For a Queen's Love: The Stories of the Royal Wives of Philip II

What was to become of Carlos?

While Carlos lived there could be no peace of mind for Philip. The Prince was well guarded, but escape from a prison such as his was not impossible. What if he found his way to Philip and committed the crime he had planned? What if, Philip dead, he called himself King of Spain? Who could deny his right to the title?

Philip thought: I, who would give my life to my country, have given it a monster.

To whom could he speak of such a matter? To Isabella? She was frail, wraithlike; he trembled to look at her. She seemed aloof from him; he wondered what rumors she had heard.

“Philip,” she said, “could I not see Carlos?”

“Indeed not.”

“I might help him. He was fond of me.”

“I know it,” said Philip grimly. “What will become of Carlos?”

He did not answer. He knew she read certain thoughts which came into his mind, for her dark eyes grew darker with horror.

She wanted to cry: “Philip, you could not do that. You could not murder your own son.” She remembered what he had said at the auto-da-fe in Valladolid. She heard it repeated many times. “If my son were a heretic, I would carry the wood and light the fire at his feet.” But he could not murder his own son.

She could not speak her thoughts aloud, for outwardly he had made a Spaniard of her.

There was nothing they could say to one another. Carlos was between them.

Philip was closeted with Espinosa, the Inquisitor-General. Isabella believed they talked of Carlos.

She began to think of the excuses he would make: “Carlos spoke as a heretic, and those who speak as heretics are condemned to death.”

But not your own son, Philip! she wanted to cry. Not your own son!

Philip was closeted with Ruy.

And she knew that they all planned to rid themselves of Carlos.

They were alone in their bedchamber—the King and the Queen—but it seemed to them both that there was another there, a shadowy third. He would not let them rest. Both were thinking of him and his demoniacal laughter. The madness of him! thought Philip. The pity of him! thought Isabella.

Philip began to pace up and down. He had a decision to make. He must do this thing. But how could he? He is my own son, he mused. Then it seemed to him that he heard the stern voice of righteousness, of God perhaps: “What if your conscience is burdened with murder? What is your conscience compared with the good of Spain?”

He was in an agony of indecision. There were so many thoughts in his mind. He longed to rid himself of Carlos. He feared Carlos; and ridiculous as it seemed, Carlos was between him and Isabella.

What was she thinking as she lay there watching him? Of Carlos? She knew his thoughts. She must know the purpose of those secret meetings with Ruy and the Cardinal. She knew that the destruction of Carlos was being planned.

He could not speak of it. He was deeply conscious of that quality in him which did not allow frankness. Moreover she had set herself apart from him. Yet her eyes were pleading with him now. You cannot kill Carlos, Philip, they said. You cannot kill your own son.

And why should she plead? What was the meaning of Carlos’s secret smile? Only Isabella could calm Carlos. Only Isabella was fond of him. Was there some secret between them?

Why had Carlos looked so cunning … so pleased … so certain when he had said: “I shall always be between you!”

“Philip,” said Isabella, “you are tired and you have much on your mind.”

“So much,” he answered. “So many decisions to make.”

He longed to put his arms about her, to beg her to help him. He wanted to explain his feelings for his son, his disgust of him, the humiliation he suffered on his account, and above all that faint—and he was sure unfounded— jealousy.

But how could he talk of such things to Isabella? All through the night the agony of indecision continued.

Dr. Olivares sought out the King. He must speak to him in private.

“Your Highness, the Prince of Eboli has spoken to me concerning Don Carlos.”

“How do you find my son?”

“Sire, he is sick—very sick of the mind.”

“And of the body?”

“It is astonishing how he remains as well as he does in that respect. Your Highness, the Prince of Eboli has told me it is your Majesty’s wish that a certain medicine should be given to Don Carlos.”

“If the Prince of Eboli told you that, you may take it as a command from me.”

“Then I crave your Majesty’s pardon for the interruption. I did not care to administer such a medicine except at the express command of your Highness.”

“I have decided,” said Philip coolly, “that this medicine will be beneficial.”