This was said with such fervor as became a loyal subject of young Alphonso—it carried such a subtle vein of flattery in the adroit words that even the fiery son of Mars Julio was proving himself to be might have been mollified, only that a discovery flashed upon him at this critical juncture.
It was singular enough that he should set his eyes upon an odd looking seal ring worn by his late antagonist, and at this particular moment too of all times.
Julio had never forgotten that ring—indeed, he had carried a rough impression of it upon his cuticle for a week or more, as a gentle reminder of Roderic's ability as a boxer, for it seems that the two rivals had indeed once come to blows in those days of old, though separated quickly by mutual friends.
However, such an impression is apt to be lasting—Julio had seen the queer device of that signet ring many times in his dreams, so that its unexpected appearance just now and here was a rude shock.
Roderic saw the stare and while at first he could not comprehend its import, when he too cast his eyes upon his hand he remembered.
This was worse than he had expected—his identity known to Julio what would prevent the hasty tempered Spaniard, who still owed him a grudge for the blow received long ago, from publicly announcing his name to the soldiers, who would pounce upon him like mad dogs.
He had expected at the worst to be treated as a Spaniard—now the bubble had burst.
Was it to be flight?
Involuntarily he looked around him—the circle had doubled, aye, even trebled, and to break through such a compact mass would require the battering powers of a giant.
What then?