ted with gigantic strength an air of dignity which well
became the most accomplished warrior of the age. His noble countenance
wore an expression of resolution and intrepidity, blended with openness
and candour, that inspired the beholder with sentiments of awe and
admiration. His fine athletic form was rendered more interesting from
its still retaining the elasticity of ardent youth, unsubdued by the
chill of fifty winters, which he had chiefly spent in the toils of the
camp. His character bore out the impression thus formed in his favor.
The active courage of his earlier days was chastened, not subdued, by
the experience of a more mature age; whilst the furrows on his manly
brow, and the few gray locks that slightly silvered his raven hair,
heightened the feeling of respect and veneration which his many virtues
were so well calculated to inspire.

On the opposite side stood Don Inigo Mendoza, Count de Tendilla,
Governor of Granada, a man who had numerous claims to the gratitude of
Spain.--Nor was it the least, that of being father of a son, who
afterwards served his country in the triple capacities of a valiant
soldier, an enlightened statesman, and a profound scholar.

Near these warriors were seen the Master of the Order of Calatrava, the
Aleayde de los Donceles, Count Urena, and other renowned chiefs. The
rest of the nobles, taking precedence, according to their rank,
completed this imposing assembly.

An universal silence prevailed, and every one seemed impatient to
ascertain the object of the council to which they had been so hastily
summoned, the nature of which they could only conjecture.

But from these noble ranks, a gallant knight was absent--one who, though
young in years, was already a veteran in military achievements, and
whose brilliant abilities had won him the right of sharing with these
distinguished personages the marked favor of his sovereign.--Gomez Arias
was not there, and Alonso de Aguilar, who considered him already as his
son, felt chagrined at his unavoidable absence.

This young nobleman was now a voluntary exile from court, and nowise
anxious to appear at Granada, where his presence would be attended with
danger. Neither his own merits, nor the influence of Aguilar, could
induce Isabella to deviate from the path of justice, loudly demanded by
the family and friends of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who, at that time,
was stretched on a bed of sickness, in consequence of a dangerous wound
infl