queen. This was done accordingly, and her
majesty ordered the captain of her guard to arrest Count Ernest. The
captain made such good speed that he arrived just as Richard was riding
out from his father's house, mounted on a handsome steed, and equipped
with the magnificent arms in which he had gone to pay his respects to
the queen on his return from his expedition. The moment the count saw
the captain of the queen's guard, he guessed his purpose, and resolving
not to let himself be caught, he shouted out, "You see, Richard, how we
are interrupted. If you are bent upon chastising me, you will look for
me as I will look for you. Two people surely meet when they have a
mind." "The sooner the better," said Richard. Meanwhile, the captain of
the guards came up and, in the queen's name, arrested the count, who
surrendered, requesting to be taken into the queen's presence. The
captain complied, and carried Ernest before the queen, who, without
entering into any discourse with him, ordered that he should surrender
his sword and be committed to the Tower.

All these things were torture to the heart of Isabella and to her
parents, who saw their new-found happiness so soon disturbed. The lady
keeper advised the queen that to prevent the mischief which might break
out between her own family and Richard's, the possible cause of it
should be withdrawn, by sending Isabella to Spain. In support of this
suggestion she added that Isabella was a Catholic, and so rooted in that
faith, that all the arguments and persuasions she had used to withdraw
her from it, and they were many, were of no avail. The queen replied
that she esteemed her the more, since she was steadfast to the law
taught her by her parents; and that as for sending her to Spain, it was
not to be thought of, for she was charmed with her lovely presence and
her many graces and virtues. In fine, the queen was resolved that
Isabella should become Richard's wife, if not that day, on another,
without fail. The lady keeper was so mortified by this reply that she
withdrew without saying a word; and having already made up her mind that
unless Isabella was removed there could be no hope of relief for her son
or of peace between him and Richard, she determined to commit one of the
most atrocious acts that could enter the mind of a lady of her exalted
station.

Women being, for the most part, rash and sudden in the execution of
their resolves, the lady keeper that evening gave Isabel