"Is it nothing to you that I should love as I do, with all my heart and 

soul? Marry me, and I tell you that I will lift you high, yes, perhaps 

even to the throne." 

She thought a moment, then asked: 

"The bribe is great, but how would you do that? Many a maid has been 

deceived with false jewels, Senor." 

"How has it been done before? Not every one loves Ferdinand. I have many 

friends who remember that my father was poisoned by his father and 

Ferdinand's, he being the elder son. Also, my mother was a princess of 

the Moors, and if I, who dwell among them as the envoy of their 

Majesties, threw in my sword with theirs--or there are other ways. But I 

am speaking things that have never passed my lips before, which, were 

they known, would cost me my head--let it serve to show how much I 

trust you." 

"I thank you, Senor, for your trust; but this crown seems to me set upon 

a peak that it is dangerous to climb, and I had sooner sit in safety on 

the plain." 

"You reject the pomp," went on d'Aguilar in his passionate, pleading 

voice, "then will not the love move you? Oh! you shall be worshipped as 

never woman was. I swear to you that in your eyes there is a light which 

has set my heart on fire, so that it burns night and day, and will not 

be quenched. Your voice is my sweetest music, your hair is a cord that 

binds me to you faster than the prisoner's chain, and, when you pass, 

for me Venus walks the earth. More, your mind is pure and noble as your 

beauty, and by the aid of it I shall be lifted up through the high 

places of the earth to some white throne in heaven. I love you, my lady, 

my fair Margaret; because of you, all other women are become coarse and 

hateful in my sight. See how much I love you, that I, one of the first 

grandees of Spain, do this for your sweet sake," and suddenly he cast 

himself upon his knees before her, and lifting the hem of her dress 

pressed it to his lips. 

Margaret looked down at him, and the anger that was rising in her breast 

melted, while with it went her fear. This man was much in earnest; she 

could not doubt it. The hand that held her robe trembled like shaken 

water, his face was ashen, and in his dark eyes swam tears. What cause 

had she to be afraid of one who was so much her slave? 

"Senor," she said very gently, "rise, I pray you. Do not waste all this 

love upon one who chances to have caught your fancy, but who is quite 

unworthy of it, and far beneath you; one, moreover, by whom it may not