"The hour is passed, Count of Biscay," said Philip, turning to Don Ramirez, "and with it your enemy." "My enemy, sire?" asked Ramirez, affecting surprise. "Why do you repeat my words, Count?" replied the King. "Were you not a rival to Don Gusman in the affections of Dona Estella, and can rivals be friends? Dona Estella shall be yours. This young girl will bring you her beauty and her fortune. I have not spoken of this to our Council, but my Royal word is pledged. If the ingratitude of Sovereigns is ever spoken of before you, Count, you will be able to reply that we did not forget the true friend of the King and of Spain who discovered the plot and the correspondence of Don Gusman with France." Don Ramirez de Biscay seemed to listen to the King with uneasiness. He kept his eyes fixed upon the ground, as if he disliked to be thus praised in public. Then he made an effort to reply. "Sire!" he said, "it was with great repugnance that I fulfilled such a painful duty"--he hesitated, and then was silent. Tarraxas gave a slight start, whilst D'Ossuna struck sharply the pommel of his sword with his iron glove. "Before Dona Estella shall belong to this man," thought D'Ossuna, "I will have vengeance or perish in the attempt. Tomorrow shall be the day of my revenge." The King continued:-- "Your zeal, Don Ramirez, and your devotion must be rewarded. The saviour of our throne, and perhaps of our dynasty, merits a particular gift. This morning I ordered you to make out some _lettres-patentes_, which confer upon you the rank of Duke and Governor of Valence. Are these ready to be signed?" Don Ramirez grew pale with pleasure. He shook like an aspen and his eyes grew dim. But the King made an impatient movement, and the Count, drawing a roll of parchment hastily from his breast, presented it on his knees to the King. "My first public duty to-day shall be to sign these papers," said the King. "The executioner has already punished treason; it is now time for the King to recompense fidelity." The King unrolled the parchment and began to read. As he read, his face became convulsed with fury, and his eyes shot forth flames of wrath. "By my father's soul!" he shouted; "what do I behold?" IV. The game of chess was finished. Don Gusman had beaten Ruy Lopez, and his triumph was complete. He rose to his feet. "I am now, as ever, ready to obey the wishes of my King," he said to Calavar. The executioner understood him, and began to prepare the block. Whilst this was being done Don Gusman advanced towards the crucifix, and said in a firm voice:-- "Oh, Heaven! may this unjust and rash act which is about to take place fall upon the head of him who is the instigator of this treachery; but let not my blood recoil upon the head of my King." [Illustration: "WHAT DO I BEHOLD?"] Ruy Lopez, crouching in a corner of the cell, and burying his face in his mantle, began to recite the prayers for the dying.