To wait the arrival of Torquemada, the sovereigns and their council unanimously resolved.  It was but a very brief delay, and would permit a more effectual extermination of the secret office than could be decided upon by the laity alone.  Ere the day closed, and in presence of the sovereigns, of all the nobles, officers of state, the Santa Hermandad and principal citizens, Arthur Stanley was formally pronounced INNOCENT of the crime with which he had been charged.  The golden spurs, which had been ignominiously hacked from his heels, were replaced by the aged Duke of Murcia; knighthood again bestowed by the King; and Isabella’s own hand, with winning courtesy, presented him a sword, whose real Toledo blade, and richly jewelled hilt, should replace the valued weapon, the loss of which had caused him such unmerited suffering, and shame.

“May it be used for us, as faithfully and nobly as its predecessor,” were Isabella’s concluding words; “and its associations, Senor Stanley, be nought but those of joy.”

The young man’s cheek burned, but there was a deep shadow on his countenance, which neither the honors he received, nor his own urgent efforts had power to remove.  He looked wistfully after the sovereigns as they quitted the church, then with an irresistible impulse, broke from the throng with whom he had been endeavoing to join in animated converse, and, suddenly kneeling before Isabella, exclaimed in low, agitated tones—­

“She—­she may still be in the villain’s power.  Oh, my liege, wait not for Torquemada’s arrival and leave her to die!  He will wreak his full vengeance upon her.”

“Trust me for her safety, my young friend; measures have been already taken to secure it,” was Isabella’s instant reply, in a tone so full of sympathy, that Arthur caught her robe, and pressed it to his lips.

She smiled kindly and passed on, still accompanied by Ferdinand, not a little astonished at her words, and still more so when Marie’s whole tale was imparted to him.

On retiring to rest that night, his thoughts still engrossed with vain speculations as to the destined fate of Marie,—­Arthur, half unconsciously, unsheathed Isabella’s magnificent gift, to judge of the temper of the blade; and, as he did so, a scroll, which had been twisted round the steel, fell to the ground.  He raised it with hasty curiosity, but his heart throbbed as he recognized the handwriting of the Queen, and deciphered the following words:—­

“To Senor Stanley, in secrecy and confidence, these:  The eye of love is said to pierce through all disguises.  In this instance it has proved less discriminative than woman’s sympathy, and woman’s penetration.  She in whom we believe Senor Stanley interested, and to whose exertions he owes the publication of his innocence in time to save life as well as honor, is safe, and under the protection of her Queen.  Let this suffice for present peace, and speak of it to none.  ISABELLA R.”