ears.  Clotald and his wife confessed to themselves, however, that they had done wrong in not presenting her at court, and they thought the best excuse they could make for this, was to say that ever since she had come into their hands, they had destined her to be the wife of their son.  But even this would be acknowledging themselves culpable, since it would appear that they arranged the marriage without the Queen’s leave; but such an offence would probably not incur any severe punishment.  In this way, they comforted themselves, and they resolved that Isabella should not be dressed humbly like a prisoner, but in rich bridal attire, such as became the betrothed of a gentleman of importance Ike their son.  Next day accordingly they dressed Isabella in the Spanish style, in a robe of green satin with a long train, and slashes lined with cloth of gold and looped with the pearls, the whole being adorned with precious stones; a diamond necklace and girdle, with a fan such as is carried by Spanish ladies; and for head dress her own luxuriant golden hair entwined with diamonds and pearls.

In that sumptuous attire, with her sprightly air and marvellous beauty, she made her appearance in London in a handsome coach, fascinating the eyes and souls of all who beheld her.  Clotald, his wife, and Richard rode with her in the coach, and many noble relations of the family escorted her on horseback, Clotald desiring that all these honours should be paid to his prisoner, in order that the queen might treat her as his son’s betrothed.  When they arrived at the palace, and entered the vast hall in which her majesty was seated, Isabella’s escort halted at the lower end, and she herself advanced alone in all her inconceivable beauty, producing an effect like that of a brilliant meteor shooting through the sky on a calm clear night, or of a sunbeam darting at the first dawn of day through a mountain gorge.  A comet she seemed, portending a fiery doom to the hearts of many in that presence hall.  Full of meekness and courtesy, she advanced to the foot of the throne, knelt before the queen, and said to her in English, “May it please your Majesty to extend your royal hands to your servant’s lips, who will henceforth esteem herself exalted, since she has been so fortunate as to behold your grandeur.”

The queen remained a good while gazing on her without saying a word, figuring to herself, as she afterwards told her lady of the bed-chamber, that she had before her a starry heaven, the stars of which were the many pearls and diamonds worn by Isabella; her fair face and her eyes its sun and moon, and her whole person a new marvel of beauty.  The queen’s ladies would fain have been all eyes, that they might do nothing but gaze on Isabella; one praised her brilliant eyes, one her complexion, another her fine figure, another her sweet voice; and one there was who said in pure envy, “The Spaniard is good looking, but I do not like her dress.”

At last the queen motioned to Isabella to rise, and said to her, “Speak to me in Spanish, maiden, for I understand it well, and shall like to hear it.”  Then turning to Clotald, “You have done me wrong, Clotald,” she said, “in keeping this treasure so many years concealed from me; but it is such a one as may well have excited you to avarice.  You are bound however to restore it to me, for by right it is mine.”