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 Senora 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.