"As was the case when Anna di Mendoça effected the conquest over his boyish affections, so generously pardoned by his royal brother!--But after such proof of the hereditary aspirings of Don John, it would be difficult to persuade me of his highness's derogation." "Would _I_ could say as much!"--exclaimed Nignio, with a groan. "But such a cow-hunt as mine of this morning, might convince the scepticism of St Thomas!" "What, in the name of the whole calendar, have the affections of the prince in common with your exploit?" said Gonzaga. "Would you have me infer that the son of Charles V. is enamoured of a dairy wench?"-- "Of _worse_! of a daughter of the Amalekites!"--cried Nignio--stretching out his widely booted legs, as though it were a relief to him to have disburthened himself of his mystery. "I have not the honour of understanding you," replied the Italian,--no further versed in Scripture history than was the pleasure of his almoner. "You are his highness's _friend_, Gonzaga!" resumed the Spanish captain. "Even among his countrymen, none so near his heart! I have therefore no scruple in acquainting you with a matter, wherein, from the first, I determined to seek your counteraction. Though seemingly but a straw thrown up into the air, I infer from it a most evil predilection on the part of Don John;--fatal to himself, to us, his friends, and to the country he represents in Belgium." "Nay, now you are serious indeed!" cried his companion, delighted to come to the point. "I was in hopes it was some mere matter of a pair of rosy lips and a flaunting top-knot!" "At the time Queen Margaret visited Namur," began the aide-de-camp-- "I knew it!" interrupted Gonzaga, "I was as prepared for it as for the opening of a fairy legend--'On a time their lived a king and queen'--" "Will _you_ tell the story, then, or shall I?"--cried Nignio, impatient of his interruption. "_Yourself_, my pearl of squires! granting me in the first place your pardon for my ill manners."-- "When Margaret de Valois visited Namur," resumed Nignio, "the best diversions we had to offer to so fair and pious a princess were, first a _Te Deum_ in the cathedral for her safe journey; next, an entertainment of dancing and music at the town hall--and a gallant affair it was, as far as silver draperies, and garlands of roses, and a blaze of light that seemed to threaten the conflagration of the city, may be taken in praise. The queen had brought with her, as with _malice prepense_, six of the loveliest ladies of honour gracing the court of the Louvre"-- "I _knew_ it!"--again interrupted Gonzaga;--and again did Nignio gravely enquire of him whether (since so well informed) he would be pleased to finish the history in his own way? "Your pardon! your pardon!" cried the Italian, laying his finger on his lips. "Henceforward I am mute as a carp of the Meuse."