apers, sat the King
and his secretary. Grave, sullen, and taciturn, there was little in
the habitual manner of Philip the Third that could betray to the
most experienced courtier the outward symptoms of favour or caprice.
Education had fitted him for the cloister, but the necessities of
despotism had added acute cunning to slavish superstition. The business
for which Calderon had been summoned was despatched, with a silence
broken but by monosyllables from the king, and brief explanations from
the secretary; and Philip, rising, gave the signal for Calderon to
retire. It was then that the king, turning a dull but steadfast eye upon
the marquis, said, with a kind of effort, as if speech were painful to
him,

"The prince left me but a minute before your entrance--have you seen him
since your return?"

"Your majesty, yes. He honoured me this morning with his presence."

"On state affairs?"

"Your majesty knows, I trust, that your servant treats of state affairs
only with your August self, or your appointed ministers."

"The prince has favoured you, Don Roderigo."

"Your majesty commanded me to seek that favour."

"It is true. Happy the monarch whose faithful servant is the confidant
of the heir to his crown!"

"Could the prince harbour one thought displeasing to your majesty, I
think I could detect and quell it at its birth. But your majesty is
blessed in a grateful son."

"I believe it. His love of pleasure decoys him from ambition--so it
should be. I am not an austere parent. Keep his favour, Don Roderigo; it
pleases me. Hast thou offended him in aught?"

"I trust I have not incurred so great a misfortune."

"He spoke not of thee with his usual praises--I noticed it. I tell thee
this that thou mayest rectify what is wrong. Thou canst not serve me
more than by guarding him from all friendships save with those whose
affection to myself I can trust. I have said enough."

"Such has ever been my object. Bat I have not the youth of the prince,
and men speak ill of me, that, in order to gain his confidence, I share
in his pursuits."

"It matters not what they say of thee. Faithful ministers are rarely
eulogised by the populace or the court. Thou knowest my mind: I repeat,
lose not the prince's favour." Calderon bowed low, and withdrew. As he
passed through the apartments of the palace, he crossed a gallery, in
which he perceived, stationed by a window, the young prince and his own
arch-foe, the Duke d'Uzeda. At