“On every ground,” he answered. “She is not the Marchioness of Morella, inasmuch as I went through the ceremony of marriage with her believing her to be another woman. She is not of ancient and gentle family, since she was a servant in the house of the merchant Castell yonder, in London.” “That proves nothing, Marquis,” interrupted the king. “My family may, I think, be called ancient and gentle, which you will be the last to deny, yet I have played the part of a servant on an occasion which I think the queen here will remember”—an allusion at which the audience, who knew well enough to what it referred, laughed audibly, as did her Majesty [1]. “The marriage and rank are matters for proof,” went on the king, “if they are questioned; but is it alleged that this lady has committed any crime which prevents her from pleading?” [1]When travelling from Saragossa to Valladolid to be married to Isabella, Ferdinand was obliged to pass himself off as a valet. Prescott says: “The greatest circumspection, therefore, was necessary. The party journeyed chiefly in the night; Ferdinand assumed the disguise of a servant and, when they halted on the road, took care of the mules and served his companions at table.” “None,” answered Betty quickly, “except that of being poor, and the crime, if it is one, as it may be, of having married that man, the Marquis of Morella,” whereat the audience laughed again. “Well, Madam, you do not seem to be poor now,” remarked the king, looking at her gorgeous and bejewelled apparel; “and here we are more apt to think marriage a folly than a crime,” a light saying at which the queen frowned a little. “But,” he added quickly, “set out your case, Madam, and forgive me if, until you have done so, I do not call you Marchioness.” “Here is my case, Sire,” said Betty, producing the certificate of marriage and handing it up for inspection. The judges and their Majesties inspected it, the queen remarking that a duplicate of this document had already been submitted to her and passed on to the proper authorities. “Is the priest who solemnised the marriage present?” asked the king; whereon Bernaldez, Castell’s agent, rose and said that he was, though he neglected to add that his presence had been secured for no mean sum.