r of the King
of Navarre.

It is probable that some treachery had been intended against Gonzalez,
similar to that put in execution on a like occasion previous to his
birth, when the Counts of Castile were seized and put to death in their
prison; for, not long after, a second invitation was accepted by the
Count, who was now received in a very different manner. On his kneeling
to kiss the King's hand, Don Sancho burst forth with a volley of
reproaches, and, repulsing him with fury, gave orders for his immediate
imprisonment. It is doubtful what fate was reserved for him by the
hatred of the Queen-mother, who had instigated the King to the act of
treachery, in liquidation of an ancient personal debt of vengeance of
her own, had not the Countess of Castile, Dona Sancha, undertaken his
liberation.

Upon receiving the news of her husband's imprisonment, she allowed a
short period to elapse, in order to mature her plan, and at the same
time lull suspicion of her intentions. She then repaired to Leon, on
pretext of a pilgrimage to Santiago, on the route to which place Leon is
situated. She was received by King Sancho with distinguished honours,
and obtained permission to visit her husband, and to pass a night in his
prison. The following morning, Gonzalez, taking advantage of early
twilight, passed the prison-doors in disguise of the Countess, and,
mounting a horse which was in readiness, escaped to Castile.

This exploit of Dona Sancha does not belong to the days of romance and
chivalry alone: it reminds us of the still more difficult task,
accomplished by the beautiful Winifred, Countess of Nithisdale, who,
eight centuries later, effected the escape of the rebel Earl, her
husband, from the Tower, in a precisely similar manner; thus rescuing
him from the tragic fate of his friends and fellow-prisoners, the Lords
Derwentwater and Kenmure.

Dona Sancha obtained her liberty without difficulty, being even
complimented by the King on her heroism, and provided with a brilliant
escort on her return to Castile. Gonzalez contented himself with
claiming the price agreed upon for the horse and falcon; and--the King
not seeming inclined to liquidate the debt, which, owing to the long
delay, amounted already to an enormous sum, or looking upon it as a
pretext for hostility, the absence of which would not prevent the Count
of Castile, in his then state of exasperation, from having recourse to
arms--passed the frontier of Leon at the h