itself I will forgive. But thou art overwrought and
anxious, and so layest more stress on some trivial fault than even I
would demand. Go to thy own chamber now, and in prayer and meditation
gain strength for to-morrow's trial. Whatever I may hear, so it be not
meditated and unrepented guilt, (which I know it cannot be,) I will
forgive, and love thee still. The holy saints bless and keep thee, my
fair child!"

And as Marie bent to salute the kind hand extended to her, Isabella
drew her towards her, and fondly kissed her cheek. The unexpected
caress, or some other secret feeling, subdued the overwrought energy
at once; and for the first time since her husband's death, Marie burst
into natural tears. But her purpose changed not; though Isabella's
gentle and affectionate soothing rendered it tenfold more painful to
accomplish.

CHAPTER XVIII.

LEONTES.--These sessions, to our great grief, we pronounce
Even pushes 'gainst our heart.
Let us be cleared
Of being tyrannous, since we openly
Proceed in justice--which shall have due course,
Even to the guilt, or the purgation.
Produce the prisoner!--SHAKSPEARE.

The day of trial dawned, bright, sunny, cloudless, as was usual
in beautiful Spain--a joyous elasticity was in the atmosphere, a
brilliance in the heavens, which thence reflected on the earth, so
painfully contrasted with misery and death, that the bright sky
seemed to strike a double chill on the hearts of those most deeply
interested.

Never had the solemn proceedings of justice created so great an
excitement; not only in Segovia itself, but the towns and villages,
many miles round, sent eager citizens and rustic countrymen to learn
the issue, and report it speedily to those compelled to stay at home.
The universal mourning for Morales was one cause of the popular
excitement; and the supposition of the young foreigner being his
murderer another.

The hall of the castle was crowded at a very early hour, Isabella
having signified not only permission, but her wish that as many of her
citizen subjects as space would admit should be present, to witness
the faithful course of justice. Nearest to the seat destined for the
King, at the upper end of the hall, were ranged several fathers from
an adjoining convent of Franciscans, by whom a special service had
been impressively performed that morning in the cathedral, in which
all who had been summoned to preside at the trial had solemnly joined