“By the side of the table was a case, which was doubtless the same in which Irriberry said the King kept the papers sent from Murcia for him.
“The King rested one hand on the table, whilst I bowed to his feet according to Spanish etiquette, and giving me the other to kiss, he raised me, saying: ‘And what do you want? Why do you wish to see me?’
“‘Because I am perfectly sure that, if Your Majesty will listen to me quietly, all the suspicions with which Your Majesty has been inspired, and which have led to my treatment, will be allayed!’
“‘But you are taking part in a conspiracy, and you ought to divulge it to me. I know all. Don’t be frightened. Who are your accomplices?’
“‘The desire for good is not conspiracy. If Your Majesty knows all, there will be nothing new in what I can say, and any explanation you may deign to authorize me to make will disarm your anger, and show you that the only reason anybody hides from your august personage is to escape from the scourge with which people seek to make your illustrious name odious.’
“‘Who are those who have seduced you with these errors? Tell me who they are. Do not hesitate.’
“‘Señor, if Your Majesty knows all, you know—you must know—that nobody has seduced me, and that I speak from an impulse of conviction from within; and that the order of things and the distrust nowadays is such that I cannot say I know anybody personally.’
“‘You must know the means of discovering them; you are bound in honour to obey me. Choose, then, between grace and disgrace.’
“‘Put yourself, Your Majesty, at the head of the society, and you will know all....’
“Then Ramirez Arellano advanced like a fury towards the King, and cried to me in a loud voice, most unfitting for the presence of a King: ‘Here, here, we want no more preambles and sophisms! On this table are pens and paper, and here you must put down the names of all the conspirators. No circumlocution or subterfuges. The King is at the head of his kingdoms, and nothing under the sun ought to be hidden from him. I have read Barruel, Señor; I have been in France, and I know what these Freemasonry secrets are. Where, where are the solemn oaths made to your religion and your King?’