As soon as the attendant was gone, Doña Inez turned to her cousin. "It is really most unreasonable of Don Juan," she said, "to keep you shut up here, whilst all Seville is making holiday."
"I am glad--I have no heart to go forth," said Doña Beatriz, with a quivering lip.
"Nor have I too much, for that matter. My poor brother is so weak and ill to-day, it grieves me to the heart. Moreover, he is still so thoughtless about his poor soul. That is the worst of all. I never cease praying Our Lady to bring him to a better mind. If he would only consent to see a priest; but he was ever obstinate. And if I urge the point too strongly, he will think I suppose him dying."
"I thought his health had improved since you had him brought over here."
"Certainly he is happier here than he was in his father's house. But of late he seems to me to be sinking, and that quickly. And now, the Auto--"
"What of that?" asked Doña Beatriz, with a quick look, half suspicious and half frightened.
Doña Inez closed the door carefully, and drew nearer to her cousin. "They say she will be amongst the relaxed,"[#] she whispered.
[#] Those delivered over to the secular arm--that is, to death.
"Does he know it?" asked Beatriz.
"I fear he suspects something; and what to tell him, or not to tell him, I know not--Our Lady help me! Ay de mi! 'Tis a horrible business from beginning to end. And the last thing--the arrest of the sister, Doña Juana! A duke's daughter--a noble's bride. But--best be silent.