But he never heard the last of it.

They made songs about him in the streets, and would ask him how his godmother, Isabella, was, because she had promised and vowed on his behalf; also, whether the marchioness had broken any lances for his sake lately, and so forth." "Poor man!" said Peter again, in tones of the deepest sympathy.

"A cruel fate; I should have done better to kill him." "Much; but don't say so to the noble Betty, who thinks that he had a very happy married life under her protecting care.

Really, he ate his heart out till even I, who hated him, was sorry.

Think of it! One of the proudest men in Spain, and the most gallant, a nephew of the king, a pillar of the Church, his sovereigns' plenipotentiary to the Moors, and on secret matters--the common mock of the vulgar, yes, and of the great too!" "The great! Which of them ?" "Nearly all, for the queen set the fashion--I wonder why she hated him so ?" Inez added, looking shrewdly at Peter; then without waiting for an answer, went on: "She did it very cleverly, by always making the most of the most honourable Betty in public, calling her near to her, talking with her, admiring her English beauty, and so forth, and what her Majesty did, everybody else did, until my exalted mistress nearly went off her head, so full was she of pride and glory.