A few persons of less note followed, when a disturbance, most unusual at Court, occurred, and a voice, as if in angry discussion, was heard, when the Duke of Aveiro was seen advancing in a hurried and disordered manner. A fierce fire burnt in his eye, and a frown deeply furrowed his brow, while his hand wandered unconsciously to the hilt of his sword; but, as he came close to the King, the presence of majesty restored him slightly to order; yet his carriage was far from having that respectful manner which he was bound to preserve: his step was irregular, and he yet snorted with rage, as, in a careless and indifferent way, he stooped to kiss the hand of his sovereign. "What has caused my lord duke to be so angry this morning?" said the King. "He seems to forget that he is in the royal palace." "I forget not where I am, for I have too much to remind me of it," answered the Duke, haughtily. "I have been insulted grossly--insulted by one of the ministers in whom your Majesty pleases to confide, in a way to which no noble can submit." "Who is the culprit, my lord duke? It seems you have taken a lesson from him," said the King. "He stands behind your Majesty, even now, I doubt not, plotting mischief in his fertile brain against your throne and the Church--Senhor Carvalho is the man!" answered the Duke. The Minister cast a withering glance at him. "The punishment due to my crime is not to be found mentioned in the laws of the realm," he said. "I therefore submit myself to your Majesty's clemency. The offence was in passing my lord duke, in my eagerness to show my respect to my sovereign." "Is that the whole of the offence, Senhor Duke?" said the King, half smiling. "It is at once pardoned, and we must request your Excellency to move out of the way in future, when any of our officers wish to pass you, in discharge of their duty;" and the King turned aside his head. "The whole of the offence!" muttered the Duke of Aveiro, as he moved on one side. "For half such an one many a man has, ere now, died." The highest fidalgos, their ladies and daughters, now followed in rapid succession; among them came the Marquis and Marchioness of Tavora, who had lately been acting the part of viceroys in India, and were, perhaps, but little pleased at being obliged to take a secondary place on the present occasion. They presented their eldest son, shortly to be united to the lovely daughter of the Marquis d'Alorna. Both the sovereigns looked coldly on them as they passed, uttering merely the most common-place observations. "We have not seen you at Court for some time, my lord marquis," said the King; "but we hope, in future, your own private affairs will not keep you from us. We will not now detain you."