The old man looked at her, sighed, and sat down near a brazier of wood coals, over which he slowly warmed his transparent hands, from time to time turning his rings slowly on his fingers, as if to warm them, too.

Outside, the chamberlain in attendance walked slowly up and down, again and again passing the open door, through which he glanced at Dolores' face.

The antechamber was little more than a short, broad corridor, and led to the King's study.

This corridor had other doors, however, and it was through it that the King's private rooms communicated with the hall of the royal apartments.
As Ruy Gomez had learned, Mendoza was with Philip, but not alone.

The old officer was standing on one side of the room, erect and grave, and King Philip sat opposite him, in a huge chair, his still eyes staring at the fire that blazed in the vast chimney, and sent sudden flashes of yellow through the calm atmosphere of light shed by a score of tall candles.