friend?--I held him off, urged prudence and
patience upon him, and generally sought to temporize. I was as intent
upon saving him from leaving his skin in this business as I was, on the
other hand, intent upon doing my duty without pause or scruple to my
King. But the fool forced my hand. A Court is a foul place always, even
so attenuated a Court as that which Philip of Spain encouraged. Rumour
thrives in it, scandal blossoms luxuriantly in its fetid atmosphere.
And rumour and scandal had been busy with the Princess of Eboli and me,
though I did not dream it.

We had been indiscreet, no doubt. We had been seen together in public
too often. We had gone to the play together more than once; she had been
present with me at a bull-fight on one occasion, and it was matter of
common gossip, as I was to learn, that I was a too frequent visitor at
her house.

Another visitor there was Escovedo when in Madrid. Have I not said
that in his early days he had been one of Eboli's secretaries? On
that account the house of Eboli remained open to him at all times. The
Princess liked him, was kindly disposed towards him, and encouraged his
visits. We met there more than once. One day we left together, and
that day the fool set spark to a train that led straight to the mine on
which, all unconsciously, he stood.

"A word of advice in season, Don Antonio," he said as we stepped forth
together. "Do not go so often to visit the Princess."

I sought to pull my arm from his, but he dung to it and pinned it to his
side.

"Nay, now--nay, now!" he soothed me. "Not so hot, my friend. What the
devil have I said to provoke resentment? I advise you as your friend."

"In future advise that other friend of yours, the devil," I answered
angrily, and pulled my arm away at last. "Don Juan, you have presumed, I
think. I did not seek your advice. It is yourself that stands in need of
advice this moment more than any man in Spain."

"Lord of the World," he exclaimed in amiable protest, "listen to him!
I speak because I owe friendship to the Princess. Men whisper of your
comings and goings, I tell you. And the King, you know well, should he
hear of this I am in danger of losing my only friend at Court, and so--"

"Another word of this," I broke in fiercely, "now or at any other time,
and I'll skewer you like a rabbit!"

I had stopped. My face was thrust within a hand's-breadth of his own; I
had tossed back my cloak, and my fingers clutched the hilt o