But in bright Sevilla’s gardens, Flowing down their peaceful way, ’Neath the trees whose drooping branches Kiss the ripplets as they sway, Guadalquiver’s waters murmur Tones of joy and peace alway. Gently flows the Guadalquiver, Softly murmuring Guadalquiver. “Ah, my dearest lady, dost thou not see the peace which thou so sweetly singest of, can never be a prince’s.” “Pedro, it may be thine.” “Never.” “Hast thou no pride to give up, no enemies to forgive? Need thy life-stream dash forever blindly amid the rocks? The valley is below; burst through the barriers that keep thee from its peaceful current.” “It cannot be. Even now my enemies prepare a new struggle. Even to-night my hollow friend, my real enemy, my brother Fadrique sleeps within these walls. But never, never shall he—” “Pedro, what mean’st thou?” “That Fadrique dies.” “Oh God!” A page, interrupting them, announced Don Fadrique’s herald. “Bid Reboledo and Don Juan of Arragon meet me in my closet. Go.” “Pedro!” “To-morrow, to-morrow, gentle Maria,” said the king, as he hastily strode away. Diego Perez de Reboledo, and his friend the infanté, speedily attended the summons of Pedro. “Don Fadrique has arrived,” said the king, in a careless tone. “I have seen him, sire,” was the reply of Don Juan. “Know you that he is the envoy of Blanche of Bourbon?” “Ha! is it so?” continued Pedro. “Señor Diego, there is a deep grudge between you and him; and I know that he is plotting against my crown. And even thou, Don Juan, losest no love toward him.” “What is your meaning, sire?” said Reboledo with a sarcastic smile. “You may speak plainly here.” “I would not have him leave these walls. Thou knowest the proverb, ‘Teach the falcon while he is thine.’” “Nay, then; he shall be severely taught, an’ it be your will,” said Reboledo. “Plainly, he must be dispatched, Señor Diego, and I trust to thee to have it done. As for the act, my guards will not be wanting.” After some slight arrangements, made as coolly as if for a festival, the prince and Reboledo left the king to his own thoughts, which certainly were far from agreeable. Distrust is the inevitable poison of those who themselves break trust, and Pedro dared not leave the performance of the deed to his accomplices. They might have some secret cause of hatred toward himself, and might save his intended victim for the furtherance of their own schemes. CHAPTER VII.