After that, neither Mendoza nor any one else, save the King himself, would presume to interfere with the liberty of Don John of Austria's wife.

All Spain would rise to protect her--she was sure of that.

But they had said nothing about a marriage and had wasted time over that unknown woman's abominable letter.

Since she reasoned it out to herself, she saw that in all probability the ceremony would take place as soon as Don John reached Villagarcia.

He was powerful enough to demand the necessary permission of the Archbishop, and he would bring it with him; but no priest, even in the absence of a written order, would refuse to marry him if he desired it.