The moonlight no longer shone in straight through the open embrasures, and there was a dim twilight in the corridor.
"You do not wish Dolores to marry Don John of Austria, then," said the Princess presently, in very low tones.

"Then the King is on your side, and so am I.But I should like to know your reason for objecting to such a very great marriage." "Simple enough, Madam.

Whenever it should please his Majesty's policy to marry his brother to a royal personage, such as Queen Mary of Scotland, the first marriage would be proved null and void, because the King would command that it should be so, and my daughter would be a dishonoured woman, fit for nothing but a convent." "Do you call that dishonour ?" asked the Princess thoughtfully.

"Even if that happened, you know that Don John would probably not abandon Dolores.

He would keep her near him--and provide for her generously--" "Madam!" cried the brave old soldier, interrupting her in sudden and generous anger, "neither man nor woman shall tell me that my daughter could ever fall to that!" She saw that she had made a mistake, and pressed his arm soothingly.
"Pray, do not be angry with me, my dear friend.