ung champion to
approach. He knelt at her feet.

"Ramiro," she softly said, as she unclasped the helmet and visor which
concealed the handsome features of Sancho's illegitimate son, "child of
my affections, for whom I have ever felt a mother's love, though I have
not borne for thee a mother's pains; how shall I thank thee? Thou hast
this day more than repaid the tenderness I lavished on thy infant years.
Thou hast made clear my fair fame to all men; even at the risk of thy
own young life."

"I would lay down life itself for such a friend as you have been, and
esteem the sacrifice light," rejoined Ramiro, with deep emotion. "I
remember my childish days--before you came to Navarre, a bright, happy,
innocent bride--when I wandered through my father's palace an unloved
and neglected boy; and I can recall vividly the moment when you first
encountered me, and, struck by the resemblance I bore to the king,
surmised the truth. Instead of hating me with the unjust aversion of an
ungenerous nature, you took the despised child to your heart, and, for
the love you bore your lord, you loved and cherished his base-born son.
For the genial atmosphere you created around me, and in which my
affections expanded, and for the care you have bestowed on my
education, I owe you a debt of gratitude far deeper than ever child bore
his own mother. Nature dictates maternal love, in the one instance--but
it is to the suggestions of a noble and generous heart that I have been
indebted for the happiness of my life. You owe me no thanks--for, for
such a friend no sacrifice can be too great."

Nuna turned to the king; and, taking his hand in hers, placed it on the
head of her young champion. "I have brought you kingdoms as my dower,"
she said, "but I have not, alas! brought you a son so worthy as Ramiro
of being their ruler. I freely forgive the Infante the suffering he has
caused me, and hope that, with advancing years, he will cultivate the
virtues in which he has shown himself to be deficient. But Ramiro has
already given evidence of the possession of those exalted qualities
which insure the happiness of a people when possessed by their rulers.
Invest him then, at my entreaty, with the crown of Arragon; receive back
to your confidence our faithful Pedro Sese; and suffer me to forget my
past griefs in the anticipation of a love which shall never again be
interrupted."

The king raised his hand in assent; and the assembled multitude
confirmed th