e come to read and write for the Lord Marquis,' she answered;
`not for her.'

"`Certes,' said I, `that was not told me.'

"`It is never told to any,' she replied.

"`But what is the secret, I pray your excellency?' I asked. `Is the
Queen's Highness sick, that she is never seen?'

"`She is mad,' answered she.

"`God have mercy on her!' cried I.

"`_Y la Santisima_!' (And the most holy Virgin!) saith she. `That is
what is said to the world. Be you ware, Dona Ines, that you gainsay it
not.'

"`Mean you that it is not true?' cried I.

"`I mean,' quoth she, `that my Lord Marquis of Denia is master here, and
is an ill one to offend. Say as he saith--that is our rule.'

"`Then,' said I, `there is somewhat behind, which men may not know.'

"`Behind!' she saith, with a low crafty laugh that it liked me not to
hear. `Ay, there is Don Carlos the Emperor, son of our Lady, behind the
Lord Marquis. Have a care what you do and say. _Con el Rey y la
Inquisicion, chiton_! (which is a Spanish saw [proverb], meaning, Be
silent touching the King and the Inquisition.) And if you speak
unadvisedly of the one, you may find you within the walls of the other.
I speak in kindness, Senora, and of what I know. This palace is not all
bowers and gardens. There be dungeons beneath those bowers, deep and
dark. Santa Maria defend us! You tread on mines--hold your peace!'

"`I thank you, Senora, for your warning,' answered I. `Go with God!'

"`And rest with Him!' she answered. [`Vaya (_or_ quede) usted con
Dios.'] (In this fashion do the Spaniards take their leave.) Then she
left me.

"Isoult, dear heart, I am well assured herefrom that this is an evil
place, and my Lord of Denia an ill man. But there is yet more to tell
thee.

"When I went down to supper, I there found my Lord and Lady of Denia;
Fray Juan de Avila, confessor to her Highness; and her Grace's
bower-women, whose names be Dona Ximena de Lara [fictitious], a young
damsel (I hear), of very high degree, that is stately and silent; Dona
Catalina de la Moraleja [fictitious], a middle-aged dame, grave and
sedate; Dona Leonor Gomez, of whom I have spoken; and Dona Rosada de Las
Penas [fictitious], a young maid of gentle and kindly look. And if thou
wouldst have their names in English--Ximena, I cannot interpret therein,
for it is a name particular unto these parts; but the others should be
Katherine [Note 7] and Eleanor, and Rose. Dona Leonor Gomez, I do find