But now go: nay, not so sorrowfully; thy momentary fault is forgiven," she added, kindly, as she extended her hand towards the evidently pained and penitent maiden, who raised it gratefully and reverentially to her lips, and thoughtfully withdrew.
It was not, however, with her attendants only, this generous and high-minded princess had to contend--with them her example was enough; but the task was much more difficult, when the following day, as King Ferdinand had anticipated, brought the stern Sub-Prior of St.Francis to demand, in the church's name, the immediate surrender of Marie.

But Isabella's decision once formed never wavered.

Marie was under her protection, she said--an erring indeed, but an unhappy young creature, who, by her very confession, had thrown herself on the mercy of her Sovereign--and she would not deliver up the charge.

In vain the Prior urged the abomination of a Jewess residing under her very roof--the danger to her soul should she be tempted to associate with her, and that granting protection to an avowed and blaspheming unbeliever must expose her to the suspicions, or, at least the censure of the church.
Isabella was inexorable.

To his first and second clause she quietly answered as she had done to her own attendants; his third only produced a calm and fearless smile.