Again the queen held up her hand, for the judgment was not yet finished.
"We have a question to ask of the gallant Sir Peter Brome and the Dona Margaret, his affianced.

Is it still their desire to take each other in marriage ?" Now Peter looked at Margaret, and Margaret looked at Peter, and there was that in their eyes which both of them understood, for he answered in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, that is the dearest wish of both of us." The queen smiled a little, then asked: "And do you, Senor John Castell, consent and allow your daughter's marriage to this knight ?" "I do, indeed," he answered gravely.

"Had it not been for this man here," and he glanced with bitter hatred at Morella, "they would have been united long ago, and to that end," he added with meaning, "such little property as I possessed has been made over to trustees in England for their benefit and that of their children.

Therefore I am henceforward dependent upon their charity." "Good," said the queen.

"Then one question remains to be put, and only one.