, the Abbot de Meroles, who was crafty and -untrustworthy, followed them with a few others. D. John heard of the -flight of the Duke and the Marquis, and at once sent Octavio Gonzaga -after them, with rather more than twenty gentlemen, to make them return, -but they fled in such good earnest that he could not overtake them." - -The Duchess of Arschot and the Marchioness of Havré, who were at Namur, -indignant at the bad conduct of their husbands, wrote to D. John -protesting and offering themselves as hostages. He answered that his -mission was to serve ladies, not to make them captive, and sent them 600 -crowns, so that they might rejoin their husbands. So impoverished was D. -John that to obtain this money he had to borrow from the gentlemen and -servants who had followed him. Bad as this was, the worst part of D. -John's situation was that Philip II persisted in upholding that policy -of peace, which was encouraging the States more and more, forbidding the -Spanish regiments to return to Flanders to continue the war, which D. -John thought absolutely necessary, and as a means of forcing him to this -obedience, against his opinions and wishes Philip adopted the plan of -sending no money whatever to Flanders or answering the frequent and -despairing letters the poor Prince wrote, which, after four centuries, -give one pain to read. But what was the most extraordinary, and which -immersed D. John in a sea of fears and perplexities and made him foresee -grave catastrophes, was that his false friend Antonio Pérez did not -write either, and the good and loyal Escovedo preserved the same -silence. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - -To understand properly the complicated reasons which induced Philip II -to leave his brother D. John of Austria without help in such an -uncalled-for way, it is necessary to disentangle the skein, among whose -threads will be found the mysterious and tragic death of the secretary -Juan de Escovedo. Some light has been thrown on the gloomy drama which -shows that various figures are stained with this innocent blood. By -these sinister signs we are able to trace, and through many winding ways -to establish, the connection of certain deeds which show by themselves -the characters and degree of responsibility of these persons. - -We must retrace our steps to the year 1569, and on a beautiful June -afternoon we shall see slowly entering Pastrana a covered waggon of the -sort still called "galeras." The mysterious vehicle excited much -curiosity, and a crowd of men, women and children gathered round it when -it stopped at the threshold of the ducal palace of Pastrana, whose heavy -doors opened to receive it, leaving the curious outside. In the first -courtyard Prince Ruy Gómez de Silva and his wife the Princess de Évoli -were waiting with all their children, even down to the babies in the -arms of their nurses and maids, the duennas, waiting-maids, pages and -other retainers in rows, according to their standing. All eyes were -fixed on the waggon, with curiosity mingled with respect, and those in -the back row stood on tiptoe to see better. The curtains of the cart -were at last withdrawn, and Ruy Gómez and his wife went forward -respectfully; all heads were stretched out, and an old woman, who had -been in the service of the Condesa del Mélito, the mother of the -Princess, fell on her knees and beat upon her breasts. Three strange -figures alighted, such as were never seen about the streets at that -time; they wore tunics of coarse cloth, white cloaks of the same -material, and their bare feet were shod with sandals of esparto grass; -long, thick black veils covered their faces and almost all their -persons. A small bundle tied up in a cloth was carried under the cloak -by the last figure to alight. - -All these marks of curiosity and respect, however, were well justified, -as the woman who was first to get out, dressed in the coarse cloth, was -St. Theresa de Jesus, who was come to found a convent of barefooted -Carmelites at Pastrana. It was not two years since Ruy Gómez had come -into possession of his duchy, and he was hastening to do all he could -for the material and moral welfare of his vassals. He wished to -establish a monastery in his town, and the Princess a convent for women, -which she had given over to Mother Theresa, attracted by the wonderful -things she had heard of this marvellous woman, and anxious to flatter -her own curiosity and vanity by associating herself with one with whom -God held familiar intercourse and to whom He showed such stupendous -wonders. The saint accepted the offer; she was just beginning her great -reforms, and for this purpose went from Toledo to Pastrana, passing by -Madrid, where she stayed with an old friend of ours and a devoted -follower of the saint, Doña Leonor Mascareñes, in the Franciscan convent -which Doña Leonor had founded and to which she had retired. She gave -Mother Theresa many details of the Princess's difficult temper, having -known her well at Court. Well primed with this information the saint -went to Pastrana, where she arrived towards the end of June. Here, she -says in her book about her foundations, "I found the Princess and the -Prince Ruy Gómez, who received me very well; they gave me a private -apartment, which was more than I could have expected, because the house -was so small that the Princess had had much of it pulled down and -rebuilt, not the walls, but many things. We were there for three months, -hard times, the Princess asking me things contrary to our religion. I -had even determined to leave rather than give in, but the Prince Ruy -Gómez, in his gentle way (he was very gentle and sensible), made his -wife come to reason." Besides the troubles alluded to by the saint the -Princess made others from her capricious, domineering character and want -of fine feeling. She had heard that St. Theresa was very beautiful, in -spite of being fifty-four, and she was dying of curiosity to see her -face, but the saint would not consent to show it to her, nor did she or -her companions ever lift their veils before the Princess or anybody -else. This exasperated the Princess, and she was always peeping through -the windows and keyhole hoping to surprise Theresa in one of her -trances, in which Our Lord used to appear to her. Theresa laughed at -what she calls stupidities, but in the end this constant prying worried -and became intolerable to her. The Princess also gave her another real -cause for annoyance; knowing that her confessor had ordered her to write -her wonderful life, the Princess, full of curiosity, wished to read it. -Mother Theresa refused with much firmness; this piqued the capricious -lady, who wrote to the saint's superiors, asking them to order her to -let the Princess read the manuscript she had with her at Pastrana. They, -being either very complacent or not knowing the Princess's character, -did not hesitate to give the order. Theresa obeyed without delay, and -then the Princess triumphed. She greedily read the ingenuous pages in -which the divine marvels are told with such sublime simplicity; they -excited her imagination, and, like all talkative women, feeling the -necessity of imparting her feelings, she committed the breach of -confidence of giving the manuscript to her duennas, waiting-maids and -pages. So from hand to hand, in hall and antechamber, went the -mysterious outpouring of the Virgen del Carmel, and so many comments -were made that they reached the ears of the Inquisitor, who sent for the -book. The severe tribunal kept it for ten years and then returned it -without observation or alteration, but not before all this had caused -very great annoyance. - -At last the foundation was finished, and Mother Theresa left for -Salamanca and the Prince and Princess for Madrid, where a year -afterwards Ruy Gómez died in his house in the lane of St. Mary. He -expired in the arms of his old and faithful friend Juan de Escovedo; his -last moments were aided by two barefooted Carmelite friars who came from -Pastrana. The Princess gave way to paroxysms of grief, which were more -like fits of temper; in the first moments she roared rather than wept -over her sorrow, as she really loved the worthy man who had gratified -her vanity and her senses, the only two poles which guided this lady's -life. Suddenly, thinking herself like St. Theresa, inspired by Heaven, -she determined at once to retire to the Carmelite convent at Pastrana -and end her days in retirement and prayer. In vain the two monks, her -relations and friends put before her her obligations as a mother, the -duties which the will of Ruy Gómez imposed on her by making her guardian -of her children, and her strict obligation to administer the properties -and fortunes of these minors. - -The widow's obstinacy was fanned by this opposition, and as her only -answer she requested the two friars to give her the habit. They replied -that they could not do so without the permission of the superiors and -the authorisation of Mother Theresa. The Princess shrugged her shoulders -and ordered a new habit, but as one was not forthcoming at once, she -attired herself in an old, dirty one and covered herself with a black -veil, as she had seen St. Theresa do, never raising it to show her face. -As the sandals of esparto grass hurt her bare feet she ordered them to -be lined with the softest cloth. She also ordered a waggon covered with -an awning like St. Theresa's, and with her duennas and maids set out for -Pastrana, without taking leave of anyone and abandoning the body of her -husband. Her mother, the Princess del Mélito, got into the cart almost -by main force, so as to accompany her to the convent. One of the friars, -Bartholomé de Jesus, seeing that she was really going, outstripped the -Princess's waggon and arrived at the convent at two in the morning to -warn the nuns. The Prioress, Elizabeth de San Domingo, a discreet woman -of rare virtue, came downstairs, and on hearing that the Princess was -arriving in a few hours, already habited as a nun and with the intention -of remaining at the convent, exclaimed, clasping her hands in amazement, -"The Princess a nun—then I give up this house as lost." - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - -The author of the "History of the Reforms of the Barefooted Order of Our -Lady of Carmel," Fr. Francisco de Santamaria, thus describes the arrival -of the Princess de Évoli at the convent of Pastrana. "The Prioress -called the nuns, got ready the house, and prepared two beds, one for the -Princess, the other for her mother, who arrived at eight o'clock in the -morning. The Princess changed her habit, as the one she had taken in -Madrid was neither suitable nor so clean as it might have been. She -rested for a while, and suddenly showing her determination wished that -the habit should be given at once to the two waiting-maids she had -brought with her, paying with a little sackcloth the salaries of long -years. The Prioress answered that the licence of the prelate was -necessary. She said, very much offended, 'What have friars to do with my -convent?' Not without resentment on the Princess's part, the Mother -Prioress deferred doing it until she had consulted the Father Prior. -Having conferred with him she resolved to give them the habit. This was -done in the parlour, the Princess being placed between the two, so that -she might also attain the blessings. They took her to eat meat with her -mother in a room apart. She dispensed with this service and went to the -refectory, and leaving the place near the Prioress which had been -prepared for her took one of the lowest, without giving in to prayers -and exhortations, preserving superiority in an inferior place. - -"The Prioress, considering that such self-will would cause much trouble, -consulted with the Princess, her mother, that it would be better if the -lady took a part of the house, where she could live with her servants -and be visited by secular people, with a door to go to the cloister when -she wished, but not any secular person to use it. This seemed to -everyone good advice, but she thought it bad, as it was not hers, and -she remained as she was in the convent. - -[Illustration: - - PRINCESA DE ÉVOLI - - _From a print of her portrait by Sanchez Coello, - belonging to Duque du Pastrana_ -] - -"The next day, having buried the Prince and performed the obsequies, the -Bishop of Segorbe and other persons of rank who were there came to visit -her. Mother Elizabeth told her to talk to them at the grating, but she -wished that they should come into the cloister, and made such a point of -this that, in spite of the monks, nuns, and laymen who came to visit -her, they opened the doors of the convent and many servants entered with -the lords, overthrowing the decrees of the Council, the orders of the -holy Mother, the silence and retirement of the nuns and all good -government, because lords do not think that they need obey laws. Not -content with this she insisted on having two secular maids; the Mother -Prioress offered that she herself and everyone would wait on her, -especially two novices formerly in her service, but nothing would -satisfy her, as she thought that she should be obeyed. - -"The Mother Elizabeth wrote to our Mother St. Theresa, telling her of -the death of the Prince, the resolution of the Princess, and the first -episodes she had gone through with her. - -"Mother Elizabeth and two of the oldest nuns told her that if she went -on in this way, they knew that the holy foundation would take them away -and put them where they could keep their rules, of more importance in -her eyes than all the Grandees in the world. Annoyed by this, she took -her servants and went to a hermitage in the orchard, and remained there, -having nothing to do with the nuns. They sent her, however, the novices -to wait on her, they not being yet so bound by the rules of the -cloister. - -"From there a door opened into the street, by which she admitted -everyone, modifying thereby the grief for her husband's death. Because -of all this the work of the church and convent stopped and the alms -which Ruy Gómez had left for its support, so that it began to suffer -great straits." - -But as all this lasted too long, and since the Princess would not give -in and the troubles went on, so that all peace and quiet were at an end, -and the "dovecot of the Virgin," as St. Theresa called it, was turned -into a nest of intrigues and gossip, the saint wrote to the Prioress -that she and all the nuns were to leave Pastrana and go to the convent -in Segovia. This, however, was not necessary, as the superiors of the -Order went to the King, and, acting with him, obliged the Princess to -leave the convent. She then retired to her country house at Pastrana, -and from there carried on such a campaign against the nuns and -persecuted them so cruelly that Theresa, weary of it, ordered the -Prioress to leave the convent with all the nuns, taking nothing with -them that had been given by the Princess. "The beds," says the saint in -her "Book of Foundations," "and the little things that the nuns -themselves had brought, they took away with them, leaving the village -people very sad. I saw them in peace with the greatest joy, because I -was well informed that the displeasure of the Princess was no fault of -theirs, rather they waited on her as before she wore the habit." - -The Princess then sought for a Franciscan community to establish in the -empty convent, and she helped and made much of them as she had never -done before to the others. She took care that this should reach the ears -of St. Theresa, her small, vindictive nature thinking that human -jealousies could have a place in that heart which was protected by -divine love. In the midst of this wretched strife the grief of the -Princess had lessened, and in 1575 she already thought of returning to -Madrid, so her father the Prince de Mélito wrote to the King's secretary -Mateo Vázguez, that he might inform Philip and gain his support in her -lawsuits. According to his custom, the King answered on the margin of -Mateo Vázguez's letter, in these very severe words: "Here is the paper, -which I have seen, and by the prudence, which I have exercised all my -life, of not mixing myself in the affairs of these persons, it will be -well to do what is said here; and the more as I do not know if for these -affairs and lawsuits the coming (of the Princess) is necessary, but I am -certain that for their conscience and peace, and, who knows, their -honour, it is best that she should not come here; and even for keeping -the friendship of her father and mother, as she herself says, that when -absent they are friends, but cannot be so when they are together. And -Ruy Gómez often told me, and well I know that it was much against his -will that she should come here as a widow, and that he would be sorry if -he knew that she did it; and it is not reasonable that I should order a -thing I know to have been so certainly against his wishes. And, -moreover, I do not know if this would suit all of us of the Court, -especially those who cannot leave it. Thus, although I should have to -mix in such matters, I will not in this one, particularly as I have long -since determined not to do so. Otherwise I should be pleased to favour -Ruy Gómez's relations, as his services deserve. This for yourself, as it -cannot be said to others. And you must see how you can answer Mélito, -excusing me from interfering about his daughter's coming." - -The precise date of the Princess de Évoli's arrival in Madrid is not -known; we think that she came for short and frequent visits in 1575 and -settled there the next year. She would then realise that it was not the -same thing to be the widow as the wife of Ruy Gómez, and many rude -awakenings soured her proud spirit. The secretary Antonio Pérez began to -frequent her house at this time, and these two monsters of vanity were -attracted by, and suited to, each other. He, a political puppet, sought -from her the prestige that intimacy with such a great and high-born lady -as the Princess could give him, for, in spite of all his grandeur and -luxury and power, then at its height, he never could forget his base and -lowly origin. She, on her part, sought in him what she had lost by the -death of Ruy Gómez, a share of power and influence, easier to manage -from the hands of the unworthy Antonio Pérez than from those of the -level-headed Prince de Évoli: "I can do more than ever," said the -Princess proudly a little later to one of her correspondents. - -The lady was at this time thirty-six, and in spite of the superlative -praise of her beauty that Antonio Pérez gives in his "Relaciones," it -was not then extraordinary, nor ever could have been so. None of her -contemporaries mention it, and the only authentic portrait known of her -represents her as a nice-looking girl, dreadfully disfigured by a black -patch which covered her blind eye, and specially noticeable from the -whiteness of her skin and the blackness of her hair. Antonio Pérez was -forty-two, and was, according to Luis Cabrera de Córdoba, "a -good-looking man, with a handsome, manly face, over sumptuously and -curiously dressed, perfumed, and pompous in his house." The inevitable -happened: the sudden intimacy of two people, so well known, after years -of slight acquaintance, caused them to be talked about, and the -frequency and familiarity of the visits at unsuitable hours, and, above -all, the endless exchange of presents, until mine and thine hardly -existed between them, let loose among all the Court that gossip which -previously had only been timidly circulated, as the Marqúes de Fabara -had whispered to D. John. Then, in the presence of Antonio Pérez, she -committed the treacherous act of a plotting woman; she called her -children and told them not to be astonished at his visits or the -affection he showed for them, because he was the son of Ruy Gómez and -therefore their brother. - -At this historical moment Escovedo arrived from Flanders (July, 1577), -sent by D. John to Madrid to represent to Philip how cut off he was, and -the grave risks that these States and his own person ran. Escovedo had -not forgotten, among his many preoccupations, the adventure at the -Chorrillos, that D. John had told him of to moderate his zeal for the -Princess de Évoli, and one of his first cares on reaching Madrid was to -inform himself of the state of the case. At once he found that the fact -was true, the scandal public, and the honoured memory of Ruy Gómez -degraded by the lightness of the widow and the horrible ingratitude of -Antonio Pérez, who owed everything to this great patrician. Loyal -Escovedo was greatly distressed, and wishing to retrieve the honour of -his dead benefactor and friend went to the house of the Princess, -intending to warn and counsel her with all the regard he had for her. -She was in the saloon with Doña Brianda de Gúzman; he waited patiently -until this lady had left, and then spoke, not with his usual -brusqueness, but with deep and affectionate concern, of the dreadful -rumours that were going about, and said that she must close her door to -Antonio Pérez in order not to give support to them. Blind with rage on -hearing him, the Princess rose, and in an unsteady voice answered that -"it did not concern squires what great ladies did." And with this she -turned and went to the further end of the room. All of which is told by -Doña Catalina de Herrera, duenna to the Princess. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - -During this time the diabolical craftiness of Antonio Pérez had again -stirred into a flame Philip's slumbering suspicions of his brother. -Absolute master of the King's confidence, and also master of that which -he had treacherously obtained by pretending to favour the interests of -D. John and Escovedo, it was easy for this past master of perfidy and -intrigue to tangle the skein. The unfortunate troubles in Flanders had -put an end to the English scheme; and Philip's tenacity in following the -policy of peace when only that of war was possible helped Antonio Pérez -very much. D. John and Escovedo often wrote to him, as faithful friends -pursuing the same end, telling him of their plans and their fears, -grumbling to him, and begging for his powerful support with the King. -For his part Antonio Pérez took the echo of all this to D. Philip, but -not as it was, sincere and frank, always loyal and noble, if sometimes -violent, but changed in its meaning, exaggerated, its text even altered -when deciphered by Fernando de Escobar, a creature of Antonio Pérez. He -answered them, in agreement with Philip, trying to maintain their -confidence, and his hypocrisy went the length of letting disrespectful -words against the Monarch slip into his letters, in the hope that seeing -these they would imitate his example, which he never succeeded in making -them do. - -Sending one of these insidious letters for D. John to the deceived -Sovereign for his approval, Antonio Pérez wrote: - - "Sir, It is necessary to hear and write in this manner for your - service, because thus they fall into the net, and one is better - able to judge what course to take on behalf of your Majesty. And - I would ask your Majesty to be careful not to be overlooked when - reading these documents, as if my artifice were discovered, I - could not serve you, and should have to give up the game. For - the rest, I very well know, that for my conscience and duty I am - acting as I ought in this matter, and I have need of no more - casuistry than I possess to know it." - -The King answered Pérez on the margin of the letter: "Believe me, I am -very discreet, and my casuistry agrees with yours; and not only are you -doing your duty, but you would fail in doing it towards God and everyone -if you acted differently, in order that I may be well enlightened of all -that is necessary according to the twists and turns of the world and its -affairs, which certainly frighten me." - -Thus deceiving Philip II and betraying and calumniating D. John and -Escovedo, Antonio Pérez made the false and subtle plot by which the hero -of Lepanto lost his credit with the King, and honest Escovedo his life -by a treacherous sword-thrust. Pérez, in his "Memorial," shows the -threads of the plot, whose falseness Philip II found out later, and -which modern history has proved by many authentic documents. That D. -John had disobeyed the King by refusing to dismantle Tunis, the better -to raise himself in that kingdom; that behind the King's back he had -sought protection from Rome; that he put the English expedition before -all the King's interests; that he exaggerated the state of affairs in -Flanders, in order to get aid from Spain to use in the said expedition; -that, once master of England, he contemplated invading Spain at -Santander, making over the castle of Mogro to Escovedo, who had -solicited its lieutenancy; that the hope of the English expedition over, -he thought of going to the help of the King of France at the head of the -Spanish troops; that his wish to return to Spain was only to obtain a -canopy and take possession of the government; that behind the King's -back he had made a league with the Guise Princes, called the "Defence of -the two Crowns," going back to the idea of invading England. - -All these absurd, senseless plans Antonio Pérez did not attribute -entirely to D. John. As formerly he represented Juan de Soto, so now he -held up Escovedo as the instigator and principal agent, and D. John as a -weak prince, who, devoured by ambition and blind through his vivid -imagination, allowed himself to be dragged into disloyal adventures. For -this, and perhaps because he loved D. John and was frightened of him, -Philip II never showed his suspicion, nor took any steps against him, -and took much trouble afterwards to hide his vengeance from him; so all -his wrath fell on Escovedo, and he came to look on this rough and honest -mountaineer as a dangerous man, capable of every treason and every -crime. It is not wonderful that Escovedo's unexpected coming to Madrid -in July, 1577, which we noted in a former chapter, should have given D. -Philip a great shock; writing, as usual, on the margin of the letter in -which Antonio Pérez announced the arrival of Escovedo at Santander, he -says, "It will be necessary to be well prepared, and to make haste to -dispatch him before he kills us." - -Escovedo came, furious at what he considered the incomprehensible way D. -John had been left without soldiers or money; furious also at Philip's -policy of peace, which he presumed to describe as overdone, writing to -the King himself, and finally determined, with all his rough energy, to -claim the acceptance of the bills he had negotiated in Brussels, and the -payment of the 80,000 gold crowns lent to D. John by the Pope's Nuncio, -that the troops might be dismissed from Flanders. This he did with such -hard words and bitter reproaches, that Philip sent one of Escovedo's -letters to Pérez, adding on the margin, "That you should see how he -comes thirsting for blood." And shortly afterwards, lamenting over -another letter from Escovedo, he wrote, "Certainly if he said to me what -he writes, I do not know if I could have helped losing my temper as he -does." - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Lacoste_ - - PHILIP II AS AN OLD MAN - - _Pantoja de la Cruz. Prado Gallery, Madrid_ -] - -At last the news of D. John's retirement to the castle of Namur reached -the Court, and the despairing letters of the distressed Prince began to -arrive, in which, with such painful urgency, he craves for the return of -Escovedo. "Money, money, and more money, and Escovedo," he repeats in -all his letters of this date. His anxiety to have his secretary at his -side, and the same feeling which was noticed in Escovedo to return as -quickly as possible to Flanders, awoke in D. Philip the suspicion that -something was being plotted to continue the war there against his -orders, and to favour D. John's pretensions. Antonio Pérez fanned this -new fire, and henceforward Escovedo was in D. Philip's eyes a constant -danger, a State criminal, who could not be sent back to Flanders, for -fear lest he would carry out his work, or kept in Spain, without the -risk of rousing the dreaded ire of D. John. For several days this vexed -and perplexed Philip, until at last he made a resolution which Antonio -Pérez himself relates in a letter to Gil de Mesa. - -One day Philip called him to his room in the Escorial. It was at an -inconvenient time, and the secretary hastily ran, carrying the -dispatches in a large bag. The King came to the door to meet him, and -took him, with much mystery, to a distant, isolated room, where the -furniture, ornaments and treasures for the still unfurnished house were -stored. The King ordered Pérez to shut the door and put the bag of -papers on the table. The furniture was stacked at the two sides, leaving -a passage in the middle, up and down which Philip began to walk, his -hands behind his back, preoccupied and thoughtful. Pérez kept a -respectful silence, waiting for the King to break it, which he did at -last, standing in front of Pérez, and saying very slowly and in measured -tones, "Antonio Pérez, I have passed many sleepless nights on account of -my brother's affairs, or rather those of Juan de Escovedo and his -predecessor Juan de Soto, and the point to which their plots have come, -and I consider it is very necessary to take a resolution quickly, or we -shall not be in time. And I can find no better remedy, in fact there is -no other, than getting rid of Juan de Escovedo. Imprisoning him would -result in exasperating my brother as much as killing him would. So I -have determined on it, and trust this deed to no one but you, because of -your well-proved fidelity and your ingenuity, as well known as your -fidelity. Because you know all the plots, and I owe the discovery of -them to you, yours shall be the hand to effect the cure. Speed is very -necessary for the reasons you know." - -As he himself affirms, the heart of Antonio Pérez leapt, and he answered -the King with great devotion that he was entirely his, and that he had -no more wish or movement than the hand as regards its owner. But, as his -cunning forethought always saw a long way ahead, he at once realised the -risk that he ran in a matter so secret and with so powerful an -accomplice, if he did not have a witness in his interest to note the -facts, if things were ever discovered, and to share the responsibilities -in case of disagreement, so he craftily added, "But, Sir, let Y.M. -permit me to speak with the presumption of love. I consider Y.M. outside -this affair, although your prudence and presence of mind prevent your -being incensed at the greatest crimes, I, as I might get angry at such -offences against your person and crown, also have much interest in this. -It will be well to bring in a third person to judge this determination, -to justify it, and for the better ascertaining of the facts. This will -be much to the point." - -Then he saw the King come towards him, who, stopping, answered: "Antonio -Pérez, if it is because you do not care to run the risk of this business -that you wish for a third person, it is the same to me. To settle the -matter I do not require a third person. Kings in such extreme cases have -to act like King's physicians and great doctors among their inferiors -with patients under their care: that in grave and urgent accidents they -act on their own authority with promptitude, although in other illnesses -they act with and follow the consultations of other doctors. Moreover, -in these matters (believe me that what I say relates to my profession) -there is more danger than security in consultations." - -Antonio Pérez makes the following comment on these royal words in his -letter to Gil de Mesa: "When old kings come to announcing such -principles of their art, either they love much (a rare thing) or -necessity opens the door of confidence (a certain fact)." - -Well Antonio Pérez must have known and measured Philip's necessity when -he determined to press him to interpose a third person, and even -presumed to propose his friend and boon companion the Marqués de los -Vélez, D. Pedro Fajardo, who was a Councillor of State and Lord Steward -to the Queen Doña Ana. At last Philip consented, and authorised Antonio -Pérez to consult him. The secretary had little trouble in bringing the -old noble to his opinion, a despot himself, a great soldier but -absolutely illiterate, who considered Pérez an oracle, and for some -years had owed D. John a grudge for having usurped, as he said, the -triumph over the Moors. - -Pérez talked to him, and both agreed that Escovedo deserved to die as a -disturber of the kingdom who was trying to make war in Flanders; that it -was impossible to arrest, judge and sentence him in the ordinary way -without risk of awaking the alarm of D. John and provoking fresh -conflicts; but the King, as supreme arbiter of his subjects' lives, -according to the precepts and practices of those times, could judge and -sentence him by the secret law of his conscience, without any legal -transactions, and entrust the execution of this sentence to some person -in his confidence, whom he should authorise by a paper in his own -writing, "and that the best and least inconvenient way would be that -with some mouthful or other similar means he should get out of the -trouble, and even this with the greatest care, as the Lord D. John might -not suspect it was the result of the true cause and motive, but of some -vengeance and private grudge." - -And then the Marqués de los Vélez, with all the customary pomposity of a -wind-bag, and with all the jealous rancour which he nourished, -pronounced these words so often quoted by the apologists of Antonio -Pérez, "That if his opinion were asked, with the Sacrament in his mouth, -who was the person it was most important to take away, Juan de Escovedo -or anyone else, he would vote for Juan de Escovedo." - -In conformity, then, with this interview Philip II judged Escovedo and -condemned him to death by the law of his conscience, and charged Antonio -Pérez with the execution of the sentence, authorising him by a paper -written by his own hand, in which he adds, "That although it may be -realised that he has nothing to do with all that has happened, it will -be well that there should be no doubt whatever about it." - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - -Antonio Pérez lost no time, and with the greatest secrecy began to -arrange the means by which to give Escovedo "a mouthful," which would -cause his death and give him time to confess, "so that he should not -also lose his soul," according to Philip II's expressed wish. In the -houses of the Grandees—and Antonio Pérez lived as if he were one—in -those days of little security, scoundrels and ruffians were attached to -the household to guard its lord, in cases of attack or defence. Because -of his many plots and businesses, Antonio Pérez had several in his -service, and chief among them his steward and confidential servant Diego -Martinez, a wild, brave, unscrupulous man. So to Diego Martinez Pérez -went and confided his intentions, asking him to obtain a poison to kill -Escovedo, and a trustworthy, capable agent to administer it. Martinez -proposed a certain Antonio Enriquez, one of Antonio Pérez's pages, a -clever, determined man, and of the stuff assassins are made of. Diego -Martinez interviewed him, and revealed the affair to him little by -little, as had been arranged. He asked him first whether he knew of any -bravo who was capable of dealing a blow that would bring much gain and -little danger, as secret protection would be forthcoming. - -Enriquez answered that he knew a muleteer capable of giving one for -nothing, and with all risks if he undertook the engagement. Then -Martinez revealed a little more, and said that it was an important -personage, and that Antonio Pérez wished for his death. For this, -answered Enriquez, a cleverer man than a muleteer is wanted, and he said -no more that day. - -But very early the next morning Diego Martinez entered the chamber of -Enriquez, holding a glass phial, as it seemed, of clear water, and -holding it up to the light, said that it contained the poison to kill a -certain person, who was none other than the secretary Juan de Escovedo, -whose death Antonio Pérez desired, and which was to take place at a -dinner that was being prepared at the "Casilla," and it was the wish of -the Lord Antonio that he, Enriquez, should administer the poison at the -banquet, with all the skill and caution Pérez knew him to possess. - -To this Enriquez answered roughly that if the Lord Antonio desired to -make him kill a man, he should tell him so openly and by his own mouth, -otherwise he would not kill anyone. Accordingly Pérez made an -appointment at the "Casilla" one afternoon with Enriquez, according to -the declaration of the same, and said, "As it is important that the -secretary Escovedo should die, he had been instructed to give the poison -the day that he was a guest, and in order to do so he must see and -communicate with the said Diego Martinez, giving him his word and -promise and friendship in all things. And with this declaration he was -very satisfied, and communicated each day with the said Diego Martinez, -about what was to be done." The arrangements for striking the blow were -the following. The dining-rooms at the "Casilla," as we said while -describing the celebrated villa, were on the ground-floor, on the right -hand of the door, and the first was a square room with two cupboards, -one for plate, the other for the cups, in which, according to the custom -of those times, beverages were served. Next was a passage room, with -much rich Cordova leather, which led into the dining-room itself. It was -agreed that Antonio Enriquez should serve Escovedo with wine when he -asked for it. Diego Martinez was to hide in the passage room, with the -poisoned water all ready, and as Enriquez passed carrying Escovedo's -full cup, Martinez was to throw in quickly and secretly enough poison to -fill a nutshell, which was the prescribed quantity. - -This plan was carried out, and twice during the dinner Antonio Enriquez -administered the poisoned drink to Escovedo. There were eight guests -that day, all great and important personages, some of them officers of -the Court. Antonio Pérez sat next to Escovedo, watching the coming and -going of the page Enriquez, when he served his confiding victim with -wine, even to the number of cupfuls the latter drank. But this man made -of stone did not watch these sinister movements with the unrest and -trepidation usual in a criminal, or with the anticipation of remorse at -seeing the dagger sharpened which is to be plunged into the breast of a -friend; but seemingly calm, quiet, merry, and joking with his victim, -and keeping up animation among his guests with that charm, wit, and -eloquence and gaiety which made the wicked secretary so attractive and -delightful. At last the horrible feast came to an end, and they rose -from the table to begin to play, all except Escovedo, who, saying that -he had important business, at once returned to Madrid. He rode on a mule -with no other escort than a groom on foot, and he leant over the mule's -neck like a man either very ill or very much preoccupied. Pérez thought -that the poison was already taking effect, and, full of impatience, -Antonio Enriquez says in his declaration, "he made an excuse and joined -the witness and his steward in one of the chambers near the courtyard, -where he learnt the amount of water that had been given to the secretary -Escovedo, and then went back to play." - -The next morning Diego Martinez went as if by chance to prowl about the -lane of St. Mary, where Escovedo lived in a house which he had bought -from the Prince de Évoli, in proximity to whose dwelling it was. It was -called "of the lions" from two at the door. The steward waited for some -sign of alarm or unusual movement in the house, to manifest the grave -illness, at least, which he anticipated for Escovedo by this time. The -most absolute calm, however, reigned in the street and house. In the -wide, dark, paved courtyard Escovedo's mule was being cleaned by the -groom; a servant was hanging a child's white clothes out of a window, -and at the bend of the narrow lane three men, with great labour, were -putting two casks through the narrow grating of the cellar. The spy drew -nearer stealthily, and saw with surprise and terror that at the bottom -of the cellar Escovedo himself, in doublet and breeches, and his son -Pedro, were assisting by their orders, and even by their efforts, the -difficult passage of the casks. There was no doubt that the poison had -not taken effect, either because the patient was too strong or the dose -too light. - -The failure of this, his first attempt, annoyed Pérez very much; but he -was not the least discouraged, because men like him, cold, artful and -wicked, never are. He at once began to think of another ambush to which -to attract his victim, and this was another dinner, this time at his -house in Madrid, that of the Conde de Puñonrostro, behind the church of -St. Justin. He had furnished this historical house with a luxury and -magnificence much greater even than the vaunted "Casilla," and the -parties given there had something courtly and serious about them, very -different from the country jaunts and merry suppers of the other. The -wife of Pérez, Doña Juana de Coello, who always presided over them, gave -the parties this character; she was a highly gifted lady, whose heroic -conjugal affection has passed into history. At the dinner, where a -second attempt on the life of Escovedo was made, Doña Juana was present, -and besides Antonio Pérez and Escovedo there were five guests, of whom -two were ecclesiastics. In the declaration of the page Antonio Enriquez, -he relates how the poisoning was carried out this time. He says that -some porringers were served full of either cream or milk, he did not -remember which. There was a porringer for each guest, and they were -placed before using them in a row in a great cupboard. Diego Martinez -came and threw some white powder like flour into one of the porringers. -He told Enriquez to give this one to Escovedo, as it contained the -poison, and not to get it mixed with the others, making him hold it, -while the other pages came to fetch the rest. They all entered the -dining-room together to serve the porringers, and Enriquez placed the -poisoned one in front of Escovedo. Antonio Pérez, who knew where the -poison was, never took his eyes off it. Moreover, Antonio Enriquez -relates that he himself several times served Escovedo at this dinner -with wine mixed with the poisoned water which had been used before. - -The violent and terrible effects of the poison this time did not delay -in showing themselves. That same night Escovedo was seized with sharp -internal pain, sickness, and putrid fever which for many days kept him -between life and death. The doctors saved him without suspecting poison, -and Escovedo began to get steadily better. Antonio Pérez watched all the -symptoms of the illness, and seeing that his wounded quarry was again -escaping him, once more let his pack of furious hounds loose on the -unlucky victim, that the crime should be perpetrated in his own honoured -home. - -At that time there was a scullion, "racals," as they were called, in the -King's kitchen, Juan Rubio by name. He was the son of the agent of the -estate of the Prince de Mélito (father of the Princess de Évoli), who -having killed a priest in Cuenca, had fled to Madrid, and taken refuge -in the royal kitchens, where, disguised as a scullion, he was -unrecognised. Juan Rubio was a friend of Escovedo's cook, from seeing -him each day at the market, and also of Antonio Enriquez, by the -mysterious sympathy which always unites villains. By this simple means -Enriquez learnt about Escovedo's kitchen, and knew that during his -convalescence a special stew was prepared for him, but from the caprice -of an invalid inspired by certain fancies this stew was not prepared by -the cook, but by an old female slave there was in the house, who was a -great adept at making mince and other simple dishes. - -Antonio Pérez took advantage of all these circumstances, and ordered his -followers to deal a third blow, which would destroy the life which -defended itself so tenaciously. So Antonio Enriquez spoke to the -scullion Juan Rubio, and with flattering promises, based on the credit -of Antonio Pérez, decided Rubio to force his way by some excuse into the -kitchen of Escovedo, and throw the poison into the stew which was daily -prepared for him. Enriquez gave him the poison, a white powder of a -different kind from that used before. The task was not so easy as the -two ruffians thought it would be, because the slave never left her fire -while she was cooking the stew, and the cook was always coming to the -oven. Three times Juan Rubio went in vain to the kitchen, but the fourth -time he achieved his object. Early one morning he watched for the cook -to go out, and then went in on an excuse of bringing some live rabbits -from the Prado. The slave was by the fire-place, having just put on the -stew. Juan Rubio gave her the rabbits, and as they were alive and tried -to escape, the poor old woman went to shut them up in a kind of cage -there was in the yard hard by. Then Juan Rubio lifted the cover of the -pot and threw in the thimbleful of the white powder, which was the -quantity ordered by Enriquez. - -At eleven o'clock Escovedo's wife and his son Pedro, who nursed him -tenderly, gave him his meal; but on tasting the first mouthful the -secretary pushed the porringer from him, saying that it tasted of broom -juice. The poison, no doubt decomposed by the action of the fire, gave -an unbearably bitter taste to the dish, on which the poisoners had not -reckoned. Everyone was amazed. They made a search, and hunting carefully -through the stew at the bottom, they came on unmistakable signs of -poison. - -Suspicion at once fell on the unlucky slave, who in vain protested her -innocence. She was taken and loaded with chains and tortured, confessing -in her weakness the crime she had not committed. She afterwards -retracted this confession, torn from her in her pain; but it was too -late, and she was condemned to be hanged, and the sentence was carried -out a few days later in the public square. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - -At the same time that Escovedo was escaping so wonderfully from these -three attempts on his life, tidings arrived at Madrid, which had been -always feared and expected, and which came to change entirely Philip -II's plans and policy. War, more cruel and gory than ever, had broken -out in Flanders, provoked by the rebels. D. John, having received a -handful of money to animate his German troops, and joining them to some -Spanish soldiers who had returned to France, and who, knowing his -danger, spontaneously flew to his aid, at Gembleux gloriously picked up -the glove that the rebels threw down, and gained over them that -marvellous victory which placed his personal courage in as much relief -as it did his talent as a leader, his prophetic political sagacity, and -his real faith as a Christian. "With this sign I vanquished the Turks; -with this sign I will vanquish the heretics," he had written round the -cross on his standard; and to his friends D. Diego de Mendoza and the -Conde de Orgaz he communicated the great news that his losses only -consisted of four killed and fifteen wounded, the enemy having been -5000, adding humbly, "God did it, and His only was the day, at a time, -when if it had not been done, we should have died of hunger, surrounded -by a hundred thousand other dangers." - -The Baron de Willy, dispatched by D. John after the battle which was -fought on the 31st of January, 1578, brought the news to Philip. He also -informed him of the dreadful state of unrest in these provinces, all in -open rebellion, where religion was not respected, nor the King obeyed, -nor any Catholic law venerated. The fortresses gave their troops, the -cities, towns and even the miserable villages armed their militia, and -all joined in pursuing D. John, then deprived of all aid, surrounding -him, pressing him, destroying and overthrowing at the same time the -strong leader and the hated Spanish yoke. The victory of Gembleux, -gained by D. John, made them retire and widen the circle, like cowardly -hounds who see the lion they imagined done for suddenly rise, with -bristling mane and outstretched claws. Many of them never stopped until -they reached Brussels, and from there some fled to Antwerp, where they -imagined themselves safe. But, once they had recovered from their -surprise and fright, and knew that there was abundance of nothing except -valour in D. John's camp, they would return to reunite, and once again -narrow the circle, advancing slowly and with great caution, until at -last they would fall on D. John and annihilate him by their numbers, if -the help asked for in his letters were not sent. In these letters, which -the Baron de Willy gave to Philip, D. John paints a vivid picture of his -situation, and asks more urgently than ever for soldiers and plenty of -money. He also begs that his secretary Escovedo may be sent, in the -utmost good faith and ignorance of what was happening, recommending him -warmly to his brother D. Philip for certain favours, which D. John -averred he very well deserved. - -All these facts and circumstances brought two things, distinct but much -connected with each other, to the knowledge of Philip; one, that it was -high time to give up his exaggerated peace policy in Flanders and take -refuge in that of force, as his brother had been urging him for months. -The other, that once the war had been lighted in Flanders by the rebels -the danger of Escovedo doing so had ceased, and consequently also the -political reason which made Philip condemn him to death. It was hard for -Philip to make practical use of these two convictions, because by the -first he had to retract an opinion he had held long and tenaciously; and -by the second he had to smother grudges, dislikes and petty spites, -which, united, made up what he, wrongly but sincerely, conceived to be -political reasons, and which had undeniably influenced him in sentencing -Escovedo to death. But the iron will of the prudent King knew how to -drown personal feelings, and hide at any rate dislikes and spites, and -frankly and definitely to enter on another course. So he wrote to D. -John by the Baron de Willy: "If before he had been tardy in not making -war on the rebels, to give them time to quiet themselves, as his -clemency had done nothing but irritate them, he desired to sustain his -authority by arms, and in order that it could be done in his name, he -sent 900,000 crowns, offering to provide in future 200,000 each month, -with which D. John was to maintain an army of 30,000 infantry and 6500 -horse, without any prejudice to everything he thinks should be granted." - -He also sent a fresh edict, which he ordered to be published, in which, -after enumerating the offences of the rebels against God and his -authority, he ordered them all to obey D. John, as his lieutenant; that -the deputies were no longer to sit, and that they were to return to -their provinces until they were legally convoked. He annulled everything -decreed by them, forbidding the Council of State and the Treasury to act -so long as they did not obey his Governor-General, and ordering that all -Royal Patrimony that had been usurped should be given up. At the same -time he ordered the Field-Marshal D. Lope de Figueroa, with 4000 -veterans who were with him, to go to D. John's camp, where Alexander -Farnese already was with a part of the Spanish troops. The Duque de -Fernandina and D. Alfonso de Leiva were also to go with several -companies of Spaniards, also Gabrio Cervelloni, now ransomed by the Pope -from the hands of the Turks, with 2000 Italians he had raised in Milan. - -Everything thus arranged about the war, the King wrote regarding -Escovedo, on the 8th of March, 1578, these conclusive words: "I will be -careful to order the secretary Escovedo to be dispatched shortly, and as -to the rest of what you write about him, as to this and as to what he -deserves, I will remember that it is right in its particulars." This -very important letter is in the archives of Simancas, and proves that at -that time (March 8) Philip had already retracted Escovedo's sentence of -death and had ordered Antonio Pérez to hasten his departure for -Flanders, as on the 12th of the same month the King answers on the -margin of one of Pérez's own letters, "and do not forget what I wrote to -you to hasten with the Verdinegro (Escovedo), who knows much and will -not understand." - -And yet, twenty-two days later, on the 31st of March, which that year -was Easter Monday, Juan de Escovedo was treacherously murdered in the -lane of St. Mary. He was found run through in the street, between the -wall of the church and the house of the Princess de Évoli. He had a -sword-thrust in the back, and had fallen on his face, still wrapped in -his cloak, which the suddenness of the blow, no doubt, did not give him -time to undo. - -What had happened in this short space of time? Had Philip again signed -Escovedo's death warrant, or had some treacherous hand interposed to -effect the retracted sentence against the will of the Monarch? An event -had taken place in those days which gives the key to the mystery. This -fact was shown plainly at the trial of Antonio Pérez, eleven years -later, and was attested by Andres de Morgado, brother to Rodrigo de -Morgado, equerry and confidential friend and go-between to the Princess -de Évoli and Antonio Pérez. In Pérez's letter to Philip of the 12th of -March, which we have just quoted, he says that at that time Escovedo had -not yet quite recovered. "The man Verdinegro," it says, "is still weak, -and will never get up." However, he rose soon, in spite of Antonio -Pérez's kind wish, and a few days later, about the end of March, he went -to visit the Princess de Évoli, according to Morgado's declaration. -Perhaps he went to take leave, before starting for Flanders; perhaps to -thank her for the hypocritical attentions she and Antonio Pérez had -shown him during his illness and convalescence. The details of this -visit, as given by Antonio de Morgado, cannot be written. Enough to say -that Escovedo surprised the Princess and Pérez in circumstances so -indecorous and suggestive, that, blind with rage and wounded to the -quick in his love and respect for the memory of Ruy Gómez, he broke out -into invectives against the pair, and threatened to disclose all to the -King. Pérez, ashamed, crept silently from the room, but the Princess, -irritated in her pride as a great lady and her passion as a bad woman, -faced Escovedo, and answered him by saying things about the King, which -could figure in a trial where indecency was in its element, but cannot -be read elsewhere without the blush of shame mounting to the forehead. - -The Princess herself was afraid of what she had done, and late that -night sought Antonio Pérez at his house, where she went secretly with a -duenna and two of her bravos as escort, and together these two guilty -ones, terrified lest Escovedo should fulfil his threat, settled to get -him out of the way, and planned how this was to be done. Then Pérez -showed the Princess the writing signed by Philip II, which authorised -him to kill Escovedo, and both decided to use this, given for State -reasons and afterwards retracted, to cover and make secure the secret of -their illicit amours. - -We shall see how the crime was carried out. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - -After his second failure Antonio Pérez lost faith in being able to kill -Escovedo by poison, and with horrible premeditation had entrusted -assassins to do the deed by sword or shot, if the third attempt that he -was planning also miscarried. He entrusted this to his two former -accomplices, the steward Diego Martinez and the page Antonio Enriquez. -Martinez summoned from Aragon two merciless men whom he could trust and -who were skilled in this kind of adventure; one was Juan de Mesa, uncle -of the Gil de Mesa, who, when Antonio Pérez fled to Aragon, figured so -much as his ally; the other a certain Insausti, a typical Italian bravo -of that time, with his quarrelsome air, his formidable sword, and his -matted locks which fell over his ears and head, and could be made to -cover his face like a mask, so that he should not be recognised in his -exploits. For his part Antonio Enriquez recruited at once in Madrid the -scullion from the royal kitchen, Juan Rubio, already an accomplice, and -began to treat with his own half-brother, Miguel Bosque, who was in -Murcia. Enriquez went there to fetch him, and persuaded him at last by -the promise of a hundred golden crowns and the protection of Antonio -Pérez. The two brothers reached Madrid the day on which Escovedo's -innocent slave was hanged in the public square. - -When all were in Madrid they hid from each other, each in his hole, like -reptiles that dreaded the sunlight, waiting until the hour for the crime -had struck. Escovedo, then recovering from the third attempt to poison -him, did not yet go out. But very soon Diego Martinez made an -assignation with his gang, at a lonely tile kiln, which was about half a -league from Madrid, outside the gate of Guadalajara. He told them that -the Lord Antonio had gone to Alcalá to spend Holy Week, and had left -orders to make an end of Escovedo before his return, or that of the King -from the Escorial, which were to coincide. Time therefore pressed, and -Diego Martinez hastened to trace out a plan of campaign. He decided that -Insausti should deal the blow, as being the best hand at sword-thrusts -in Aragon, and for the purpose Martinez gave him a very good sword with -a wide blade, grooved to the point. To the rest he distributed daggers -and pistols, if they lacked them, but most of them carried them hidden -in their breeches, according to the practice of ill-doers of the time. -It was also agreed that from that afternoon they should meet in the -square of Santiago as a centre of operations, and from there divide into -distinct groups; one, composed of Insausti, Miguel Bosque and the -scullion Juan Rubio should watch the comings and goings of Escovedo in -the lane of St. Mary, where he lived, and take advantage of the first -opportunity of giving him a thrust; the other three, Juan de Mesa, -Antonio Enriquez and Diego Martinez, were to follow them at a distance -to help if necessary, at any rate to assist their flight. - -In that out-of-the-way corner, which even to-day faces the Royal Palace -silent and solitary as an island in the unquiet sea of Madrid, then -lived the nobles, personages of the Court, Grandees and gentlemen who -held appointments in it, and all the life of those days flowed through -its narrow, steep lanes. So it is not extraordinary that nobody noticed -these birds of ill-omen who haunted the lane of St. Mary. At last, on -the 31st of March, that year Easter Monday, the much-sought opportunity -presented itself. At nightfall Escovedo went down the street called -Mayor, towards the gate de la Vega, on his way home. He was alone, as -usual, without page or servant. By his slow, unsteady gait it could be -known that he was still weak from his illness, and as it was cold, he -protected himself from the air by the muffler of his black cloak. Behind -him, at a considerable distance, came the three assassins Insausti, -Miguel Bosque and Juan Rubio, also muffled up in their cloaks, -sauntering along, but not losing a movement of their desired victim. -When Escovedo arrived at the lane of St. Mary, he stopped a moment, as -if to get his breath, and then began to mount the steep slope to his -house. The assassins also pulled up, and after a few hurried words, -separated, Juan Rubio going stealthily to the corner of the lane, then -formed by the great house of the Cuevas, and there stopping to cut off -Escovedo's retreat. Insausti and Miguel Bosque went hastily by what is -to-day the street of the Factor, which formed the other corner of the -Cuevas' house, in order to enter the lane of St. Mary by the other end, -and meet Escovedo face to face. He was impeded not only by his weakness, -but also by the shades of night, which were rapidly gaining possession -of the dark lane, and also by the inequality of the ground, which, as in -all streets of the period, was full of stones and deep holes caused by -the throwing out of water; so the unfortunate secretary walked very -slowly, keeping close to the wall of the church, and gave more than -enough time for the villains to get round and meet him in front of the -house of the Princess de Évoli, which was just at the back of the Cueva -one. Insausti had an unsheathed sword under his cloak and a pistol in -his left hand. Miguel Bosque had a dagger ready and another pistol. They -passed Escovedo, almost brushing against him without attracting his -attention, as he took them for peaceable passers-by. But all at once, -turning round, Insausti rapidly and silently cast himself on Escovedo, -and ran him through the back with a mighty thrust. Escovedo fell forward -without a cry, without an exclamation, only giving a hoarse groan. The -assassin leant over him for a moment to see if a second blow was -necessary, and then at once ran away. Miguel Bosque went up the lane to -get into the Castle Square, Insausti by the Street Mayor, dragging Rubio -with him in his flight, and Diego Martinez, who was a long way off. - -Antonio Enriquez ends this declaration by saying: "The death-blow was -given on Easter Monday, the 31st of March. Juan de Mesa and I arrived in -the square of Santiago later than usual; so that the others had left to -lie in wait for the secretary Escovedo to pass. Juan de Mesa and I -wandered round about, and here we heard the rumour that Escovedo had -been killed. Then we went secretly to our houses, and on entering mine I -met Miguel Bosque, wearing a jacket, because in running he had lost his -cloak and pistol. Juan de Mesa met Insausti at his door, also without a -cloak, because he had lost it in his flight, and he took him in to hide -him, and together they threw the sword which killed Escovedo into a well -in the yard; the sword was long and grooved to the point. That same -night Juan Rubio went to Alcalá on a mule which the priest Fernando de -Escobar gave him, to tell Antonio Pérez that all was over, and he asked -if anyone was taken, and hearing that no one had been he was very -pleased." - -The assassination of such a well-known personage as Escovedo in the -midst of the streets at Madrid upset all the neighbourhood, and set all -the mayors and "alguaciles" in the city to work. The next day, which was -the 1st of April, they arrested everyone who tried to leave the gates, -and the next day forced all the inn and hotel-keepers to furnish a -detailed list of their inmates. Antonio Pérez ordered the assassins to -remain quiet in their hiding-places, and not to make any noise so long -as the first hot search was being made, and until he could find means of -placing them in safety. He succeeded at last, after a long period of -uneasy waiting, and on the 19th of April they all left Madrid, largely -rewarded. Miguel Bosque received a hundred golden crowns from the hands -of the priest Escobar, and then returned to his native place. Juan de -Mesa went back to Aragon, carrying a gold chain, fifty doubloons, a -beautiful silver cup, and the appointment of agent for the property of -the Princess de Évoli, which she herself gave him. To Insausti, Juan -Rubio, and Antonio Enriquez Antonio Pérez sent by Diego Martinez the -appointment of ensign, with twenty golden crowns of pay, and without -demur they went to their respective posts, Juan Rubio to Milan, Antonio -Enriquez to Naples, and Insausti to Sicily, where he died shortly -afterwards. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - -Meanwhile D. John of Austria was not losing time, and heartened by the -first help that Philip II sent, set about to gain all the results -possible from the victory of Gembleux. Since this defeat the rebels had -fallen back towards Brussels, fearful lest D. John was going there, and -he, leaving them in this belief, continued his plan of campaign with -clever strategy, and in little more than a month became master of -Louvain, Bouvignes, Tilemont, Sichem, Diest, Nivelles and Philippeville. -There he stopped, tired out by this hard work, in which fell on him not -only the anxieties of a general, but the duties of a soldier, and there, -too, he received the news of Escovedo's death. This was the finishing -stroke for D. John. It is not known when or through whom the information -came to him; but the fatal news must have come quickly, as already on -the 20th of April he wrote a beautiful letter to Philip, true transcript -of his noble, generous and Christian soul[17]. - -Footnote 17: - - "Sir. With greater sorrow than I know how to express I have heard of - the unhappy death of the secretary Escovedo, for which I cannot be - consoled or ever shall be, as Y.M. has lost such a servant as I know; - and I, that Y. M. knows; and though I sorrow over this as I do, above - all I feel it that at the end of many years and services he should - have ended by such an unworthy death, for having served his King with - such faithfulness and love without other consideration or practices, - such as are now in use. And though it is wrong to judge anyone - hastily, I do not think I am falling into this sin now, as I mention - no one; but I hold as a fact what I say, and as a man who has had so - much opportunity, and who knows the frankness with which Escovedo - treated Y.M.'s service, I fear where it may have come from. But, after - all, I am not certain, or, not knowing, I will only say, by the love - of Our Lord, I beg Y.M., with all the earnestness possible, that you - will not permit such an offence to be committed in your city, or allow - so great a one to be done to me, without using all possible diligence - to ascertain whence it comes, and to punish it with the rigour it - deserves. And although I believe that Y.M. will have already done so - very thoroughly, and will have done so, being such a Christian and - justice-observing Prince, all the same, I wish to beg you that, as a - gentleman, I may defend, and allow to be defended, the honour of one - who deserved it as much as Escovedo, and this because I am the more - bound, as with good reason I can imagine myself to have been the cause - of his death, for that which Y.M. knows better than another. Do not - take it amiss if I beg not only to remember, and urge, as I shall do - by each courier, about what concerns the deceased, until justice is - done and his services remunerated; even if I should overlook the rest, - that as a gentleman I must do. - - "Again I pray Y.M., as humbly and earnestly as I am able, that it will - be your pleasure to send me an answer to all these things, as I - confess to Y.M. that nothing could happen to worry me more than his - death has done, until everything relating to the deceased is settled. - - "I do not know how he has left his affairs, so I can enter into no - details, but I beg Y.M. to remember Escovedo's purpose, which was that - of honour, and the sincerity with which he served you, and of the - small comfort he leaves in his house, and do all the favours to those - who remain in it that they deserve, especially to the eldest son, of - those offices and emoluments which the father held, that Pedro - Escovedo deserves them, and will go on deserving them more and more, - if he is employed and favoured, Y.M. knows better than anyone. And - because I think, according to what he was obliged to spend and the - little he had, he may have left some debts which might pain his soul, - and his children and wife here below, I will also beg Y.M. to order - them to be favoured by the wherewithal to pay them. Although I chiefly - beg that, being left like a father to the said eldest son, you will do - me this signal favour of giving him in all everything his father - enjoyed, because as to the debts I can easily pay the most of the food - and dress, and what are obliged to be paid, which is the least I can - do for the repose of him who worked for me till death, as he did, to - help to enable me to do the best for Y. M.'s service in whatever - passed through his hands, which he did, as I have claimed and shall - claim all my life. Consider, Y. M., if these obligations deserve that - he should have these offices, and if I can be confident that you will - do this favour, that I ask in all that I beg, and shall beg for - continually, until the justice and favour that the blood and services - of the deceased cry out for, are gained." - -A little later, while at Namur, he writes on the 3rd of May to his -friend D. Rodrigo de Mendoza: "Of the little I shall say in this, the -first thing shall be how grieved I am at the death of Escovedo, the more -that they do not find out from whence comes such an ill deed; because -certainly, besides how greatly he was needed for H.M.'s service in what -he was looking after, I also wanted him infinitely, and I have lost a -great support, and even more so, I think, in the future. May God rest -him in heaven, and reveal to me who killed him." - -And further, he wrote to Gian Andrea Doria on the 7th of June: "Of -Escovedo's unhappy death I do not know what to say, particularly from -such a distance, even if I could say anything were I nearer; but in my -opinion it is a case which asks for prompt action more than words: but -so many suspicions and no certainty stop one's mouth and tie one's -hands, so at present one can only wait and feel what one must about such -a servant and a case like this death of Escovedo." - - * * * * * - -These are all D. John's papers about Escovedo's death which have come -down to us. Though nothing in these letters shows clearly that he had -sounded all the depths of iniquity hidden behind the treacherous crime, -it is impossible to think to the contrary. From the first moment public -opinion in Madrid pointed at Antonio Pérez and the Princesa de Évoli as -authors of the murder, and even, it is said, came near to the truth; a -fact to be remembered, as those who wrote nearest the event, Van der -Hammen and Cabrera de Córdoba, mention "that to authorise the -assassination, Antonio Pérez gave the assassins a writing signed by the -King, of the sort that are given blank to ambassadors and viceroys to -shorten some business." The declaration of Antonio Enriquez at the -famous trial eleven years later proves that these rumours reached beyond -Spain. "Antonio Enriquez said that in Italy and Flanders it was openly -said that Antonio Pérez killed Escovedo because of the Princesa de -Évoli." It is impossible that these rumours should not have reached the -ears of D. John, or that, with his shrewdness, he should not have put -two and two together, the truth proved to him by the old story of their -intrigue. One fact makes it patent that if D. John knew nothing for -certain, he had at least very strong suspicions that Antonio Pérez was -the murderer of Escovedo. From this time the intimate correspondence -which he kept up with the false secretary abruptly ceases, and he only -replies to the honeyed, flattering letters by stiff and official -dispatches such as could not be avoided between the Governor-General and -the Secretary for Flanders. And further, we think D. John must then have -known, at any rate in part, of the treason and calumnies of Pérez and -the absolute ruin of his credit with D. Philip effected by these means; -which accounts for the depression, despondency, and presentiment of -death that overwhelmed the hero of Lepanto at this time, never to leave -him during his remaining months of life. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - -Some people censure as fantastic the scheme of invading England which -the two Pontiffs Pius V and Gregory XIII were always planning, and D. -John as a dreamer, for placing in this project all his aspirations and -ardent desires for glory. But Lord Burghley judged otherwise. He was an -immoral politician, certainly, but the most far-seeing and profound that -England then possessed. In a memorandum all in his own handwriting, -which exists in the British Museum in London, and from which Mignet -quotes, he advises Queen Elizabeth to send prompt aid to the Flemish -rebels. "If the Spaniards succeed in subduing the Low Countries, they -will lose no opportunity of invading England, and will unite their -forces with the malcontents of this kingdom; thus, if D. John finishes -with the States, he will not tarry in turning his arms against Y.M. The -correspondence which is carried on between him and the Queen of Scots -since he arrived in the Low Countries, his interview with the Bishop of -Glasgow, the ambassador of this Queen, and the general opinion that -there is a plan of marriage between him and her, are the reasons which -make for this conclusion. According to those who desire a change of -religion in this kingdom, this marriage is the best and only means for -the return of the kingdom to the Church of Rome. By this marriage D. -John would have a claim to the crown of England, and then it would be -seen that the Pope, the King of France, and the King of Spain, and all -the Catholic Princes would help him; the Pope from religious motives, -the King of France to please the house of Guise and to prevent England -helping the French Protestants, and the King of Spain to settle his -brother advantageously. Therefore, to give aid to the Low Countries is a -means of preservation and defence for this realm." - -These grave reasons, which did not seem fantastic to Burghley, decided -Queen Elizabeth and the lords of her Council to help the Flemish rebels -even more openly than they had hitherto done, not only with money, but -also with English and Scotch troops, under the command of Norris. But -they soon saw that the real obstacle to these ends was the person of D. -John, and that nothing and nobody could dismay him or weary out his -patience, or overcome his military skill, and they judged, as Orange had -done before the retreat from Namur, that the shortest and safest way to -conquer this obstacle was to overthrow it by treachery, taking D. John's -life. One warning voice, however, God sent from a prison, and it reached -the ears of D. John, and stopped this new crime. - -There was a Spanish merchant in London, a native of Tarragona, called -Antonio de Guaras, rich and respected. He lived in a house belonging to -the Guild of Drapers, with a warehouse and wharf on the Thames, and many -pedlars came there to fit themselves out with things that they -afterwards sold retail, travelling about the counties. But in these -humble pedlars' boats which slowly mounted the Thames, most important -secrets and messages from great personages came to the house of Antonio -de Guaras. The merchant was an Aragonese, and an agent of the Court of -Spain since the time of Henry VIII, and since the arrival of D. John in -Flanders he had constituted himself the most active promoter of the -Spanish invasion of England, and the intermediary between D. John and -the Queen Mary Stuart, at that time a prisoner in Sheffield Castle. D. -John sent his letters for the Queen of Scots to Guaras, and she also -sent him the answers; a very interesting correspondence, of which no -trace remains. - -Under the disguise of one of these hucksters the English Jesuit Hort, -whom Gregory XIII had sent to England, together with his Scotch -companion Crichton, to be Papal agent in the business of the Spanish -invasion, came one day to the house of Antonio de Guaras. He came from -Sheffield, and brought a letter in cipher from Mary Stuart for Antonio -de Guaras. He carried it cleverly hidden in a little mirror, which in -these perilous times he always had among his pedlar's wares. In this -letter the Queen of Scots ordered Antonio de Guaras to tell D. John of -the plot that the Council of Queen Elizabeth were scheming against his -life, rumours of which reached Sheffield by one of the many advocates of -the marriage of Mary and D. John, who were numerous, and were working in -England and Scotland. The news was vague, however, as she only talked of -this plot without giving any details, and contented herself by warning -D. John to have a care for his person. "It seems to me that the Lord Don -John should be very careful that he has not near him some greater spies -than faithful servants, English or others." - -Guaras, alarmed, hastened to communicate this warning to D. Bernardino -de Mendoza, then ambassador of the Catholic King in London, and a great -partisan of Mary Stuart, who, having more means of action and of -espionage, at last succeeded in unravelling the mystery, as far as was -necessary, and could thus write to Philip II on the 17th of May: "Here -for many days there is talk in the house of Leicester of killing H.H. -(D. John), the talk being renewed by the good opportunity of the war. Of -this I have advised H.H., and also that this Queen on the 10th set free -Edmond Ratcliffe, brother of the Earl of Sussex, who has been confined -in the Tower of London for three years, and because of giving him -liberty very secretly he has been exiled from this kingdom, which is a -thing very seldom or never done, he resolved the moment he regained his -liberty to go and serve H.H.; I have been advised that he is an -intemperate youth, and daring enough for anything, they tell me, so his -sudden liberation and determination can with great reason engender -suspicion." - -D. Bernardino did, as he notifies in this letter, write to D. John, and -also sent him a portrait of Ratcliffe, that he should recognise him and -be prepared at once if he came. The assassin did not fail to arrive. D. -John was in his camp at Tirlemont, and when giving audiences one day, -suddenly saw Edmond Ratcliffe enter his tent, humbly begging the favour -of a hearing. He had entered the camp, in spite of the vigilance of the -sentries, and had hidden two light Hungarian horses in a wood near to -ensure his flight, in the event of his being able to strike the blow. D. -John knew him in a moment, from the picture D. Bernardino had sent, and -without displaying the least surprise or mistrust, graciously ordered -him to speak. At the same time he called his valet Bernardino Ducarte in -the most natural manner, and secretly gave him an order for the Captain -of the Guard to take the gentleman, whenever he left the tent, and give -him over to the Provost-General of the camp. Ratcliffe explained to D. -John, with the most refined hypocrisy, who he was and what he wanted. He -said that he was a son of the old Earl of Sussex and a Catholic, but -having disagreed with his eldest brother on religious questions, and -wishing to assure living and dying in the Roman faith, he had fled from -England to offer his services to the Catholic King, and only begged D. -John for a post in the army, and pay according to his grade, as he had a -wife and little children to keep. And as he spoke the miscreant was -waiting and calculating where to give the wound. - -D. John listened to him, looking him up and down, and not losing a -single one of his movements, at last answering him affably, praising his -religious faith and his ideas, and promising, in the name of the King, -to help him to fulfil them. While this conversation was being carried on -the two walked slowly about in the tent, and Ratcliffe tried to arrange -that the walk should be prolonged outside, as was D. John's custom when -finishing audiences, in order that, amused by the talk, he should go on -a few steps. His intention was then to plunge a poisoned dagger, which -he had ready, in D. John's heart, leave the weapon in the wound, and -hurry off to the wood, where his horses were waiting. But D. John, as if -he liked to sport with danger, went to the door, took a step or two -outside, and then returned to the end of the tent, until, intimating -that the audience was over, he took leave of Ratcliffe until the next -day, "when he would seek employment for him." Ratcliffe retired, -promising himself to do on the second visit what he had failed to do on -the first; but hardly had he set foot outside the tent than D. John's -Captain of the Guard arrested him, and handed him over to the Provost. -Ratcliffe protested his innocence at first, but being put to the torture -he confessed fully all we have told. He was not executed during the -lifetime of D. John, but after his death Alexander Farnese ordered him -to be decapitated with his accomplice, also an Englishman, who waited -with the horses in the wood. - -On the 16th of January, 1579, D. Bernardino de Mendoza wrote to Philip -II from London: - - "The Prince of Parma has had justice done to the two Englishmen - about whom I wrote on the 16th of May, who left here with orders - to kill the Lord D. John, God rest his soul. The Queen said with - much annoyance, when she received the news from Walsingham, that - it was the result of advice he and others had given, and the - pass to which things were brought, which words Walsingham felt - so much, that he came to this place from Court the next day with - fever." - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - -At nightfall on Tuesday, the 16th of September, 1578, D. John suddenly -felt the intense cold of fever and general lassitude. The fever lasted -all night, and the next day, although still unwell, and with a bad -headache, he got up at his usual time, heard Mass, did his business, -held a council, and visited several quarters. This was at the camp of -Tirlemont, where D. John had moved the royal troops after the famous -battle of Mechlin, the last at which he commanded, and at which he did -such valiant deeds. The plague was decimating the camp of the rebels, -and although the infection had not penetrated to that of D. John, his -soldiers suffered from diarrhæa, especially the Germans, who were -intemperate in what they ate, and not careful about what they drank. -This, with reason, worried D. John, and he took infinite precautions to -avoid the contagion, inspecting everything himself, making daily rounds, -visiting the sick in their huts, helping and cheering them, and -striving, above all, that none died without receiving the Viaticum, -which he usually accompanied. This matter of the Sacraments, as being -transcendental and eternal, he had committed to his then confessor, the -Franciscan Fr. Francisco de Orantes, in order that he might urge and -watch over the many ecclesiastics in the camp, because D. John, who -always had taken much care of the spiritual welfare of his troops, had -in these latter days, according to Vander Hammen and Cabrera de Córdoba, -made his camp into a real convent of monks. - -It was feared, therefore, that this sudden illness of D. John was the -forerunner of the plague, and this fear was strengthened when the same -symptoms showed themselves in three or four gentlemen of his household, -of those who attended him most closely, among them the venerable Gabrio -Cervelloni, who was already seventy, and was then, by D. John's orders, -making a fort on the heights of Bouges, in front of the camp at -Tirlemont, and scarcely a league from Namur. Alarm was ended on the -fourth day, seeing that the fever and other ills left D. John. But the -next day, which was a Saturday, he suddenly grew worse, and while the -other invalids went on getting better and became convalescent, he showed -other symptoms of a strange illness, palpitations which made him get up -in bed, tremblings of the hands, arms, tongue and eyes, and red spots -showed themselves, others livid and almost blue, with black, rough -heads. - -Then another suspicion spread through the camp, which historians of old -have transmitted to us, and which the fresh facts and discoveries of -modern ones make probable. They said that D. John had been poisoned -during his recovery, and Vander Hammen goes so far as to point to the -hand which was the instrument of the crime. "This made his household -suspect," he says, "that he was poisoned, and that Doctor Ramirez had -given him something in his broth." And in the diary of D. John's -illness, kept by his doctor, the original of which Porreño inserts in -his life of the hero of Lepanto, these words are to be read: "With some -suspicion, the antidote for poison was used, sometimes externally, -sometimes internally." - -Public opinion, not only in the camp, but wherever the news reached, at -once pointed to the Queen of England or the Prince of Orange as authors -of the suspected crime. Ratcliffe's recent attempt and the various -defeated ones of Orange justified this bad opinion, and the application -of the judicial principle "cui prodest" fits like a glove either the -heretic Queen or the apostate Prince. - -But nobody could then suspect that the sinister "cui prodest" suits the -Secretary Antonio Pérez better than anyone else, because nobody yet knew -that he, more than anyone, was interested in the disappearance from the -world's stage of D. John. It must have been a nightmare for Antonio -Pérez, even to dream that D. John might return to Spain, knowing, or at -least suspecting, the crimes, infamies and artifices of which he had -been the victim. And once put on the scent, investigating, proving, -becoming certain, with his right and terrible thirst for justice, in a -single interview with the King, his brother, he could bring everything -to light, and sink Antonio Pérez in that abyss of infamy and iniquity in -which the hand of God buried him later. It is, therefore, very probable -that Antonio Pérez, believing at last that D. John of Austria would -return to Spain, would try to keep him away for ever with "the broth of -Doctor Ramirez," or by some similar means; and it is the general opinion -at present that if D. John's death were caused by crime (although it is -not sufficiently proved), it might be as justly attributed to the Queen -of England, or the Prince of Orange as to the secretary Antonio Pérez; -all three were capable of it, and for divers reasons all three gained -great advantages by the death of the conqueror of Lepanto. - -But be this as it may, it is certain that from the first moment of his -relapse D. John understood that he was dying, and that his hoped-for end -was coming to him— - - ... que non ha dolor - Del home que sea grande ni cuytado.[18] - -Footnote 18: - - ... Which has no pain - For the great man, nor anxiety. - -He therefore made ready to receive death with perfect, manly courage, -with the dignity of a Prince and the humility of a Christian, and his -first arrangement was that he should be conveyed to the fort which -Gabrio Cervelloni was then making a league away. He ordered himself to -be carried on a stretcher by his servants, without order or arrangement, -to prevent the soldiers having the grief of saying good-bye to him, and -to cause no one alarm or trouble. There remained inside the surrounding -wall of the fort the only part yet finished, a hut, or rather a pigeon -house, where D. Bernardino de Zúñiga, D. John's Captain of Infantry, -lodged, and there he ordered himself to be taken to disturb no one. -"There was only," says Vander Hammen, "a pigeon house to make him a -chamber." They cleared out the young pigeons, cleaned it, hung a few -coverings on the ceilings and wall to exclude the light, and over them -some pieces of cloth, which they sprinkled with perfumed waters, and -made a wooden staircase for mounting to it. The father confessor Fr. -Francisco de Orantes writes to Philip II: "He died in a hut, as poorly -as a soldier. I assure Y.M. there was nothing but a cock-loft over a -farm-yard, in order that in this he should imitate the poverty of -Christ." - -All this took place on Saturday, the 20th, and on Sunday, the 21st, very -early in the morning, D. John ordered his confessor, Fray Francisco de -Orantes, to be called, and with great humility and with much sorrow for -his sins he made a general confession of his life, with the eagerness -and fervour of one who is preparing to die; and although the doctors -still held out hopes of saving his life, and tried to dissuade him, he -asked for the Viaticum, and received it with great devotion and fervour, -at a mass celebrated in his room by the Jesuit Juan Fernández. Then he -sent for all his Field-Marshals to his miserable retreat, also the -Councillors of State and other personages attached to the army, and -before them solemnly resigned the command and gave the baton to -Alexander Farnese, Prince of Parma, who was present, kneeling at the -foot of the bed, and so overcome and afflicted because of his great love -for D. John, that he buried his forehead in the bed-clothes, and the -Count de Mansfeld had to lift him up and comfort him. It was an -extraordinary thing, which moved and brought tears to the eyes of all -those veterans, to see that thunderbolt of war, Alexander Farnese, -daring and brave and of indomitable courage, afflicted and overcome like -a weak woman on receiving the supreme command from the hands of his -dying friend and kinsman. - -Then he directed his confessor Fr. Francisco de Orantes to declare -before them all what D. John had already told him privately. That he -left no will, because he possessed nothing which was not his Lord and -Master the King's. That he commended his body and soul to the King; his -soul in order that the King should order suffrages to be made for the -great need there was; his body that it might be buried near that of his -Lord and father the Emperor, by which he should consider his services -were repaid. But if this were not so, then that they should give him -burial in the monastery of Our Lady of Montserrat. Item, he begged the -King to look after his mother and brother. Item, to look after his -servants, pay them and reward them, because he died so poor that he -could not do so. "As to my personal debts and bills," he said at the -end, "they are very few and are very clear." - -He said this with great firmness, taking leave of them all with his -hand, and himself taking leave of the things of earth to think and speak -of nothing beyond those of heaven. - -He, however, retained Father Juan Fernández, and showing him a little -manuscript book which he kept under his pillow, said these were the -prayers which he recited every day, without ever missing one in his -life, and as the dreadful pain in his head troubled his sight, so that -he could not read, begged the father, for the love of God and for the -love of him, to do him the favour of reciting them in his name. Much -moved, the father promised, and, according to his own testimony, it took -him a good hour to recite those prayers which the devout Prince said -"every day of his life," in the midst of the fatigues of war, the -occupations of Governor, and, most difficult of all, in the midst of the -dissipations of worldly pleasures. The little book was all in D. John's -writing. It began with the baby prayers he had learnt in his childhood -from Doña Magdalena de Ulloa; then followed various pious exercises, and -it ended with several prayers composed by D. John himself, according as -he had been inspired in the course of his life, by his difficulties, his -sorrows, hopes and joys, and his warm effusions of thanksgiving. In -short, it was an index, showing his attitude towards God in all the -events of his life, which the grateful heart of D. John daily -remembered, and which only the holy Father Juan Fernández had the -happiness of knowing. - -It was this father who, a few months later, under the command of -Alexander Farnese, performed the extraordinary deed of heroism, at the -same time an act of incredible charity, in the trench of Maestricht, -which we have told in another place. D. John had known him in Luxemburg, -on his first arrival, and astonished at his holiness, prudence and -learning, and profoundly struck by his untiring zeal for the welfare of -the soldiers, attached him at once to the army, and took him everywhere; -and although he was not D. John's official confessor, he confessed to -him often, and consulted him privately in all difficult matters. During -D. John's short last illness, together with Fr. Francisco de Orantes, he -assisted him all the time, and when D. John's dreadful headache and -delirium left him, the father sustained him with spiritual talks which -maintained the sick man in his peace and resignation, and gave the -Jesuit the ineffable comfort that the just experience before the marvels -of Divine Grace. - -In one of these conversations D. John told P. Juan Fernández of his firm -determination, taken four months beforehand, if God spared his life in -Flanders, to retire for ever from the world to the hermitage of -Montserrat, there to serve "that Lord who could and would do much more -for him than his brother D. Philip." A bitter phrase this, which -without, as some have thought, censuring Philip (because there would be -none in supposing greater power and love in the King of heaven than in -the most powerful and saintly King on earth), still reveals the profound -disillusionment which had taken hold of the victor of Lepanto, for the -last four months, that is to say since the death of Escovedo. - -[Illustration: - - _Photo Anderson_ - - - D. JOHN OF AUSTRIA'S PLACE OF BURIAL - - _Escorial and surrounding country, present day_ -] - -The illness gained ground rapidly; each day, even each hour, produced -some new, strange and painful symptom. At times he was seized with -fainting fits, in which he appeared to have drawn his last breath, at -others with delirium of wild things and of war, in which he always -imagined himself commanding in a battle, and from which he was only -drawn by the names of Jesus and Mary, which Fathers Orantes and -Fernández invoked in his hearing. On the 30th D. John felt so weak that -he again desired to receive the Viaticum, and charged Fr. Francisco de -Orantes to give him extreme unction in time, whenever he judged that the -moment had come. At nightfall that day the confessor thought that the -time had arrived, and administered the last Sacrament to him, which D. -John received with great devotion and perfect consciousness, in the -presence of all the Field-Marshals and other personages who were crowded -into the narrow precincts. - -No one slept that night in fort or camp, and continually messengers went -to and fro, bearers of sad news. At dawn Father Juan Fernández said mass -at the bedside, thinking D. John unconscious, as his eyes were already -closed; but being told by the confessor that the Host was being raised, -he quickly took off his cap and did reverence. At nine o'clock he seemed -somewhat to revive, and then he was taken with a fresh delirium, in -which, with extraordinary strength, he began to get angry with the -soldiers, commanding in a battle, giving orders to the battalions, -calling the captains by name, sending horses flying, reproving them at -times because they allowed themselves to be cut off by the enemy, -calling others to victory with eyes, hands and voice, always clamouring -for the Marqués de Santa Cruz, whom he called "D. Álvaro, my friend," -his guide, master, and his right hand. - -"Jesus! Jesus! Mary!" implored the confessor. "Jesus! Jesus! Mary!" at -last repeated D. John of Austria, and, repeating these holy names, -became gradually calmer, until he sank into a profound lethargy, -forerunner, doubtless, of death, with his eyes shut, his body inert, -with the Crucifix of the Moors on his breast, where P. Juan Fernández -had placed it, the only sign of life being his difficult, uneven -breathing. - -They all knelt, believing that the supreme moment had come, and the two -priests began to recite by turns the prayers for the dying. Suddenly, -about eleven o'clock, D. John gave a great sigh, and they heard him -distinctly articulate in a weak but clear, sweet, plaintive voice, like -a child calling to its mother, "Aunt! Aunt! My lady Aunt!" - -And this was all. For two hours the lethargy lasted, and at half-past -one, without effort, trouble, or any violence, he gasped twice, and the -soul of "That John sent by God" fled to His bosom to render account of -the mission which had been confided to him. - - * * * * * - -Had he really fulfilled it? Was the mission of D. John of Austria to -drown in the waters of Lepanto the great power of the Turk, threat to -the faith of Christ and to the liberty of Europe, or did the mission -also extend to conquering the kingdom of England, and bringing back that -great people to the fold of the Catholic Church, as Christ's two Vicars -Pius V and Gregory XIII wished and thought? - -If it were so, D. John of Austria can well liquidate his debt before the -Divine Tribunal, giving for only answer those words of Christ to St. -Theresa, which so alarmingly show the fearful reach of human free will: -"Theresa! I wished it, but men did not wish it." - - ------------------ - -Eusebio Nieremberg, in his life of the P. Juan Fernández, relates this -strange circumstance relative to D. John of Austria: - - "A few days later (after D. John's death) he appeared to the - father, who was at one of the colleges, and said, 'Father Juan - Fernández, why have you forgotten friends?' 'I have not - forgotten, my lord, but what have I got to do?' Then he told him - that he must help him with his suffrages and do certain things. - The servant of God did all he asked with much celerity and - earnestness, saying masses and prayers and doing penances for - him, and making others do the same. At the end of a few days he - appeared again, shining and glorious, saying that he was in - heaven and was very grateful for the good works they had done - for him." - - ------------------ - -Don John was buried first in the Cathedral at Namur, but the following -spring his body (except his intestines) was conveyed to Spain by orders -of Philip II and buried with much pomp in the Escorial. The story of the -body being cut in pieces at the joints and placed in three leather bags -on the pack saddle of a horse for the journey, is too well known not to -be mentioned here. Sir William Stirling Maxwell says that it was to -avoid "expense and the troublesome questions which were in those days -likely to arise between the clergy and magistracy of the towns through -which a royal corpse was publicly carried." (Translator.) - - - The End. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -[Illustration: - - A Page From - THE WORKS OF ANATOLE FRANCE -] - - - - - THE WORKS OF - ANATOLE FRANCE - - -It has long been a reproach to England that only one volume by ANATOLE -FRANCE has been adequately rendered into English; yet outside this -country he shares with TOLSTOI the distinction of being the greatest and -most daring student of humanity living. - -¶ There have been many difficulties to encounter in completing -arrangements for a uniform edition, though perhaps the chief barrier to -publication here has been the fact that his writings are not for -babes—but for men and the mothers of men. Indeed, some of his Eastern -romances are written with biblical candour. "I have sought truth -strenuously," he tells us, "I have met her boldly. I have never turned -from her even when she wore an unexpected aspect." Still, it is believed -that the day has come for giving English versions of all his imaginative -works, as well as of his monumental study JOAN OF ARC, which is -undoubtedly the most discussed book in the world of letters to-day. - -¶ Mr. John Lane has pleasure in announcing that the following volumes -are either already published or are passing through the press. - - THE RED LILY - - MOTHER OF PEARL - - THE GARDEN OF EPICURUS - - THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD - - BALTHASAR - - THE WELL OF ST. CLARE - - THAÏS - - THE WHITE STONE - - PENGUIN ISLAND - - THE MERRIE TALES OF JACQUES TOURNE BROCHE - - JOCASTA AND THE FAMISHED CAT - - THE ELM TREE ON THE MALL - - THE WICKER-WORK WOMAN - - AT THE SIGN OF THE REINE PEDAUQUE - - THE OPINIONS OF JEROME COIGNARD - - MY FRIEND'S BOOK - - THE ASPIRATIONS OF JEAN SERVIEN - - LIFE AND LETTERS (4 vols.) - - JOAN OF ARC (2 vols.) - -¶ All the books will be published at 6/- each with the exception of JOAN -OF ARC, which will be 25/- net the two volumes, with eight -Illustrations. - -¶ The format of the volumes leaves little to be desired. The size is -Demy 8vo (9 × 5-3/4), and they are printed from Caslon type upon a paper -light in weight and strong of texture, with a cover design in crimson -and gold, a gilt top, end-papers from designs by Aubrey Beardsley and -initials by Henry Ospovat. In short, these are volumes for the -bibliophile as well as the lover of fiction, and form perhaps the -cheapest library edition of copyright novels ever published, for the -price is only that of an ordinary novel. - -¶ The translation of these books has been entrusted to such competent -French scholars as MR. ALFRED ALLINSON, MR. FREDERIC CHAPMAN, MR. ROBERT -B. DOUGLAS, MR. A. W. EVANS, MRS. FARLEY, MR. LAFCADIO HEARN, MRS. W. S. -JACKSON, MRS. JOHN LANE, MRS. NEWMARCH, MR. C. E. ROCHE, MISS WINIFRED -STEPHENS, AND MISS M. P. WILLCOCKS. - -¶ As Anatole Thibault, _dit_ Anatole France, is to most English readers -merely a name, it will be well to state that he was born in 1844 in the -picturesque and inspiring surroundings of an old bookshop on the Quai -Voltaire, Paris, kept by his father, Monsieur Thibault, an authority on -eighteenth-century history, from whom the boy caught the passion for the -principles of the Revolution, while from his mother he was learning to -love the ascetic ideals chronicled in the Lives of the Saints. He was -schooled with the lovers of old books, missals and manuscript; he -matriculated on the Quais with the old Jewish dealers of curios and -_objets d'art_; he graduated in the great university of life and -experience. It will be recognised that all his work is permeated by his -youthful impressions; he is, in fact, a virtuoso at large. - -¶ He has written about thirty volumes of fiction. His first novel was -JOCASTA & THE FAMISHED CAT (1879). THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD -appeared in 1881, and had the distinction of being crowned by the French -Academy, into which he was received in 1896. - -¶ His work is illuminated with style, scholarship, and psychology; but -its outstanding features are the lambent wit, the gay mockery, the -genial irony with which he touches every subject he treats. But the wit -is never malicious, the mockery never derisive, the irony never barbed. -To quote from his own GARDEN OF EPICURUS: "Irony and Pity are both of -good counsel; the first with her smiles makes life agreeable, the other -sanctifies it to us with her tears. The Irony I invoke is no cruel -deity. She mocks neither love nor beauty. She is gentle and kindly -disposed. Her mirth disarms anger and it is she teaches us to laugh at -rogues and fools whom but for her we might be so weak as to hate." - -¶ Often he shows how divine humanity triumphs over mere asceticism, and -with entire reverence; indeed, he might be described as an ascetic -overflowing with humanity, just as he has been termed a "pagan, but a -pagan constantly haunted by the pre-occupation of Christ." He is in -turn—like his own Choulette in THE RED LILY—saintly and Rabelaisian, yet -without incongruity. At all times he is the unrelenting foe of -superstition and hypocrisy. Of himself he once modestly said: "You will -find in my writings perfect sincerity (lying demands a talent I do not -possess), much indulgence, and some natural affection for the beautiful -and good." - -¶ The mere extent of an author's popularity is perhaps a poor argument, -yet it is significant that two books by this author are in their HUNDRED -AND TENTH THOUSAND, and numbers of them well into their SEVENTIETH -THOUSAND, whilst the one which a Frenchman recently described as -"Monsieur France's most arid book" is in its FIFTY-EIGHTH-THOUSAND. - -¶ Inasmuch as M. FRANCE'S ONLY contribution to an English periodical -appeared in THE YELLOW BOOK, vol. v., April 1895, together with the -first important English appreciation of his work from the pen of the -Hon. Maurice Baring, it is peculiarly appropriate that the English -edition of his works should be issued from the Bodley Head. - - ORDER FORM. - - ___________________________ 19 - -To Mr. _____________________________ - - _Bookseller_. - -_Please send me the following works of Anatole France_: - - THAÏS - - PENGUIN ISLAND - - BALTHASAR - - THE WHITE STONE - - THE RED LILY - - MOTHER OF PEARL - - THE GARDEN OF EPICURUS - - THE CRIME OF SYLVESTRE BONNARD - - THE WELL OF ST. CLARE - - THE MERRIE TALES OF JACQUES TOURNEBROCHE - - THE ELM TREE ON THE MALL - - THE WICKER-WORK WOMAN - - JOCASTA AND THE FAMISHED CAT - - JOAN OF ARC (2 VOLS.) - - LIFE AND LETTERS (4 VOLS.) - -_for which I enclose_ _______________ - - _Name_ _____________________________________ - - _Address_ __________________________________ - - JOHN LANE, PUBLISHER. THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO ST., LONDON, W. - - - _NOTICE_ - - -_Those who possess old letters, documents, correspondence, MSS., scraps -of autobiography, and also miniatures and portraits, relating to persons -and matters historical, literary, political and social, should -communicate with Mr. John Lane, The Bodley Head, Vigo Street, London, -W., who will at all times be pleased to give his advice and assistance, -either as to their preservation or publication._ - - - LIVING MASTERS OF MUSIC. - - An Illustrated Series of Monographs dealing with - Contemporary Musical Life, and including - Representatives of all Branches of the Art. - - Edited by ROSA NEWMARCH. - - Crown 8vo. Cloth. Price 2/6 net. - -HENRY J. WOOD. By ROSA NEWMARCH. - -SIR EDWARD ELGAR. By R. J. BUCKLEY. - -JOSEPH JOACHIM. By J. A. FULLER MAITLAND. - -EDWARD A. MACDOWELL. By LAWRENCE GILMAN. - -THEODOR LESCHETIZKY. By ANNETTE HULLAH. - -GIACOMO PUCCINI. By WAKELING DRY. - -IGNAZ PADEREWSKI. By E. A. 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The great charm of the -work is that it takes us over so much and varied ground. Here, in the -gay crowd of ladies and courtiers, in the rustle of flowery silken -paniers, in the clatter of high-heeled shoes, move the figures of Louis -XV., Louis XVI., Du Barri and Marie-Antoinette. We catch picturesque -glimpses of the great wits, diplomatists and soldiers of the time, -until, finally we encounter Napoleon Bonaparte. - -ANNALS OF A YORKSHIRE HOUSE. - -From the Papers of a Macaroni and his Kindred. By A. M. W. STIRLING, -author of "Coke of Norfolk and his Friends." With 33 Illustrations, -including 3 in Colour and 3 in Photogravure. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 2 vols. 32_s._ net. - -MINIATURES: - -A Series of Reproductions in Photogravure of Eighty-Five Miniatures of -Distinguished Personages, including Queen Alexandra, the Queen of -Norway, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Victoria. Painted by -CHARLES TURRELL. (Folio.) 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(9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -FAMOUS AMERICANS IN PARIS. - -By JOHN JOSEPH CONWAY, M.A. With 32 Full-page Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 10_s._ 6_d._ net. - -LIFE AND MEMOIRS OF JOHN CHURTON COLLINS. - -Written and Compiled by his son, L. C. COLLINS. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -THE WIFE OF GENERAL BONAPARTE. - -By JOSEPH TURQUAN. Author of "The Love Affairs of Napoleon," etc. -Translated from the French by Miss VIOLETTE MONTAGU. With a Photogravure -Frontispiece and 16 other Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -Although much has been written concerning the Empress Josephine, we know -comparatively little about the _veuve_ Beauharnais and the _citoyenne_ -Bonaparte, whose inconsiderate conduct during her husband's absence -caused him so much anguish. We are so accustomed to consider Josephine -as the innocent victim of a cold and calculating tyrant who allowed -nothing, neither human lives nor natural affections, to stand in the way -of his all-conquering will, that this volume will come to us rather as a -surprise. Modern historians are over-fond of blaming Napoleon for having -divorced the companion of his early years; but after having read the -above work, the reader will be constrained to admire General Bonaparte's -forbearance and will wonder how he ever came to allow her to play the -Queen at the Tuileries. - -A SISTER OF PRINCE RUPERT. - -ELIZABETH PRINCESS PALATINE, - -ABBESS OF HERFORD. - -By ELIZABETH GODFREY. With numerous Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -AUGUSTUS SAINT GAUDENS: an Appreciation. - -By C. LEWIS HIND. Illustrated with 47 full-page Reproductions from his -most famous works. With a portrait of Keynon Cox. - -Large 4to. 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY AND HIS FAMILY: - -By Mrs. HERBERT ST. JOHN MILDMAY. Further Letters and Records, edited by -his Daughter and Herbert St. John Mildmay, with numerous Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 16_s._ net. - -SIMON BOLIVAR: El Libertador. - - A Life of the Leader of the Venezuelan Revolt against Spain. - -By F. LORAINE PETRE. With a Map and Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -A LIFE OF SIR JOSEPH BANKS, - -PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY: - -With Some Notices of His Friends and Contemporaries. - -By EDWARD SMITH, F.R.H.S., Author of "WILLIAM COBBETT: a Biography," -"England and America after the Independence," etc. With a Portrait in -Photogravure and 16 other Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -"The greatest living Englishman" was the tribute of his Continental -contemporaries to Sir. Joseph Banks. The author of his "Life" has, with -some enthusiasm, sketched the record of a man who for a period of half a -century filled a very prominent place in society, but whose name is -almost forgotten by the present generation. - -NAPOLEON & THE INVASION OF ENGLAND: - -The Story of the Great Terror, 1797-1805. By H. F. B. WHEELER and A. M. -BROADLEY. With upwards of 100 Full-page Illustrations reproduced from -Contemporary Portraits, Prints, etc.; eight in Colour. 2 Volumes. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 32_s._ net. - -_Outlook._—"The book is not merely one to be ordered from the library; -it should be purchased, kept on an accessible shelf, and constantly -studied by all Englishmen who love England." - -DUMOURIEZ AND THE DEFENCE OF - -ENGLAND AGAINST NAPOLEON. - -By J. HOLLAND ROSE, Litt.D. (Cantab.), Author of "The Life of Napoleon," -and A. M. BROADLEY, joint-author of "Napoleon and the Invasion of -England." Illustrated with numerous Portraits, Maps, and Facsimiles. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. - -THE FALL OF NAPOLEON. - -By OSCAR BROWNING, M.A., Author of "The Boyhood and Youth of Napoleon." -With numerous Full-page Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_Spectator._—"Without doubt Mr. Oscar Browning has produced a book which -should have its place in any library of Napoleonic literature." - -_Truth._—"Mr. Oscar Browning has made not the least, but the most of the -romantic material at his command for the story of the fall of the -greatest figure in history." - -THE BOYHOOD & YOUTH OF NAPOLEON, 1769-1793. - -Some Chapters on the early life of Bonaparte. - -BY OSCAR BROWNING, M.A. With numerous Illustrations, Portraits etc. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -_Daily News._—"Mr. Browning has with patience, labour, careful study, -and excellent taste given us a very valuable work, which will add -materially to the literature on this most fascinating of human -personalities. - -THE LOVE AFFAIRS OF NAPOLEON. - -By JOSEPH TURQUAN. Translated from the French by JAMES L. MAY. With 32 -Full-page Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -THE DUKE OF REICHSTADT (NAPOLEON II.) - -By EDWARD DE WERTHEIMER. Translated from the German. With numerous -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. (Second Edition.) - -_Times._—"A most careful and interesting work which presents the first -complete and authoritative account of this unfortunate Prince." - -_Westminster Gazette._—"This book, admirably produced, reinforced by -many additional portraits, is a solid contribution to history and a -monument of patient, well-applied research." - -NAPOLEON'S CONQUEST OF PRUSSIA, 1806. - -By F. LORAINE PETRE. With an Introduction by FIELD-MARSHAL EARL ROBERTS, -V.C., K.G., etc. With Maps, Battle Plans, Portraits, and 16 Full-page -Illustrations. Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_Scotsman._—"Neither too concise, nor too diffuse, the book is eminently -readable. It is the best work in English on a somewhat circumscribed -subject." - -_Outlook._—"Mr. Petre has visited the battlefields and read everything, -and his monograph is a model of what military history, handled with -enthusiasm and literary ability, can be." - -NAPOLEON'S CAMPAIGN IN POLAND, 1806-1807. - -A Military History of Napoleon's First War with Russia, verified from -unpublished official documents. - -By F. LORAIN PETRE. With 16 Full-page Illustrations, Maps, and Plans. -New Edition. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_Army and Navy Chronicle._—"We welcome a second edition of this valuable -work.... Mr. Loraine Petre is an authority on the wars of the great -Napoleon, and has brought the greatest care and energy into his studies -of the subject." - -NAPOLEON AND THE ARCHDUKE CHARLES. - -A History of the Franco-Austrian Campaign in the Valley of the Danube in -1809. - -By F. LORAINE PETRE. With 8 Illustrations and 6 sheets of Maps and -Plans. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -RALPH HEATHCOTE. Letters of a Diplomatist - -During the Time of Napoleon, Giving an Account of the Dispute between -the Emperor and the Elector of Hesse. - -By COUNTESS GUNTHER GRÖBEN. With Numerous Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -MEMOIRS OF THE COUNT DE CARTRIE. - -A record of the extraordinary events in the life of a French Royalist -during the war in La Vendée, and of his flight to Southampton, where he -followed the humble occupation of gardener. - -With an introduction by FRÉDÉRIC MASSON, Appendices and Notes by PIERRE -AMÉDÉE PICHOT, and other hands, and numerous Illustrations, including a -Photogravure Portrait of the Author. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_Daily News._—"We have seldom met with a human document which has -interested us so much." - -THE JOURNAL OF JOHN MAYNE DURING - -A TOUR ON THE CONTINENT UPON ITS RE-OPENING - -AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, 1814. - -Edited by his Grandson, JOHN MAYNE COLLES. With 16 Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -WOMEN OF THE SECOND EMPIRE. - -Chronicles of the Court of Napoleon III. - -By FRÉDÉRIC LOLIÉE. With an Introduction by RICHARD WHITEING, and 53 -full-page Illustrations, 3 in Photogravure. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. - -_Standard._—"M. Frederic Loliée has written a remarkable book, vivid and -pitiless in its description of the intrigue and dare-devil spirit which -flourished unchecked at the French Court.... Mr. Richard Whiteing's -introduction is written with restraint and dignity." - -MEMOIRS OF MADEMOISELLE DES ECHEROLLES. - -Translated from the French by MARIE CLOTHILDE BALFOUR. With an -introduction by G. K. FORTESCUE, Portraits, etc. 5_s._ net. - -_Liverpool Mercury._—"... this absorbing book.... The work has a very -decided historical value. The translation is excellent, and quite -notable in the preservation of idiom." - -GIOVANNI BOCCACCIO: A BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY. - -By EDWARD HUTTON. With a Photogravure Frontispiece and numerous other -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 16_s._ net. - -THE LIFE OF PETER ILICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893). - -By his Brother, MODESTE TCHAIKOVSKY. Edited and abridged from the -Russian and German Editions by ROSA NEWMARCH. With Numerous -Illustrations and Facsimiles and an Introduction by the Editor. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. Second edition. - -_The Times._—"A most illuminating commentary on Tchaikovsky's music." - -_World._—"One of the most fascinating self-revelations by an artist -which has been given to the world. The translation is excellent, and -worth reading for its own sake." - -_Contemporary Review._—"The book's appeal is, of course, primarily to -the music-lover; but there is so much of human and literary interest in -it, such intimate revelation of a singularly interesting personality, -that many who have never come under the spell of the Pathetic Symphony -will be strongly attracted by what is virtually the spiritual -autobiography of its composer. High praise is due to the translator and -editor for the literary skill with which she has prepared the English -version of this fascinating work.... There have been few collections of -letters published within recent years that give so vivid a portrait of -the writer as that presented to us in these pages." - -THE LIFE OF SIR HALLIDAY MACARTNEY, K.C.M.G., - -Commander of Li Hung Chang's trained force in the Taeping Rebellion, -founder of the first Chinese Arsenal, Secretary to the first Chinese -Embassy to Europe. Secretary and Councillor to the Chinese Legation in -London for thirty years. By DEMETRIUS C. BOULGER, Author of the "History -of China," the "Life of Gordon," etc. With Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) Price 21_s._ net. - -DEVONSHIRE CHARACTERS AND STRANGE EVENTS. - -By S. BARING-GOULD, M.A., Author of "Yorkshire Oddities," etc. With 58 -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. - -_Daily News._—"A fascinating series ... the whole book is rich in human -interest. It is by personal touches, drawn from traditions and memories, -that the dead men surrounded by the curious panoply of their time, are -made to live again in Mr. Baring-Gould's pages." - -THE HEART OF GAMBETTA. - -Translated from the French of FRANCIS LAUR by VIOLETTE MONTAGU. With an -Introduction by JOHN MACDONALD, Portraits and other Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -_Daily Telegraph._—"It is Gambetta pouring out his soul to Léonie Leon, -the strange, passionate, masterful demagogue, who wielded the most -persuasive oratory of modern times, acknowledging his idol, his -inspiration, his Egeria." - -THE LIFE OF JOAN OF ARC. - -By ANATOLE FRANCE. A Translation by WINIFRED STEPHENS. With 8 -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 2 vols. Price 25_s._ net. - -THE DAUGHTER OF LOUIS XVI. - -Marie-Thérèse-Charlotte of France, Duchesse D'Angoulême. - -By G. LENOTRE. With 13 Full-page Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) Price 10_s._ 6_d._ net. - -WITS, BEAUX, AND BEAUTIES OF THE GEORGIAN ERA. - -By JOHN FYVIE, author of "Some Famous Women of Wit and Beauty," "Comedy -Queens of the Georgian Era," etc. With a Photogravure Portrait and -numerous other Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -MADAME DE MAINTENON: - -Her Life and Times, 1655-1719. - -By C. C. DYSON. With 1 Photogravure Plate and 16 other Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 12_s._ 6_d._ net. - -DR. JOHNSON AND MRS. THRALE. - -By A. M. BROADLEY. With an Introductory Chapter by THOMAS SECCOMBE. With -24 Illustrations from rare originals, including a reproduction in -colours of the Fellowes Miniature of Mrs. Piozzi by Roche, and a -Photogravure of Harding's sepia drawing of Dr. Johnson. - -Demy 8vo (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 16_s._ net. - -THE DAYS OF THE DIRECTOIRE. - -By ALFRED ALLINSON, M.A. With 48 Full-page Illustrations, including many -illustrating the dress of the time. - -Demy 8vo (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 16_s._ net. - -HUBERT AND JOHN VAN EYCK: - -Their Life and Work. - -By W. H. JAMES WEALE. With 41 Photogravure and 95 Black and White -Reproductions. - -Royal 4to. £5 5_s._ net. - - SIR MARTIN CONWAY'S NOTE. - -Nearly half a century has passed since Mr. W. H. James Weale, then -resident at Bruges, began that long series of patient investigations -into the history of Netherlandish art which was destined to earn so rich -a harvest. When he began work Memlinc was still called Hemling, and was -fabled to have arrived at Bruges as a wounded soldier. The van Eycks -were little more than legendary heroes. Roger Van der Weyden was little -more than a name. Most of the other great Netherlandish artists were -either wholly forgotten or named only in connection with paintings with -which they had nothing to do. Mr. Weale discovered Gerard David, and -disentangled his principal works from Memlinc's, with which they were -then confused. - -VINCENZO FOPPA OF BRESCIA, - -FOUNDER OF THE LOMBARD SCHOOL, HIS LIFE AND WORK. - -By CONSTANCE JOCELYN FFOULKES and MONSIGNOR RODOLFO MAJOCCHI, D.D., -Rector of the Collegio Borromeo, Pavia. Based on research in the -Archives of Milan, Pavia, Brescia, and Genoa and on the study of all his -known works. With over 100 Illustrations, many in Photogravure, and 100 -Documents. - -Royal 4to. £5 5_s._ 0_d._ net. - -MEMOIRS OF THE DUKES OF URBINO. - -Illustrating the Arms, Art and Literature of Italy from 1440 to 1630. - -By JAMES DENNISTOUN of Dennistoun. A New Edition edited by EDWARD -HUTTON, with upwards of 100 Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 3 vols. 42_s._ net. - -THE DIARY OF A LADY-IN-WAITING. - -By LADY CHARLOTTE BURY. Being the Diary Illustrative of the Times of -George the Fourth. Interspersed with original Letters from the late -Queen Caroline and from various other distinguished persons. New -edition. Edited, with an Introduction, by A. FRANCIS STEUART. With -numerous portraits. Two Vols. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. - -THE LAST JOURNALS OF HORACE WALPOLE. - -During the Reign of George III from 1771 to 1783. With Notes by DR. -DORAN. - -Edited with an Introduction by A. FRANCIS STEUART, and containing -numerous Portraits (2 in Photogravure) reproduced from contemporary -Pictures, Engravings, etc. 2 vols. Uniform with "The Diary of a -Lady-in-Waiting." - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 25_s._ net. - -JUNIPER HALL: - -Rendezvous of certain illustrious Personages during the French -Revolution, including Alexander D'Arblay and Fanny Burney. - -Compiled by CONSTANCE HILL. With numerous Illustrations by ELLEN G. -HILL, and reproductions from various Contemporary Portraits. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -JANE AUSTEN: Her Homes and Her Friends. - -By CONSTANCE HILL. Numerous Illustrations by ELLEN G. HILL, together -with Reproductions from Old Portraits, etc. - -Cr. 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -THE HOUSE IN ST. MARTIN'S STREET. - -Being Chronicles of the Burney Family. - -By CONSTANCE HILL, Author of "Jane Austen, Her Home, and Her Friends," -"Juniper Hall," etc. With numerous Illustrations by ELLEN G. HILL, and -reproductions of Contemporary Portraits, etc. - -Demy 8vo. 21_s._ net. - -STORY OF THE PRINCESS DES URSINS IN SPAIN (Camarera-Mayor). - -By CONSTANCE HILL. With 12 Illustrations and a Photogravure -Frontispiece. New Edition. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -MARIA EDGEWORTH AND HER CIRCLE IN THE DAYS OF BONAPARTE AND BOURBON. - -By CONSTANCE HILL. Author of "Jane Austen: Her Homes and Her Friends," -"Juniper Hall," "The House in St. Martin's Street," etc. With numerous -Illustrations by ELLEN G. HILL and Reproductions of Contemporary -Portraits, etc. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 21_s._ net. - -CESAR FRANCK: A Study. - -Translated from the French of Vincent d'Indy, with an Introduction by -ROSA NEWMARCH. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -MEN AND LETTERS. - -By HERBERT PAUL, M.P. - -Fourth Edition. Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -ROBERT BROWNING: Essays and Thoughts. - -By J. T. NETTLESHIP. With Portrait. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ 6_d._ net. (Third Edition). - -NEW LETTERS OF THOMAS CARLYLE. - -Edited and Annotated by ALEXANDER CARLYLE, with Notes and an -Introduction and numerous Illustrations. In Two Volumes. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 25_s._ net. - -_Pall Mall Gazette._—"To the portrait of the man, Thomas, these letters -do really add value; we can learn to respect and to like him more for -the genuine goodness of his personality." - -_Literary World._—"It is then Carlyle, the nobly filial son, we see in -these letters; Carlyle, the generous and affectionate brother, the loyal -and warm-hearted friend, ... and above all, Carlyle as a tender and -faithful lover of his wife." - -_Daily Telegraph._—"The letters are characteristic enough of the Carlyle -we know: very picturesque and entertaining, full of extravagant -emphasis, written, as a rule, at fever heat, eloquently rabid and -emotional." - -NEW LETTERS AND MEMORIALS OF JANE WELSH CARLYLE. - -A Collection of hitherto Unpublished Letters. - -Annotated by THOMAS CARLYLE, and Edited by ALEXANDER CARLYLE, with an -Introduction by SIR JAMES CRICHTON BROWNE, M.D., LLD., F.R.S., numerous -Illustrations drawn in Lithography by T. R. WAY, and Photogravure -Portraits from hitherto unreproduced Originals. In Two Vols. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 25_s._ net. - -_Westminster Gazette._—"Few letters in the language have in such -perfection the qualities which good letters should possess. Frank, gay, -brilliant, indiscreet, immensely clever, whimsical, and audacious, they -reveal a character which, with whatever alloy of human infirmity, must -endear itself to any reader of understanding." - -_World._—"Throws a deal of new light on the domestic relations of the -Sage of Chelsea. They also contain the full text of Mrs. Carlyle's -fascinating journal, and her own 'humorous and quaintly candid' -narrative of her first love-affair." - -THE LOVE LETTERS OF THOMAS CARLYLE AND JANE WELSH. - -Edited by ALEXANDER CARLYLE, Nephew of THOMAS CARLYLE, editor of "New -Letters and Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle," "New Letters of Thomas -Carlyle," etc. With 2 Portraits in colour and numerous other -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 2 vols. 25_s._ net. - -CARLYLE'S FIRST LOVE. - -Margaret Gordon—Lady Bannerman. An account of her Life, Ancestry and -Homes; her Family and Friends. - -By R. C. ARCHIBALD. With 20 Portraits and Illustrations, including a -Frontispiece in Colour. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 10_s._ 6_d._ net. - -EMILE ZOLA: NOVELIST AND REFORMER. - -An Account of his Life, Work, and Influence. - -By E. A. VIZETELLY. With numerous Illustrations, Portraits, etc. - -Demy 8vo. 21_s._ net. - -MEMOIRS OF THE MARTYR KING: Being a detailed record of the last two -years of the Reign of His Most Sacred Majesty King Charles the First, -1646-1648-9. Compiled by ALAN FEA. With upwards of 100 Photogravure -Portraits and other Illustrations, including relics. Royal 4to. £5 5_s._ -0_d._ net. - -MEMOIRS OF A VANISHED GENERATION 1811-1855. Edited by MRS. WARRENNE -BLAKE. With numerous Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 16_s._ net. - -THE KING'S GENERAL IN THE WEST, - -Being the Life of Sir Richard Granville, Baronet (1600-1659). - -By ROGER GRANVILLE, M.A., Sub-Dean of Exeter Cathedral. With -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 10_s._ 6_d._ net. - -THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF ROBERT - -STEPHEN HAWKER, sometime Vicar of Morwenstow in Cornwall. - -By C. E. BYLES. With numerous Illustrations by J. LEY PETHYBRIDGE and -others. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -THE LIFE OF WILLIAM BLAKE. - -By ALEXANDER GILCHRIST, Edited with an Introduction by W. GRAHAM -ROBERTSON. Numerous Reproductions from Blake's most characteristic and -remarkable designs. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 10_s._ 6_d._ net. New Edition. - -GEORGE MEREDITH: Some Characteristics. - -By RICHARD LE GALLIENNE. With a Bibliography (much enlarged) by JOHN -LANE. Portrait, etc. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. Fifth Edition. Revised. - -A QUEEN OF INDISCRETIONS. - -The Tragedy of Caroline of Brunswick, Queen of England. - -From the Italian of G. P. CLERICI. Translated by FREDERIC CHAPMAN. With -numerous Illustrations reproduced from contemporary Portraits and -Prints. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 21_s._ net. - -LETTERS AND JOURNALS OF SAMUEL GRIDLEY HOWE. - -Edited by his Daughter LAURA E. RICHARDS. With Notes and a Preface by F. -B. SANBORN, an Introduction by Mrs. JOHN LANE, and a Portrait. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 16_s._ net. - -GRIEG AND HIS MUSIC. - -By H. T. FINCK, Author of "Wagner and his Works," etc. With -Illustrations. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches.) 7_s._ 6_d._ net. - -EDWARD A. MACDOWELL: a Biography. - -By LAWRENCE GILMAN, Author of "Phases of Modern Music," "Strauss' -'Salome,'" "The Music of To-morrow and Other Studies," "Edward -Macdowell," etc. Profusely illustrated. - -Crown 8vo. 5_s._ net. - -THE LIFE OF ST. 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With a Bibliography by JOHN LANE. - -Crown 8vo. 3_s._ 6_d._ net. - -THE LIFE OF W. J. FOX, - - Public Teacher and Social Reformer, 1786-1864. - -By the late RICHARD GARNETT, C.B., LL.D., concluded by EDWARD GARNETT. - -Demy 8vo. (9 × 5-3/4 inches). 16_s._ net. - - JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD, VIGO STREET, LONDON, W. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - Transcriber's Note - -The original spelling and punctuation have been retained. 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