I dropped them." "And are gloves such precious possessions that Don John of Austria must stoop to pick them up himself ?" Adonis began to tremble again, and all his fear returned, so that he almost staggered against the wall.

The Queen looked on in surprise, for she had not been Philip's wife many months.

Don John was unconcerned, and laughed in reply to the question.
"It chances that after long campaigning these are the only new white gloves Don John of Austria possesses," he answered lightly.
"Let me see them," said the King, extending his hand, and smiling suddenly.
With some deliberation Don John presented one of the gloves to his brother, who took it and pretended to examine it critically, still smiling.

He turned it over several times, while Adonis looked on, gasping for breath, but unnoticed.
"The other," said Philip calmly.
Adonis tried to suppress a groan, and his eyes were fixed on Don John's face.

Would he refuse?
Would he try to extract the letter from the glove under his brother's eyes?
Would he give it up?
Don John did none of those things, and there was not the least change of colour in his cheek.