"His wife," she repeated proudly; "And to-morrow, if you and the King will not hinder us.

God made you my father, but neither God nor man has given you the right to insult me, and you shall not be unanswered, so long as I have strength and breath to speak.

But for you, I should be Don John of Austria's wife to-day--and then, then his 'toy,' his 'plaything'-- yes, and his slave and his servant--what you will! I love him, and I would work for him with my hands, as I would give my blood and my life for his, if God would grant me that happiness and grace, since you will not let me be his wife!" "His wife!" exclaimed Mendoza, with a savage sneer.

"His wife--to be married to-day and cast off to-morrow by a turn of the pen and the twisting of a word that would prove your marriage void, in order that Don John may be made the husband of some royal widowed lady, like Queen Mary of the Scots! His wife!" He laughed bitterly.
"You have an exalted opinion of your King, my father, since you suppose that he would permit such deeds in Spain!" Dolores had drawn herself up to her full height as she spoke, and she remained motionless as she awaited the answer to what she had said.

It was long in coming, though Mendoza's dark eyes met hers unflinchingly, and his lips moved more than once as if he were about to speak.