His next question came suddenly.
"How could a marriage consecrated by our holy religion ever be declared null and void ?" "Easily enough, if your Majesty wished it," answered Mendoza unguardedly, for his temper was slowly heating.
"Write down that answer, Perez.

In other words, Mendoza, you think that I have no respect for the sacrament of marriage, which I would at any time cause to be revoked to suit my political purposes.

Is that what you think ?" "I did not say that, Sire.

I said that even if Don John married my daughter--" "I know quite well what you said," interrupted the King suavely.

"Perez has got every word of it on paper." The Secretary's bad black eyes looked up from his writing, and he slowly nodded as he looked at Mendoza.