And Philip followed him without looking back, and both went out upon the terrace, leaving both doors ajar after them.

They exchanged a few words more as they walked slowly in the direction of the corridor.
"It is necessary that your Majesty should return at once to the throne room, as if nothing had happened," said Mendoza.

"Your Majesty should be talking unconcernedly with some ambassador or minister when the news is brought that his Highness is dead." "And who shall bring the news ?" asked Philip calmly, as if he were speaking to an indifferent person.
"I will, Sire," answered Mendoza firmly.
"They will tear you in pieces before I can save you," returned Philip, in a thoughtful tone.
"So much the better.

I shall die for my King, and your Majesty will be spared the difficulty of pardoning a deed which will be unpardonable in the eyes of the whole world." "That is true," said the King meditatively.

"But I do not wish you to die, Mendoza," he added, as an afterthought.