east of a mighty meadow.

Across the dusk, with bowed head, came a woman. Her air was one of proud
humility. It was the air of royalty in the presence of an overruling
power. It was Isabella. She was on her way to confession. She carried a
large, beautifully-bound volume containing a memorandum of her sins for
the day. Ever and anon she would refer to it, but the twilight had come
on so fast that she could not read it.

[Illustration: ISABELLA AT CONFESSIONAL.]

Reaching the confessional, she kneeled, and, by the aid of her notes,
she told off to the good Father and receptacle of the queen's trifling
sins, Fernando de Talavera, how wicked she had been. When it was over
and the queen had risen to go, Fernando came forth, and with a solemn
obeisance said,--

"May it please your Majesty, I have to-day received a letter from my
good friend the prior of the Franciscan convent of St. Mary's of Rabida
in Andalusia. With your Majesty's permission, I will read it to you."

"Proceed," exclaimed Isabella, gravely, taking a piece of crochet-work
from her apron and seating herself comfortably near the dim light.

"It is dated the sixth month and tenth day of the month, and reads as
follows:

"DEAR BROTHER:

"This letter will be conveyed unto your hands by the bearer hereof.
His name is Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, who has been
living on me for two years. But he is a good man, devout and
honest. He is willing to work, but I have nothing to do in his
line. Times, as you know, are dull, and in his own profession
nothing seems to be doing.

"He is by profession a discoverer. He has been successful in the
work where he has had opportunities, and there has been no
complaint so far on the part of those who have employed him.
Everything he has ever discovered has remained that way, so he is
willing to let his work show for itself.

"Should you be able to bring this to the notice of her Majesty, who
is tender of heart, I would be most glad; and should her most
gracious Majesty have any discovering to be done, or should she
contemplate a change or desire to substitute another in the place
of the present discoverer, she will do well to consider the
qualifications of my friend.

"Very sincerely and fraternally thine,

"Etc., etc."

The queen inquired still further