In the midst of this anxiety, an order arrived from the court of Spain, demanding the attendance of the Duke of Braganza at Madrid. The reason assigned for this requisition was plausible and difficult to evade! for Olivares artfully declared that his august master, grieved at the misery which he was told pervaded Portugal, was determined to investigate the cause, find out and punish the authors, be they who they might, and finally place at the head of the government one of its own Princes. To refuse attendance after such a declaration, was impossible to Braganza, if he would retain a title to his country’s affection, or conceal from Olivares that he knew his destructive intentions: he was obliged to return an evasive answer, which implied that he would appear at Philip’s court, when he could draw around him a train befitting his high rank. At the suggestion of his wife, whom love made politic, he dispatched this reply by one of his household, who was charged to hire a superb mansion, engage servants, purchase magnificent furniture, in short amuse Olivares by the shew of preparing for the reception of his master and his suite. So alarming a command as that which would deprive them of their leader, quickened the exertions of the confederates: it was necessary to establish strong parties throughout every province, to gain the soldiery, to secure the possession of the arsenal, to win over the keepers of prisons, that all confined for resistance to Spanish tyranny might be set free; in short, that the whole kingdom might rise at once in one body, as if by an electric touch, and displace the Vice-Queen without tumult, and without massacre. To effect these purposes, required more time than it appeared prudent to allow at a period like this: for messengers came daily from Spain, expostulating with the Duke on his disrespectful tardiness. Pinto, who had secretly and rapidly made the circuit of all the towns devoted to his master’s interest, at length ventured to pronounce that the trial might be hazarded. The regiment of Braganza, he had contrived to get stationed at Elvas and Olivenza, two frontier fortresses, which may be called the keys of Portugal; these he intended should form a barrier against the Spaniards, should any obstacle arise in the kingdom itself, and might keep them in check till the revolution was completely effected. Humanely desirous to avoid the effusion of blood, Braganza would not suffer a step to be indiscreetly taken; and Sebastian exhorted Pinto to avoid temerity, if he would ensure success without slaughter.