That being the case, her first impulse was to help her sister if possible, but so long as she was a prisoner in Dolores' place, she could do nothing, and she resolved that the Princess should help her to escape.
Dona Ana began to speak quickly and fluently in the dark.

She said that she knew the girl's position, and had long known how tenderly she loved Don John of Austria, and was loved by him.

She sympathized deeply with them both, and meant to do all in her power to help them.

Then she told how she had missed Dolores at court that night.
Inez started involuntarily and drew her breath quickly, but Dona Ana thought it natural that Dolores should give some expression to the disappointment she must have felt at being shut up a prisoner on such an occasion, when all the court was assembled to greet the man she loved.
Then the Princess went on to tell how she had met Mendoza and had come with him, and how with great difficulty she had learned the truth, and had undertaken Dolores' care for a few days; and how Mendoza had been satisfied, never suspecting that she really sympathized with the lovers.
That was a state secret, but of course Dolores must know it.

The King privately desired the marriage, she said, because he was jealous of his brother and wished that he would tire of winning battles and live quietly, as happy men do.
"Don John will tell you, when you see him," she continued.