In two days she would have spent in dissipation and feasting any sums which the King might choose to supply.

The Duke, who feared nothing else in the world, stood in mortal awe of the widow Kegell.

"A terrible animal, indeed, is an unbridled woman," wrote secretary Gayas, from Madrid, at the close of Alva's administration for, notwithstanding every effort to entice, to intimidate, and to kidnap her from the Netherlands, there she remained, through all vicissitudes, even till the arrival of Don John.

By his persuasions or commands she was, at last, induced to accept an exile for the remainder of her days, in Spain, but revenged herself by asserting.
that he was quite mistaken: in supposing himself the Emperor's child; a point, certainly, upon which her, authority might be thought conclusive.
Thus there was a double mystery about Don John.

He might be the issue of august parentage on one side; he was; possibly, sprung of most ignoble blood.