D. John was not in the least disturbed by the unexpected proposal which had come so suddenly to realise the brilliant dreams of his school-days. To conquer a kingdom for Christ! Was not the dream of his youthful imagination intensified by the reading of romances at Alcalá, being realized? and the kingdom calling to him, opening its doors, and holding out its arms and offering sceptre and crown in exchange for the Christian faith in Albania and Morea being safeguarded by the conquering sword of Lepanto. The temptation was great to a youth of twenty-four, greedy of glory and enthusiastic for his faith, spoiled by fortune and protected by the great power that the Court of Rome then was; but the knightly ambition of D. John, great and active as it was from his lineage and noble qualities, was always subordinate to the obedience and loyalty that he owed to Philip II as King and brother: so, without hesitating for a moment, he answered the ambassadors, thanking them and making much of the honour they were doing him, but frankly confessing _that he could settle nothing which was not the will of the King his Lord and brother, who was the master of his person and all his actions_. That he would communicate with him _to gain his consent, and that time would show what best to do, and Our Lord would dispose as was best, as he_ (D. John) _placed the business in His hands_. The ambassadors retired in good heart, much pleased with D. John, who at once sent a courier to Philip II telling him of the circumstance. He did not have to wait long for the answer: D. Philip neither accepted or refused the offer, which _came at a bad time_, he said, as his acceptance might displease the Venetians: however, he advised D. John to _keep up the hopes of the ambassadors, as the opportunity might come for him to gain his desires_: and he reiterated his orders "That D. John was not to stir from Messina."