"It chances that after long campaigning these are the only new white gloves Don John of Austria possesses," he answered lightly.
"Let me see them," said the King, extending his hand, and smiling suddenly.
With some deliberation Don John presented one of the gloves to his brother, who took it and pretended to examine it critically, still smiling. He turned it over several times, while Adonis looked on, gasping for breath, but unnoticed.
"The other," said Philip calmly.
Adonis tried to suppress a groan, and his eyes were fixed on Don John's face. Would he refuse? Would he try to extract the letter from the glove under his brother's eyes? Would he give it up?
Don John did none of those things, and there was not the least change of colour in his cheek. Without any attempt at concealment he took the letter from its hiding-place, and held out the empty glove with his other hand. The King drew back, and his face grew very grey and shadowy with anger.
"What have you in your other hand?" he asked in a voice indistinct with passion.
"A lady's letter, Sire," replied Don John, unmoved.
"Give it to me at once!"
"That, your Majesty, is a request I will not grant to any gentleman in Spain."