tremity of the lists, was
pitched a large and magnificent pavilion, ornamented with little
pennons, and numberless armorial devices curiously interwoven with gold
and silver thread on green silk brocade. Before it were artificially
grouped swords, lances, shields, and every description of armour,
emblematical of the intent to which the pavilion was appropriated, it
being set apart for the use of those knights who were willing to enter
the lists against the _Mantenedor_ and his assistants. About the middle
of the gallery on the right of the castle, a platform had been erected
for the accommodation of the queen and her retinue. It was covered with
scarlet cloth, and shaded by a rich canopy of purple brocade, on the top
of which were seen the royal and united arms of Arragon and Castile
shining in burnished gold. The whole of this platform was occupied by
the maids of honour, and other principal ladies, as well as the
noblemen and gentlemen of the court. In front of the place occupied by
the queen, were stationed the umpires of the tournament, whose duty it
was to decide the merits of the candidates, and award the prizes. Other
places on either side of the throne were allotted to the various
nobility and gentry of Granada, whilst the two extremities of this
gallery and the whole of the other were assigned to the public, without
any claim to precedence, but that of a priority of occupation.

And now the ponderous bells of the cathedral filled the air with their
tolling; and immediately the bands of martial instruments within the
lists, struck up a glorious and enlivening strain, in signal of the
queen's approach.

At length she made her appearance, surrounded by a numerous suite, and
heartily was she welcomed by the multitude, whose joy at the sight of
their beloved sovereign was equal to the anticipated pleasure of the
tournament.

Isabella was sumptuously attired in a rich dress of crimson velvet,
ornamented with pearls. A delicate and costly scarf, of the finest lace,
was attached to the back part of her head, and covered with its graceful
folds her beautiful neck and shoulders. On this splendid scarf were
wrought in gold thread, lions and castles, and other insignia of the
arms of Spain. The queen wore likewise the crosses of the orders of
Santiago and Calatrava, richly studded with diamonds and precious gems
of immense value.

The lists now offered a most dazzling and noble spectacle. On one side
was displayed all