Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/183

39 MliNORlTY OF FERDINAND. 39 Carlos, had long been the darling object of their chapter policy, and they resolved to effect it in the face of ■ every obstacle. In conformity with this purpose, John invited the prince of Viana to attend him at Lerida, where he was then holding the cortes of Catalonia. The latter fondly, and indeed foolishly, after his manifold experience to the contrary, con- fiding in the relenting disposition of his father, hastened to obey the summons, in expectation of being publicly acknowledged as his heir in the as- sembly of the states. After a brief interview he was arrested, and his person placed in strict con- is impii« oned. finement. The intelligence of this perfidious procedure diffused general consternation among all classes. They understood too well the artifices of the queen and the vindictive temper of the king, not to feel the most serious apprehensions, not only for the liberty, but for the life of their prisoner. The cortes of Lerida, which, though dissolved on that very day, had not yet separated, sent an embassy to John, requesting to know the nature of the crimes imputed to his son. The permanent deputation of Aragon, and a delegation from the council of Bar- celona, waited on him for a similar purpose, remon- strating at the same time against any violent and unconstitutional proceeding. To all these John returned a cold, evasive answer, darkly intimating a suspicion of conspiracy by his son against his 20 L. Marineo, Cosas Memora- de Navarra, lom. iv. pp. 556, 557. bles, fol. 108. — Zurita, Anales, — Castillo, Cronica, cap. 27. 'ib. 17, cap. 3. — Aleson, Anales