But Don John sat quietly in his place, no more realizing that there could be danger than if he had been charging the Moors at the head of his cavalry, or fighting a man hand to hand with drawn swords.
But still the fear grew, and even the gentlemen and the servants wondered, for it had never happened that the King had not at last broken the silence at supper, so that all guessed trouble near at hand, and peril for themselves.

The Queen grew nervous and ceased to eat.

She looked from Philip to Don John, and more than once seemed about to speak, but recollected herself and checked the words.

Her hand shook and her thin young nostrils quivered now and then.

Evil was gathering in the air, and she felt it approaching, though she could not tell whence it came.