grew also in
intimacy between the royal pair, and plans for Sebastian's future came
to be discussed. She urged him to proclaim himself. His penance had been
overlong already for what was really no fault at all, since it is the
heart rather than the deed that Heaven judges, and his heart had been
pure, his intention in making war upon the Infidel loftily pious.
Diffidently he admitted that it might be so, but both he and Frey Miguel
were of opinion that it would be wiser now to await the death of Philip
II., which, considering his years and infirmities, could not be long
delayed. Out of jealousy for his possessions, King Philip might oppose
Sebastian's claims.

Meanwhile these daily visits of Espinosa's, and the long hours he spent
in Anne's company gave, as was inevitable, rise to scandal, within and
without the convent. She was a nun professed, interdicted from seeing
any man but her confessor other than through the parlour grating,
and even then not at such length or with such constancy as this. The
intimacy between them--fostered and furthered by Frey Miguel--had so
ripened in a few weeks that Anne was justified in looking upon him as
her saviour from the living tomb to which she had been condemned, in
hoping that he would restore her to the life and liberty for which she
had ever yearned by taking her to Queen when his time came to claim his
own. What if she was a nun professed? Her profession had been against
her will, preceded by only one year of novitiate, and she was still
within the five probationary years prescribed. Therefore, in her view,
her vows were revocable.

But this was a matter beyond the general consideration or knowledge,
and so the scandal grew. Within the convent there was none bold
enough, considering Anne's royal rank, to offer remonstrance or advice,
particularly too, considering that her behaviour had the sanction of
Frey Miguel, the convent's spiritual adviser. But from without, from the
Provincial of the Order of St. Augustine, came at last a letter to Anne,
respectfully stern in tone, to inform her that the numerous visits she
received from a pastry-cook were giving rise to talk, for which it would
be wise to cease to give occasion. That recommendation scorched her
proud, sensitive soul with shame. She sent her servant Roderos at once
to fetch Frey Miguel, and placed the letter in his hands.

The friar's dark eyes scanned it and grew troubled.

"It was to have been feared," he said, a