The expanding mind of Blanche now called for increased attention: intent on nourishing and developing her precious qualities, both parents would have ceased to recollect that she was born to inherit a crown, had not the conversation of Gaspar, and the letters of Don Emanuel, kept that recollection alive. So remote from Europe, the communications they received from thence, were necessarily at very distant intervals; but these were always interesting, and calculated to animate hope. De Castro had been recalled solely through an intrigue of De Cunha’s family, who impoverished by their relations’ prodigality, had exerted themselves to procure for him the lucrative situation of viceroy over the new world: being supported by Philip’s mistress they had ultimately succeeded. The purity and discretion of De Castro’s government placed him beyond the reach of censure: his retired manners excited no envy; he had not a single enemy at the court of Castille, and therefore he found no difficulty in gaining permission from Philip to seek the re-establishment of his health by travel into other countries. This leave obtained, he hastened to turn it to use: he visited his sister the duchess of Medina Sidonia, and without unvieling to them the motive of his enquiries, cautiously learnt from her and her husband the real state of Philip’s affairs. These were not so flourishing as rival potentates imagined. Discontent at his long and wasteful, and unjust war with the Netherlands, began to pervade his own dominions: the cruelties of the Duke of Alva, were truly considered to have their origin in his commands; and now from fearing their sovereign, his people began to hate him. The Portuguese were unanimous in abhorring a tyrant whom some of them had assisted in seating on their throne; but repentance availed not; they were shorn of their strength, and like the self-ruined Sampson, were destined to behold their own degradation, with the poignant conviction of owing it to their own imbecility. De Castro staid not longer in Portugal than was necessary to revive amongst some of the most spirited, a hope that Don Sebastian yet existed. In secret, and with the utmost caution, he confided to a chosen few, his belief of their master’s safety; but further than this, he deemed it impolitic to proceed: the first step was to rouse them from despair, the next should be to point out an animating ground for expectation. Having made the tour of Portugal, and singled out such persons as he thought fitted for his purpose, and faithful to their country, he passed into Italy, where he wearied out suspicion, by travelling from place to place, as if solely led by curiosity, or in search of health. Nothing was more common than noblemen travelling incognito, consequently, no one expressed surprize when they heard that Don Emanuel De Castro made his tour under a feigned name, and with a small suite.