Mercedes of Castile

proved how fee

rk of beauty's

eel, until his

imness with i

eek, his sinkin

e majesty of

ro

ay that attended the surrender, had drawn together a vast many of the gentler sex, in addition to those whose duty it was to accompany their royal mistress-hurried eagerly through the celebrated courts and fretted apartments of this remarkable residence; nor was curiosity appeased even when night came to place a temporary stay to its indulgence. The Court of the Lions in particular, a plac

ck the beholders with the freshness of novelty, as well as with the magnificence of royalty. The rich conceits in stucco, an art of eastern origin then little understood in Christendom; the graceful and fanciful arabesques-which, improved on by the fancies of some of the greates

Do?a Mercedes de Valverde, one of the noblest and richest heiresses of Castile; the relative, ward, and adopted daughter of the queen's friend-favorite being hardly the term one would apply to the relation in which Do?a Beatriz stood toward Isabella. It was not the particular beauty of Do?a Mercedes, however, that rendered her appearance so remarkable and attractive; for, though feminine, graceful, of exquisite form, and even of pleasing features, there were many in that brilliant court who would generally be deemed fairer. But no other maiden of Castile had a counten

enever feeling and modesty would allow it, the fine, expressive blue eyes of Mercedes. The three conversed freely, for the royal personages had retired to their pri

self, should now have heard for the first time of this Colon! It is many years since he has been soliciting their Highnesses for their royal aid in effecti

at had the effect to bring out glimpses of all the deep but latent feeling that lay concealed benea

ing; and surely none greater hath ever been proposed or imagined by human mind, than this he urgeth. Think of our becoming acquainted with the nations of

cted to practice a little in the art, for it will need some time to gain a sure foot, in such circumstances. He might commence on the sides of these mountains, by way of a hor

himself felt to be reproachful. To win the love of his aunt's ward was the young man's most ardent wish; and a look of dissatisfaction could at any moment repress that exuberance of spirits which often led him into an appearance of l

, I see; this Colon appeareth to have had more succ

ooking girl, "that women should have more confidence in me

archly-"I have never studied with the minstrels, nor, sooth to say, deeply with the churchmen. To be honest with you, I have been much struck with this noble idea; and if Se?or Colon doth, in re

re will, at least, be one human being topsy-turvy, in the event of thy reaching Cathay. But

ontinue her promenade accompanied only by Don Luis, and the marchioness led the way to her own apartments, where a saloon suitable to her rank and to her favor with the queen, had been selec

but knowing so well his dulness, I will confide in it, and leave him with thee, for the few minutes that I shall be absent. A cavalier who hath so strong a dis

whole people. A consciousness of his being so viewed at home, had, indeed, driven the youth abroad; and as, like all observant travellers, he was made doubly sensible of the defects of his own state of society on his return, a species of estrangement had grown up between him and his natural associates that had urged the young man, again and again, to wander into foreign lands. Nothing, indeed, but his early and constantly increasing passion for Mercedes had induced him to return; a step that, fortunately for himself, he had last taken in time to assist in the reduction of Granada. Notwithstanding these traits, which, in a country like Castile, might be properly enough termed peculiarities, Don Luis de Bobadilla was a knight worthy of his lineage and name. His prowess in the field and in the tourney, indeed, was so very marked as to give him a high military character, in despite of what were deemed his failings; and he passed rather as an inconsiderate and unsafe young man, than as one who was either debased or wicked. Martial qualities, in that age in particular, redeemed a thousand faults; and Don Luis had even been known to unhorse, in the tourney, Alonzo de Ojeda

ence under such circumstances, until prepared to avow their choice, and to take sides with its subject against the world; and the quiet but deep enthusiasm that prevailed in the moral system of the fair young Castilian, was tempered by a prudence that prevented her from running into most of its lighter excesses. The forms and observances that usually surround young women of rank, came in aid of this native prudence; and even Don Luis himself, th

ich they usually lay smothered beneath the covering of maiden diffidence; and throughout the evening her smile had been more open, her eye brighter, and her cheeks more dee

t ramble, Don Luis eagerly threw himself on a stool that stood near the feet of his adored, who placed herself

ight send for my beloved aunt thrice where she now wants her services only once! and may her presence become so necessary to her sovereign that the affa

peech, or the most vehement, who always

so interwoven with my mind itself, that I can scarce use a faculty that thy dear image doth not mingle with it. In all that is beautiful, I behold thee; if I liste

Don Luis, you appear to have forgotten that the heart of a Castilian g

lattered by this rebuke-for he would have detected in the speaker's manner, b

ongue uttered aught to thee, Mercedes, that the heart hath not honestly urged. Have I not loved thee since thou and I were children? Did I

ctions-doing more, in a single instant, to break down the barriers of her reserve, than years of schooling had effected toward bu

he first time in two years, hast thou spoken to me as thou wert wo

hat others respect them, too;" answered our heroine, looking down, as if she already half repen

ire to please thee, and thee alone, lovely Mercedes? When Her Highness gave her royal approbation of my success, in the last tourney, did I not se

age to the north, and yet thou didst depart! I felt that it would displease Do?a Beatriz; thy truant disposition hav

verde should so little understand my character, as to believe it possible a noble of my name and li

now that I believ

night, or as one who enjoyed the smallest degree of thy favor-I would have parted with life sooner than I would have pa

n, L

et with no encouragement from fair words, no friendly glance of the eye, nor any sign or symbol to betoken that the being on

really knoweth thy character, ca

, and ten millions for the gentle smile that hath acco

hes, Do

uct, wouldst thou but feel sufficient interest in me to let

ith indifference the proceedings of one thou has

es! dost thou own even

worthy; and it is not possible to know thy excellent heart and manly nature, without e

condescension, and admit that one-as lightly as thou wilt-but t

little time before she answered at all. When she did speak, it was hesitatingly, and with frequent

me favor on account of thy roving propensities; why not regain the co

singular counsel to come from one l

nfided in. Thou seemest to have been struck with these bold opinions of the Se?or Colon

iscovered the real feeling that lieth underneath. Ever since I have heard of this vast project, it hath, indeed, haunted my imagination; and the image of the Genoese hath c

Luis; and its brilliancy increased as some of that latent enthusiasm which dwel

. Imagine this earth fairly encircled by a ship; the farthest east, the land of the heathen, brought in close communion with ourselves, and the cross casting its shadows under the burning

s sun shall appear, and offer to make one in his enterpri

urnish that which will be necessary. Nor is it meet than any but sovereigns should send forth such an expedition, as there may be vast territories to govern and dispose of, should Colon succeed. My powerful kinsman-the Duke of Medina Celi-hath had this matter in close deliberation, and he viewed it favorably, as is shown by his letters

with the court. The king is the enemy of all who are not

h his roof, enjoying his hospitality

shalt never hear disrespectful word from me, for, like thyself, she is all that is virtuous, gentle, and kind in woman; but the king hath many of the faults of us corrupt and mercenary men.

y who manage the affairs of mortals must make large concessions to their failings, or human depravity will thwart the wisest measures that can be devised. Moreover, ca

the holy truth, the sincere virtue, of our royal mistress

obey both; and if Do?a Isabella hath more of the confiding truth and pure-hearte

ith that managing and false-faced King of Aragon, much as I l

ak truth when it might be better to say nothing, as witness the present discourse, and to look at tho

Mercedes, if they have left such memories i

interrupted the young Castilian girl, with a haste and earnestness that hurried the blood to her

by saying that

unt may have said this, but it could have been with no inte

ad travelled far and much, and thou spokest approvingly of the project of this Genoese.

ing mind and willing sword; and the glory of success would atone for a thous

vation; for the tooth of doubt and jealousy had fastened on him, and, with the self-distrust of true affection, he questioned ho

men more accustomed to rude encounters in the field than to the mazes of their ingenuity. Dost thou desire me to embark in an adventure that most men, the wise and prudent Don Fernando at their head-he whom thou so much

struggled through her pride, and fell from her reproachful eyes. "You know that no one, here or elsewhere, hateth you; you know that you are a general favorite, though Cast

ved Mercedes; thy coldness and

dilla! When hath Mercedes de Valv

e Valverde is, even now, put

n. Yes! rather than thou shouldst carry away with thee the false notion, and perhaps plunge, again, into some unthinking sea-adventure, I will subdue my maiden pride, and forget the reserve and caution that best become my sex and ra

? My happiness can only be s

ensity to roving, by some act of worthy renown, that shall justify Do?a Beatriz

venture win thee, too, t

ly smothered in tears-"would I wed, without the smiles and congratulations of all who have a right to smile, or weep, for any of the house of Valverde. Thou and I cannot marry like a village hind and village girl; it is suitable that we stand before a prelate, with a large circle of approving friends to grace our union. Ah! Luis, thou hast reproached me with coldness and indifference to thee"-sobs nearly stifled the generous girl-"but others have not been so blind-nay, speak not, but

Her Highness' scruples to overcome, as well

plicity. Much of that I so love in thee, cometh of her family, and thou shouldst not reproach her for it. As for Her Highness, certes, it is not needed that I should proclaim her qualities. Thou knowest that she is deemed the mother of her people;

nd benevolent, and inspired, with Castile for a throne

in it, though much of her sex's truth-"speak not lightly of my royal mistress. Whatever she may have done in this matter, hath

er, now that thou hast been so generous and confiding. But I cannot rest in peace unt

is, but, while thy aunt hath never seemed to detect my feelings, and all those related to me by blood have appeared to be in the same darkness, the royal eye hath penetrate

tourney, and when I even wore thy favors, that not only dr

. But," and Mercedes smiled, archly, though with great tenderness in her voice and looks, as she added, "I fear thou art much addicted to

would chain me like a captive Moor at thy feet, and take away all desire to look at other objects

and yet none could cope with thee! Even Alonzo de Ojeda was unhorsed by thy lance, and all mouths were filled

was thine, c

discourse, before she touched at all on the real object of her command. She spoke to me, Luis, of our duties as Christians, of our duties as females, and, most of all, of the solemn obligations that we contract in wedlock, and of the many pains that, at best, attend that honored condition. When she had melted me to tea

ess endeavored to influence thy g

was the manner in which my own sensitive feelings brought up thy image, that hath made me, perhaps idly, fancy the effect might be to prevent me from wedding thee, without Do?a Isabella's consent. But, knowing, as I well

rcedes, that it was in fear of me t

ause thou wert uppermost in my mind. Then thy triumphs throughout the day, and the manner in

hat thou believest Her Highness

any such feelings toward you. She was full of maternal affection for me, and I think, for I will conceal naught that I truly believe, that apprehension of thy powers to please, Luis, may have induced her to apprehend

nest to respe

n had thee in her mind on the occasion of that vow, which was offered freely by me, rather than extorted, as thou seemest to think, by Her Highness. I do, then, believe that Do?a Isabella supposed there might be a danger of my yielding to thy suit, and that she had apprehensions that one so much given to roving, might not bring, or keep, happiness in the bosom of a family. But, Luis, if Her Highness hath not done thy noble, generous heart, justice; if she hath been deceived by appearances, like most of those around her; if she hath not known thee, in short, is it not thine own fault? Hast thou not been a frequent truant from Castile; and, even when present, hast thou been as attentive and assiduous in thy duties at court, as becometh thy high bi

or is conquered, and I know not that any knig

ight already, and, as thou hast just said, there is no one to meet thy lance, for no one hath met with

eived thy meaning; but would fai

reat enterprise, and I can see that Her Highness hath often been disposed to yield her aid, when the coldness of Don Fernando, or the narrowness of her ministers, hath diverted her mind from the object. I think she yet regardeth the scheme with favor; for it is quite lately that Colon, who had taken leave of us all, with the intent to quit Spain and seek elsewhere for means, was summoned to return, through the influ

t seemeth strange to wish to urge those we affect to value

ith pious ardour: "the enterprise will be undertaken for his g

was of a nature to arouse his constitutional love of roving, and his desire for encountering dangers. Both he and Mercedes well knew that he had fairly earned no small part of that distrust of his character, which alone th

or this Colon," he asked, "why hath

easury, and the wary coldness

n, as so many vain schemers, should we return without success

and she will regard all who accompany Colon voluntarily, as so many crusaders, well entitled to her esteem. Thou wilt not r

l! If I could take thee with me, I would emba

ligibly. Don Luis succeeded in restraining his impatience; and the generous confidence with which Mercedes gradually got to betray her interest in him, and the sweet, holy earnestnes

ile she smiled at the ingenuity of love, in coupling the great designs of the Genoese with the gratification of its own wishes. Still she was not displeased. Luis de Bobadilla was the son of an only and much-beloved brother, and she had transferred to her nephew most of the affection she had felt for the father. All who knew him, indeed, were fond of the handsome and gallant young cavalier, though the prudent felt compelled to frown on his indiscretions; and he might have chosen a wife,