CHAPTER IX.
Cuan breve y cuan caduca resplandece Nuestra gloria! Cuan subito, en el punto Que deleita a los ojos, desparece!
_Herrera._
Che piu si apera, o che s'attende omai? Dopo trionfo e palma
* * * *
Luto e lamenti, e lagrimosi lai;
_Tasso._
Granada, lately the seat of mourning, was again converted into a sceneof indiscriminate joy. The recent victory obtained by Gomez Arias, andthe defeat of Caneri which had so closely followed that advantage, awokethe most pleasing sentiments in the minds of the inhabitants. Theyalmost considered the rebellion as at an end, assured by the latesuccesses, and awaited with impatience the triumphant entry of GomezArias and his conquering band, now rapidly approaching towards the city.The court was assembled, and displayed the heroic Isabella in all theinsignia of royalty. Surrounded by all the principal personages inSpain, she awaited the arrival of the victor, anxious to offer him hercongratulations and to bestow upon him adequate marks of her royalfavor.
The grand saloon of the Alhambra, where formerly the Moorish sovereignsdictated their laws, now afforded a different, though no less strikingdisplay. The dazzling glitter of armour and the sumptuousness ofofficial dresses, blended with the gay and richly ornamented attires ofthe ladies of the court, presented a picture at once beautiful andimposing.
At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall. Itproceeded from the guards, who appeared anxious to deny admittance tosome person who, with a feeble though piercing voice, was heardcontinually to exclaim--
"Justice! I come to the Queen! Justice! She cannot deny it to anunfortunate noble!"
The queen was moved by the appeal, and ordered that the supplicantshould be admitted without delay. Scarcely were her commands obeyed,when a venerable old man, in sable robes, and bearing on his countenancedeep traces of grief, slowly and solemnly advanced towards the throne ofthe queen. He supported, or rather was supported, by a young female,likewise in mourning, and wearing a veil, which reached almost to theground, thus concealing her beauties and her sorrows from the curiousgaze of the spectators. Two other figures followed closely, a man ofstrong athletic proportions in a Moorish garb, and a thincurious-looking individual, apparently of inferior station.
Solemn silence prevailed, and every one seemed anxious to learn thecause of this extraordinary appeal. But when the stranger reached thethrone he was immediately recognised by the queen and several of thenobles, who could not conceal their astonishment at the sight."Monteblanco!" involuntarily and simultaneously escaped from severalvoices in the some breath.
"Yes," replied he, kneeling with his daughter at the foot of the throne;"the wretched Monteblanco comes humbly to crave justice from hissovereign. Before his grey hairs descend with sorrow into the tomb, hecollects his weak remaining strength to seek redress from the powerful,and to interest in his behalf the feelings of all the noble andgenerous. Pardon, most noble and gracious Queen--" he then added,addressing Isabella, "Pardon, if I come in a day of glory and jubilee,to damp with the tale of woe the joy that reigns around. But behold thepicture of an aged father, wounded and insulted in his bestaffections--a noble family dishonoured--the only scion of that familyreduced to the lowest state of obloquy and shame. Such a picture maywell call the attention of the just, even from objects of dazzlinginterest. Yes, I may be pardoned for intruding my misfortunes on myQueen--my generous Queen, from whom alone I can expect redress."
"You shall not demand it in vain," replied the queen; "all times aresacred to the solemn appeal of justice, and in the court of Isabella,every other consideration shall be postponed to satisfy its demands.Monteblanco, you have been guilty of no intrusion; speakconfidently--unfold the particulars of your grievances, and trust thatnought on earth shall induce the Queen to deviate a single step from thesacred path of justice."
"Gracious Queen!" cried Monteblanco, "that hope has been my soleinducement to prolong my miserable existence. I am injured deeply;injured in the dearest feeling of a nobleman and a Spaniard. The honorsof my family, gained by a long line of illustrious ancestors, have beenfoully tarnished by one who calls himself noble and a Spaniard, but whois alike unworthy to rank as either. I will not enumerate the servicesof the Monteblancos to interest our Queen in behalf of their affrontedhouse; still, whilst the lustre of their name is on the point of beingextinguished, it may be permitted to the last remaining but witheredbranch of that noble tree, once again to speak of those who are alas!now no more. Oh, Isabella, I had five sons; all--all deserving of thename they bore. Bravely they fought against the Moors, and gloriouslythey fell before the walls of this city, in the sacred cause of theirreligion and country. I was left desolate with this only frail but dearsupport of my declining age."
He cast a piteous look on Theodora, and then continued. "The fate of mysons might draw tears from the eyes of a father; but those tears wereunmingled with the bitterness of shame. With pride I remembered that myboys died for their country. Heaven! could I then surmise that in myunfortunate daughter all the former glory so dearly earned should bedegraded! Could I ever anticipate that the day should come when thenoble fate of my sons would be to me a subject of regret! I am nowreduced to envy my country those lives which might now stand forward toavenge the honor of their house. My daughter, blessed with innocence andbeauty, gentle and kind in her nature, was the only solace of mydeclining years--the only sweet and blooming flower that still grewsmiling beside the parent stem. Yet of this, my only remaining comfort,I was treacherously and cruelly deprived. A ruffian, honored far beyondhis deserts, and rich in the plenitude of power, envied me this solitaryconsolation. My unfortunate daughter was seduced from her home! Ohheaven! that a Monteblanco should be reduced to confess his shame! Shewas seduced from the fond arms of her parent under the most sacredpromises, and then, in violation of his plighted honor, the miscreantcast her aside to wither in neglect and obscurity. But it was necessarythat the most atrocious example of barbarity should accompany his basedesertion. In the arms of sleep, the hapless victim was abandoned amidstthe wilderness of the Alpujarras. She fell into the power of the Moors,from whom she experienced all the terrors which her forlorn situationwas naturally calculated to produce. Fortune threw her again in contactwith her betrayer, when the cold heartless ruffian, under the mostinsidious promises of false repentance, drew her from the house of herprotector, that she might be no obstruction to his ambitious career. Heagain delivered her to the power of the Moors, the rebels whose headswere proscribed, and with whom the guilty man scrupled not to holdcommunion, in open defiance of the repeated and solemnly promulgateddecree of your highness."
Here Monteblanco stopped, and a suppressed murmur of indignation ranthrough the whole assembly.
"Such an example of depravity," continued the old man, "astonishes you,but your wonder will be increased when you learn that the man who has sodisgracefully added treason to his crimes is one high in rank, great inmilitary renown, and honored by the favour of his sovereign."
"Those circumstances," cried the queen, "render his conduct doublycriminal. Monteblanco, your wrongs shall be redressed. Let the guilt befirmly established, and then, were the culprit the first man in thekingdom, the support of my throne--nay," she added, rising in heranger, "were he even of my own blood, he shall not be screened from therigour of the law." As she delivered these words a cloud of indignationmantled on her brow, and her eyes shot the fire of insulted majesty asshe looked proudly on the surrounding nobles and warriors.
A pause ensued, and the splendid train that had assembled to celebrate avictory, now gazed on each other in blank dismay, expecting to hear inthe name of the criminal one of their own friends or relatives.
"Pronounce the name of the traitor," cried the queen, "and if he be nothere already, he shall be summoned this very moment into our presence,to answer these charges."
"His name is powerful
," replied Monteblanco.
"Not more so than my will," nobly retorted Isabella.
At this moment a burst of popular applause announced the triumphantentry of the victorious Spaniard, and the name of Gomez Arias, in thewild strains of a grateful multitude, was repeated by a thousand voices.
"His name?" impatiently demanded the Queen.
_Viva!_ Gomez Arias, _Viva!_ again burst on the ears of the Court, andMonteblanco, with bitter emphasis, exclaimed:--
"Hear! hear his name honored with the strains of triumph: hear the namewhich causes my misery and dishonor, now receiving the glorious rewardof the hero! Oh, shame on my withered arm; where is the strength of myyouth; and where the sons of my name?"
"Gomez Arias!" cried the queen and the courtiers with one simultaneouscry of amazement--"Gomez Arias!"
"'Tis he!" replied Monteblanco, firmly and indignantly.
A dismal silence then succeeded, and the emotion of the queen becamestrongly apparent. She felt that, in the person of a triumphantconqueror, she was about to receive a criminal, and that the reward dueto his services could not avert the punishment incurred by his guilt.The surrounding courtiers stood aghast, gazing in wonder on the queen.They were well assured of the rigid impartiality which had swayed herconducts through life; and aware that not even all the powerful voicesin the country could successfully plead against the claims of theunprotected, or stay the decree of justice upon the oppressor and thecriminal.
Meantime Gomez Arias, with all the exultation of a conquering warrior,entered the hall, attended by his principal adherents, and preceded byMohabed and other captive chiefs. He advanced in joyful expectationtowards the throne, when suddenly his course was arrested by a dreadfulvision.
Fixed in mute astonishment, he stood, as he gazed upon the group, at thefoot of the throne; an ashy paleness succeeded the glowing tints of joyyet visible on his countenance. His confusion became apparent, and wasproductive of the most injurious surmises in the minds of all around.Yet Gomez Arias raised his eyes towards his sovereign, but from herfeatures he could augur nothing favorable; no encouragement could betraced in their calm and distant expression.
A consciousness of guilt now mastered all his powers of dissimulation,and the nature of Gomez Arias seemed, in a few moments, to haveundergone a total and inexplicable revolution. His joyous attendantswere surprised at these unwonted signs of consternation; and the soundsof pleasure and triumph suddenly ceased. A deadly spell seemed to havebeen suddenly cast over the scene, and every one remained in a state ofterrible suspense. At length Gomez Arias, striving to conceal hisagitation with an assumption of boldness and ease that ill consortedwith his manner--"Most gracious Isabella," he cried, "behold therebellious Mohabed at your royal feet, and accept the humblecongratulations and devout attachment of your faithful servant."
"Don Lope Gomez Arias," answered the queen, with stern dignity of toneand demeanor, "before we receive your congratulations, and acknowledgeyour services--before we can consider you with the regard due to theglorious character of a victorious soldier, you must remove certainaccusations which have this day been averred against you by the nobleand respected individual now before the throne. Answer these seriouscharges before you claim a title to our gratitude and favor; for not allthe splendor of conquest shall throw a veil over flagrant guilt.Approach, and behold those whom you have wronged--mark well thesituation to which you have reduced a noble family, and say, what youcan plead in justification."
Don Lope cast a glance on the group; but when he perceived his man,Roque, whose presence deprived him of the little opportunity left forprevarication, hope forsook him, and the presence of mind which hadserved him on so many occasions proved utterly insufficient at thiscritical moment. He foresaw that any attempt at exculpation would be asfruitless as dangerous. He therefore continued in mute silence, andappeared to plead guilty to the accusation. His countenance, however,gradually cleared, as though a cheering ray had suddenly beamed uponhim. He seemed to adopt some resolution so imperiously demanded bycircumstances--he regained his composure; but a deep sigh escaped him;it was the last testimony of regret that announced the disappointment ofhis hopes. No alternative was left; he must relinquish all thoughts ofLeonor; and he accordingly attuned his mind to receive with deferencethe commands which he awaited from the queen.
"Gomez Arias," said Isabella after a lapse of time, "that silenceclearly bespeaks thy conviction; the honor of a noble family has beenstained. It now remains for you to make all the reparation in yourpower; and that must be done immediately; for I will not leave thisplace, nor shall you leave my presence, till I see the victim of yourwantonness and cruelty restored to that honor and happiness of which shehas been deprived."
Gomez Arias heard these words with apparent respect and humility. Foiledcompletely in his former hopes, he yet was willing to preserve thefavor of the queen, and to effect this it was necessary to deprecate theindignation which his conduct had excited. He therefore assumed all thesymptoms of repentance, without any alloy of fear or servility, andcasting himself at the foot of the throne, "It would never," said he,"be worthy of Gomez Arias to resist in any instance the will of hissovereign; much less on an occasion when honor induces him to follow herdictates."
"Pity," answered Isabella sarcastically, "that this consideration didnot sooner induce you to adopt such a course, for much misery had bythese means been prevented. But the evil is already done, and must beinstantly repaired.
"Don Lope Gomez Arias," she then proceeded, "This very moment you mustplight your hand and faith to Theodora de Monteblanco. You appear fullysensible of the justice of such a measure, and therefore in my presencelet the ceremony be performed."
One of the chaplains of the queen was immediately summoned, and beforethe assembled court, whose looks bespoke their astonishment at thisextraordinary scene, the unfortunate Theodora became the wife of GomezArias. With trembling steps, and supported by her father, she advancedto the foot of the throne. Don Lope approached her, not only withoutsymptoms of dislike, but even with some appearance of a kindly feeling,the sincerity of which was however of a doubtful nature, as little trustcould be placed in a conversion so suddenly effected. Nor did Theodora,blinded as she was by her infatuation, confide entirely in his speciousaddress; but yet the thought of restoring peace of mind to her father,and honor to herself, rose paramount to every other consideration.Amidst the tears that dimmed her eyes, and the lines of sorrow thatmarked her countenance, some grateful signs of happiness werediscernible, like the cheering rays of the sun struggling through thegloom of the clouds.
She received the hand of Gomez Arias tremblingly, with a mixed sensationof joy and dread. Alas! when she took that hand, once so dear, itseemed deadly cold, and the touch imparted to her heart a chill shecould not define.
As soon as the ceremony was performed, the queen arose, and with astateliness of manner that struck with awe the surrounding train--
"Don Lope," she said, "You have, as far as it lay in your power,repaired the injury you have done to the daughter of Monteblanco; youmust now answer your Queen, for treason to your country."
Gomez Arias was struck with astonishment, not so much from theconsciousness of guilt, as from the suddenness of such an unexpectedcharge. As soon, therefore, as he recovered from his surprise, withindignant pride he exclaimed: "What! Gomez Arias charged with treason,when he comes to afford the most incontestable proofs of his love anddevotion to his country? Where--where is the villain who dares affix sofoul a stigma to the name of Gomez Arias? Where is he?--let him appear,that I may confound and chastise the miscreant;" then looking round withhaughtiness, he added, "who dares charge _me_ with treason?"
"I dare," cried a voice; and presently the renegade, who, till then, hadbeen concealed from Don Lope, came forward with boldness, and fixing hiseyes steadfastly on Gomez Arias--
"I dare," he repeated, "in the face of Spain, and I will make good mycharge."
Gomez Arias staggered at the sight; the apparition h
ad burst upon him sounexpectedly, that, unable to contain his emotion,--
"Ah!" he cried, faultering; "what! the Moor here!"
"The Moor!" echoed the queen; "then you know the Moor?"
"I have seen the wretch before," replied Gomez Arias; "but how dares hethrow on me so dark an imputation?"
He cast a look of darkening anger on the renegade, but Bermudo returnedthe haughty glance with a cold sneer.
"Proud man," he exclaimed, "your wrath affrights not me, and humilitybecomes you better than arrogance. You can as little intimidate me, asyou can effectually contradict the veracity of my accusation. Queen ofSpain," he then cried in a tone of fearless intrepidity, "and you, yenobles of Granada, behold in me one of the rebels who has laid down hisarms and accepted the amnesty. An eager desire to unmask that haughtyman, has obliged me to abandon my companions, and appear within thewalls of a Christian city. My motives for proceeding against Don Lopewill shortly come to light; but first his guilt shall be established.His conviction and punishment will necessarily follow, if the court ofIsabella can boast real claims to that impartial justice, for which theworld gives it credit."
These words were delivered with such firmness of tone and manner, thatthe friends of Gomez Arias began to look on him with mingled pity andamazement. He, however, cast around a glance of indignant contempt;then he preserved a sullen silence, attempting not to contradict thestatement of his accuser.
"What answer make you to this charge?" demanded the queen, observing thepertinacity of his silence.
"Answer!" replied Don Lope, with overpowering indignation; "none! GomezArias will not deign to answer the accusations of a vile rebel, nor willhe afford his Queen and brethren in arms the satisfaction of seeing theestablished character of a noble Christian put in competition with thebase assertions of a villain."
Hurt as the queen felt at the arrogance and insolence couched in thesewords, she forbore manifesting her displeasure.
"No, Don Lope," she said, "your Queen is grateful, but not more than sheis just. You stand accused of treason, but the mere word of that Moorwill not be sufficient in itself to induce your Queen, or your brethrenin arms, to convict of treason one of the first knights in Spain. Wemust have proof--evident, irrefragable proofs of the crime allegedagainst you, before a decision is pronounced."
"Proofs!" exclaimed the renegade, with a sarcastic sneer--"such a demandis too just to be denied; and who would be the presumptuous madman, thatdare impeach Gomez Arias without proofs? In the first place, therefore,the Queen will perhaps not question the validity of this." And sayingthis, he took a ring from his finger, and approaching the throne,added:--
"Your Highness cannot have forgotten this pledge of your regard forGomez Arias, though that nobleman seems totally to have overlooked sucha gift, when he speaks in dubious terms of your Highness's gratitude."
A gloomy joy animated the features of the renegade, as he pronouncedthese words; a demoniac triumph was visible on his countenance.
The queen felt an involuntary shudder as she received the ring, whilstGomez Arias stood in speechless suspense, a transitory, but deadlypaleness driving the flush of anger from his countenance.
"Moor--how camest thou by this ring?" asked the queen.
"It was," answered Bermudo, "a recompence for the services I renderedDon Lope Gomez Arias. When this gallant knight wished to part with yonnoble lady, I was the agent in the transaction; I procured him theinterview with Caneri."
"Caneri!" exclaimed several voices in consternation.
"Caneri, aye, Caneri," repeated the renegade, unmoved. "Could the nobleGomez Arias enter into a treaty with a rebel less than a chief. I wasthe individual who introduced these personages to each other, and surelyfor so considerable a service could I expect less than a ring--a ringvaluable indeed in itself--more valuable from the illustrious personageto whom it had belonged--more precious still, as I have it in my powerto return it to that elevated owner."
The solemn mockery of this speech was suddenly interrupted by the queen,while, with looks of anger and displeasure--
"Peace!" she cried. "You came here to make good an accusation, not tointrude upon our patience with these remarks." Then turning to GomezArias, she continued in a tone of mingled sternness and compassion--
"Don Lope, you gave this ring to the Moor?"
"I did," replied Gomez Arias, gloomily, but dauntless.
"An oath," resumed the renegade, "will surely be held sacred with aChristian. Let one be taken by that man," he added, pointing to Roque,who was now endeavouring to effect his escape, as he beheld, withdismay, the unexpected and serious turn the affair was taking, and feltrepugnant to criminate his former master, for whom he still preserved afeeling of respect.
"Secure the man," continued Bermudo, "and we will then see how far I amjustified in my assertions."
"Silence!" again exclaimed the queen, inwardly grieved at the evidencethat was pressing against Don Lope. "Silence, Moor: we need not thyinstructions."
A mixture of pity and amazement prevailed throughout the assembly. Theymet to congratulate a victor, and they were now to consider him as onewho had not scrupled to outrage the laws of his country, and for thepurpose of accomplishing a detestable crime. So extraordinary andcontradictory a situation appeared to some impossible; yet nothing isbeyond the compass of the passions when unrestrained in their headlongcareer.
The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggardescription. There she was obliged to stand and witness the accusationof her husband, brought by her means into this dreadful situation. Buther dismay was doubly augmented when she observed the queen rise, and ina solemn manner, address the surrounding train.
"Christians," she said, "I bitterly deplore this melancholy event, whichchanges a day of triumph into one of sorrow. Governor of Granada," shethen added, turning to Count de Tendilla, "to you I commit the person ofDon Lope Gomez Arias, accused of treason to the state. See that he besafely guarded, though respectfully treated--and you, Don Lope, prepareto stand a trial for your life."
"For his life!" exclaimed Theodora with horror; and she fixed herimploring eyes on the queen.
Gomez Arias heard the decision of his sovereign with more indignationthan fear, and in the bitterness of his soul, he said, turning to hisadherents--
"My friends, be zealous to serve your country, for you perceive therecompense and encouragement which await you in a day of triumph."
"Don Lope," cried the queen with warmth, "charge not to your countrywhat has been the effect of your unrestrained passions and imprudence;nor carry your insolence so far as to imagine and insinuate that I canwantonly sport with the life of the meanest of my subjects, much lesswith yours. You shall be judged by your peers, who will not neglect anyextenuation in your favor, and it shall be only on irresistible evidencethat the decree of justice shall be pronounced."
She then made a signal for the assembly to disperse, and every oneretired in deep consternation. A deadly silence prevailed as they slowlyleft the hall, and to the joyful sounds of popular feeling which hadlately been heard, now succeeded the murmurs of grief and astonishment.
As it was feared that the friends of Gomez Arias might be tempted tosome rash act, proper precautions were taken, that the publictranquillity should not be disturbed. Mohabed and the other prisonerswere confined in dungeons, and Monteblanco and his wretched daughter, bythe desire of the queen, remained at the palace until the fate of GomezArias should be decided.