“I am in no wise called upon to take up your defial,” replied Richard; “because I confess not only that I do not merit Isabella, but that no man living does so.  Confessing, therefore, the truth of what you allege, I say again, that your defial touches not me; nevertheless, I accept it in order to chastise your insolence.”  So saying, he left the window and called for his arms.

Richard’s family and the friends who had assembled to escort him to the palace were thrown into confusion by this untoward incident.  The challenge having been so publicly given, it could not be but that some one should report it to the queen.  This was done accordingly, and her majesty ordered the captain of her guard to arrest Count Ernest.  The captain made such good speed that he arrived just as Richard was riding out from his father’s house, mounted on a handsome steed, and equipped with the magnificent arms in which he had gone to pay his respects to the queen on his return from his expedition.  The moment the count saw the captain of the queen’s guard, he guessed his purpose, and resolving not to let himself be caught, he shouted out, “You see, Richard, how we are interrupted.  If you are bent upon chastising me, you will look for me as I will look for you.  Two people surely meet when they have a mind.”  “The sooner the better,” said Richard.  Meanwhile, the captain of the guards came up and, in the queen’s name, arrested the count, who surrendered, requesting to be taken into the queen’s presence.  The captain complied, and carried Ernest before the queen, who, without entering into any discourse with him, ordered that he should surrender his sword and be committed to the Tower.

All these things were torture to the heart of Isabella and to her parents, who saw their new-found happiness so soon disturbed.  The lady keeper advised the queen that to prevent the mischief which might break out between her own family and Richard’s, the possible cause of it should be withdrawn, by sending Isabella to Spain.  In support of this suggestion she added that Isabella was a Catholic, and so rooted in that faith, that all the arguments and persuasions she had used to withdraw her from it, and they were many, were of no avail.  The queen replied that she esteemed her the more, since she was steadfast to the law taught her by her parents; and that as for sending her to Spain, it was not to be thought of, for she was charmed with her lovely presence and her many graces and virtues.  In fine, the queen was resolved that Isabella should become Richard’s wife, if not that day, on another, without fail.  The lady keeper was so mortified by this reply that she withdrew without saying a word; and having already made up her mind that unless Isabella was removed there could be no hope of relief for her son or of peace between him and Richard, she determined to commit one of the most atrocious acts that could enter the mind of a lady of her exalted station.