Sebastian, who had remained exchanging looks of interesting meaning with the protectress of his daughter, courteously went to meet the returning party; an old servant displayed the armour: Hyppolito bent anxiously forward, fearful, that if the King’s memory failed of retaining such a trifle, they who chose to cavil at this truth, might seize so plausible a pretext, and pronounce his father deceived. But, at the first glance, Sebastian recognized his own plain sword, and drew it from beneath a heap of others. “With this sword did I make thee a knight of Avis!” he said, sorrowfully, “O sad remembrance! for what a train of bitter recollections is in its train!” “Now, my lords, what say you?” exclaimed the indiscreet Hyppolito,--“should you not bow your knee and acknowledge the royal kinsman of our sovereign Philip of Spain, and should we not all join in bringing this convincing proof to his abused ear?” Most of the nobles, who well knew that the ear of Philip was wilfully stopt, fell back, murmuring “Sorcery or accident,” while others expressed their conviction, but lamented their want of influence. The captain of the galley stood with an air of sincere remorse, which did not escape Hyppolito. The old servant holding the armour, having carefully examined the lineaments of the King, added his testimony to that of his master. The deck of the galley became for a while a scene of confusion and strong emotion. Sebastian alone, was little moved; he was no longer to be deceived by vain hopes; he knew that all those people would go home convinced of his truth, pitying his misfortunes, and earnest in wishing them at an end; but that in a short time their wonder and their concern would cease; he would be forgotten, and left to his fate. With Medina Sidonia he conversed aloud on various subjects, calculated to place his integrity under a yet broader light; the gratitude he felt for the protection afforded to his daughter, gave warmth to his manner, and attracted the heart of Don Hyppolito. Upon that young man Sebastian cast many approving looks, for there was a careless intrepidity in the young Spaniard’s manner, and an ardent precipitation in his speech, which announced a generous and a brave character. Sebastian loved such characters, and he therefore beheld the homage of Hyppolito with engaging benignity. The grandees who accompanied Medina Sidonia forcibly betrayed an extreme anxiety to depart; the Duke requested them to stay a moment.