Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. I.djvu/294

150 150 ACCESSION OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. I. PART upon Arevalo, where Alfonso determined to await the arrival of the reinforcements which he expected from his Castilian allies. Had he struck at once into the southern districts of Castile, where most of those friendly to his cause were to be found, and immediately commenced active operations with the aid of the marquis of Cadiz, who it was understood was prepared to support him in that quarter, it is difficult to say what might have been the result. Ferdinand and Isabella were so wholly unprepared at the time of Alfonso's invasion, that it is said they could scarcely bring five hundred horse to oppose it. By this opportune delay at Arevalo, they ob- tained space for preparation. Both of them were indefatigable in their efforts. Isabella, we are told, was frequently engaged through the whole night in dictating despatches to her secretaries. She visited in person such of the garrisoned towns as required to be confirmed in their allegiance, performing long and painful journeys on horseback with surprising celerity, and enduring fatigues, which, as she was at that time in delicate health, wellnigh proved fatal to her constitution. '^ On an excursion to Toledo, she determined to make one effort more to regain the confidence of her ancient minister the archbishop. She accordingly sent an envoy to in- form him of her intention to wait on him in person at his residence in Alcald de Henares. But as the surly prelate, far from being moved by this conde- 15 The queen, who was, at that incessant personal exposure. Zu- time, in a stale of pregnancy, rila, Anales, torn. iv. fol. 234. brought on a miscarriage by her