Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/229

MARRIAGE OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. 85 and so much more unworthy of her in every other chapter point of view, Isabella was now to be united. On '- — receiving the intelligence, she confined herself to her apartment, abstaining from all nourishment and sleep for a day and night, says a contemporary writer, and imploring Heaven, in the most piteous manner, to save her from this dishonor, by her own death or that of her enemy. As she was bewail- ing her hard fate to her faithful friend, Beatriz de Bobadilla, " God will not permit it," exclaimed the high-spirited lady, " neither will I ; " then drawing forth a dagger from her bosom, which she kept there for the purpose, she solemnly vowed to plunge It in the heart of the master of Calatrava, as soon as he appeared ! ^^ Happily her loyalty was not put to so severe a test No sooner had the grand master received the bull of dispensation from the pope, than, re- signing his dignities in his military order, he set about such sumptuous preparations for his wedding, as were due to the rank of his intended bride. When these were completed, he began his journey from his residence at Almagro to Madrid, where the nuptial ceremony was to be performed, at- tended by a splendid retinue of friends and follow- ers. But, on the very first evening after his de- 25 Alonso de Palencia, Coronica, who knew her well, describes her MS., cap. 73. — Mariana, Hist, de as " illustrating her generous Espaiia, torn. ii. p. 450. — Garibay, lineage by her conduct, which Compendio, torn. ii. p. 532. was wise, virtuous, and valiant." This lady. Dona Beatriz Fer- (Quincuaeenas, MS., dial, de Ca- nandez de Bobadilla, the most in- brera.) The last epithet, rather timate personal friend of Isabella, singular for a female character, will appear often in the course of was not unmerited, our narrative. Gonzalo de Oviedo,