MINORITY OF FERDINAND. 37 In the mean while, John, now king of Aragon chaitiu and its dependencies, alarmed by the reports of his __ — '- — son's popularity in Sicily, became as solicitous for johnii.s;,,. •*■•■■ •' •' ' ceeds to (he the security of his authority there, as he had before ^7^„";" been for it in Navarre. He accordingly sought to soothe the mind of the prince by the fairest profes- sions, and to allure him back to Spain by the pros- pect of an effectual reconciliation. Carlos, believing what he most earnestly wished, in opposition to the advice of his Sicilian counsellors, embarked for Majorca, and, after some preliminary negotiations, crossed over to the coast of Barcelona. Postpon- ing, for fear of giving offence to his father, his en- trance into that city, which, indignant at his perse- cution, had made the most brilliant preparations for his reception, he proceeded to Tgualada, where an interview took place between him and the king and queen, in which he conducted himself with unfeigned humility and penitence, reciprocated on their part by the most consummate dissimu- lation.^^ All parties now confided in the stability of a cariosrec ■•■ "^ _ oncilecl with pacification so anxiously desired, and effected with ^'^ t^"'"- T ,• T 11 i4r,o. such apparent cordiality. It was expected, that John would hasten to acknowledge his son's title as heir apparent to the crown of Aragon, and con- vene an assembly of the states to tender him the customary oath of allegiance. But nothing was further from the monarch's intention. He indeed 18 Aleson, Anales de Navarra, — Zurita, Anales, torn. iv. fol. 60 torn. iv. pp. 548-554. — Abarca, -69. Reyes de Aragon, torn. ii. fol. 251
