n paused in thought. "But her words must be on
oath, Isabel. Who will administer that oath?"

"Father Francis, if required. But it will surely be enough if she
swear the truth to me. She cannot deceive me, even if she were so
inclined. I can mark a quivering lip or changing color, which others
might pass unnoticed."

"But how will this secret examination satisfy the friends of the
murdered?" again urged the cautious King. "How will they be satisfied,
if I acquit Stanley from Donna Marie's evidence, and that evidence be
kept from them?"

"Is not the word of their Sovereign enough? If Isabella say so it is,
what noble of Castile would disgrace himself or her by a doubt as to
its truth?" replied the Queen proudly. "Let me clearly understand all
your Grace requires, and leave the rest to me. If Marie corroborates
Garcia's words, why, on his evidence sentence may be pronounced
without her appearance in it at all; but if she deny in the smallest
tittle his report, in my presence they shall confront each other, and
fear not the truth shall be elicited, and, if possible, Stanley saved.
I may be deceived, and Marie not refuse to appear as witness against
him; if so, there needs not my interference. I would but spare her
increase of pain, and bid her desolate heart cling to me as her mother
and her friend. When my subjects look upon me thus, my husband, then,
and then only is Isabella what she would be."

"And do they not already thus regard thee, my own Isabel?" replied the
King, gazing with actual reverence upon her; "and as such, will future
ages reverence thy name. Be it as thou wilt. Let Marie's own feelings
decide the question. She _must_ take part in this trial, either in
public or private; she _must_ speak on oath, for life and death hang
on her words, and her decision must be speedy. It is sunset now, and
ere to-morrow's noon she must have spoken, or be prepared to appear."

Ere Queen Isabella reached her own apartments her plan was formed. Don
Luis's tale had confirmed her suspicions as to the double cause of
Marie's wretchedness; she had herself administered to her while in
that dead faint--herself bent over her, lest the first words of
returning consciousness should betray aught which the sufferer might
wish concealed; but her care had been needless: no word passed those
parched and ashy lips. The frame, indeed, for some days was powerless,
and she acceded eagerly to Isabella's earnest proffer (for it was not
co