It was a sort of throne speech, and set forth briefly, in very measured terms, the results of the long campaign against the Moriscoes, according high praise to the army in general, and containing a few congratulatory phrases addressed to Don John himself.

The audience of nobles listened attentively, and whenever the leader's name occurred, the suppressed flutter of enthusiasm ran through the hall like a breeze that stirs forest leaves in summer; but when the King was mentioned the silence was dead and unbroken.

Don John sat quite still, looking down a little, and now and then his colour deepened perceptibly.

The speech did not hint at any reward or further distinction to be conferred on him.
When Perez had finished reading, he paused a moment, and the hand that held the paper fell to his side.

Then he raised his voice to a higher key.
"God save his Majesty Don Philip Second!" be cried.