“I ask the permission of your Majesties to be that champion. Your Majesties will note that according to his own story I have suffered from this marquis the bitterest wrong that one man can receive at the hands of another. Also, he has lied in saying that I am not true to my affianced lady, the Dona Margaret, and surely I have a right to avenge the lie upon him. Lastly, I declare that I believe the Señora Betty to be a good and upright woman, upon whom no shadow of shame has ever fallen, and, as her countryman and relative, I desire to uphold her good name before all the world. I am a foreigner here with few friends, or none, yet I cannot believe that your Majesties will withhold from me the right of battle which all over the world in such a case one gentleman may demand of another. I challenge the Marquis of Morella to mortal combat without mercy to the fallen, and here is the proof of it.” Then, stepping across the open space before the bar, he drew the leathern gauntlet off his hand and threw it straight into Morella’s face, thinking that after such an insult he could not choose but fight. With an oath Morella snatched at his sword; but, before he could draw it, officers of the court threw themselves on him, and the king’s stern voice was heard commanding them to cease their brawling in the royal presences. “I ask your pardon, Sire,” gasped Morella, “but you have seen what this Englishman did to me, a grandee of Spain.” “Yes,” broke in the queen, “but we have also heard what you, a grandee of Spain, did to this gentleman of England, and the charge you brought against him, which, it seems, the Dona Margaret does not believe.” “In truth, no, your Majesty,” said Margaret. “Let me be sworn also, and I can explain much of what the marquis has told to you. I never wished to marry him or any man, save this one,” and she touched Peter on the arm, “and anything that he or I may have done, we did to escape the evil net in which we were snared.” “We believe it,” answered the queen with a smile, then fell to consulting with the king and the alcaldes. For a long time they debated in voices so low that none could hear what they said, looking now at one and now at another of the parties to this strange suit. Also, some priest was called into their council, which Margaret thought a bad omen. At length they made up their minds, and in a low, quiet voice and measured words her Majesty, as Queen of Castile, gave the judgment of them all. Addressing herself first to Morella, she said: “My lord Marquis, you have brought very grave charges against the lady who claims to be your wife, and the Englishman whose affianced bride you admit you snatched away by fraud and force. This gentleman, on his own behalf and on behalf of these ladies, has challenged you to a combat to the death in a fashion that none can mistake. Do you accept his challenge?”