Don John did not answer, for he had no wish to produce such a result, and moreover he was much more preoccupied by the serious question of Dolores’ safety than by any other consideration.  So far the King had said nothing which, but for some derogation from his dignity, might not have been said before any one, and Don John expected that he would maintain the same tone until Mendoza returned.  It was hard to predict what might happen then.  In all probability Dolores would escape by the window and endeavour to hide herself in the empty sentry-box until the interview was over.  He could then bring her back in safety, but the discussion promised to be long and stormy, and meanwhile she would be in constant danger of discovery.  But there was a worse possibility, not even quite beyond the bounds of the probable.  In his present mood, Philip, if he lost his temper altogether, would perhaps be capable of placing Don John under arrest.  He was all powerful, he hated his brother, and he was very angry.  His last words had been a menace, or had sounded like one, and another word, when Mendoza returned, could put the threat into execution.  Don John reflected, if such thought could be called reflection, upon the situation that must ensue, and upon the probable fate of the woman he loved.  He wondered whether she were still in the room, for hearing that the door was to be opened, she might have thought it best to escape at once, while her father was absent from the terrace on his errand.  If not, she could certainly go out by the window as soon as she heard him coming back.  It was clearly of the greatest importance to prevent the King’s anger from going any further.  Antonio Perez had recognized the same truth from a very different point of view, and had spent nearly three-quarters of an hour in flattering his master with the consummate skill which he alone possessed.  He believed that he had succeeded when the King had dismissed him, saying that he would not see Don John until the morning.  Five minutes after Perez was gone, Philip was threading the corridors, completely disguised in a long black cloak, with the ever-loyal Mendoza at his heels.  It was not the first time that he had deceived his deceivers.

He paced the room in silence after he had last spoken.  As soon as Don John realized that his liberty might be endangered, he saw that he must say what he could in honour and justice to save himself from arrest, since nothing else could save Dolores.

“I greatly regret having done anything to anger your Majesty,” he said, with quiet dignity.  “I was placed in a very difficult position by unforeseen circumstances.  If there had been time to reflect, I might have acted otherwise.”

“Might have acted otherwise!” repeated Philip harshly.  “I do not like those words.  You might have acted otherwise than to defy your sovereign before the Queen!  I trusted you might, indeed!”

He was silent again, his protruding lip working angrily, as if he had tasted something he disliked.  Don John’s half apology had not been received with much grace, but he saw no way open save to insist that it was genuine.