“Who did this?” asked the Emperor.
The governor did not dare to reply, and both men remained silent, sad, and wrathful.
Suddenly in this silence there was heard a low little sound of a cough that came from a corner in the shadow behind them. His Majesty, turning about, received the Infante Philip, all clad in black and sucking a lemon.
“Don Philip,” said he, “come and salute me.”
The Infante, without budging, looked at him with his timid eyes in which there was no affection.
“Is it thou,” asked the Emperor, “that hast burned this little beast in this fire?”
The Infante hung his head.
But the Emperor:
“If thou wert cruel enough to do it, be brave enough to confess it.”
The Infante made no answer.