Philip took the note and opened it, and Perez returned to his seat at once.
The King unfolded the small sheet carefully.

The room was so full of light that he could read it when he sat, without moving.

His eyes followed the lines quickly to the end, and returned to the beginning, and he read the missive again more carefully.

Not the slightest change of expression was visible in his face, as he folded the paper neatly again in the exact shape in which he had received it.

Then he remained silent a few moments.