Throughout the rest of the provinces, the mass of the people looked up to him with absolute confidence, the clergy and the prominent nobles respecting and fearing him, even while they secretly attempted to thwart his designs.

Possessing dictatorial power in two provinces, vast influences in the other fifteen, nothing could be easier for him than to betray his country.

The time was singularly propitious.

The revengeful King was almost on his knees to the denounced rebel.

Everything was proffered: pardon, advancement, power.