answering a word, rushed abruptly
and almost totteringly to Isabella, and forgetting all respect of place
or circumstances, put her hand to her daughter's right ear, and
discovered a dark mole behind it. Assured now beyond all doubt that
Isabella was her daughter, she cried out, "Child of my heart! treasure
of my soul!" and swooned in her arms. The father, no less tender hearted
but with more self-command, gave no other token of his feelings than the
tears that streamed down his venerable face and beard. With her lips
pressed upon her mother's, Isabella bent her eyes upon her father, with
looks that spoke the gladness of her soul.

The queen was greatly affected by this touching scene, and said to
Richard, "I know not whether you have done wisely in contriving this
meeting, for sudden joy, it is known, can kill as well as grief." Then,
turning to Isabella, she withdrew her from her mother, who, after her
face had been sprinkled with water, came to her senses, and recollecting
herself a little better, fell on her knees before the queen, entreating
her majesty's pardon. Elizabeth graciously replied, and commanded that
the two strangers should take up their abode in the palace, that they
might have the more opportunity of rejoicing in their daughter's
society. Richard then renewed his request that the queen would fulfil
her promise, and bestow Isabella upon him, if so it were that he had
deserved her, but if not, he begged to be sent where he might find
opportunities of doing so.

The queen was well aware that Richard was well satisfied with himself,
and that there was no need of putting him to further proof; she told
him, therefore, that in four days he should obtain the object of his
desires, and that she would honour their union with her royal
countenance. Richard then took his leave of her majesty, his heart
swelling with joy at the near prospect of Isabella becoming his own for
ever. Time sped, but not with the nimbleness he desired; for those who
live on the hopes of pleasure to come, always imagine that time does not
fly, but hobbles on the feet of sloth itself. At last the day came on
which Richard expected, not to end his desires, but to find in Isabella
new graces which should make him love her more, if more was possible.
But in that brief space of time, in which he thought the bark of his
fortunes was running with a prosperous gale towards the desired haven,
it encountered such a fearful tempest, as a thousand