CHAPTER XXVIII.
"Each look, each motion, waked a new-born grace, That o'er her form its transient glory cast: Some lovelier wonder soon usurp'd the place, Chased by a charm still lovelier than the last."
Mason.
The day of the reception of Columbus at Barcelona, had been one oftumultuous feelings and of sincere delight, with the ingenuous andpure-minded Queen of Castile. She had been the moving spirit of theenterprise, as it was connected with authority and means, and never wasa sovereign more amply rewarded, by a consciousness of the magnitude ofthe results that followed her well-meant and zealous efforts.
When the excitement and bustle of the day were over, Isabella retired toher closet, and there, as was usual with her on all great occasions, shepoured out her thankfulness on her knees, entreating the DivineProvidence to sustain her under the new responsibilities she felt, andto direct her steps aright, equally as a sovereign and as a Christianwoman. She had left the attitude of prayer but a few minutes, and wasseated with her head leaning on her hand, in deep meditation, when aslight knock at the door called her attention. There was but one personin Spain who would be likely to take even this liberty, guarded andmodest as was the tap; rising, she turned the key and admitted the king.
Isabella was still beautiful. Her form, always of admirable perfection,still retained its grace. Her eyes had lost but little of their lustre,and her smile, ever sweet and beneficent, failed not to reflect the pureand womanly impulses of her heart. In a word, her youthful beauty hadbeen but little impaired by the usual transition to the matronlyattractions of a wife and a mother; but this night, all her youthfulcharms seemed to be suddenly renewed. Her cheek was flushed with holyenthusiasm; her figure dilated with the sublimity of the thoughts inwhich she had been indulging; and her eyes beamed with the ennoblinghopes of religious enthusiasm. Ferdinand was struck with this littlechange, and he stood admiring her, for a minute, in silence, after hehad closed the door.
"Is not this a most wonderful reward, for efforts so small, my husbandand love?" exclaimed the queen, who fancied the king's thoughts similarto her own; "a new empire thus cheaply purchased, with riches that theimagination cannot tell, and millions of souls to be redeemed frometernal woe, by means of a grace that must be as unexpected tothemselves, as the knowledge of their existence hath been to us!"
"Ever thinking, Isabella, of the welfare of souls! But thou art right;for what are the pomps and glories of the world to the hopes ofsalvation, and the delights of heaven! I confess Colon hath muchexceeded all my hopes, and raised such a future for Spain, that the mindscarce knoweth where to place the limits to its pictures."
"Think of the millions of poor Indians that may live to bless our sway,and to feel the influence and consolations of holy church!"
"I trust that our kinsman and neighbor, Dom Joao, will not give ustrouble in this matter. Your Portuguese have so keen an appetite fordiscoveries, that they little relish the success of other powers; and,it is said, many dangerous and wicked proposals were made to the king,even while our caravels lay in the Tagus."
"Colon assureth me, Fernando, that he doubteth if these Indians have nowany religious creed, so that our ministers will have no prejudices toencounter, in presenting to their simple minds the sublime truths of thegospel!"
"No doubt the admiral hath fully weighed these matters. It is hisopinion, that the island he hath called Espanola wanteth but little ofbeing of the full dimensions of Castile, Leon, Aragon, Granada, and,indeed, of all our possessions within the peninsula!"
"Didst thou attend to what he said, touching the gentleness and mildnessof the inhabitants? And wert thou not struck with the simple, confidingaspects of those he hath brought with him? Such a people may readily bebrought, first, as is due, to worship the one true and living God, andnext, to regard their sovereigns as kind and benignant parents."
"Authority can ever make itself respected; and Don Christopher hathassured me, in a private conference, that a thousand tried lances wouldoverrun all that eastern region. We must make early application to theHoly Father to settle such limits between us and Don John, as mayprevent disputes, hereafter, touching our several interests. I havealready spoken to the cardinal on this subject, and he flattereth mewith the hope of having the ear of Alexander."
"I trust that the means of disseminating the faith of the cross will notbe overlooked in the negotiation; for it paineth me to find churchmentreating of worldly things, to the utter neglect of those of their GreatMaster."
Don Ferdinand regarded his wife intently for an instant, without makingany reply. He perceived, as often happened in questions of policy, thattheir feelings were not exactly attuned, and he had recourse to anallusion that seldom failed to draw the thoughts of Isabella from theirloftier aspirations to considerations more worldly, when rightlyapplied.
"Thy children, Dona Isabella, will reap a goodly heritage by the successof this, our latest and greatest stroke of policy! Thy dominions andmine will henceforth descend in common to the same heir; then thismarriage in Portugal may open the way to new accessions of territory;Granada is already secured to thine, by our united arms; and here hathProvidence opened the way to an empire in the east, that promiseth tooutdo all that hath yet been performed in Europe."
"Are not my children thine, Fernando? Can good happen to one, withoutits equally befalling the other? I trust they will learn to understandwhy so many new subjects and such wide territories are added to theirpossessions, and will ever remain true to their highest and first duty,that of spreading the gospel, that the sway of the one Catholic churchmay the more speedily be accomplished."
"Still it may be necessary to secure advantages that are offered in aworldly shape, by worldly means."
"Thou say'st true, my lord; and it is the proper care of loving parentsto look well to the interest of their offspring in this, as in all otherparticulars."
Isabella now lent a more willing ear to the politic suggestions of herconsort, and they passed an hour in discussing some of the importantmeasures that it was thought their joint interests required should beimmediately attended to. After this, Ferdinand saluted his wifeaffectionately, and withdrew to his own cabinet, to labor, as usual,until his frame demanded rest.
Isabella sat musing for a few minutes after the king had retired, andthen she took a light and proceeded through certain private passages,with which she was familiar, to the apartment of her daughters. Here shespent an hour, indulging in the affections and discharging the duties ofa careful mother, when, embracing each in turn, she gave her blessings,and left the place in the same simple manner as she had entered.Instead, however, of returning to her own part of the palace, shepursued her way in an opposite direction, until, reaching a privatedoor, she gently tapped. A voice within bade her enter, and complying,the Queen of Castile found herself alone with her old and tried friend,the Marchioness of Moya. A quiet gesture forbade all the usualtestimonials of respect, and knowing her mistress' wishes in thisparticular, the hostess received her illustrious guest, much as shewould have received an intimate of her own rank in life.
"We have had so busy and joyful a day, Daughter-Marchioness," the queencommenced, quietly setting down the little silver lamp she carried,"that I had near forgotten a duty which ought not to be overlooked. Thynephew, the Count de Llera, hath returned to court, bearing himself asmodestly and as prudently, as if he had no share in the glory of thisgreat success of Colon's!"
"Senora, Luis is here, but whether prudent or modest, I leave forothers, who may be less partial, to say."
"To me such seemeth to be his deportment, and a young mind might bepardoned some exultation at such a result. But I have come to speak ofDon Luis and thy ward. Now that thy nephew hath given me this high proofof his perseverance and courage, there can remain no longer any reasonfor forbidding their union. Thou know'st that I hold the pledged word ofDona Mercedes, not to marry without my consent, and this night will Imake her happy as I feel myself, by leaving her mistr
ess of her ownwishes; nay, by letting her know that I desire to see her Countess ofLlera, and that right speedily."
"Your Highness is all goodness to me and mine," returned theMarchioness, coldly. "Mercedes ought to feel deeply grateful that herroyal mistress hath a thought for her welfare, when her mind hath somany greater concerns to occupy it."
"It is that, my friend, that hath brought me hither at this late hour.My soul is truly burdened with gratitude, and ere I sleep, were itpossible, I would fain make all as blessed as I feel myself. Where isthy ward?"
"She left me for the night, but as your Highness entered. I will summonher to hear your pleasure."
"We will go to her, Beatriz; tidings such as I bring, should not lingeron weary feet."
"It is her duty, and it would be her pleasure to pay all respect,Senora."
"I know that well, Marchioness, but it is my pleasure to bear this newsmyself," interrupted the queen, leading the way to the door. "Show thouthe way, which is better known to thee than to another. We go withlittle state and ceremony, as thou seest, like Colon going forth toexplore his unknown seas, and we go bearers of tidings as grateful tothy ward, as those the Genoese bore to the benighted natives of Cipango.These corridors are our trackless seas, and all these intricatepassages, the hidden ways we are to explore."
"Heaven grant your Highness make not some discovery as astounding asthat which the Genoese hath just divulged. For myself, I scarce knowwhether to believe all things, or to grant faith to none."
"I wonder not at thy surprise; it is a feeling that hath overcome allothers, through the late extraordinary events," answered the queen,evidently misconceiving the meaning of her friend's words. "But we havestill another pleasure in store: that of witnessing the joy of a purefemale heart which hath had its trials, and which hath borne them asbecame a Christian maiden."
Dona Beatriz sighed heavily, but she made no answer. By this time theywere crossing the little saloon in which Mercedes was permitted toreceive her female acquaintances, and were near the door of her chamber.Here they met a maid, who hastened onward to inform her mistress of thevisit she was about to receive. Isabella was accustomed to use amother's liberties with those she loved, and, opening the door, withoutceremony, she stood before our heroine, ere the latter could advance tomeet her.
"Daughter," commenced the queen, seating herself, and smilingbenignantly on the startled girl, "I have come to discharge a solemnduty. Kneel thou here, at my feet, and listen to thy sovereign as thouwouldst listen to a mother."
Mercedes gladly obeyed, for, at that moment, any thing was preferable tobeing required to speak. When she had knelt, the queen passed an armaffectionately round her neck, and drew her closer to her person, until,by a little gentle violence, the face of Mercedes was hid in the foldsof Isabella's robe.
"I have all reason to extol thy faith and duty, child," said the queen,as soon as this little arrangement to favor the feelings of Mercedes,had been considerately made; "thou hast not forgotten thy promise, inaught; and my object, now, is to leave thee mistress of thine owninclinations, and to remove all impediments to their exercise. Thou hastno longer any pledge with thy sovereign; for one who hath manifested somuch discretion and delicacy, may be surely trusted with her ownhappiness."
Mercedes continued silent, though Isabella fancied that she felt aslight shudder passing convulsively through her delicate frame.
"No answer, daughter? Is it more preferable to leave another arbitressof thy fate, than to exercise that office for thyself? Well, then, asthy sovereign and parent, I will substitute command for consent, andtell thee it is my wish and desire that thou becomest, as speedily asshall comport with propriety and thy high station, the wedded wife ofDon Luis de Bobadilla, Conde de Llera."
"No--no--no--Senora--never--never"--murmured Mercedes, her voice equallystifled by her emotions, and by the manner in which she had buried herface in the dress of the queen.
Isabella looked at the Marchioness of Moya in wonder. Her countenancedid not express either displeasure or resentment, for she too well knewthe character of our heroine to suspect caprice, or any weakprevarication in a matter that so deeply touched the feelings; and theconcern she felt was merely overshadowed at the suddenness of theintelligence, by a feeling of ungovernable surprise.
"Canst thou explain this, Beatriz?" the queen at length inquired. "HaveI done harm, where I most intended good? I am truly unfortunate, for Iappear to have deeply wounded the heart of this child, at the verymoment I fancied I was conferring supreme happiness!"
"No--no--no--Senora," again murmured Mercedes, clinging convulsively tothe queen's knees. "Your Highness hath wounded no one--_would_ wound noone--_can_ wound no one--you are all gracious goodness andthoughtfulness."
"Beatriz, I look to thee for the explanation! Hath aught justifiableoccurred to warrant this change of feeling?"
"I fear, dearest Senora, that the feelings continue too much asformerly, and that the change is not in this young and unpractisedheart, but in the fickle inclinations of man."
A flash of womanly indignation darted from the usually serene eyes ofthe queen, and her form assumed all of its native majesty.
"Can this be true?" she exclaimed. "Would a subject of Castile _dare_thus to trifle with his sovereign--thus to trifle with one sweet andpure as this girl--thus to trifle with his faith with God! If thereckless Conde thinketh to do these acts of wrongfulness with impunity,let him look to it! Shall I punish him that merely depriveth hisneighbor of some paltry piece of silver, and let him escape who woundeththe soul? I wonder at thy calmness, Daughter-Marchioness; thou, who artso wont to let an honest indignation speak out in the just language of afearless and honest spirit!"
"Alas! Senora, my beloved mistress, my feelings have had vent already,and nature will no more. This boy, moreover, is my brother's son, andwhen I would fain arouse a resentment against him, such as befitteth hisoffence, the image of that dear brother, whose very picture he is, hatharisen to my mind in a way to weaken all its energy."
"This is most unusual! A creature so fair--so young--so noble--sorich--every way so excellent, to be so soon forgotten! Canst thouaccount for it by any wandering inclination, Lady of Moya?"
Isabella spoke musingly, and, as one of her high rank is apt to overlookminor considerations, when the feelings are strongly excited, she didnot remember that Mercedes was a listener. The convulsive shudder thatagain shook the frame of our heroine, however, did not fail to remindher of this fact, and the queen could not have pressed the PrincessJuana more fondly to her heart, than she now drew the yielding form ofour heroine.
"What would you, Senora?" returned the marchioness, bitterly. "Luis,thoughtless and unprincipled boy as he is, hath induced a youthfulIndian princess to abandon home and friends, under the pretence ofswelling the triumph of the admiral, but really, in obedience to awandering fancy, and in submission to those evil caprices, that make menwhat, in sooth, they are, and which so often render unhappy women theirdupes and their victims."
"An Indian princess, say'st thou? The admiral made one of that rankknown to us, but she was already a wife, and far from being one to rivalDona Mercedes of Valverde."
"Ah! dearest Senora, she of whom you speak will not compare with her Imean--Ozema--for so is the Indian lady called--Ozema is a differentbeing, and is not without high claims to personal beauty. Could merepersonal appearances justify the conduct of the boy, he would not bealtogether without excuse."
"How know'st thou this, Beatriz?"
"Because, your Highness, Luis hath brought her to the palace, and sheis, at this moment, in these very apartments. Mercedes hath received herlike a sister, even while the stranger hath unconsciously crashed herheart."
"_Here_, say'st thou, Marchioness? Then can there be no vicious unionbetween the thoughtless young man and the stranger. Thy nephew would notthus presume to offend virtue and innocence."
"Of that we complain not, Senora. 'Tis the boyish inconstancy andthoughtless cruelty of the count, that h
ath awakened my feelings againsthim. Never have I endeavored to influence my ward to favor his suit, forI would not that they should have it in their power to say I sought aunion so honorable and advantageous to our house; but now do I mostearnestly desire her to steel her noble heart to his unworthiness."
"Ah! Senora--my guardian," murmured Mercedes, "Luis is not so _very_culpable. Ozema's beauty, and my own want of the means to keep him true,are alone to blame."
"Ozema's beauty!" slowly repeated the queen. "Is this young Indian,then, so very perfect, Beatriz, that thy ward need fear or envy her? Idid not think that such a being lived!"
"Your Highness knoweth how it is with men. They love novelties, and aremost captivated with the freshest faces. San Iago!--Andres de Cabrerahath caused me to know this, though it were a crime to suppose any couldteach this hard lesson to Isabella of Trastamara."
"Restrain thy strong and impetuous feelings, Daughter-Marchioness,"returned the queen, glancing her eye at the bowed form of Mercedes,whose head was now buried in her lap; "truth seldom asserts its fullestpower when the heart is overflowing with feeling. Don Andres hath been aloyal subject, and doth justice to thy merit; and, as to my lord theking, he is the father of my children, as well as thy sovereign. But,touching this Ozema--can I see her, Beatriz?"
"You have only to command, Senora, to see whom you please. But Ozema is,no doubt, at hand, and can be brought into your presence as soon as itmay please your Highness to order it done."
"Nay, Beatriz, if she be a princess, and a stranger in the kingdom,there is a consideration due to her rank and to her position. Let DonaMercedes go and prepare her to receive us; I will visit her in her ownapartment. The hour is late, but she will overlook the want of ceremonyin the desire to do her service."
Mercedes did not wait a second bidding, but, rising from her knees, shehastened to do as the queen had suggested. Isabella and the marchionesswere silent some little time, when left to themselves; then the former,as became her rank, opened the discourse.
"It is remarkable, Beatriz, that Colon should not have spoken to me ofthis princess!" she said. "One of her condition ought not to haveentered Spain with so little ceremony."
"The admiral hath deemed her the chosen subject of Luis' care, and hathleft her to be presented to your Highness by my recreant nephew. Ah,Senora! is it not wonderful, that one like Mercedes could be so soonsupplanted by a half-naked, unbaptized, benighted being, on whom thechurch hath never yet smiled, and whose very soul may be said to be injeopardy of instantaneous condemnation?"
"That soul must be cared for, Beatriz, and that right quickly. Is theprincess really of sufficient beauty to supplant a creature as lovely asthe Dona Mercedes?"
"It is not that, Senora--it is not that. But men are fickle--and they solove novelties! Then is the modest restraint of cultivated manners lesswinning to them, than the freedom of those who deem even clothessuperfluous. I mean not to question the modesty of Ozema; for, accordingto her habits, she seemeth irreproachable in this respect; but theill-regulated fancy of a thoughtless boy may find a momentary attractionin her unfettered conduct and half-attired person, that is wanting tothe air and manners of a high-born Spanish damsel, who hath been taughtrigidly to respect herself and her sex."
"This may be true, as toucheth the vulgar, Beatriz, but such unworthymotives can never influence the Conde de Llera. If thy nephew hathreally proved the recreant thou supposest, this Indian princess must beof more excellence than we have thought."
"Of that, Senora, you can soon judge for yourself; here is the maiden ofMercedes to inform us that the Indian is ready to receive the honor thatyour Highness intendeth."
Our heroine had prepared Ozema to meet the queen. By this time, theyoung Haytian had caught so many Spanish words, that verbalcommunication with her was far from difficult, though she still spoke inthe disconnected and abrupt manner of one to whom the language was new.She understood perfectly that she was to meet that beloved sovereign, ofwhom Luis and Mercedes had so often spoken with reverence; andaccustomed, herself, to look up to caciques greater than her brother,there was no difficulty in making her understand that the person she wasnow about to receive was the first of her sex in Spain. The onlymisconception which existed, arose from the circumstance that Ozemabelieved Isabella to be the queen of all the Christian world, instead ofbeing the queen of a particular country; for, in her imagination, bothLuis and Mercedes were persons of royal station.
Although Isabella was prepared to see a being of surprising perfectionof form, she started with surprise, as her eye first fell on Ozema. Itwas not so much the beauty of the young Indian that astonished her, asthe native grace of her movements, the bright and happy expression ofher countenance, and the perfect self-possession of her mien anddeportment. Ozema had got accustomed to a degree of dress that she wouldhave found oppressive at Hayti; the sensitiveness of Mercedes, on thesubject of female propriety, having induced her to lavish on her newfriend many rich articles of attire, that singularly, though wildly,contributed to aid her charms. Still the gift of Luis was thrown overone shoulder, as the highest-prized part of her wardrobe, and the crossof Mercedes rested on her bosom, the most precious of all her ornaments.
"This is wonderful, Beatriz!" exclaimed the queen, as she stood at oneside of the room, while Ozema bowed her body in graceful reverence onthe other; "can this rare being really have a soul that knoweth naughtof its God and Redeemer! But let her spirit be benighted as it may,there is no vice in that simple mind, or deceit in that pure heart."
"Senora, all this is true. Spite of our causes of dissatisfaction, myward and I both love her already, and could take her to our heartsforever; one as a friend, and the other as a parent."
"Princess," said the queen, advancing with quiet dignity to the spotwhere Ozema stood, with downcast eyes and bended body, waiting herpleasure, "thou art welcome to our dominions. The admiral hath done wellin not classing one of thy evident claims and station among those whomhe hath exhibited to vulgar eyes. In this he hath shown his customaryjudgment, no less than his deep respect for the sacred office ofsovereigns."
"Almirante!" exclaimed Ozema, her looks brightening with intelligence,for she had long known how to pronounce the well-earned title ofColumbus; "Almirante, Mercedes--Isabella, Mercedes--Luis, Mercedes,Senora Reyna."
"Beatriz, what meaneth this? Why doth the princess couple the name ofthy ward with that of Colon, with mine, and even with that of the youngCount of Llera?"
"Senora, by some strange delusion, she hath got to think that Mercedesis the Spanish term for every thing that is excellent or perfect, andthus doth she couple it with all that she most desireth to praise. YourHighness must observe that she even united Luis and Mercedes, a unionthat we once fondly hoped might happen, but which now would seem to beimpossible; and which she herself must be the last really to wish."
"Strange delusion!" repeated the queen; "the idea hath had its birth insome particular cause, for things like this come not of accidents; whobut thy nephew, Beatriz, would know aught of thy ward, or who but hewould have taught the princess to deem her very name a sign ofexcellence?"
"Senora!" exclaimed Mercedes, the color mounting to her pale cheek, andjoy momentarily flashing in her eyes, "can this be so?"
"Why not, daughter? We may have been too hasty in this matter, andmistaken what are truly signs of devotion to thee, for proofs offickleness and inconstancy."
"Ah! Senora! but this can never be, else would not Ozema so love him."
"How know'st thou, child, that the princess hath any other feeling forthe count than that which properly belongeth to one who is grateful forhis care, and for the inexpressible service of being made acquaintedwith the virtues of the cross? Here is some rash error, Beatriz."
"I fear not, your Highness. Touching the nature of Ozema's feelings,there can be no misconception, since the innocent and unpractisedcreature hath not art sufficient to conceal them. That her heart is allLuis', we discovered in the first few hours of our intercourse
; and itis too pure, unsought, to be won. The feeling of the Indian is notmerely admiration, but it is such a passionate devotion, as partaketh ofthe warmth of that sun, which, we are told, glows with a heat so genialin her native clime."
"_Could_ one see so much of Don Luis, Senora," added Mercedes, "undercircumstances to try his martial virtues, and so long daily be incommunion with his excellent heart, and not come to view him as farabove all others?"
"Martial virtues--excellent heart!"--slowly repeated the queen, "and yetso regardless of the wrong he doeth! He is neither knight nor cavalierworthy of the sex, if what thou thinkest be true, child."
"Nay, Senora," earnestly resumed the girl, whose diffidence was yieldingto the wish to vindicate our hero, "the princess hath told us of themanner in which he rescued her from her greatest enemy and persecutor,Caonabo, a headstrong and tyrannical sovereign of her island, and of hisgenerous self-devotion in her behalf."
"Daughter, do thou withdraw, and, first calling on Holy Maria tointercede for thee, seek the calm of religious peace and submission, onthy pillow. Beatriz, I will question the princess alone."
The marchioness and Mercedes immediately withdrew, leaving Isabella withOzema, in possession of the room. The interview that followed lastedmore than an hour, that time being necessary to enable the queen to forman opinion of the stranger's explanations, with the imperfect means ofcommunication she possessed. That Ozema's whole heart was Luis',Isabella could not doubt. Unaccustomed to conceal her preferences, theIndian girl was too unpractised to succeed in such a design, had sheeven felt the desire to attempt it; but, in addition to her nativeingenuousness, Ozema believed that duty required her to have noconcealments from the sovereign of Luis, and she laid bare her wholesoul in the simplest and least disguised manner.
"Princess," said the queen, after the conversation had lasted some time,and Isabella believed herself to be in possession of the means ofcomprehending her companion, "I now understand your tale. Caonabo is thechief, or, if thou wilt, the king of a country adjoining thine own; hesought thee for a wife, but being already married to more than oneprincess, thou didst very properly reject his unholy proposals. He thenattempted to seize thee by violence. The Conde de Llera was on a visitto thy brother at the time"--
"Luis--Luis"--the girl impatiently interrupted, in her sweet, softvoice--"Luis no Conde--Luis."
"True, princess, but the Conde de Llera and Luis de Bobadilla are oneand the same person. Luis, then, if thou wilt, was present in thypalace, and he beat back the presumptuous cacique, who, not satisfiedwith fulfilling the law of God by the possession of one wife, impiouslysought, in thy person, a second, or a third, and brought thee off intriumph. Thy brother, next, requested thee to take shelter, for a time,in Spain, and Don Luis, becoming thy guardian and protector, hathbrought thee hither to the care of his aunt?"
Ozema bowed her head in acknowledgment of the truth of this statement,most of which she had no difficulty in understanding, the subjecthaving, of late, occupied so much of her thoughts.
"And, now, princess," continued Isabella, "I must speak to thee withmaternal frankness, for I deem all of thy birth my children while theydwell in my realms, and have a right to look to me for advice andprotection. Hast thou any such love for Don Luis as would induce thee toforget thine own country, and to adopt his in its stead?"
"Ozema don't know what 'adopt his,' means," observed the puzzled girl.
"I wish to inquire if thou wouldst consent to become the wife of DonLuis de Bobadilla?"
"Wife" and "husband" were words of which the Indian girl had earlylearned the signification, and she smiled guilelessly, even while sheblushed, and nodded her assent.
"I am, then, to understand that thou expectest to marry the count, forno modest young female like, thee, would so cheerfully avow herpreference, without having that hope ripened in her heart, to somethinglike a certainty."
"Si, Senora--Ozema, Luis' wife."
"Thou meanest, princess, that Ozema expecteth shortly to wed thecount--shortly to become his wife!"
"No--no--no--Ozema _now_ Luis' wife. Luis marry Ozema, already."
"Can this be so?" exclaimed the queen, looking steadily into the face ofthe beautiful Indian to ascertain if the whole were not an artfuldeception. But the open and innocent face betrayed no guilt, andIsabella felt compelled to believe what she had heard. In order,however, to make certain of the fact, she questioned andcross-questioned Ozema, for near half an hour longer, and always withthe same result.
When the queen arose to withdraw, she kissed the princess, for so shedeemed this wild creature of an unknown and novel state of society, andwhispered a devout prayer for the enlightenment of her mind, and for herfuture peace. On reaching her own apartment, she found the Marchionessof Moya in attendance, that tried friend being unable to sleep until shehad learned the impressions of her royal mistress.
"'Tis even worse than we had imagined, Beatriz," said Isabella, as theother closed the door behind her. "Thine heartless, inconstant nephewhath already wedded the Indian, and she is, at this moment, his lawfulwife."
"Senora, there must be some mistake in this! The rash boy would hardlydare to practise this imposition on me, and that in the very presence ofMercedes."
"He would sooner place his wife in thy care, Daughter-Marchioness, thanmake the same disposition of one who had fewer claims on him. But therecan be no mistake. I have questioned the princess closely, and no doubtremaineth in my mind, that the nuptials have been solemnized byreligious rites. It is not easy to understand all she would wish to say,but that much she often and distinctly hath affirmed."
"Your Highness--can a Christian contract marriage with one that is yetunbaptized?"
"Certainly not, in the eye of the church, which is the eye of God. But Irather think Ozema hath received this holy rite, for she often pointedto the cross she weareth, when speaking of the union with thy nephew.Indeed, from her allusions, I understood her to say that she became aChristian, ere she became a wife."
"And that blessed cross, Senora, was a gift of Mercedes to the reckless,fickle-minded boy; a parting gift in which the holy symbol was intendedto remind him of constancy and faith!"
"The world maketh so many inroads into the hearts of men, Beatriz, thatthey know not woman's reliance and woman's fidelity. But to thy knees,and bethink thee of asking for grace to sustain thy ward, in this cruel,but unavoidable extremity."
Isabella now turned to her friend, who advanced and raised the hand ofher royal mistress to her lips. The queen, however, was not content withthis salutation, warm as it was; passing an arm around the neck of DonaBeatriz, she drew her to her person, and imprinted a kiss on herforehead.
"Adieu, Beatriz--true friend as thou art!" she said. "If constancy hathdeserted all others, it hath still an abode in thy faithful heart."
With these words the queen and the marchioness separated, each to findher pillow, if not her repose.