"do we
intrust the chief command in this expedition, and to thy care and
keeping do we commit this precious gage, which thou must fix on the
summit of the Alpujarras."

Saying this, she delivered the standard to the veteran warrior. He bowed
on receiving it, and the fire of enthusiasm kindled in his dark eyes as
he knelt, and kissed the hand of the donor; then waving the banner on
high, he exclaimed--"All that human efforts can achieve, will I do. My
Liege, from your hands Alonso de Aguilar receives this pledge of royal
favor, and he will not prove ungrateful for the noble distinction. Yes,
I will punish these accursed infidels, and this sacred standard shall
not be separated from me till it streams in triumph on the summit of the
mountain. Noble warriors," he continued with a burst of exultation--"if
this banner be lost, search for it in the midst of slaughtered
Moors--there you will find it, dyed in the blood, but still in the grasp
of Alonso de Aguilar."

As he uttered these words, he again raised the banner on high, and the
surrounding chiefs sent forth, simultaneously, a shout of approbation.
Isabella then motioning with her hand to command attention, again
addressed the council.--"Listen further to our sovereign decree. From
this time let no one of our subjects hold communion or any intercourse
whatever with the rebels. The least infringement of this order shall be
accounted treason, and the transgressor shall be dealt with according to
the law. Let an edict be proclaimed, that no one may plead ignorance of
its purport."

The chiefs now gradually withdrew; and Don Alonso having made his
obeisance, was likewise about to retire, when his royal mistress
detained him.--"Stay, Aguilar. It grieves me much that the marriage of
thy daughter should be thus deferred, nay, perhaps set aside, by the
unfortunate adventure of her lover with Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. How is
the wounded man?"

"Most gracious Queen"--replied Don Alonso, "I have received intelligence
that he is even now considered almost out of danger. The issue of a few
days will determine, and then if the result be favorable, I may safely
welcome the return of Don Lope Gomez Arias."

"As good a knight as Spain can boast"--returned the queen--"and
possessed of those accomplishments which insure the favor of our sex.
But I hear he has a failing, which, as a woman, I ought rather to call a
grievous fault. I am told he is of a very fickle character. Is not your