"Not yet, sire," replied Fernando Calavarex, as he bent before the monarch, who frowned angrily; "he claims his privilege as a grandee of Spain, and I can not proceed to do my office upon a man in whose veins flows the hidalgo-blood without having further orders from your majesty." And he again bent his head. An answering murmur of approval broke from the assembled nobles, and the blood of Castille boiled in their veins, and rushed to their brows. The excitement became general. The young Alonzo d'Ossuna gave open expression to the general feeling by putting on his hat. His bold example was followed by the majority; and now many a white plume waved, as if in token that their wearers claimed their every other privilege by using that which the grandees of Spain have always had--of standing with covered heads before their sovereign. The king fiercely struck the table, overturning the pieces on the chess-board with the violence of the blow. "He has been condemned by our royal council, what more would the traitor have?" "Sire," replied the executioner, "he demands to die by the ax, as becomes a noble, and not by the cord, and also to be allowed to spend the three last hours of his life with a priest." "Ah! let it be so," replied Philip, evidently relieved. "But is not our confessor already with him, according to our order?" "Yes, sire," said Fernando, "the holy man is with him; but the duke refuses to have St. Diaz de Silva. He will not receive absolution from any one under the rank of a bishop; such is the privilege of a noble condemned to death for high treason." "It is, indeed, our right," said the fiery D'Ossuna, boldly, "and we demand from the king our cousin's privilege." This demand seemed to be the signal for a general movement. "Our rights and the king's justice are inseparable," said, in his turn, Don Diego de Tarrasez, Count of Valencia, an old man of gigantic height, encased in armor, bearing in his hand the _baton_ of High Constable of Spain, and leaning on his Toledo blade. "Our rights and privileges?" cried the nobles. These words were repeated like an echo, till the king started from his throne of ebony, exclaiming, "By the bones of Campeador, by the soul of St. Jago, I have sworn neither to eat nor drink till the bloody head of that traitor Don Guzman has been brought to me; and as I have said, so shall it be! But Don Tarrasez has well said, 'The king's justice is the security for the rights of his subjects.' My lord constable, where is the nearest bishop to be found?" "Sire, I have had more to do with the camp than with the church," bluntly replied the constable; "your majesty's almoner, Don Silva, who is present, can give you more information upon such points than I can."