Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/329

ADMINISTRATION OF CASTILE. 1 86 ants, terrified at the tumult, and at the preparations chapter which the people were making to put their mena- . '. ces into execution, besought their mistress to cause the gates to be secured more strongly, as the only mode of defence against the infuriated mob. But, instead of listening to their counsel, she bade them remain quietly in the apartment, and descended herself into the court-yard, where she ordered the portals to be thrown open for the admission of the people. She stationed herself at the further ex- tremity of the area, and, as the populace poured in, calmly demanded the cause of the insurrection. " Tell me," said she, " what are your grievances, and I will do all in my power to redress them ; for I am sure that what is for your interest, must be also for mine, and for that of the whole city." The insurgents, abashed by the unexpected presence of their sovereign, as well as by her cool and dignified demeanor, replied, that all they desired was the removal of Cabrera from the government of the city. " He is deposed already," answered the queen, " and you have my authority to turn out such of his officers as are still in the castle, which I shall intrust to one of my own servants, on whom I can rely." The people, pacified by these assur- ances, shouted, " Long live the queen ! " and eagerly hastened to obey her mandates. After thus turning aside the edge of popular fury, Isabella proceeded with her retinue to the royal residence in the city, attended by the fickle multitude, whom she again addressed on arriving VOL. I. 24