They sent a page. Again there was sunny silence, then
in at the door came the tall, muscular, gray-eyed, silver-
haired man whom I had met the day King Boabdil surrendered

Granada.

He made reverence to the Queen and the King and to the
Archbishop. It was the Queen who spoke to him and that
gently.

"Master Christopherus, we have had a thousand businesses,
and so our matter here has waited and waited. Today comes unaware this quiet hour and we will give it to
you. Here with us are the Archbishop and others who
have been our counsellors, and here is Don Alonzo de Quintantella who hath always stood your friend. In
all the hurly-burly we yet took time, two days ago, to sit in council and
come to conclusion. And now we give you our determination.
In all reason it should give you joy!" She smiled
upon him. "How many years since first you laid your
plan before us?"

He answered her in a deep voice, thrilling and crowded
with feeling. "Seven years, Madam your Highness! Like
an infant laid at your feet. And winter has blown upon it,
and sunshine carrying hope has walked around it, and then
again the cold wind rises--"

The King spoke. "Master Christopherus, in war much
else has to cease! In much we have had to find patience,
and you have to find it."