It was then that he spoke the words Dolores heard.
"I throw myself upon your Majesty's mercy! I have killed Don John of Austria in a private quarrel, and he was unarmed." Philip understood well enough, and a faint smile of satisfaction flitted through the shadows of his face.

It was out of the question that the world should ever know who had killed his brother, and he knew the man who offered to sacrifice himself by bearing the blame of the deed.
Mendoza would die, on the scaffold if need be, and it would be enough for him to know that his death saved his King.

No word would ever pass his lips.

The man's loyalty would bear any proof; he could feel horror at the thought that Philip could have done such a deed, but the King's name must be saved at all costs, and the King's divine right must be sustained before the world.

He felt no hesitation from the moment when he saw clearly how this must be done.