Before Prince Carlos died, or was poisoned, and while he was still a prisoner at Morella, he gave to, or procured for this boy the title of marquis, choosing from some fancy the name of Morella, that place where he had suffered so much.

Also he settled some private lands upon him.

After the prince died, the Moorish lady, his lover, who had secretly become a Christian, took her son to live at her palace in Granada, where she died also some ten years ago, leaving all her great wealth to him, for she never married.

At this time it is said that his life was in danger, for the reason that, although he was half a Moor, too much of the blood-royal ran in his veins.

But the Marquis was clever, and persuaded the king and queen that he had no ambition beyond his pleasures.