lace of Navarre. The chivalry of
Arragon, Castile, and Navarre had assembled at the summons of their
sovereign, to fight under his banner against the infidels, and now
waited impatiently for the moment when the monarch should mount his
gallant steed, and lead them to battle and to victory.

Sancho the Fourth was at that moment bidding farewell to his queen, the
gentle Dona Nuna, who clung to her lord in an agony of tears.

"Be comforted, my beloved," he said to her; "I shall return to you with
added laurels to my kingly wreath. Do not fear for me, nor let your
sweet face grow pale by brooding over the dangers and chances of war.
For my part, I never felt more exulting anticipations of success, and am
persuaded that triumph and victory will crown our undertaking."

"Alas! it is not so with me," said Nuna, sadly. "A presentiment of
approaching evil weighs heavily on my heart."

"You shudder at the thought if our separation, Nuna, more like a timid
young bride parting from her newly-wedded lord, than a matron who has
shared her husband's joys and sorrows for well-nigh twenty years."

"You are now far dearer to me, Sancho, than when I gave you my hand:
have I not to thank you for the love and tenderness which has made these
long years of wedded life so blissful and happy?"

"In sooth, I believe, Nuna, it is even so: and you love me as warmly as
ever. Receive my assurances in return, dear wife, that your face is as
fair to me, and the gift of your true heart as fondly prized, as when I
first led you to these halls, my youthful and beautiful bride. But
suffer me to bid you farewell, or my nobles will wax impatient. I leave
you to the society of our son, and the guardianship of my trusty Pedro
Sese, who will attend to your behests. One word more. I intrust to your
safe keeping my beautiful steed, Ilderim. You know how I value the noble
animal, my first capture from the Moor. See that he is carefully tended
in my absence, I shall accept it as a proof of your regard for my
wishes. And now, adieu, dearest wife. Think of me, and supplicate Heaven
that I may be speedily and safely restored to your arms."

So saying, Sancho the Great, tenderly embraced his wife; and mounting
his war charger, placed himself at the head of his gallant army. The
clatter of horses' hoofs soon died away in the distance, leaving the
court-yard of the castle in silence and gloom.

Three days after the king's departure, the young Don Garcia entered t