and
finding, at length, that no Sisa was to be obtained, he ordered the
archbishop to dissolve the _junta_, which he did in the following
words:--"Gentlemen,--his Majesty says, that he convoked your lordships'
assembly for the purpose of communicating to you his necessities, and
those of these kingdoms, since it appeared to him that, as they were
general, such also should be the remedy; but seeing all that has been
done, it appears to him that there is no need of detaining your
lordships, but that each of you may go to his house, or whither he may
think proper."

It must be confessed that the grandees, who had on this occasion
complained of Charles's foreign expeditions, and neglect of his Spanish
dominions, did not pursue the system best calculated to reconcile him to
a residence among them. Instead of taking advantage of the opportunities
afforded by social intercourse, for making amends for the repulse he had
suffered from the cortez, they appeared desirous of rendering the amount
of humiliation which awaited him in Spain a counterpoise to his triumphs
in his other dominions. On the close of the above-mentioned session, a
tournament was celebrated in the _vega_ of Toledo. On arriving at the
lists, an _alguacil_ of the court, whose duty it was to clear the way
on the emperor's approach--seeing the Duke de l'Infantado in the way,
requested him to move on, and on his refusal struck his horse with his
staff. The duke drew his sword and cut open the officer's head. In the
midst of the disturbance occasioned by the incident, the _alcalde_
Ronquillo came up, and attempted to arrest the duke in the emperor's
name--when the constable, Duke de Frias, who had just ridden to the
scene of bustle, reining in his horse, exclaimed, "I, in virtue of my
office, am chief minister of justice in these kingdoms, and the duke is,
therefore, my prisoner;" and addressing himself to the alcalde: "know
better another time, on what persons you may presume to exercise your
authority." The duke left the ground in company of the last speaker, and
was followed by all the nobles present, leaving the emperor entirely
unaccompanied. It appears that no notice was taken by Charles of this
insult; his manner towards the Duke of Infantado on the following day
being marked by peculiar condescension, and all compensation to the
wounded _alguacil_ left to the duke's generosity.

The personal qualities of this prince, as a monarch, appear to have been
over