CHAPTER VIII.
"Oh! ever thus, from childhood's hour, I've seen my fondest hopes decay; I never loved a tree or flower, But 'twas the first to fade away."
Lalla Rookh.
The season had now advanced to the first days of February, and, in thatlow latitude, the weather was becoming genial and spring-like. On themorning succeeding that of the interview just related, some six or eightindividuals, attracted by the loveliness of the day, and induced morallyby a higher motive, were assembled before the door of one of those lowdwellings of Santa Fe that had been erected for the accommodation of theconquering army. Most of these persons were grave Spaniards of a certainage, though young Luis de Bobadilla was also there, and the tall,dignified form of Columbus was in the group. The latter was equipped forthe road, and a stout, serviceable Andalusian mule stood ready toreceive its burden, near at hand. A charger was by the side of the mule,showing that the rider of the last was about to have company. Among theSpaniards were Alonzo de Quintanilla, the accountant-general of Castile,a firm friend of the navigator, and Luis de St. Angel, the receiver ofthe ecclesiastical revenues of Aragon, who was one of the firmestconverts that Columbus had made to the philosophical accuracy of hisopinions and to the truth of his vast conceptions.
The two last had been in earnest discourse with the navigator, but thediscussion had closed, and Senor de St. Angel, a man of generousfeelings and ardent imagination, was just expressing himself warmly, inthe following words--
"By the lustre of the two crowns!" he cried, "this ought not to come topass. But, adieu, Senor Colon--God have you in his holy keeping, andsend you wiser and less prejudiced judges, hereafter. The past can onlycause us shame and grief, while the future is in the womb of time."
The whole party, with the exception of Luis de Bobadilla, then tooktheir leave. As soon as the place was clear, Columbus mounted, andpassed through the thronged streets, attended by the young noble on hischarger. Not a syllable was uttered by either, until they were fairly onthe plain, though Columbus often sighed like a man oppressed with grief.Still, his mien was calm, his bearing dignified, and his eye lightedwith that unquenchable fire which finds its fuel in the soul within.
When fairly without the gates, Columbus turned courteously to his youngcompanion and thanked him for his escort; but, with a consideration forthe other that was creditable to his heart, he added--
"While I am so grateful for this honor, coming from one so noble andfull of hopes, I must not forget your own character. Didst thou notremark, friend Luis, as we passed through the streets, that diversSpaniards pointed at me, as the object of scorn?"
"I did, Senor," answered Luis, his cheek glowing with indignation, "andhad it not been that I dreaded your displeasure, I would have troddenthe vagabonds beneath my horse's feet, failing of a lance to spit themon!"
"Thou hast acted most wisely in showing forbearance. But these are men,and their common judgment maketh public opinion; nor do I perceive thatthe birth, or the opportunities, causeth material distinctions betweenthem, though the manner of expression vary. There are vulgar among thenoble, and noble among the lowly. This very act of kindness of thine,will find its deriders and contemners in the court of the twosovereigns."
"Let him look to it, who presumeth to speak lightly of you, Senor, toLuis de Bobadilla! We are not a patient race, and Castilian blood is aptto be hot blood."
"I should be sorry that any man but myself should draw in my quarrel.But, if we take offence at all who think and speak folly, we may passour days in harness. Let the young nobles have their jest, if it givethem pleasure--but do not let me regret my friendship for thee."
Luis promised fairly, and then, as if his truant thoughts would revertto the subject unbidden, he hastily resumed--
"You speak of the noble as of a class different from your own--surely,Senor Colon, thou art noble?"
"Would it make aught different in thy opinions and feelings, young man,were I to answer no?"
The cheek of Don Luis flushed, and, for an instant, he repented of hisremark; but falling back on his own frank and generous nature, heanswered immediately, without reservation or duplicity--
"By San Pedro, my new patron! I could wish you were noble, Senor, if itwere merely for the honor of the class. There are so many among us whodo no credit to their spurs, that we might gladly receive such anacquisition."
"This world is made up of changes, young Senor," returned Columbus,smiling. "The seasons undergo their changes; night follows day; cometscome and go; monarchs become subjects, and subjects monarchs; nobleslose the knowledge of their descent, and plebeians rise to the rank ofnobles. There is a tradition among us, that we were formerly of theprivileged class; but time and our unlucky fortune have brought us downto humble employments. Am I to lose the honor of Don Luis de Bobadilla'scompany in the great voyage, should I be more fortunate in France than Ihave been in Castile, because his commander happeneth to have lost theevidences of his nobility?"
"That would be a most unworthy motive, Senor, and I hasten to correctyour mistake. As we are now about to part for some time, I askpermission to lay bare my whole soul to you. I confess that when first Iheard of this voyage, it struck me as a madman's scheme"--
"Ah! friend Luis," interrupted Columbus, with a melancholy shake of thehead, "this is the opinion of but too many! I fear Don Ferdinand ofAragon, as well as that stern prelate, his namesake, who hath latelydisposed of the question, thinketh in the same manner."
"I crave your pardon, Senor Colon, if I have uttered aught to give youpain; but if I have once done you injustice, I am ready enough toexpiate the wrong, as you will quickly see. Thinking thus, I enteredinto discourse with you, with a view to amuse myself with fanciedravings; but, though no immediate change of opinion followed as to thetruth of the theory, I soon perceived that a great philosopher andprofound reasoner had the matter in hand. Here my judgment might haverested, and my opinion been satisfied, but for a circumstance of deepmoment to myself. You must know, Senor, though come of the oldest bloodof Spain, and not without fair possessions, that I may not always haveanswered the hopes of those who have been charged with the care of myyouth"--
"This is unnecessary, noble sir"--
"Nay, by St. Luke! it shall be said. Now, I have two great andengrossing passions, that sometimes interfere with each other. The oneis a love for rambling--a burning desire to see foreign lands, and this,too, in a free and roving fashion--with a disposition for the sea andthe doings of havens; and the other is a love for Mercedes de Valverde,the fairest, gentlest, most affectionate, warmest-hearted, and truestmaiden of Castile!"
"Noble, withal," put in Columbus, smiling.
"Senor," answered Luis, gravely, "I jest not concerning my guardianangel. She is not only noble, and every way fitted to honor my name, butshe hath the blood of the Guzmans, themselves, in her veins. But I havelost favor with others, if not with my lovely mistress, in yielding tothis rambling inclination; and even my own aunt, who is her guardian,hath not looked smilingly on my suit. Dona Isabella, whose word is lawamong all the noble virgins of the court, hath also her prejudices, andit hath become necessary to regain her good opinion, to win the DonaMercedes. It struck me"--Luis was too manly to betray his mistress byconfessing that the thought was hers--"it struck me, that if my ramblingtastes took the direction of some noble enterprise, like this you urge,that what hath been a demerit might be deemed a merit in the royal eyes,which would be certain soon to draw all other eyes after them. With thishope, then, I first entered into the present intercourse, until theforce of your arguments hath completed my conversion, and now nochurchman hath more faith in the head of his religion, than I have thatthe shortest road to Cathay is athwart the broad Atlantic; or no Lombardis more persuaded that his Lombardy is flat, than I feel convinced thatthis good earth of ours is a sphere."
"Speak reverently of the ministers of the altar, young Senor," saidColumbus, crossing himself, "for no levity should be used in connectionwith their ho
ly office. It seemeth, then," he added, smiling, "I owe mydisciple to the two potent agents of love and reason; the former, asmost potent, overcoming the first obstacles, and the latter gettinguppermost at the close of the affair, as is wont to happen--love,generally, triumphing in the onset, and reason, last."
"I'll not deny the potency of the power, Senor, for I feel it too deeplyto rebel against it. You now know my secret, and when I have made youacquainted with my intentions, all will be laid bare. I here solemnlyvow"--Don Luis lifted his cap and looked to heaven, as he spoke--"tojoin you in this voyage, on due notice, sail from whence you may, inwhatever bark you shall choose, and whenever you please. In doing this,I trust, first to serve God and his church; secondly, to visit Cathayand those distant and wonderful lands; and lastly, to win Dona Mercedesde Valverde."
"I accept the pledge, young sir," rejoined Columbus, struck by hisearnestness, and pleased with his sincerity--"though it might have beena more faithful representation of your thoughts had the order of themotives been reversed."
"In a few months I shall be master of my own means," continued theyouth, too intent on his own purposes to heed what the navigator hadsaid--"and then, nothing but the solemn command of Dona Isabella,herself, shall prevent our having one caravel, at least; and the coffersof Bobadilla must have been foully dealt by, during their master'schildhood, if they do not afford two. I am no subject of Don Fernando's,but a servant of the elder branch of the House of Trastamara; and thecold judgment of the king, even, shall not prevent it."
"This soundeth generously, and thy sentiments are such as become ayouthful and enterprising noble; but the offer cannot be accepted. Itwould not become Columbus to use gold that came from so confiding aspirit and so inexperienced a head; and there are still greaterobstacles than this. My enterprise must rest on the support of somepowerful prince. Even the Guzman hath not deemed himself of sufficientauthority to uphold a scheme so large. Did we make the discoverieswithout that sanction, we should be toiling for others, without securityfor ourselves, since the Portuguese or some other monarch would wrong usof our reward. That I am destined to effect this great work, I feel, andit must be done in a manner suited to the majesty of the thought and tothe magnitude of the subject. And, here, Don Luis, we must part. Shouldmy suit be successful at the court of France, thou shalt hear from me,for I ask no better than to be sustained by hearts and hands like thine.Still, thou must not mar thy fortunes unheedingly, and I am now a fallenman in Castile. It may not serve thee a good turn, to be known tofrequent my company any longer--and I again say, here we must part."
Luis de Bobadilla protested his indifference to what others might think;but the more experienced Columbus, who rose so high above popular clamorin matters that affected himself, felt a generous reluctance to permitthis confiding youth to sacrifice his hopes, to any friendly impressionsin his own favor. The leave-taking was warm, and the navigator felt aglow at his heart, as he witnessed the sincere and honest emotions thatthe young man could not repress at parting. They separated, however,about half a league from the town, and each bent his way in his owndirection; Don Luis de Bobadilla's heart swelling with indignation atthe unworthy treatment that there was, in sooth, so much reason forthinking his new friend had received.
Columbus journeyed on, with very different emotions. Seven weary yearshad he been soliciting the monarchs and nobles of Spain to aid him inhis enterprise. In that long period, how much of poverty, contempt,ridicule, and even odium, had he not patiently encountered, rather thanabandon the slight hold that he had obtained on a few of the moreliberal and enlightened minds of the nation! He had toiled for breadwhile soliciting the great to aid themselves in becoming still morepowerful; and each ray of hope, however feeble, had been eagerly caughtat with joy, each disappointment borne with a constancy that none butthe most exalted spirit could sustain. But he was now required to endurethe most grievous of all his pains. The recall of Isabella had awakenedwithin him a confidence to which he had long been a stranger; and heawaited the termination of the siege with the calm dignity that becamehis purpose, no less than his lofty philosophy. The hour of leisure hadcome, and it produced a fatal destruction to all his buoyant hopes. Hehad thought his motives understood, his character appreciated, and hishigh objects felt; but he now found himself still regarded as avisionary projector, his intentions distrusted, and his promisedservices despised. In a word, the bright expectations that had cheeredhis toil for years, had vanished in a day, and the disappointment wasall the greater for the brief, but delusive hopes produced by his recentfavor.
It is not surprising, therefore, that, when left alone on the highway,even the spirit of this extraordinary man grew faint within him, and hehad to look to the highest power for succor. His head dropped upon hisbreast, and one of those bitter moments occurred, in which the past andthe future, crowd the mind, painfully as to sufferings endured,cheerlessly as to hope. The time wasted in Spain seemed a blot in hisexistence, and then came the probability of another long and exhaustingprobation, that, like this, might lead to nothing. He had alreadyreached the lustrum that would fill his threescore years, and lifeseemed slipping from beneath him, while its great object remainedunachieved. Still the high resolution of the man sustained him. Not oncedid he think of a compromise of what he felt to be his rights--not oncedid he doubt of the practicability of accomplishing the great enterprisethat others derided. His heart was full of courage, even while his bosomwas full of grief. "There is a wise, a merciful, and omnipotent God!" heexclaimed, raising his eyes to heaven. "He knoweth what is meet for hisown glory, and in him do I put my trust." There was a pause, and theeyes kindled, while a scarcely perceptible smile lighted the grave face,and then were murmured the words--"Yea, he taketh his time, but theInfidel shall be enlightened, and the blessed sepulchre redeemed!"
After this burst of feeling, the grave-looking man, whose hairs hadalready become whitened to the color of snow, by cares, and toils, andexposures, pursued his way, with the quiet dignity of one who believedthat he was not created for naught, and who trusted in God for thefulfilment of his destiny. If quivering sighs occasionally broke out ofhis breast, they did not disturb the placidity of his venerablecountenance; if grief and disappointment still lay heavy on his heart,they rested on a base that was able to support them. Leaving Columbus tofollow the common mule-track across the Vega, we will now return toSanta Fe, where Ferdinand and Isabella had re-established their court,after the few first days that succeeded the possession of their newconquest.
Luis de St. Angel was a man of ardent feelings and generous impulses. Hewas one of those few spirits who live in advance of their age, and whopermitted his reason to be enlightened and cheered by his imagination,though it was never dazzled by it. As he and his friend Alonzo deQuintanilla, after quitting Columbus as already related, walked towardthe royal pavillion, they conversed freely together concerning the man,his vast conceptions, the treatment he had received, and the shame thatwould alight on Spain in consequence, were he suffered thus to departforever. Blunt of speech, the receiver of the ecclesiastical revenuesdid not measure his terms, every syllable of which found an echo in theheart of the accountant-general, who was an old and fast friend of thenavigator. In short, by the time they reached the pavilion, they hadcome to the resolution to make one manly effort to induce the queen toyield to Columbus' terms and to recall him to her presence.
Isabella was always easy of access to such of her servants as she knewto be honest and zealous. The age was one of formality, and, in manyrespects, of exaggeration, while the court was renowned for ceremony;but the pure spirit of the queen threw a truth and a natural gracearound all that depended on her, which rendered mere forms, except asthey were connected with delicacy and propriety, useless, and indeedimpracticable. Both the applicants for the interview enjoyed her favor,and the request was granted with that simple directness that thisestimable woman loved to manifest, whenever she thought she was about tooblige any whom she esteemed.
The queen was surro
unded by the few ladies among whom she lived inprivate, as Luis de St. Angel and Alonzo de Quintanilla entered. Amongthem, of course, were the Marchioness of Moya and Dona Mercedes deValverde. The king, on this occasion, was in an adjoining closet, atwork, as usual, with his calculations and orders. Official labor wasFerdinand's relaxation, and he seldom manifested more happiness thanwhen clearing off a press of affairs that most men would have found tothe last degree burdensome. He was a hero in the saddle, a warrior atthe head of armies, a sage in council, and respectable, if not great, inall things but motives.
"What has brought the Senor St. Angel and the Senor Quintanilla, assuitors, so early to my presence?" asked Isabella, smiling in a way toassure both that the boon would be asked of a partial mistress. "Ye arenot wont to be beggars, and the hour is somewhat unusual."
"All hours are suitable, gracious lady, when one cometh to _confer_ andnot to _seek_ favor," returned Luis de St. Angel, bluntly. "We are nothere to solicit for ourselves, but to show Your Highness the manner inwhich the crown of Castile may be garnished with brighter jewels thanany it now possesseth."
Isabella looked surprised, both at the words of the speaker, and at hishurried earnestness, as well as his freedom of speech. Accustomed,however, to something of the last, her own calm manner was notdisturbed, nor did she even seem displeased.
"Hath the Moor another kingdom of which to be despoiled," she asked; "orwould the receiver of the church's revenues have us war upon the HolySee?"
"I would have Your Highness accept the boons that come from God, withalacrity and gratitude, and not reject them unthankfully," returned deSt. Angel, kissing the queen's offered hand with a respect and affectionthat neutralized the freedom of his words. "Do you know, my graciousmistress, that the Senor Christoval Colon, he from whose high projectswe Spaniards have hoped so much, hath actually taken mule and quittedSanta Fe?"
"I expected as much, Senor, though I was not apprized that it hadactually come to pass. The king and I put the matter into the hands ofthe Archbishop of Granada, with other trusty counsellors, and they havefound the terms of the Genoese arrogant; so full of exceeding andunreasonable extravagance, that it ill befitted our dignity, and ourduty to ourselves, to grant them. One who hath a scheme of such doubtfulresults, ought to manifest moderation in his preliminaries. Many evenbelieve the man a visionary."
"It is unlike an unworthy pretender, Senora, to abandon his hopes beforehe will yield his dignity. This Colon feeleth that he is treating forempires, and he negotiates like one full of the importance of hissubject."
"He that lightly valueth himself, in matters of gravity, hath need toexpect that he will not stand high in the estimation of others," put inAlonzo de Quintanilla.
"And, moreover, my gracious and beloved mistress," added de St. Angel,without permitting Isabella even to answer, "the character of the man,and the value of his intentions, may be appreciated by the price hesetteth on his own services. If he succeed, will not the discoveryeclipse all others that have been made since the creation of the world?Is it nothing to circle the earth, to prove the wisdom of God by actualexperiment, to follow the sun in its daily track, and imitate themotions of that glorious moving mass? And then the benefits that willflow on Castile and Aragon--are they not incalculable? I marvel that aprincess who hath shown so high and rare a spirit on all otheroccasions, should shrink from so grand an enterprise as this!"
"Thou art earnest, my good de St. Angel," returned Isabella, with asmile that betrayed no anger; "and when there is much earnestness thereis sometimes much forgetfulness. If there were honor and profit insuccess, what would there be in failure? Should the king and myself sendout this Colon, with a commission to be our viceroy, forever, overundiscovered lands, and no lands be discovered, the wisdom of ourcouncils might be called in question, and the dignity of the two crownswould be fruitlessly and yet deeply committed."
"The hand of the Lord Archbishop is in this! This prelate hath neverbeen a believer in the justice of the navigator's theories, and it iseasy to raise objections when the feelings lean against an enterprise.No glory is obtained without risk. Look, Your Highness, at ourneighbors, the Portuguese--how much have discoveries done for thatkingdom, and how much more may it do for us! We know, my honoredmistress, that the earth is round"--
"Are we quite certain of that important fact, Senor," asked the king,who, attracted by the animated and unusual tones of the speaker, hadleft his closet, and approached unseen. "Is that truth established? Ourdoctors at Salamanca were divided on that great question, and, by St.James! I do not see that it is so very clear."
"If not round, my Lord the King," answered de St. Angel, turning quicklyto face this new opponent, like a well-drilled corps wheeling into a newfront, "of what form _can_ it be? Will any doctor, come he of Salamanca,or come he from elsewhere, pretend that the earth is a plain, and thatit hath limits, and that one may stand on these limits and jump downupon the sun as he passeth beneath at night--is this reasonable, honoredSenor, or is it in conformity with scripture?"
"Will any one, doctor of Salamanca, or elsewhere," rejoined the king,gravely, though it was evident his feelings were little interested inthe discussion, "allege that there are nations who forever walk withtheir heads downward, where the rain falleth upward, and where the searemaineth in its bed, though its support cometh from above, and is notplaced beneath?"
"It is to explain these great mysteries, Senor Don Fernando, my graciousmaster, that I would have this Colon at once go forth. We may see, nay,we have demonstration, that the earth is a sphere, and yet we do not seethat the waters fall from its surface any where. The hull of a ship islarger than her top-masts, and yet the last are first visible on theocean, which proveth that the body of the vessel is concealed by theform of the water. This being so, and all who have voyaged on the oceanknow it to be thus, why doth not the water flow into a level, here, onour own shores? If the earth be round, there must be means to encircleit by water, as well as by land--to complete the entire journey, as wellas to perform a part. Colon proposeth to open the way to this exploit,and the monarch that shall furnish the means will live in the memoriesof our descendants, as one far greater than a conqueror. Remember,illustrious Senor, that all the east is peopled with Infidels, and thatthe head of the church freely bestoweth their lands on any Christianmonarch that may drag them from their benighted condition, into thelight of God's favor. Believe me, Dona Isabella, should anothersovereign grant the terms Colon requireth, and reap the advantages thatare likely to flow from such discoveries, the enemies of Spain wouldmake the world ring with their songs of triumph, while the wholepeninsula would mourn over this unhappy decision."
"Whither hath the Senor Colon sped?" demanded the king, quickly; all hispolitical jealousies being momentarily aroused by the remarks of hisreceiver-general: "He hath not gone again to Don John of Portugal?"
"No, Senor, my master, but to King Louis of France, a sovereign whoselove for Aragon amounteth to a proverb."
The king muttered a few words between his teeth, and he paced theapartment, to and fro, with a disturbed manner; for, while no man livingcared less to hazard his means, without the prospect of a certainreturn, the idea of another's reaping an advantage that had beenneglected by himself, brought him at once under the control of thosefeelings that always influenced his cold and calculating policy. WithIsabella the case was different. Her pious wishes had ever leaned towardthe accomplishment of Columbus' great project, and her generous naturehad sympathized deeply with the noble conception, vast moral results,and the glory of the enterprise. Nothing but the manner in which hermind, as well as her religious aspirations, had been occupied by the warin Granada, had prevented her from entering earlier into a fullexamination of the navigator's views; and she had yielded to the counselof her confessor, in denying the terms demanded by Columbus, with areluctance it had not been easy to overcome. Then the gentler feelingsof her sex had their influence, for, while she too reflected on what hadjust been urged, her eye glanced around t
he room and rested on thebeautiful face of Mercedes, who sat silent from diffidence, but whosepale, eloquent countenance betrayed all the pleadings of the pure,enthusiastic love of woman.
"Daughter-Marchioness," asked the queen, turning as usual to her triedfriend, in her doubts, "what thinkest thou of this weighty matter? Oughtwe so to humble ourselves as to recal this haughty Genoese?"
"Say not haughty, Senora, for to me he seemeth much superior to any suchfeeling; but rather regard him as one that hath a just appreciation ofthat he hath in view. I agree fully with the receiver-general inthinking that Castile will be much discredited, if, in sooth, a newworld should be discovered, and they who favored the enterprise couldpoint to this court and remind it that the glory of the event was in itsgrasp, and that it threw it away, heedlessly"--
"And this, too, on a mere point of dignity, Senora," put in St.Angel--"on a question of parchment and of sound."
"Nay, nay"--retorted the queen--"there are those who think the honorsclaimed by Colon would far exceed the service, even should the latterequal all the representations of the Genoese himself."
"Then, my honored mistress, they know not at what the Genoese aims.Reflect, Senora, that it will not be an every-day deed to prove thatthis earth is a sphere, by actual measurement, whatever we may know intheories. Then cometh the wealth and benefits of those easternpossessions, a quarter of the world whence all riches flow--spices,pearls, silks, and the most precious metals. After these, again, comeththe great glory of God, which crowneth and exceedeth all."
Isabella crossed herself, her cheek flushed, her eye kindled, and hermatronly but fine form seemed to tower with the majesty of the feelingsthat these pictures created.
"I do fear, Don Fernando," she said, "that our advisers have beenprecipitate, and that the magnitude of this project may justify morethan common conditions!"
But the king entered little into the generous emotions of his royalconsort; feeling far more keenly the stings of political jealousy, thanany promptings of a liberal zeal for either the church or science. Hewas generally esteemed a wise prince, a title that would seem to inferneither a generous nor a very just one. He smiled at the kindlingenthusiasm of his wife, but continued to peruse a paper that had justbeen handed to him by a secretary.
"Your Highness feels as Dona Isabella of Castile ought to feel when theglory of God and the honor of her crown are in question," added Beatrizde Cabrera, using that freedom of speech that her royal mistress muchencouraged in their more private intercourse. "I would rather hear youutter the words of recall to this Colon, than again listen to the shoutsof our late triumph over the Moor."
"I know that thou lovest me, Beatriz!" exclaimed the queen: "if there isnot a true heart in that breast of thine, the fallen condition of mandoes not suffer the gem to exist!"
"We all love and reverence Your Highness," continued de St. Angel, "andwe wish naught but your glory. Fancy, Senora, the page of history open,and this great exploit of the reduction of the Moor succeeded by thestill greater deed of a discovery of an easy and swift communicationwith the Indies, the spread of the church, and the flow of inexhaustiblewealth into Spain! This Colon cannot be supported by the colder and moreselfish calculations of man, but his very enterprise seeks the moregenerous support of her who can risk much for God's glory and the goodof the church."
"Nay, Senor de St. Angel, thou flatterest and offendest in the samebreath."
"It is an honest nature pouring out its disappointment, my belovedmistress, and a tongue that hath become bold through much zeal for YourHighnesses' fame. Alas! alas! should King Louis grant the terms we havedeclined, poor Spain will never lift her head again for very shame!"
"Art certain, St. Angel, that the Genoese hath gone for France?"suddenly demanded the king, in his sharp, authoritative voice.
"I have it, Your Highness, from his own mouth. Yes, yes, he is at thismoment striving to forget our Castilian dialect, and endeavoring to suithis tongue to the language of the Frenchman. They are bigots andunreflecting disciples of musty prejudices, Senora, that deny thetheories of Colon. The old philosophers have reasoned in the samemanner; and though it may seem to the timid an audacious and even aheedless adventure to sail out into the broad Atlantic, had not thePortuguese done it he would never have found his islands. God's truth!it maketh my blood boil, when I bethink me of what these Lusitanianshave done, while we of Aragon and Castile have been tilting with theInfidels for a few valleys and mountains, and contending for a capital!"
"Senor, you are forgetful of the honor of the sovereigns, as well as ofthe service of God," interrupted the Marchioness of Moya, who had thetact to perceive that the receiver-general was losing sight of hisdiscretion, in the magnitude of his zeal. "This conquest is one of thevictories of the church, and will add lustre to the two crowns in allfuture ages. The head of the church, himself, hath so recognized it, andall good Christians should acknowledge its character."
"It is not that I undervalue this success, but that I consider theconquest that Colon is likely to achieve over so many millions, that Ihave thus spoken, Dona Beatriz."
The marchioness, whose spirit was as marked as her love for the queen,made a sharp reply, and, for a few minutes, she and Luis de St. Angel,with Alonzo de Quintanilla, maintained the discussion by themselves,while Isabella conversed apart, with her husband, no one presuming tomeddle with their private conference. The queen was earnest, andevidently much excited, but Ferdinand maintained his customary coolnessand caution, though his manner was marked with that profound respectwhich the character of Isabella had early inspired, and which shesucceeded in maintaining throughout her married life. This was a picturefamiliar to the courtiers, one of the sovereigns being as remarkable forhis wily prudence, as was the other for her generous and sincere ardor,whenever impelled by a good motive. This divided discourse lasted halfan hour, the queen occasionally pausing to listen to what was passing inthe other group, and then recurring to her own arguments with herhusband.
At length Isabella left the side of Ferdinand, who coldly resumed theperusal of a paper, and she moved slowly toward the excited party, thatwas now unanimous and rather loud in the expression of its regrets--loudfor even the indulgence of so gentle a mistress. Her intention torepress this ardor by her own presence, however, was momentarilydiverted from its object by a glimpse of the face of Mercedes, who satalone, her work lying neglected in her lap, listening anxiously to theopinions that had drawn all her companions to the general circle.
"Thou takest no part in this warm discussion, child," observed thequeen, stopping before the chair of our heroine, and gazing an instantinto her eloquently expressive face. "Hast thou lost all interest inColon?"
"I speak not, Senora, because it becometh youth and ignorance to bemodest; but though silent, I _feel_ none the less."
"And what are thy feelings, daughter? Dost thou, too, think the servicesof the Genoese cannot be bought at too high a price?"
"Since Your Highness doth me this honor," answered the lovely girl, theblood gradually flushing her pale face, as she warmed with thesubject--"I will not hesitate to speak. I do believe this greatenterprise hath been offered to the sovereigns, as a reward for all thatthey have done and endured for religion and the church. I do think thatColon hath been guided to this court by a divine hand, and by a divinehand hath he been kept here, enduring the long servitude of seven years,rather than abandon his object; and I do think that this late appeal inhis favor cometh of a power and spirit that should prevail."
"Thou art an enthusiast, daughter, more especially in this cause,"returned the queen, smiling kindly on the blushing Mercedes. "I amgreatly moved by thy wishes to aid in this enterprise!"
Thus spoke Isabella, at a moment when she had neither the leisure northe thought to analyze her own feelings, which were influenced by avariety of motives, rather than by any single consideration. Even thispassing touch of woman's affections, however, contributed to give hermind a new bias, and she joined the group, which respectfully o
pened asshe advanced, greatly disposed to yield to de St. Angel's well-meantthough somewhat intemperate entreaties. Still she hesitated, for herwary husband had just been reminding her of the exhausted state of thetwo treasuries, and the impoverished condition in which both crowns hadbeen left by the late war.
"Daughter-Marchioness," said Isabella, slightly answering the reverencesof the circle, "dost thou still think this Colon expressly called ofGod, for the high purposes to which he pretendeth?"
"Senora, I say not exactly that, though I believe the Genoese hath somesuch opinion of himself. But this much I do think--that Heaven bearethin mind its faithful servitors, and when there is need of importantactions, suitable agents are chosen for the work. Now, we do know thatthe church, at some day, is to prevail throughout the whole world; andwhy may not this be the allotted time, as well as another? God orderethmysteriously, and the very adventure that so many of the learned havescoffed at, may be intended to hasten the victory of the church. Weshould remember, Your Highness, the humility with which this churchcommenced; how few of the seemingly wise lent it their aid; and the highpass of glory to which it hath reached. This conquest of the Moorsavoreth of a fulfilment of time, and his reign of seven centuriesterminated, may merely be an opening for a more glorious future."
Isabella smiled upon her friend, for this was reasoning after her ownsecret thoughts; but her greater acquirements rendered her morediscriminating in her zeal, than was the case with the warm-hearted andardent Marchioness.
"It is not safe to affix the seal of Providence to this or thatenterprise, Daughter-Marchioness"--she answered--"and the church alonemay say what are intended for miracles, and what is left for humanagencies. What sum doth Colon need, Senor de St. Angel, to carry on theadventure in a manner that will content him?"
"He asketh but two light caravels, my honored mistress, and threethousand crowns--a sum that many a young spendthrift would waste on hispleasures, in a few short weeks."
"It is not much, truly," observed Isabella, who had been graduallykindling with the thoughts of the nobleness of the adventure; "but,small as it is, my Lord the King doubteth if our joint coffers can, atthis moment, well bear the drain."
"Oh! it were a pity that such an occasion to serve God, such anopportunity to increase the Christian sway, and to add to the glory ofSpain, should be lost for this trifle of gold!" exclaimed Dona Beatriz.
"It would be, truly," rejoined the queen, whose cheek now glowed with anenthusiasm little less obvious than that which shone so brightly in thecountenance of the ardent Mercedes. "Senor de St. Angel, the king cannotbe prevailed on to enter into this affair, in behalf of Aragon; but Itake it on myself, as Queen of Castile, and, so far as it may properlyadvance human interests, for the benefit of my own much-beloved people.If the royal treasury be drained, my private jewels should suffice forthat small sum, and I will freely pledge them as surety for the gold,rather than let this Colon depart without putting the truth of histheories to the proof. The result, truly, is of too great magnitude, toadmit of further discussion."
An exclamation of admiration and delight escaped those present, for itwas not a usual thing for a princess to deprive herself of personalornaments in order to advance either the interests of the church orthose of her subjects. The receiver-general, however, soon removed alldifficulties on the score of money, by saying that his coffers couldadvance the required sum, on the guarantee of the crown of Castile, andthat the jewels so freely offered, might remain in the keeping of theirroyal owner.
"And now to recall Colon," observed the queen, as soon as thesepreliminaries had been discussed. "He hath already departed, you say,and no time should be lost in acquainting him with this new resolution."
"Your Highness hath here a willing courier, and one already equipped forthe road, in the person of Don Luis de Bobadilla," cried Alonzo deQuintanilla, whose eye had been drawn to a window by the trampling of ahorse's foot; "and the man who will more joyfully bear these tidings tothe Genoese cannot be found in Santa Fe."
"'Tis scarce a service suited to one of his high station," answeredIsabella, doubtingly; "and yet we should consider every moment of delaya wrong to Colon"--
"Nay, Senora, spare not my nephew," eagerly interposed Dona Beatriz; "heis only too happy at being employed in doing Your Highness' pleasure."
"Let him, then, be summoned to our presence without another instant'sdelay. I scarce seem to have decided, while the principal personage ofthe great adventure is journeying from the court."
A page was immediately despatched in quest of the young noble, and in afew minutes the footsteps of the latter were heard in the antechamber.Luis entered the presence, flushed, excited, and with feelings not alittle angered, at the compelled departure of his new friend. He did notfail to impute the blame of this occurrence to those who had the powerto prevent it; and when his dark, expressive eye met the countenance ofhis sovereign, had it been in her power to read its meaning, she wouldhave understood that he viewed her as a person who had thwarted hishopes on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, the influence of DonaIsabella's pure character and gentle manners was seldom forgotten by anywho were permitted to approach her person; and his address wasrespectful, if not warm.
"It is Your Highness' pleasure to command my presence," said the youngman, as soon as he made his reverences to the queen.
"I thank you for this promptitude, Don Luis, having some need of yourservices. Can you tell us what hath befel the Senor Christoval Colon,the Genoese navigator, with whom, they inform me, you have someintimacy?"
"Forgive me, Senora, if aught unbecoming escape me; but a full heartmust be opened lest it break. The Genoese is about to shake the dust ofSpain from his shoes, and, at this moment, is on his journey to anothercourt, to proffer those services that this should never have rejected."
"It is plain, Don Luis, that all thy leisure time hath not been passedin courts," returned the queen, smiling; "but we have now service forthy roving propensities. Mount thy steed, and pursue the Senor Colon,with the tidings that his conditions will be granted, and a request thathe will forthwith return. I pledge my royal word, to send him forth onthis enterprise, with as little delay as the necessary preparations anda suitable prudence will allow."
"Senora! Dona Isabella! My gracious queen! Do I hear aright?"
"As a sign of the fidelity of thy senses, Don Luis, here is the pledgeof my hand."
This was said kindly, and the gracious manner in which the hand wasoffered, brought a gleam of hope to the mind of the lover, which it hadnot felt since he had been apprized that the queen's good opinion wasnecessary to secure his happiness. Kneeling respectfully, he kissed thehand of his sovereign, after which, without changing his attitude, hedesired to know if he should that instant depart on the duty she hadnamed.
"Rise, Don Luis, and lose not a moment to relieve the loaded heart ofthe Genoese--I might almost say, to relieve ours, also; for,Daughter-Marchioness, since this holy enterprise hath broken on my mindwith a sudden and almost miraculous light, it seemeth that a mountainmust lie on my breast until the Senor Christoval shall learn the truth!"
Luis de Bobadilla did not wait a second bidding, but hurried from thepresence, as fast as etiquette would allow, and the next minute he wasin the saddle. At his appearance, Mercedes had shrunk into the recess ofa window, where she now, luckily, commanded a view of the court. As herlover gained his seat, he caught a glimpse of her form; and though thespurs were already in his charger's flanks, the rein tightened, and thesnorting steed was thrown suddenly on his haunches. So elastic are thefeelings of youth, so deceptive and flattering the hopes of those wholove, that the glances which were exchanged were those of mutualdelight. Neither thought of all the desperate chances of thecontemplated voyage; of the probability of its want of success; or ofthe many motives which might still induce the queen to withhold herconsent. Mercedes awoke first from the short trance that succeeded, for,taking the alarm at Luis' indiscreet delay, she motioned him hurriedlyto proceed. Again the
rowels were buried in the flanks of the nobleanimal; fire flashed beneath his armed heels, and, at the next minute,Don Luis de Bobadilla had disappeared.
In the mean time Columbus had pursued his melancholy journey across theVega. He travelled slowly, and several times, even after his companionhad left him, did he check his mule, and sit, with his head dropped uponhis breast, lost in thought, the very picture of woe. The nobleresignation that he manifested in public, nearly gave way in private,and he felt, indeed, how hard his disappointments were to be borne. Inthis desultory manner of travelling he had reached the celebrated passof the Bridge of Pinos, the scene of many a sanguinary combat, when thesound of a horse's hoofs first overtook his ear. Turning his head, herecognized Luis de Bobadilla in hot pursuit, with the flanks of hishorse dyed in blood, and his breast white with foam.
"Joy! joy! a thousand times, joy, Senor Colon," shouted the eager youth,even before he was near enough to be distinctly heard. "Blessed Maria bepraised! Joy! Senor, joy! and naught but joy!"
"This is unexpected, Don Luis," exclaimed the navigator, "What meaneththy return!"
Luis now attempted to explain his errand, but eagerness and the want ofbreath rendered his ideas confused and his utterance broken andimperfect.
"And why should I return to a hesitating, cold, and undecided court?"demanded Columbus. "Have I not wasted years in striving to urge it toits own good? Look at these hairs, young Senor, and remember that I havelost a time that nearly equals all thy days, in striving uselessly toconvince the rulers of this peninsula that my project is founded ontruth."
"At length you have succeeded. Isabella, the true-hearted andnever-deceiving Queen of Castile, herself hath awoke to the importanceof thy scheme, and pledges her royal word to favor it."
"Is this true? _Can_ this be true, Don Luis?"
"I am sent to you express, Senor, to urge your immediate return."
"By whom, young Lord?"
"By Dona Isabella, my gracious mistress, through her own personalcommands."
"I cannot forego a single condition already offered."
"It is not expected, Senor. Our excellent and generous mistress grantethall you ask, and hath nobly offered, as I learn, to pledge her privatejewels, rather than that the enterprise fail."
Columbus was deeply touched with this information, and, removing hiscap, he concealed his face with it for a moment, as if ashamed to betraythe weakness that came over him. When he uncovered his face it wasradiant with happiness, and every doubt appeared to have vanished. Yearsof suffering were forgotten in that moment of joy, and he immediatelysignified his readiness to accompany the youth back to Santa Fe.