It was a bright and glorious day. The sun shone in an unclouded sky, and
lighted brilliantly a deep and lovely valley of the Tagus, some two days
to the westward of Toledo. A gallant cortege had just halted on the
mountain’s brow to gaze at leisure on the beautiful vale which lay
outspread beneath. To the left the Tagus foamed through a gorge, and
then meandered through the more level ground till it was hidden among
the mountains which again approached its banks a few miles on its
course. In the centre of the valley on the bank of the river, rose the
towers of a stately castle, which lay embowered in thick groves of
evergreen. It was evidently not intended for defense against a serious
force, and had the appearance of a winter retreat from the cold and
nipping air of safer military positions.
“Behold thy new home,” said Estuniga to his queen, who gazed in
admiration on the landscape. As they slowly descended the mountain many
a scene of wild and remarkable beauty met their gaze.
In the castle of Estuniga Blanche led a life of peace for a time, and
obtained the title of “the good” from her exemplary charity and
beneficence. The Lady Leonora de Estuniga, generous and hospitable as
her lord, bestowed every care, and performed every office which could
minister to the happiness of her idolized guest. Still she was not
happy: she yearned for that sweet communion of wife with husband, than
which there is no greater joy, and often resolved to present herself to
Pedro and claim her rights by the wiles of love and eloquence. But
Estuniga knew his master better than to permit her to place herself so
rashly in his power. He hoped that Pedro’s romantic love for Maria would
fade from his heart; he knew not that a deeper tie than that of romance
bound them, that the peculiar and spiritual sympathies of character
which mark the true marriage, linked them irrevocably together.
He never relaxed the guarded discipline which was required to prevent
surprise, and his scouts daily traversed the country on the look-out for
enemies and information. One day they reported that a dozen knights,
bearing the banner of the Maestro of St. Jago, approached the castle.
Estuniga knowing not whether they came as friends or foes—as foes they
had last met—and with some anxiety for his royal guest awaited their
mission. At the castle gates Don Fadrique de Castilla, the Maestro of
St. Jago, announced himself a friend to the King and to Estuniga, and
accordingly he and his friends were received with honor.
Fadrique soon explained the cause of his presence on the Tagus. After
his defeat at Toledo, he suspended all hostile proceedings, and meeting
the king before St. Catherines, and proffering his allegiance, he was
freely pardoned for all past offences and was promised favor for the
future. Soon after this he received a command from Pedro, and acting in
his service took for him the fortress of Jumilla. He was now journeying
from his commandery to Seville at the earnest invitation of the king.
Queen Blanche graced the evening feast with her presence, and in truth
two such noble ladies as the queen and Leonora were rarely seen. The
stronger lineaments and more splendid presence of the hostess enhanced
the delicate and graceful beauty of her guest, and themselves received
advantage from the contrast. The maestro took occasion to renew the
offer of the services which Blanche had refused when he fought against
the royal power. After a consultation with her host, she decided to make
the maestro her advocate with Pedro, and gave him full power to arrange
the renewal of the nuptials which had been so suddenly and harshly
suspended. Fadrique was eloquent and resolute, and she hoped much from
those qualities, and from Pedro’s former attachment for him. Hopeful and
expectant she saw him depart upon his mission, and consecrated it with
many a silent prayer.