Not even the presence of royalty could restrain the burst of undisguised admiration which greeted Marie, as, led forward by her eager husband, she was presented to the sovereigns, and knelt to do them homage.  Ferdinand himself gazed on her a moment astonished; then with animated courtesy hastily raised her, and playfully chid the movement as unmeet from a hostess to her guests.

A strange moisture had risen to the eyes of the Queen as she first beheld Marie.  It might have been that marvellous perfection of face and form which caused the emotion; for if all perfection, even from man’s hand, is affecting even to tears, what must be the work of God?  It might have been that on that young, sweet face, to the Queen’s mental eye, a dim shadow from the formless realms of the future hovered—­that, stealing from that outward form of loveliness, she beheld its twin sister, sorrow.  Whatever it might have been, kind and gentle as Isabella’s manner ever was, especially to her own sex, to Marie it was kinder and gentler still.

How false is the charge breathed from man’s lips, that woman never admires woman!—­that we are incapable of the lofty feeling of admiration of our own sex either for beautiful qualities or beauteous form!  There is no object in creation more lovely, more fraught with intensest interest (if, indeed, we are not so wholly wrapt in the petty world of self as to have none for such lofty sympathies) than a young girl standing on the threshold of a new existence; beautiful, innocent, and true; offspring as yet of joy and hope alone, but before whom stretches the dim vista of graver years, and the yearning thoughts, unspoken griefs, and buried feelings, which even in the happiest career must still be woman’s lot.  There may be many who can see no charm and feel no interest in girlhood’s beauty:  but not in such is woman’s best and holiest nature; and therefore not by such should she be judged.

“We will not chide thee, Senor, for thy jealous care of this most precious gem,” said Isabella, addressing Don Ferdinand, while her eye followed Marie, who, re-assured by the Queen’s manner, had conquered her painful timidity, and was receiving and returning with easy grace and natural dignity the greetings and gallantries of her guests:  “she is too pure, too precious to meet the common eye, or breathe a courtly atmosphere.”

Don Ferdinand’s eye glistened.  “And yet I fear her not,” he rejoined:  “she is as true, as loving, as she is loved and lovely.”

“I doubt it not:  nay, ’tis the spotless purity of soul breathing in that sweet face, which I would not behold tainted, by association with those less pure.  No:  let her rest within the sanctuary of thy heart and hearth, Don Ferdinand.  We do not command her constant attendance on our person, as we had intended.”

Conscious of the inexpressible relief which this assurance would be to his wife, Morales eagerly and gratefully expressed his thanks; and the Queen passed on, rejoicing in the power of so easily conferring joy.