ed that of Valentine la Nina instead.

Then, for the first time in many years, a tear lay upon the cheek of the
King of Spain, wondering mightily at itself.

CHAPTER XLVII.

GREAT LOVE--AND GREATER

Now this is the explanation of these things.

In his hot youth, Philip, son of the great Emperor, had wedded in secret
his comrade's sister, that comrade being one of the richest and most
ancient nobles of his kingdom, Osorio, Marquis of Astorga. But by a
miracle of abnegation, Isabel Osorio had stood aside, her brother and
the full family council approving her act, in order that her husband,
and the father of her three children, should add Portugal, and
afterwards England, to his Spanish domains.

Therefore, from the point of view of dynasty, the Osorios of Astorga
held the succession of the kingdom of Spain in their hands. At the least
they could have produced a bloody war, which would have rent Spain from
one end to the other, on behalf of the succession of Isabel Osorio's
children. Therefore it had been the main purpose of Philip to keep them
all unmarried. The sons, Pierre and Bernardino, he had severally made
priors of great Flemish and Italian monasteries. Only Valentine la Nina
he had never been able to dispose of according to his will. Now he had
her word. No wonder that the King slept more soundly that night.

After all, what did it matter to him if a couple of heretics escaped--if
only Valentine la Nina were once safely cloistered within the house of
the Carmelites of El Parral. It cannot be denied, however, that a
thought of treachery passed across the royal--oh, so little royal--mind.

"Afterwards?" he murmured "But no--that would not do. I must keep my
word--a painful necessity, but a necessity. The Osorios of Astorga are
too powerful. To spite me, Valentine might return to the world. And the
Pope would be glad enough to embroil the succession of Spain, in the
interests of the Milanais and his own Italian provinces."

After all, better to keep his word! So, satiated with well-doing and
well-intending, the King said a prayer, clicked his beads, and as he
turned towards the slit in his bedroom through which he could see the
high altar, he thanked God that he was not as other men. He could
forgive. He could fulfil. Nay, he would go himself and witness the
ceremony of the Black Veil--to make sure that his daughter really became
the bride of Holy Church. And to this end he sent certain orders to
Ta