In vain Philip had bidden Antonio Perez and the Princess of Eboli use all their wits and skill to prove that he was plotting to seize the crown.

They answered that he loved a girl of the court, Mendoza's daughter, and that besides war, for war's sake, he cared for nothing in the world but Dolores and his adopted mother.
They spoke the truth, for they had reason to know it, having used every means in their power to find out whether he could be induced to quarrel with Philip and enter upon a civil war, which could have had but one issue, since all Spain would have risen to proclaim him king.

He had been tempted by questions, and led into discussions in which it seemed certain that he must give them some hope.

But they and their agents lost heart before the insuperable obstacle of the young prince's loyalty.

It was simple, unaffected, and without exaggeration.