husband."

These few electric words were followed by a shout of tumultuous applause
from the assembled throng.

The messenger indeed arrived. Theodora uttered a wild scream of joy, and
her feelings, unable any longer to support the efforts she had made,
overpowered her, and she fainted in the arms of Gomez Arias.

Even Gomez Arias, that man so hardened to all the tender pleadings of
gratitude, was at length overcome. As he beheld her who had returned
his coldness with affection, and repaid his cruelty with kindness--as he
considered that miracle of love and goodness lying lifeless in his arms,
a tear stood trembling in his eye--one solitary tear; but that
testimonial of feeling in Gomez Arias was equivalent to years of sorrow
in other men. He tenderly pressed Theodora to his heart, and the fond
embrace seemed to recall her suspended animation. She opened her languid
eyes and was happy; for she saw the object of all her care and affection
now watching with tender solicitude her returning life.

"Oh Theodora," cried Don Lope, in a voice almost inarticulate with
emotion, "I am unworthy of you. How can I ever atone for so many wrongs?
This is indeed a noble vengeance."

The queen had ordered that Gomez Arias should be conducted to her
presence, and accordingly, accompanied by the happy Theodora, he
proceeded towards the palace, followed by the immense crowd, who rent
the air with joyful acclamations.

When they arrived at the palace, they found the gracious Isabella seated
in the large public hall, ready to receive them. Her countenance was
radiant with delight in the consciousness of having been able to save
Don Lope from an untimely end.

"Gomez Arias," she said, "your life is saved by the most fortunate, as
it was the most unexpected of incidents. Nobles of Granada," she then
added, turning to the surrounding court, "you cannot accuse your Queen
of partiality in the distribution of justice. At the moment when Don
Lope was approaching the end of his mortal career, this gage was brought
to me and the guerdon claimed. It was a pledge of regard given to Don
Antonio de Leyva for his conduct at the tournament, with my sacred
promise that any boon should be granted to the bearer. Theodora produced
it, and I could not resist her just appeal--my royal word had passed.
Gomez Arias, you owe your life to the generous Don Antonio de Leyva and
your wife. Let then your future life show that you are not insensible of
the magnitu