They were much surprised at Daraxa’s request, never having known an instance of a woman coming in ceremony before them, to address the Judges, and they knew not what answer to return. The oldest among them were of opinion that she ought not to be allowed an audience, but the younger ones were of a different way of thinking. The curiosity to know what she could have to say to them--the respect they were bound to entertain for a lady who was so great a favourite with the Queen, and, above all, the pleasure of seeing her, at last prevailed; and they decided that an audience should be granted her at six in the evening. Daraxa, who was apprehensive that this would have been refused her, was well pleased at this message. She sent Orviedo to Don Alonso, apprising him of her intentions, and requesting him to accompany her to the palace, if his health would allow him to do her this favor. Zuniga was extremely charmed with the honor conferred upon him by the beautiful Moor in selecting him as her squire upon this occasion, and prepared for the cavalcade. He had no need to seek very far for the cavaliers he wished to join him in it; since they were, for the most part, already in his own house, ready to follow him wherever he chose to lead them. He conducted them at five o’clock to Don Lewis’s house, who, seeing more than two hundred cavaliers who came for Daraxa, whose intentions he was not unacquainted with, went in search of her, and offered himself to bear her company; but she returned him thanks, telling him that she was very glad she was able to spare him the mortification of seeing her solicit for the life of a man, whose enemy he had so openly professed himself, and, in fact, against whose life he was the principal prosecutor.