The love borne by the Infanta for her young brother surpassed even the tenderest affection of such relatives; all who had loved and served him were dear to her; and at a time when so much of treachery and insidious policy lurked around her, even in the garb of seeming devotion to her cause, the unwavering fidelity and straightforward conduct of Morales, combined as it was with his deep affection for Alfonso, permitted her whole mind to rest on him, secure not only of his faithfulness, but of vigilance which would discover and counteract every evil scheming of seeming friends.

Her constantly chosen messenger to Ferdinand, he became known and trusted by both that prince and his native subjects.

His wealth, which, seemed exhaustless, independent of his preferments, was ever at the service of either Isabella or her betrothed; he it was from whom the necessary means for her private nuptials were borrowed.

At that scene he was, of course, present, and, at his own desire, escorted Ferdinand back to his own domains--an honorable but most dangerous office, performed with his usual unwavering fidelity and skill.

That one so faithful in adversity should advance from post to post as soon as dawning prosperity permitted Isabella and Ferdinand to reward merit as well as to evince gratitude, was not surprising; but no royal favor, no coveted honors, no extended power, could alter one tittle of his single-hearted truth--his unrestrained intercourse with and interest in his equals, were they of the church, court, or camp--his gentle and unassuming manner to his inferiors.