"He that of such a height hath built his mind,
And reared the dwelling of his thoughts so strong
As neither fear nor hope can shake the frame
Of his resolved powers."
Daniel.
The following day the Alhambra was crowded with courtiers as usual;
applicants for favors, those who sought their own, and those who
solicited the redress of imaginary wrongs. The ante-chambers were
thronged, and the different individuals in waiting jealously eyed each
other, as if to inquire how far their neighbors would be likely to
thwart their several views or to advance their wishes. Men bowed, in
general, coldly and with distrust; and the few that did directly pass
their greetings, met with the elaborated civility that commonly
characterizes the intercourse of palaces.
While curiosity was active in guessing at the business of the different
individuals present, and whispers, nods, shrugs of the shoulders, and
meaning glances, passed among the old stagers, as they communicated to
each other the little they knew, or thought they knew, on different
subjects, there stood in the corner of the principal apartment, one in
particular, who might be distinguished from all around him, by his
stature, the gravity and dignity of his air, and the peculiar sort of
notice that he attracted. Few approached him, and they that did, as they
turned their backs, cast those glances of self-sufficiency and ridicule
about them, that characterize the vulgar-minded when they fancy that
they are deriding or sneering in consonance with popular opinion. This
was Columbus, who was very generally regarded by the multitude as a
visionary schemer, and who necessarily shared in that sort of
contemptuous obloquy that attaches itself to the character. But even the
wit and jokes of the crowd had been expended upon this subject, and the
patience of those who danced attendance was getting to be exhausted,
when a little stir at the door announced the approach of some new
courtier. The manner in which the throng quickly gave way, denoted the
presence of some one of high rank, and presently Don Luis de Bobadilla
stood in the centre of the room.
"It is the nephew of Her Highness' favorite," whispered one.
"A noble of one of the most illustrious families of Castile," said
another; "but a fitting associate of this Colon, as neither the
authority of his guardians, the wishes of the queen, nor his high
station, can keep him from the life of a vagabond."
"One of the best lances in Spain, if he had the prudence and wisdom to
turn his skill to profit," observed a third.
"That is the youthful knight who hath so well deported himself in this
last campaign," growled an inferior officer of the infantry, "and who
unhorsed Don Alonso de Ojeda in the tourney; but his lance is as
unsteady in its aim, as it is good in the rest. They tell me he is a
rover."
As if purposely to justify this character, Luis looked about him
anxiously a moment, and then made his way directly to the side of Colon.
The smiles, nods, shrugs, and half-suppressed whispers that followed,
betrayed the common feeling; but a door on the side of the closet
opening, all eyes were immediately bent in that direction, and the
little interruption just mentioned was as soon forgotten.
"I greet you, Senor," said Luis, bowing respectfully to Columbus. "Since
our discourse of last evening I have thought of little besides its
subject, and have come hither to renew it."
That Columbus was pleased by this homage, appeared in his eye, his
smile, and the manner in which he raised his body, as if full of the
grandeur of his own designs; but he was compelled to defer the pleasure
that it always gave him to dilate on his enterprise.
"I am commanded hither, noble Senor," he answered, cordially, "by the
holy Archbishop of Granada, who, it seemeth, hath it in charge from
their Highnesses, to bring my affair to a speedy issue, and who hath
named this very morning for that purpose. We touch upon the verge of
great events: the day is not distant, when this conquest of Granada will
be forgotten, in the greater importance of the mighty things that God
hath held in reserve!"
"By San Pedro, my new patron! I do believe you, Senor. Cathay must lie
at or near the spot you have named, and your own eyes shall not see it,
and its gorgeous stories of wealth, sooner than mine. Remember Pedro de
Munos, I pray you, Senor Colon."
"He shall not be forgotten, I promise you, young lord; and all the great
deeds of your ancestors will be eclipsed by the glory achieved by their
son. But I hear my name called; we will talk of this anon."
"El Senor Christoval Colon!" was called by one of the pages, in a loud
authoritative voice, and the navigator hurried forward, buoyed up with
hope and joy.
The manner in which one so generally regarded with indifference, if not
with contempt, had been selected from all that crowd of courtiers,
excited some surprise; but as the ordinary business of the antechamber
went on, and the subordinates of office soon appeared in the rooms, to
hear solicitations and answer questions, the affair was quickly
forgotten. Luis withdrew disappointed, for he had hoped to enjoy another
long discourse with Columbus, on a subject which, as it was connected
with his dearest hopes, now occupied most of his thoughts. We shall
leave him, however, and all in the ante-chambers, to follow the great
navigator further into the depths of the palace.
Fernando de Talavera had not been unmindful of his orders. Instead,
however, of associating with this prelate, men known to be well disposed
to listen to the propositions of Columbus, the king and queen had made
the mistake of choosing some six or eight of their courtiers, persons of
probity and of good general characters, but who were too little
accustomed to learned research, properly to appreciate the magnitude of
the proposed discoveries. Into the presence of these distinguished
nobles and churchmen was Columbus now ushered, and among them is the
reader to suppose him seated. We pass over the customary ceremonies of
the introduction, and proceed at once to the material part of the
narrative. The Archbishop of Granada was the principal speaker on the
part of the commissioners.
"We understand, Senor Colon," continued the prelate, "should you be
favored by their Highnesses' power and authority, that you propose to
undertake a voyage into the unknown Atlantic, in quest of the land of
Cathay and the celebrated island of Cipango?"
"That is my design, holy and illustrious prelate. The matter hath been
so often up between the agents of the two sovereigns and myself, that
there is little occasion to enlarge on my views."
"These were fully discussed at Salamanca, of a verity, where many
learned churchmen were of your way of thinking, Senor, though more were
against it. Our Lord the King, and our Lady the Queen, however, are
disposed to view the matter favorably, and this commission hath been
commanded that we might arrange all previous principles, and determine
the rights of the respective parties. What force in vessels and
equipments do you demand, in order to achieve the great objects you
expect, under the blessing of God, to accomplish?"
"You have well spoken, Lord Archbishop; it will be by the blessing of
God, and under his especial care, that all will be done, for his glory
and worship are involved in the success. With so good an ally on my
side, little worldly means will be necessary. Two caravels of light
burden are all I ask, with the flag of the sovereigns, and a sufficiency
of mariners."
The commissioners turned toward each other in surprise, and while some
saw in the moderate request the enthusiastic heedlessness of a
visionary, others detected the steady reliance of faith.
"That is not asking much, truly," observed the prelate, who was among
the first; "and, though these wars have left us of Castile with an
exhausted treasury, we could compass that little without the aid of a
miracle. The caravels might be found, and the mariners levied, but there
are weighty points to determine before we reach that concession. You
expect, Senor, to be intrusted with the command of the expedition, in
your own person?"
"Without that confidence I could not be answerable for success. I ask
the full and complete authority of an admiral, or a sea-commander, of
their Highnesses. The force employed will be trifling in appearance, but
the risks will be great, and the power of the two crowns must completely
sustain that of him on whose shoulders will rest the entire weight of
the responsibility."
"This is but just, and none will gainsay it. But, Senor, have you
thought maturely on the advantages that are to accrue to the sovereigns,
should they sustain you in this undertaking?"
"Lord Archbishop, for eighteen years hath this subject occupied my
thoughts, and employed my studies, both by day and by night. In the
whole of that long period have I done little that hath not had a direct
bearing on the success of this mighty enterprise. The advantages to all
concerned, that will flow from it, have, therefore, scarce been
forgotten."
"Name them, Senor."
"First, then, as is due to his all-seeing and omnipotent protection,
glory will be given to the Almighty, by the spreading of his church and
the increase of his worshippers." Fernando de Talavera and all the
churchmen present piously crossed themselves, an act in which Columbus
himself joined. "Their Highnesses, as is meet, will reap the next
advantages, in the extension of their empire and in the increase of
their subjects. Wealth will flow in upon Castile and Aragon, in a rapid
stream, His Holiness freely granting to Christian monarchs the thrones
and territories of all infidel princes whose possessions may be
discovered, or people converted to the faith, through their means."
"This is plausible, Senor," returned the prelate, "and founded on just
principles. His Holiness certainly is entrusted with that power, and
hath been known to use it, for the glory of God. You doubtless know,
Senor Colon, that Don John of Portugal hath paid great attention to
these matters already, and that he and his predecessors have probably
pushed discovery to the verge of its final limits. His enterprise hath
also obtained from Rome certain privileges that may not be meddled
with."
"I am not ignorant of the Portuguese enterprise, holy prelate, nor of
the spirit with which Don John hath exercised his power. His vessels
voyage along the western shore of Africa, and in a direction altogether
different from that I propose to take. My purpose is to launch forth, at
once, into the broad Atlantic, and by following the sun toward his place
of evening retirement, reach the eastern bounds of the Indies, by a road
that will lessen the journey many months."
Although the archbishop and most of his coadjutors belonged to the
numerous class of those who regarded Columbus as a brain-heated
visionary, the earnest, but lofty dignity, with which he thus simply
touched upon his projects; the manner in which he quietly smoothed down
his white locks, when he had spoken; and the enthusiasm that never
failed to kindle in his eye, as he dwelt on his noble designs, produced
a deep impression on all present, and there was a moment when the
general feeling was to aid him to the extent of the common means. It was
a singular and peculiar proof of the existence of this transient feeling
that one of the commissioners immediately inquired--
"Do you propose, Senor Colon, to seek the court of Prestor John?"
"I know not, noble Senor, that such a potentate hath even an existence,"
answered Columbus, whose notions had got the fixed and philosophical
bias that is derived from science, and who entered little into the
popular fallacies of the day, though necessarily subject to much of the
ignorance of the age; "I find nothing to establish the truth of there
being such a monarch at all, or such territories."
This admission did not help the navigator's cause; for to affirm that
the earth was a sphere, and that Prestor John was a creature of the
imagination, was abandoning the marvellous to fall back on demonstration
and probabilities--a course that the human mind, in its uncultivated
condition, is not fond of taking.
"There are men who will be willing to put faith in the truth of Prestor
John's power and territories," interrupted one of the commissioners, who
was indebted to his present situation purely to King Ferdinand's policy,
"who will flatly deny that the earth is round; since we all know that
there are kings, and territories, and Christians, while we see that the
earth and the ocean are plains."
This opinion was received with an assenting smile by most present,
though Fernando de Talavera had doubts of its justice.
"Senor," answered Columbus, mildly, "if all in this world was in truth
what it seemeth, confessions would be little needed, and penance would
be much lighter."
"I esteem you a good Christian, Senor Colon," observed the archbishop,
sharply.
"I am such as the grace of God and a weak nature have made me, Lord
Archbishop; though I humbly trust that when I shall have achieved this
great end, that I may be deemed more worthy of the divine protection, as
well as of the divine favor."
"It hath been said that thou deemest thyself especially set apart by
Providence for this work."
"I feel that within me, holy prelate, that encourageth such a hope; but
I build naught on mysteries that exceed my comprehension."
It would be difficult to say whether Columbus lost or gained in the
opinions of his auditors, by this answer. The religious feeling of the
age was in perfect consonance with the sentiment; but, to the churchmen
present, it seemed arrogant in a humble and unknown layman, even to
believe it possible that he could be the chosen vessel, when so many who
appeared to have higher claims were rejected. Still no expression of
this feeling was permitted, for it was then, as it is now--he who seemed
to rely on the power of God, carrying with him a weight and an influence
that ordinarily checked rebukes.
"You propose to endeavor to reach Cathay by means of sailing forth into
the broad Atlantic," resumed the archbishop, "and yet you deny the
existence of Prestor John."
"Your pardon, holy prelate--I do propose to reach Cathay and Cipango in
the mode you mention, but I do not absolutely deny the existence of the
monarch you have named. For the probability of the success of my
enterprise, I have already produced my proofs and reasons, which have
satisfied many learned churchmen; but evidence is wanting to establish
the last."
"And yet Giovanni di Montecorvino, a pious bishop of our holy church, is
said to have converted such a prince to the true faith, nearly two
centuries since."
"The power of God can do any thing, Lord Archbishop, and I am not one to
question the merits of his chosen ministers. All I can answer on this
point is, to say that I find no scientific or plausible reasons to
justify me in pursuing what may prove to be as deceptive as the light
which recedes before the hand that would touch it. As for Cathay and its
position and its wonders, we have the better established evidence of the
renowned Venetians, Marco and Nicolo Polo, who not only travelled in
those territories, but sojourned years at the court of their monarch.
But, noble gentlemen, whether there is a Prestor John, or a Cathay,
there is certainly a limit to the western side of the Atlantic, and that
limit I am ready to seek."
The archbishop betrayed his incredulity in the upward turn of his eyes;
but having his commands from those who were accustomed to be obeyed, and
knowing that the theory of Columbus had been gravely heard and reported
on, years before, at Salamanca, he determined prudently to keep within
his proper sphere, and to proceed at once to that into which it was his
duty to inquire.
"You have set forth the advantages that you think may be derived to the
sovereigns, should your project succeed, Senor," he said, "and truly
they are not light, if all your brilliant hopes may be realized; but it
now remaineth to know what conditions you reserve for yourself, as the
reward of all your risks and many years of anxious labor."
"All that hath been duly considered, illustrious archbishop, and you
will find the substance of my wishes set forth in this paper, though
many of the smaller provisions will remain to be enumerated."
As Columbus spoke he handed the paper in question to Ferdinand of
Talavera. The prelate ran his eyes over it hastily at first, but a
second time with more deliberation, and it would be difficult to say
whether ridicule or indignation was most strongly expressed in his
countenance, as he deridingly threw the document on a table. When this
act of contempt was performed, he turned toward Columbus, as if to
satisfy himself that the navigator was not mad.
"Art thou serious in demanding these terms, Senor?" he asked sternly,
and with a look that would have caused most men, in the humble station
of the applicant, to swerve from their purpose.
"Lord Archbishop," answered Columbus, with a dignity that was not easily
disturbed, "this matter hath now occupied my mind quite eighteen years.
During the whole of this long period I have thought seriously of little
else, and it may be said to have engaged my mind sleeping and waking. I
saw the truth early and intensely, but every day seems to bring it
brighter and brighter before my eyes. I feel a reliance on success, that
cometh from dependence on God. I think myself an agent, chosen for the
accomplishment of great ends, and ends that will not be decided by the
success of this one enterprise. There is more beyond, and I must retain
the dignity and the means necessary to accomplish it. I cannot abate, in
the smallest degree, the nature or the amount of these conditions."
Although the manner in which these words were uttered lent them weight,
the prelate fancied that the mind of the navigator had got to be
unsettled by his long contemplation of a single subject. The only things
that left any doubt concerning the accuracy of this opinion, were the
method and science with which he had often maintained, even in his own
presence, the reasonableness of his geographical suppositions; arguments
which, though they had failed to convince one bent on believing the
projector a visionary, had, nevertheless, greatly puzzled the listener.
Still, the demands he had just read seemed so extravagant, that, for a
single instant, a sentiment of pity repressed the burst of indignation
to which he felt disposed to give vent.
"How like ye, noble lords," he cried, sarcastically, turning to two or
three of his fellow-commissioners, who had eagerly seized the paper and
were endeavoring to read it, and all at the same moment, "the moderate
and modest demands of the Senor Christoval Colon, the celebrated
navigator who confounded the Council of Salamanca! Are they not such as
becometh their Highnesses to accept on bended knees, and with many
thanks?"
"Read them, Lord Archbishop," exclaimed several in a breath. "Let us
first know their nature."
"There are many minor conditions that might be granted, as unworthy of
discussion," resumed the prelate, taking the paper; "but here are two
that must give the sovereigns infinite satisfaction. The Senor Colon
actually satisfieth himself with the rank of Admiral and Viceroy over
all the countries he may discover; and as for gains, one-tenth--the
church's share, my brethren--yea, even one-tenth, one _humble_ tenth of
the proceeds and customs, will content him!"
The general murmur that passed among the commissioners, denoted a common
dissatisfaction, and at that instant Columbus had not a true supporter
in the room.
"Nor is this all, illustrious nobles, and holy priests," continued the
archbishop, following up his advantage as soon as he believed his
auditors ready to hear him--"nor is this all; lest these high dignities
should weary their Highnesses' shoulders, and those of their royal
progeny, the liberal Genoese actually consenteth to transmit them to his
own posterity, in all time to come; converting the kingdom of Cathay
into a realm for the uses of the house of Colon, to maintain the dignity
of which, the tenth of all the benefits are to be consigned to its
especial care!"
There would have been an open laugh at this sally, had not the noble
bearing of Columbus checked its indulgence; and even Ferdinand of
Talavera, under the stern rebuke of an eye and mien that carried with
them a grave authority, began to think he had gone too far.
"Your pardon, Senor Colon," he immediately and more courteously added;
"but your conditions sounded so lofty that they have quite taken me by
surprise. You cannot seriously mean to maintain them?"
"Not one jot will I abate, Lord Priest: that much will be my due; and he
that consenteth to less than he deserveth, becometh an instrument of his
own humiliation. I shall give to the sovereigns an empire that will far
exceed in value all their other possessions, and I claim my reward. I
tell you, moreover, reverend prelate, that there is much in reserve, and
that these conditions will be needed to fulfil the future."
"These are truly modest proposals for a nameless Genoese!" exclaimed one
of the courtiers, who had been gradually swelling with disgust and
contempt. "The Senor Colon will be certain of commanding in the service
of their Highnesses, and if nothing is done he will have that high honor
without cost; whereas, should this most improbable scheme lead to any
benefits, he will become a vice-king, humbly contenting himself with the
church's revenue!"
This remark appeared to determine the wavering, and the commissioners
rose, in a body, as if the matter were thought to be unworthy of further
discussion. With the view to preserve at least the appearance of
impartiality and discretion, however, the archbishop turned once more
toward Columbus, and now, certain of obtaining his ends, he spoke to him
in milder tones.
"For the last time, Senor," he said, "I ask if you still insist on these
unheard-of terms?"
"On them, and on no other," said Columbus, firmly. "I know the magnitude
of the services I shall perform, and will not degrade them--will in no
manner lessen their dignity, by accepting aught else. But, Lord
Archbishop, and you, too, noble Senor, that treateth my claims so
lightly, I am ready to add to the risk of person, life, and name, that
of gold. I will furnish one-eighth of the needful sums, if ye will
increase my benefits in that proportion."
"Enough, enough," returned the prelate, preparing to quit the room; "we
will make our report to the sovereigns, this instant, and thou shalt
speedily know their pleasure."
Thus terminated the conference. The courtiers left the room, conversing
earnestly among themselves, like men who did not care to repress their
indignation; while Columbus, filled with the noble character of his own
designs, disappeared in another direction, with the bearing of one whose
self-respect was not to be lessened by clamor, and who appreciated
ignorance and narrowness of views too justly to suffer them to change
his own high purposes.
Ferdinand of Talavera was as good as his word. He was the queen's
confessor, and, in virtue of that holy office, had at all times access
to her presence. Full of the subject of the late interview, he took his
way directly to the private apartments of the queen, and, as a matter of
course, was at once admitted. Isabella heard his representations with
mortification and regret, for she had begun to set her heart on the
sailing of this extraordinary expedition. But the influence of the
archbishop was very great, for his royal penitent knew the sincerity and
devotedness of his heart.
"This carrieth presumption to insolence, Senora," continued the
irritated churchman; "have we not here a mendicant adventurer demanding
honors and authority that belong only to God and his anointed, the
princes of the earth? Who is this Colon?--a nameless Genoese, without
rank, services, or modesty, and yet doth he carry his pretensions to a
height that might cause even a Guzman to hesitate."
"He is a good Christian, holy prelate," Isabella meekly answered, "and
seemeth to delight in the service and glory of God, and to wish to favor
the extension of his visible and Catholic church."
"True, Senora, and yet may there be deceit in this"--
"Nay, Lord Archbishop, I do not think that deceit is the man's failing,
for franker speech and more manly bearing it is not usual to see, even
in the most powerful. He hath solicited us for years, and yet no act of
meanness may be fairly laid to his charge."
"I shall not judge the heart of this man harshly, Dona Isabella, but we
may judge of his actions and his pretensions, and how far they may be
suitable to the dignity of the two crowns, freely and without censure. I
confess him grave, and plausible, and light of neither discourse nor
manner, virtues certainly, as the world moveth in courts"--Isabella
smiled, but she said nothing, for her ghostly counsellor was wont to
rebuke with freedom, and she to listen with humility--"where the age is
not exhibiting its purest models of sobriety of thought and devotion,
but even these may exist without the spirit that shall be fitted for
heaven. But what are gravity and decorum, if sustained by an inflated
pride and inordinate rapacity? ambition being a term too lofty for such
a craving. Reflect, Senora, on the full nature of these demands. This
Colon requireth to be established, forever, in the high state of a
substitute for a king, not only for his own person, but for those of his
descendants throughout all time, with the title and authority of Admiral
over all adjacent seas, should he discover any of the lands he so much
exalts, before he will consent to enter into the command of certain of
Your Highnesses' vessels, a station of itself only too honorable for one
of so little note! Should his most extravagant pretensions be
realized--and the probabilities are that they will entirely fail--his
demands would exceed his services; whereas, in the case of failure, the
Castilian and Aragonese names would be covered with ridicule, and a sore
disrespect would befal the royal dignity for having been thus duped by
an adventurer. Much of the glory of this late conquest would be
tarnished, by a mistake so unfortunate."
"Daughter-Marchioness," observed the queen, turning toward the faithful,
and long-tried friend who was occupied with her needle near her own
side--"these conditions of Colon do, truly, seem to exceed the bounds of
reason."
"The enterprise also exceedeth all the usual bounds of risks and
adventures, Senora," was the steady reply of Dona Beatriz, as she
glanced toward the countenance of Mercedes. "Noble efforts deserve noble
rewards."
The eye of Isabella followed the glance of her friend, and it remained
fixed for some time on the pale, anxious features of her favorite's
ward. The beautiful girl herself was unconscious of the attention she
excited; but one who knew her secret might easily detect the intense
feeling with which she awaited the issue. The opinions of her confessor
had seemed so reasonable, that Isabella was on the point of assenting to
the report of the commissioners, and of abandoning altogether the secret
hopes and expectations she had begun to couple with the success of the
navigator's schemes, when a gentler feeling, one that belonged
peculiarly to her own feminine heart, interposed to give the mariner
another chance. It is seldom that woman is dead to the sympathies
connected with the affections, and the wishes that sprang from the love
of Mercedes de Valverde were the active cause of the decision that the
Queen of Castile came to at that critical moment.
"We must be neither harsh nor hasty with this Genoese, Lord Archbishop,"
she said, turning again to the prelate. "He hath the virtues of
devoutness and fair-dealing, and these are qualities that sovereigns
learn to prize. His demands no doubt have become somewhat exaggerated by
long brooding, in his thoughts, on a favorite and great scheme; but kind
words and reason may yet lead him to more moderation. Let him, then, be
tried with propositions of our own, and doubtless, his necessities, if
not a sense of justice, will cause him to accept them. The viceroyalty
doth, indeed, exceed the usual policy of princes, and, as you say, holy
prelate, the tenth is the church's share; but the admiral's rank may be
fairly claimed. Meet him, then, with these moderated proposals, and
substitute a fifteenth for a tenth; let him be a viceroy in his own
person, during the pleasure of Don Fernando and myself, but let him
relinquish the claim for his posterity."
Fernando de Talavera thought even these concessions too considerable,
but, while he exercised his sacred office with a high authority, he too
well knew the character of Isabella to presume to dispute an order she
had once issued, although it was in her own mild and feminine manner.
After receiving a few more instructions, therefore, and obtaining the
counsel of the king, who was at work in an adjoining cabinet, the
prelate went to execute this new commission.
Two or three days now passed before the subject was finally disposed of,
and Isabella was again seated in the domestic circle, when admission was
once more demanded in behalf of her confessor. The archbishop entered
with a flushed face, and his whole appearance was so disturbed that it
must have been observed by the most indifferent person.
"How now, holy archbishop,"--demanded Isabella--"doth thy new flock vex
thy spirit, and is it so very hard to deal with an infidel?"
"'Tis naught of that, Senora--'tis naught relating to my new people. I
find even the followers of the false prophet more reasonable than some
who exult in Christ's name and favor. This Colon is a madman, and better
fitted to become a saint in Mussulmans' eyes, than even a pilot in Your
Highness' service."
At this burst of indignation, the queen, the Marchioness of Moya, and
Dona Mercedes de Valverde, simultaneously dropped their needle-work, and
sat looking at the prelate, with a common concern. They had all hoped
that the difficulties which stood in the way of a favorable termination
to the negotiation would be removed, and that the time was at hand, when
the being who, in spite of the boldness and unusual character of his
projects, had succeeded in so signally commanding their respect, and in
interesting their feelings, was about to depart, and to furnish a
practical solution to problems that had as much puzzled their reasons as
they had excited their curiosity. But here was something like a sudden
and unlooked-for termination to all their expectations; and while
Mercedes felt something like despair chilling her heart, the queen and
Dona Beatriz were both displeased.
"Didst thou duly explain to Senor Colon, the nature of our proposals,
Lord Archbishop?" the former asked, with more severity of manner than
she was accustomed to betray; "and doth he still insist on the
pretensions to a vice-regal power, and on the offensive condition in
behalf of his posterity?"
"Even so, Your Highness; were it Isabella of Castile treating with Henry
of England or Louis of France, the starving Genoese could not hold
higher terms or more inflexible conditions. He abateth nothing. The man
deemeth himself chosen of God, to answer certain ends, and his language
and conditions are such as one who felt a holy impulse to his course,
could scarcely feel warranted in assuming."
"This constancy hath its merit," observed the queen; "but there is a
limit to concession. I shall urge no more in the navigator's favor, but
leave him to the fortune that naturally followeth self-exaltation and
all extravagance of demand."
This speech apparently sealed the fate of Columbus in Castile. The
archbishop was appeased, and, first holding a short private conference
with his royal penitent, he left the room. Shortly after, Christoval
Colon, as he was called by the Spaniards--Columbus, as he styled himself
in later life--received, for a definite answer, the information that his
conditions were rejected, and that the negotiation for the projected
voyage to the Indies was finally at an end.
[Illustration]