deny admittance to
some person who, with a feeble though piercing voice, was heard
continually to exclaim--

"Justice! I come to the Queen! Justice! She cannot deny it to an
unfortunate noble!"

The queen was moved by the appeal, and ordered that the supplicant
should be admitted without delay. Scarcely were her commands obeyed,
when a venerable old man, in sable robes, and bearing on his countenance
deep traces of grief, slowly and solemnly advanced towards the throne of
the queen. He supported, or rather was supported, by a young female,
likewise in mourning, and wearing a veil, which reached almost to the
ground, thus concealing her beauties and her sorrows from the curious
gaze of the spectators. Two other figures followed closely, a man of
strong athletic proportions in a Moorish garb, and a thin
curious-looking individual, apparently of inferior station.

Solemn silence prevailed, and every one seemed anxious to learn the
cause of this extraordinary appeal. But when the stranger reached the
throne he was immediately recognised by the queen and several of the
nobles, who could not conceal their astonishment at the sight.
"Monteblanco!" involuntarily and simultaneously escaped from several
voices in the some breath.

"Yes," replied he, kneeling with his daughter at the foot of the throne;
"the wretched Monteblanco comes humbly to crave justice from his
sovereign. Before his grey hairs descend with sorrow into the tomb, he
collects his weak remaining strength to seek redress from the powerful,
and to interest in his behalf the feelings of all the noble and
generous. Pardon, most noble and gracious Queen--" he then added,
addressing Isabella, "Pardon, if I come in a day of glory and jubilee,
to damp with the tale of woe the joy that reigns around. But behold the
picture of an aged father, wounded and insulted in his best
affections--a noble family dishonoured--the only scion of that family
reduced to the lowest state of obloquy and shame. Such a picture may
well call the attention of the just, even from objects of dazzling
interest. Yes, I may be pardoned for intruding my misfortunes on my
Queen--my generous Queen, from whom alone I can expect redress."

"You shall not demand it in vain," replied the queen; "all times are
sacred to the solemn appeal of justice, and in the court of Isabella,
every other consideration shall be postponed to satisfy its demands.
Monteblanco, you have been guilty of no intrusion; spe