The Vale of Cedars; Or, The Martyr

by Grace Aguilar

  CHAPTER IX.

  "You would have thought the very windows spake; So many greedy looks of young and old Through casements darted their desiring eyes."

  SHAKSPEARE.

  In an apartment, whose pale, green hangings, embroidered withrichly-colored flowers, and whose furniture and ornaments, all ofdelicate material and refined taste, marked it as a meet boudoir forgentle blood, sat Marie and her husband. She occupied her favoriteseat--a cushion at his feet, and was listening with interest to hisanimated history of the Sovereign's welcome to Saragossa, the popularferment at their appearance, the good they had accomplished, and wouldstill accomplish, as their judicious plans matured. It was clear, hesaid, that they had resolved the sovereign power should not be merelynominal, as it had been. By making himself proclaimed and receivedas grand master of the three great orders of knighthood--SaintIago, Compostella, and Alcantara--the immense influence of thoseassociations must succumb to, and be guided by, Ferdinand alone; thepower of the nobles would thus be insensibly diminished, and the massof the kingdom--the PEOPLE--as a natural consequence, become of moreimportance, their position more open to the eyes of the sovereigns,and their condition, physically and morally, ameliorated and improved.

  "I feel and acknowledge this, dearest; though one of the class whosepower must be diminished to accomplish it;" he continued, "I am tooanxious for the internal prosperity of my country to quarrel with anymeasures which minds so enlightened as its present sovereigns may deemrequisite. But this is but a grave theme for thee, love. Knowestthou that her Grace reproached me with not bringing thee to join theArragonese festivities? When Donna Emilie spoke of thee, and thygentle worth and feminine loveliness, as being such as indeed herGrace would love, my Sovereign banished me her presence as a disloyalcavalier for so deserting thee; and when I marked how pale and thinthou art, I feel that she was right; I should have borne thee withme."

  "Or not have left me. Oh, my husband, leave me not again!" shereplied, with sudden and involuntary emotion, which caused him tothrow his arm round her, and fondly kiss her brow.

  "Not for the court, dearest; but that gentle heart must not forgetthou art a warrior's wife, and as such, for his honor's sake, mustsometimes bear the pang of parting. Nay, thou tremblest, and art stillpaler! Ere such summons come, thou wilt have learned to know and lovethy Queen, and in her protecting favor find some solace, should I becalled to war."

  "War! talk they of war again? I thought all was now at peace?"

  "Yes, love, in our sovereign's hereditary dominions; but there can beno lasting peace while some of the fairest territory of Spain stilldims the supremacy of Castile, and bows down to Moorish masters. It istowards Grenada King Ferdinand looks, yearning for the day when, allinternal commotions healed, he can head a gallant army to compelsubjection; and sad as it will be to leave thee, sweet, thou wiltforgive thy soldier if he say, would that the day were come!"

  "And will not their present extent of kingdom suffice the sovereigns?When they recall their former petty domains, and compare them with thepresent, is it not enough?"

  Morales smiled. "Thou speakest as a very woman, gentle one, to whomthe actual word 'ambition' is unknown. Why, the very cause thou namesturges our sovereigns to the conquest of these Moors. They are the blotupon a kingdom otherwise as fair and great as any other European land.They thirst to raise it in the scale of kingdoms--to send down theirnames to posterity, as the founders of the Spanish monarchy--thebuilders and supporters of a united throne, and so leave theirchildren an undivided land. Surely this is a glorious project, onewhich every Spanish warrior must rejoice to aid. But fear not a speedysummons, love; much must be accomplished first. Isabella will visitthis ancient city ere then, and thou wilt learn to love and reverenceher as I do."

  "In truth, my husband, thou hast made me loyal as thyself; but saythey not she is severe, determined, stern?"

  "To the guilty, yes; even the weak crafty will not stand before herrepelling glance: but what hast thou to fear, my love? Penetrative asshe is, seeming to read the heart through the countenance, she canread nought in thee save qualities to love. I remember well the eagleglance she fixed on King Ferdinand's young English favorite, SenorStanley, the first time he was presented to her. But she wassatisfied, for he ranks as deservedly high in her favor as in herhusband's. Thou hast heard me speak of this young Englishman, myMarie?"

  Her face was at that moment turned from him, or he might have startedat its sudden flush; but she assented by a sign.

  "He was so full of joyousness and mirth, that to us of graver natureit seemed almost below his dignity as man; and now they tell me heis changed so mournfully; grave, sad, silent, maturity seems to havedescended upon him ere he has quite passed boyhood; or he has somesecret sorrow, too sacred to be revealed. There is some talk of hisrecall from Sicily, he having besought the king for a post of moreactive and more dangerous service. Ferdinand loves such daringspirits, and therefore no doubt will grant his boon. Ha! Alberic, whatis it?" he continued, eagerly, as a page entered, and delivered apacket secured with floss silk, and sealed with the royal signet,adding that it had been brought by an officer of the royal guard,attended by some men at arms. "Give him welcome suited to his rank,boy: I will but peruse these, and attend him instantly."

  The page withdrew, and Don Ferdinand, hastily cutting the silk, wasspeedily so engrossed in his despatches, as to forget for the timeeven the presence of his wife; and well it was so; for it enabled herwith a strong effort to conquer the deadly sickness Morale's carelesswords had caused--the pang of dread accompanying every thought ofArthur's return to Spain--to still the throbbing pulse and quiveringlip, and, outwardly unmoved, meet his joyous glance once more.

  "'Tis as I thought and hoped," he said, with animation: "thesovereigns hold their court for some months in this city; coeval,in antiquity, associations, and loyalty, with Valladolid and Leon,Isabella, with her characteristic thought for all her subjects, hasdecided on making it occasionally the seat of empire alternately withthem, and commissions me, under her royal seal, to see the castlefittingly prepared. Listen, love, what her Grace writes further--'Takeheed, my good lord, and hide not in a casket the brightest gem whichwe have heard adorns thy home. We would ourselves judge the value ofthy well-hoarded jewel--not that we doubt its worth; for it would bestrange, indeed, if he who hath ever borne off the laurel wreath fromthe competitors for glory, should not in like manner seek and winthe prize of beauty. In simple language, let Donna Marie be inattendance.' And so thou shalt, love; and by thy gentle virtues andmodest loveliness, add increase of honor to thy husband. Ha! whatsays Gonzalo de Lara?" he added, as his eye glanced over anotherpaper--"'Tumults in Sicily--active measures--Senor Stanley--enough onwhich to expend his chivalric ardor, and evince his devotedness toFerdinand; but Sicily quieted--supposed the king will still granthis request--assign him some post about his person, be at hand formilitary service against the Moors.' Good! then the war is resolvedon. We must bestir ourselves, dearest, to prepare fit reception forour royal guests; there is but brief time."

  He embraced and left her as he spoke; and for several minutes Marieremained without the power even to rise from her seat: one pangconquered, another came. Arthur's recall appeared determined; wouldit be so soon that he would join this sovereigns before they reachedSegovia? She dared not think, save to pray, with wild and desperatefervor, that such might not be.

  Magnificent, indeed, were Don Ferdinand's preparations for the banquetwith which he intended to welcome his sovereigns to Segovia. Thecastle was to be the seat of their residence, and the actual _locale_of their court; but it was at his own private dwelling he resolved, bya sumptuous entertainment, to evince how deeply and reverentiallyhe felt the favor with which he was regarded by both monarchs, moreespecially by Isabella, his native Sovereign.

  In the many struggles which were constantly occurring between theSpaniards and Moors, the former had become acquainted with the lightyet beautiful architecture and varied skill in all the arts
peculiarto the latter, and displayed their improved taste in both public andprivate buildings. Morales, in addition to natural taste, possessedgreat affluence, which enabled him to evince yet greater splendor inhis establishment than was usual to his countrymen.

  There was one octangular room, the large panels forming the walls ofwhich were painted, each forming a striking picture of the principalevents in the history of Spain, from the descent of Don Palayo, andthe mountaineers of Asturias, who struck the first blow for Spanishfreedom, to the accession of Ferdinand and Isabella. The paintingswere not detached pictures, but drawn and colored on the wall itself,which had been previously prepared for the reception of the colors bya curious process, still in use among the Orientals.[A] The colors,when dry, were rubbed, till the utmost brilliancy was attained; andthis, combined as it was with a freedom and correctness of drawing,produced an effect as striking then as it would be novel to moderneyes. One side, divided into three compartments, contained in one atouching likeness of the young Alfonso. His figure, rather larger thanlife, was clothed in armor, which shone as inlaid with gold. His headwas bare, and his bright locks flowed over his shoulders as he worethem in life. His brilliant eye, his lofty brow, and peculiarly sweetexpression of mouth, had been caught by the limner, and transferred tohis painting in all their original beauty. Round him were groupedsome of the celebrated cavaliers of his party; and the back-ground,occupied by troops not in regular battalions, but as impelled by somewhelming feeling of national excitement, impossible to be restrained.Answering to this was a full length of the infanta Isabella I., inthe act of refusing the crown offered by the confederates. The centrecompartment represented the union of Castile and Arragon by thenuptials of their respective sovereigns in the cathedral church ofValladolid. Over these pictures were suspended golden lamps, inlaidwith gems; so that, day or night, the effect should remain the same.Opposite the dais, huge folding-doors opened on an extensive hall,where the banquets were generally held, and down which Don Ferdinandintended to range the tables for his guests of lesser rank, leavingthe octangular apartment for the royal tables, and those of the mostdistinguished nobles; the one, however, so communicating with theother, as to appear one lengthened chamber. On the right hand of thedais, another large door opened on a withdrawing-room, the floor ofwhich was of marble, curiously tinted; and the walls hung with Genoavelvet, ruby-colored, and bordered by a wide fringe of gold. Superbvases of alternate crystal and frosted silver, on pedestals ofalabaster and of aqua-marine, were ranged along the walls, thedelicate beauty of their material and workmanship coming out wellagainst the rich coloring of the hangings behind. The roof, a loftydome, displayed the light Arabesque workmanship, peculiar to Moorisharchitecture, as did the form and ornaments of the windows. Thisapartment opened into another, much smaller, each side of which,apparently formed of silver plate, reflected as mirrors every object;and the pillars supporting the peculiarly light roof of the sameglittering material. Some parts of the extensive gardens Moralesintended to illuminate; and others, for the effect of contrast, to beleft in deepest shadow.

  [Footnote A: See Art Union Journal, August, 1845.]

  Nothing was omitted which could do honor to the royal guests, orcast a reproach upon the magnificent hospitality of their hosts. Thepreparations were but just completed, when an advance guard arrived atSegovia with the tidings of the rapid approach of the sovereigns; andMorales, with a gallant troop of his own retainers, and a processionof the civil and military officers of Segovia, hastened to meet andescort them to the town.

  With an uncontrollable impulse, Marie had followed the example ofalmost every female in Segovia, and, wrapt in her shrouding veil, hadstationed herself, with some attendants at a casement overlooking thelong line of march. The city itself presented one scene of gladsomebustle and excitment: flags were suspended from every "turret, dome,and tower," rich tapestries hung over balconies, which were filledwith females of every rank and grade, vying in the richness andelegance of their apparel, and their coquettish use of the veil andfan, so as to half-hide and half-display their features, more or lessbeautiful--for beautiful as a nation, the Spanish women undoubtedlyare. Bells were ringing from every church; ever and anon came a burstof warlike music, as detached troops galloped in the town, welcomedwith shouts as the officer at their head was recognized. Even thepriests themselves, with their sober dresses and solemn countenances,seemed touched with the universal excitement, relaxing into smiles andhearty greeting with the laymen they encountered. As the hours waned,popular excitement increased. It was the first visit of Isabella tothe city; and already had her character been displayed in such actionsas to kindle the warmest love towards the woman, in addition to theenthusiastic loyalty towards the Queen.

  At length the rumor rose that the main body was approaching--in littlemore than a hour the sovereigns would pass the gates, and excitementwaxed wilder and wilder, and impatience was only restrained by theinterest excited towards the gallant bodies of cavalry, which now inslow and measured march approached, forming the commencement of aline, which for three hours continued to pour within the city in oneunbroken strain.

  Even Marie herself, pre-occupied as she was in the dread search forone object, could not glance down on the moving multitude beneath herwithout in some degree sharing the enthusiasm of her countrymen. Therewere gallant warriors of every age, from the old man to the beardlessyouth; chargers, superb in form and rich in decoration; a field ofspears glittering in the broad sunshine, some bearing the light gaypennoncelle, others absolutely bending beneath the heavy folds ofbanners, which the light breeze at times extended so as to displaytheir curious heraldic bearings, and then sunk heavily around theirstaffs. Esquires bearing their masters' shields, whose spotlessfields flung back a hundred-fold the noonday sun--plumes so long anddrooping, as to fall from the gilded crest till they rested on theshoulder--armor so bright as to dazzle the eyes of the beholders, savewhen partly concealed under the magnificent surcoats and mantles,amongst which the richest velvets, slashed with gold or silver,distinguished the highest nobles. Pageantry like this mingled withsuch stirring sounds as the tramp of the noble horse, curveting,prancing, rearing, as if disdaining the slow order of march--thethrilling blast of many trumpets, the long roll, or short, sharp callof the drum; and the mingled notes of martial instruments, blendingtogether in wild yet stirring harmony, would be sufficient evenin this prosaic age to bid the heart throb and the cheek burn,recognizing it, as perhaps we should, merely as the _symbol_, not the_thing_. What, then, must it have been, when men felt such glitteringpageant and chivalric seeming, the _realities_ of life?

  At length came the principal group; the pressure of the crowdsincreased, and human hearts so throbbed, that it seemed as if theycould not breathe, save in the stunning shouts, bidding the verywelkin ring. Surrounded by a guard of honor, composed indiscriminatelyof Castilians and Arragonese, mounted on a jet black steed, whichpawed the ground, and shook his graceful head, as conscious of hisprincely burden, magnificently attired, but in the robes of peace,with a circlet of gold and gems enwreathing his black velvet cap, hiscountenance breathing this day but the kindly emotions of his moreyouthful nature, unshadowed by the wile and intrigue of after-years,King Ferdinand looked the mighty monarch, whose talents raised hiscountry from obscurity, and bade her stand forth among the first ofEuropean nations. But tumultuary as were the shouts with which he wasrecognized, they were faint in comparison to those which burst forthat sight of the Princess at his side. Isabella had quitted her litteron re-entering her own dominions, and now rode a cream-coloredcharger, which she managed with the grace and dignity of one wellaccustomed to the exercise, alike in processions of peace and scenesof war.

  The difference of age between the sovereigns was not perceivable,[A]for the grave and thoughtful character of Ferdinand gave him ratherthe appearance of seniority; while the unusual fairness of Isabella'scomplexion, her slight and somewhat small stature, produced on her thecontrary effect. The dark gray eye, the rich brown hair and de
licateskin of the Queen of Castile deprived her, somewhat remarkably, ofall the characteristics of a Spaniard, but, from their very noveltyattracted the admiration of her subjects. Beautiful she was not; buther charm lay in the variable expression of her features. Peculiarlyand sweetly feminine, infused, as Washington Irving observes, with "asoft, tender melancholy," as was their general expression, they couldyet so kindle into indignant majesty, so flash with reproach or scorn,that the very color of the eye became indistinguishable, and theboldest and the strongest quailed beneath the mighty and the holyspirit, which they could not but feel, that frail woman formenshrined.

  [Footnote A: Isabella was eight or ten years Ferdinand's senior.]

  Round the sovereigns were grouped, in no regular order of march, butforming a brilliant _cortege_, many of the celebrated characters oftheir reign--men, not only of war, but of literature and wisdom, whomboth monarchs gloried in distinguishing above their fellows, seekingto exalt the honor of their country, not only in extent of dominion,but by the shining qualities of her sons. It was to this group thestrained gaze of Marie turned, and became riveted on the Queen,feeling strangely and indefinably a degree of comfort as she gazed; toexplain wherefore, even to herself, was impossible; but she felt as ifshe no longer stood alone in the wide world, whose gaze she dreaded;a new impulse rose within her, urging her, instead of remainingindifferent, as she thought she should, to seek and win Isabella'sregard. She gazed and gazed, till she could have fancied hervery destiny was in some way connected with the Queen's visit toSegovia--that some mysterious influences were connecting her,insignificant as she was, with Isabella's will. She strove with thebaseless vision; but it would gain ground, folding up her whole mindin its formless imaginings. The sight of her husband, conversingeagerly with the sovereign, in some degree startled her back to thepresent scene. His cheek was flushed with exercise and excitement; hislarge dark eyes glittering, and a sunny smile robbing his mouth ofits wonted expression of sternness. On passing his mansion he lookedeagerly up, and with proud and joyous greeting doffed his velvet cap,and bowed with as earnest reverence as if he had still to _seek_ andwin her. The chivalry of Don Ferdinand Morales was proved, yet more_after_ marriage than _before_.

  It was over: the procession had at length passed: she had scannedevery face and form whose gallant bearing proclaimed him noble; butArthur Stanley was not amongst them, and inexpressibly relieved, MarieMorales sunk down on a low seat, and covering her face with her hands,lifted up her whole soul in one wild--yet how fervent!--burst ofthanksgiving.