“He had pointed to the monastery as he spoke.  Geronimo did not delay his reply, but, crossing himself, answered quickly: 

“’I wish to be a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, but only in the world, fighting against his foes.’

“Philip nodded so eagerly that his stiff white ruff was pushed awry, and then, with patronizing approval, added:  ’So every nobleman ought to think.  You, my young friend, saw a short time ago at the auto-da-fe in Valladolid how a considerable number of Spanish gentlemen of the noblest blood expiated at the stake the mortal sin of heresy.  A severe punishment, and a terrible end!  Would you perhaps have preferred to see his Majesty’s mercy grant them their lives?’

“‘On no account, my Lord Count,’ cried Geronimo eagerly.  ’There is no mercy for the heretic.’

“His Majesty now summoned the two knights who attended him and, while one held his horse, he dismounted.

“At a sign from Quijada, Geronimo now also sprang to the ground, and gazed wonderingly at the stranger, whom, on account of his fair beard, he supposed to be a Netherland noble; but Dona Magdalena could bear to remain under the trees no longer, and I followed her to the edge of the meadow.  The King advanced toward the boy, and stood before him with so proud and dignified a bearing that one might have supposed his short figure had grown two heads taller.

“Geronimo must have felt that some very distinguished personage confronted him, and that something great awaited him, for he involuntarily raised his hat again.  His wavy golden locks now fell unconfined around his head, his cheeks glowed, and his large blue eyes gazed questioningly and with deep perplexity into the stranger’s face as he said slowly, with significant emphasis:  ’I am not the man whom you suppose.  Who, boy, do you think that I might be?’

“’Geronimo turned pale; only one head could be lifted with so haughty a majesty, and suddenly remembering the face which he had seen upon many a coin, sure that he was right, he bent the knee with modest grace, saying, ‘Our sovereign lord, his Majesty King Philip’’

“‘I am he,’ was the reply.  ‘But to you, dear boy, I am still more.’

“’As he spoke he gave him his hand, and, when Geronimo rose, he said, pointing to his breast:  ’Your place is here, my boy; for the Emperor Charles, who is now enjoying the bliss of heaven, was your father as well as mine, and you, lad, are my brother.’

“Then passing his arm around his shoulders, he drew him gently toward him, lightly imprinting a kiss upon his brow and cheeks; but Geronimo, deeply moved, pressed his fresh red lips to his royal brother’s right hand.  Yet he had scarcely raised his head again when he started, and in an agitated tone asked, ‘And Don Luis—­and my dear mother?’

“‘Continue to love and honour them,’ replied the King.—­’Explain the rest to him, Don Luis.  But keep what has happened here secret for the present.  I will present him myself to our people as my brother.  He received in holy baptism the name of John, which in Castilian is Juan.  Let him keep it.—­Give me your hand again, Don Juan d’Austria.—­[Don John of Austria]—­A proud name!  Do it honour.’