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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/29916-8.txt b/29916-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..359a665 --- /dev/null +++ b/29916-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,14990 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Gomez Arias, by Joaquín Telesforo de Trueba y Cosío + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gomez Arias + The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance. + +Author: Joaquín Telesforo de Trueba y Cosío + +Release Date: September 5, 2009 [EBook #29916] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + +[The spelling (sometimes archaic: shew, extacy, stopt, etc.) of the +original book has been retained. (Note of transcriber)] + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. I. + +PREFACE. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., + XII., XIII., XIV. + +VOL. II. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., + XII., XIII., XIV. + +VOL. III. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI. + CONCLUSION. + +NOTES. + +_LONDON:_ +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. +1828. + +GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE. + + + +VOL. I. + + + + +TO THE +RIGHT HONORABLE LORD HOLLAND. + +_My Lord_, + +_It is with pleasure I avail myself of your permission to dedicate the +following Work to your name, as a small mark of my respect for your +Lordship's character._ + +_As a Spaniard, I find an additional motive for addressing it to one who +has uniformly shewn the interest he feels in the prosperity and +literature of my country._ + +_I have the honor to be_, + +_My Lord_, + +_Your Lordship's_ + +_Most obedient and obliged Servant_, + +TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO. + +_London, March 1, 1828._ + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Let me intreat the reader not to be alarmed at the hacknied word, which +generally augurs that a person is going to be very egotistical and +prosy. This, at least, it will be my ambition to avoid. Nor is it my +intention to assume its literary prerogatives in any way as a mask for a +sort of mock humility, endeavouring to impose upon good-natured persons +by protestations of demerits, want of experience and talent, with that +long series of et ceteras with which a writer generally opens his first +campaign. + +The public has nothing to do with an exculpatory doctrine, which carries +with it the aggravating circumstance of not being sincere; for I am sure +that no man, with a moderate share of common sense, will suppose that an +author really believes the accusation he so humbly utters against +himself. Could he indeed persuade himself that his book was so very +indifferent a performance, he might assuredly more justly accuse himself +of acting the part of an unnatural parent in thus gratuitously exposing +his intellectual offspring to the neglect and compassion of the world. + +Besides, when an author presents his readers with this stultifying +catalogue of demerits, he supplies them with the very best reasons to +retort upon him:--"Good heavens; if the man has neither talents nor +information, why does he write at all?" Having thus waved my claims to +any similar indulgence, it only remains for me to say a few words +respecting the origin and the object of the following Romance. + +As an enthusiastic admirer of the lofty genius, the delightful and vivid +creations of that great founder of English historical fiction, Sir +Walter Scott, it often struck me, while reading his enchanting novels, +as rather singular that he had never availed himself of the beautiful +and inexhaustible materials for works upon a similar plan to be met +with in Spain. It has, indeed, been generally admitted that Spain was +the classic ground of chivalry and romance. The long dominion of the +Moors--the striking contrast between their religion, their customs and +manners, and those of their Christian enemy--the different petty +kingdoms into which Spain was divided, with the consequent feuds, +intrigues and battles,--all concurred to produce a succession of +extraordinary incidents and character, highly adapted for romantic and +dramatic illustration. Yet, while the less abundant chronicles and +traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, were successively +ransacked by the great magician and his most successful imitators, they +seem almost studiously to have avoided dwelling upon those glowing, +luxuriant productions, replete with such variety of incident and +character, which form the national treasures of Spain. + +Conceiving, then, that I had the same right as any one else to spoil, if +I failed to give attraction to a fine subject, I found that my ideas +were further confirmed by the encouragement of some of the most eminent +amongst my fellow-countrymen. I accordingly engaged in the undertaking, +the result of which is the following Romance. + +With regard to the hero, I cannot well determine whether he ever existed +or not. In spite of my researches, I have no other authority for his +reality than the well known comedy of the celebrated Calderon de la +Barca, entitled "_La niña de Gomez Arias_." The probability is, that +Calderon took the hint of this comedy, according to a generally +prevailing custom in his time, from some legend or tradition now lost. +Be this as it may, it is enough that such characters as Gomez Arias are +unfortunately within the pale of human nature. I have endeavoured, +however, to soften the character, as it is depicted, from that of an +utterly abandoned libertine into a man of extraordinary ambition; for +great passions, though they cannot palliate crime, are nevertheless not +inconsistent with a dereliction of moral and legal ties. + +To conclude my prefatory reasons for not writing a long preface, there +is one point on which I am anxious to appeal to the indulgence of my +readers. It is obvious that the work being written in English by a +Spaniard, must bear some traces of its foreign descent. In extenuation +of these unavoidable faults of style and language, I can only entreat +that the English public will extend the same generous sympathy and +benevolence to the errors of the author, which it has already evinced, +in far more important matters, on behalf of his unfortunate +fellow-countrymen. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +INTRODUCTORY. + + +The ancient city of Granada has ever proved a source of gratification to +those who have occupied themselves with the investigation of its earlier +history. It abounds with objects curious and interesting; and is no less +celebrated for the conspicuous place which it holds in the page of +Spanish history, than for the more pleasing associations of chivalry +and romance. Situated at the base of the snow-capt mountains of the +_Sierra Nevada_, and extending into the luxuriant plain of the _Vega_, +it seems placed by nature as a barrier between an eternal winter and a +constant spring-- + + "Not as elsewhere with fervours frosts severe, + Or clouds with calms divide the happy hours, + But heaven than whitest crystal e'en more clear, + A flood of sunshine in all seasons showers; + Nursing to fields their herbs, to herbs their flowers, + To flowers their smell, leaves to th' immortal trees: + Here by its lake the splendid palace towers, + On marble columns rich with golden frieze, + For leagues and leagues around, o'erhanging hills and seas." + + _Wiffen's Tasso._ + +Amongst the many architectural remains which adorn the city, the palace +of the Alhambra is perhaps the most conspicuous. It was originally +founded by one of the Moorish kings, after the conquest of the kingdom +of Granada, and became, in process of time, the favorite residence of a +long line of princes, by whom it was enriched with the spoils of +conquest, and all the embellishments which wealth could supply. Nothing, +indeed, that imagination could devise, or human industry effect, was +omitted, to render it a retreat worthy of the Moorish sovereigns of +Granada. + +Ages have gone by since its foundation, kingdoms have been overthrown, +and whole generations have passed away, but the Alhambra still remains a +proud record of the Moslem's power. It is the last monument of their +glory, amidst the changes that have long since taken place, and that +still proclaim their fall. + +The city commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, and the +eye wanders with delight over the picturesque and varied scenery which +opens on every side. Far as the eye can reach, a fertile plain teeming +with life exhibits nature in her most lovely and fascinating forms; +large flocks and herds are seen browzing and disporting amongst the +luxuriant herbage, while the distant quiet villages interspersed +throughout the landscape, are thrown out in bold relief by the dark +green foliage in which they are embosomed. Here the orange-flower and +the jasmin of the gardens, decked in all the pride of cultivation, load +the air with their grateful perfume; and sparkling jets of limpid water, +thrown aloft from fountains of alabaster, impart a continual freshness +and beauty to the scene, whilst they contribute to dissipate the languor +which in this luxurious climate softly steals over the senses. + +After dwelling with delight upon this living landscape of happiness and +tranquillity, the feelings of the beholder are aroused by the imposing +aspect of the _Sierra Nevada_. The never-varying hue, the sameness of +desolation exhibited by these gigantic mountains, offer a striking +contrast to the glowing and lively tints of the surrounding country. On +their lofty summits the clouds appear to have fixed their abode; and in +their inhospitable regions no living thing can dwell.--Still barren and +dreary they remain, in the very bosom of luxuriance and cheerfulness; +throughout the vicissitudes of climate and season they are for ever the +same. + +Granada was the last strong hold of the Moors in Spain. They had for +seven centuries defied the power of different Christian sovereigns, who +by unremitted efforts slowly and progressively regained those +territories which had been suddenly wrested from their ancestors. +Indeed, it required the lapse of ages and a series of successes, wrought +by the exertions of many a distinguished warrior, to recover those +possessions which had been thus lost by the weakness of a king, and the +treason of a prelate.[1] + +Ferdinand and Isabella, happily uniting by marriage the crowns of +Arragon and Castile, consolidated the power and gave a new impulse to +the energies of the Christians. After a variety of minor advantages, +they resolved to lay siege to Granada, fortunately at a time when that +city was a prey to civil dissentions, occasioned by the rival families +of the Zegris and Abencerrages. The Moors, gradually weakened by their +domestic broils, offered but an inadequate opposition to the enemy, who +pressed them, on this account, with increasing ardour. After a +protracted siege of eight months, in which a host of warriors +distinguished themselves, Granada, the royal residence of the Moslems +for seven hundred years, surrendered, and the banner of the Cross +streamed triumphantly over the turrets of the Alhambra. + +The Moors seemed satisfied with their new masters, and the partial +change of government which ensued; so that King Ferdinand returned to +Seville, leaving the subdued city in apparent tranquillity. This calm +was, however, but of short duration. Strong symptoms of disaffection +were soon observable in the conduct of the vanquished Moors, and the +murmurs of discontent which prevailed in every quarter, shortly +terminated in open revolt. + +The Archbishop of Toledo, in his intemperate zeal for the conversion of +the infidels, had adopted measures which tended rather to increase their +natural aversion to the Christian religion, than to wean them from a +creed, the mandates of which were in greater harmony with their habits +and inclination. The prelate seeing his designs thwarted by the +inhabitants of the Albaycin, commissioned one of his officers to arrest +those whom he suspected of promoting the opposition. This last +ill-advised and imprudent step so greatly exasperated the malcontents, +that no sooner did the alguazil proceed to the discharge of his duty, +than he became a victim to their fury. Imprecations were first heaped +upon him; menaces succeeded; and finally a large stone, hurled from a +window, stretched the unfortunate officer lifeless an the ground. + +This murder was the signal for open rebellion. The Moors were aware that +so flagrant an act could not escape an adequate punishment, and they +accordingly prepared themselves for a vigorous resistance. Some of the +most daring hurried from street to street, summoning their +fellow-countrymen to arms, and exclaiming that the articles of the +treaty, in virtue of which they had surrendered, were violated, since +they could not continue unmolested in the exercise of their religious +duties. + +This untoward event was the occasion of great anxiety to the Count de +Tendilla, who had been entrusted with the government of the city by the +queen. He took active measures to subdue the increasing fury of the +malcontents. But desirous of trying the effect of negociation before he +had recourse to extremes, he set forth to the rebels, in the strongest +light, the criminality and madness of the enterprise in which they had +embarked, and the little probability of their ever again struggling with +success against the Christian power. All his efforts to restore order +proved for some time ineffectual. But the promise of amnesty and redress +of their grievances, the well known integrity of the count, and his +generosity in sending his lady and son as hostages for the fulfilment of +the treaty, induced at length the majority of the rebels to lay down +their arms and accept the proffered pardon. + +The forty chiefs, however, who had been chosen by the insurgents, +considered this conduct as pusillanimous, and despised it accordingly. +Dazzled by dreams of ambition, fired with hopes of asserting their +independence, and aware that the wild recesses of the mountains afforded +facilities for conducting the war with greater security and success; +they fled from Granada in the night, and succeeded in instilling their +sentiments into the minds of the Moors who inhabited the adjacent +country. The towns of Guejar, Lanjaron and Andarax soon rose up in arms; +all the mountaineers of the Alpujarras followed the example, and the +Christians were threatened with the loss of those acquisitions, which +their valour and perseverance had so nobly won. + +It is at this interesting period that the following romance takes place; +and some of the subsequent events of the rebellion form the historical +portion of its subject. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + We are up in arms, + If not to fight with foreign enemies, + Yet to beat down these rebels here at home. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being +communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the +preservation of her power. She summoned around her all those counsellors +in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose +valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied. + +At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now +assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over +which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet. Isabella could +scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her +stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of +dignity which pervaded her every action. The mildness which beamed in +her bright blue eye seemed rather to act as a persuasive to the +observance of her mandates, than as a command, and her displeasure was +manifested more by reproaches than by threats. Few women could boast of +greater personal attractions--none a better regulated mind; if fault +there were, it might be traced in the cloud which darkened her brow, +when a consciousness of what was due to religion stood most prominently +forward. At such times she became severe and abstracted; and yet her +occasional austerity could hardly be condemned by her subjects, when it +led to that firmness and courage, and that inflexibility in the decrees +of justice, for which she was so remarkable. If the grave historian has +stamped her character with these attributes of heroism, what scope may +not be allowed to the writer of historical fiction? Distinguished by his +noble bearing and his honorable station, on the right hand of the queen +stood the renowned Alonso de Aguilar, the terror of the Moorish name. He +had, like his brother, the heroic Gonzalo de Cordova, particularly +distinguished himself in the wars against Granada, and was honored with +the regard and unlimited confidence of Isabella. Of a lofty and imposing +stature, he united with gigantic strength an air of dignity which well +became the most accomplished warrior of the age. His noble countenance +wore an expression of resolution and intrepidity, blended with openness +and candour, that inspired the beholder with sentiments of awe and +admiration. His fine athletic form was rendered more interesting from +its still retaining the elasticity of ardent youth, unsubdued by the +chill of fifty winters, which he had chiefly spent in the toils of the +camp. His character bore out the impression thus formed in his favor. +The active courage of his earlier days was chastened, not subdued, by +the experience of a more mature age; whilst the furrows on his manly +brow, and the few gray locks that slightly silvered his raven hair, +heightened the feeling of respect and veneration which his many virtues +were so well calculated to inspire. + +On the opposite side stood Don Iñigo Mendoza, Count de Tendilla, +Governor of Granada, a man who had numerous claims to the gratitude of +Spain.--Nor was it the least, that of being father of a son, who +afterwards served his country in the triple capacities of a valiant +soldier, an enlightened statesman, and a profound scholar. + +Near these warriors were seen the Master of the Order of Calatrava, the +Aleayde de los Donceles, Count Ureña, and other renowned chiefs. The +rest of the nobles, taking precedence, according to their rank, +completed this imposing assembly. + +An universal silence prevailed, and every one seemed impatient to +ascertain the object of the council to which they had been so hastily +summoned, the nature of which they could only conjecture. + +But from these noble ranks, a gallant knight was absent--one who, though +young in years, was already a veteran in military achievements, and +whose brilliant abilities had won him the right of sharing with these +distinguished personages the marked favor of his sovereign.--Gomez Arias +was not there, and Alonso de Aguilar, who considered him already as his +son, felt chagrined at his unavoidable absence. + +This young nobleman was now a voluntary exile from court, and nowise +anxious to appear at Granada, where his presence would be attended with +danger. Neither his own merits, nor the influence of Aguilar, could +induce Isabella to deviate from the path of justice, loudly demanded by +the family and friends of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who, at that time, +was stretched on a bed of sickness, in consequence of a dangerous wound +inflicted by Gomez Arias, his fortunate rival in the affections of +Leonor de Aguilar. + +The members of the council, with this solitary exception, being +assembled, the queen rose to address them.--"Noble Christians," she +said, "my friends and brave defenders! You are no doubt already aware of +the important motive which summons you to our presence. Unless a speedy +remedy be applied, we are threatened with the loss of those territories +for which we have so long toiled, and which have been purchased with the +dearest blood in Spain. Again the noble patriotic fire which animates +you must be called forth, and the redoubled strength of your arms be +displayed against the enemies of our faith and native land. Scarcely had +you, by courage and perseverance, reduced this last strong hold of +Granada, and compelled the Moors to surrender the inheritance of our +forefathers, when the seeds of discontent were sown, and sprung into +open rebellion. Whatever may have been the complaints of the inhabitants +of the Albaycin, it was by calm remonstrance, and by applications to +our throne of justice, that they ought to have sought redress; not by +the force of arms, in which they have had but too many occasions to +acknowledge our superiority.--Our officers of justice have been +insulted, and one of them has been murdered in the discharge of his +duty. The prudent and active conduct of the Count de Tendilla succeeded +in putting down the first commotion, but the leaders of the outrage have +sought, in the wild passes of the Alpujarras, to conduct by stratagem a +war which they are not able to sustain against us in the field. Let us +then hasten to chastise their insolence before the evil gain ground. Not +that I entertain any doubts of success, but for the purpose of saving +the valuable lives which such procrastination might endanger. Amongst +the rebel chiefs, who appear to possess in the greatest degree the +confidence of their comrades, and most resolutely to defy our power, are +el Negro,[2] of Lanjaron, and el Feri de Benastepar. The former, +blockaded in the Castle of Lanjaron, will not long brave a siege; but +the latter is a more formidable enemy, and being well acquainted with +the innermost passes of those wild mountains, will offer a greater +resistance. Against this man, therefore, our chief efforts must be +directed." + +She then took a banner, on which was splendidly emblazoned the arms of +Castile and Arragon.--"To thee, Don Alonso de Aguilar," she said, "do we +intrust the chief command in this expedition, and to thy care and +keeping do we commit this precious gage, which thou must fix on the +summit of the Alpujarras." + +Saying this, she delivered the standard to the veteran warrior. He bowed +on receiving it, and the fire of enthusiasm kindled in his dark eyes as +he knelt, and kissed the hand of the donor; then waving the banner on +high, he exclaimed--"All that human efforts can achieve, will I do. My +Liege, from your hands Alonso de Aguilar receives this pledge of royal +favor, and he will not prove ungrateful for the noble distinction. Yes, +I will punish these accursed infidels, and this sacred standard shall +not be separated from me till it streams in triumph on the summit of the +mountain. Noble warriors," he continued with a burst of exultation--"if +this banner be lost, search for it in the midst of slaughtered +Moors--there you will find it, dyed in the blood, but still in the grasp +of Alonso de Aguilar." + +As he uttered these words, he again raised the banner on high, and the +surrounding chiefs sent forth, simultaneously, a shout of approbation. +Isabella then motioning with her hand to command attention, again +addressed the council.--"Listen further to our sovereign decree. From +this time let no one of our subjects hold communion or any intercourse +whatever with the rebels. The least infringement of this order shall be +accounted treason, and the transgressor shall be dealt with according to +the law. Let an edict be proclaimed, that no one may plead ignorance of +its purport." + +The chiefs now gradually withdrew; and Don Alonso having made his +obeisance, was likewise about to retire, when his royal mistress +detained him.--"Stay, Aguilar. It grieves me much that the marriage of +thy daughter should be thus deferred, nay, perhaps set aside, by the +unfortunate adventure of her lover with Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. How is +the wounded man?" + +"Most gracious Queen"--replied Don Alonso, "I have received intelligence +that he is even now considered almost out of danger. The issue of a few +days will determine, and then if the result be favorable, I may safely +welcome the return of Don Lope Gomez Arias." + +"As good a knight as Spain can boast"--returned the queen--"and +possessed of those accomplishments which insure the favor of our sex. +But I hear he has a failing, which, as a woman, I ought rather to call a +grievous fault. I am told he is of a very fickle character. Is not your +Leonor alarmed at the reported inconstancy of her future husband?" + +"Is she not the child of Aguilar?"--proudly cried the warrior--"And +where is the man that dared wrong one of that name?" + +"Nay," replied Isabella, in the most condescending tone and manner, "I +do not mean that Leonor will repent her choice when once made; she has +attractions to fix the most volatile and inconstant of men; and I +sincerely hope that Gomez Arias will have discernment sufficient to +appreciate them." + +"Don Lope is not so fickle as some have wished your Highness to +believe," observed Don Alonso. "Moreover, I use no compulsion; they love +each other well, and I only am concerned that their marriage should not +be celebrated before I march against el Feri de Benastepar. In the face +of danger I would then feel tranquil, from the consciousness that there +was one to protect my child, should aught happen to her father in this +hazardous expedition." + +"The daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar"--replied the queen--"can never +need one to supply her father's place whilst Isabella lives. She shall +remain constantly with me, and I shall be gratified to manifest by my +attention and kindness to Leonor, the high estimation in which I hold +her father. But how does it happen that you are not the _Mantenedor_ of +the lists in the games of to-morrow?" + +"One more capable than myself has already assumed the charge. Besides, I +can feel little interested with the display of a tournament, when we are +shortly to meet the enemy in mortal encounter. These sports suit well +with gay young cavaliers, but not with veterans like myself. Those +gallant knights have admiring ladies to look upon their prowess, and +reward their success. But my only ambition is to sustain the laurels +earned in bloody fray against the enemy of my country,--to gain the +approbation of that country, and the favor of its greatest ornament,--my +noble sovereign." + +The resolute and manly tone in which Don Alonso spoke, perfectly +accorded with the frankness and generosity of his character. He bent his +knee as he pressed to his lips the extended hand of his queen. + +"And well hast thou deserved that favor," she exclaimed, "my best, and +most faithful friend: thy country will pay with gratitude thy long +proved services. Go; prosper in thy brilliant career!" + +The remainder of the day was passed in preparations for the games of the +morrow. Gallant knights were busily engaged in preparing their +accoutrements, and examining their armour, whilst many a fair hand was +as anxiously occupied in ornamenting the devices, and arranging the +colours of the favored knight. The city was thronged with visitors, the +inhabitants of the adjacent country having been attracted by the fame of +the reported games, insomuch that Granada could not hold her numerous +guests. For more accommodation, numerous temporary tents had been +pitched along the smiling plain of the Vega. The voices of vacant joy +and revelry were heard on all sides, and the warriors and irregular +groups, moving along in all the recklessness of anticipated pleasure, +presented a gay and lively picture. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Cada uno dellos mientes tiene al so, + Abrazan los escudos delant los corazones: + Abaxan las lauzas abueltas con los pendones; + Enclinaban las caras sobre los arzones: + Batien los cavallos con los espolones, + Tembrar quierie la tierra dod eran movedores. + + _Poema del Cid._ + + +The morning arrived, and the entrances to the lists were thronged by the +inhabitants of Granada and their visitors; all anxious to witness a +display which it was expected would surpass in magnificence any thing of +the kind they had ever seen. A large piece of ground, perfectly level +and free from impediment, had been appropriately chosen without the +walls of the city, for the exhibition of the games of strength, valour, +and skill, and a temporary gallery had been constructed, extending on +either side to the extremity of the lists. At the end nearest the city, +was erected a temporary wooden fortress, painted in imitation of +stone-work, curiously fabricated, covered over with canvas, and capable +of containing a number of men-at-arms. On the front turret of this +castle streamed a large banner, on which was emblazoned a red cross +decorated with gold, being the arms of the order of Calatrava, of which +the _Mantenedor_[3] was the grand master. Other smaller banners were +placed around it, and they appertained to the four knights, who had +volunteered to support the _Mantenedor_, and who, in conjunction with +him, were bound to accept the challenge of all knights adventurers +disposed to encounter them. On each side of the castle were two tents, +before which were placed the pennon and shield of the knights to whom +they belonged, and at the entrance stood a squire, ready to meet the +demands of all comers. + +Directly facing the castle, at the other extremity of the lists, was +pitched a large and magnificent pavilion, ornamented with little +pennons, and numberless armorial devices curiously interwoven with gold +and silver thread on green silk brocade. Before it were artificially +grouped swords, lances, shields, and every description of armour, +emblematical of the intent to which the pavilion was appropriated, it +being set apart for the use of those knights who were willing to enter +the lists against the _Mantenedor_ and his assistants. About the middle +of the gallery on the right of the castle, a platform had been erected +for the accommodation of the queen and her retinue. It was covered with +scarlet cloth, and shaded by a rich canopy of purple brocade, on the top +of which were seen the royal and united arms of Arragon and Castile +shining in burnished gold. The whole of this platform was occupied by +the maids of honour, and other principal ladies, as well as the +noblemen and gentlemen of the court. In front of the place occupied by +the queen, were stationed the umpires of the tournament, whose duty it +was to decide the merits of the candidates, and award the prizes. Other +places on either side of the throne were allotted to the various +nobility and gentry of Granada, whilst the two extremities of this +gallery and the whole of the other were assigned to the public, without +any claim to precedence, but that of a priority of occupation. + +And now the ponderous bells of the cathedral filled the air with their +tolling; and immediately the bands of martial instruments within the +lists, struck up a glorious and enlivening strain, in signal of the +queen's approach. + +At length she made her appearance, surrounded by a numerous suite, and +heartily was she welcomed by the multitude, whose joy at the sight of +their beloved sovereign was equal to the anticipated pleasure of the +tournament. + +Isabella was sumptuously attired in a rich dress of crimson velvet, +ornamented with pearls. A delicate and costly scarf, of the finest lace, +was attached to the back part of her head, and covered with its graceful +folds her beautiful neck and shoulders. On this splendid scarf were +wrought in gold thread, lions and castles, and other insignia of the +arms of Spain. The queen wore likewise the crosses of the orders of +Santiago and Calatrava, richly studded with diamonds and precious gems +of immense value. + +The lists now offered a most dazzling and noble spectacle. On one side +was displayed all the splendour of the court, and the sparkling +jewellery, the costly attire, and the waving plumes indicated the spot +where the rank and beauty of Spain was assembled in all its glory and +magnificence. Indeed towards this part of the lists the attention was +more particularly directed, as in all courteous exhibitions of martial +prowess, the interest is chiefly centered in those objects, to win whose +smile lances are broken and helmets shivered.--Nor was the feeling of +enthusiasm on beholding this scene lessened by the appearance of the +opposite gallery, which, though more humble, nevertheless contributed, +by the variety and gaiety of their costume, together with the cheerful +animation expressed in their countenances, to the general effect of the +picture. Then the proud display of all the panoplies of the court; the +rich waving plumage of the crests; the lustre of the burnished shields +and polished armour, together with the neighing of the spirited charger +that caracolled the lists, and the warlike strains that at intervals +floated on the air, powerfully tended to strike the imagination and +inspire the heart to deeds of chivalry and arms. + +A flourish of trumpets and clarions now indicated that the tournament +was about to commence. In a few moments therefore the lists were +cleared, with the exception of the heralds, who, gorgeously equipped in +suits of crimson and gold, and attended by trumpeters, advanced to the +four corners of the lists to proclaim the challenge. It was couched in +the formula of chivalric language, which it would be superfluous here to +transcribe. The meaning, however, was, that the _Mantenedor_ and his +supporters, Don Manuel Ponce de Leon, the Alcayde de los Donceles, Count +Cifuentes, and Don Antonio de Leyva, invited all knights adventurers to +break lances, if they were hardy enough to dispute their right to the +lists. As soon as the challenge had been pronounced, the heralds retired +to their posts; when the trumpets sounded again, the gates of the castle +were thrown open, and the five challengers came forward. + +Nothing could surpass the richness of their harness, the splendour of +their armour, and the gallantry of their bearing. The grand master was +attired in a costly suit of steel, the corslet of which was entirely +burnished with silver, and the ornaments chased with the same precious +metal. Over this he wore a short mantle of white velvet, which was the +colour he had adopted. On his shield, upon a field argent, was portrayed +the red cross of Calatrava, which he also bore on his breast, and which +was surrounded with the following device--"_Por esta y por mi Rey._"[4] + +Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next fixed the attention of the spectators; his +armour was the same as the _Mantenedor_'s, excepting that the _ropa_[5] +which hung from his shoulder was crimson. On his ample buckler were +emblazoned the bars of the arms of Arragon, granted to his warlike +ancestors by the kings of that country; and likewise quartered thereon, +was a lion rampant, in field argent, a device which, tradition says, was +adopted by the famous Trojan, Hector, from whom the old French +chroniclers assert the Ponces de Leon to be descended. Beneath the arms +was legible in red letters the motto--"_Soy como mi nombre._"[6] + +The armour of the other knights was made to correspond with that of the +_Mantenedor_, the only distinguishing mark being the colour of the +_ropas_, and the different device which each bore upon his shield, +either as indicative of his feelings, or from the armorial bearings of +his family. The colour of the spirited chargers of these challengers was +snow white. Nothing could exceed the beauty of their proportions and the +splendour of their trappings. They beat the ground with short quick +tramp, and shook the white foam from their mouths, as they fretted at +the discipline by which their fiery ardour was restrained. They were +caparisoned with long housings of costly brocade, and ornamented with +gold or silver, according to the colour of the rider's dress, and their +manes and tails were decorated with knots of gay ribbons. + +The five challengers now advanced at a stately pace, till they arrived +before the queen, when, with a graceful and simultaneous motion, they +made their horses kneel down; and after saluting the courtly retinue +with their lances, they caracolled round the lists, as if to reconnoitre +their dominions. At last, after various martial evolutions, in which +they were accompanied by the animating strains of the music, they +proceeded to the middle of the lists--there they halted, and, throwing +down their gauntlets, retreated to the castle in the same order in which +they had advanced. The trumpets then sounded, and immediately there was +a rush of gallant knights, who pricked into the lists, all eager to take +up these tokens of defiance. So upon retiring, five of their number, who +had succeeded in securing the gage, came forward from the pavilion. The +champions wore fine Spanish shirts of mail, with a polished breast-plate +inlaid with gold, and their pliant barbs of raven black, seemed to have +been chosen to contrast with those of the challengers. The helmets of +the knights were almost hidden in a shadowing plumage of white and red +feathers. The chief of this gallant band declined giving his name, +though he was known to his four companions, who pledged themselves for +him. However, from the superior courage and address which the strange +knight afterwards displayed, it was generally believed that he could be +no other than the renowned Gonzalo de Cordova, who, from a pique in a +momentary fit of passion, had withdrawn from court, and lost the +friendship of the queen. The other four knights were easily +distinguished by their devices and colours. Amongst them, the most +conspicuous, appeared the young Don Pedro, son of Don Alonso de Aguilar. +He carried himself with a bearing far superior to his years, and +inspired a general interest, both on his own account and for that of his +illustrious sire. On his shield he bore a golden eagle, emblematical of +his name, flying towards heaven, and carrying in his claws a bleeding +Moor. Underneath was the motto-- + + "Le subiré hasta el cielo, + Porque dé mayor caida."[7] + +This shield belonged to Alonso de Aguilar himself, who was no less +pleased than surprised that his son should have chosen such a device for +the occasion. But every one applauded the young Don Pedro for that +unconquerable hatred towards the enemies of his country, which he had +inherited from his ancestors, and which engrossed their thoughts even in +pastimes and games. By the side of Don Pedro, rode Garcilaso de la Vega, +who was proud to bear the brazen shield which he had inherited from his +father, and upon which was displayed the bleeding head of a Moor, +hanging on a black charger's tail, and round which were the words--"_Ave +Maria_"--a device which the Garcilasos wore in commemoration of the +famous single combat which one of their house had sustained against the +fierce Moor Audala, who, with impious insolence, had interwoven the +sacred salutation to the virgin, in token of derision, in his horse's +tail. The two other champions were the Count de Ureña and young +Sayavedra, both equally renowned in that age of chivalry, brave and +gallant knights. + +They now proceeded to the castle, and after the ceremony of striking +twice the gong which was placed beside it, and selecting their tents, +they again retreated. The five challengers next presented themselves, +and a desperate encounter was anticipated. Indeed ten more valiant +knights were scarcely to be found in all Spain, and their acknowledged +skill promised a display of more than usual interest for the beholders. + +At the signal given, they rushed impetuously forward, yet such was their +perfection in horsemanship, and so well trained and disciplined were +their chargers, that they all arrived at the middle of the lists at the +same time, meeting in a shock, the abrupt and fearful clash of which +seemed as if it had been the effect of a single but awful concussion. +The lances were splintered to the very hilts, but the knights resumed +their places amidst the loud applause of the multitude. Again they +darted with the velocity of the wind, and again they met with the same +precision, but not with the same success; for in this encounter the +challengers were considered the victors--the two chiefs alone having +sustained no injury--their lances broke as before, but they remained +firm and erect in their saddle. Not so with the rest--for young Don +Pedro was not able to withstand the superior force of Ponce de Leon's +more manly age. Garcilaso was unhorsed by Don Antonio de Leyva, and the +two others sustained great inconvenience from the Alcayde and Count +Cifuentes. + +The shouts of the spectators, and the flourish of instruments, +proclaimed the victory of the _Mantenedor_ and his supporters, who +retired to the castle with their good fortune, ready to meet the demands +of all other adventurers. The chief of the vanquished party who had so +handsomely maintained his ground against the Maestre, now signified his +intention of encountering that champion singly; but in this he was +opposed by the marshals of the games, who declared that after the demand +of his challenge had been acceded to, he could not, according to the +rules, encounter again the same knight on that day. The matter was +referred to the judges, who decided against the stranger chief, and he +was accordingly obliged to desist from his purpose. + +Great was the joy of the _Mantenedor_ and his associates, who, having +vanquished the most formidable knights, proudly imagined that all who +might now appear, would afford an easy victory. Indeed this opinion +seemed generally to prevail, as for some time no one shewed himself in +the lists to dispute their supremacy. + +Don Pedro, vexed at heart, now mounted a strong charger--rode up to the +castle, and challenged the _Mantenedor_ himself. Don Alonso de Aguilar +saw the noble daring of his son at once with pleasure and dismay; for +although he was overjoyed to perceive him possessed of such undaunted +courage, he yet trembled for the consequences of his temerity. + +The gong sounded twice--the Maestre appeared, and was struck at the +presumption of the young adventurer.--They took their places--the +trumpets gave the signal--forward the champions started, and at the +first meeting displayed such an equality that the whole place rung with +acclamations. Indeed this was the most important encounter, and every +one waited its issue in breathless expectation--the ladies in +particular, always interested where youth dares against manhood, waved +their kerchiefs and scarfs to animate the young knight, whose heart in +sooth needed no such stimulus. In the second encounter, however, he was +not equally fortunate; for the _Mantenedor_, jealous of his fame, now +risked against a youth, stood more on his guard, and summoned all his +might and skill to his assistance.--Don Pedro was unable to withstand +the shock; the lance flew unharmed from his grasp, and he was compelled +to leave the field honorably, but still in possession of the +challengers. + +The castle now sent forth a blast of clarions, in sign of triumph and +defiance, whilst at the pavilion, no knight evinced any desire of +renewing the engagement. In this state of suspense, some time elapsed, +and the heralds, according to form, proceeded to summon the knights +adventurers, but no one appeared--again ten minutes elapsed, and a +second summons was pronounced, but again it met with no answer. The +triumph of the _Mantenedor_ now seemed certain, and the heralds were +about to utter the third and last proclamation, when, lo! a knight was +seen riding at full speed towards the lists, and, after thundering at +the barrier for admittance, without further ceremony, was directing his +course to the castle, when his career was arrested by the marshals, as +no one could pretend to enter the lists against the challengers, without +previously delivering his name and titles, or at least presenting a +known friend to vouch for his being a true and loyal knight. + +The incognito knight was accordingly obliged to give way; but making a +sign to the herald not to proceed to the third summons, he rode up to +Don Pedro and, taking him aside, conferred with him in secret. Young +Aguilar immediately advanced with visible surprise and pleasure, and +pledged himself for his new companion. This circumstance, no less than +the general appearance of the champion in question, commanded universal +interest and attention. He was completely accoutred in a blue steel +armour, over which he wore a short mantle of black velvet, sumptuously +adorned with gold. On his burnished helmet he wore a profusion of white +and sable feathers, and on his lance streamed a pennon of the same +colours. His breast was covered with a ponderous shield, bearing no +device, but the solitary motto--"_Conocelle por sus fechos._"[8] The +incognito knight brought with him neither squire nor page, and there was +an air of mystery about his person that tended considerably to heighten +the interest which his sudden appearance had already excited. + +He now rushed impetuously towards the castle, when the charger seemed to +be under no command, and the knight was apparently in peril of being +dashed to pieces;--a simultaneous cry of terror burst from the +surrounding multitude, when the incognito knight on the point of being +hurled against the wall of the castle, and at the distance of scarcely +two feet, suddenly reined up, and both he and his charger appeared +rooted to the ground. A burst of admiration now superseded the terror +which his precipitous career had occasioned, and every one was lost in +conjectures relating to the incognito knight. The noble arrogance of the +motto--"_Conocelle por sus fechos_," made them better appreciate the +feat he had just performed. He advanced to the gong, and sounded a +redoubled and protracted peal, and flourishing his lance in the face of +the castle and tents, indicated his willingness to do battle with all. +This daring act excited a second burst of applause, and the astonished +challengers appeared at the castle in a mood of mixed perplexity and +indignant pride. The incognito knight, however, vaulted on his charger, +and then retreated to await the pleasure of the _Mantenedor_; who, +according to rank, was the first to engage. The flourish of trumpets +acted as a signal, and the champions rushed against each other at full +speed; the shock was tremendous--the lances were shivered, and the +powerful chargers staggered with the violent concussion. The champions +taking new lances, prepared for a second encounter, when the horse of +the _Mantenedor_, either from sudden fright or other cause, swerved in +the middle of its career, and its master, being obliged to deviate from +his intended aim, would have offered an easy victory to his antagonist. +The knight, however, generously refused to take advantage of this +accident, and, making a demi-volte, returned to await the _Mantenedor_'s +leisure. But the latter, overcome by the courteous behaviour of his +adversary, declined a second encounter, and retired to the castle. + +Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next advanced, happy in the opportunity which +chance offered him of gathering the laurels, which his principal had +forgone. This knight, in the opinion of many, was the most formidable of +the five challengers--the repeated single combats in which he had +engaged against the Moors, and other feats of arms, having won for him +very great reputation. He came therefore into the lists, as if conscious +of his powers, and fully confident of success. In the first shock, +there was a slight advantage on his part, having succeeded in striking +his lance so forcibly, and directly on the breast-plate of his +adversary, that the incognito knight was observed somewhat to stagger; +while Don Manuel remained immoveable as a rock--however, as no decided +advantage could be claimed, the two champions prepared to renew the +engagement. Again the swift-footed steeds fly over the lists, and again +the combatants meet with a terrific clash. It proved unfortunate for +Ponce de Leon, who was dealt such a severe blow, that had it not been +for the extreme goodness of his armour, the queen would have lost one of +her most gallant warriors. As it was, the saddle girths broke, and the +horse, unable to withstand the shock, staggered backward--tottered, and +rolled over, throwing his rider, with a tremendous fall, into the middle +of the lists. Ponce de Leon with difficulty arose, having received a +sore contusion, and was assisted back to the castle, from whence the +Alcayde de los Donceles soon issued forth, intent upon revenging the +disgrace of his companion. He offered, however, a faint resistance; for +the incognito knight, at every encounter, appeared to acquire new +strength. The opposition afforded by Count de Cifuentes was still +weaker; the unfortunate knight being fairly unhorsed in such a manner, +that he seemed for a moment to be carried on the point of his +antagonist's lance to the ground. The shouts of the spectators, and the +peal of instruments redoubled at every new proof of strength and skill +thus manifested, and the triumph of the incognito knight was hailed as +certain. He had now only to meet the youngest; and, to the opinion of +all, the least renowned of the challengers. Young Don Antonio de Leyva, +however, by the martial and undaunted manner in which he came forward, +showed that he was in no ways intimidated by the repeated and +extraordinary good fortune of the doughty champion. + +The trumpets sounded--the lances are couched--the horses started--the +silence is intense--when, with one fearful resounding clash, the +knights meet--the charm is broken, and all is converted into an uproar +of wonder and delight.--The champions, though so unequal in all +appearances, now proved to be fairly matched--both lances descended from +the air in splinters, and the tremendous shock which the combatants had +sustained, appeared to produce no other effect than to check their +steeds in their impetuous course. The knights soon recovered and +regained their stations.--Again the signal is heard--and again they +speed with the swiftness of the arrow--the lances break, and both the +horses recede with the violent shock.--Surprise and delight agitate the +bosom of the spectators.--Hope inspires the drooping spirits of the +_Mantenedor_ and those of the castle.--Disappointment and vexation rage +in the heart of the incognito knight. He made a movement of impatient +anger, as he grasped firmly the lance which was now presented to him, +and poised it as if to ascertain its consistency; then, making a circuit +with his steed, he appeared resolved to put a termination to the hopes +of his adversary in the present encounter.--With a desperate start he +rushed headlong against his opponent, who, aware of the furious attack +he was about to sustain, collected all his might to meet it with a +suitable resistance.--The incognito knight inclined himself more forward +on his horse, and turned his aim full at the breast of his antagonist, +while Don Antonio, who perceived his intention, resolved to direct his +lance towards his adversary's head, which, though a difficult +manoeuvre, would, if successful, insure the advantage.--The incognito +knight, however, broke the tendency of the blow by suddenly inclining +his head forward, while the anger that boiled within his bosom, so +powerfully seconded his efforts, that the gallant Don Antonio fell, +bearing, however, his adversary backwards on his seat, and carrying +away, on the point of his lance, the plumage that adorned his casque. + +The victory was now completed, and the whole place resounded with shouts +of admiration. The incognito knight having thus vanquished the +champions, for some time gallantly paraded the lists, making his +obedient and tutored steed perform several graceful evolutions. Then +suddenly advancing before the throne of the queen, he lowered the point +of his lance and made his charger to kneel. Passing onwards to Leonor de +Aguilar, he again made the graceful salute, whilst a shower of +many-colored ribbons, white and highly-scented gloves, flowers, and +other favors, fell profusely from fair hands--a due tribute to bravery +and skill. Having performed this mark of courtesy, without waiting to +receive the guerdon he had so well merited, he applied spurs to his +horse and was soon lost to the sight of the delighted and admiring +multitude. + +The incognito knight became the subject of general speculation--he had +overcome five champions to whom the court of Isabella could afford no +equals--only one man perhaps might be capable of such valorous +achievements, but he was now an exile whom the law pursued, and whose +appearance in the lists would be attended with danger. Still the +extraordinary prowess of the knight, and the circumstance of Don Pedro +coming forward to answer for him when he entered the lists, left no room +to doubt that he was that illustrious exile. Indeed the significant +smile which the queen directed to Alonso de Aguilar, when the champion +saluted his daughter, and the blush that mantled on the cheek of that +lady implied a perfect recognition of her lover. + +His absence from the lists gave the judges an opportunity of awarding +the principal prize to Don Antonio de Leyva, by whom, according to their +own, as well as the general opinion, it was more justly merited. The +different bands now struck up a martial air; the queen departed with her +numerous and splendid train, and every one retired from the lists, +perfectly satisfied with the sports of the day, to spend the remainder +of it in feasting and discussing the various merits of the knights who +had afforded them so much pleasure. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Poi la Vittoria da quel canto stia, + Che vorra la divina providenza: + Il cavalier non havrà colpa alcuna, + Ma il tutto impulterassi à la fortuna. + + _Ariosto._ + + +The following morning shone equally bright as the preceding, and the +expectations of the public were equally sanguine. The same pomp and +ceremony presided in the court; the same precision and gallant +deportment was observable in the knights, the heralds, and all other +persons connected with the sports. + +As these, however, as far as concerned the tournament, were but a +repetition of the antecedent day, and more to be enjoyed by being an +active witness than a passive reader of them, we will not dwell on the +subject further than to observe, that those of the castle sustained the +challenge most gallantly. Although many were the fresh arrivals of +adventurers who fearlessly advanced to engage the _Mantenedor_ and his +comrades, none were sufficiently accomplished to bear away the palm. +Indeed, the incognito knight, the most redoubtable of all the +combatants, either from fear of discovery, or from some secret +injunction, had abstained from making a second appearance in the lists. + +The signal was now given, and the heralds proclaimed that the games of +valour and strength were ended, and those of skill about to commence. + +An interval of two hours was employed in clearing the lists, and +preparing the ground for the _juego de la sortija_,[9] which was +peculiarly gratifying to the queen. This intermediate time was devoted +by the assembled and motley crowd, to the rational, and provident +purpose of a substantial repast. + +A tall and slight pine tree, beautifully decorated with ribbons, was +placed in the ground, and a gold ring of proportion suitable to the +occasion, suspended on one of the projecting branches, under which the +candidates were to pass at full career. The queen herself resolved to +reward the victor with her own royal hand. Her portrait, superbly set in +sparkling jewellery, and hanging on a ponderous gold chain of curious +workmanship, was suspended by her side--a meet reward for the successful +competitor. The nature of the guerdon, the quality of the bestower, and +the circumstance that there was but one prize to be obtained, greatly +stimulated the emulation of every knight to deserve an honor the more +desirable from its admitting of no participation. + +_Chirimias_, _dulzainas_,[10] and other musical instruments which are +now grown obsolete, but which in those days were in high request, now +filled the air with harmony, while the attention of the gay and motley +concourse was arrested by the sudden arrival of heralds on horseback, +gorgeously apparelled, and preceded by black slaves playing on the +cymbals. These paraded the lists for a short time, and then retiring to +their posts, gave way to beautiful pages, mounted on elegant palfreys, +and attired in costly silken dresses of light blue, bedizened with +ribbons, and bearing a turban of crimson velvet with white feathers. +These pages carried before them the light and slender lances +appropriated for the games, and having deposited them near the queen, +they retired and took their stations opposite to the troop of heralds +and black musicians. + +The attention of the public was then simultaneously attracted to the +four corners of the lists, from whence four quadrilles of equestrians +proceeded, all vieing with each other in the richness of their dresses, +the splendor of ornaments, and the gaiety of their bearing. These +quadrilles were distinguished by the different colours which they wore, +and out of each were selected three champions to dispute the prize. At +the signal given, they started severally according to the order of +precedence, which had been obtained by casting lots, and in the first +course seven candidates passed their lances clearly through the ring, +carrying it along in their headlong career. + +The music sounded a flourish, and the seven competitors underwent +another trial, in which only two were successful--young Garcilaso, and +Antonio de Leyva. The contest was now to be divided by the two, and pink +and green were the colours that contended for the victory; accordingly +their quadrilles, as well as the spectators of both sexes who had +adopted those colours, awaited the result of the contest, with anxious +suspense. Garcilaso now made a graceful curvet, and spring at once with +the celerity of an arrow, in the middle of his precipitous career he +extended his lance with perfect ease and dexterity, and again carried +away the ring. Don Antonio next advanced; and having indulged for a +short space in several feats of horsemanship, he sped towards the +honored tree on which was suspended victory or defeat. His horsemanship +was so perfect that, excepting the feather on his head which streamed +before the wind, all appeared like the figure of a centaur, flying +meteor-like along the plain. His lance, however, missed the middle of +the ring, and touching one of its edges, such was the rapidity of Don +Antonio's motion that the ring sprung high in the air, when the +dexterous cavalier, to the admiration of the surrounding multitude, +turned short, and before the ring had time to fall, he caught it fairly +with his lance. This extraordinary feat excited universal applause, and +some even vociferated that Don Antonio was deservedly entitled to the +prize. However, as Garcilaso had likewise succeeded in carrying away the +ring, the candidates were obliged to refer to another trial, which was +decided in favor of young de Leyva, who was immediately escorted by the +triumphant party to receive the reward amidst the exhilarating strains +of the music, and the acclamation of the vast concourse. + +As soon as the victorious cavalcade arrived near the queen, Don Antonio +and the chief of the quadrille vaulted nimbly from their horses, when +the conqueror knelt at the feet of his gracious sovereign, who, with a +condescending smile, threw the portrait round his neck. + +"Wear this," she then said, "in commemoration of thy skill, and the +regard of Isabella. Remember that this gift is a gage of my royal word +to accord to the bearer any boon he may have to demand. Upon the +presentation of this token it shall be granted. My royal word is +passed." + +Don Antonio humbly kissed the hand of his queen, and mingling again with +his party, they paraded the place in ceremonial triumph, previous to +their departure. The feats of De Leyva, both in the tourney and the game +of the ring, had secured for him the admiration of all the spectators, +and more particularly amongst the fairer part. Many were the glances +bestowed upon him by sparkling eyes and many a gentle bosom beat high +with emotion as he inclined towards them his handsome figure in graceful +salutations.--Even the proud Leonor could not entirely conceal the +inward satisfaction she felt at the triumph of the young Don Antonio; +for, notwithstanding her efforts, she could but ill disguise a latent +feeling of interest and delight. Certainly it was not love; for, +according to general opinion, she had irretrievably fixed her affections +on another object. But yet she was in that state of mind which is more +easily felt than described; a state too glowing to be called mere +friendship--too cold to be denominated love; it was something between +both--a tender sentiment of regard towards one whom she was taught to +consider her inferior in point of rank and fortune. + +Leonor de Aguilar had inherited from her warlike father that pride and +loftiness of spirit which in some measure spurned the softer sensations +of the heart. She scarcely believed in the existence of unbounded, +unconquerable passion; her ideas were too much engrossed in the dazzling +visions of glory and fame to descend to a minute analysis of the various +gradations of tenderness, and the progressive workings of love.--She +seemed to sympathize more with the lofty feelings of her father, than +with those of her woman's heart. She had implicitly trusted to him the +care of her happiness, and upon his slightest intimation she had +consented to receive Gomez Arias as her future husband, and he had too +many brilliant qualities not to meet with her approbation. + +Gomez Arias possessed in an eminent degree great military talents, and +an unbounded desire of glory and renown,--qualities which, in the +opinion of Leonor, were paramount to every other consideration. +Accordingly, she loved him, as she thought, in a manner worthy of the +daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +In this state of mind she awaited the marriage, which had only been +retarded by the untoward accident which had unhappily brought the life +of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes into mortal jeopardy. + +Meantime the extraordinary valour and address which Gomez Arias had +displayed in the tournament (for Leonor felt conscious that the +incognito knight could be no other), tended considerably to increase her +admiration for him, and to enhance her desire of uniting her fortunes to +those of a man so well calculated to merit by his services the +approbation of his country. + +The games being over, various chiefs, such as the Alcayde de los +Donceles, Count Cifuentes, and others of equal merit, departed with the +forces under their command, to act against the rebels, now daily +increasing both in number and strength. + +Meantime Don Alonso de Aguilar, on whom devolved the most dangerous part +of the enterprize, that of penetrating into the heart of those terrible +mountains of the Alpujarras, felt scarcely satisfied with his detention +at Granada, as he considered every moment spent in inactivity as lost to +glory and renown. + +Great, therefore, was his satisfaction when he communicated to his +daughter the perfect recovery of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. Nothing now +could prevent the immediate appearance of Gomez Arias at Granada, for +the celebration of the nuptials, or throw any impediment on Don Alonso's +departure against the rebel Moors. Intelligence, therefore, was sent to +Don Lope, who lay concealed at Guadix, that he might repair with the +utmost expedition to Granada,--an invitation which Aguilar entertained +no doubt would be most anxiously welcomed by that cavalier. Under this +impression Don Alonso now turned his thoughts solely to the object that +was ever in his mind, and engrossed his every sentiment. Two or three +days more and he would be marching against the enemies of his country, +and adding new laurels to the flourishing branches that already graced +his glorious name. + +Meantime his daughter Leonor evinced an equal anxiety for the return of +her lover, not so much for any selfish gratification of feeling as for +the more noble ambition of claiming the prerogative to call by the +endearing names of father and husband, the two first warriors of the +land. + +Thus impressed, both father and daughter awaited with impatience the +following day, which, beyond the possibility of doubt, was to bring +Gomez Arias to the city. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + _Sterling._ True, True; and since you only transfer from one + girl to another, it is no more than transferring so much stock, + you know. + + _Sir John._ The very thing. + + _Sterling._ Odso! I had quite forgot. We are reckoning + without our host here. + + _Clandestine Marriage._ + + +"What is to be the wonder now?" asked Gomez Arias, as he observed his +valet and confidant, Roque, approaching, with an unusual expression of +gravity upon his countenance, such indeed as was seldom discernible in +the features of the merry buffoon. + +"What is it you want?" + +"I wish to leave your service, Señor." + +"Leave my service! Surely, Roque, you are not tired of so indulgent a +master?" + +"Yes, Sir," answered Roque, "I am; and what is more, I have been so +these three years--may I speak out?" + +"Why," said Don Lope, "you never till now asked leave to be +impertinent--but let me hear your complaints." + +"In the first place you are not rich--a grievous fault." + +"How can I help that?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Señor, you could have helped it once; but that is passed. Then you +play----" + +"Here's the devil preaching morality," exclaimed his master, with a +laugh. "Oh! most conscientious Roque, what are thine objections to this +amusement?" + +"To the amusement in itself, none; I am only discontented with the +consequences. If you gain, you very composedly enjoy the whole fruits of +your success; if, on the contrary, you lose, I get more than a +reasonable share of your ill-humours, with which you most liberally +indulge me. Now, Don Lope, I should like fair play, if play you will; +to feel a little more the effect of the first, and not quite so much of +the second." + +"Thou art a pleasant sort of a fool, Roque," said Gomez Arias, as he +leisurely twirled round his curling jet-black mustachios, and with much +complacency eyed his fine figure in a mirror. + +"Thank you, Sir," replied the valet, with a low bow; "but be pleased to +consider, that the good opinion you entertain of my talents is +unfortunately no adequate compensation for the privations and numberless +perils which I undergo in your service. To continue, then, the list +of----" + +"My faults!" interrupted his master. + +"I only say of my complaints," returned the valet: "next to your being a +gamester, what I most deprecate is, your military profession, and the +fame which you have acquired by your bravery." + +"Good heavens!" cried Gomez Arias, "why thou art precisely complaining +of the qualities that most become a gentleman." + +"But I am no gentleman," pertinently observed Roque; "and I cannot +imagine why I should be exposed to the dangers attendant on heroes, +without likewise reaping their rewards." + +"I glory in being a soldier," exclaimed Don Lope, a sudden burst of +martial enthusiasm glowing on his manly countenance.--"Yes, I have laid +low many of the enemies of my country; and before I die I hope often to +try my good sword against those accursed and rebellious Moors of the +Alpujarras." + +"All that is very fine, certainly," said Roque; "but do you know, Señor, +that I do not consider the country so much indebted to you, as no doubt +you most complacently imagine." + +"What!" cried the cavalier, with looks of displeasure. + +"Pray be temperate, Don Lope; I do not mean to offend. You have +unquestionably done great services to Spain, by ridding her of many an +unbelieving Moor; but reflect, Sir, that your sword has not been less +fatal to Christian blood. In battle you hew down infidels to your +soul's content, and in the intervals of peace, to keep you in practice, +I suppose, you take no less care to send the bravest of her majesty's +warriors to the grave. Now put this in the balance, and let us consider +whether the country does not suffer more by your duels in peace, than +she actually gains by your courage in war. But now comes the most +terrible of all your peccadilloes--of all my complaints, I mean." + +"And which is that, pray?" + +"The invincible propensity you have for intrigue, and the no less +unfortunate attendant upon it--inconstancy." + +"Inconstancy!" exclaimed Gomez Arias. "How should it be otherwise? +Inconstancy is the very soul of love." + +"I will not attempt to argue that point with so great an adept; my +remonstrances are merely limited to the results, and I can truly aver +that my life in time of peace is, if possible, more miserable than in +war; for what with carrying love-letters, bribing servants, attending +serenades, watching the movements of venerable fathers, morose duennas, +and fierce-looking brothers, I cannot enjoy a moment's rest." + +"Why, 'tis true," said Don Lope, "my life is solely devoted to love and +war." + +"I rather think it a continual war," retorted the valet. "It may be much +to your taste, Sir, but I, that am neither of so amorous a temperament, +nor of so warlike a disposition, cannot enjoy the amusement so well. +Instead of passing the nights quietly in bed, as good Christians should +do, we employ them in parading the silent streets, putting in +requisition all the established signals of love, and singing amorous +songs to the tender cadences of the love-inspiring guitar. Even this I +might endure with Christian resignation, were it not for the +disagreeable results which generally terminate our laudable occupations. +It often happens that whilst you are dying with love, and I with fear +and apprehension, we meet with persons who unfortunately are not such +decided amateurs of music. Some surly ill-disposed brother, or +unsuccessful lover of the beauty, is invariably sure to come and +disturb our harmony; then discord begins--swords are drawn--women +scream--alguazils pounce upon us, and thus the sport goes on, till one +of the _galanes_[11] is dead or wounded, or till the alguazils are so +strong as to render a prudent retreat advisable. Then by some ill +fortune I am sure to be collared by the brother or the alguazils in +question, and without further ceremony, by way of remunerating merit and +encouraging a servant for faithfully serving his master, I am +entertained with sundry hearty cudgellings, liberally bestowed on my +miserable hide. When they have not left a single sound bone in my skin, +they kindly permit me to go, telling me, for consolation, to thank my +stars, and that another time I shall not escape so easily. With this +pleasing assurance, I creep home as well as I can, and then my humane +and grateful master, by way of sympathising with the misfortunes I +suffer on his account, fiercely demands--'Roque! where have you been +loitering, Sir?' Calls me a most negligent rascal, and other names +equally gratifying, and upon the recital of my tragical adventure, very +coolly, and as he thinks very justly, observes--'It serves you +right--'tis all your fault--why did you not watch better?'" + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "you have told me the same story over and +over again, and I do not see the necessity of your repeating it now." + +"I beg your pardon, Don Lope Gomez Arias," responded the valet, with +most ludicrous solemnity, "but I am firmly resolved to quit your service +in good earnest; for I perceive you are bent on getting into new +difficulties, and I feel no inclination to go in search of fresh +adventures. Lately you suddenly disappeared on some mysterious +expedition, and I am sure you have been to Granada, to be a candidate in +the tournament, notwithstanding the perilous nature of such an +undertaking; for had you been discovered!----" + +"Enough, Roque--that danger is past." + +"Very well, Sir; but there are a thousand others that are not. Will you +be pleased to reply to a few questions?" + +Gomez Arias, to spare any superfluous expenditure of words, nodded +assent. + +"How long is it since we left Granada?"--asked the valet. + +"Two months or so," replied his master. + +"We quitted that city," proceeded Roque, "in consequence of the mortal +wounds you inflicted on Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, your rival in the +affections of Leonor de Aguilar." + +"True." + +"We sought a refuge here in Guadix, to lie concealed until the storm +blow over." + +"Right." + +"And you are now creditably employed in gaining the affections of a +young and innocent girl, who knows no more of you than she does of his +holiness the pope." + +"Well?" + +"I don't suppose you intend to marry both these ladies?" + +"Certainly not." + +"Then it puzzles me to decide how you can reconcile these matters; and +as I foresee that mischief is likely to ensue, you must excuse me if I +prudently think of withdrawing before the evil is unavoidable. If +fortunately both or even one of your mistresses were a plebeian beauty, +I might be persuaded to hush my apprehensions, but as it is I cannot; +two ladies of rank are concerned." + +Thus far had Roque proceeded in his eloquent and moral remonstrance, +when Gomez Arias turned round, took up a cane that lay near him, and +walking very deliberately to his valet with the most perfect +composure--"Now, Roque," he said, "you must allow I have listened very +attentively to your prosing. I have had quite enough of your nonsense +for this morning, so I beg you to close your arguments, unless you +really wish that I should honor them with a most unanswerable reply." + +Here to illustrate his meaning, he very expressively shook the cane, and +Roque as prudently retreated; for he knew his master strictly adhered to +his word on occasions of this nature. + +"With respect to your quitting my service," continued Don Lope, "I have +no sort of objection, provided that when you part with me, you are +likewise disposed to part with your ears, for I have taken such a fancy +to you, my dear Roque, that I cannot possibly allow you to quit me, +without leaving me behind a token of remembrance. And now," he added in +a more serious tone, "withdraw immediately, and mind your business." + +Roque made an humble bow and retired. Gomez Arias in this instance, as +well as in many others, took advantage of that uncontrollable authority +which strong minds generally assume over their inferiors. The valet had +indeed resolved several times to leave his master, for it happened that +this same Roque had no particular relish for canings, and other favors +of the kind which were liberally administered to him, as a remuneration +for his master's achievements. Moreover, he had the nicest sense of +justice, and he could not but feel the shocking impropriety of accepting +a reward that was unquestionably due to his superiors. Indeed, it is but +fair to add, he never acquiesced in the obligation, until it was +actually forced upon him. + +Roque was moreover blessed with a conscience--that sort of prudential +conscience which must be considered as a most valuable acquisition. He +certainly was not so unreasonable as to expect a spirited nobleman to +lead the life of a sequestered monk, nor could he object to his master's +intrigues, but he nevertheless found it extremely objectionable that +these should not be kept within the bounds of common prudence. Now, +could Gomez Arias have limited his gallantries to the seduction of +farmers' daughters, or debauching trademen's wives, Roque would most +implicitly have approved of the practice, inasmuch as in this case, his +master would only be asserting a sort of hereditary right attached to +those of his class. But to be deceiving two ladies of distinction was +really too much for the delicate feelings of the conscientious menial. + +Again, Roque could not urge anything against the courage of his master; +he only objected to the effects of its superabundance; for this +superabundance, together with Don Lope's unusually amorous disposition, +were constantly in opposition with the nicety of Roque's conscience, by +reason of the difficulties they gave rise to, in the fulfilment of the +natural law of self-preservation. + +It is an averred fact that Roque never wilfully put himself in the way +of infringing so rational a precept, and most fortunately he was endowed +with a quality highly favorable to the observance thereof. A quality +which other individuals not blessed with the same scruples, would +denominate cowardice. + +This is not all: the valet was far from being of a romantic turn of +mind; he evinced no taste whatever for moonlit scenery, and nocturnal +adventure; and he was vulgar enough to prefer the gross advantages of a +sound slumber to all the sentimental beauties of the silvered moon and +its appendages. + +These considerations dwelt strongly on the mind of Roque, and he had +accordingly several times resolved to quit his master, but such was the +dominion which Gomez Arias held over him, that the valet's resolutions +fell to the ground, whenever he attempted to put them in practice. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Ma chi'l vede e non l'ama? + Ardito umano cor, nobil fierezza, + Sublime ingegno--Ah! perchè tal ti fero + Natura e il cielo? + + _Alfieri._ + + The bloom of op'ning flowers, unsullied beauty, + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + _Rowe._ + + +Don Lope Gomez Arias was a man whose will had seldom been checked, and +he placed the most unbounded confidence in the magnitude of his +resources, physical and intellectual. Nature had indeed been lavished in +conferring on this individual her choicest favors. To the most undaunted +courage and quickness of resolve, he united the greatest powers of mind, +and brilliancy of talent, but he was unfortunately divested of those +genuine feelings of the heart, which alone can render these qualities +desirable. + +His courage, talents, and abilities, had rendered him an object of +dread, not only to the enemies of his country, but to the rivals of his +love or ambition. By the men he was generally disliked, feared or +envied. Unfortunately the softer sex entertained for him far different +sentiments.--Alas! they could not discover the void within his heart, +through the dazzling splendour of his outward form, and habitual +allurements of manner. Many had already been the victims of his seducing +arts; were they to blame?--perhaps they were only to be pitied. He +possessed every resource that professed libertines employ, to inveigle +the affections of the innocent maiden, or attract the admiration of the +more experienced woman. Besides his courage and resolution--qualities as +much more prized by females, as they seldom fall to their share, Gomez +Arias was engaging in his deportment and without any alloy of servility +in his address; indeed he seemed rather to command attention, than to +court it, and the general expression of his features was that of pride, +tempered with the polish of gentlemanly bearing. + +In his personal appearance he was remarkably handsome, being of tall and +majestic stature, to which his finely turned limbs were in strict +proportion. There was an intelligence in the piercing glance of his dark +eye, and a smile of mixed gaiety and satire sat habitually upon his lip. +To his other attractions he added a set of regular though somewhat large +features, which were shaded by a profusion of black glossy curls, and +the superb mustachios and _pera_[12] that clothed his upper lip and +chin. + +Such was the principal hero of this tale. Spite of all the resources of +his mind, Gomez Arias found himself at the present moment involved in +deep perplexity, and much at a loss how to extricate himself therefrom. +He had received a letter from Don Alonso de Aguilar, father of his +future bride, announcing the perfect recovery of his rival, Don Rodrigo, +and urging a speedy return to Granada. But, unluckily, Gomez Arias felt +in no hurry to return. Certainly, Granada was at the time particularly +interesting, and far preferable to Guadix. Again, the beauty of Leonor +was unrivalled at court--a great consideration to Don Lope. She was rich +and of the first rank--greater consideration still; and bearing in mind +the influence that her father, the celebrated Aguilar, enjoyed with the +queen, a marriage with his daughter would open the road to the highest +preferment, and yet our hero felt loath to return to Granada. The +blooming Theodora de Monteblanco was then the reigning idol of the +moment. She had fixed for a time his errant heart, and it was now that +Don Lope perceived the great inconveniency of the unity of man; and +certainly a lover of his description ought to be duplex for the +opportunity of satisfying both duty and inclination. + +In this state of irresolution Gomez Arias remained for some time. His +sacred engagement to Leonor, and the brilliant dreams of ambition that +sported before his fancy, could not all chase away the image of +Theodora; for in this lovely girl he found all the perfections of his +former mistresses, with an absolute exemption from their foibles. + +Theodora, at the tender age of seventeen, exhibited already the matured +charms of a form voluptuously beautiful, blended with the delightful +innocence of manner characteristic of that early stage of life, when the +heart is yet unacquainted with guile, and unpractised in the deceits of +the world. Her complexion was of a delicate white, without any other +colour than that which occasionally mantled upon her cheek when called +forth by the sensibility of her feelings, or diffused by the influence +of some passing emotion. So lovely and yet so pensive was her +countenance that but for the rapturous expression of her large dark +eyes, partially revealed through their long silken fringes, and the +profusion of sable ringlets which floated with unrestrained luxuriance +over her exquisitely turned neck and shoulders, you might have thought +that she had been a master-piece of some divine sculptor, who had +successfully imitated, in the purest alabaster, the fairest work of +nature. + +Theodora loved Gomez Arias with all the enthusiasm of a romantic girl's +first love. She felt the most ardent attachment, and could not,--would +not conceal it from the object of her adoration. She loved him with the +genuine simplicity of a heart incapable of deceit; and, unpractised in +the school of worldly prudence, unacquainted with the arts to which more +experienced women resort for the purpose of enhancing their own charms, +or fixing more firmly the affections of men, she had surrendered her +whole soul to her lover with the most confiding innocence, and an +implicit reliance on his unbounded return to her tenderness. + +This complete devotedness flattered the vanity of Gomez Arias. He beheld +an angelic girl who centered all her happiness in his love, and in the +ardour of her feelings was incapable of admitting the least alloy of +cold calculating precaution. He was charmed with a character cast in the +mould of nature, untutored yet by art, and, as amongst his former +mistresses he had never met with one so entirely devoted, he returned +her love with the warmest admiration. + +Gomez Arias was fondly indulging in these pleasing reveries, when his +man, Roque, suddenly burst upon him with a look full of information. + +"Well, Sirrah!" cried Don Lope, "what means this intrusion?--Do you +still stick to the wise determination of quitting my service? Are you +willing to comply with the conditions?" + +"No, Señor," answered Roque, with conscious importance; "I come loaded +with fresh proofs of my inclination to serve you." + +"Upon my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "thou art marvellously +complaisant, friend--thou hast seen the duenna, I suppose?" + +"Yes, Sir, and I have seen some one else, besides." + +"Let us hear first of the duenna." + +"We must go to night--her master is engaged with a guest from Granada. I +saw them leave the house myself." + +Gomez Arias lost no time in preparing for the interview; and as night +was now coming on, he girded on his sword, and, flinging his cloak +carelessly round him, sallied out accompanied by his valet, on his +nocturnal expedition. + +"Art thou sure, good Roque," he demanded, "that you really saw the old +gentleman leave his mansion?" + +"Quite sure, Don Lope--my eyes seldom deceive me; indeed I feel +perfectly satisfied with their capability. Never was there a more trusty +pair, in descrying afar off a father, or brother, or any other kind of +unwelcome intruder upon moonlight meetings. Argus, they say, had a +hundred eyes, and yet was found at fault, whereas I have only two +and----" + +"They are sometimes as watchful," interrupted Don Lope. + +"Seldom," replied Roque--"and when they unfortunately deceive me, I +sorely feel for the deception. I am a man of very tender feelings." + +"Argus," observed his master, "was punished for his negligence, and it +is meet thou shouldst experience the same treatment, under similar +circumstances." + +"Aye," quoth Roque, "he was changed into a peacock--I wonder into what +animal I shall be changed, since this sort of transformation is the +retribution attendant on negligent scouts--I think the character of a +jackal would suit me best, for I certainly lead the lion to his prey. +But now, Sir, leaving jesting aside, I have a little piece of serious +information for your ear. Do you know whom I saw in close converse with +Don Manuel de Monteblanco when he left his house?" + +"No, nor do I care." + +"Don't you, indeed?--Well, it is very fortunate, for it happened to be +no other than your rival, Don Rodrigo." + +"Now, Roque," cried his master jocosely, "here's a convincing proof of +the failure of thy boasted eye-sight." + +"Why I really thought so at first myself, and I made the sign of the +cross accordingly, but I soon perceived it was no delusion. Now it would +be pleasant, should this same Don Rodrigo come upon an expedition +similar to yours--it would seem as tho' the man was born on purpose to +thwart you." + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, with a smile--"and it would seem also that +I am born to chastise his insolence." + +To this, Roque made some foolish reply; for in his capacity of +_gracioso_,[13] he freely availed himself of the privilege allowed him +of giving utterance to every thing that came into his head, whether to +the purpose or not. + +They proceeded with hasty steps towards the mansion of +Monteblanco;--already they reach the spot, and the moon that sheds a +partial gleam over yonder _reja_,[14] developes to the sight the outline +of a female form. Gomez Arias approaches, and his penetrating glance +discerns through the darkness the figure of his Theodora--her face is +decked in placid smiles, and her frame evinces the soft flutterings of +an anxious heart. The bolt of the entrance gently creeks, and the harsh +sound thrills like the strain of heavenly music to the lover's throbbing +breast--the door opens at length, and a comely matron far stricken in +years welcomes the cavalier. Don Lope is not backward in his advances; a +smile of grateful recognition plays upon his lip. He then seizes the +good duenna's hand, and presses it in kind acknowledgment. + +The trusty Martha showed in her dress and manner, all the outward signs +of her state and condition. An imperturbable gravity sat upon those +harsh features which were never known to relax into a smile, and in +whose expression predominated a mixture of religious asperity and pride, +vainly disguised under the cloak of humility. However, Martha was far +from practising the rigid austerities her whole appearance seemed to +indicate. She only assumed this outward demeanor, in the same manner +that a dastard mimics courage, the better to conceal his cowardice. + +Martha was dressed in an ample habit of black woollen cloth, girded her +waist with the band of a monkish order, to which was suspended a rosary +of huge black counters. A cap of the whitest linen adorned her head, and +in all the rigour of female modesty, every part of her neck up to the +chin was carefully concealed by a kerchief of the same material. + +Gomez Arias rushes forwards, and the next moment finds him at the feet +of his mistress. Theodora is happy in the Elysium of love; a thousand +tender emotions swell that fond bosom, where an ardent flame burns under +the cover of pure snow.--As she gazes on Gomez Arias her melting eye is +lighted up with unusual fire, and her whole frame appears gently +agitated with a delicious tremor. The smile that quivers on her lip +feelingly responds to the ardent glance of her passionate admirer, and +the sudden rush of crimson that overspreads her lily cheek bespeaks the +thrilling transports of genuine love in the first stages of youthful +innocence and delight. Don Lope takes her soft yielding hand, and +tenderly presses it to his bosom, he gazes fervently on her countenance; +in sweet intoxication he inhales her youthful breath. Caressingly his +arm encircles her sylphic waist. She gently inclines her head towards +him, and both seemed overshadowed by the long beautiful tresses which +float in wild luxuriance. From Don Lope's flashing eye the innocent +Theodora drinks large draughts of sweet but deadly poison; a tear of +tenderness starts to overwhelm her eye and falls on the lover's hand; a +deep sigh escapes her bosom, and they meet in a fervent embrace. +Happy!--thrice happy moments!--dear to the genuine sensibility of +humanity, dearly cherished and oft alas! but too dearly purchased! Few +words the lovers spoke, for when the heart is replete with rapture, +there is an eloquence in silence far above the cold trammels of +language. Gomez Arias forgot the dream of future ambition in the reality +of present bliss. He was loved, loved passionately by one who was the +most perfect pattern of innocence and beauty; loved more than he thought +it was in the nature of woman to love. Hope assured its brightest +colours, and Don Lope anticipated all the transports of delight possible +for man to enjoy. He was supremely happy in expectation; for the +expectation of bliss is perhaps even more gratifying than the reality. +Thus the rose in its opening bloom, is sweeter than when its charms are +expanded to the sight, for the hour of maturity is but the signal of +decay. Alas! we eagerly follow the sparkling joy, snatch it with +enthusiasm, and it withers in the grasp! + +Time sped; yet the lovers still remained as if entranced in a +delightful reverie of love, in the mutual interchange of soft sighs and +eloquent glances, when suddenly the door burst open, and Roque rushed in +with visible emotion. The faithful Argus came to announce the near +approach of Monteblanco and his guest, Don Rodrigo. Gomez Arias, +however, could not believe the danger to be so imminent, making due +allowance for the valet's timorous disposition; but the good duenna, who +had been unpleasantly disturbed at her devotions, now came forward to +confirm the fearful intelligence. + +Though these unpleasant interruptions are far from being of novel +occurrence in the annals of love, and though Gomez Arias was +familiarized with their danger, yet when he looked on the duenna's +countenance, that faithful thermometer of intrigue, he could not but +perceive the impending storm to be more than usually alarming. Deeper +wrinkles furrowed her sallow visage; her eye was haggard, and the rosary +shook in her withered hand. + +"Holy Virgin! I am lost," exclaimed the affrighted dame. "Ah! Don Lope, +this comes of my tender-hearted, complying disposition; there's my +reputation sullied with a stain that not all the holy water in Spain +will be able to wash away!" + +"But, surely," observed Gomez Arias, "the danger is not so imminent as +to preclude my escape." + +"Escape!" quoth the duenna; "it is impossible; they are at this moment +on the stairs." + +"Villain!" cried Don Lope, turning fiercely to Roque, "is this the way +you do your duty?" + +Roque very prudently kept aloof from the contact of his master's hand; +and, as if anticipating an explosion, began to stammer forth his +excuses. Theodora's countenance was suddenly overspread with a deadly +paleness, and the timid girl wrung her hands in an attitude of despair. +Her critical situation, and the duenna's alarm, at first staggered Gomez +Arias, but with the start of resolution which immediate danger inspires, +he assumed a mastery over his emotion, and instantly bethought himself +of an expedient to ward off the threatened discovery. + +"If Don Rodrigo arrives with Monteblanco," said he, "we are safe; we +shall have nothing to fear." + +"Nothing to fear!" echoed Roque. "Methinks the danger is doubled when a +man has two enemies to encounter, instead of one." + +"Silence, fool!" cried his master. "Martha, be calm; affect not to know +me; make free use of the organ with which nature has so liberally +endowed you, and do not spare your reproaches and abuse. Theodora, keep +up your spirits. Roque, be silent, you rascal." + +The door opens--Monteblanco and Don Rodrigo enter, but are fixed to the +ground in mute amazement at the group that presents itself to their +view. The duenna had summoned the courage of despair, and was +overwhelming Gomez Arias with a torrent of abuse. Theodora had receded +from the light to hide her emotion from her father's sight, which +fortunately was so impaired with age, as not to afford any material +impediment to her concealment. Roque assumed an air of saucy assurance, +and his master appeared leaning against the wall with the most perfect +coolness and self-possession. Don Manuel and his guest stared at the +intruders for some time, before either attempted to speak, till at +length Don Rodrigo broke silence, with an ejaculation of surprise. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the astonished cavalier. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" re-echoed Monteblanco. "It is your rival, +then.--What is the meaning of this, Martha?" + +"Your honor may ask the gentleman himself," responded the duenna; "I +know nothing of him, but that he is the most daring and impertinent +man"--(Martha indulged in the privilege granted her by Don Lope); "the +most unceremonious, head-strong, self-sufficient cavalier I ever met +with--Virgen Santa!--What a disturbance he has raised in the house. Then +there's that most impudent rascal of a valet; he is the principal cause +of the commotion, and I humbly crave and hope your honor will give him +ample reason to repent his impudence." + +"Repent my impudence!" quoth Roque, "thou accursed _bruja_;[15] it would +be more meritorious to chop off thy slanderous tongue!" + +Here the duenna proceeded to pour forth a fresh volley of words, without +any positive explanation, as is generally the practice when people are +anxious to gain time, and collect their senses. + +"Peace, woman!" interrupted Gomez Arias, in the middle of her harangue; +"this disturbance, as you term it, is of your own doing; had you behaved +with more courtesy to a stranger, you might have saved the impropriety +my valet has been guilty of towards you; an impropriety for which he +shall most assuredly suffer in due time."--Here he cast a terrible look +on the astonished Roque, who perfectly well knew he was doomed to suffer +for his master's vagaries; and that the failure of his adventures must +recoil invariably on his unfortunate head. Yet he looked sorely puzzled +how to find out the nature of the impropriety he had committed against +the superannuated dame who dealt him such abundance of vilipendiary +epithets. + +All this time the good Don Manuel was patiently waiting for an +explanation, and the more the duenna explained the more perplexed he +found himself. + +Gomez Arias at last, after several fruitless endeavours to stop Martha's +tongue, availed himself of a momentary pause she made to take +breath.--"Don Manuel de Monteblanco," said he, "is undoubtedly anxious +to learn the object of my visit to his house." + +"Visit!" exclaimed the duenna. "Intrusion--a downright taking by +storm.--God bless me! a visit you call it--- a visit!" + +"Silence, Martha, silence; let the gentleman proceed," cried Don Manuel, +a little more composed, and feeling an inward dread at the matron's +explanatory talents. + +"Don Manuel," continued Gomez Arias, "I am exceedingly concerned for +the confusion created in the mansion of so honorable a cavalier; but +certainly I am not so greatly to blame as that good woman wishes to +imply." + +"Good woman, indeed!" ejaculated the duenna. "_Jesus me valga!_ that I +should live to be so called--_soy Cristiana vieja_[16]--and of as good a +family as needs be.--No Jewish puddle in my veins.--Good woman, +forsooth! My dear master, am I to be called a good woman?" + +Don Manuel looked very grave, not so much perhaps at the difficulty of +resolving the question, as at the probability of never obtaining a +knowledge of the business so long as the duenna had the free use of her +tongue; to quiet therefore her anger, the complaisant old cavalier +kindly soothed her apparently wounded feelings, by allowing that she by +no means deserved the appellation. + +Silence being thus restored, Gomez Arias continued: "The cause of my +apparent intrusion is simply this:--informed by my servant that Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes was in active search after me, and not wishing to +be backward in acknowledging the favor, I thought it incumbent on my +honor to facilitate a meeting with the utmost expedition. I repaired to +this house, from whence my servant had seen that gentleman issue, but +before the nature of my business could be disclosed, that rigid dame +assailed me with a tremendous storm of abuse, when my valet, in his zeal +to serve me, or rather indulging in a propensity to retaliate, retorted +the lady's freedom of tongue with rather too much acrimony." + +"Now," thought Roque, "it is really too bad to accuse me of acrimony +when I have not opened my lips." + +"I attempted an explanation," continued Gomez Arias, "in the hopes of +meeting with a more courteous reception, when this young lady made her +appearance (turning to Theodora). I was then about to acquaint her with +my intention, when fortunately the object of my search presents himself +in person, a circumstance which I hail with the more pleasure, as I am +assured that Don Rodrigo is particularly anxious we should renew an old +interchange of tokens of our mutual regard." + +"Señor Don Lope Gomez Arias," replied Don Rodrigo, sorely incensed at +the tone of levity in which he was addressed by his rival, "I likewise +congratulate myself in thus accidentally meeting with Don Lope sooner +than I was led to expect, and though the mock courtesy of his style +plainly indicates the reliance he places on the constant good fortune +that protects him, yet he shall find me more solicitous than ever for +the immediate interchange of the tokens to which he so facetiously +alludes." + +"Señor Don Rodrigo de Cespedes," returned Gomez Arias, "I cannot but +greatly admire that laudable ambition which stimulates you to deeds of +noble daring, and an unworthy individual like myself cannot feel +sufficiently grateful for the honor you wish to confer upon him." + +These words and the sarcastic sneer that accompanied them, exasperated +Don Rodrigo to such a degree, that turning to his rival, he pointed to +the door, and without further reply intimated to him to follow. Gomez +Arias was about to comply, when Monteblanco interposing, exclaimed, + +"Forbear, _caballeros_, forbear; this is my house, and though I am far +from desiring to withhold any gentlemen from the calls of honor, yet let +it not be said that my mansion was made a scene of violence and +bloodshed." + +"_Valgame Dios!_" cried Roque, "Don Manuel speaks like an oracle. Nor do +I think myself, this hour of night the most fit to decide such important +matters. Broad day-light is certainly preferable to the glimmer of the +moon and stars, for business like this." + +Theodora was ready to sink with emotion and fear, but the very imminence +of the danger inspired her with a sort of desperate tranquillity. She +knew that her interposition would only increase the perplexities of her +situation, without preventing the accomplishment of their design. +Besides, she placed much confidence in her lover's courage and superior +skill in the management of arms, and ultimately she possessed that +nobleness of mind that shrinks from the imputation of cowardice in the +object of its admiration. + +Monteblanco's remonstrances were vain. Don Rodrigo rushed to the door +with desperate haste, and Gomez Arias followed with the coolness of one +to whom such scenes were familiar. + +"Follow me," cried Don Rodrigo, as he bounded down the stairs with +fearful alacrity. + +"Stay, Don Rodrigo," said Gomez Arias, sarcastically, "not such +precipitation, or you may perchance fall before your time." + +This provoking sarcasm entirely overthrew the little remaining temper +which Don Rodrigo possessed. His eyes flashed fire, his whole frame +shook, and unable to restrain himself any longer, he furiously drew his +sword, and fixed on the _Zaguan_[17] for the field of action. + +"Defend yourself, Don Lope," exclaimed he, with frenzied rage. + +"Look to yourself, fair Sir," returned Don Lope, as, unsheathing his +rapier, he calmly placed himself in a posture of defence. + +With impetuous fury Don Rodrigo darted on his antagonist, and commenced +an assault with all the courage and address of a practised swordsman. +Thrust succeeded thrust with mortal rapidity, but the active eye of +Gomez Arias foiled their deadly aim with consummate skill and dexterity. +A demoniac spirit seemed to agitate Don Rodrigo, and he continued for +some minutes wasting his strength in the fruitless attack, and impairing +his own means of resistance. The combat was too fierce to be of long +duration, and a few moments would have brought it to a mortal issue (for +Don Lope was now in his turn about to press hard his weakened +adversary), had not Roque, in that tenderness of conscience for which he +was so noted, very adroitly extinguished the light that hung in the +_Zaguan_, as the most effectual way of suspending hostilities. + +The place was thus plunged in utter darkness, and Don Rodrigo, afraid of +being disappointed in his revenge, called out to Gomez Arias. + +"I am here," replied Don Lope; "I am here, Don Rodrigo; the light is +superfluous; we shall do perfectly well without it, for a mutual +sympathy will lead our weapons aright." + +The swords again met, and short, quick sparks of light, like the +fugitive flash of a summer's exhalation, gave a momentary glimpse of the +combatants' fearful countenances--then a dismal groan is heard, a body +falls heavily on the ground, and a shriek of horror burst from the +household, who had crowded round the entrance of the _Zaguan_. + +"He is dead," muttered Don Rodrigo to himself, and sought for safety +with the swiftness of lightning. + +"Bring torches," cried Monteblanco; "let us afford the fallen +_caballero_ all the assistance in our power." + +The state of Theodora baffles all description. Ignorant as yet who was +the victim, her soul was harrowed up with the most fearful +apprehensions, the reality of which would dash the cup of happiness from +her lips, and embitter her future existence. This petrifying, this +heart-rending suspense was happily but of short continuance. Theodora +herself, with breathless anxiety, was the first to bring a torch, that +might perhaps illume the pale ghastly features of him on whom she had +centered all her felicity. The moment was awful, when the torch throwing +a broad glare around the _Zaguan_, discovered Gomez Arias, tranquil and +erect, in all the assurance of perfect safety. A faint scream escaped +from the bosom of his mistress, for all the feelings which horrifying +suspense had held imprisoned there, now sought relief in a tumult of +sighs and tears. Her emotion, however, was scarcely noticed by her +father, too much occupied at the time in ascertaining which was the +fallen cavalier. + +"Don Rodrigo is then the victim," sorrowfully exclaimed the old +cavalier, casting his eyes around; for at this moment he spied a human +body, lying in a dark corner of the _Zaguan_. + +"It moves--it moves!" cried Martha, crossing herself. + +"Then he is yet alive," returned Don Manuel; "let us hasten to succour +the unfortunate young man; look to his wounds!" + +"Aye," responded the duenna; "let us rather attend to his soul, and +behave like true charitable Christians; run, Cacho, run, and call Fray +Bernardo, or Fray Benito--no matter whom--any friar will do at such a +moment." + +Monteblanco and all his attendants hurried to the spot in their +eagerness to render assistance to the fallen Don Rodrigo, when, lo! the +body with a sudden spring bounds on its legs, and to the astonished eyes +of every one discovers the person of Roque. + +"What's this? Where is Don Rodrigo?" interrogated Monteblanco. + +"Why," answered Roque, very unconcernedly; "some fifty leagues from +hence, I should imagine, by his hurry to get away." + +"Then he is not dead?" + +"Not that I know of." + +"Whence came that groan?" + +"_De este humilde pecador._"[18] + +"_Jesus Maria_," ejaculated the duenna; "how dare this _judio_[19] throw +a noble family into consternation?" + +"Now, Señora duenna," quoth the valet, "I rather think I have been +instrumental in preventing the noble family from being thrown into that +consternation." + +"Roque," interposed here Gomez Arias, "thou art not wounded I perceive." + +"No, thank God!" replied Roque. + +"Then thou art a rascal." + +"A rascal because I am not wounded! Good Heaven! here's a consequence +with a vengeance!" + +"This is an impudent interference," continued Don Lope, "and dearly +shalt thou rue it." + +"An impudent interference do you call it? A marvellous good one, in +sooth, for I have saved the fruitless effusion of noble Christian blood, +and I have separated two enraged combatants better than a whole posse of +alguazils: and now, all the reward I am likely to obtain for such an +important service, is threats and abuse. Here is my dear master sorely +exasperated, because I have a greater regard for his safety than he has +himself, and quite disappointed at not being run through the body by +that sanguinary Don Rodrigo." + +"Basta, basta," said angrily Don Lope;--then in a gentler tone he +continued, "I am really concerned for Don Rodrigo,--full of anxiety for +my supposed death, I venture to say he is now flying from the abode of +man, to seek a shelter in the wilderness of the Alpujarras. + +"It is very Christian-like in you, Señor," interposed Roque, "to show so +much solicitude for the fate of Don Rodrigo. Well, the ways of honorable +gentlemen are to me unaccountable. Here was my honorable master, but a +short while since, eagerly seeking the life of Don Rodrigo at the point +of his rapier, and now he is equally anxious that his adversary should +not be exposed to the inconvenience of a nocturnal ramble into the +mountains of Alpujarras." + +Monteblanco could not but inwardly congratulate himself upon the +fortunate termination of an adventure which threatened such serious +results; for he by no means liked the idea of having a corpse in his +house, with all the unpleasant appendages necessarily attendant on such +an inmate. He certainly felt concerned for the safety and comfort of Don +Rodrigo, but he very judiciously opined it was better his dear friend +should suffer the inconvenience of passing a night in the mountains, +than that he himself should be exposed to the unpleasant consequences +which would inevitably attend a fatal result to either party, especially +had the event occurred in his own _Zaguan_; for he would be thus +compelled to take a part in the drama, with which he would very +willingly dispense--that of explaining the catastrophe to the officers +of justice. This consideration induced him to approve in his own mind +the stratagem of Roque, although he would by no means audibly testify +his approbation, thinking very properly that the conduct of inferiors +and dependants should never be lauded, even when they are most +successful in their services. + +Acting upon this charitable principle, he would on no account interfere +to prevent the taunts and abuse with which the luckless valet was +assailed on all sides. Thus poor Roque had a fresh opportunity of +discovering the little a man is likely to gain by following the impulse +of a good heart, and the very extraordinary way men have of +acknowledging a service, even when they are internally well pleased +therewith. + +"Begone, thou graceless dog!" exclaimed Don Manuel. "Thy impertinence +justly deserves most exemplary punishment from thy master." + +Saying this, he took his daughter by the hand, made a slight bow to +Gomez Arias, and was about to retire, when Don Lope stept forward as +though he wished to detain him. + +"Stay, Don Manuel," said he; "I cannot leave your house, without again +expressing my regret for the disturbance I have caused. I sincerely +offer you my apologies as an honorable cavalier, and as such I am +confident Don Manuel de Monteblanco will accept them. Moreover, I shall +make all the atonement in my power; and as it is obvious that my servant +is the primary cause of all the mischief, you may rest assured, Sir, the +culprit shall not escape without condign and adequate punishment." + +Don Manuel expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the apology of +Gomez Arias, and most graciously accepted the atonement proposed; then +making another bow, not quite so slight as the former, left the _Zaguan_ +accompanied by his beautiful daughter, who had already caught the +eloquent parting look of her lover, and treasured in her bosom all the +tender sentiments it conveyed. + +Meantime, Don Lope, well contented with himself, haughtily called to +poor Roque--the faithful valet was in a moment ready to lead the way. +His master then very composedly returned to his apartments to muse over +the adventures of the evening, and form plans for the successful +accomplishment of his ulterior projects. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Pariome a drede mi Madre + Oxala no me pariera!-- + + _Quevedo._ + + No ill luck stirring, but what lights on my shoulders. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +"_Better be born fortunate than rich_," says an old proverb, and the +correctness of this saying was fully exemplified in the life of Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes. Indeed, his whole existence had been a series of +mischances and unfortunate results; and he appeared especially reserved +as a proper subject on whom the fickle goddess might exercise her +caprice at leisure. + +Why Don Rodrigo should belong to this class, is more than can well be +resolved, for he was possessed of all those qualifications which are +calculated to render a man brilliant in society, and amiable in private +life. He enjoyed the advantages of birth and wealth; handsome in his +person, and elegant in his address. A brave soldier in war, and a +courteous cavalier in peace, it appeared natural that his fortune should +be prosperous, and yet all those endowments availed him not. On the +contrary, they only served to render the ill success of his undertakings +the more remarkable. + +These anomalies cannot be accounted for on any rational principle; but +may perhaps be attributed to the absence of that requisite +qualification, which sometimes serves a man in lieu of birth or fortune, +and not unfrequently goes further than both these advantages;--it is +that most enviable requisite, known under the appropriate, though +somewhat vulgar, denomination of good-luck. + +Don Rodrigo had paid his addresses to three different ladies, with the +moral and highly creditable intention of entering the holy state of +matrimony. Perhaps in strict justice it must be confessed, this idea +crossed his mind after having completely failed in his attempts to +signalize himself as _un homme à bonnes fortunes_, a sort of ambition +which, if not praise-worthy in itself, is nevertheless, when +successfully pursued, conducive to the eclat of a man of rank, as well +as gratifying to his vanity. Indeed it may be rather suspected, without +any great affectation of discernment, that the unlucky Don Rodrigo +bethought himself of marriage as a last resource, when ultimately +convinced of his inability to succeed in his career of gallantry. But +even in this instance, that unrelenting fatality which constantly +followed him, could not be persuaded to spare him even in consideration +of hymen. + +Don Rodrigo had first for a rival a man whose stature was rather under +than over four feet, whose features were of the most forbidding kind; +his person distorted, and his fortune by no means superior to that of +the Don; yet with all these disadvantages, this little monster, to the +astonishment of every one, carried off the fair prize. + +He next placed his affections on a lady of more humble pretensions, his +inferior both in birth and fortune, and by no means remarkable for +beauty. Don Rodrigo fondly imagined that his rank and affluence would +insure him success; nor did he overlook the advantages nature had given +him in a pair of fine eyes, an aquiline nose, well proportioned limbs, a +carriage that shewed off these qualifications to advantage, and a degree +of personal courage that even his rivals and enemies respected; but his +Angelica must have been an admirer of the opposite qualities, as she +chose for her husband an obscure plebeian, whom the very sight of a +Toledo steel threw into an ague. Disgusted with the bad taste and +vulgarity of those he had already courted, he boldly resolved to prefer +his suit to the very first lady in the land. He accordingly laid siege +to the heart of Leonor, but here his pretensions met with as decided a +repulse as before, and though his vanity could not have been wounded by +having Gomez Arias for his fortunate rival, yet, soured by his repeated +crosses, he determined, if he could not by gentle means succeed in his +object, to kill his rival or fall in the attempt: his success in this +last exploit the reader will perhaps remember. + +Nor was the ill-luck of Don Rodrigo confined to his amours; it extended +to all his affairs. If he engaged in a duel, a wound was generally the +result; or if he escaped unhurt, though he might have been the injured +party, yet by some fatality he was sure to be accounted the aggressor. +If he happened to say a good thing, it was invariably attributed to +another person, while, if a piece of scurrility or a foolish remark +circulated, he never failed to have the whole merit to himself. + +We need not, however, go further for instances to exemplify the ill-luck +that constantly attended Don Rodrigo. We see him at present a prey to +his evil genius. He left the _Zaguan_ of Monteblanco's dwelling with the +utmost precipitation. Impressed with the idea that he had killed his +rival; and, fully sensible of the necessity of speedy flight, he +hurried to the inn for his horse and valet, anxious to put in practice +his prudential resolution, before any impediment could be thrown in his +way. On his arrival he asked for his man Peregil; but Peregil, as if on +purpose to perplex him, was gone to evening prayers, which Don Rodrigo +very naturally interpreted, to the tavern. So he sent a boy there, with +instructions where he was to meet him out of the town. He then hastened +to the stable, but found, to his unspeakable mortification, that +Peregil, in his abundant care, had taken the key. Time being precious, +Don Rodrigo, afraid of causing a disturbance, was fain to avail himself +of the benefit of an ill-favoured looking mule that stood ready saddled +in an outhouse. He doubted not that Peregil would bring his horse after +him, and render compensation for the mule, which indeed, from the +miserable appearance of the beast, would be no difficult matter. + +Accordingly, after making his way to the place appointed, he waited two +whole hours in a state of extreme anxiety and suspense, alarmed at +every noise lest it should be a pursuit, and only consoling himself with +the idea, that when his horse should arrive he could soon place himself +out of the reach of danger. + +At length he descried his valet advancing at a most leisurely pace, not +mounted on his own strong horse, and leading a beautiful Arabian, but +bestriding a miserable jackass, which required constant application of +the whip. Of this Peregil was by no means sparing, to induce him to move +at even the slowest pace a jackass is capable of travelling. + +"Peregil, thou imp of Satan, where is my horse?" impatiently demanded +Don Rodrigo. + +"At the inn," sullenly answered the valet. + +"At the inn, thou rascal! why didst thou not bring it, knowing, as you +ought, that my life is in jeopardy?" + +"For a very good reason," replied Peregil, "because they would not let +me. You need only blame yourself, Señor, for since your honor scruples +not to make free with the reverend friar's mule, you ought not to be +surprised if his reverence takes the same liberty with your horse." + +"By _Santiago de Compostela_,[20] this is past bearing," cried Don +Rodrigo. "How can the rogue of a friar conscientiously take my beautiful +Arabian for this worthless mule? What! has the man of God no +conscience?" + +"I did not inquire that, Señor, but I rather think he is not +overburthened by the manner he has dealt with me.--Oh! if I could catch +his reverence by himself, I would so belabour his shaven skull, as not +to leave it in want of razors for the future." + +"Well, but how comest thou by that contemptible jackass?" demanded Don +Rodrigo, angrily. + +"Gently, Señor, gently; since the master shows such a predilection for +mules, it is not to be wondered if the valet evinces a similar taste for +jackasses." + +"Villain! darest thou jest at this time and on such a subject?" + +"Aye, 'tis no laughing matter, sure enough," quoth Peregil; "and in +sooth I cannot perceive why I should be facetious on the occasion, for +after all I am the greater loser of the two. Look for a moment at this +vile beast! May the lightning of heaven and the curses of all the saints +fall on him and his former master too;" and so saying he again +belaboured the sides of the unfortunate jackass, regretting that its +former master was not near enough to benefit by the energetic blows he +so liberally dealt out. + +"A truce, fellow, with thy profane foolery," said Don Rodrigo; "it is +not seemly when the life of thy master is at stake. Prepare to give me a +full and circumstantial account of this iniquitous business, or by my +sword thou shalt severely rue the day thy master first bestrode a mule." + +"Alack a-day," submissively rejoined the valet.--"You must know, Don +Rodrigo, that the mule is the cause of all this. When I returned from +church I was startled to see the inn thrown into the greatest +confusion. The reverend fat friar was running round the place bellowing +like a bull, calling for his noble mule, and vowing vengeance on the +profane thief, which unseemly appellation he was pleased to bestow upon +your honor." + +"The friar must have been drunk," said Don Rodrigo, sneeringly; "why! +did he not perceive that I had left my steed in the stable, which I +think was sufficient security, till you could pay him the value of his +beggarly mule!" + +"Sure enough he did perceive it, but when I proposed to pay him for his +loss, he demanded such an exorbitant price that it was out of my power +to comply therewith. In his opinion, the steed was no adequate +compensation for his mule; so to make matters even, and adjust the +affair amicably, he proposed that I should give up my horse into the +bargain, and then take this abominable ass as a present." + +Peregil accompanied the epithet with another donation of his wonted +favors. + +"Thou miserable sinner," said Don Rodrigo, "how couldst thou consent to +this nefarious arrangement?" + +"Because I could not help it. Think you, Señor mio, I would have agreed +to such an extortion had it been in my power to avoid it? But your +precipitate flight gave me to understand that you had killed your +adversary. Any delay in the town might have been attended with danger, +backed as his reverence was by all the rabble of the inn." + +Don Rodrigo was sensible of the force of this argument, and after +bestowing sundry anathemas on the cheating friar and the inn, in which +he was zealously joined by Peregil, he said in a melancholy tone, "Well, +as there is no remedy, we must put up with this misfortune as well as we +can." + +"So we must, Señor," replied Peregil; "and at least there is some +consolation in the reflection that we are already on such familiar terms +with dame Fortune, that this new instance of her good-will ought by no +means to take us by surprise.--But may I ask whither we are going?" + +"To seek refuge in the mountains," gloomily answered Don Rodrigo. + +"Well, may the help of God be with us!" ejaculated Peregil, "for we +stand marvellously in need of it." + +Saying this, they bent their course to the Alpujarras, as melancholy and +slowly as suited the condition and convenience of the animals that bore +them. Indeed, from time to time, the reverend mule actually stood still, +as if pondering what he should do, and it required all Don Rodrigo's +caresses (for he dared employ no other means) to induce her to proceed. + +Thus the distressed master and his humble valet continued their march, +for the space of three hours, in a most gloomy night. Observing at +length that his servant made a dead stop, Don Rodrigo determined to +assist him, and accordingly indicated his intention to the mule; but to +his utter dismay he found that she had profited by the good example set +by her companion the ass, and stood stone still. This obstinacy of their +animals proved more than equal to the powers of Don Rodrigo and his +man, who, after exhausting their strength in fruitless chastisement, +prudently resolved to wait the leisure of their more determined +companions. They took shelter, therefore, under the spreading branches +of a large tree, and there they remained in anxious expectation of +day-break, passing the tedious hours in silent and profound reflections +on their miserable condition. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + O gran contrasto in giovenil pensiero, + Desir di laude ed impeto d'Amore; + Nè chi più vaglia ancor si trova il vero, + Che resta or questo, or quello superiore. + + _Ariosto._ + + At first a vague suspicion, a blind dread, + Then a quick feeling of the fatal truth + Instinctive flashed across her mind. + + _Wiffin's Tasso._ + + +The first rosy tints of morning at length began to appear, and the heavy +clouds of night were gradually rolling away before the splendour of the +approaching sun, when Don Manuel de Monteblanco, who was already on the +alert, received information that a party of horsemen were rapidly +approaching the mansion. The old cavalier hastened to a spot whence he +could descry his visitors, and form a judgment of their quality. The +party consisted of an armed knight, and about half a dozen men-at-arms, +bounding over the elastic turf, with the greatest buoyancy of spirits. +Don Manuel, who stood watching their advance, was soon able to +recognize, in the martial figure and gallant carriage of the knight, his +young friend and kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva, of whose arrival he had +been in daily expectation. The youthful warrior was clad in a suit of +polished steel armour, inlaid with silver; a quantity of massy and +waving red plumage almost overshaded his shining helmet, and threw a +crimson flush over his manly countenance, in which an expression of +resolute courage was blended with an air of gaiety and frankness. The +colour of his cheek was heightened by exercise, and the brilliancy of +his dark blue eyes expressed an unusual degree of animation, whilst his +blooming age and the gracefulness of his carriage tended to increase the +interest of his commanding appearance. He was mounted on a fiery and +slender barb, decorated with the most costly trappings, which appeared +to participate in the buoyancy of the rider; for he champed the bit and +shook off the white foam, requiring all the dexterity of his master to +restrain the impetuosity of his nature. + +The small party which accompanied the youthful warrior were arrayed in +the military costume of the period. They served Don Antonio as an +escort, and belonged to the body of which he was the leader. Upon their +arrival the massy doors of the mansion were thrown open, and the +venerable Monteblanco stood at the entrance ready to receive his noble +visitor. The next moment Don Antonio, springing from his steed, threw +himself into the arms that hospitably invited him to their embrace. + +"Welcome, Don Antonio, thrice welcome to the abode of your old friend +and kinsman." + +"Save you, noble Don Manuel; it rejoices me to see that the hand of time +has made so little impression upon you; your spirits are still young and +ardent. How does the fair Theodora?" + +"Blooming as the rose of summer, fair as the lily of the valley, and +blithesome as the free tenant of the air," replied the fond father; "but +come in," he continued, with joyful accents; "come and refresh yourself. +Pedro," he then added, turning to his major-domo, a long, thin, grave +looking personage, "mind that these cavaliers," pointing to Don +Antonio's attendants, "are well entertained." + +Then taking his relative by the hand, he led him into the mansion. + +"Theodora," he then resumed, "is as yet at her morning orisons, in the +company of good Martha, but on an occasion like the present, there would +be no great sin in shortening her devotions." + +"By no means," replied Don Antonio, smiling; "it is not my maxim to +disturb fair ladies when so laudably occupied." + +"Well, my young friend, as you please; but, good heavens!" continued he, +surveying his guest from head to foot, with much complacency, "how you +are altered! It is a goodly and consoling sight to see the improvement +a few years bestow on a young man. You have distinguished yourself at +the games," said Don Manuel; "this is a source of unspeakable joy to me, +the more so, as it appears that the queen has been pleased to reward +your merit. I have heard that you are entrusted with the command of a +party of those gallant men, that are destined to chastise the rebellious +Moors of the Alpujarras." + +"In truth," modestly answered Don Antonio, "our great queen has +condescended to honor me far above my deserts; but I trust that my +future conduct will make me worthy of the confidence she has reposed in +me." + +"I suppose, then," said Don Manuel, "that your stay at Guadix will be +but short?" + +"Very short; as I am only allowed to wait the arrival of my party, and +must then set off immediately to join the army under the command of the +noble Aguilar." + +"Then, my dear kinsman," observed Monteblanco, smiling, "the object of +your visit must be accomplished without further delay." + +"I shall never complain of too much expedition when the happiness of my +life is so intimately concerned." + +At this moment the door of the saloon was thrown open, and Theodora was +ceremoniously ushered in by the stately duenna, who, after making a +stiff and formal courtsey, sunk back, and kept a respectful distance. + +"Dear child," said Don Manuel, "here is your kinsman, Don Antonio de +Leyva, with whom you are already acquainted. He appears in our house as +best becomes a gallant knight; his brow adorned with the wreath of +triumph for the skill and prowess he has displayed in the games, a sure +omen of his future glory in the field." + +Theodora offered her hand to the salutation of her kinsman, with an +attempt at cordiality; but it was evidently an effort to hide the real +coldness she felt; for an involuntary tremor crept gradually over her, +and her countenance betrayed strong symptoms of emotion, as she began +to suspect the object of Don Antonio's visit. Indeed, the tone of ease +and affection, in which her father and young de Leyva conversed, tended +to confirm those suspicions, the truth of which she so much dreaded to +learn. + +As soon as Don Antonio withdrew, Monteblanco requested to speak with his +daughter in his apartment. The trembling girl obeyed with a faltering +step, looking like a criminal about to receive the sentence that is to +seal her fate. The duenna remained somewhat surprised at this mysterious +transaction, in which her family counsel and approbation had been so +unceremoniously dispensed with. Her pride was mortified; in high +dudgeon, she crossed herself with fervour; and then departed, muttering +something between a prayer and a malediction. + +A short time after, the conference broke up, and Theodora came forth, +her eyes swimming in tears, and evincing the most lively emotion. She +hied to her own chamber, and fastening the door, she gave a free vent to +her grief. + +"Alas!" she exclaimed, "the dreadful suspicion is confirmed, and the +resolute manner in which my father has enforced his commands, affords me +no room to hope for any alteration--any delay. Not a month--not even a +week is allowed me to prepare--the measure of my misfortune is +full--Lost! lost!--Oh! Lope! Lope!----" + +She could proceed no further; the tumult of sorrow impeded her +utterance, and she gave loose to her feelings in sighs and tears. + +Presently, however, a comforter came to proffer advice and +assistance--in the shape of the duenna. As we have already seen, she was +ruffled by Don Manuel's want of confidence, and proper regard for her +judgment; and she had resolved to tender her assistance to another +quarter. It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obliging +disposition. She bestowed her good advice most liberally, and she had an +inexhaustible fund of pious exclamations and admonitions at the service +of her friends. She could not forego the idea of being serviceable, and +therefore very properly desired to be consulted on all occasions. Yet +with all these amiable qualities, the duenna, in the opinion of most +people, would be entitled to no better appellation for her pains than +that of a busy body. + +"_Niña_,[21] how's this?" she cried--"What mean these tears?--Aye! aye! +I see that your father has been guilty of some preposterous and +tyrannical measure; I suspected as much from his carefulness in keeping +the secret from me.--God bless the man!--what is the matter with +him?--he will never be advised, and really I cannot imagine why I remain +in his house. Well, child, unfold your sorrows and grievances to your +kindest friend; you know nothing delights me so much as consoling the +afflicted, and offering service to the unprotected." + +"Yes, good Martha," replied the sorrowing girl; "I am fully sensible of +your goodness, and I do trust you will not deny me your compassion. +Alas! without your valuable advice and assistance, I shall never +surmount the difficulties with which I am surrounded. I must see him--I +must see Don Lope this very night!" + +She then explained to Martha the nature of her distress, and the duenna, +glad to find an opportunity of being serviceable, readily promised her +co-operation in the accomplishment of her charge's wishes. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Ye fair! + Be greatly cautious of your sliding hearts! + Dare not the infectious sigh; nor in the bower + Where woodbines flaunt, and roses shed a couch, + While evening draws her crimson curtain round, + Trust your soft minutes with betraying man. + + _Thomson._ + + +In the most retired part of Monteblanco's garden, reclining on a rustic +seat, under the fragrant canopy of the myrtle and arbutus, sat a female +form enveloped in a loosely flowing dress of virgin whiteness. The air +was cool and serene, and except the rustling of the surrounding foliage, +when agitated by the breeze, or the soft plaintive voice of the +nightingale, no obtrusive sound disturbed the solemn silence. The blue +vault of heaven, glittering with countless stars, the rich perfume +flung around by the orange flower and jasmine, and a stilly languor that +pervaded the spot, all disposed the mind to gentle and loving thoughts. + +Theodora, however, sat absorbed in silent sorrow and abstraction: her +long clustering tresses fell in luxuriance over her white and polished +neck, almost concealing in their profusion the traits of a countenance +overcast with grief and despondency. + +But a figure appears on the garden wall, and the sound as of some one +falling is heard on the soft turf. Theodora starts, yet a sudden +recollection seems to check her momentary fear. The nocturnal visitor +was Gomez Arias, who had received a hasty summons from Theodora, and +surmising that some unpleasant intelligence awaited him, he hurried in +breathless expectation to the place of appointment. + +What was his amazement, upon his arrival!--He beheld his Theodora, not +in the joyful eagerness of affection springing forward to meet his +embrace, but silent and dejected. Her intelligent countenance no longer +beamed with that charming smile which his appearance never failed to +create. Motionless and unmoved she appeared, amongst the flowery shrubs +and verdant foliage of the garden, like some statue of chaste and +classical beauty, placed to embellish and diversify the sylvan spot. + +Gomez Arias is before her, and yet she seems hardly conscious of his +presence. He gazes on her with surprise, and then gently whispers her +dear name. The well known voice recalls her scattered ideas, and its +magic sound awakens her benumbed sensations to fresh warmth and life. +She raised her head, threw aside the rich clusters of her hair, and a +stream of moonlight falling on her countenance revealed to Gomez Arias a +picture of sorrowing love. + +Her eye was swollen with grief, and the big tears in quick succession +chased each other down her pallid cheek. + +Don Lope approached her tenderly, and folding her in his arms, +endeavoured to calm her emotion, by the most soothing and endearing +expressions. + +"Theodora, what means this sorrow? Whatever be the misfortune which +threatens us, do not vainly yield yourself a prey to terror, before you +know the means I may have of averting it." Then, as if struck by a +passing thought, he added--"You surely cannot entertain a distant doubt +of the singleness--the devotedness of my affection?" + +"Doubt of your affection! Oh, heavens! do not even mention the appalling +word; there is something more terrible than death in the very idea. No, +no," she continued, with vivid earnestness; "I do not; I cannot; I will +not doubt of your affection. If ever such agonizing----" + +She could not proceed, for her imagination was so powerfully acted upon, +even with the remote image of such a misfortune, that she was obliged to +remain some time silent before she could control her emotions. + +"No," she resumed; "I cannot doubt your affection. But there is another +calamity in store for me that will assuredly render wretched the rest of +my existence." + +She again stopped, and her tears flowed more abundantly than ever. + +Gomez Arias felt relieved from a heavy foreboding; for the idea that his +engagement with Leonor de Aguilar had come to the knowledge of Theodora, +had at first filled his mind with apprehensions. He was accordingly more +at ease, feeling an inward conviction that however distressing the +dreaded intelligence might prove, he should still find resources within +himself to avert its dangers. + +"Speak, my Theodora; unfold the cause of your extraordinary sorrow, and +do not weep and tremble thus." + +"Oh, Lope!" she despondingly cried, "I must renounce you for ever." + +"For heaven's sake, calm this agitation, Theodora, and let me know the +worst. But yesterday you were as happy as a heart teeming with genuine +affection, and blessed with a most unbounded return, can make a mortal, +and now----" + +"He is come," she fearfully interrupted him; "my destined husband is +come." + +Gomez Arias appeared staggered at this unexpected information, but +immediately recovering himself in apparent calmness, demanded the name +of his rival. "Who is it," he cried, "that boldly claims the hand of my +Theodora?--No doubt some noble and distinguished cavalier." + +"Alas! your supposition is but too just," replied the weeping girl; "and +it is that circumstance which adds to the poignancy of my grief: were he +a less estimable character, were he divested of those amiable qualities +that render man dear to the eyes of woman, my reasons for refusing his +addresses would be unanswerable. In that case, if I were made a victim +to parental authority, some consolation might be found in the conviction +that the inextinguishable hatred which I bore him was grounded on +justice. But the man that seeks an alliance with our house is one whose +choice would confer the greatest honor on the most exalted of the land. +Brave, generous, of noble birth, and alike distinguished for the +superiority of his mind and person, he is in the highest favor with the +queen, who has intrusted him with the command of one of the divisions +which are now marching against the rebel Moors." + +Theodora made these observations in the perfect simplicity of her heart, +but she unconsciously excited an idea of the most galling nature in the +mind of her lover. Not that he felt the pangs of jealousy, for he was +too confident both in his own merit, and the unparalleled affection of +his beloved; but yet he was inwardly mortified at the encomiums bestowed +on another, inasmuch as they gave rise to a comparison which he could +not easily brook. He, therefore, with some asperity of tone, inquired +the name of this accomplished knight; and Theodora, who perceived the +inward workings of his soul, with a faultering voice pronounced the name +of Don Antonio de Leyva. The sound operated like an electric shock on +the mind of Gomez Arias, and despite of his habitual self-command, signs +of uncommon perturbation were discernible in his countenance. + +"What!" he cried, "Don Antonio de Leyva,--that presumptuous, that +detested youth!" + +Here he checked his emotion; pride resumed the mastery over his +irritated feelings, and with a forced gaiety of manner, he continued,-- + +"Certainly Don Antonio is a gallant cavalier, and well calculated to +captivate a woman's affections." + +He stopped; for his surprise had been too abrupt, and his manner too ill +disguised to continue long in this constrained suppression of his real +feelings. Gomez Arias hated Don Antonio on no other plea, than the fame +he was daily acquiring for his valour and brilliant qualities. Besides, +he could not forget his adventure in the tournament, when Don Antonio +crossed him in his career, and well nigh endangered the reputation he +had that day acquired. He looked on him, therefore, as a dangerous +rival, and felt chagrined at the command with which the queen had +invested him, as it would afford him opportunities of grounding his +claims to her royal favor on the firmest foundation. + +Theodora was far from suspecting the cause of her lover's agitation. She +naturally attributed to a feeling of jealousy, what was in fact the +effect of restless emulation. A long pause ensued, during which the +state of Theodora became more distressing, as she perceived her lover's +countenance gradually assuming an unusual expression of sternness. +Various passions seemed to be contending for mastery in his bosom, but +the feeling of wounded pride soon appeared to predominate. His eyes +glistened with indignant fire, his lip curled with a bitter smile, and +the flush of anger mantled on his brow. + +"Theodora!" he said, fixing earnestly his eyes on the trembling girl; +"Theodora, you have deceived me!" + +"Deceive you, Gomez Arias!" She looked petrified at the bare +supposition. "Deceived you! And can you for a moment harbour such a +cruel, such a degrading suspicion? Oh! Lope, is it possible you can +think thus basely of your Theodora?" + +"Why was not I made acquainted with this engagement before?" + +"I was ignorant of it myself; the marriage had been settled between my +father and Don Antonio, without consulting my inclination. Alas! the +first intelligence I received, was to bid me prepare for the ceremony, +which is to take place immediately.--My dearest Lope," she added with +tenderness; "Oh! never again harrow up my feelings, with doubts unworthy +of our mutual passion." + +She clung to Don Lope's neck, and pressing him with the earnestness of +unbounded confidence and love--"Never," she continued, "had Theodora a +single thought concealed from you; you, the absolute master of my heart, +and the most secret wishes of my soul." + +Then in a more composed manner, she proceeded; "It was but this morning +that Don Antonio arrived, when my father immediately proceeded to +announce the purport of his visit. My amazement at first knew no bounds; +I remonstrated on the abruptness of the proposal, and endeavoured, by +gentle expostulation, to ward off the threatening blow. But my +entreaties, and my tears were in vain. My father, strenuously bent on +the accomplishment of his wishes, left me the only option of yielding +implicit obedience to his mandates, or passing the rest of my existence +in the solitary gloom of a convent. My choice is made; I lose you, +Lope;"--and here her anguish almost overpowered her utterance; "I lose +you for ever, but your dear image shall be constantly before me in those +dark abodes of penitence and woe. Thither must I go, and leave all these +dear scenes, and the dearer sight of you, consigned to unrelenting +misery. Not humbly, alas! to pray; not to abjure the world; for ah! I +cannot abjure that world which contains the fondest object that links me +to life. I go not in the humble mood of a repentant sinner, to weep over +a guilty life, but in the desponding resolution of a fond woman, eager +to keep her faith unbroken to him of her heart's first and only +attachment. For you, oh Lope, my tears will flow; you alone will be the +theme of my constant meditations--my fervent prayers. In my hopeless +solitude, I may perhaps feel one glimpse of consolation;--the idea that +you may be happy, and that even in the glittering scenes of ambition, +you will sometimes revert to the cheerless abode of Theodora. This will +afford me some solace in my affliction. And when the hand of death +releases me from my odious chains, your tears will tenderly fall on the +grave of her, whose greatest crime was that of loving you too well." + +"Theodora!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, moved by the picture she had drawn; +"and is this then the only remedy you can devise?" + +"What!" cried she eagerly, "is there any other to be found?" + +She paused, and gazed on Gomez Arias, with anxious expectation, +breathless with hope. + +Don Lope, after a momentary lapse, with a chilling coldness, +observed--"You do not love me, Theodora!" + +"Oh Heavens!" she cried in the hurried accents of terror--"Never, Lope, +never utter those killing words;--what do you require of me?--Speak, +Gomez Arias, speak: I will do all, to convince you of the sincerity of +my affection, and the cruel injustice of your words." + +"You must fly then from the abode of parental oppression," calmly +replied Don Lope; "and in your lover you shall find that tenderness, +which a father denies; nay, start not, these words may perhaps alarm +you, yet consider it is our only resource, and that imperious necessity +is a law to which we must all submit. In a short time you shall be mine +in the face of heaven, and now, you must resolve to follow me." + +Theodora started at the proposition. She fixed her eyes on Gomez Arias, +and with a deep but tranquil anguish exclaimed--"Alas, Don Lope! Is +this the remedy you propose? Can you indeed tempt me to abandon my +father in his declining years, to regret and shame?" + +"You had already determined to abandon him," observed Gomez Arias. + +"No, Lope," she replied; "by that step, I should only disappoint him in +his expectations--not incur his merited hatred and malediction;--his +grief would be tempered by resignation, not corroded with the sting of +shame." "Don Lope," she then continued with dignity, "command my life; +but oh! never, never require of me the commission of a crime, as the +proof of my love." + +"Stay, Theodora," interrupted Gomez Arias, with a composure that ill +agreed with the terrific cloud gathering on his brow; "stay, you are +right, and I must retract my words: the offer was dictated in the +transports of sincere and ardent love, and as the only means left us in +the hour of danger. But I perceive that I have mistaken your +sentiments; such actions were only made for souls capable of feeling +and appreciating the extent of a true passion; not for cold and timorous +beings like yourself. I flattered my fond pride, that in you I had met +with a miracle of deep and all-absorbing affection, but I am deceived, +and sorely shall I repent my delusion; I now see you in your true +colours; you are like the rest of your feeble sex, pleased with the +gratification of their vanity, but incapable of a bold and generous +resolution in favor of the man they pretend to love. I will not upbraid +you; but from this moment cast you from me as a piece of inanimate clay, +a painted thing, alike incapable of estimating and sharing my regard." + +Saying this he rudely disengaged himself from her arms, whilst the +unfortunate Theodora, affrighted at the violence of his manner, fixed on +him a wild and vacant stare, the intensity of her grief depriving her of +the power of reflection. But when she saw her lover actually receding +from the place, her mind started from its abstraction, and her thoughts +were fixed upon the dreadful desertion that now threatened her. She gave +a frantic shriek, and fell lifeless on the ground. + +Alarmed at the effect produced by his passionate and cruel proceeding, +Gomez Arias hurried back to the spot, and raising the lovely victim from +the ground, gazed on her with all the anxiety of returning affection. +Theodora was in his arms, but, alas! her beautiful eyes were closed, her +cheek was colourless, and a cold suffusion bathed her stiffened limbs. +The vital spark had apparently deserted its frail tenement, for no sign +of conscious life was there. Don Lope's angry feelings had given way to +his fears for her safety, and as he wiped the cold dew from her face, he +perceived blood trickling slowly down her marble brow. In the violence +of her fall upon the gravelled walk, a flint had wounded her forehead, +and the crimson drops that issued from it contrasted mournfully with the +frozen paleness of her countenance. + +Gomez Arias was moved as he gazed intensely on the angelic creature now +before him. This was no artful fiction, no solemn mockery of woe: a few +words had worked that dreadful revolution in her mind. Perhaps there is +at times an indescribable cruelty in love that prompts a man, in a +certain degree, to enjoy the misery which is wrought by an excess of +affection towards him, and triumph now mingled with compassion in the +abandoned lover's heart. He was, however, soon called to more generous +sentiments. Anxiety and regret took place of vanity, while his passion +for Theodora acquired new intensity as he scanned her beauteous figure +and contemplated the distress he had occasioned. With the most endearing +efforts he endeavoured to reanimate the lifeless form of Theodora. He +ardently pressed the yielding burthen to his heart, placed his glowing +cheek by the cold one of his mistress, fervently kissed the crimson +stain upon her forehead, and then bound it with a scarf. + +Theodora, however, for some time gave no sign of life. Don Lope called +her by the most tender names, sprinkled her face with the water of a +neighbouring fountain, and exhausted himself in efforts to revive her. +At last she gently opened her eyes, a scarce perceptible motion shook +her frame, and shortly after she raised her white fingers to her +forehead, as if conscious of sensation. She heaved a deep sigh, and +Gomez Arias watching with anxious gaze the progress of her reviving +senses, strove with soothing fondness to hasten their return. Her eyes +gently opened, and a sad smile played upon her lip, as she acknowledged +the tender solicitude of her lover, unable as yet to express herself by +words. + +"Theodora, my dearest, don't you know me?" + +Her abstracted senses awoke as if from a horrid dream, and with fearful +and convulsive clasp she hung to Don Lope's neck. + +"He is not gone--no, no, I have him here--" The rest of her sentence was +lost in a hysteric laugh. + +"No, my love," tenderly said Gomez Arias, "I am not gone, nor ever will. +I am a barbarian to treat you thus. I do not merit such excellence as +thine, and, I crave thy forgiveness for the misery I have inflicted." + +Theodora, now perfectly restored, saw the stain of blood on her lover's +lip, then she felt the bandage on her forehead, and when Gomez Arias +explained the nature of her wound, the fond girl rejoiced at a cause +that had called forth her lover's anxiety and caresses. + +They remained in profound silence, which they were both afraid to break, +for they trembled to renew a subject which had produced such melancholy +effects. + +But time was swiftly flying, and Gomez Arias again urged the necessity +of adopting some resolution. + +"Theodora," he said, "the night is wearing fast away, her friendly shade +will but for a short time longer favor us, and the morning must, alas! +throw still darker shadows over our brightest hopes." + +Theodora sighed deeply, but was unable to reply. + +"What is to be done?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it your wish that we should +part for ever?" + +"Part for ever!" cried Theodora; "Oh Heavens! the idea is more than I +can endure." + +"There is no other alternative left us," said Gomez Arias, "unless you +feel yourself courageous enough to--" and here he cast an inquiring +glance, and waited her reply; for though the purport of his meaning was +obvious, he felt almost afraid to convey it by language. + +Theodora's distress increased, and her fond arms that had till now +encircled her lover's neck, loosened their hold, whilst her head drooped +despondingly upon her bosom. + +After a short pause--"My love," continued Gomez Arias, "you must decide, +and instantly, we have but a short time more to remain." + +"Don Lope," exclaimed the afflicted girl, with impassioned eagerness, +"pity! oh pity my horrible situation, and do not tempt me with a crime, +to which my own fond woman's heart urges me but too strongly. No, do not +exert that uncontrollable power which you possess over my very soul, to +sink me deeper into the abyss of misery, that must embitter my future +existence. Do not force me to destroy the tranquillity and comfort of a +venerable parent--of that parent, whose greatest fault is his excessive +fondness and solicitude for his child. Though by his last determination +he has completed my misery, he is nevertheless more deserving of pity +than reproach. Alas! while he destroys my felicity and repose, he +cherishes the idea, that he is laying the foundation of the future +happiness of his child." + +"Yes!" cried Gomez Arias, smiling bitterly, "by forcing her to waste her +life in a cloister." + +"No," exclaimed Theodora, "he does not suppose me capable of such a +terrible resolution; he is ignorant that my affections are +irretrievably bestowed on another, fondly imagining that I shall not +long be insensible to the merits of the husband he has chosen." + +She fell on the ground, and clasping the knees of her lover, proceeded +with redoubled emotion--"Oh, Lope, I know but too well my own weakness! +Take, therefore, compassion on my distress, urge me no further, and do +not avail yourself of the tenderness and self-devotion of one who adores +you, to render her a cruel and delinquent daughter." + +Gomez Arias was powerfully struck with the earnestness of her manner; he +never imagined he should meet with such opposition from a heart so +enthusiastically devoted. He could not but admire the generosity and +nobleness of feeling which thus voluntarily condemned itself to a life +of solitude and despair, rather than deviate in the smallest degree from +moral rectitude. Yet he was inwardly mortified at her superiority, and +would fain have persuaded himself that her scruples proceeded rather +from a deficiency of passion than from a sense of honor and filial +duty. He looked on her with a mixture of compassion and disappointment +as he endeavoured to raise her from the ground. + +"No, never," she cried, "never will I rise till you grant my request." + +"Rise, rise, Theodora," said he gloomily, "and listen to me for the last +time.--Since it is your desire, I will no longer, press a sacrifice I +was naturally bound to expect from your repeated, and apparently +sincere, protestations of regard. Since you will have it so, I must +yield. I will begone immediately; but if you are to be for ever lost to +me, think not I will tamely submit to my wrongs. I will seek out the +cause of our misfortunes, and if he is the valiant knight report speaks +him, I shall then find the only solace left me in my desolation, that of +taking ample vengeance or falling nobly by his weapon. And now," he +added after a short pause, "farewell Theodora! Farewell, for we part for +ever!" + +"No, you cannot," franticly cried Theodora, "you must not leave me +thus. Oh Lope! you were always tender, and generous, and kind.--Never +did you in the slightest manner wound my heart till this dreadful +night." + +"True," replied Don Lope, "and never till the present moment could I +doubt your love." + +"Oh Lope! Lope! and is it to your Theodora you speak thus! In pity +recall those dreadful words." + +"Silly girl," vehemently exclaimed Gomez Arias, "what do you require of +me? Or what is it that you wish? You have chosen your path, let me now +take mine, unless you force me in my anguish to curse the hour when I +first beheld you." + +"Curse the day you saw me!" As she uttered this exclamation an +involuntary chill crept over her, which seemed to have frozen the +springs of her heart. + +"Theodora," he now said in a tone of sad reproach, "dry your tears--you +will soon have bitter occasion for them. May you enjoy that repose +which you have for ever destroyed in my heart--Farewell! Farewell!" + +As he said this he gently strove to disengage himself from her hold. The +struggle was too powerful for her nature, and like the poor bird when +under the magic influence of the serpent, yields itself to the +destructive charm, Theodora, unable any longer to combat with her +overpowering feelings, threw herself into her lover's arms, and +exclaimed passionately upon his bosom--"No, no, dear Lope, we will not +part. Let it be as you will." She paused, and then added with +solemnity--"It is decreed that I must be wretched, but you at least +shall never have reason to reproach me." + +Gomez Arias clasped her fondly to his breast, and in the transports of +his joy, endeavoured to draw a glowing picture of their future +happiness. + +"My dearest Theodora, hush your apprehensions and unreasonable fears. At +the first opportunity we marry. Your father will at last relent, and +even if he should prove deaf to the appeal of nature, the love and +gratitude of Gomez Arias will supply the loss." + +"Oh that is my only consolation," she interrupted with eagerness. "Love +me, Lope, love me even as I love you. No, no, that is not possible. But, +oh, if thy love should ever decrease--deceive me! in pity deceive me! Do +not let me suspect the dreadful truth--No, let death first conceal from +me so terrible a secret." + +Gomez Arias again tenderly essayed to calm her agitation, and then urged +the necessity of quitting the place with the utmost expedition. She made +no longer any resistance, for she had advanced too far now to recede, +and leaning on her lover she was almost carried along the garden. + +Gomez Arias quickly made a signal, and a ladder of ropes was thrown from +the other side. At the sight Theodora could scarcely restrain the agony +of her feelings. A crowd of thoughts distracted her mind--a load of +anguish was upon her breast, and had it not been for the support of her +lover, she would have fallen. Gomez Arias bore the trembling girl +across the wall, but as she stood for an instant on the summit, she cast +a long melancholy look on the home of her innocence and childhood--the +now deserted abode, of a venerable parent, and with a heart throbbing +with anguish, she intrusted herself to the protection of her lover. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Where is she? + I wish to see my daughter, shew her me; + + * * * * + + You have betrayed me; y' have let loose + The jewel of my life: Go, bring her me, + And set her here before me.-- + + _Beaumont and Fletcher._ + + +The next day arrived--a day of sorrow for the unfortunate Monteblanco. +Seated on a ponderous chair of rude workmanship, the old _caballero_ +waited for the appearance of his darling daughter, to pay her morning +devoirs, and receive his blessing. He waited patiently for some time, +but his mind becoming fraught with more than usual anxiety, he called +lustily to the duenna,--he called again, and again, but to no purpose. +The pious old dame was deeply engaged in her orisons, and her mind +occupied with other affairs than appertain to this sinful world. She +appeared at last, her eyes half closed, her lips moving fast in the +fervour of her devotions, and her long skinny fingers employed in a +manner equally devout, as with the most exemplary industry, and solemn +sedateness, she let fall in measured intervals, one by one, the large +black counters of her rosary. + +"The Lord be with you!" ejaculated piously the duenna. + +"Save you, good Martha," responded Don Manuel. + +"And may the blessed Virgin forgive you Señor, for thus disturbing an +humble sinner at her prayers." + +"Amen!" answered Don Manuel; "and now Martha tell me where is my +daughter." + +"_Ave Maria!_" continued the duenna, as another counter fell. + +Monteblanco, who expected quite a different answer, was however kind +enough to give the customary response to the salutation. + +"_Santa Maria!_" muttered he with a movement of impatience, raising +nevertheless his eyes to heaven. But it so happened that the devotion of +the old cavalier was obliged to give way to his paternal solicitude. + +"Martha," he therefore cried, "put aside your beads, and tell me, in +goodness tell me, if my child is indisposed." + +"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the duenna, "what brings that into your head, +Don Manuel?" + +"If not," demanded the father, "how does it happen she has not yet +appeared?--Where is she?" + +"In bed, God help her," replied Martha, "for she very naturally +concluded, that a lady who had spent the night in an amorous colloquy, +could not be expected to rise over early the next morning." + +"In bed!" echoed Monteblanco, "in bed! shame, why it is past seven," he +added, somewhat ruffled at the idea. "What! has she passed an +indifferent night?" + +"Not that I know of, unless indeed that she may have been a little too +zealous in her midnight devotions: the grace of the Lord be upon her for +a sweet, innocent child. Bless her soul, she could not be otherwise +after the holy counsel which I, a miserable sinner, have endeavoured to +instill into her tender mind." + +"Martha, Martha," seriously observed Don Manuel, "I do not entirely +approve of this excess of devotion." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the duenna. "That is exactly what I say to her, but she +is very scrupulous in her religious exercises." + +"Well Martha, you must moderate her zeal, and make her understand that +the views of heaven will be much better realized, by yielding implicit +obedience to the dictates of a father; and now," he added in a more +familiar tone, "go, and bid her come, for I expect Don Antonio de Leyva +every minute." + +The duenna went out muttering a _Gloria Patri_, which was exactly +finished by the time she got at the other side of the door. She then +hastened to the chamber of her charge, by no means pleased with a +somnolency that exposed her to any rebuke, however trifling. + +"Oh you sluggish girl," she began. "_Dios me perdone_,[22] what means +this? Are you not ashamed to be in bed at this time in the morning, and +allow a christian matron like me to be disturbed at her prayers on your +account? This comes of your nocturnal meetings; I must put a stop to +them; they may be very refreshing to the heart, but cannot contribute to +the health, nor to the good keeping of the soul; up, up _perezosa_,[23] +and never more expose a kind duenna to your father's rebukes; up, +immediately, Don Manuel is waiting." Receiving no answer, she took it +for granted, being not a little deaf, that Theodora was replying with +the various excuses which were naturally to be expected, under similar +circumstances. She continued, therefore, without troubling herself as to +their import. "Nay, nay, attempt not to exculpate yourself, for it is +very wrong to expose me thus, because I am so amiably inclined as to +overlook your frailties with christian charity. Holy Virgin! I shudder +when I think to what perilous compromises my unsullied reputation is +daily exposed by the tenderness of my disposition. What is it you +say?--Eh?--What?--you are silent then, well child, after all that is the +wisest thing you can do; it pleaseth me to see you thus humble, for +humility, like charity, covereth a multitude of sins." The good duenna +proceeded in this strain for some time, without receiving any check to +her eloquence, till at length, surprised at such an excess of +contrition, she grew impatient, flung the windows wide open, pulled the +bed hangings aside, when to her utter consternation she found the object +of her intended visitation vanished. The surprise of the duenna was +strongly pictured on her shrivelled visage, as the dismal truth obtruded +itself upon her mind. The wrath of Monteblanco, and the blot upon her +own dear reputation, as the natural consequences of this disaster, took +possession of her mind. She first uttered something between a whine and +a discordant cry, meaning thereby to indicate at once her emotions of +anger and sorrow. Then she began busily to invoke the protection of all +the saints in the calendar. But the saints, though very holy personages +in their way, are by no means the proper persons to consult respecting +the discovery of stray damsels. She appeared to place more confidence in +her own exertions than in their assistance. She commenced a scrupulous +search in every part of the chamber, under and round about the bed, and +waddling out of the apartment, she left no corner in the house +unsearched. + +Astonished at the duenna's activity, and puzzled to discover the cause, +the servants flocked around her, but to all their inquiries she gave no +other answer but interjections and exclamations, and such harsh guttural +sounds, that they began to suspect that the good dame had fairly lost +her wits. + +The garden was now explored, but alas! with no better success, and the +perturbation of poor Martha's mind baffled all description. + +It was some time before she could determine what course to pursue, +balancing in her mind whether it would be more prudent to avoid the +impending storm by flight, or boldly and confidently to encounter her +master's ire. Flight certainly is the method preferred on similar +occasions; but then by adopting it she would tacitly confess herself +guilty, and her tender reputation would be sullied with an indelible +stain; by bravely encountering, on the other hand, the irritated father, +she could stoutly deny all cognizance of the affair, and boldly call on +all the saints of Heaven to assert her innocence, witnesses to whose +testimony Martha always confidently appealed, being satisfied they would +have no inclination to contradict her. + +Acting upon this idea, she left the garden, instilling into her +parchment features all the surprise and grief that she could muster up +at so short a notice. + +In the meantime Monteblanco, heartily tired of sending message after +message, resolved to seek himself the cause of the duenna's protracted +absence. + +"Martha--Martha," he cried, as soon as he saw her--"In the name of the +devil, what means this?" + +"Hush, Don Manuel!" replied the duenna, with great solemnity of +manner--"Hush, venerated Señor; for sure enough the evil one has been at +work." + +"What!" exclaimed the astonished Don Manuel, "explain yourself, and +quickly." + +"Holy Virgin!" proceeded the dame, "that such a thing should happen in +my time!" + +"In the name of God--Martha," cried again the father, in agony, "tell me +what misfortune has happened." + +"Oh!" whined the duenna, struggling hard to force from her old eyes a +couple of rebellious tears, "ask me not, for shame and sorrow will choke +my utterance." + +"May all the curses of Heaven choke you! Woman, what have you done with +my daughter? Speak--speak, or by _Santiago de Compostela_, I will so +belabour thy shrivelled form, as to reduce it to atoms in less time +than you can say your _credo_." + +The duenna had never before seen her master in so terrible a passion, +and she almost repented not having followed her first impulse to fly. +She inwardly cursed that tenderness for her reputation, which had +brought the more substantial part of her person into the present +quandary. A vigorous defence was the only alternative now left her. + +"What have I done with your daughter!" she exclaimed, with a look which +she meant to be expressive of indignant surprise.--"May the Lord help +you!--what should I have done with your daughter?" + +"Where is she then?" + +A pause ensued. + +"Where is she?" demanded again the agitated father, with redoubled +emotion. + +"Alas! I know not--she is gone to all appearance--May the light of +Heaven, and her guardian angel conduct her steps!" + +"Gone!--my Theodora gone!" cried Don Manuel in the height of +affliction. + +"I conclude that to be the case," added the duenna, with assurance, "for +she is nowhere to be found." + +The desolate father appeared thunderstruck at this intelligence. He +smote his venerable forehead, and plucked his grey beard in the anguish +of despair. Then he vented the most bitter reproaches against the +ingratitude of his daughter, and cursed the day that gave her birth. + +Whilst he was thus vainly indulging in the paroxysm of grief, the duenna +kept crossing herself with such active fervour, that the repeated and +rapid motion of her hand at last caught the attention of the sorrowing +and abstracted father. + +"Oh, thou vile hypocrite!" he exclaimed, darting a furious look--"Thou +beldame!--Is this the way thou hast answered the confidence reposed in +thee?--I have nurtured a serpent in my house--I have set the ravenous +wolf to guard the lamb! Accursed beldame! Thou art an accomplice in my +daughter's flight." + +"Holy Virgin of the Conception!" ejaculated the offended Martha, "that +such foul aspersions should be thrown on my character, after sixty +years of rigid penitence! May the Lord forgive you, Señor, as I do"--and +she crossed herself with redoubled zeal. + +"Forgive me, thou imp of the devil!" thundered Don Manuel, astonished at +her assurance.--"Forgive me!" + +"I an imp of the devil!--I, who had an aunt who died in odour of +sanctity, in the convent of Santa Clara--I, who am second cousin to Fray +Domingo, one of the most religious as well as most celebrated preachers +of the day!" + +"May the curse of Heaven fall on thee, and him, and all thy race." + +"Do not swear," interrupted Martha; "Oh! do not swear--you fright me--I +shall faint." + +"Avaunt, thou detested hag!" continued Don Manuel. + +"_San Pedro y san Pablo!_" cried the duenna. + +"Thou poisonous crocodile!" replied Don Manuel. + +"_San Jose bendito!_" responded the duenna. + +"Abominable fiend!" returned Don Manuel. + +"_Animas benditas!_" answered the duenna. + +This extraordinary litany, however, was at length cut short by the +arrival of Don Antonio de Leyva. He was not a little surprised at the +scene which presented itself, and was for some time unable to obtain an +explanation. When he at length arrived at a knowledge of the affair, his +astonishment and sorrow were exhibited in the most lively manner. + +"Alas!" he cried, "I could not but suspect from my first interview with +Theodora, that her affections were fixed on another object." + +"Oh, no, no," eagerly replied Don Manuel--"you are far from the +mark--she cannot love any one--how could she form an attachment without +my knowledge?" + +"Then," said Don Antonio, sighing, "it was to avoid my addresses that +she has sought a refuge in flight." + +"_Jesus Maria!_" interposed the duenna--"Do not say so, Don Antonio--how +could she possibly object to so accomplished a cavalier?" + +"Good dame," answered he, "it is not difficult to account for her +dislike; and I must acknowledge with painful sensations, that I am +chiefly to blame for this unfortunate occurrence." + +"No, no," cried Monteblanco, pointing to Martha; "the person chiefly to +blame in this affair, is that detestable hag.--See how she crosses +herself, and rolls her eyes to impose upon our credulity; but it is all +over--I have been too long the dupe of her affected piety, and seeming +austerity of manners; my eyes are at length open to conviction, and I +see the despicable creature in her true colours." + +"What reason," observed de Leyva, "can you assign for Theodora's strange +resolution, unless it be dislike to me, or love for another." + +"Alas! I know not what to think," answered Don Manuel; "my mind is +bewildered, and all my conjectures may prove wrong. Perhaps some +hastiness in my way of proceeding may have influenced her +determination. But I do not despair; she may yet be brought to a sense +of her duty; if not," he added despondingly, "the happiness of my +declining age is blasted, and heartily shall I wish to be numbered with +the dead." + +Monteblanco by these means sought a medium between accusing his daughter +of downright criminality, and confessing to young de Leyva that his +suspicions concerning Theodora's aversion to the intended wedding were +not entirely groundless. + +He was unwilling also to relinquish the thought of having so excellent a +son-in-law, and he believed Don Antonio to be possessed of all those +qualities which are capable of enslaving the affections of women, even +the most fastidious. He, therefore, prudently resolved, in case of his +child's return, to allow her due time to consider the proposal, which he +had been so anxious to carry by parental authority, hoping that she +would at last be brought to acquiesce in his wishes, by the constant +assiduity and numberless accomplishments of her suitor. + +Under this impression, he readily accepted the services proffered by Don +Antonio, for the recovery of Theodora, and for speedily concerting the +means. + +"Don Manuel," exclaimed the gallant de Leyva, "spite of your kind and +courteous asseverations, I cannot but consider myself the cause of your +daughter's leaving her home. This reflection and that tender sentiment +which Theodora was as capable of inspiring as I am susceptible of +feeling, makes me perhaps a principal in this melancholy event. It is +with heartfelt sincerity, therefore, that I offer my assistance. Let us +first endeavour to restore the lovely fugitive to her deserted home, and +then let not the shadow of compulsion actuate her future determination." + +"I shall be happy," replied Don Manuel, "to profit by advice dictated at +once by affection and prudence. Theodora," he added after a short pause, +"cannot have departed from this city, and we shall probably find her +either in a convent, or at the abode of one of her relatives. However, +to insure all precaution, I shall forthwith send despatches to Granada, +and the neighbouring towns." + +Saying this, Monteblanco made a movement to retire with his young +friend, and casting a look of anger on the duenna, he said as he +passed--"Thou mayest well tremble, miserable sinner that thou art!" + +"Tremble, forsooth!" returned the stately dame, with great dignity of +manner. "Innocence has no occasion to tremble; and now it only remains +for me to quit a place where my virtue and honesty have so unwarrantably +been called in question." + +"When thou dost quit my house," said Don Manuel, "it will be to be shut +up for life in a convent, there to do penance for thy sins, and to +profit by the holy example of that good aunt that died in odour of +sanctity." + +Left to herself, Martha began seriously to reflect on the unpleasantness +of her situation; the threat of a conventual seclusion sounded harshly +to her ear. She fancied it would be more advantageous to society that +her good offices should continue in requisition, than that they should +be for ever lost by an untimely adoption of a contemplative life. + +"Oh, that ungracious Gomez Arias!" she exclaimed, in her perplexity. + +"What wouldst thou with Gomez Arias?" said a well known voice. + +She turned, and saw before her the object of her exclamation. + +"Blessed be the Virgin! It is he, sure enough. What brings you here, +Sir? Where is my young lady?" + +"Where is she?" inquired Gomez Arias, with feigned anxiety. + +"Nay, nay, your arts are thrown away on me; I know that Theodora, poor +silly thing, has eloped with you. She loves you, in very truth, she +does; and when a woman really loves, it is unaccountable what a number +of fooleries she will be tempted to commit." + +"Well," returned Don Lope, "supposing she has intrusted herself to my +protection, she only followed the dictates of pure affection; surely +there could be no harm in so doing." + +"Under favour, Don Lope," observed the duenna, "but there is. Not +forsooth in loving you; but yet, there is a crying injustice, an +unpardonable cruelty, in leaving me to suffer for it without a----" + +"Reward, wouldst thou say?" interrupted Don Lope. + +"_Valgame San Juan!_ But you misapprehend me strangely. I am not +mercenary; heaven knows my only concern is for my safety, threatened as +I am." + +"Threatened! in what possible manner?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"With nothing less than a convent." + +"A convent," repeated Don Lope, smiling, "to so devout a dame, methinks, +can have no terrors." + +"Aye in troth, I am devout," replied the duenna, "and yet I feel nowise +inclined to be immured between four walls. What merit would there be in +the sacrifice of an old, poor, decrepid piece of mortality such as I. +No, it is the voluntary seclusion of young, rich and beautiful virgins +that delights the divinity." + +"Most prudent Martha," gaily replied Gomez Arias, "I greatly admire and +applaud your discretion. Never ought so worthy, so valuable a matron to +be lost to the world. No, thou wert born to be the consolation of +gallant knights and amorous damsels; it would be really unpardonable to +permit thy seclusion, whilst thou mayest yet tend thy services to +lovers. No, no, God forbid thou shouldst go to a nunnery." + +"The Lord bless you, good Señor," returned Martha with humility; "but +you over-rate my poor deserts." + +"By my sword! that modesty becomes thee mightily. But we must lose no +time. Attend vespers this afternoon, there thou shalt find my +conscientious valet, who will give thee proper directions and assistance +to effect thy escape, and ample means to pass the remainder of thy +precious life in some distant city of Spain, free from the blessed idea +of conventual retirement." + +"That will I do, most generous Don Lope, and be thankful withal." + +"But stay," added Gomez Arias with mock gravity; "there is one objection +to this arrangement." + +"_Virgen de las Angustias!_--What is it, Señor?" demanded the duenna, in +visible alarm. + +"Why!" answered Gomez Arias, "only that thou must sacrifice somewhat of +that dear, unsullied reputation by following such a course." + +"Alas, Señor!" exclaimed she of the nice reputation--"That is too true; +willingly would I preserve it entire, but feeble mortals are not bound +to do more than their strength can compass." + +"True," rejoined Gomez Arias; "thine argument, most venerable Martha, is +a very plausible argument, and very consoling withal." + +At this moment a noise was heard. The duenna started. "It is my master, +and Don Antonio," cried she. "Hence! begone, Don Lope, they must not see +us together." + +"Fear not, most respected dame," said Gomez Arias; "I am no college +gallant, no unskilful tyro in the affairs of love; I depart but to +return in due time." + +"Return!" echoed Martha; "to what purpose?" + +"To cover thy threadbare reputation," said he laughing; "it appears of +so tender a texture, that it is likely to be torn piece-meal, if not +remedied in time. Besides, I must protect my own, should it be +necessary: a good pilot, even in a calm, must prepare against foul +weather." + +"Our Lady's blessing be upon your head!" said Martha, "for a right +prudent _caballero_." + +"Well, mind to give thy assistance at vespers." + +"Ah, my good Señor; my devotion requires no stimulus." + +Gomez Arias made his exit, just in time to prevent a meeting with the +aforesaid gentlemen. They had been busily occupied in devising the most +efficacious means to insure success in their researches. Don Manuel +appeared more composed in his demeanor, for he placed much confidence +in the influence and abilities of his ally. Hope, that with its cheering +ray lights us even on the gloomy borders of the tomb, now in part +dispelled the heavy cloud that overshadowed the deserted father's heart. + +Don Antonio took an affectionate leave, and after repeating his cordial +offers of assistance, departed. + +Monteblanco, when left by himself, felt his wrath again revived, at the +sight of the duenna; he therefore renewed his threats of a convent. + +"Don Manuel!" said the duenna, with a most sanctimonious look, "I am +innocent--innocent, as the child unborn: yet if it so pleaseth Heaven, +that I should be immured in a cloister, the Lord's will be done; a +convent has no terrors for me; alas! a poor humble sinner can desire no +better abode; but think, Señor, how galling it is to be forced by +compulsion to embrace a state, that ought to be embraced out of +spontaneous inclination; allow me at least a few hours to arrange my +worldly concerns, and I shall be ready to obey your commands." + +Saying this, the female _tartuffe_ retired to her chamber, to prepare +for her secret departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Tu puoi pensar, se'l padre addolorato + Riman quand'accusar sente la figlia, + Si perchè ode di lei quel, che pensato + Mai non avrebbe, e n'ha gran maraviglia. + + _Ariosto._ + + Ben se'crudel, se tu già non ti duoli + Pensando cio ch'al mio cor s'annunziava: + E se non piangi di che pianger suoli? + + _Dante._ + + +Whilst the unhappy father was absorbed in his recent misfortune, and +endeavouring to beguile the tedious hours, by directing researches in +all quarters of the town, where there was any possibility of his +daughter having taken refuge, he was surprised with a visit from Gomez +Arias. + +"Pardon my intrusion, Señor," he said with much courtesy; "my anxiety +for the fate of an honorable gentleman, though a rival, will perhaps +hold me excused in the eyes of Don Manuel de Monteblanco." + +"Sir," returned Don Manuel, "your visits do much honor to my humble +dwelling, and stand in no need of an apology." + +After the long vocabulary of compliments had been exhausted, Gomez Arias +reverted to the adventure in the _Zaguan_, and with apparent anxiety +demanded news of Don Rodrigo. + +"I have none, Señor," said Monteblanco; "and alas! I am not likely to +feel much concerned for the inconvenience of another, at a time when I +am myself plunged in deep affliction." + +"Perhaps," resumed Gomez Arias, "it may not be altogether right in a +stranger to pry into the secret motives of your sorrows; but if I can by +any means in my power alleviate them, I should esteem myself +particularly honored in meriting your confidence. I but now perceived +signs of alarm in the countenances of your servants, apparently not +without foundation, and it grieves my very soul to see so honorable a +personage in distress. What has happened, noble Señor?" + +"Alas! My child--my child!" cried the afflicted father. + +"She is not ill?" inquired Don Lope. + +"Oh! worse!--worse," replied Don Manuel with emotion. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, feigning surprise. "What?--no--it is not +possible--and yet it may be so." + +"Eh?" cried Monteblanco, in an inquiring tone of voice, and opening wide +his eyes in the eagerness of anticipation. + +"My valet," continued Don Lope, "brought me information that there was a +rumour circulating about the town, relating to the elopement of a noble +lady. As I am a perfect stranger in the place, I felt no curiosity to +inquire further into the affair, but I could not then imagine that you, +Sir, were the victim of this misfortune." + +"Alas! Don Lope! it is but too true!" + +Gomez Arias had learnt so well the part he had to perform, that he found +not the slightest difficulty in going through it with the most perfect +ease, and by this means he insensibly won the confidence of the deluded +Don Manuel, who, like many others under similar circumstances, felt a +relief in confiding his sorrows to one, who appeared to sympathise with +him so sincerely. + +"For surely," continued Don Lope, "some one must have been acquainted +with this flight. Have you well examined your servants? Depend upon it, +Señor, they are generally the instruments and abettors in the rebellion +of children against their parents." + +"You are right, my honored Sir," replied Don Manuel. "Servants are the +sworn enemies of those who give them bread; but though I am disposed to +suspect every one of my dependants of being accessary to this treason, I +am yet at a loss on whom to fix my suspicions with justice. I am +assured, however, that the duenna must have had an active part in +conducting this abominable transaction." + +"The duenna!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, darting a look full of wonder and +well feigned surprise--"The duenna! By my sword, that must be our +clue--I had almost forgotten that you had a duenna in your house, +otherwise my astonishment would not have been so lively. Duennas are the +soul of every intrigue, and you may indeed affirm, with a safe +conscience, that yours has not only connived at, but even facilitated +your daughter's escape." + +"Of that, alas! I am but too confident," replied the father, +"notwithstanding her solemn asseverations and canting hypocrisy." + +"Ah! the cunning beldame," quoth Don Lope sarcastically. "She has all +the arts of her kind, I perceive; but I hope, Señor Don Manuel, that you +are not to be imposed upon by such shallow artifices. We must secure the +duenna, and examine her well; perchance a few threats will not be +altogether unavailing." + +"That is precisely the method I have adopted," said Don Manuel. + +"And where is the old hag, now?" inquired Don Lope. + +"Packing up her trumpery, to depart for the convent." + +"Pedro"--then called Don Manuel. + +"Your pleasure?" demanded the valet, as he entered. + +"Send Martha to me." + +Pedro obeyed, but shortly after returned with a most dismal and +elongated visage. + +"Well, what is the old dotard staring at?" impatiently cried his master. + +"Señor, Martha is flown," replied the dependant. + +"Flown!" re-echoed Monteblanco, in consternation; "Flown! And how came +you not to prevent her departure?" + +"Save your honor," returned the terrified Pedro, "we all thought she was +quietly shut up in her chamber. She has contrived to escape, the Lord +only knows how--she must have vanished through the chimney, or a key +hole, like a witch that she is, _Jesus me valga_!" + +"That she is a witch I am fully aware, and you are all her familiars," +cried Don Manuel with violence. "But you shall rue the moment the hag +foiled your vigilance." + +Gomez Arias, who had observed a perfect silence, now ventured to +remark-- + +"We need go no further for a positive proof of the duenna's culpability, +since her guilt is rendered sufficiently evident by her flight." + +"Yes," observed Don Manuel, "but that circumstance affords me little +consolation. The means of ascertaining the truth are now lost, by the +disappearance of the principal accomplice." + +The afflicted old man again gave way to his exasperated feelings; this +last stroke quite overpowered him. His pride was sorely wounded, for he +was one of those old Spanish cavaliers, who, when deprived of every +other satisfaction, took a melancholy pleasure in inflicting his +vengeance on the object of his wrath. But even this solitary consolation +was now denied him, and the idea that he had been so grossly imposed +upon by an old beldame, added to the galling reflections which his +misfortune had inflicted. + +Gomez Arias exerted his utmost endeavours to sooth his emotion, +employing for this purpose all the established maxims resorted to under +similar circumstances--maxims profoundly wise no doubt, but which +unluckily are often lost upon their object. + +"In order then," said Gomez Arias, "to unravel this mystery, it is of +the first importance to set about the inquiry from the commencement, in +order to discover the authors. We have now the agent of this nefarious +enterprise, but we must seek for the actual culprit. There can be no +doubt that when a young girl is induced to elope from her home, there is +generally a lover who prompts her to so objectionable a measure. Now, +Don Manuel, is there no person on whom suspicion may attach with any +probability?" + +Monteblanco pondered for a while, and then replied--"Really, Don Lope, +if there exists such a man, I am totally unacquainted with his person." + +"What, are you unable to hazard even a conjecture?" + +"I am, Don Lope," sorrowfully answered the father. + +"Indeed! this is surprising;--look, Señor, around the circle of your +acquaintance, and perchance you may find a clue to guide your +investigation." + +Don Manuel mechanically looked around, and then shook his head +despondingly. + +"I would not willingly," continued Gomez Arias, "throw an aspersion on +the reputation of any one, but what are we to surmise from the visit of +Don Rodrigo de Cespedes? Certainly, there was something unaccountable in +his chivalric expedition against me. Besides, why require the assistance +of an aged cavalier, when he might have commanded that of more suitable +agents for that description of undertaking?" + +Gomez Arias met with no great difficulty in deceiving the man he had +injured; for one under Don Manuel's distressing situation, is of all +others the most easy to be imposed upon. His own wounded feelings, in +some measure, paved the way to the deception;--as a man who has lost his +purse, is apt to throw the charge on the very first individual who +unfortunately happens to attract his notice. + +"In addition to this," proceeded Gomez Arias, "we may remark the visible +alarm which was stamped on the countenance of the young lady, when our +quarrel took place--her anxiety to bring the light--the shriek she +uttered on imagining that my antagonist had fallen;--these, Don Manuel, +are strong indications, which may have escaped your observation in +moments of anger and grief, but which to a cooler judgment amount almost +to certainty. However, it is not my intention to prejudice your mind +against Don Rodrigo; my only desire is to warn you." + +By such subtle means, Gomez Arias confirmed Monteblanco's suspicions; +for when once started, nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen them +than a sort of recantation in their author. Accordingly, Don Manuel +felt almost convinced of the treachery of his friend. Certainly there +was ample room to doubt the justice of such an imputation, if he had +chosen to reflect coolly on the subject; but in cases like the present, +the best reasons are unfortunately most unceremoniously set aside. + +Thus Don Manuel was at once deceiving himself, and casting a reflection +on the character of a man who had not the remotest connection with the +event, and whose integrity in this instance could still less be +impeached than in the case of his having feloniously taken the old mule +of the friar, instead of his own beautiful horse, for the purpose of +gaining by the exchange. + +Monteblanco, after a moment's thought, suddenly grasping the hand of +Gomez Arias--"I owe you much, Don Lope," he said, "and I pray you to be +convinced of the sincerity of my gratitude." + +"Nay, honored Sir," replied Gomez Arias, "you labour under a +delusion--you owe me nothing--at least you owe me no favor, and I +solemnly disclaim any title to your acknowledgments." + +Many and reciprocal were the compliments that passed from this time +between the two cavaliers; they mutually offered their services to each +other, and Don Lope very prudently afforded to his new friend all the +instructions which might tend to render abortive the pursuit and +recovery of the fugitive. Shortly after he took leave of the unfortunate +cavalier, who was even troublesome in the expression of his gratitude, +and whose hopes now began to assume a brighter hue. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + The intent, and not the deed, + Is in our power; and therefore, who dares greatly + Does greatly. + + _Browne's Barbarossa._ + + E ben degg'io, di libertade amico, + Meno la morte odiar di quella vita, + Che ricever dovrei dal mio nemico. + + _Metastasio._ + + +We must now recall the reader's attention to that portion of the history +of the rebellious Moors, which is in some measure connected with our +tale. The forty chiefs, who had been elected in the revolt of the +Albaycin, succeeded, as we have already seen, in disseminating their +sentiments through many towns and villages in the jurisdiction of the +Alpujarras: their efforts, however, were almost invariably unsuccessful. +In most of their encounters, the Moors were either entirely worsted, or +compelled to seek for safety in flight; yet they persevered in their +designs. Defeats and repeated crosses, instead of subduing, tended only +to increase their courage, by adding to the desire of vengeance. + +The rebels had already sustained some severe reverses; amongst which the +most prominent was the loss of the town of Guejar, which, after a +protracted and desperate resistance, had been taken by storm by the +combined forces of Count de Tendilla and the famous Gonzalo de Cordova. +Most of the Moors either perished in the defence, or were put to the +sword by the conquerors; whilst the Castle itself was given up to the +flames. + +The Count de Lerin next possessed himself of the fortress and town of +Andarax; and, exasperated at the resistance of the inhabitants, who +continued to protract the defence, although without any chance of +success, he at length blew up the Mosque, where a considerable number +had fled for shelter, along with the women and children. + +Thus of the three strong holds of the rebels, Lanjaron was the only one +that now remained unconquered, and this indeed appeared to offer a more +formidable resistance, chiefly on account of the garrison having el +Negro for a leader--a man of mean origin, but extraordinary courage and +resolution. These qualities, together with the services which he had +already rendered to the Moorish cause in the wars of Granada, had +acquired for him the confidence of his countrymen, who had accordingly +intrusted him with the command of this important post. He was a man of +severe habits, with a natural ferocity of character, which, although not +calculated to conciliate, nevertheless succeeded in commanding the +respect and obedience of his troops. + +The castle of Lanjaron, situated in the vale of Lecrin, was considered a +post of the utmost consequence, not only from the strength of its +defences, but from the circumstance of being a place of secure retreat +to the Moors of the surrounding country. At this moment the fortress +was closely beleaguered by the troops under the command of the Alcayde +de los Donceles and other chiefs, who deprived the rebels of the +smallest communication with their friends of the mountains, and had thus +reduced them to an utter state of destitution. + +Under these distressing circumstances, el Negro assembled his men, and +in a short but animated speech endeavoured to make them sensible of the +importance of keeping possession of Lanjaron, till the other leaders had +gained time to organise their means of defence in the Alpujarras. The +words of el Negro were received with a burst of enthusiasm, and for some +time the Moors vied with each other in giving the most heroic proofs of +courage and perseverance. As the fortress, however, was completely +surrounded, and the means of subsistence began to fail them, as a last +hope, they made a desperate sally during the night, but were driven back +with considerable loss. The failure of this attempt damped their +resolution, and some of the less courageous even murmured against an +exploit beset with difficulties, which it appeared next to an +impossibility to surmount. + +El Negro beheld these symptoms of discontent with heartfelt sorrow, but +at the same time with a countenance expressive of coolness and undaunted +fortitude. He exerted his utmost endeavour to quell the rising storm, +soothing some with pleasing hopes and promises, and thundering horrible +threats on the most refractory. The following morning three grisly +heads, dripping blood, appeared affixed to poles upon the battlements; +but this salutary punishment did not produce the expected effect, for +though it appalled the discontented, it inspired not a single spark of +valour in their hearts; whilst the Christians, who beheld the ghastly +spectacle, augured favorably from this bloody proof of disaffection. + +The numbers of the besieged were daily decreasing, until at length they +came to an open resolution of surrendering at discretion. The principal +men of the garrison, without the knowledge of their chief, had already +sent privately a messenger into the camp of the Spaniards to treat about +the surrender, and the conspirators had assembled in a clandestine +meeting, when el Negro, whom they supposed to be reposing from his +fatigue, suddenly came, and threw them into consternation. + +"Traitors! what means this?" he cried, with a voice of thunder; "what +are your intents?" + +"To capitulate," answered one more hardy than the rest, "and save our +lives by a timely submission." + +"Villain!" exclaimed el Negro, fiercely, "thou at least shall not enjoy +the reward of thy cowardice!" And raising his arm, with a ponderous blow +of his scymitar, he cleaved the head of the traitor down to the very +shoulder, and the body rolled heavily on the ground. His companions +stood aghast in speechless horror, whilst el Negro, his lips curling +with ire, and casting around a glance of defiance and contempt--"Go," he +exclaimed, "go, unworthy Moors, and abandon a cause which you have not +the courage to sustain. Go, and live like slaves, since ye know not how +to die like men. Senseless, pitiful cowards! Was it for this then that +you forced me to be your leader? Was it for this that I abandoned +Granada, leaving there, at the mercy of the Christians, all my dearest +friends, and severing the tenderest ties that bind man to existence? Go, +and accept the proffered pardon. I will remain alone, to shew our +countrymen of the Alpujarras, that at Lanjaron there was at least _one_ +true man--one who knew how to die in the execution of his duty." + +He said, and snatching the sacred standard, ascended rapidly to the +summit of the battlements, and placed himself by the three heads, which, +from their exposure to the sun and wind, had already begun to decay, and +presented a most ghastly and loathsome spectacle. The revolted garrison +threw open the gates of the castle to their enemies, whilst el Negro, +abandoned by all his companions, continued gloomily pacing the +battlements. The Christians, respecting his resolute conduct, and +willing to save his life, sent a herald to invite him once more to +surrender, declaring he had done his duty, and death alone would be the +consequence of his further resistance. He received the message with a +sneer, in which contempt was blended with sadness and despair; then +taking the presented _adarga_,[24] the acceptation of which was a +signification of peace, he threw it disdainfully on the ground, and +trampled it under his feet. + +"Carry this answer to him who sent thee!" and folding his arms, he +resumed his melancholy walk. + +The Christians now took possession of the castle, and el Negro +tranquilly beheld their approach. El Alcayde de los Donceles, willing to +make a last effort to save him, cried out as he advanced--"Yield thee, +Moor--yield--and accept thy pardon." + +"Never!" exclaimed fiercely el Negro; "the Moor will accept no boon from +his enemies. Death is now my only resource; but, Christians, do not +rejoice; I have been subdued by treachery, not by arms. Do not rejoice, +for our resources are still great, and while el Feri de Benastepar and +Cañeri live, your oppression shall not be complete." + +He said, and with a sudden spring he hurled himself from the summit of +the tower. His body falling on a rock below, was dashed to pieces. + +The surrender of Lanjaron, and the tragical end of el Negro, were an +irretrievable loss to the Moors. They now found it utterly impossible to +oppose the superior and better disciplined troops of the Christians with +any chance of success, either in open battle or in regular sieges. They +therefore resolved to limit their whole means of defence to the +mountains, a description of warfare more suitable to their wandering +habits, and far better calculated to harrass the enemy, without +sustaining risk. Accordingly, el Feri de Benastepar, Andalla, Cañeri, +and other chiefs, collected their forces, and assigned to each other a +portion of those mountains which they were at once to govern and defend. +By this means the Christians were likewise obliged to divide their army +into many divisions, and to encounter the rebels in partial struggles. +Don Alonso de Aguilar, who had succeeded in compelling el Feri to +retreat before him, now pursued his advantage, and advanced towards +Gergal, where that rebel chief was collecting his adherents. + +In the mean time, Don Antonio de Leyva, whom we have left at Guadix, +condoling with Don Manuel at the flight of his daughter, was compelled +to forego his wishes to serve the afflicted father. His duty now called +him to join the army of Aguilar, and act in conjunction with him against +Cañeri and el Feri de Benastepar. + +Don Antonio's party had already arrived at Guadix, and the gallant young +knight, unwilling to procrastinate his departure when the path of honor +was open to him, immediately proceeded to take leave of Monteblanco. He +found the unfortunate father plunged in deeper affliction than before. +In the society of Don Antonio he had found a source of relief, and his +departure was productive of the most melancholy sensations. But Don +Manuel felt the necessity of the separation, and he was too generous and +noble minded to signify his wish to cause any delay. + +"Go, my friend, go, where honor calls you," he said, as he threw his +arms round de Leyva's neck--"Go, and show by your conduct how worthy you +are of the confidence reposed in you.--When the glory of your deeds +shall be blazoned abroad, my ungrateful child will feel a pang of regret +for the loss of a man so deserving of her affection and esteem." + +Here he was overcome with grief, and could proceed no further. + +"Señor," said Don Antonio, "do not yield yourself a prey to despondency; +but a short time has yet elapsed since the melancholy occurrence that +afflicts you, and you have no reason to relinquish your hopes. In all +cases be assured, Don Manuel, that you and those who concern you will +always be next my heart, and that unless death deprive me of the power, +I shall at least see your wrongs redressed, if I can bring no other +consolation." + +Saying this he hastily disengaged himself from the arms of Don Manuel, +and endeavouring to conceal his own emotion, gave the word of command. +He bounded lightly on his spirited barb, and the martial display of his +men, the glitter of armour, and the seductive prospect of future glory +and renown, powerfully contributed to dispel the cloud that hung over +him. Yet it was a sad parting, for there was something peculiarly +affecting in the sight of a father who, like Monteblanco, found himself +in old age isolated in the midst of the world, and bereft of the last +dear comfort that still bound him to life. Besides, in the short +interviews between Theodora and Don Antonio, both in the last visit and +at former periods, she had left a pleasing recollection in his mind. +Already the cries of those who bade the party of de Leyva farewell were +diminishing on the ear, and the turrets and steeples of Guadix became +more obscurely perceptible in the distance. The warriors began now to +assume a mastery over their feelings, and the tear of sympathy was +brightened in the glow of expectation. Courage and renown took entire +possession of those hearts which but too lately had sympathized with the +weaker and more tender sentiments of humanity. + +The absence of Don Antonio was like a death-blow to the hopes of +Monteblanco. Often did he regret the infirmities of age, which now +prevented him from grasping his sword; but his arm was grown nerveless, +and for the first time in his life the helpless cavalier felt bitterly +the recollection that all his brave sons had sacrificed their lives in +the defence of their country, not one now remaining to prop the honor of +his falling house. Don Manuel was a man, and this transitory feeling of +regret was natural to a father under his affliction, who knew not to +whom to turn for consolation and advice. + +Gomez Arias, who had insensibly won his favor, departed the next day +for Granada, in which quarter he had no longer any danger to apprehend. +He was anxious to assume his station in the war against the rebel Moors. +Monteblanco considered his intention not only just, but highly +commendable, and a tear coursed down the old man's cheek, as he took +leave of the seducer of his child, and the cause of his present +misfortunes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + D'une secrète horreur je me sens frissoner; + Je crains, malgré moi-même, un malheur que j'ignore. + + _Racine._ + + Señor Gomez Arias + Duelete de mi + Que soy niña y sola + Nunca en tal me vi. + + _Calderon._ + + +It was a rich and splendid summer evening. The sun was slowly sinking +behind the giant mountains of the Alpujarras, whose dark fantastic +shadows were gradually lengthening along the plains below. No intruding +sound broke upon the soft stillness of the scene, save when the +feathered tenants of the forest warbled their evening song, or the +tolling of a distant convent bell reverberated through the sombre +recesses of the mountains. A soft languor prevailed over the sylvan +scenery. The fancifully wreathing clouds, streaked with the red and +gold of the lingering sun--the variegated tints of those quiet +solitudes--the warm, chequered streams of light that glanced on the +broad-leafed tree, or fitfully quivered over the straggling +streamlet--the calm repose which reigned over that wide extending +landscape, all tended to raise the mind to contemplation, and to +interest the heart. + +At this tranquil hour, a group, consisting of three persons, were seen +slowly ascending a green sloping height, which seemed designed by nature +as a first resting place in the severe ascent of the gigantic mountain. +The first of the party was a knight of most gallant bearing, and mounted +on a shining black steed. Close by his side rode a beautiful damsel, +whose long redundant tresses were with difficulty restrained in a fillet +of silver lace. She wore a long riding habit; a Spanish hat, ornamented +with a plume of black feathers, was hanging gracefully on one side of +her head. Having thrown aside the thick veil which had protected her +from the scorching influence of the sun, she discovered a fair +countenance, to whose delicate cheek the heat and exercise had lent a +gentle tinge of the rose. Yet an expression of pensive sadness pervaded +the features of the lovely traveller. + +At a short distance behind these two personages, rode a man who appeared +by his dress and deportment to be their attendant. He sat with perfect +nonchalance on a stout Andalusian horse, but by the looks of suspicious +alertness, which he now and then cast around, it might be inferred that +this apparent ease was not in strict unison with his inward feelings. At +the moment of which we speak, he was singing in a _mezzo tuono_ the +romance of the Marriage of the Cid-- + + A Ximena y a Rodrigo + Prendió el rey palabraymano + De juntarlos para en uno + En presencia de Layn Calvo. + +"Cease thy confounded noise, Roque," cried angrily the knight, who, as +the reader may suppose, was no other than Gomez Arias. "What in the +name of Satan can induce thee to sing, when thou hast neither voice nor +ear? Give over, for thy confounded harmony is anything but pleasing." + +"Señor," observed the attendant; "what if I only sing to please myself?" + +"Silence, buffoon; or I shall presently raise a discord about thee, by +which all thy future powers of hearing shall be ruefully endangered." + +"Pray, Señor, do not deny me this only comfort; I wish particularly to +sing at this moment." + +"Thy reasons?" + +"Because I always sing when I am afraid; there is nothing so efficacious +as a song to drive away fear." + +"In sooth, such singing as thine would drive away the very devil. But +why shouldst thou fear?" + +"Under favor, Don Lope," replied the valet, "methinks fear ought to be +the most natural sensation at the present moment." + +"Darest thou talk of fear, poltroon!" said Gomez Arias. + +"By our Lady of the Pillar," ejaculated Roque, "such talk befits both +time and place. Are we not in hourly danger of encountering a set of +most fierce murderous-looking _ladrones_?"[25] + +"Well, and if that were really the case, we have but to defend ourselves +manfully. By the soul of the Cid, I would make very light work of a host +of such ruffians." + +"Well, my honored master," returned the valet, "but be pleased to +consider that this is not our only danger, for I trow we are now in the +mountains of Alpujarras, where those accursed and rebellious Moors hold +dominion. A plague on the infidel dogs! Are they not continually on the +watch to spring upon straggling and unwary Christians, and when they do +surprise them--" + +"Peace, fool, peace!" impatiently interrupted Gomez Arias, "This is not +the Alpujarras. Forgettest thou that when we left Guadix two days +since, we pursued quite a different route?" + +"That I know, Don Lope, but I likewise know that during the night, +either by chance or on purpose, we lost our way. Besides I am not so +ignorant of the country as to mistake these places, and I would wager my +head against two _maravedis_[26] that we are actually ascending the +Alpujarras." + +The young lady, who had till now observed a profound silence, with a +faultering voice exclaimed--"Oh, heavens! are we really in those +terrible mountains, and are we indeed in danger?" + +"No, my love," answered Gomez Arias; "the danger is not so great as this +fool would make us believe." + +"No, my lady," retorted Roque; "the danger is not so great, for after +all, the worst that can befall us is but to be hung upon a tree, there +to dance to the tune of the whistling midnight wind, and to afford a +luscious repast to the ravens, and other carnivorous gentry that hold +tenantry in these wild passes." + +"Heavens!" cried Theodora alarmed. + +"Nay, gentle lady," interposed Roque, "the hanging system will only be +followed up with respect to my valiant master and his humble servant. As +for yourself, the Moors are men celebrated for their gallantry, and +would place too great a value on your beauty, to subject it to such +rough treatment." + +Gomez Arias, greatly exasperated at Roque's insinuations, suddenly +turned, and, riding up to him, interrupted the course of his oratory +with a smart blow.--"Now, rascal," he said, "if thou darest again to +give utterance to any of those ridiculous fears, by _Santiago_, the +Moors shall not be put to the trouble of hanging thee--So be cautious +what thou sayest." + +"Say!" humbly muttered the valet, "Blessed Virgin! I have nothing else +to say; your arguments, Don Lope, are unanswerable. But I hope, my good +Señor, I may be allowed to recite my prayers, since singing and rational +conversation are interdicted." + +"Pray as much as thou pleasest, sinner, provided thy orisons are +inaudible to us." + +Gomez Arias now endeavoured to calm the fears of Theodora, who had been +greatly agitated by the imprudent remarks of Roque, which tended +considerably to increase the depression under which she laboured. + +"My Theodora," he said, "is it possible that I cannot remove the +continued dejection that preys upon you?" + +"Forgive me, Lope," she answered; "the expression of my grief I know is +painful to thee, but a dismal foreboding obtrudes itself upon my mind, +which I strive in vain to banish. Alas! it is fraught with a most +fearful, but indefinite anticipation; a woeful presage that freezes my +very soul." + +"Hush such foolish chimeras," said Gomez Arias; "it is true that, for +greater security of avoiding observation, I have been obliged to seek +studiously the most unfrequented paths, and travel through these wild +and solitary passes; but our journey draws to a conclusion, and all the +appalling images of Moorish ruffians will soon be entirely dispelled." + +"Alas! the dreaded sight of those infidels is not the only cause of my +emotion," sadly replied Theodora. + +"What else can occasion it?" demanded Gomez Arias, with anxiety. +"Surely, my Theodora repents not the hour she intrusted herself to the +protection of Gomez Arias?" + +She spoke not for some time;--a flood of tears relieved her bursting +bosom: then, as if struggling to collect her forces which were almost +overpowered by sad recollections, she exclaimed--"Oh! never mention the +hour of my crime--for crime it was, and a deadly sin, to abandon the +best of parents, in his old age; and yet," she added, sobbing, +"conscious as I am of my guilt, were the sin again to be committed, for +thy sake, Lope, I should again brave the voice of self-reproach.--Gomez +Arias, wert thou to read the hidden pages of my heart, there thou +wouldst find a tale of boundless love and never-ending sorrow, which no +words of mine can describe, but which must embitter the future portion +of my existence, unless we speedily obtain the forgiveness of my injured +parent." + +"Nay, Theodora, this weakness is as unreasonable as it is unjust; nor +can I at all imagine why thy future life should be embittered with +grief, united as it is with the very being of Gomez Arias." + +"I am sensible," cried Theodora, "both of the tenderness and sincerity +of your love, and you know full well with what fervent devotion it is +requited." + +"What, then, can urge your mind to form such desponding anticipations? +Have you seen aught in my conduct,--have you discerned anything in my +words, that can afford even the shadow of justice to your +apprehensions?" + +"No, Gomez Arias," she answered; "your conduct to me has always been +kind; your words breathing the same solicitude for my comfort and +happiness: but you must forgive the weakness and fears of a fond woman's +heart. Forgive me, Lope, if these feelings should sometimes create ideas +galling at once to my peace, and derogatory to thy constancy and love. I +have laboured hard to subdue them, but, alas! the exertion has +constantly proved above my strength; I must give them utterance. Oh, +Lope," she added; mournfully, "I fear you are not the same. Pardon +me,--you are not the same, as when I first surrendered to you all my +affections, fondly imagining you were mine for ever." + +"Not the same!" ejaculated Gomez Arias; "have my attentions been less +constant than from the first rapturous moment when you allowed me to +call you my own?" + +A deep long rending sigh burst from the bosom of Theodora, and her whole +frame seemed to suffer from a painful recollection. + +"No," she said, smiling sadly through her tears, "you watch with +solicitude over me, and you are lavish of endearments; but, alas! the +pure and soul-warm part of your affection I fear is flown." + +"By my honor," said Gomez Arias, "I could never have expected these +unkind expressions from you." + +"Oh! Lope," cried the affrighted girl; "do not heed me; think not of the +remarks to which my foolish fears give rise; I am ashamed of them +myself. I will no more disturb your mind; no, never more shall the +voice of complaint sound in your ears, and call forth the resentment of +your wounded feelings.--Ah! Gomez Arias, compose yourself, and be not +angry with your poor--your helpless Theodora." + +As she uttered this affectionate appeal, her beautiful eyes were fixed +on Don Lope, with an expression in which all the tender, all the genuine +feelings of her heart seemed to be collected. Gomez Arias was softened; +his features relaxed from that sudden asperity which had for a moment +usurped the more habitual complacency of his countenance, and he +endeavoured to dispel from the mind of Theodora the impression which +such unkindness might produce. + +They had now arrived at the summit of the little hill. It was a most +delightful spot. A sward of short pliant grass carpeted a romantic +little plain, skirted on one side by a portion of a forest, through +which the sun cast short and interrupted glances of his parting +splendour. Above the heads of the travellers, rose in dark grandeur the +majestic form of the Alpujarras; and beneath them, as far as the eye +could reach, was spread an extensive range of sylvan scenery, +intermingled with the habitations of men. Farther, the little quiet +villages lay slumbering in the soft blue shadows. The whole of the scene +was wrapped in an indescribable charm, that well accorded with the +tranquillity of the hour. + +Here they halted, and Gomez Arias turning to Theodora said in an +affectionate tone, "My love, your tender frame has already endured a +greater share of fatigue than becomes your strength. Let us then, in +this delightful and sequestered spot, indulge an hour in refreshing and +invigorating repose." + +Theodora assented in silence. + +"Nay," continued Don Lope, "consult your inclination. I will not press +you to rest, unless you feel its necessity." + +"I have no wish but your own," cheerfully answered Theodora; "you appear +inclined to stay in this place--let us tarry then." + +Gomez Arias sprung lightly from his steed, and aided his fair companion +to dismount. She threw herself into his arms, but as her feet touched +the ground, she heaved a sigh, and cast a melancholy look around her. + +"How you tremble, my love," said Don Lope; "this is the consequence of +that rascally Roque's foolery. I have a good mind to chastise the fellow +for the fears he has conjured in your breast." + +Roque, who had followed at some distance in silent mood, no sooner heard +his name pronounced, than he pricked up his ears like an intelligent dog +on the scent for game, and when he heard his master's kind intentions +towards him, he ventured to observe-- + +"Señor, I would not trespass on your generosity; pray reserve your +intended favor for a future occasion, when I shall have more specially +deserved it." + +"Sirrah! be silent; come down, and tie the horses to yonder trees." + +The valet obeyed briskly; while Gomez Arias conducted his fair companion +to the entrance of the wood; where, arranging a couch under the +spreading arms of a huge oak, he invited her to lie down and rest. She +was about to accede to his invitation, when they were startled by a +shrill and discordant sound accompanied with a heavy flapping of wings, +and presently a flight of dull ill-omened ravens issued from their +solitary abodes, and hovered about, as if to dispute the possession of +their ancient homes with the intruders. + +A fitful and involuntary shudder ran cold over the affrighted girl, as +with a wild and appalled look she gazed on the recluse birds, which +their arrival had disturbed; she clung eagerly to Gomez Arias, as they +both sat down on the spot above-mentioned. + +"What ails you, Theodora?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it possible that a few +ravens can inspire with childish terrors a mind like yours?" + +Theodora acknowledged her foolish weakness, but she was far from feeling +tranquil and consoled. Indeed when she perceived Roque, with visible +alarm, cross himself fervently three times, it added to the excitement +of her feverish imagination. + +Owls, ravens and bats, have always had an indisputable privilege to +excite superstitious fears. Whence they derive this particular claim, it +would be difficult to determine, but they are generally considered the +harbingers of some dismal event, which is more properly, after all, the +result of an over-heated fancy. + +Theodora, who since she left the paternal roof had been a prey to that +fixed sorrow which the intoxicating transports of love had not been able +to subdue, now contemplated, in the gloomy croaking of the ravens, the +sad presage of some dire misfortune. She reclined silently with downcast +eyes, while Roque was busy in fastening the horses. + +"Gently, gently, Babieca," said the valet, caressing the spirited steed +of his master; then he muttered to himself--"for we have nothing to fear +if we escape safe and sound from this place--So help me God if I did +not count thirteen ravens, as ill-omened in every respect of size, color +and voice, as a Christian might wish to behold--Well, our _Lady de las +Angustias_ send us her grace and protection!" + +"What art thou muttering there?" asked Gomez Arias. "Thou graceless +varlet, hast thou a wish that I should fulfil the promise I made thee a +short time since?" + +"Señor?" inquired Roque, pretending not to hear. + +"No dissembling, thou dog!--What art thou mumbling to thyself?" + +"Save you, kind master; sure enough I am only praying, and in so doing I +infringe not your commands, since I have your permission to pray to my +soul's content, provided it is in a tacit capuchin-like manner." + +The ravens having practised their cumbrous evolutions, now sought their +rest amidst the deeper gloom of the forest, and all again was hushed, to +the great relief of Roque, who forthwith began to devour alone the +provisions which, like a careful and sagacious forager, he had provided +against the necessities of the journey. + +Theodora had laid aside her hat and veil, to enjoy the luxury of repose +with greater convenience, whilst her lover placing himself near her, and +watching her every movement, diffused by his tender anxiety a transient +joy over her features. She soon insensibly sunk into that sweet state of +languor which precedes sleep--her beautiful eyes by fits now entirely +closing, now gently opening, indicated the gradual absorption of her +senses, till at last she fell into a profound slumber. Gomez Arias, who +as we have observed stood watching her, like the tender mother over her +beloved daughter, now knelt close by her side, and softly pronounced her +name--she answered not--he took her yielding hand, gazed over her +anxiously, till he was perfectly assured that a profound sleep had +completely overpowered her faculties. + +"Señor," quoth Roque, "methinks it would be a pity to disturb the +slumbers of the poor lady after the journey she has undergone." + +"I do not mean to interrupt her rest," said Gomez Arias, in a low voice, +"so we must even retire." + +Then he rose up with cautious silence, and drawing near his valet, he +added-- + +"Rise, rise quickly, and make no noise." + +Roque obeyed, and both having retreated to some distance--"Señor," +observed the valet, who cared not again to disturb the ominous ravens, +for which he felt an instinctive horror--"Señor, no necessity for +retiring further." + +"Yes there is an imperious one," replied Gomez Arias, "I can no longer +remain here." + +"What say you, my honored master!" demanded Roque, alarmed; "surely you +are not afraid of the Moors? By my conscience, we should come to a +pretty pass if such were really the case." + +"Peace, thou wretch!" said Don Lope; "speak not a word, but immediately +untie my horse, and as you expect to live, mind you make not noise +enough to disturb even the leaf of the tree." + +"Señor, I do not understand," quoth the bewildered Roque. + +"I must begone," impatiently replied his master. + +"Gone, Sir! Why I understood you had determined not to break our young +lady's repose." + +"Nor is that my intention. She must remain here with thee, till I am out +of sight." + +"_Cuerpo de Christo!_ What ails you my dear Señor; what ails you, in the +name of _San Jose bendito_?" exclaimed the astounded Roque, who really +imagined his master was beside himself. + +"Listen, Roque," said Gomez Arias, "and mind thou religiously observest +my instructions. Unavoidable circumstances require that I and Theodora +should part; I have been seeking an opportunity of so doing, and +assuredly I shall not find a better than the present. It is necessary I +should return to Granada immediately, and it would be highly imprudent +to hazard the chance of being seen with Theodora, for reasons of which +thou must be well aware. A separation, therefore, becomes at this +moment indispensable. When I am gone, thou shalt awaken yon sleeping +beauty, and accompany her thyself to the said city, where I shall +precede you in order to make arrangements for her reception. There is a +nunnery, of which my cousin Ursula is the Lady Abbess, where she shall +for the present find an asylum. Thou hast only to inform Theodora, that +I thought it most advisable to ride in advance to prepare our retreat. +Upon thy arrival at the _Torre del Aceytuno_ a man will join thee, to +whom thou must look for further instruction, and whose direction thou +art to follow with confidence. Thy reward shall be proportioned to the +magnitude of the service; so now get me my horse, and let me begone ere +she awake." + +Roque remained thunderstruck as his master revealed to him his cruel +intentions; the poor fellow drew his hand across his eyes, as if to +ascertain whether or no he was under the delusion of a dream; but as his +master in a more imperative voice repeated his injunctions, the reality +of his barbarous purpose burst upon his mind. + +"No, no, Don Lope," he said in a supplicating tone, "such surely cannot +be your intentions; abandon the poor girl! no, you only wish to trifle +with my credulity." + +"I must begone," resolutely retorted Gomez Arias. + +"Why, Sir, assuredly you loved her?" + +"I loved her once, but that is passed." + +"_Holy Virgin del tremedal!_ What say you, Señor? What has the poor lady +done? How has she offended you, unless it be in loving you too well?" + +"Aye, Roque, thou art a shrewd fellow; she has indeed loved me too +well." + +"But consider, my honored master, she is more like an angel than a +woman; never before did I see a being so kind, so tender and devoted." + +"Roque, Roque, be not sententious; I have no time to listen to thy +sentimental cant; the qualities which thou praisest in Theodora are +precisely those that withdraw me from her.--Haste thee, I say--What is +the fool staring at?" + +"But, Señor Don Lope Gomez Arias," solemnly said Roque, "consider that +common humanity----" + +"Humanity!" interrupted his master, "how am I deficient in humanity, +when I place her in the only situation that becomes her, since a +marriage between us is utterly impossible. But enough; a truce with your +remarks; prepare to obey my orders, and take care thou art strict in +their observance as thou valuest my regard, or tremblest at the effects +of my wrath and indignation. However, to remove thy ridiculous and +ill-timed scruples, I must recall to thy mind that I cannot pursue +another course, for thou art aware that I am betrothed to Leonor; I must +not violate the sanctity of my promise, and thereby lose the favor of +the Queen, and incur the resentment of the justly offended Don Alonso de +Aguilar." + +This last observation somewhat reconciled Roque to the necessity of the +measure, the more so as he hoped that, when at Granada, another plan +might be devised for Theodora, besides that of conventual reclusion; and +finally, as he knew that all further expostulation would be thrown away +upon his master, he prudently contented himself with shrugging up his +shoulders, and holding the stirrup for Don Lope to mount. + +Gomez Arias briskly leaped upon his horse, and was about to depart, when +casting a last look on the victim he was deserting, the better feelings +of his heart seemed for a moment to struggle for predominance. + +There is something peculiarly interesting in the sleep of a young and +beautiful woman; the features unruffled by anxiety or care, appear more +soft and attractive. The mind of the gazer scans with nicer accuracy her +charms, and dwells with fonder attention on each beauty of the lovely +sleeper. Besides the consciousness of so gentle, so helpless and so +heavenly a form, sleeping in innocent security, confiding in the +protection of man, and that very helplessness of her nature, awakens a +sentiment of sympathy and tenderness, as undefinable as it is thrilling +and transporting. And such was the sleep of Theodora: she was young and +replete with charms, and, alas! but too helpless and in need of +protection. Her beauteous form was displayed to the greatest advantage; +the sportive breeze now playing amidst her luxuriant hair, which +occasionally concealed a countenance beaming in loveliness, and hushed +in soft repose, imparted a degree of fairy grace and delicate freshness +to her charms. One of her arms was carelessly thrown over her, and with +the other she supported her head, while, unconscious of the fate with +which she was threatened, she slept on in security. And now a tinge of +animation illumined her countenance, or a fascinating smile played upon +her lips, as she dreamed perhaps, like the fond deserted Ariadné, that +her godlike lover was still watching over the slumbers of his beloved. + +Gomez Arias still gazed on her--he heard his name in smothered accents +escape her tender bosom, but it awakened in him no feeling of delight, +for his heart had now resumed its cold calculations of worldly pursuits; +perhaps the predominant sentiment of his mind at this moment, was the +necessity of immediate departure, lest the imagination of the +unconscious victim should master the deluded senses, and call them back +to life, before he had time to remove from the spot. + +"Lope! my love!" murmured Theodora, and a gentle thrill seemed to +agitate her, as she extended her arm, as though she would assure him +that whether sleeping or awake, Gomez Arias was the object that +predominated over all her thoughts and affections. Yet Gomez Arias stood +calmly for a moment by the victim he was deserting, and bidding her a +long farewell, rode slowly and silently on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + El honor + Es un fantasma aparante, + Que no esta' en que yo lo tenga, + Sino en que el otro lo piense. + + _Calderon._ + + Honor's a fine imaginary notion. + + _Addison._ + + +Honor! thou dazzling and wayward deity, how boundless is thy dominion! +How widely different the nature and pretensions of thy worshippers! All +do thee homage; all gladly and proudly profess themselves thy votaries; +all would resent the supposition of being heretical to thy creed, and +yet how few truly adhere to the purity of thy precepts! How few are +sincere in the expression of their adoration!--nay, how limited the +number of those who really understand the essence of thy doctrine! The +sanguinary ruffian considers himself as zealous in the service of honor, +as the high minded and courageous man who has a sword to avenge the +wrongs of his country, and a heart to sympathise with the picture of +human misery. All are swayed by the magic word, Honor; for even those +who affect to despise virtue, her attractions being of too humble and +plebeian a character, nevertheless pretend to revere the name of +_honor_, as conveying an idea more bright and consonant with worldly +pomp, and at the same time affording a greater latitude for various +interpretations. Alas! this very vagueness has something more flattering +to deluded mortals, than the strict and definite term, the more heroic +nature of virtue. + +Honor was the idol of Gomez Arias, who appeared one of the most +scrupulous in the observance of its tenets; he could not brook a word, a +glance, a smile which might seem derogatory to the essence of its +established maxims. Again, his word was sacred and inviolable. The +least equivocation in his promise to man might sully him with an +indelible stain; but then he would calmly and deliberately, without +transgressing his honor, employ all his guile to deceive a weak and +unprotected female. Honor would compel him to acquit the debt of the +gaming table, even when he was almost justified in impeaching the +integrity of the creditor, but as a counterpoise, that same honor, +without any dereliction of principle, allowed him to turn a deaf ear to +the claims of more humble suitors; claims, certainly more just and +sacred, but far less _honorable_. + +The rigid adherence of Don Lope to his word, was fully exemplified in +the convenient recollection of his engagement to Leonor de Aguilar. He +had pledged his faith to that lady, and had undoubtedly been a little +too remiss in its fulfilment, but now that he had nothing more to hope +from Theodora, he was alive to the sacredness of his promise, and the +almost dishonorable nature of any delay. + +It was by this and the like sophistical reasonings, that he endeavored +to palliate his ingratitude and cruelty towards the hapless victim of +his lawless desires; for hardened as he was in his libertinism, and +unjust as were his sentiments with regard to women, he could not avoid +feeling a pang of conscious remorse at the recollection of Theodora. He +had systematically won the confidence of an unsuspecting girl, and when +she had intrusted him with her heart's best affections, how was the +trust requited? He had despoiled her of her innocence and peace of mind; +seduced her from her home; snatched her from the arms of an indulgent +parent, and now abandoned her, degraded in her own estimation, and a +prey to all the bitterest pangs of shame and remorse, and disappointed +love. He had laid rude hands on the tender flower in its opening bloom, +and prematurely sipped the sweetness from the blossom, and then +unpitying he had cast it by, neglected and forlorn. + +It required all the brilliant anticipations of Don Lope's future career, +to stifle the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon his imagination, +and he endeavoured for some time wholly to dispel such unwelcome ideas, +by courting others of a more agreeable nature. + +The image of Leonor de Aguilar stood before his sight in all the charms +of ripened beauty, surrounded with the dazzling splendors of rank, +fortune, and a glorious name. Gomez Arias perceived the advantages of +his alliance with Leonor, and the wildest dreams of ambition danced in +rapid succession before his mind. He beheld himself the envied possessor +of the first lady of the land, the near relative of its most respected +warrior, and the honorable expectant of the highest preferment. His +pride would be gratified, and his fondest desires realized. He held the +cup of happiness to his lips, filled even to the brim; he was +bewildered, intoxicated with the sweet beverage, and in the flow of +pleasurable expectations, the thought of _her_ whom he had made wretched +for ever, was soon completely lost. + +Alas! the anticipation of the future will always thus overpower the +recollection of the past; beauty, honors, glory, and their sparkling +attendants, were fearful odds against the love, the solitary love, of a +fond and innocent girl--a love which had nothing more to promise, +nothing more to bestow. But to return: + +No sooner had Gomez Arias quitted the place, than Roque, struck by the +decision and promptitude of his master, stood silent and motionless, +gazing on the unfortunate and deserted fair. She was tranquilly +sleeping; dreaming perhaps of love and joy, and Roque hesitated to +shorten the sweet illusion by making known to her the dismal reality. He +felt an unconquerable repugnance to be the messenger of such fearful +intelligence; for though the valet was accustomed to the unprincipled +vagaries of his master, he was not entirely divested of humanity, and he +could not but commiserate the utter wretchedness of Theodora's lot. + +But now the soft rays of evening were deepening into twilight; darker +shadows stole imperceptibly over the various-tinted and drowsy +landscape, till at last all was enveloped in one calm uninterrupted blue +of night. + +The superstitious fears of Roque, as he saw the gloom increasing around, +overcame his feelings of compassion, and he began to think of awakening +Theodora, when the hollow sound of a horn burst suddenly upon his ear, +and momentarily rivetted him to the spot. He looked towards the quarter +from whence the blast proceeded, and with surprise and terror he beheld, +at a short distance above his head, two men, who, as well as he could +distinguish, were arrayed in Moorish attire; presently three or four +others made their appearance, and Roque, now dead to all other +sensations than those of personal danger, sprung eagerly upon his horse, +and fled with the utmost precipitation in the direction that his master +had taken. + +The Moors, for such they were, saw his flight with savage +disappointment; but Roque having the advantage of a horse to facilitate +his escape, they considered that a pursuit would be useless. They left +him, therefore, hoping that his capture would be made by some other of +the straggling parties that patrolled those solitudes. + +"The base Christian escapes," said one, who appeared to be the leader. + +"Yes, Malique," answered another, "but let us look what he leaves +behind." + +"By the Prophet's sacred beard," cried Malique, "it bears very much the +resemblance of a woman. But she moves not.--What, is she dead? The +detested ruffian surely has not murdered her. Let us hasten down and +ascertain the truth." + +They rapidly descended from the height, and surrounded the unhappy +Theodora, who, quite overcome with fatigue, was still sleeping. + +"She is not dead; she is only asleep," quoth one. + +"And a pleasant apartment has she chosen for her chamber," cried +another. + +"She is a lovely lady, and gentle handmaids will she have to awaken her +withal," observed Malique. "Soft and fair as one of the Houris promised +to the faithful in paradise. By the holy sepulchre of Mecca, such a +morsel as this would not be disagreeable even to the fastidious palate +of our chief Cañeri." + +He approached, and for a moment stood gazing over the sleeping beauty, +his eyes glistening with savage pleasure; then pulling her gently by the +arm,-- + +"Awake, fair maiden, awake!" he said, in as soothing a tone as the +roughness of his nature would permit. + +With a fitful start Theodora awoke. She opened her eyes. Oh, horror! +horror! Surely she was labouring under the impression of a fearful +delusion. Yes, it must be the wild chimera of her feverish fancy. She +saw herself surrounded by a band of appalling figures, each seeming to +vie with his fellow who should display in his appearance the greatest +terror. + +The pale moon that now slowly arose from behind the clouds, threw +around streams of chilling, unearthly light, which served to illumine +countenances still more chilling and unearthly. Strange black eyes, +wildly rolling under their darksome covering, were all intensely gazing +on her; and horrid grins, which were peculiar to those features, served +to increase the natural ferocity of their ruffian aspect. Poorly attired +they were,--outcast and rebellious spirits, who had the caverns of the +forest for their resting place, and the wild mountain for their country. +The tranquil recklessness of their wandering life was depicted in all +their movements; and the cold expression of their bronzed features +betokened a hardihood in the commission of crime, and in the unwearied +pursuit of vengeance. + +"Fair Christian, be not afraid," said Malique; "we will not harm thee." + +Theodora looked at the speaker and closed her eyes, as if unable to +endure the sight. Words coming from so terrible a source could convey no +confidence; and kindness and assurances of safety, offered by such a +being, seemed a refinement of cruelty, to render dishonor and death +more poignant. A broad face, of swarthy complexion, was rendered +frightful by an enormous mouth, where large white projecting teeth +seemed to be placed more to disfigure than to adorn it. A large scar +extended across the face, dividing the eyebrows, and adding new terrors +to that already repulsive physiognomy. + +When Theodora recovered a little from her first emotion, she became a +prey to the most harrowing recollections. Alas! her reason seemed to +return only to augment the poignancy of her distress. + +"My love! my own Lope!" she franticly cried, "where art thou? Come, come +and protect thy poor Theodora!" + +The hardened Moors raised a laugh at those piteous exclamations, whilst +Malique observed-- + +"Nay, lady, if that same Lope be thy husband, or lover, call him not; +for I presume he is not within ear-shot, and can afford thee no +assistance; so be composed, and yield submissively to thy fate, since +there is no other alternative left thee." + +Theodora heeded him not, for she was absorbed in the ideas that crowded +upon her mind. Terrible was the sight of those mountain ruffians, and +horrid was the anticipation of her destiny, yet only one melancholy, +heart-rending misfortune occupied her every feeling. She was alive to +one only calamity, but in that, alas! all the horrors with which fate +could overwhelm her were at once combined. She saw _him_ not--the man of +her heart--her last protector, and the single link that bound her to +existence. Gomez Arias was not by her side; had he abandoned her? She +could not harbour such a thought in her innocent bosom,--nay, not even +in a transitory flash, was the dreadful truth revealed to her. She was +at least blessed in this ignorance, but yet Gomez Arias was not present. +She thought that her lover had been murdered, but not that he had +abandoned her. + +Malique now made a sign, and one of his companions untied the horse +which had been left behind. + +"Come, fair maiden," he then said, addressing Theodora, "thou must mount +and follow us." + +"Follow you! Oh! heavens, have pity on me!" + +"We do pity thee, lady, for we intend to carry thee to a place of +safety, where, if thou knowest how to use to advantage the attractions +of which nature has been so prodigal to thee, thou mayest perchance +experience a lot far more fortunate than a Christian captive has a right +to expect when in the power of the oppressed and injured Moors." + +"Alas! where do you lead me?" again tremblingly demanded Theodora. + +"Even to our chief Cañeri; and we can promise thee that if thy charms +are such as to insure his affections, thou wilt be honored with his +choice, and perhaps rank foremost amongst his wives." + +"Oh! horror," cried the wretched girl, in frantic agony. "Kill me, oh! +in pity kill me, before I am overwhelmed with such degradation." + +She threw herself on the ground, and fearfully clasped the knees of the +ferocious Moor. + +"Kill thee!" re-echoed Malique; "no, no, thou art too beauteous, too +lovely. Thy grief at present for the death of the man thou bewailest, +makes thee call for a fate which some time hence thou wilt thank me to +have spared thee: with Cañeri thou wilt learn to forget the lover thou +deplorest, for thou wilt find that a Moor can love even more sincerely +than a Christian." + +Theodora entreated in vain. Deaf to her piercing cries, Malique mounted +her palfrey, and forcibly placed her before him to prevent her falling, +as her frame shook convulsively, and he began to fear he would shortly +have to support a lifeless burthen. + +Night's sable pall had now overspread the drowsy earth. The moon no +longer afforded her light, and thick darkness hung over those mournful +solitudes. The listless silence was only broken by the tramp of one +solitary horse; while the suppressed gaiety of the Moors, and the deep +sighs that oft escaped from a sorrowing heart, but too plainly told the +tale of violence and distress. + +A calm cold tranquillity presided over the place. The screech-owl gave +one gloomy shrill and prolonged note, and all was still again. But that +sound went thrilling to Theodora's heart, like the death-knell on the +mountain blast; while the night wind blew fearfully, and the dismal +howling was rehearsed by the echoes of the wilderness. + +But deserted and lonely as were those dark recesses, more lonely and +deserted still was the heart of Theodora. She was a wretched outcast, a +solitary being in the world, and she lived on memory alone. Alas! it is +in the hour of distress and perilous adventure, that the voice of memory +holds more busy converse with the mind. She then tells a long and varied +tale, in which the fortunate portion of our past existence is powerfully +heightened, whilst the gloomy part is rendered lighter by the weight of +actual endurance. In this hour of terror, the remembrance of the happy +home which she should never see again, and the tranquil pastimes of +innocence which she could never more enjoy, passed in rapid succession +before her mind. The first dawning of genuine love--the fervour of +adoration, all were fled. The image of Don Lope, rendered still more +endearing by his untimely loss, filled up the measure of Theodora's woe, +till her heart could no longer support the pressure of so much distress. +She sobbed aloud; and the tears which fell from her eyes in some measure +relieved her bursting heart. She looked around, and saw nothing but the +undisturbed continuance of wild solitudes, clothed in dark shadows; and +she heard nought but mournful sounds to add to the wretchedness of her +already deplorable lot. The ill-omened bird again shrieked, and the wind +howled fitfully; whilst the moon, issuing from behind a cloud, now threw +a cold comfortless light, which imparted a death-like hue to every +object around. + +While thus overwhelmed with sensations of terror at her forlorn +situation, she perceived some object of dark appearance hanging upon a +tree almost across their path, and waving to and fro at the will of the +blast. A glimpse of moonlight now falling upon the place, discovered a +human figure: it was indeed the body of a murdered man. Theodora +shuddered at the sight: an icy chill crept over her, and she dreaded, +and yet was eager to learn what she, alas! too well anticipated. + +"The sight appears to unnerve you, lady," coolly observed her conductor, +"and I wonder not, for it is a sorry sight for a tender female, and a +Christian withal. Yonder scarecrow was, a short time since, a Christian +knight, and is there placed as a warning to his fellow-countrymen how +they dare provoke the angry lion in his dominions. In each Moor will the +Christian encounter a lion;--nay, something even more terrible than the +king of beasts; for, joined with the mighty strength and fierce +resolution of this animal, we have the reason and wounded feelings of +men." + +"By the prophet," said one of the Moors, "that Christian well deserved +his fate; a more desperate man never did I see!" + +"Aye," continued another, "he fought bravely, and we bought his life at +the dear price of two comrades." + +"I came not till he was dispatched," exclaimed Malique in a haughty +tone, "otherwise the combat would not have been long dubious; but you +are a cowardly set, and had the Christian been seconded, I suspect that +the five who attacked him would have been disgracefully driven back: but +he fought alone, his dastardly servant having fled. Pity we could not +catch the rascal, for he would have made a proper accompaniment to his +master on the next tree." + +Theodora listened in frozen suspense, whilst another of the Moors +observed, in an under-tone,-- + +"'Twas unfortunate though, that love should have brought about his +death: in his last moment he said something concerning love; and who +knows but this young maiden"-- + +Theodora heard no more,--she uttered a faint smothered scream, and fell +lifeless into the arms of Malique. + +"Give help! give help! she faints! poor damsel--Get some water from the +brook." + +They halted a moment, and sprinkling the reviving liquid over Theodora's +face, succeeded in recalling her back to life. Malique then endeavoured +to administer words of comfort to the distressed girl, but he was +utterly unsuccessful; a settled gloom pervaded her soul, and she +discarded the very idea of consolation. Thus they continued to travel +during the night, till the first gleams of the dawning day brought to +their view the outline of a village enveloped in the morning mist.--As +they gently advanced, the scene enlarged, and the shade gradually +rolling off, a little quiet town became at length perceptible, shining +in the first rays of the sun, and fresh with silvery drops of the dew. +The sombre aspect of the Alpujarras began to lose its sterner frown in +the loveliness and animation of the morning hour. But alas! it brought +no comfort to the desponding heart of Theodora. Deep and poignant as her +sorrows were, she felt conscious that a yet more dreadful fate awaited +her; she was about to be offered a victim to the lawless desires of a +ruffian, and an infidel. Death alone could release her from so +degrading a destiny; but even death, that last melancholy consolation, +was denied to her. She prayed fervently to heaven, and her +supplications, pronounced in the sincerity of her heart, served only to +console her. No help came: eagerly she cast her eyes around, and clung +with fond endearment to the wildest hopes that ever fancy created.--She +hailed with a fluttering expectation the least sound, for in it she was +willing to fancy a deliverer. The distant tramp of a horse, or the bark +of a dog, failed not to raise hopes which tended only to render her +distress more poignant by disappointment. + +Her mind, worn out in this conflict, began to lose its powers of +consciousness, and as they approached the town, she gradually fell into +a state of passive despair. She saw without emotion a group of men +standing at the entrance, who, in conjunction with some ragged children, +as soon as she was perceived, raised an exulting shout. + +A Christian captive! a Christian captive!--And presently three or four +armed Moors came forward, to whom Malique related his adventure. They +then proceeded altogether through the principal street of the town of +Alhacen, which was at that time the headquarters of the Moors, who fell +within the jurisdiction of the rebel chief Cañeri. The town presented a +most dismal and disconsolate aspect; the inhabitants bearing in their +appearance a proof of their miserable wandering life, and seeming all +prepared to abandon their precarious tenements at the first summons. +Indeed the late losses which they had sustained, and more especially the +surrender of Lanjaron, contributed, to keep them in a state of continual +alarm. This feeling was considerably augmented by the intelligence they +had just now received, that Alonso de Aguilar, the most renowned and the +most redoubtable of their enemies, was rapidly advancing against El Feri +de Benastepar. However, as they had nothing to lose,--no riches to +abandon--no pleasures to relinquish--no comforts to forget, the +expression of their countenances exhibited a cold resignation, blended +with gloomy ferocity. + +The party that conducted Theodora having traversed the town, stopt at +its extremity, before a house which appeared somewhat in better order +than the rest, in front of which several armed Moors were pacing to and +fro. + +Malique demanded an immediate interview with Cañeri, which was denied +him on the plea that the chief was at the moment deeply engaged in a +conference with the most important amongst the Moors. Soon after, +however, a short broad-faced ugly fellow made his appearance, and with +demonstrations of joy welcomed Malique, who was his kinsman. + +"By our holy prophet, Malique, I am glad to see thee return with such a +goodly sport:--Cañeri is not to be interrupted now, but thou mayest be +sure of a good reward." + +Aboukar, for such was the Moor's name, then ushered in his kinsman. +Every one seemed to pay great respect and deference to the little man; +it was with reason, for he acted in no less a capacity than master of +the household to the mountain sovereign of the place. Meantime Theodora +was intrusted to the care of an old hag, wife to Aboukar, and a renegade +Christian. She conducted her ward to a little narrow apartment, where +having placed some refreshments, she recommended Theodora to partake of +them, and retired. + + +END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. II. + +LONDON: +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. + +1828. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Though I had the form + I had no sympathy with breathing flesh; + Nor, 'midst the creatures of clay that girded me, + Was there but one, who----but of her anon. + I said with men, and with the thoughts of men, + I held but slight communion; but instead + My joy was in the wilderness; to breathe + The difficult air of the iced mountain's top, + Where the birds dare not build. + + _Byron._ + + Some secret venom preys upon his heart; + A stubborn and unconquerable flame + Creeps in his veins, and drinks the stream of life. + + _Rowe._ + + +In the recess of a spacious apartment sat Cañeri, indolently reclining +upon a pile of cushions, after the manner of the Moors of distinction. +He was descended from a family related to the old Moorish kings of +Cordova, so that in consequence of his rank, and a certain influence +which it obtained for him, he had been elected by the rebels as one of +the principal leaders chosen to direct their enterprize. Weak, and +vain-glorious, Cañeri evinced the utmost solicitude to maintain the +semblance of a splendour which corresponded but indifferently with the +poverty of his present state, and assumed an authority that ill assorted +with the precarious tenure by which he held his power. Anxious to cling +even to the shadow of a Court, he had appointed his officers, and +regulated his household, with all the precision and etiquette of a petty +sovereign. The mansion which he now inhabited had apparently belonged to +some more wealthy person of the town of Alhacen, and had been studiously +decorated with all the tapestry and other ornaments which could be +collected together; but the faded and tattered condition of the +materials, evidently indicated that the days of their splendour had +long since passed. + +Cañeri was at this moment exhibiting the capricious disposition of a +vain and would-be despot. Some half dozen miserable looking figures, who +surrounded his couch, constituted his whole retinue, and appeared +completely subservient to the ridiculous fancies of their master. But +amongst these desperate ruffians, there was a man whose countenance and +demeanor were calculated more particularly to attract the notice of a +stranger. He sat at the right of Cañeri, and seemed, by the freedom of +his language and manner, to possess the unlimited confidence of that +chief. On what plea he could found his claim to such a distinction, +would have been no easy matter to determine; his countenance being +remarkable only for a larger share of calm resolution, deep malignity, +and ill-boding ferocity, than those of his companions. A broad and +strongly built frame, dark and lowering features, black shaggy beard, +and the savage glitter of an eye that scowled gloomily under its heavy +brow, gave to his whole appearance a most forbidding and sinister +expression. Even when his features occasionally relaxed from their +sternness, they only seemed to writhe into a peculiar sneer, which could +not be contemplated without an involuntary shudder of terror and +repugnance. Yet, even amidst this repulsive exterior, at times there +could be traced a few sad remains of noble lines in that countenance, +which spoke of hateful passions, long cherished within the breast. There +was enough to induce the belief that this man had originally been +capable of better feelings, and worthy a more honorable career. + +This mysterious being, like the rest of Cañeri's train, was apparelled +in a Moorish garb, remarkable only for its poverty and simplicity. But, +though his appearance and attire bespoke the Moor, yet the expression of +his features by no means corresponded with his exterior; and a +penetrating eye could easily discover, that whatever might now be his +profession, he had formerly belonged to other creed and nation than +that of the Moslem. + +"Bermudo," said Cañeri, addressing himself to the personage in question, +"thou art unusually abstracted to-day, far more than for some time past +I have known thee." + +"Bermudo!" exclaimed the other indignantly; "Bermudo! Call me no more by +a name so hateful;--a name that brings to my recollection my miseries +and my crimes. It is an ominous, a detested sound, that rings in my ear, +to tell me that I was once a Christian--an injured man; and that I am +_now_----" + +"A valiant Moor," interrupted Cañeri. + +"A vile renegade!" retorted Bermudo with a sneer. "A renegade; for thou +canst not gild the bitter potion, nor will I attempt to disguise my +character. I am a ruffian; but I have pledged myself to serve the Moors, +and I WILL serve them faithfully, actively, to the last breath of my +loathed existence." + +"Thy services, indeed, have been most valuable," said Cañeri, "and +grateful are the Moors for the interest thou evincest in their cause." + +"Tush," cried the renegade; "thank me not. It is not my love for the +Moors that prompts my services, but my hatred to the Christians. No, +Cañeri, I will not admit acknowledgments which I little deserve. You say +that I am brave and active--'tis true. I can endure privations, and +encounter dangers; but in so doing, I look not to advance the interests +of the Moorish cause, but to serve that of my revenge. No, I anticipate +no triumphs; I live merely for the gratification of vengeance for wrongs +long past, but too deeply rooted in this heart to be ever forgotten." As +he pronounced these last words his frame shook with agitation. + +"Calm thyself, Alagraf," said Cañeri, "since thou hast adopted that +name, and art now----" + +"A traitor!" cried the renegade, interrupting him. "I am a traitor to my +faith and country. Nay, do not attempt to palliate a name in which I +glory. I well know the vile thing that I am considered. My career is a +dark one; and the passion which fires my heart, and nerves my arm, +cannot ennoble my deeds of valour, but may at least satisfy my craving: +and that is enough--I am a villain; but woe to the man who made me what +I am. May the curse of despair, may the venom that festers here (and he +forcibly smote his breast) poison and corrode the life of him who +planted it in a heart kind by nature, and designed for virtue; but by +one bad man driven to revolting crime." + +"Thy wrongs," interposed Cañeri, "shall be avenged; and our cause, +desperate as it seems, may still prosper. 'Tis true, we have lately +sustained many reverses; but el Feri de Benastepar yet lives, and even +now may check the proud course of our enemies, and blight the verdant +laurels of the Christian's brow. Even now, perhaps, Alonso de Aguilar +meets the doom to which his hate to the Moorish name so irresistibly +impels him. We have resources left,--our forces may be less; our courage +greater." + +"Hold, Cañeri," cried the renegade; "if thou wilt deceive thyself, +deceive not me,--thou canst not. I abhor the Christians, but why should +I deny the melancholy truth that is daily forced upon our conviction? +The Christians are our superiors, and we have to oppose to them, only +the desperate, the frenzied power which springs from a sense of deep +injuries sustained,--of wrongs carefully treasured up for the day of +retribution." + +"Alagraf!" returned Cañeri, somewhat hurt at the boldness and freedom of +the renegade, "whatever may be the motives that urge thee to second our +enterprise, forget not that mine and those of my companions originate in +a cause more noble and dignified--It is to assert our rights as a free +and independent nation." + +"That," sneeringly muttered Bermudo, "may be the pretext; but I will +neither discuss the merits of our undertaking, nor the justice of our +cause. To me, at least, they are just and meritorious. I seek by my own +exertions that redress which my humble station could not procure, when +matched against those to whom chance, not superior worth, gave power +over me." + +"Well," returned Cañeri; "whatever be thy motives, thy services have +been most acceptable to us, and thy reward shall be proportionate to the +value of thy assistance." + +"Reward!" exclaimed the renegade, "I ask for no reward; thinkest thou, +Moor, I would have been tempted to abandon the most sacred ties of +country and religion for a reward?--Thinkest thou that for a bribe I +could be instigated to become an open villain?--a thing despised? for ye +all despise me, and must despise me,--nor can I feel offended." + +"Despise thee!" cried Cañeri. + +"Aye, despise me; for such as I must ever be despised, though their +services may be most welcome. A reward! and what reward? Some paltry +gold, perchance. No, Cañeri; I am at least a bold, not a mean ruffian, +and I wish for no other reward save that which I can exact with my own +hands. Ah! let me strew the rankest thorns in the path of my wronger! +Let me throw a deepening cloud over the brilliancy of his hopes, and +envenom all the springs of his affections and happiness! Let me make him +a thing to create abhorrence, and heap upon his head the shame and +degradation that weigh me down; and when he writhes in agony, let me +enjoy his misery and despair, and hear him cry for mercy, and deny it +him, as he denied it _her_! Oh! that I may watch his life as slowly it +ebbs away, and then in that last tumult of anguish,--in that violent +separation of the soul,--let me--let me pour into his afflicted ear my +exulting voice, shrieking aloud _Anselma_!" + +Callous as was the nature of Cañeri, he could not suppress an +involuntary shudder, when he beheld the horrid picture which the +renegade now exhibited. It was a fearful sight, for that gust of +frenzied passion gave to his whole person the look of a demon: his frame +shook violently, and as he grasped his weapon with nervous convulsion, +those iron features became fraught with indescribable hatred and +revenge. But the storm passed rapidly away, and after a short struggle, +the renegade again resumed his look of dark, imperturbable calmness, and +relapsing into his wonted mood of gloomy abstraction, he recovered the +cold fixed sneer which habit had rendered natural to his countenance. + +At this time Malique claimed admittance, and advancing slowly towards +the pile of cushions on which the vain-glorious Cañeri languidly +reclined, failed not to present all those marks of reverence which so +much delighted the chief, who conceived them indispensable to the +support of his dignity. Malique, therefore, crossed his arms with the +most abject air, inclined his head until it came nearly in contact with +his knees, and with all the outward signs of humility made three times +the Moorish obeisance. These tokens of submission Cañeri received with +the haughtiness of manner peculiar to a despot, accustomed to command +respect and adoration from his herd of slavish dependants. + +"Malique," he then cried, "what brings thee here? Why am I disturbed in +my moments of privacy? What can induce thee to commit so daring a +transgression?" + +"Pardon me, most potent Cañeri," humbly replied Malique. "Pardon the +good intentions of a faithful slave;--I am the bearer of pleasing +tidings, although in my zeal to serve my master, I may perhaps have been +guilty of indiscretion." + +"Speak," said Cañeri, assuming a look of important gravity. "Alagraf, +remain--I may need thy counsel--let the rest withdraw." + +"Most mighty Cañeri," continued Malique; "as my party was patrolling the +mountains last night, some of my men surprised a Christian." + +"And of course he met his death?" interrupted the Chief. + +"He did, after a long struggle, for a more desperate man we have seldom +seen! he now dangles on a tree, like many others of his countrymen, a +fit scarecrow to rambling adventurers." + +"Proceed--" said Cañeri gravely. + +"A moment after," resumed Malique, "chance led us to the spot where +another Christian slept in fancied security." + +"And didst thou slay the wretch?" inquired the Chief. + +"No, most noble Cañeri. It was a female, and therefore I brought her +here, for she is a most bewitching creature--such as seldom meets the +enamoured gaze of an enraptured lover. The rose in its opening bloom +looks not more lovely in the garden of the faithful, than this beauteous +captive. Indeed the fascination of her person is peculiarly striking, +though at present the gloom that preys upon her mind, tends considerably +to diminish the lustre of her charms. Still I thought she might find +favor in the sight of our illustrious Chief, and be honored with his +smile." + +"A young Christian maiden," cried Cañeri, "sleeping in the +Alpujarras!--'tis strange!--how came she there? Malique, didst thou +learn? Knowest thou the nature of her sorrows?" + +"Yes," answered Malique,--"she bitterly deplores the fate of him we +slew. Apparently, he was a husband or a lover. At all events the +Christian people cannot boast of a nobler or braver warrior." + +"Knowest thou his name?" demanded Cañeri. + +"I learnt it," replied Malique, "from the captive herself;--it is Don +Lope Gomez Arias." + +"Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the renegade; starting back in amazement. +"Gomez Arias! it cannot be!" + +"Such is the name," returned Malique, "that our prisoner gave him, and +there is no reason why she should deceive us. In troth her anguish was +too deep, and her grief but too lively, to leave a doubt of the veracity +of her statement." + +"Gomez Arias!" cried again the renegade, "and is he really dead!--dead! +Malique, art thou sure?--did he not escape?" + +"Escape!" muttered the Moor, "his soul escaped from his body. That is +all the escape that I wot of." + +"Then," continued the renegade, Bermudo, striking his forehead in a +paroxysm of disappointed passion, "my revenge is foiled, my victory +incomplete. I, too, could once have taken his life; but he owed me more +than his base life could pay. Long have I toiled to bring about a day of +retribution, and now my hopes are suddenly crushed, and my vengeance +wrested from my hand." + +"What means this, Alagraf?" inquired Cañeri, surprised at such uncommon +demonstrations. + +"Is this thy acute perception!" cried Bermudo, "that thou canst not +divine the motive that alone brings joy or pain to this blighted heart? +Dost thou forget that there is only one solitary feeling that can affect +it?" + +"Yes, revenge!" replied Cañeri, "but then this Christian! this Gomez +Arias--" + +"Is my accursed enemy," thundered the renegade; "my foul wronger; once +my lord and master; and this captive, this weeping beauty, is perchance +his affianced bride, the proud daughter of our bitterest, our +redoubtable foe. Yes, she must be the daughter of Alonso de Aguilar. +And yet," he added, pondering, "how came she there?" + +"What sayest thou?" exclaimed Cañeri, with strong marks of pleasure. +"Can it be possible? Thanks, thanks to the holy prophet that vouchsafes +such reward to the faithful. This is indeed a most precious gage, as it +may perhaps be the means of curbing the overbearing insolence of +Aguilar; for, destitute as he is of all sympathy towards the Moors, he +may yet feel the anxiety of parental love when he learns the situation +of his child. Dispatch, quick; Malique, bring forth thy captive, and ask +a meed--'tis granted." + +Malique withdrew, leaving the chief reveling in delight at the +unexpected tidings; and the renegade, with a countenance expressive of +deep regret at an occurrence which deprived him of the enjoyment of the +one dark passion that actuated his every feeling, and engrossed every +thought. + +Meantime, the unfortunate Theodora was conducted by Malique before the +chief, like a trembling victim for the sacrifice. + +"Behold my prize," said the obsequious Moor, pointing to the helpless +girl. "I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Cañeri." + +The gratified Moor made a slight inclination with his head in token of +approval, and then in the most scrutinizing manner proceeded to scan the +beauties of the afflicted fair, who hung down her head in sorrow and +confusion. The renegade made a movement of disappointment, when he +perceived that the captive was not, as he had surmised, the daughter of +Aguilar. + +"What!" said Cañeri, observing his surprise, "does she not merit thy +approbation? Methinks, Alagraf, thou hast no soul for beauty: look, look +at that lovely countenance; it is certainly bathed in grief, and defaced +with weeping; but that does not detract from its charm." + +"Fair Christian," he added, in a condescending tone, "droop not thus +like the humble and neglected flower of the valley, since thou art +called to a brighter destiny; thou shalt flourish like the cultured +lily of the garden, for thou hast found grace in the eyes of Cañeri, and +he has the power to render thee happy." + +These words of kindness, far from tranquillizing the mind of Theodora, +served but to increase its agitation. + +She hastily shrunk back as she perceived the Moor make a motion to take +her hand. Malique, in the meantime, exhibited much satisfaction in +having thus rendered himself useful to the pleasures of Cañeri, and thus +acquired indisputable claims to his notice and gratitude; for, with the +petty despot, as with the greater tyrants of whom he was the miserable +copy, the base ministrants to his private gratifications were generally +more abundantly remunerated than those who gloriously served their +country. + +"Malique," exclaimed Cañeri, his eyes glowing with joy, "I am so well +pleased with thy zeal, that I will assuredly enable thee to hold the +most confidential offices near my person." + +Then, turning to the renegade, who was as stubborn in his silence as the +chief appeared eager in lauding the attractions of the captive, "Curse +upon such apathy, Alagraf," he said with affected glee, "thou art a man +of marble, if such a woman is not capable of moving thee." + +"Yes," sternly responded the renegade, "I am in sooth a man of marble, +and pity there are so few to resemble me: better it were for the +prosperity of our enterprize. What have I to do with the charms of +woman? they have proved the bane of my existence. Once, indeed, I knew +their value, but that is past, and now they are hateful to my sight: +they recall the unfortunate and innocent cause of the horrors which +surround me. Moor," he then added, "abandon not thyself to such +unreasonable joy; for, learn that the hopes which we conceived from the +possession of our captive are already vanished. She is not the woman we +had supposed." + +"What meanest thou?" asked Cañeri. + +"She is not the daughter of Aguilar," replied Bermudo. + +"Well," rejoined the Moor, "we must then submit to the disappointment; +but will this circumstance detract from the charms which you see render +her so lovely?" He cast an enamoured glance, as he delivered these +words, on the subject of his present delight; and then, very well +satisfied with his discretion, he continued--"I can justly appreciate +merit wherever I find it; and although certainly the creed and country +of our fair guest are in direct opposition with mine, yet that shall not +prevent me from paying the tribute which her beauty so justly deserves." + +Theodora heard all this with sorrowful resignation; nor was Cañeri by +any means satisfied with the success of his eloquence, for he had been +accustomed to meet with a more joyous reception from every female to +whom he had yet condescended to make advances. + +"Malique," he said, turning to the officious menial, "lead this +beauteous damsel to one of our best apartments, and see that she wants +for nothing that I can command." + +He then favored the afflicted Theodora with a peculiar smile, in which, +somewhat of the ludicrous prevailed over the tender, and dismissed her +from his presence, with a gracious promise of a visit as early as the +importance of his affairs would allow. + +While Cañeri spoke, Bermudo held his accustomed silence, but he could +not disguise his contempt when he perceived the Moor so completely +engrossed with the pursuit of his selfish gratification, at a time when +affairs of such magnitude were at stake. + +"Cañeri," he cried sullenly; "it appears to me that our cause is not +likely to derive any great advantage from the possession of that +Christian." + +"A mind," replied Cañeri, with an assumption of gravity, "a mind +harassed with numerous cares, necessarily requires some relaxation.--To +thee alone, as a friend, do I speak in these terms of confidence; to any +other, I would not condescend to afford the shadow of explanation +regarding what may appear strange in my conduct; my actions must not be +subjected to the scrutiny of any one." + +As he said this, he looked around with an air of offended dignity, as +though a signification of his will were sufficient to command respect +and obedience; while the renegade made no other reply than a smile of +derision. + +Cañeri now summoned around him his principal officers, and happy in the +beggarly retinue that attended him, he paraded the wretched town of +Alhacen, the capital of his scanty dominions. This was more for idle +display, than for the purpose of taking vigorous and efficient measures +to check the course of the Christians. The garrison was drawn out in the +_Plaza_[27] to be reviewed by their commander. They amounted to about +eight hundred men, but exhibited a miserable appearance, both with +regard to arms and equipment. He harangued them upon the glory of their +cause, and exhorted the chiefs to a rigid observance of their duty. +Having thus terminated this singular exhibition to his entire +satisfaction, he returned with the same parade to his humble mansion, +which, in compliment to its illustrious inhabitant, was now dignified +with the title of the palace. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mais puisque je naquis, sans doute il falloit nâitre; + Si l'on m'eut consulté, j'aurais refusé l'être. + Vains regrets! Le destin me condamnoit au jour, + Et je viens, o soleil! te maudire à mon tour. + + _Lamartine_. + + I have no dread, + And feel the curse to have no natural fear + Nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes + Or lurking love of something on the earth. + + _Lord Byron_. + + +Returned to his dwelling, Cañeri seated himself to his repast, which, +though frugal in the extreme, was nevertheless served with all the +etiquette of a sovereign. The taciturnity of the renegade was if +possible more marked than ever, nor could he be prevailed upon to +partake of the food which was before them. Cañeri felt an invincible +desire to dive into the mysterious history of his confidant; an attempt +which he had already frequently made, but always unattended with +success. As soon, therefore, as their meal was finished, he dismissed +the attendants, and turning to the renegade in the most friendly +manner-- + +"Alagraf," he said, "cheer up; let not thy noble spirit droop: think on +our cause, and rouse thy energies in proportion to the danger which +surrounds us." + +"Danger!" cried the renegade, "talk not to me of danger--I am reckless +now of consequences;--what is the whole world to me? My hated, my +detested enemy is no more;--the only longing of my life is thwarted, and +I can feel no longer any interest in the pursuits of man." + +"Surely!" exclaimed Cañeri, somewhat alarmed, "thou dost not mean to +abandon our cause!" + +"Moor!" replied the renegade, in a voice of thunder, his eyes flashing, +and his brows assuming an additional sternness--"Moor! is it to me thou +darest hold such language? Thinkest thou that being _once_ a traitor, my +whole existence must be made up of treasons? Suspicious man, know me +better; I am a dark and accursed villain; hateful alike to Christian and +Moor, but yet I am no deluded wretch, that will stoop to swerve from the +path he has once resolved to follow." + +"Calm thy temper, Alagraf," said Cañeri, interposing; "I meant not to +offend thee, and if I have, I pray thy indulgence: thou art sensible of +the friendship which unites us; it is from the zeal of that friendship, +that I continually urge the questions which thou seemest to avoid. Great +must be the nature of thy sufferings, and powerful the motive which +provokes such unusual signs of emotion; yet surely some consolation +might be found in trusting thy secret to the bosom of a comrade." + +The renegade remained silent for a few minutes; then, as if suddenly +adopting a fresh resolution-- + +"Cañeri," he said, "oft has thine officious zeal, or weak curiosity, +fatigued my ears with repeated questions that are daggers to my soul. I +will now satisfy thy craving; yes, I will unravel the mystery that hangs +around my head. By this concession I may perhaps acquire the right to +brood over my wrongs and misfortunes undisturbed and unmolested in +future. + +"Cañeri," he continued, "all the calamity which is now the portion of +the man that stands before thee--all the struggles, the racking throes +that torture this seared breast, arise from one solitary cause--the +offspring of one crime, and of that crime the unhappy victim who suffers +by it is innocent. The rites of religion never blessed my mother's +bridal bed, and I was born a thing despised, looked down upon by the +proud ones of the land, pointed at by the urchins, and even taunted by +the beggar as he went his rounds. But nature, that made me a thing to be +contemned, gave me no feelings congenial to such a state. I was endowed +with sentiments more noble, and greater powers of mind than those who +affected to spurn me. I know not my father, nor was I ever anxious to +learn a name to me so full of misery, and which could claim no other +token from his child than a malediction. This much I learnt--that my +parent was a nobleman; but what unnatural cruelty could induce him to +abandon his offspring, I never was able to determine. I was brought up a +retainer in the house of the sire of my bitter foe, Don Lope Gomez +Arias, where I was subjected to indignities at which my proud nature +revolted, whilst the obscurity of my birth powerfully contributed to +exasperate those feelings already too much excited by repeated +contumelies and scorn. Wherever I turned my eyes I discovered a dreary +waste in the midst of society; for I was an outcast, and I felt no +sympathy with the uses of the world. Chance made me a wretch, and nature +unkindly gave me feelings and sentiments to heighten the misery to which +my existence was doomed. Alas! my dark and repulsive exterior gave an +additional motive to justify the dislike with which I was generally +beheld. + +"Such a life," interrupted Cañeri, "must have been insupportable." + +"It might," nobly answered the renegade, "to a weak mind--not to mine, +for the very injustice of my fate gave me courage to support it. I rose +superior to my misfortunes, and nourished a sensation of mixed hatred +and contempt towards my kind: I assiduously nurtured sentiments +calculated to make me believe myself independent in the bosom of slavery +and degradation.--Yes, I had a beam of cheering hope, a wild and +romantic emulation, a noble ambition, to acquire by my own deeds, my +daring exertion, that which was denied me by the combined oppositions of +birth and station. My pretensions were supported by my pride, and spread +a solitary but brilliant light amidst the darkness with which my +existence was clouded. In these sentiments I grew, hated and abhorring, +despising and contemned. The springs of my heart, which would have +sympathised with human nature, seemed to have been dried up for ever. I +found myself incapable of any kindly feeling, and my whole being was +wrapped in that dismal and isolated gloom which, like the mephitic +vapour, tended to paralyze the exertions and blight the fair prospects +of life. Alas! I was mistaken; for, to my misfortune, I eventually +discovered that I was a man, subject to the weakness of human nature, +that the depths of my heart, which I had judged impenetrable to the +influence of the softer passions, were soon to be deeply stirred, and +that I was fated to experience those sentiments which I had proudly +imagined to be foreign to my nature. + +"Amongst the numberless beings who conspired to render me +wretched--amongst the many whom I was forced to look upon more as +natural foes than fellow-creatures, there was one who first beheld me +with a genuine and heavenly feeling of compassion, and from that sweet +and pure emanation of sensibility soon sprung the most tender and +devoted attachment. This being, generous and kind, this solitary +exception to the overwhelming mass of hatred that encompassed me, for +whose dear sake alone I might forgive my parents for the miserable life +they bestowed upon me--this being was a woman--a woman, alas! for our +mutual woe! She was as abundant in personal attractions as she was rich +in mental beauty. She loved, aye! she devotedly loved the unhappy +Bermudo, the wretched outcast, from whom every one else recoiled. She +loved him, and she found in that dark form, in that being so degraded +and despised, a heart capable of feeling and estimating a genuine +passion. Yes, in this desolate wilderness of my heart, not all was then +barren, and the kindly feelings sowed by her hand took root and budded +forth; I fostered them, and they flourished as vigorously as if they had +been cast in a more generous mould. I loved her! Oh, Anselma! Five years +have passed since that dreadful moment, but yet the bloody scene is +glowing, burning in my memory. I see thy mangled form, thy beauteous +limbs broken, and thy long dishevelled hair clotted with gore. Anselma! +Anselma! I did not follow thee to thy untimely grave, for I had to plan +and accomplish the deed of vengeance.--I cannot weep: the sad fountains +of these eyes are long since dry, but my scorched heart still weeps with +tears of blood, when the scenes of thy youth, thy love, and thy horrid +fate crowd upon my agonized recollection." + +The renegade could not proceed; his agitation became terrible, and all +the occurrences of his past life were busy in distorting those features +and adding to their natural ferocity. Cañeri looked aghast, for his +frivolous soul could not easily comprehend the nature of an attachment +so fervent, so deeply rooted, as to produce the violent effects which he +now witnessed. But his wonder increased as he perceived that gust of +uncontroulable passion gradually subside and give place to a kinder +emotion than he thought congenial to the being that stood before him. +The renegade was again calm. A tear stood trembling in his eye, and +that pitying drop spoke of affections long subdued, but not entirely +extinct in the breast of him who had but few tears to bestow. Soon, +however, his glassy eyes were fixed, and as Bermudo raised mechanically +his long sinewy fingers to his burning forehead, his countenance became +the index of a mind engaged in scenes far away. It was a deep though +momentary abstraction, for as Cañeri gazed in amazement, the renegade +awoke from his trance, and became aware of the notice which his emotion +had excited. He felt ashamed that a token of weakness should have +betrayed him before man, and with a strong exertion strove to smother +the commotion which swelled his breast. He dashed away the drop that +fain would soften the lurid expression of his eye. His pride succeeded +in the conflict: soon that lip recovered its sardonic curl, and his +features relapsing into their calm and gloomy ferocity, he then +proceeded-- + +"Gomez Arias, upon whom nature had lavished her choicest gifts, only as +the means of following with greater success his licentious +courses--Gomez Arias saw the beautiful Anselma. Her attractions and +innocence could not escape his observation, and he marked her out for +his prey. Curse the day his wily smile first lighted on the unfortunate +girl!" + +"She did not then," interrupted Cañeri, "fall into the snare of the +seducer?" + +"No," firmly replied the renegade, "she did not; but the gentle creature +knew too well how boundless was the power of her persecutor, and +trembled to provoke its influence--not for her own sake, but for mine. +Our mutual inclination was no longer a secret; and my presumption in +crossing the will of my arrogant master, would have been attended with +inevitable ruin. Anselma, sensible of our dangerous position, carefully +endeavoured to avoid the threatened storm. It was all in vain; her tears +fell fast, and her prayers were uttered in all the fervour of desolate +grief; but the barbarian saw those tears unmoved, and heard her piteous +expostulations with the coldness of a villain. Nay, he felt exasperated +at the resistance with which his wishes were opposed by one whom his +pride naturally led him to consider as affording an easy conquest. He +had been accustomed, in his shameful career, to meet with little or no +opposition; he was base enough to doubt the very existence of female +virtue; and was it for a poor humble girl, born his dependant, an orphan +from her childhood, and clinging to no other protection than that which +could be afforded by such a thing as I, to contradict the vile opinion +which the proud patrician entertained? + +"Cañeri, I will no longer dwell on this subject. Gomez Arias at length +resolved to accomplish by a vile contrivance, what he could not obtain +by seductive persuasion. I was despatched on a trifling commission to +one of his estates, my presence being an obstacle to his designs; for +poor and despised as I was, Gomez Arias nevertheless looked upon me with +a feeling of dread. He could crush the reptile, but he feared the sting. +I was strong in my very weakness, for as I had but one solitary motive +to link me to life; that being removed, my oppressor felt aware my life +would then only serve as the price by which I was to purchase revenge. + +"I was absent, when one of his miscreants administered some deleterious +beverage to the unsuspecting Anselma, the effects of which answered to +their utmost extent the wishes of the libertine. An irresistible +lethargy oppressed the senses and rendered powerless the limbs of the +helpless victim. In that state she was borne to the couch of her undoer, +and by a stratagem worthy of the monster by whom it was invented, Gomez +Arias triumphed over her passive unconscious form. Happy, happy if the +unnatural slumber in which Anselma was immersed, had subsided into the +sleep of death. But no, she awoke--she returned to life, only to curse +that life which was now covered with degradation. Alas! she had no one +to whom she could fly, and under whose fostering kindness she might hide +her shame; she had no refuge left--none but death, the last shelter of +virtuous woman betrayed. She spurned with indignant pride the glittering +offers of the miscreant who wrought her ruin. She recoiled with +abhorrence from his loathsome caresses; cursed in bitter agony his +unmanly deed, and brooded over her misfortune, until the loss of her +reason followed the profanation of her person." + +Again the renegade stopt in his recital, as if unable to sustain the +painful recollection, and after a pause he continued:-- + +"Evening was falling as I returned from my distant mission. My heart +felt unusually heavy and desponding; as I was passing near a precipice +in these very mountains, my ear was struck with the hum of voices, +mingled with the discordant shrieks of birds of prey which issued from +the abyss below. Presently a flight of those ominous birds came +screaming on high, as if scared by some unwelcome intruders, and the hum +of voices was converted into a long, piercing, and promiscuous +lamentation. With as much activity as the perilous nature of that +precipice would permit, I hastened towards the spot, and soon perceived +the melancholy cause of the wailings that had arrested my course. Some +peasants were with difficulty dragging from that frightful abyss a +burthen, which, as well as I could distinguish from the distance, +appeared a human body. I approached nearer, and found that it was in +reality a human--a mangled corpse!--It was that of my Anselma!" + +"Oh, horror!" exclaimed Cañeri, in chilled amazement. + +"It was Anselma," gloomily repeated Bermudo; "my love, my only happiness +in this accursed world. She had already been dead sometime. Her slender +garments were rent, her long tresses torn and stained with blood, and +her delicate limbs broken and mangled with the fall. Alas! her beautiful +features were now scarcely discernible; the raven had plucked at those +eyes that once beamed with affection, and the hungry vulture had +lacerated the pure heart, that hallowed shrine of innocence and love and +virtue. I did not weep, nor did I utter a single groan; no sign of +grief escaped me. No,--the springs of my heart were instantaneously +frozen, and with horrified stupor I gazed on the ghastly spectacle. +Suddenly my whole frame underwent a revolution. I felt a dreadful +pressure on my heart,--a ball of fire seemed rolling in my brain. It was +torture intense; the pangs of frenzied agony came over me, and for a +time I knew not what I did; but the tempest of passion gradually +subsided, and my soul became fixed in that settled and sombre mood, +which has been to me as a second nature since that dreadful event. + +"The sad remains of the lovely Anselma were consigned to the kindred +earth, and I hastened to learn the cause of the appalling fate, which my +boding heart already but too faithfully foretold. I hurried to the +mansion of Gomez Arias; the truth was soon revealed, but I felt no +surprise--I was prepared for the dire intelligence. I reproached Gomez +Arias in the most bitter and provoking terms; he answered me with the +laugh of contempt. I laid my hand on my sword--he smote me on the face. +Furiously I drew the mortal weapon, but was soon overpowered and +disarmed by the numerous attendants of my foe. I applied for +redress--for justice. I denounced my enemy as the murderer of Anselma. +It was all in vain; justice affected to be deaf to my earnest and +reiterated appeal. Alas! what redress could I obtain against so powerful +an enemy? His constant good fortune had raised him in the estimation of +the court; he was brave, victorious in various encounters against the +Moors in the war of Granada. His services were rewarded; his crimes +overlooked; and I with the sting of shame and revenge and disappointment +rankling in my heart, determined to extort with my own hands that +redress which the justice of my country had denied me. I made a world to +myself in the solitude of my now desolate feelings. Severed from every +pursuit, a stranger to every natural tie, I resolved to dedicate all the +resources of my soul to the prosecution of the most exemplary revenge. +Ever since that time, I have, under the cover of various disguises, +hovered about his path, and I had once an opportunity of partly +satiating my thirst of revenge; but I let it pass, because the draught +would not half satisfy my fevered longing for deeper retribution. It was +in the embrace of a deep slumber that I once saw Gomez Arias, and I +hovered over his devoted head with the pleasure of the vulture that sees +beneath him its defenceless prey." + +"And why didst thou not slay him?" inquired Cañeri. + +"No!" replied the renegade, "I would not kill him then, for that were no +revenge; his soul would flee from this world without the knowledge that +it was _I_--it was Bermudo that inflicted the wound. I did not kill him; +I reserved his hated life for more exquisite tortures--a more appalling +fate, with all the harrowing attendants of remorse and despair." + +"And what probability was there afterwards," demanded the Moor, "of +prosecuting your intentions with success?" + +"That," returned the renegade, "was the constant object of my +meditation; but alas! the whole study of my existence is now rendered +useless by the unexpected death of my enemy. However, I joined your +cause from hatred to the injustice of my countrymen. That hatred still +burns, and I will yet find means for vengeance in the detested blood of +Christians. Moor," he then added, with sternness, "I am sunk low, low in +the depths of crime, and this is thy best security for my constancy to +the desperate course I have adopted. My life is solitary and +independent, reckless of all results. Lead then to the combat, and where +slaughter stains the way, and where shrieks and groans encumber the air, +where death is busiest, there! thou mayest exultingly cry, there is the +renegade!" + +As Alagraf delivered these words, he suddenly withdrew, leaving the Moor +plunged in astonishment. Cañeri, however, was soon aroused from his +train of reflection by a consciousness of the importance of his station. +He prudently judged that too much of his valuable time had already been +devoted to a matter of individual interest. He started therefore from +his couch, summoned his various officers, and inquired with minute +accuracy into the state of every thing in the palace. Satisfactory +answers were returned, and the chief received the communications with a +demeanor appropriately grave and dignified. He next paraded the town +with a display of importance that might well have amused his followers, +if indeed they had been capable of feeling anything but concern in their +destitute situation. + +Again Cañeri returned to his dwelling, and a discussion was entered into +with respect to the several articles that composed his dress: his faded +turban was retrimmed; his couch arranged with the greatest care, and +odoriferous shrubs burnt in the apartment which he honoured with his +presence. The duties of the day having been happily completed, the chief +resigned himself to his habitual indolence with all the complacency of +one who considers himself by situation entitled to the contribution of +every one towards his comfort and luxury. + +At the close of evening, however, his repose was disturbed by a +messenger who arrived from El Feri de Benastepar, announcing that the +redoubtable Don Alonso de Aguilar was rapidly advancing, and that they +should shortly be obliged to join in combat. He implored Cañeri to be +ready for any disaster that might occur, and to keep his men prepared +for all contingencies. This intelligence, as it may be well conceived, +threw the Moor into some degree of agitation, and being rather late, he +resolved to call into requisition the multifarious powers he possessed +of serving his country. He speedily summoned a cabinet council, whose +opinions he would condescend to hear, and whose understandings he +graciously intended to enlighten. He pompously reclined himself on the +cushions, and assembling his courtly retinue, commenced his harangue +respecting the plans necessary to be adopted under existing +circumstances. His councillors, however, appeared in a very sorry +plight to give advice: they looked at each other with woe-begone +countenances, and their sleepy eyes seemed to concur in one opinion, +though they did not actually venture to give it utterance, that the most +rational course to pursue, after the fatigues of the day, was to indulge +nature with a few hours of refreshing repose. Indeed the judicious and +salutary tendency of this measure appeared to meet with such unanimous +assent, that after sitting half an hour, both the president and the +sapient members of the council very leisurely fell asleep, and thereby +testified their opinion, like sensible men, as to the most rational way +of terminating a council of state. + +The renegade, disturbed in the meditations into which he had fallen +during the empty oration of Cañeri, by the sonorous and unequivocal +signs of slumber evinced by his colleagues, saw with surprise the +conclusion to which they had unanimously arrived, and casting a look of +contempt on the sleeping councillors, retired to his quarters. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Ite, caldi sospiri, al freddo core; + Rompete il ghiaccio che pietà contende; + E, se prego mortal al ciel s'intende, + Morte, o mercè sia fine al mio dolore. + + _Petrarca._ + + He has I know not what + Of greatness in his looks, and of high fate, + That almost awes me. + + _Dryden._ + + +Meantime the unfortunate Theodora had spent the day in a continual +succession of sorrows. She had been conducted to another apartment, +somewhat in better order, where she had been pressed in vain to partake +of some food which Marien Rufa with friendly officiousness presented to +her. Sad recollections of her past misfortunes left not an interval of +repose, and her interview with Cañeri had awakened in her mind a lively +sense of danger and alarm. Slowly, therefore, and painfully the hours +wore away. She had no alleviation to her distress. The words of comfort +which the hag vainly attempted to administer, would have failed to +sooth, even from the lips of sympathising friends, much more when +surrounded by the avowed and ferocious enemies of her country. + +This melancholy day was succeeded by a night still more dreary; for +although worn out with fatigue and suffering, Theodora could find no +respite in the sweet oblivion of sleep. Alas! the feverish slumber that +stole upon her at intervals, was fraught with all the terrors that her +present situation could suggest. The phantoms of night in rapid +succession pressed upon her bewildered imagination: she saw her +venerable father borne down under the pressure of grief, wringing his +withered hands in agony, and pronouncing a direful malediction on his +ungrateful child. She heard that thrilling voice, broken by age, and +quivering with emotion, and on his countenance she beheld the workings +of despair. Fitfully she awoke, and struggled hard to chase away the +heart-rending vision, and then she sunk again to meet another still more +frightful. The wind whistled gloomily through the forest trees; the wild +bird screamed his death song; and a spectre rose with sunken eyes and +squalid cheek, his wounds distilling blood, and his raven locks clotted +with gore. It was her lover--he had left the tree on which he withered +like the seared leaf of autumn, and stalked to her widowed couch smiling +sadly in death,--she shrieked aloud--the phantom fled, and again in +terror she awoke. + +Dreams such as these haunted her imagination during the long night. Nor +could the cheering rays of the morn impart consolation to her desponding +bosom. She heard the mingling voices of nature's simple minstrels hail +in grateful chorus the approach of day, and she listened to the various +sounds of busy humanity, rising from the drowsiness of repose to life +and activity. But her feelings could no longer sympathise with the +pursuits of this world. The appalling images which her feverish fancy +had conjured up still pursued her, and if these unwelcome guests left +her a momentary repose, they were succeeded by others no less chilling +to the soul. The heavy measure of her sorrows was yet to be increased by +the anticipation of future evils--evils worse than the terrors of +slavery or death, for she was in hourly danger of encountering the +bitter pangs of shame and degradation. + +Cañeri had been inspired by her beauty with a violent but licentious +passion, which he had it in his power at that moment to gratify, and +this idea agitated the wretched Theodora with the most dismal +apprehensions. While she sat pondering on her disastrous fate, and +vainly devising means to avert its danger, she was surprised by the +entrance of Marien Rufa. + +"A good morrow, sweet lady," said the crone; "well, this is a pretty +comfortable chamber:--you must have slept soundly." + +A deep sigh was the only answer she could elicit from Theodora. + +"At all events," continued Marien Rufa, "you must leave off sighing and +weeping, for sure enough you can derive no good thereby. Besides, it is +meet your countenance should assume a more cheerful expression, since +you are soon to be honored with a visit from the magnificent Cañeri. He +has been forcibly struck with your charms, and has signified his +intentions of coming shortly to pay his devoirs in person. So I am here +before-hand to bid you prepare for the illustrious visitor." + +The heart of Theodora died within her, as the hag announced this dreaded +intelligence, for though we may fancy ourselves prepared to meet a +danger with which we are hourly threatened, yet its immediate approach +rarely fails to cause an additional pang. + +Theodora was cruelly alive to the helplessness of her situation. She +cast a hurried glance around, but could find no signs of comfort; yet +she fixed her last hopes on Marien Rufa, this decayed piece of blanched +mortality, like the drowning wretch who snatches at a withered branch, +though conscious of the frail support to which he clings. + +From the little previous intercourse with Marien Rufa, Theodora had +discovered that her disposition was not altogether so inhuman as her +exterior naturally seemed to indicate. Though a renegade, she did not +appear completely divested of compassion towards those to whom she had +once been endeared by the ties of religion and country; a latent feeling +of remorse lurked within her heart, and she did not seem to feel much +interest in the affairs of the Moors. These considerations, together +with the imminency of her danger, led Theodora to throw herself on the +protection of the crone, and beseech her pity and commiseration. But +before she could try the effect of her persuasion, the door suddenly +swung open, and the dreaded figure of Cañeri presented itself to her +sight. + +He dismissed his attendants, and waved his hand to Marien Rufa, who +slowly retired muttering some half formed inaudible sentences. The door +closed, and Theodora shuddered as she found herself alone with the +odious and detested Moor. + +He approached her mildly, and endeavoured with soothing words to calm +her apprehensions. + +"Nay, fair Christian," he said, "thou art too much dejected, nor is thy +grief reasonable. The chances of fortune threw thee into my power, and +thou art now my slave: this, as well as the circumstance of thy +belonging to the race of our accursed enemies, might naturally make thee +apprehend but indifferent treatment from the Moor. I might, indeed, have +delivered thee to the brutality of my soldiers; I might have heaped upon +thee all the horrors of such a degradation; but I have taken compassion +upon thy youth and beauty (his eyes glistened with savage joy), and +instead of that, thou shalt have the honor of being the partner of my +own pleasures." + +Theodora covered her face with her hands, and her whole frame shook +violently, whilst Cañeri, in an agitated and angry tone, proceeded-- + +"This contempt of my generosity may prove prejudicial to thy future +fortunes. Many, many are the women amongst the faithful who would feel +proud to accept the offers which thou seemest to treat with unbecoming +disregard. But trifle not with the benignity of my disposition; for +Cañeri, though an outcast, and a sovereign only of wild mountains and +deserted villages, has yet power enough to enforce his commands, and +inflict a summary vengeance upon those who dare thwart his wishes. +Remember, then, thou art my slave, and deny me not as a lover what I can +easily exact as a master." + +"I am your slave," cried Theodora, tremblingly, "and it is not my +intention either to despise your generosity or dispute your power. I am +sensible of both--command me the most menial services, I will do +all--nay, take my life; but, oh! spare me, in mercy spare me the +degradation which you are meditating." + +"Degradation!" exclaimed Cañeri, rising with rage, "degradation! By the +mighty Allah! such temerity is unparalleled! Thy youth and ignorance +alone can excuse the criminality of such an expression." + +Theodora could only answer by tears. But during the pause which ensued, +the mind of Cañeri underwent a sudden revolution; from the highest +paroxysm of choler, his features gradually relaxed into complete +serenity. This alteration did not proceed from a sense of generosity +towards his victim, for he was fully determined to carry his designs +into execution; but, like a refined voluptuary, he calculated the +advantages he might derive from a timely forbearance. He was, therefore, +resolved to exhaust every gentle means before he had recourse to the +last extremity. + +He now took the hand of Theodora, which she had not the power to +withhold, and pressing it tenderly between his own, he renewed his suit +with much more suavity of tone and delicacy of manner. Theodora +suffered perhaps more from this unexpected display of kindness, than +from the brutal asperity and violence which the Moor had before evinced. +For in cases of extreme danger, violence will sometimes inspire a degree +of courage, while condescension and urbanity from those who have the +power to command is more distressing, inasmuch as it enervates that +strong principle of resistance and leaves in its place the weaker and +less decisive resource of expostulation. + +But by degrees the patience of the amorous Moor was wearing away with +the ill-success of his suit, and starting up suddenly, and looking +intensely on the afflicted fair, he made a last attempt to conquer her +opposition. + +Theodora threw herself at his feet, and embracing them eagerly strove to +interest his pity by the intensity of her anguish. Her tears fell +copiously and her sobs almost impeded her utterance; but this evidence +of extreme distress, in lieu of subduing, only tended to kindle more +warmly the fierce desires of the Moor. In his hot distempered veins +raged the fever of passion, as he saw that lovely picture of female +helplessness prostrate at his feet; her clustering hair floating in +loose profusion, and her charms acquiring additional interest from the +wild disorder of her situation. + +Cañeri glutted his eyes with her beauty, and his whole frame thrilled in +a ferment of anticipated raptures. He snatched the fainting Theodora +from the ground, almost overpowered with the conflict of her +feelings.--As he clasped her in his arms, the unfortunate girl beheld +his savage features glistening with joy. She shuddered at their glowing +expression, and with a sudden and violent effort burst from his hold. + +The heart of the miscreant swelled with indignation and disappointment. +He cast a threatening look on the trembling victim, and no longer +restrained by any consideration, he again violently seized her. + +"Who will protect thee now?" cried the Moor, exultingly. + +"Death!" replied Theodora, with the courage of despair. + +"Death!" retorted Cañeri, with a mocking laugh; "Death! Surely thou must +fancy that I am to be intimidated by the ravings of a woman. No, thou +canst not die, even if that were truly thy desire. Thou _shalt_ not die, +at least till I think thee no longer worthy of contributing to my joys." +Theodora clasped her hands in agony; her fate appeared now inevitable. +Her unmanly enemy furiously mastered her remaining efforts; her feeble +struggles were almost overpowered, and as her senses were about to +forsake her, she wildly shrieked aloud for help. At this moment a noise +was heard at the entrance of the room; the door, as if by a tremendous +exertion of strength, was wrenched from its hinges, and a tall +mysterious figure stalked into the apartment and stood motionless with +amazement. Theodora uttered a scream of joy at this timely deliverance, +while the enraged and disappointed Moor turned fiercely round to +ascertain who had the temerity to venture upon such an intrusion. + +The towering figure that stood before him seemed a stranger to his eyes. +He was enveloped in a long and ample Spanish cloak, and his countenance +was almost hidden by a dark clustering feather that fell from his +slouched hat. + +Cañeri shook with ire. + +"What treason is this?" he exclaimed. "A cursed Christian in my very +dwelling. Malique! Alagraf! Where are ye, villains? Guards! Seize the +wretch, seize him, and drag him to death!" + +"Stay!" cried the stranger, in a voice of thunder; "stay! ere thou +darest to offer the least violence to me--nay, advance but one foot, and +I'll strike thee to the earth." + +Cañeri was awed by the noble and fearless manner of the stranger. + +"A Christian!" he continued, in a more subdued voice, "and darest thou +in my very dominions to utter such vaunting threats? Dost thou forget +that these are the Alpujarras, and that I am Cañeri?" + +"I am no Christian," replied the stranger: "a Moor, a true Moor am I, +but one who blushes to count Cañeri amongst his associates." + +"Speak!" cried Cañeri, bewildered, "Speak! what mystery is this? Who +then art thou?" + +"Know me, then," returned the other, and throwing aside his disguise, +discovered a man of tall stature and athletic proportions. On his dark +bronzed countenance there was an expression of bold defiance and cool +resolution; his eyes were lighted up with the fire of noble courage, and +although no tender feeling could be detected in his stern features, yet +they were not altogether devoid of generosity. He was a model of +mountain beauty, wild, majestic, and free from artful decoration. A +simple Moorish tunic, which the most humble of his followers might wear, +covered his manly figure, and the only mark of distinction by which his +dignity could be recognized was a scarf of green, the sacred colour, and +a large buckler on which was portrayed a noble lion, surmounted by the +Arabic motto,[28] + + _Edem pasban derwish est aslan._[29] + +Cañeri gazed in astonishment, and almost bereft of the powers of +utterance could only exclaim---- + +"El Feri!" + +"Yes!" answered he. "El Feri de Benastepar arrives in time to witness +the honorable occupation of his colleague in command, whilst our brave +companions remain unburied and rotting on these wild solitudes, and the +proud Christian pursues us like the hungry tiger, giving us not a +moment's repose; whilst our forces have been routed and slaughtered by +the victorious Alonso de Aguilar, and the few that have escaped his +murderous sword, in conjunction with El Feri, are compelled to seek for +safety in disguise and flight; I thought we should meet with succour and +assistance in the mountain home of Cañeri--and how do I meet him? Not +ready in arms to cover our retreat; not laudably occupied in providing +resources for our dispirited soldiers, but meanly courting the +blandishments of a Christian slave. Weak and forlorn and despairing, my +few brave comrades are stretched on yonder street, fainting through +want, and worn out with fatigue. I call upon Cañeri for help, and I find +that the power which was intrusted to him for our mutual defence is +basely employed, not against the common enemy, but a feeble defenceless +female! Shame, Moor! shame! But that I reverence the public voice that +named thee chief, and that I desire not to arrogate to myself a +retributive justice, I myself would wrench from thee that command which +thou shamest, and entrust it to the hands of men more worthy." + +Cañeri remained some time speechless and abashed. Amazement, confusion +and terror alternately occupied his distracted mind; the taunts and +rebukes which El Feri had so lavishly bestowed, roused his anger almost +to madness. His heart boiled in a frenzied ebullition to which he durst +not give utterance, for he well knew that he himself would be the first +victim of its explosion. Convulsed with rage at the imagined insult, he +seemed ready to dart upon the arrogant censor of his actions, but the +tremendous power of his fellow-chief suddenly paralyzed his arm. It was +the fierce mastiff burning to rush upon the terrible bull, yet +restrained by the conscious superiority of the noble animal. + +Twice the hand of Cañeri was involuntarily directed towards his dagger, +and twice some sudden recollection seemed to arrest its progress. And +then he strove to conceal the incautious movement from the eagle eye of +El Feri; but the inward workings of his soul were easily detected by the +keen penetration of that chief. He stood unmoved, and whilst a sardonic +smile curled his lip, he said in a voice of dreadful import---- + +"Cañeri, thou darest not. I see thy dastardly intention, but thou hast +not the boldness to practise what thy heart has the baseness to +dictate:--another such a movement, and thou liest a corpse at my feet." + +As he uttered these last words, his brow was darkened, and his eye +flashed with indignation. Cañeri, if somewhat deficient in the manly +virtues of a warrior, was amply compensated by the crafty dexterity of a +dissembler, and he now perceived the policy of hailing as a friend the +man whom he dared not defy as an enemy: he therefore with a mighty +exertion stifled his emotion, and his whole appearance became calm and +composed. Indeed an expression of mixed repentance and candour varnished +his wily and tortuous features, as he proceeded to greet El Feri with +words of amity and companionship. + +"Forgive," he said, "the unwary ebullition of transient displeasure. +Thou knowest the sincerity of my sentiments towards El Feri. But, were +these even to be doubted, the welfare of the Moorish cause imperiously +requires the sacrifice of all private resentment amongst its chiefs." + +"Yes," returned El Feri, "the welfare of the Moorish cause requires +union and amity between the chiefs, but these are not the only virtues +necessary to render it successful." + +He uttered these words in a significant tone, which could not be +misconstrued, but to which Cañeri pretended not to give any +interpretation. + +"Is then our danger so imminent?" he inquired. + +"This very day," replied El Feri, sadly, "this very day perhaps our fate +will be decided. The victorious army of Aguilar is rapidly advancing +against us. We have been completely routed at Gergal, by forces superior +in number and discipline, and the few who have escaped the slaughter are +indebted for their safety to their knowledge of the mountain passes. We +have no time to spare; our men must be instantly put in a state of +defence or we shall be surprised unprepared: the hidden situation of +this place affords no security, since a traitor Moor is the guide of the +Christians; and to his perfidy is chiefly to be ascribed our late +discomfiture." + +This intelligence threw Cañeri into some confusion, but he soon +recovered that coolness and presence of mind which constituted his +resources in cases of emergency, and which made up for his moderate +share of personal courage. + +"Friend," he cried; "it is enough--let us act." + +He was on the point of sallying forth, when he was startled by a +confused murmur from without, and presently a Moor rushed in, with all +the symptoms of fear and alarm. + +"Buzcur, what means this trepidation?" demanded Cañeri. + +"The Christians are in sight," replied Buzcur. + +"The Christians! The Christians!" echoed a hundred voices. + +"Let us haste then, and prepare for our defence," exclaimed El Feri; and +he rushed forward without even noticing Theodora, for his thoughts were +too much engrossed by the public weal. + +Cañeri saw him depart with visible pleasure; for though the danger +appeared great, yet he did not lose sight of his expected prey, and +casting a fierce look on the affrighted girl, he exclaimed---- + +"The next time we meet, thou shalt not escape me thus." + +Then having with promptness secured all her means of evasion, he +hastened to join El Feri de Benastepar and his companions. + +The feelings of Theodora at this unexpected event were thrown into the +highest excitement. Hope now resumed its sway, though mingled with doubt +and fear, for the sudden transition from a state of hopeless despair to +that of comparative safety, is ever attended with a misgiving of its +reality. Her deliverance from the power of the Moors appeared almost +certain; the name of Aguilar was the harbinger of victory; yet the +anticipation of her rescue caused so powerful a revulsion of feeling, +that Theodora nearly sunk under its pressure. When she had a little +recovered, she perceived, however, more clearly, that her destiny was +still involved in threatening clouds. The Christians came, but they +might be vanquished. The name of Alonso de Aguilar conjured up the +brightest hopes, but that of El Feri gave rise to as many fears. + +Thus the heart of the afflicted girl fluctuated between pain and +pleasure, when the clangor of trumpets, the tramp of horses, and all the +imposing sounds of military preparations, announced to her the speedy +arrival of the eventful crisis. + +In that awful moment her ideas piously reverted to heaven. She fell +prostrate on the ground, and while her countrymen were fast approaching +to join in terrific conflict with their enemies, she prayed fervently +for the assistance of her God in favor of the Christian arms. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Le desordre partout redoublant les alarmes, + + * * * * + + Les cris que les rochers renvoyaient plus affreux, + Enfin toute l'horreur d'un combat ténèbreux; + Que pouvait la valeur en ce trouble funeste? + Les uns sont morts, la fuite a sauvé tout le reste. + + _Racine._ + + Morir famosos ó vencer valientes + Pompa triunfal ó decorosa pira + Solo os aguarda. + + _Ercilla._ + + +Great was the confusion into which the Moors were thrown by this sudden +alarm: the appearance of El Feri, however, partially succeeded in +restoring order amongst the panic-stricken inhabitants, and revived the +fainting courage of the soldiers. In a short time, all the Moors capable +of bearing arms were ready for defence, whilst the old and infirm, the +women and children, busied themselves in collecting their scanty goods, +and placing them securely on their beasts of burthen, as they +anticipated the probability of a speedy retreat from their habitations. +They evinced no signs of sorrow or reluctance at the prospect of +abandoning their homes, for they had been too well enured to the +uncertainties of a wandering and predatory life, to betray marks of +impatience or anger at an event which necessity had taught them to look +upon with indifference. + +El Feri, having placed himself at the head of a brave and chosen party, +boldly sallied from the town to meet the Christians, hoping that by a +courageous effort, he might check their course, and afford time to his +associate in command, the better to organise his means of resistance. +The Christians advanced gallantly to the attack, shouting their war cry +of _Santiago y cierra España_, which was answered by the Moors with the +sound of Allah! illah! allah! + +Twice the Christians rushed onwards with impetuosity, and twice they +were repulsed with equal fierceness and courage. Again they closed in +the conflict, collecting new energies, and exerting their utmost +strength. Don Alonso de Aguilar now appeared conspicuous amongst his +companions, directing every movement with cool intrepidity, and +animating his followers with the example of valorous achievement; his +ponderous sword, reeking with blood, gleamed on high, a beacon of +victory; and death marked his progress as he waded through the field of +strife. The numbers and better discipline of the Spaniards, at length +began to prevail: the rebels wavered, and terror soon spread through +their ranks. In vain did El Feri exert his utmost powers to rally the +discomfited Moors; in vain did his flashing eye kindle; in vain did he +labour to animate their sinking hearts; fruitless was the strength of +his arm in stemming the torrent that overwhelmed them: his animating +voice, as he called to them the remembrance of their country, was lost +in the wild confusion which prevailed, and the few that adhered faithful +to him, sealed their devotion with their blood. The rest fled for +safety, and El Feri was at length compelled to retreat precipitately +into the town. + +The Christians paused for a moment in their victorious career. They were +about to enter the lion's den; as, from the covert to which the rebels +had betaken themselves, they could spread destruction through the ranks +of their advancing enemies in comparative security. The Christians were +likewise aware that the Moors, although defeated, were not subdued; and +they had more to fear from their treacherous ambuscade, than from their +courage in open fight. + +In the mean time, El Feri succeeded in rallying his scattered forces, +and in conjunction with those of Cañeri, prepared for a second +encounter: he had, however, taken care to distribute the most expert of +his adherents in concealed situations, whence they could more +effectually annoy the Christians with their missiles. These hidden foes +proved extremely fatal to the Spaniards; blows dealt with security, and +from invisible hands, laying prostrate many of their gallant soldiers. +Don Antonio de Leyva had penetrated into the town, with the unrestrained +impetuosity of youth, reckless of all danger; but El Feri and Cañeri +disputed their ground inch by inch, whilst the renegade, in another +quarter, was making dreadful havoc amongst his former fellow-countrymen. + +Night had now began to lour, but the fury of the combatants, instead of +abating, seemed to acquire additional power, in proportion as death +reduced their numbers. The Moor and the Christian fell, but immediately +their places were supplied by others, equally ready to lay down their +lives at the shrine of victory or revenge. The town of Alhacen was now +become the scene of indiscriminate carnage, and on every side death +appeared busy in counting its victims. The Christians, however, advanced +slowly, in consequence of the destruction dealt amongst them by the +shafts of their concealed adversaries, who had converted every house +into a fortress, whence they could with difficulty be dislodged. In +order, therefore, to foil this deadly warfare, they had recourse to a +still more terrible expedient: they applied the blazing torch to the +inflammable habitations of their enemies; a rising gale seconded their +intentions, and the greedy flames spreading widely round, the town was +soon enveloped in one promiscuous conflagration. Large volumes of red +foggy flame pierced at intervals through the dense columns of smoke that +rose in undulating sweep, flinging around a pestilential suffocation; +whilst the shrill screams of the women, the cries of the wounded, the +despairing shouts of the defenders, the howling of the blast, and the +crackling of the raging blaze, united in one wild reverberation, that +seemed to strike dismay into the heart of the bravest. + +But the frenzied courage of the Moors, instead of yielding, acquired new +impetus when they beheld their dwellings a prey to the ravenous flames. +Furiously they fought by the light of the conflagration, and as the +fitful wind flung high the clouds of smoke, and the unresisting fire +assumed the mastery, you might see by their dark reflection the grim +visages of the infuriate foes distended with rage, and each arm with +fearful grasp raising the deadly weapon, flashing upon his adversary: +then they were all again concealed in the wreathing folds of the +impervious fog which closed upon them. + +The principal street of the town now presented a ruinous and desolate +aspect; both parties were concentrating their efforts in this spot, and +here the combat raged with the greatest violence. Again the blast swept +along, bearing before it the masses of black suffocating vapour, but in +a clearer interval the eagle glance of Alonso de Aguilar had descried +the terrible form of El Feri, now animating his followers, and now +darting amongst the foremost of the assailants. He eagerly rushed +forward to encounter hand to hand the formidable enemy of the +Christians, crying aloud,---- + +"Turn, rebel Moor; turn, traitor, and receive thy reward from the sword +of Alonso de Aguilar." El Feri readily obeyed the summons, and +springing upon his enemy, with his uplifted weapon he dealt a tremendous +blow on the shield of Aguilar and almost clove it asunder. A furious +combat ensued, the results of which were soon lost in a huge mass of +smoke. But now a wild cry rent the air; it was the death knell of the +Moors, that rung prophetic on the blast--hope affrighted fled from their +hearts, for El Feri had fallen. The mighty chief drew his stern features +into a condensed expression of resolute despair; his face assumed an +ashy hue, and his frozen lip curled with an expression of scornful +defiance. Dimly but ferociously his eyes were bent on his conqueror, +whilst his sinewy hand grasped firmly the weapon it could no longer +wield. The gigantic frame of the Moor was convulsed, and his soul +struggled fiercely to recover the lost energies of its frame. El Feri +had fallen, but even prostrate and defenceless, he seemed still +formidable; for even in its ruins, manly strength and noble courage must +ever strike the mind with a sensation of awe. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar gazed intently on the foe now lying at his feet. A +single blow, and his country would be for ever freed from her most +redoubted enemy. But Don Alonso beheld that enemy defenceless, and his +arm refused to strike, for his heart was too generous to admit at that +moment of political considerations: he turned, therefore, and pursued +his victorious course against those who were still able to offer +resistance. + +Meantime Don Antonio de Leyva had succeeded in driving Cañeri out of the +town. Before this chief the houseless Moors fled in confusion and +dismay. By the gloomy reflection that reddened the sky, a caravan was +now seen moving in irregular groups towards the thickest recesses of the +mountains. As the fugitives who composed it looked behind, they saw +their late dwellings fast reducing to ashes; but alas! they deplored not +the sight of their flaming homes, for they who had adopted the +wilderness for their country, cared but little on what spot their +habitations were fixed. They left behind pledges far more endearing, in +whom their loss was irremediable, for amongst the flying throng, there +was not one who had not to lament a father, a husband or a son, whose +remains were soon to mingle their ashes with those of their dwellings. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar soon put to flight the few that still remained, +and he pursued his march through streets obstructed at every step with +broken armour, masses of the falling houses, or the more distressing +impediments of mangled and bleeding bodies. The fire lighted his steps +through that scene of horror, and often his unguided tread was answered +by a smothered groan from a dying man, who was still sensible of the +rude pressure. He saw many a Moor, grim in the last writhings of death, +still betraying symptoms of unconquered hatred; and then he stumbled on +the bodies of his valiant comrades, some of whom he recognized,--the +bravest of his band! For many were the victims about to perish in the +flames, and mingle their ashes in that vast ruin, where Moors and +Christians, separated by mutual hate in life, would be finally united +in the embrace of death. + +Some of the unfortunate wounded mournfully supplicated their comrades +that passed over them to terminate their sufferings; and others, who +were already deprived of the powers of speech, sent an imploring look of +sorrowful import. Aguilar saw the helpless victims he could not assist, +and his compassion was strongly excited, as he pressed forward in the +pursuit of the flying enemy. Thus he traversed the deserted and +perishing town, when he was suddenly arrested by the piercing shrieks of +a female in distress. + +He paused, and surveying the place, he perceived that they proceeded +from a large house to which the devouring flames had already +communicated. Don Alonso boldly rushed forward; his pity required no +stimulus, but yet it was considerably heightened, when as he approached +the building, the cries of affliction were clearly distinguishable in +the Spanish tongue. He darted with velocity to the spot, and rushed +through the fiery clouds that enveloped the house. He passed the +entrance--traversed the court--reached the stairs--mounted them with the +eager alacrity of youth, and guided by the distressing sounds, he at +length attained the door of an apartment which was strongly fastened. In +an instant it gave way to his powerful strength, when amidst the obscure +fog that was fast filling the room, Don Alonso perceived a female form +kneeling on the ground, in the attitude of one who had abandoned all +hope from mortal assistance. + +The noise of the bursting door had called the attention of the +unfortunate towards that direction, and when she beheld her deliverer, +she uttered a cry of joy, and sprung eagerly into his arms. But the +sudden transition from a state of anguish and despair, to that of hope +and life, was too much for her to bear. Scarcely had the lovely sufferer +contemplated the prospect of a rescue, than overpowered by tumultuous +feelings, her energies faltered; the blood forsook its channels to +return to its fountain source, and Don Alonso de Aguilar received a +lifeless burthen into his arms. The danger was appalling, for the +flames had already enveloped the house, and the undaunted warrior, more +apprehensive for the safety of his charge than for his own, hastened to +snatch her from the dreadful spot. + +Aguilar supported the unconscious female with one arm, whilst with the +other he gathered together the light and flowing drapery with which she +was attired, lest the inflammable nature of the material might attract +the fire. Thus he reached the summit of the stairs. There for a moment +he stood aghast, for the wooden steps had already become the prey of the +fiery element, and a descent appeared totally impracticable. In this +emergency, Don Alonso firmly grasped his lovely burden, and with a +promptness of decision and rapidity of execution congenial to his +character, he threw himself fearlessly from the place, and clearing the +flaming obstruction, alighted on the floor, without sustaining any +injury. Dauntless he pierced through the rolling mist; he gained the +entrance, crossed it, and arrived safely in the street. + +But now he felt anxious for the beautiful being he had snatched from a +fiery tomb; he tore away part of her garments which had attracted the +consuming flames, and in a short time he recalled her to a consciousness +of life and feeling. It was a lovely girl whom Don Alonso had saved, for +the excessive emotion under which she laboured was not sufficient to +obscure the charms with which nature had so liberally gifted her. + +"Where am I?" she demanded, languidly opening her eyes. + +"Fear nothing, gentle maiden," answered Aguilar, "you are with a +friend." + +"Oh save me! Save me from the Moors," she cried vehemently; not yet +entirely aware into whose power she had fallen. + +"Those rebels cannot harm you," exclaimed her preserver, "they fly like +timorous deer before our triumphant banners, and you are now by the side +of Alonso de Aguilar." + +The welcome sound of this glorious name acted powerfully on the feelings +of Theodora and, perfectly tranquillised, she cried with ardour-- + +"Thanks! thanks! to that God, who will not forsake his creatures in the +hour of peril!" then turning to Don Alonso, she continued,--"The head of +the Aguilars will not forsake an unfortunate child of the house of +Monteblanco?" + +Don Alonso was struck with a well known name; but as Theodora appeared +too much exhausted for an explanation, without inquiring into the cause +of the strange situation in which he found her, he contented himself +with repeating his assurances of protection. + +"Duty," he added, "summons me hence, but you shall find nothing wanting +on my part to insure your safety. In my house at Granada, and from my +daughter Leonor, you will experience all the kindness that may tend to +mitigate your sorrows, until you are restored to the embrace of your +venerable parent." + +He then turned to one of his attendants, and proceeded:-- + +"Ramirez, you will conduct this lady to Granada: to your protection I +commend her, and see that she be treated with all the consideration due +to the charge of Alonso de Aguilar." + +Ramirez bowed, and singling out an escort of a dozen men, prepared to +obey his leader's orders; whilst Don Alonso, taking leave of Theodora, +proceeded with his conquering band to join Don Antonio de Leyva. Each +took a different way, and in a short time left the ill-fated town to the +melancholy possession of the dying and the dead; occupied alone by the +few wretches, to whom a spark of lingering life still adhered, and whose +sufferings were shortly to be terminated in the general conflagration +now fast approaching to its crisis. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + La cosa mas alegre que en la vida, + Permite al ser mortal humana gloria, + Es la patria del hombre tan querida + Despues de alguna prospera victoria. + + _Lope de Vega._ + + Ah! che per tutto io veggo + Qualche oggetto funesto! + + _Metastasio._ + + +Granada now presented a scene of animated confusion. The repeated +successes of the Christians against the rebels, and the intelligence +lately received of the defeat of El Feri de Benastepar, with the total +destruction of his forces, filled the inhabitants of that city with joy. +Various bands of musicians paraded the gay and busy streets, uniting +their harmonious strains with the more solemn sounds of the bells, +whilst the joyous laugh, and other clamorous evidences of pleasure, +filled the air with a confused yet pleasing din. + +It was amidst this tumult of rejoicing, that Theodora entered the city +of Granada. Her party had travelled slowly, so that the intelligence of +the recent victory had reached the place before them, and they were not +surprised at the extraordinary excitement of popular feeling. The +animated scene served, in some degree, to draw her mind from its gloomy +recollections, for during her journey she had again relapsed into her +former state of despondency. She was now traversing the principal +streets of that far-famed and renowned city, so long the grand arena of +the Moslem's greatness, now the undisputed dominion of the victorious +Christian. Every step she advanced exhibited some new object to awaken +her curiosity or excite her feelings, such as a stranger must feel upon +arriving at a city so lately rescued from the possession of an +hereditary enemy. + +Relics of Moorish grandeur were every where discernible; every street, +every building, nay the very pavement on which they trod, teemed with +associations of by-gone glory and departed power. The city was now +chiefly inhabited by Spaniards; yet a considerable portion of its +population consisted of Moors, who scrupulously adhered to their +national costume, strikingly contrasted by its gaiety with the less +fanciful but more manly attire of the Christians. The two people widely +differed in all points, though now enclosed within the same precincts. +Two mortal and implacable enemies, united in apparent friendship, +paraded the streets, or tenanted the dwellings of Granada. + +The high balconies of the city were hung with costly drapery, and the +turrets of the magnificent palaces adorned with a profusion of large +waving banners and gay pennons. Every window was crowded with rank and +beauty, witnessing the gambols of the merry children or the boisterous +recreations of the populace. The streets themselves afforded a quaint +and curious spectacle, for in promiscuous and gay confusion were seen +the splendid apparel of the noble, and the modest garb of the peasant; +the shining armour and waving plumes of the Christian warrior, and the +gaudy fantastic habiliments of the Moslem. With them appeared the solemn +and lugubrious vestments of the ecclesiastical dignitaries, and the +coarse habit and shaven crown of the monk. + +Theodora was lost in wonder, so numerous and so whimsically contrasted +were these various objects. But amongst this motley assemblage there +were some who appeared more capable of interesting her heart and her +fancy. She espied those who were no sincere partakers of the general +joy, and whose sad eye and clouded brow belied the accents of their +tongue. Some, who vainly strove to animate their countenances with a +pleasure that was foreign to their hearts. The dejected and down-fallen +Moors were among these; for though they had submitted to the Christian +government, and admitted to the fullest extent the criminality of their +fellow-countrymen, yet they could not but be sensible that it was the +defeat and annihilation of their friends and former companions that +occasioned these demonstrations of joy. Besides, they felt the pangs of +shame and degradation, rendered still more poignant by a consciousness +of the superior courage of those whose destruction they were now in some +measure compelled to celebrate. To this was added the painful +conviction, that although they might outwardly be treated by the +Spaniards as fellow-subjects, no true sentiment of esteem and friendship +could be awakened in the breasts of those who must always consider them +as vanquished enemies. Besides the hatred which rankled alike in the +hearts of the followers of the Cross and those of the Crescent, a +hatred, which had been hereditary for many ages, was of itself an +insurmountable obstacle to the friendly conjunction of two such +different people. The Moors were therefore a prey to the most galling +reflections, and smarting under the bitterest disappointment, at the +very time that pleasure and contentment alone seemed to hold dominion +in Granada. + +Theodora beheld these unfortunates with a lively sensation of pity, +though they had certainly little claim to it. The image of the odious +Cañeri was of itself sufficient to banish any kindly feeling; yet they +were forlorn and wretched, and this was alone a sacred title to the +sympathies of her generous soul. She was, however, soon obliged to +recall her thoughts to a subject of individual interest, for as she was +doubling the _Plaza nueva_,[30] amongst the various Moors that paraded +about, her eyes lighted on one that struck a sensation of dread to her +very heart. It was Bermudo the renegade! She could not be deceived in +his person, though his outward appearance had undergone a material +alteration. The ingenuity which had changed his dress and disguised his +manner, could not however alter the peculiar expression of his eye, and +the chilling tranquil sternness of his features. Theodora trembled, for +she perceived that she had been recognised by the renegade, who +intensely fixed his eyes upon her, as though her person powerfully +arrested his attention. She turned with terror from the dreaded object, +and during the rest of her way, felt an involuntary apprehension at +looking around her. + +The party of Theodora had by this time arrived at the palace of Don +Alonso de Aguilar, but an entrance was not to be effected without +considerable difficulty, all the avenues leading to it being crowded +with the multitude eager to congratulate the daughter of the victorious +warrior. The lady herself appeared for a moment at the balcony, gaily +surrounded by gallant knights and pages, waving her silken scarf in +grateful acknowledgment of these public demonstrations of respect. +Ramirez turned, and conducting his party to the back of the mansion, +sought an easier admission by the garden entrance. Theodora was soon +ushered into a splendid apartment, while her attentive conductor +proceeded alone, to fulfil his instructions to the daughter of Aguilar. + +During the short interval that succeeded the departure of Ramirez, the +mind of Theodora was alternately agitated between hope and fear. Not +that she had any reason to doubt the reception she would experience from +Leonor, but she felt the painful difficulty of affording the explanation +that would naturally be required of her upon the arrival of Aguilar, +whose return was daily expected. These painful reflections, however, +were checked by the return of Ramirez, who taking the trembling hand of +Theodora, led her to Leonor's private apartment. They traversed in +silence the spacious corridors of the palace, and before Theodora had +time to collect her scattered senses, a pair of folding doors were +thrown open, and she found herself in the presence of one whom her +fervid imagination had almost portrayed as something more than mortal. + +Leonor advanced gracefully to meet her guest, and observing her extreme +emotion, endeavoured to sooth it by the most friendly expressions. + +"So lovely a being," she said, as she led the passive Theodora towards +a sofa, "needed not the recommendation of my noble parent, to be +received with cordial hospitality by his daughter;--but rest yourself," +she continued, "for you must be in want of repose, after the journey you +have undergone." + +Theodora, notwithstanding this reassuring tone, was unable to give +utterance to the acknowledgments of her grateful heart. There was +something in the whole appearance of Leonor that contributed to heighten +her natural timidity, and even the kindness and affability of the +daughter of Aguilar could not entirely dissipate an indefinable +sensation of awe, which Theodora felt in her presence. She had been at +first sight struck by the imposing and majestic beauty of Leonor, +together with the dazzling splendour in which she was attired. Her +senses were bewildered in the contemplation of so much grandeur and +magnificence. + +Indeed Leonor de Aguilar was designed by nature to produce those +sensations in minds far more familiar with scenes of greatness and +power than the simple and unsophisticated heart of the guileless +Theodora. Leonor de Aguilar was a model of that peculiar beauty which +partakes at once of the lovely graces of her own sex, with some of the +more decided attributes of man. Her form was largely but most elegantly +framed, and exhibited a classic boldness of contour that perfectly +harmonized with her stateliness of carriage. Her complexion was of a +transparent brown, mellowed by the rich rosy tint that played over it, +and her large brilliant eyes sparkled with dazzling and energetic fire. +Dark glossy tresses overshadowed her oval face, where a beautiful shaped +aquiline nose, and lips of the deepest carnation, contributed to give +her countenance an expression of striking brilliancy. Yet there was +something stern in the resolute flash of her eye, and the bold curl of +her lip. A slight tincture of hauteur was likewise occasionally to be +detected, through the affability of manner by which she was +characterized; and in the very tone of her voice, even when attuned to +the softest expressions of kindness and regard, there was a chord that +vibrated upon the ear, which told of conscious superiority and masculine +genius. Yet these peculiarities were favorable to the commanding style +of her beauty, and served to heighten the impression which her natural +attractions could not fail to produce. + +"But come," said Leonor, after the first salutations, and when Theodora +felt a little reassured; "come, I must introduce you to the grand +saloon, where some of the first nobility of Spain are now assembled: I +am sure," she added with a smile, "those gallant knights will be greatly +beholden to me for bringing so lovely an addition to their society." + +"Your kind flattery," replied Theodora, "would certainly arouse a +feeling of vanity, if any such, alas! still lingered in my heart; but at +present sad recollections too severely oppress me to render society +desirable: besides, I should feel myself lost amidst so brilliant an +assemblage." + +"Well," continued Leonor, "I will not impose any exertion upon my fair +guest that may not accord with the present state of her mind; let us, +however, hope that her sorrows are not so deeply rooted but that, in the +kindness of her friends, she may soon find some alleviation. Yet," she +added, "if you will not join in our festivities, you will at least be +able to witness them, without inconvenience, from your casement. The +grand procession will presently move towards the cathedral, to return a +solemn thanksgiving for the successes of the Christian arms. The queen +will shortly leave her palace, attended with the flower of Spanish +warriors, and all the rank and beauty of Granada. And now, my gentle +friend," she continued in a kind tone, "I shall be obliged for a time to +leave you, as my attendance on the queen is absolutely required." + +She then appointed two of her maids to attend on her guest, and renewing +her assurances of regard and friendship, she retired, leaving the +unfortunate daughter of Monteblanco deeply impressed with gratitude and +admiration. + +Upon the departure of Leonor, Theodora drew near the window, and gazed +on the moving multitude below. The increased clamour of the populace, +and an unusual hurrying to and fro, together with the tolling of the +cathedral bells, now announced that the procession had left the palace, +and was approaching. Soon after, the sumptuous cavalcade came in sight, +slowly moving forwards. A magnificent banner was borne at the head of +the procession, displaying the cross of Santiago, patron of Spain, +gorgeously embroidered thereon, and followed by the knights of that +noble military order, in their grand ceremonial costumes. After them, +came those of the order of Calatrava, with their brave and renowned +maestre at their head. A long train of noblemen and knights, all +martially equipped, and mounted on beautiful steeds, succeeded, bearing +amongst them the spoils taken in the late conflicts. Isabella herself at +last appeared, seated on a superb milk-white charger, with the ease and +elegance of a perfect equestrian. She was immediately attended by the +Count de Tendilla, governor of the city, and the Archbishop of Toledo +and that of Granada, who were to officiate at the cathedral. The +splendor of the cavalcade was diversified by ranks of friars and monks +of various orders, who moved in regular order, mingling the sounds of +solemn anthems to the notes of clarions and other warlike instruments. +Then the incense rose to the sky, flinging around a grateful odour, +whilst the din and confusion of the overwhelming throng that closed the +march, evinced the interest which the scene excited in the minds of the +people. + +Theodora gazed after the procession until it gradually diminished in the +distance, and the clamorous noise was gradually subdued into a tranquil +and pleasing murmur. The pageant moved forward to the cathedral, where a +grand _Te Deum_ was sung, and a thousand voices united in heartfelt +gratitude to that awful power which had been so propitious to the +Christian people. + +Theodora now retired from the casement, and abandoned herself to her +former thoughts. The sumptuous display she had just witnessed forcibly +recalled her mind to the subject of its constant meditations. Alas! +amongst the host of gallant knights that composed the scene, the best +and bravest was not there; and the image of her murdered lover, arrayed +in terror, rose sadly before the imagination of Theodora. Her +attendants, ignorant of the nature of her sorrows, but in the true +spirit of female compassion, endeavoured to divert her thoughts to more +pleasing channels. The mind may be better weaned from scenes of past +distress, by interesting the curiosity, than by a consolation which +often, instead of healing the lacerated heart, serves but to increase +the torture of the wound. + +The kind females, therefore, led Theodora to view the interior of the +palace, which, from its venerable antiquity, and the interesting relics +of Moorish taste and ornament it contained, afforded a subject for +curious investigation. The quaint and fantastic carvings of the cornices +of the grand saloon, together with its Arabic devices and decorations, +and the mosaic pavement, harmonized strangely with the armorial bearings +and heavily grouped emblems of Christian panoplies. + +Theodora gazed on these warlike trophies with a listless indifference, +but when she came to a long gallery hung round with pictures, both of +Christian and Moorish subjects, her feelings were powerfully excited, +and she beheld those living mockeries of departed greatness with a deep +sensation of awe. Many a picture was there which recorded the faded +splendour of the Moslems. Many a scene of the chivalrous tales and +amours of the valiant Gazul and the love-smitten Lindaraxa, and other +characters now highly prized in Moorish legend. These scenes of private +and individual interest were artificially mixed with other +representations of a more general and dignified nature. Battles and +sieges and valorous deeds of Mahomedan warriors were gaudily portrayed +by the Moorish artist, who had taken care to bestow with his pencil a +gratuitous splendor upon the exploits of his countrymen, as they passed +in review under his hand. These works were succeeded by others of a very +different character, in which the Christian artist had ingeniously taken +the hint from his Mahomedan rival, and had fairly outdone the infidel in +the fierce and indomitable expression of his heroes. + +These were followed by a series of portraits, both of living personages +and others who were long since dead. Amongst these, Theodora saw the +mighty form of Alonso de Aguilar, on whose noble countenance was stamped +that commanding expression which brought vividly to her memory the image +of his daughter Leonor. There also stood as in life the renowned and +terrible Ruy Diaz de Vivar, surnamed _El Cid Campeador_,[31] mounted on +his scarcely less celebrated charger Babieca, both actively engaged in +the destruction of their Moorish enemies; for it is a received +tradition that the animal had an instinctive horror and abhorrence of +the infidels, and accordingly never lost an opportunity of exhibiting +towards them his patriotic propensities by the force of his bites and +kicks. There was likewise the awful and sanctified figure of the apostle +_Santiago_, riding like a whirlwind through the air, on his milk-white +horse, and accomplishing in his progress those wonderful and miraculous +deeds which have so much embellished the pages of the old legends, and +from whose rich sources the romancers have derived such heroic spirit +and power. The portraits of the Catholic Ferdinand, and his noble spouse +Isabella, were also there, together with many other Christian sovereigns +and warriors, who had played conspicuous parts in the history of their +country. + +Theodora unconsciously wandered along until she had nearly reached the +extremity of the gallery, when, as she was about to return, her eye +suddenly alighted on a figure that thrilled the inmost fibres of her +frame. It was _him_ she saw, so truly portrayed and so exact in every +lineament, that the painted canvas seemed endowed with life. Gomez Arias +was there; his bold demeanor, his proud smile, the intelligent glance of +his eye--all, all was religiously preserved in that inanimate +counterpart of living reality. Theodora gazed and gazed, until her +dilated eyes seemed ready to start from their orbits. The unfortunate +girl was rivetted to the spot, for she felt a melancholy pleasure in +dwelling on the semblance of those handsome features. She descried all +the graces of her lover in that perfect memorial of him, and her own +vivid imagination imparted to it life and passion. She stood before the +picture, till she fancied her lover present, earnestly gazing on her +immovable form, and she felt a portion of that happiness which he never +failed to create when he whispered the ardent vows of everlasting love. + +Theodora remained some time plunged in a tide of feeling, painful yet +pleasing, and in the recollection of past scenes she almost forgot the +horrid fate of Gomez Arias. She gazed, and in the height of her +enthusiasm she was happy; but, alas! how short, how transient was the +delusion which, when dissolved, would tend to sink her deeper in +affliction! The brazen, heavy voice of the cathedral bell suddenly broke +the magic charm. Theodora started from her reverie, and all again became +a chaos of misery and despondence. + +The pageant was now returning from the Cathedral, and once more the +tolling of bells and the martial strains rung in the air. Theodora, +unwilling to betray her situation to her attendants, returned to her +apartment, where she endeavoured to conceal her emotion as well as the +high excitement of her feelings would permit. + +The generous Leonor soon repaired to her charge. + +"Come," said she, as she entered, "I suppose you will at least grace the +convivial table, since I could not prevail on you to adorn the +procession?" + +"Suffer me," gently answered Theodora, "to trespass so far on your kind +indulgence as to excuse my absence from the feast. My mind, alas! is in +no state to enjoy the revelry, and I should but cast a gloom on the +brilliancy of the scene." + +Leonor had a superior knowledge of human nature, and an unusual +quickness of discernment. She prudently considered that consolation +could much better be promoted by a gentle and timely acquiescence with +the desires of the afflicted, than by an overstrained and ill-timed +attempt to obtrude gaiety on a mind that was not prepared for its +admission. Theodora's request to keep her apartment was accordingly +complied with. There she passed the remainder of the day in busy +communion with her own thoughts, and bewildered in contemplating the +conduct that she ought to adopt in her unfortunate situation. Her +forlorn heart naturally and affectionately turned to the home of her +childhood; her ideas fondly returned to the pure channel from whence +they had too long wandered, and momentarily overpowered the terrors +which a consciousness of guilt presented to her imagination. Her father +would not discard his afflicted, his repentant child. Her offence +towards him had been great, but it could not be greater than the +parental anxiety, the fond, boundless affection he had ever shown to the +only remaining pledge of her mother's love, the sole descendant of his +ancient house. + +These consoling reflections happily soothed the heart of Theodora. She +arose from her despondency with a sudden start of resolution, and +determined that on the moment her generous deliverer should arrive, she +would acquaint him with her wishes, and crave his assistance to conduct +her to the feet of her sorrowing parent. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Così gl'interi giorni in lungo incerto + Sonno gemo! ma poi quando la bruna + Notte gli astri nel ciel chiama e la luna + E il freddo aer di mute ombre è coverto; + Dove selvoso è il piano è più deserto + Allor lento io vagando, ad una ad una + Palpo le piaghe onde la rea fortuna + E amore e il mondo hanno il mio core aperto. + + _Ugo Foscolo._ + + +It was night, gentle and serene, such a night as in the favored clime of +Andalusia is wont to succeed the sultriness of a summer's day. The +bright canopy of heaven shone in passionless serenity, emblazoned with +its countless stars. The moon flung a solemn light on the tall palaces +and stately turrets of Granada, and tinged the citron groves of Don +Alonso's garden with a flood of chaste and silvery splendor. The placid +beams reposed calmly and unbroken on the bosom of the still lake, or +danced fitfully on the bubbling eddies of the limpid water, as it fell +on the marble basin with a refreshing sound. + +How beautiful this calm! In such a spot as this could the wearied mind +taste of the sweet repose of an earthless spirit. But hark! the +breathless silence is violated by a low harsh sound. It is the grating +voice of yonder ponderous Moorish casement. It opens, and a female form +is there wrapped in contemplation; her eye is fixed, her figure +motionless. She now raises the trembling fingers to her white forehead, +and reclines on her arm, as she watches, with the unconscious gaze of an +absent mind, the sportive waters as they played below. She seemed to +delight in the soft stillness, and to gather fresh life amidst the +mysterious shades that reigned around. Spirit-like, she sat in the +frowning window, enrobed in shadow, and the cold whiteness that +pencilled out her form, seemed to array it with the character of a +living statue. + +It was Theodora--the hapless Theodora, who, a prey to the rooted +melancholy that consumed her, had left her couch to enjoy undisturbed +the luxury of grief. The garden soon brought to her fancy recollections +of past scenes, and the source of all her present misfortunes. It was in +a garden, and on such nights as these that her meetings with Gomez Arias +had taken place, as well as the last interview which had decided her +fate, and given birth to all the miseries which followed. Tranquil and +serene was all around; Theodora felt a wild and romantic sensation of +delight, while gazing on objects fraught with associations of past bliss +and present misery. The hallowed placidity of the blue vaulted heavens; +the soft whispering of the foliage that slumbered in the cold moonlight; +the spectre-like appearance of the tall trees, which stood partly +enrobed in shadowy darkness, and partly glowing in serene and chastened +splendor; the gentle murmuring of the sportive breeze--all tended to +lead her senses into a delusive, but pleasing reverie. She listened, and +thought she heard _his_ voice. She looked tremblingly as if in the +expectation of the appearance of her lover. The thicket of myrtle +rustles and shakes, and flings on the air its load of fragrance, when +from its green bosom softly steals forward a tall and majestic figure. + +Could it be possible? Or had her bewildered imagination conjured up the +airy phantom to deceive her? It was _he_--Gomez Arias--and as she gazed +intensely, the shadow moved slowly along, lengthening in the moonlight +as it proceeded. No delusion was here; it was indeed her lover she +beheld, moving with the same graceful manner as when she saw him last in +the garden of her father. The phantom approached, not in the unearthly +sickly semblance of a tenant of the tomb, but radiant with the joy of a +successful lover; his eye beaming with the glow of life. It moved! it +passed! 'tis gone--and Theodora, in the complication of her feelings, +remained with her eyes fixed, looking intently on the space where she +had distinguished the form of her lover. + +During some time she remained plunged in a delightful trance, till the +solemn knell of a neighbouring convent, summoning the cloistered monks +to their orisons, suddenly dissolved the potent charm, and banished the +bright illusion for the reality of sorrow. The dear image of her lover +had departed, and a veil of gloom seemed to fall over the surrounding +scene. An unearthly dullness pervaded the air; the night wind sighed +mournfully through the rustling boughs of the trees; the moon threw a +colourless light from behind a shroud of clouds, and the semblance of +death seemed to reign around. + +Theodora could no longer sustain the dreary scene, and she hurried back +to her couch, to linger through the night in the unavailing attempt to +court repose. Alas! refreshing sleep came not to close her weary +eyelids. At intervals, indeed, a heavy slumber stole over her, but so +oppressive was its influence, that she struggled hard to regain her +senses. The night wore away, and the morning dawned, but it brought no +alleviation to her sorrow. At an early hour she rose from her couch, +and, as if led by an instinctive impulse, she drew near the window that +commanded a view of the garden. There, musing on the vision of her past +night, she was surprised by the entrance of Lisarda, one of her +attendants. She came bustling in with an air of importance, and +apparently with a firm resolution that no opportunity should escape in +the proffer of her good services, and in the exercise of her loquacious +talents. + +"Good day, sweet lady! Save you, my dear lady! How have you passed the +night?--Very composedly I trow, for this is a most quiet and sequestered +apartment: but, our Lady defend us! how pale you look;--surely, you are +not ill?--_La virgen nos valga_.[32] Samuel Mendez shall be commanded +here forthwith; for this same Samuel, you must know, is a very sapient +leech, and well versed in occult medical science, though a very dog of a +cursed unbelieving Jew;[33] he shall be sent for anon; there is no cause +to fear him, for the infidel dare not use any of his poisonous drugs to +such as you, my sweet lady. The _Samaritano_[34] would answer with his +life any mischance to yours; and that is methinks a right way of +effecting cures. So permit me to send for Samuel Mendez." + +"Thank you most kindly," answered Theodora, "but my disease is not to be +removed by the powers of medicine. Alas! it is seated in the mind," she +added, smiling sadly, "and there all the science of Samuel Mendez would +be unavailing." + +"Cheer up, my sweet lady," returned Lisarda, "for this is a time of +rejoicing at Granada, and it would be a pity to have one sorrowful heart +amidst the revelries of this mansion. Good heavens! we are all mad for +joy in the very anticipation of so much feasting and merry-making." + +"I congratulate you sincerely," said Theodora, "though I cannot be a +partaker of the general joy." + +"Oh, but you must," exclaimed Lisarda, "you must be glad, aye, and +rejoice too;--and how can you in troth do otherwise, seeing that our +master, Don Alonso de Aguilar, is hourly expected in the city?" + +"It will indeed," returned Theodora, "throw a beam of comfort into my +poor heart to behold my brave and generous deliverer, and to pour forth +the tribute of my humble gratitude, which he so justly deserves." + +"His arrival," continued Lisarda, with marvellous volubility of tongue, +"is the signal of numberless pleasures; for now, thank God and the +mighty _Santiago_, the Moors have had such a dressing that they will be +in no humour for some time to renew their unruly frolics, and that happy +event which we have so long a time been anxiously awaiting will at last +be accomplished." + +"Yes," said Theodora, mechanically, "peace will be restored." + +"Aye, peace will be restored," quoth she of the expeditious tongue; +"peace will be restored; and in sooth how should it not? But then that +is not the only happiness in store for the friends and retainers of Don +Alonso." + +As she said this, Lisarda looked steadfastly on Theodora, as if +expecting to be questioned about the said happiness, but as she +perceived no symptoms of such an intention, she found the necessity of +affording both questions and answers, lest the dialogue should draw to a +conclusion, a catastrophe much dreaded by the good Lisarda. + +"Now, by _San Jose Bendito_!" she continued in the tone of one that is +most good-naturedly inclined to give unsought-for information; "my +gentle lady, I would venture to assert that you cannot guess the motive +of such happy anticipations." + +"I cannot indeed," answered Theodora, with indifference. + +"Well, I will keep you no longer in suspense, since you evince so +anxious a desire to be acquainted with all the particulars." + +Theodora betrayed some little impatience at the unconscionable chatter +of her attendant; but the giddy maid, heedless of every thing, +continued in a tone of great delight-- + +"So, the Lord save us! but the happiness in question is nothing less +than a wedding." + +"A wedding!" cried Theodora, with some emotion. + +"Aye, a wedding," repeated Lisarda, emphatically, accompanying the +stress she laid on the word with a most appropriate movement of her head +and hands, as the right one struck the palm of its left companion, in +token of asseveration: "A wedding," she continued; "and such a wedding +too, that the like has not been seen at Granada for many, many a year. +Let them boast of their Moorish gallantry and their infidel marriages--a +fig for them! No, no; a Christian for me--a Christian, who will be +satisfied with one woman, and in truth why should he not?" + +"And who is the fortunate bride?" demanded Theodora, not from any motive +of curiosity, but merely to acquiesce in the loquacious humor of her +attendant. + +"The bride!" exclaimed Lisarda, "the bride! why, who should be the +bride?--Have I not already told you?" + +"No, indeed, you have not." + +"Really," resumed Lisarda, conceitedly, "for a thoughtless silly girl, I +am the most unaccountable female in Spain." + +Theodora did not attempt to contradict her, as she was certainly a most +unaccountable girl for a woman of forty. + +"Well," proceeded Lisarda, "before it again slips from my memory, I must +acquaint you that the bride is no other than our beloved and most noble +mistress, the lady Doña Leonor." + +"She well deserves a gentle bridegroom," observed Theodora, with +affability. + +"She does in troth," replied Lisarda; "and how should she not, being as +she is? We have had no lack of suitors--aye, and the noblest. Good +Heavens! what ado there has been about it--gallants we have had, +clustering about us like bees when they flock around their queen. The +bridegroom is indeed a most deserving and accomplished cavalier; and so +he should, to be the favored choice of Doña Leonor. However, he is not +the one I patronized, and who I hoped at one time would marry my +lady--he, alas! was prevented from proceeding in so desirable an +engagement, not from any fault of his or mine either, but from an +unexpected event that presented the most insurmountable impediment to +the marriage." + +"And that was--?" inquired Theodora. + +"Death!" replied Lisarda: "it being rumoured and readily believed, that +the unfortunate caballero was murdered by those blood-thirsty Moors of +the Alpujarras; and indeed his long disappearance from Granada makes the +unwelcome intelligence to rest on no shallow foundation." + +Theodora felt an involuntary chill at this part of her attendant's +narration; for the similarity of fate between Leonor's lover and her own +could not but be productive of a most harrowing sensation. Lisarda, +however, continued, unconscious of the pang she had inflicted. + +"And it was a marvellous pity," said she, "for a more gallant and +generous cavalier was not easily to be met with in all Spain. So gentle, +so brave, so rich, and so generous withal;--now, never did he appear +before me, but he needs must force some present or other upon me; and, +indeed, spite of my shyness, I found the greatest difficulty in +resisting the acceptance of gifts which were offered in so delicate a +manner: peace be to his soul! it was always a ring, a gem, a pair of +pendants, or----" + +"And what is the name of the present bridegroom?" interrupted Theodora. + +"Certainly he is a sweet gallant too, and in great estimation at +court----" + +"And his name is--?" inquired Theodora. + +"Though, to say the truth, there are many others equally meritorious. It +is not the Maestre de Calatrava; oh, no; his attractions are rather too +mature to suit the taste of Doña Leonor." + +"Who is he?" again demanded Theodora "A most handsome man, certainly; +now--but do not suppose it is Don Felix de Almagro, or young Garcilaso, +or Don Juan de---- No,----". + +"Well, but, good Lisarda, what is his name?" + +"Oh, he bears a most glorious name; but now I think on't, what a +thoughtless, silly girl I am; surely I was to bring you a beautiful +dress, that my lady ordered for you: sweet lady, you must forgive me; I +will run forthwith and rectify my fault." + +Then, without waiting for a reply, she flew out of the room. Theodora +felt a strange sensation at the intelligence she had just received. A +wedding was shortly to be solemnized, at which her presence would +naturally be required, and the idea of witnessing a ceremony which would +bring to her mind a train of painful associations, failed not to +increase her agitation. Then she was lost in conjectures respecting the +bridegroom, and she felt impressed with a belief that he could be no +other than Don Antonio de Leyva. She felt a dread at the prospect of +appearing before him, whom her venerable parent had chosen for her +partner in life. + +Theodora strove to drive away such unpleasant images, and to divert her +attention she hurried to the garden. There she walked to the same spot +where the resemblance of her lover had appeared the preceding night; +feeling a strange indefinable delight in visiting a spot endeared by the +awful visitation of her beloved and never to be forgotten Gomez Arias. +In the garden, therefore, she remained some time, now walking amidst +fragrant avenues of orange and citron, now resting on the marble edge of +the fountain, refreshing her hands and face in the transparent liquid, +or gazing on the clear and sparkling pebbles embedded on the golden +sand. Her sighs seemed attuned to the soft but melancholy sound of the +murmuring fountain, and she was insensibly falling into her wonted train +of reverie, when she was startled by the noise of advancing footsteps; +she raised her eyes and perceived a man coming directly across the path +on which she was standing; to her utter amazement, she beheld in the +disturber of her meditations the person, the very person of Roque. The +valet himself was rivetted to the spot at this mutual recognition, and +his features exhibited a curious amalgamation of sensations difficult to +be defined. He crossed himself thrice, uttered a faint ejaculation, and, +with wandering eyes and open mouth, he looked and looked again, as if +doubting the reality of what he saw. Being at length perfectly satisfied +that it was Theodora herself, the unhappy and forsaken victim of his +master, he made a hasty movement to leave the place. + +"Stay, Roque, stay!" eagerly cried Theodora; "thou surely dost not mean +to leave me thus:--What alarms thee? Is it my dejected and forlorn +appearance? Alas! it may well awaken thy surprise; for deep and bitter +anguish has left its sad traces on my features." + +Roque then approached, but not without casting a look around, as if +fearful of being observed. + +"What ails thee, Roque?" demanded Theodora surprised; "thou +tremblest,--wherefore? What mystery is here?" + +"_El cielo, San Pedro y San Pablo me valgan!_" ejaculated Roque, again +crossing himself. + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, clasping her hand in eager supplication--"do not +harrow up my feelings with this suspense:--Speak!--" + +"Good heavens! my lady, how came you here?" + +"Alas!" answered Theodora, "the tale of my sufferings is as tedious in +length as it has been deep in sorrow; rather inform me of matters far +more interesting to my heart: tell me," she then proceeded, with +vehement earnestness, "tell me the circumstances of that horrid event +which has doomed me for ever to despair." + +"That horrid event!" re-echoed Roque, with a look of marvellous +stupidity. + +"Ah! Roque, it was a fearful deed, and not in vain did my heart warn me +with ominous forebodings." + +"Yes, gentle lady," said Roque, in a tone of compunction, "it was a +fearful deed, I confess." + +"And thou, Roque," continued Theodora, "thou hast to answer for a great +share of the misery which ensued." + +"Alas, my dear lady! I know that my courage failed me in that dreadful +moment, but perhaps I am not wholly undeserving of pardon, for what +other course could I then pursue?" + +"To fight," resolutely said Theodora. + +"Fight," returned the valet, "fight! good God! you would not have had me +fight a host of ruffian Moors, would you, lady? A thousand they might +have been, for aught I know. Indeed, at the time, I lost my talent for +calculation, but they looked as many, and as for poor Roque, whom Heaven +has been pleased to endow with a most pacific temperament, thinking of +fighting a thousand Moors, he might as well be expected to engage +against Satan, backed by a whole legion of his infernal subjects." + +"But was it well," rejoined Theodora, "to abandon thy master in the +hour of danger?" + +"Abandon my master!" exclaimed Roque, "_válgame el cielo!_ Under favor, +Señora, it was my master that abandoned me." + +"Out upon thee, fellow! I thought thee possessed of more manly feelings +than to make light with so sad a subject, and introduce an unseemly +jest." + +"By all the saints in the calendar, lady--but I am in no mood for +merriment. I am not in very truth, and may the first jest I attempt to +utter strangulate me outright, before it escapes from my lips. But +really, with respect to abandoning my master, thank the blessed virgin, +that is a crime of which no one can accuse me. A man cannot help feeling +shy at engaging in broils and combats, if his star doth not propel him +thereto,--and that in verity is pretty nearly my case; but if any one is +tempted to question my fidelity, this miserable carcass of mine can bear +witness to the contrary, by displaying the honorable bruises I have +reaped in the service of my master.--Alack! had I been less constant in +following my Señor Gomez Arias, certain cudgellings and beatings without +number would not so continually have fallen to the lot of Roque." + +"Darest thou speak in this strain," interposed Theodora, "when thou +betookest thyself to a shameful flight, at the very first appearance of +the Moors, leaving thy gallant and unfortunate master to be murdered at +their hands?" + +At this unexpected accusation, Roque appeared astounded, and for some +time could collect no adequate term to express his surprise. He cast a +look of mixed amazement and compassion, shrugged up his shoulders, and, +in a scarcely audible tone, muttered to himself:--"Poor thing! may the +Lord preserve her--sorrow hath brought this about." + +Theodora, heedless of his manner, continued;--"Alas! what was the +courage of a single man against the united force of so many enemies?" + +"Aye--aye--nothing," responded Roque, "nothing certainly;--but under +favor, my good lady, though my master's courage stood ever the fairest +test, yet I do not clearly perceive how he is entitled to encomiums for +feats which, though he might, he _did_ not actually achieve." + +"What!" exclaimed Theodora, with warmth, "would you even defraud his +memory of its too-well merited guerdon, the possession of a glorious +name?" + +"Good my lady," humbly replied Roque, "I would not defraud my master of +a single _maravedi_, much less of so valuable a treasure as a glorious +name. But I am strangely puzzled to determine how I can deprive him of a +commodity which in my hands would lose its worth. Nor indeed can I +perceive why you bestow such commendations on the deeds of my master, +since, in the instance to which you allude, I rather suspect he was in +nowise anxious to distinguish himself." + +"Thy speech," said Theodora, "is enigmatical, and wherefore it is so I +cannot surmise. But his very enemies confessed that he fought bravely, +and fell like a hero. Aye, Roque, they further added, that had you not +abandoned him in that critical moment, their victory would not have been +so easily effected." + +"_Santa Barbara!_" cried Roque, more astounded than ever, "the Moors +said that? Well it was very kind of the _malandrines_ to speak in such +good terms of my honored master.--Good God! good God!" he then +continued, in a confused incoherent manner--"My lady, pray forgive my +impertinence, but will you tell me if I am awake?" + +"Awake!" repeated Theodora. + +"Yes, my dear lady, for either I must be now asleep, or you must have +been dreaming when the facetious Moors favored you with such an +extraordinary story." + +"Oh, Roque! cease this ribaldry, so unbecoming in thee when we speak of +_him_ whom thou knowest I so much loved--when we speak of his untimely +death." + +"The death of Gomez Arias, say you!" exclaimed Roque, retreating with +increased amazement. "My master dead?--in the name of Heaven! what say +you lady!"-- + +"The truth;--with these unhappy eyes did I see his murdered body in the +Alpujarras:--art thou then, Roque, so ignorant of his fate?" + +"Oh, quite so," replied Roque; "this is the very first intelligence I +received of such an event;--and I suppose you will tell me next that you +have seen his ghost." + +"Alas!" returned Theodora, "it was but last night that I beheld his +figure as perfectly as when I saw him last in the Alpujarras!" + +Roque assumed as much gravity as he was able, considering the difficulty +he had to restrain his risibility; and, supposing that the intellect of +the poor lady was impaired, in a comic serious tone observed:--"Well, my +master is a most wonderful man, that his murdered body should be food +for the ravens of the Alpujarras, and his troubled spirit be haunting +Don Alonso's garden; when at the same time I saw him myself not long +since, in perfect sanity of body and soul, parading the promenades of +Granada." + +Theodora gasped for breath; she gazed on Roque with astonishment. The +valet was in the greatest perplexity; but thinking that Theodora still +doubted the veracity of his statement, he again, in a serious tone and +asseverating manner, said--"Yes, my lady, you are deceived--my master is +alive." + +"Alive!" screamed aloud Theodora, and her whole frame shook like the +aspen leaf; "alive! where? where is he?" + +"In this city, and will come to the palace presently. More I cannot tell +you, lady;--permit me now to withdraw, and oh! that you might do the +same!" + +Roque, as we have already observed, was far from being of a cruel and +hardened disposition, and his acquiescence in the unprincipled actions +of his master arose more from dread of his character than perversity of +heart. He was now strangely perplexed, anticipating the disastrous +results which might spring from the unlooked-for meeting of Gomez Arias +and the forsaken victim of his satiated passion. He almost regretted +having removed the error under which Theodora laboured with regard to +her lover's death. + +Meantime Theodora, partly recovered from the violent shock which her +feelings had sustained, felt a chill of doubt and a vague apprehension +of evil that deadened the first impression of transporting pleasure +which the certainty of her Lope's existence had produced. She +endeavoured to give a solution to the enigma, but met with none +congenial to her feelings. The circumstance of her lover being in +Granada, and apparently unconcerned for her fate, withered the budding +hopes within her bosom, for she fondly imagined that Gomez Arias could +never be separated from her but by death. This suspense was terrible, +and Roque's demeanor tended to increase her anxiety. She fixed her +starting eyes on him, and holding his hand with a fearful grasp, in a +voice wild with emotion, she exclaimed:--"Roque! Roque! in the name of +Heaven, unravel this mystery." + +She hesitated a moment, but the very poignancy of her anguish gave her +force to demand--"Did Gomez Arias, then, leave me in the power of the +Moors without attempting my defence?" + +Roque made no answer. + +Theodora became intensely excited, and with the piercing voice of +despair:--"Then it is true!" she exclaimed, "your silence confirms my +fears!" + +A ghastly smile was on her lip, and a deadly paleness overspread her +features. + +Roque now perceived the utter impossibility of keeping his master's +cruelty any longer a secret from his victim: yet he dreaded to acquaint +her with the whole extent of her misery; he trembled for the +consequences that such an avowal would produce upon her feelings, and he +knew that with a fond woman of extraordinary sensibility and elevated +sentiments, the death of a lover might be more easily supported than his +dereliction. On the other hand it was imperatively demanded by +circumstances that Gomez Arias and Theodora should never meet again; +for, alas! such a meeting could be productive only of reproach and shame +to the former--anguish, despair, and perhaps death to the latter. + +Theodora, meantime, read in the agitated countenance of the valet a tale +of distress more cruel than any she had yet endured; whilst Roque, who +trembled lest, by an imprudent continuance of his interview with +Theodora, they might be surprised by Gomez Arias, summoned up his +resolution, and determined at once to acquaint her with her lover's +treason:--"Lady!" he exclaimed with emphasis, "in the name of God, +endeavour to brace your nerves against the dreadful intelligence I have +to communicate.--You must forget him for ever;--nay, if you consult the +happiness of all those that are interested in your welfare or in his, +you will decide never to see him more." + +"What mean you?" demanded Theodora, with redoubled agitation. + +"Your lover is false, lady; you must fly to your parent, or encounter +the peril of being immured in the gloomy seclusion of a convent. Such +were my master's intentions towards you, when the arrival of the Moors +happened in time to frustrate them. Should he, however, learn that you +are at Granada, where your presence may throw invincible impediments in +his way, the knowledge would be perhaps attended with disastrous +results. I am a poor man, a butt to sustain my master's ill humors, but +I will not so far dishonor my feelings as to permit the possibility of +your being exposed a second time to the dreaded manoeuvres of Gomez +Arias. Fly, lady, fly to your kind parent." + +Theodora fixed a wild look on Roque, and the horrid nature of his +recital seemed to have frozen the springs of feeling. She did not speak, +nor was any passion, save that of despair, depicted on her countenance; +a settled stupor sat upon her pallid brow, and shone in the cold glance +of her eyes. + +Roque was moved by the picture of loveliness that stood before him, +motionless in the intensity of grief; but he was conscious of the +danger he incurred by protracting his stay. + +"Alas!" he said in a soothing tone, "you are very, very unfortunate; but +consider, lady, the consequences of our being seen together. Allow me to +retire, then, and command my services; but, oh, do not by any means +appear before----" + +He was interrupted by Theodora, who suddenly started before that +dreadful name once so endearing could be pronounced. + +"Roque," she cried, in a tone and manner that bespoke her possessed of +more resolution than could be gathered from the expression of her +countenance, "Roque, I will retire; be silent, and let me see you +again.--Yes," she added with a voice of presageful import, "it is better +I should not see him more!" + +She then hastily retired from the spot, and sought the way to her +apartment. That feeling so deeply rooted in the female heart--the desire +of probing a lover's perfidy to the utmost, determined her to follow +the valet's advice. No, she dreaded not the most disastrous +consequences; for, alas! what has betrayed woman to fear, when she seeks +justice from the man for whom she has sacrificed all! Is it death? Ah! +it is her best refuge and only consolation! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Sierpes apacienta el pecho + De una muger ofendida. + + _Moreto._ + + Ah taci! ogni parola + Mi drizza i crini; assei dicesti; basta + Basta cosi, non proseguir. + + _Monti_. + + +Roque made a precipitate retreat from the garden; for, anxious as the +poor fellow was to render any service to Theodora, he still felt no +inclination to incur thereby the displeasure of his master, and draw +upon himself the full measure of his indignation. The valet resolved to +keep a strict silence respecting his interview with Theodora, and he +entertained a belief that the fears of the unfortunate girl would induce +her to follow a similar course. Thus he flattered himself there was +nothing to apprehend farther than the danger of an accidental meeting. + +Theodora meantime, a prey to a thousand distracting fears, had locked +herself within her chamber, in a miserable state of hopelessness. +Tormented with various conflicting passions, she now boldly resolved to +meet her perjured lover, and demand an explanation of his cruel and +unnatural conduct; but again she was suddenly checked by an instinctive +dread which seemed to freeze her powers of action. She despondingly +threw herself upon the couch, that gaudy but unconscious witness of her +sorrows, and as the briny drops fell fast from their sad fountains, and +bedewed the rich silken covering, she exclaimed-- + +"Yes, it was he himself that I beheld last night." + +These few words conveyed a portion of that exquisite anguish that gave +them birth. + +It was a fearful idea: she had seen her lover a nocturnal visitor to +that garden, his face decked with smiles, and his eyes replete with +pleasure and hope. He was happy, and thought no more of the lost +Theodora. He had forsaken her--her whom he had vowed for ever to love, +and to whom he had pledged his word to acknowledge her as his own before +the world. This was a masterpiece of ingratitude; and yet Theodora hoped +that ingratitude, that blackest stain of the human heart, might have +prompted the dereliction of Gomez Arias, rather than love for another. +To think that she had entirely lost his love, was a pang more cruel than +all she had hitherto endured; and this alas! was the phantom which she +strove in vain to chase away, and that most obtruded upon her mind. + +The loquacious Lisarda was not tardy in making a second appearance: she +knocked for admittance, and Theodora, who in her present state was but +little predisposed to encourage her unmeaning chatter, felt nevertheless +an inward desire for the presence of her attendant. By her means she +could acquire a solution of the mystery with which she so much dreaded +to be acquainted, and yet was so anxious to learn. She opened the door, +and Lisarda no sooner entered than with her accustomed volubility she +began-- + +"Well, well, my gentle lady, you must forgive me certainly; I have +neglected you too long; but then consider, my good lady, what a day this +is: what with the expectation of my master's arrival, and the +preparations for this wedding, the whole palace is thrown into a +marvellous confusion." + +"Say no more," replied Theodora; "you need not seek to excuse yourself; +I am but a stranger here, and have no right whatever to engross the +attention of any one, much less on such an occasion as the present." + +"Aye, aye," continued Lisarda, "it is indeed a most busy time. Well, the +glorious Don Alonso arrives to-day, and to-morrow his beautiful daughter +will be led to the altar by her gallant bridegroom. Only think, my sweet +lady, what a wedding this will be. The queen and the Maestre de +Calatrava, in the absence of the king, are to be the sponsors." + +"That mark of the royal favor," said Theodora, "speaks highly for the +merits of both the parties; but I am yet to learn the name of the +knight who has rendered himself deserving of such an honor." + +She pronounced these last words in a faltering tone, and Lisarda, though +a thoughtless woman, soon perceived her agitation. + +"_Dios nos defienda_!"[35] she cried, "what ails you, dear lady? you +look so shockingly pale. Well, it is all your fault for being set +against taking counsel; now if you could but be persuaded to admit the +visit of Samuel Mendez, God knows how much you would profit by his +advice; for believe me, lady, the iniquitous Jew cures better than most +of our good Christians." + +"I assure you," interrupted Theodora, "that my unwillingness to +acquiesce with your wishes does not arise from the circumstance of the +doctor being a Jew, but merely because my indisposition can receive no +benefit from medicine, whether it be administered by an infidel or a +true believer.--So, I pray you mention no more this Samuel Mendez, but +rather tell me the name of the future partner of Leonor." + +"Aye, fortunate indeed, Señora, you may well call him fortunate, for +Doña Leonor is a most accomplished lady, a beautiful lady; and were it +not that she is----" + +"She is most accomplished," interrupted Theodora. + +"She is in troth," retorted Lisarda, "and so dutiful a daughter withal. +She is now going to meet her noble father in his triumphant entry into +the city, and she will be accompanied by her future husband, and a +numerous and splendid retinue.--But, hark! hear you not the tramp of +horses, and the sound of trumpets?" + +She flew to the window, and Theodora, in breathless anxiety, followed. + +"There!" cried Lisarda, with glee, "they are about to depart. Now, see, +my lady, Leonor mounts--the bridegroom holds the stirrup." + +Theodora cast a terrified look, which shot a pang to her inmost +heart--It was Gomez Arias who helped Leonor to mount. Theodora saw +enough--but one glance, and all the horrors of her fate were revealed. +The deluding smile which had seduced her heart, the traitor eloquent eye +which wrought her ruin, were now devoted to another. + +Theodora uttered no piercing shriek; neither did sigh or groan escape +her; but she silently sank backwards in the tranquillity of horror. She +had now nothing else to hope or fear; no throbbing anxiety to +forego,--no further perils to dread--the sum of her misery was complete, +and dauntless she might encounter any disaster; for this last blow had +imparted to her the passive courage of indifference and despair. + +Lisarda, occupied with the dazzling objects which moved beneath, did not +perceive Theodora's situation, and without taking her eyes from the +cavalcade pursued her remarks:-- + +"Now they go--the Lord bless them, how handsome they look! Well, I do +not blame my lady's taste, for certainly Don Lope is the most gallant of +cavaliers. What think you, my sweet lady? Well, certainly they do say +he has many a grievous sin to answer for, in the list of innocent girls +he has seduced and undone: the Lord defend them, poor creatures; I pity +them. But it was surely their fault:--more fools they for trusting to +the fair promises of such a man--what think you gentle lady, am I not +right?" + +Happily the cavalcade was now out of sight, and Lisarda's observations +were accordingly cut short. But she immediately turned to Theodora, who +had sat motionless on her couch from the first glance that had +acquainted her with the full extent of her wretchedness. + +"Well," said the loquacious waiting maid, "what shall I do to divert +you, lady? Really I am at a loss. If you are not moved by the splendid +sight you have just now witnessed, I cannot imagine what will affect +you. Mayhap I might afford some consolation, since you are so strongly +bent against the assistance of Samuel Mendez." + +"Thank you," said Theodora, raising her eyes towards the speaker, "thank +you for your kind intentions, but if anything could tend to the +alleviation of my sorrows, it would be perhaps a free and unmolested +indulgence of them." + +"Oh, dear lady, but we must have no sorrowful faces at the wedding. +_Virgen de las Angustias!_ that would be dreadfully ominous. Cheer up, +sweet lady; there is nothing in the world like a good example, and when +you see every one rejoice, I am sure you will not mar the general joy. +Cheer up, good lady--better days will come. To-morrow, at the wedding +festival, your thoughts, I engage, will be fixed on other objects; such +indeed as are interesting to every female who, like ourselves, is yet +blessed in the primeval season of youth. Am I not right?" + +"Happy!" cried Theodora, in a thrilling tone, "happy!" Then as if to +veil the effect which her exclamation might produce, she added, "who +can promise themselves happiness in this world?" + +"Alack, and that is true!" responded Lisarda, "for many, many are the +lovers who are born to be unfortunate and die of broken hearts." She +strove to swell her own with a mighty sigh: "And even those who marry, +how oft do they curse the day that--but this is neither here nor there." + +"To-morrow! and is it really to-morrow, that the ceremony is to take +place?" demanded Theodora. + +"There is no doubt of it. God have mercy, the ceremony has been already +delayed too long. The young lovers would have been united some months +since, had not unavoidable impediments retarded the accomplishment of +their mutual wishes." + +A clamorous shout, and a burst of trumpets now announced the approach of +Aguilar to Granada, and Lisarda with giddy steps sallied out, leaving +Theodora to the undisturbed enjoyment of her gloomy reflections. The +unfortunate child of Monteblanco had now the most unequivocal proof of +her lover's baseness and treachery: Gomez Arias was faithless, but what +an aggravation of guilt attached to his infidelity! His cold, heartless +villainy seemed to surpass all power of conception, and Theodora for +some time remained like one striving to recall the fleeting illusion of +a horrid dream. Then she clasped her hands fearfully over her swollen +eyelids; a few large drops fell on her cold marbled hands, and in those +eyes flashed the wild resolution of despair. + +A bitter smile now gently curled those parched and pallid lips, and she +raised her trembling fingers to her forehead, expressing all the passive +agonies of an absent mind. Then suddenly, as if actuated by a powerful +impulse, she sprung upon her feet: she cautiously drew towards the +casement in a listening attitude, and the names of Aguilar and Gomez +Arias which floated in lengthening sound along the air, threw additional +excitement on her already distracted feelings. But one day more, and she +was to witness the completion of her lover's union with her rival. What +a train of frightful associations this image brought to mind! + +Dreadful was the conflict that Theodora had to sustain, and in that +unequal warfare, her whole frame underwent an appalling change: her eyes +glistened, and her hands shook violently, as she threw back with a +resolute movement the tresses of her redundant hair. Again she stopped +as if brooding over some frightful design; her throat became swollen +with hysteric affection; the blood that hitherto had seemed congealed in +its source, rushed with impetuosity down its wonted channels, and the +blue veins through which the little rivulet of life had gently flowed, +now became dark and turbid as the mountain stream. Her eyes shot the +lurid flashes of madness; a wild laugh broke the harmony of the purest +voice; and a malignant curl usurped the place where heavenly smiles had +habitually sat. + +Theodora, that soft and seraphic being who but a short time since, rich +in the charms of native grace and loveliness, had been the star of a +happy home, and the delight of a fond and admiring parent--that Theodora +was now changed into the fearful semblance of a frantic being. Alas! +such was the effect that a few moments had wrought, that the eyes of a +fond parent would have in vain endeavoured to recognize his darling +child. Feelings utterly foreign to the nature of Theodora, had now taken +possession of the shattered fragments of a broken heart, once the shrine +of hallowed and mental beauty; and those intelligent, soul-stirring +features which nature had bestowed as the interpreters of soft +sentiments and kindly feelings, now faithfully reflected the workings of +impassioned and frenzied woe. + +Alas! it is too often found that the gentle female heart, when rudely +lacerated by the perfidy of man, is capable of being wrought, by a +powerful sense of injury and intense anguish, to the utmost agony which +the darker passions can display. + +With irregular steps, which bespoke the confusion of her thoughts, she +paced the silent chamber that gave back with hollow sound the measure +of her steps, while the vaulted passages of the palace echoed at +intervals the deafening shouts that were heard from without. + +But the fit of frenzied passion under which Theodora laboured was too +violent to last. That fatal crisis was approaching, which generally +terminates in the immediate accomplishment of a mad suggestion, or with +calmness treasures up in silence some direful resolve. The moment had +now arrived when the forces of the suffering victim were exhausted; she +suddenly became composed; her mind appeared irrevocably fixed on some +act of madness, and despair was stamped in the cold and unearthly +expression which at that moment subdued her whole frame, and apparently +subjected her existence to a new dominion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Aguarda hasta que yo pase + Si ha de caer una teja. + + _Quevedo._ + + Este misterio aparente + Te voy, Señor a explicar. + + _Zarate._ + + +We think it almost time to retrace our steps, and revert to a character +which played a conspicuous part at the beginning of this history. The +reader, if not particularly deficient in memory, will perhaps remember a +certain Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who bustled not a little in one or two +of the foregoing chapters, though he had the best excuse in the world +for subsequently keeping out of the way. It is to him we must return; +therefore, patient reader, suffer your attention to be diverted for a +few moments from the interest of the present events, and resume your +acquaintance with that most deserving and ill-used cavalier. And here, +by the way, I may perhaps be allowed to indulge my spleen, by +manifesting my extreme dislike to interruptions in general, for there is +nothing so vexatious and mortifying as the unpleasant necessity to which +an author is obliged to submit of breaking the thread of a narration +when it begins to excite some interest. + +It is a subject well worthy of notice, that the generality of readers +should be of so inquisitive a temperament, that they cannot be induced +to take in good part whatever they read, and rely implicitly on the good +faith of the author for the correctness of what he advances. By this +means, much time and paper might be saved, explanations would be +useless, and works would be rendered more compact, and consequently less +tedious, which we cannot but consider an infinite advantage to the +literary world at large. However, we must take matters as we find them, +and as a circumstantial and satisfactory solution is expected by the +reader to every incident enveloped somewhat in mystery, let us hasten to +comply with the established custom: and now to return-- + +We left Don Rodrigo with his man Peregil, patiently waiting the leisure +of their beasts, sighing, and cursing, and complaining by turns, for +want of more suitable recreation. The night was dreary, and the +spreading branches of the tree under which our friends had taken +shelter, afforded but a meagre accommodation. If their lodgings were +comfortless, the supper which they could expect was still more humble +and hermit-like;--the bill of fare consisted of some green grass, which +though abundantly supplied, presented a most provoking and unrelishing +want of variety. We would not venture to determine whether the +refinement of their palate stood in the way of their appetite, but it is +nevertheless a fact that both master and man left the reverend father's +mule and the _mesonero's_ ass undisturbed possessors of the repast. The +comforts of supper and rest being, therefore, denied to our wanderers, +they resigned themselves to their unpleasant situation, and with the +patience that necessity imposed upon them, awaited the approach of +morning. Don Rodrigo in particular, being thoroughly impressed with the +idea that his rival Gomez Arias had fallen in the encounter, was full of +inquietude, and excessively desirous to penetrate further into the +mountains to a place of security, where he might lie concealed until +their safe return to Granada. + +Accordingly, scarcely had the first blush of dawn shed a dubious ray +over the still slumbering earth, than with much impatience Don Rodrigo +hastened to try how far he might rely upon the complaisance of the mule. +Peregil followed the example of his master, and having found that the +temper of their beasts had been considerably improved by the abundance +of their repast, they quickly mounted, and endeavouring to make up for +the loss of time by a tolerably brisk pace, they pursued their route +towards the thickest and darkest part of the wilderness. + +Two whole days did Don Rodrigo and his attendant continue to wander +without making much progress, which may perhaps be chiefly attributed to +the perverse disposition of the mule and her companion. Indeed the +cavalier and his attendant wandered about much in the same manner that a +knight-errant and his worthy squire might be expected to do, with this +difference only, that the knight-errant would be eagerly seeking for +adventures, whereas Don Rodrigo was equally solicitous to avoid them. +The poor cavalier found himself in a most miserable plight; his revenge +had been satisfied, but more generous sentiments now occupied his bosom. +He reflected, with deep-felt remorse, that for the sake of redressing +the fancied wrongs inflicted on him by an individual, he had deprived +his country of one of its bravest defenders; then again, like most +lovers under similar circumstances, he easily conjectured that the +female who had evinced such an unequivocal aversion to his addresses, +would feel yet more repugnant to accept them, when offered by a man +reeking with the blood of her favored lover. + +These and many other reflections of the like nature continued to intrude +upon his mind; for it is really a matter worthy of remark how very +circumspect and thoughtful a man becomes, when by an undue neglect of +those same qualifications he has brought himself into an uncomfortable +and perilous predicament. They had by this time penetrated into those +places which were under the dominion of the rebel Moors. This +circumstance was therefore attended with the greatest danger, and +consequently their anxiety and distrust became proportionably augmented +as they advanced. + +However, Don Rodrigo still bore with manly fortitude the unpleasant and +dangerous turn which their affairs had taken, whilst the valet, since he +could find no other resource, freely gave vent to his complaints. + +"Señor," he cried, turning to his master, "so may the Lord defend us, +but we are every instant getting deeper into difficulties. Here are we +flying from the clutches of alguazils, to fall into the grasp of the +rebel Moors; and after all, unwelcome as the appearance of alguazils may +be, I should feel very well contented at this moment to be under their +special guardianship, rather than sustain the murderous aspect of these +infidels. Nay, would to God that I were safely and comfortably +incarcerated within the walls of the most obscure dungeon in Granada." + +"Let us then look for our way to Granada, and risk the worst from the +friends of Don Lope," said Don Rodrigo, who, though possessed of much +personal courage and resolution, yet was aware these qualities would not +avail him against the enemies which he was likely to encounter by +proceeding. + +"Aye, indeed," replied Peregil, "let us find our way to Granada, and may +the guardian angel conduct us safely thither.--Blessed be the virgin! +for a man like myself, endowed with a lively and poetical imagination, +I may say, these wild places are exceedingly disagreeable, for they +induce me to make strange metamorphoses: my fancy is continually upon +the alert to transform every object into any thing save what it really +is: at day-break I mistook my ass for an officer, and your mule for a +Moor. Alas! we are alike, my honored master; for you, Don Rodrigo, when +in a poetic and loving mood, are ever disposed to convert cheeks into +roses, and lips into coral, and to find pearls where others only see +teeth. Now, Señor, by a similar process, when a fit of poetry and fear +comes upon me, I feel marvellously inclined to convert all objects that +come before my view--let alone my ass and your mule--flocks of sheep, +flights of crows, stray cows, and barking dogs, into so many, +ruffian-looking and hideous Moors; and, moreover, I am fully persuaded +that my poetry is not a whit more extravagant than yours." + +Don Rodrigo, harassed with the combined inconveniences of hunger and +fatigue, paid little attention to the absurdities upon which his +timorous valet was commenting; but Peregil, emboldened by the passive +forbearance of his master, continued in a higher key:-- + +"A plague on all lovers, say I; a plague on lovers who for a woman, one +solitary woman, when there is so abundant a choice of such commodity in +Spain, can be stimulated to cut the throats of each other, risk all +sorts of perils, and undergo all the miseries that can afflict human +nature. Fye! fye----" + +"Peace, thou wretch!" exclaimed Don Rodrigo; "profane not with thy foul +remarks and scurrilous rebukes, that tender sentiment which thine own +gross and brutish disposition is neither competent to appreciate nor +enjoy." + +"And most humbly," returned Peregil, "do I thank providence for having +given me a heart withal so brutish and so gross, since those refined +pleasures and feelings which are likely to lead a man into mischief, are +in direct opposition to my taste. Now tell me, my honored master, is +there any law, either human or divine, which ordains that, because you +most desperately love Leonor de Aguilar, and Leonor de Aguilar as +cordially dislikes you, I, who am by no means a party concerned in this +love or hatred, ought to be exposed to all the united miseries of hunger +and thirst, fatigue, dangers, and even death?" + +Don Rodrigo, occupied with very different subjects, heard not the +flippant observations of his servant, when suddenly, as they were +approaching the skirts of a wood, his reflections and the valet's +impertinent loquacity were cut short by the unwelcome appearance of a +party of the strolling rebels. They sprung eagerly from their +concealment, and in a moment stood before Don Rodrigo and his attendant, +bearing on their countenances the marks of their revengeful disposition, +and the savage pleasure of meeting with a devoted prey. + +"Stand!" fiercely cried one of the ruffians. + +Don Rodrigo made no reply, but gallantly drew his weapon, and prepared +for a resolute defence. + +"What! base Christian! darest thou provoke our anger? Thy life shall pay +for the temerity." + +"The payment," returned Don Rodrigo, "shall not, at least, be easily +extorted." + +At this the Moors rushed upon the unfortunate cavalier, who though aware +of the impossibility of making any successful resistance against so many +enemies, defended himself bravely and undauntedly, while Peregil fled +with equal speed and terror. The combat could not be long protracted. +Don Rodrigo fell covered with wounds and exhausted from the loss of +blood, uttering a faint murmuring complaint on his unlucky fate and +disastrous love. The ferocious Moors raised his body from the ground, +and as it was the custom with those desperate men when a Christian +unfortunately fell into their power, they immediately hung it on a tree. +There they left him, and shortly after chance led them to the spot where +the hapless Theodora slept, forsaken by her unprincipled betrayer. + +The flight of Roque, and the remarks she had heard from the Moors on the +night she was taken, led that unfortunate girl to believe that it was +her lover who had fallen a victim to the cruelty of those barbarians. +Thus she bitterly deplored the supposed death of him who was at the very +moment accomplishing the blackest deed of ingratitude. + +Meanwhile Roque, instigated by fear, and retreating on the scent of +safety, shortly overtook his master, who was not a little surprised and +alarmed at the discomposure of his plans, when he perceived his valet +appear unaccompanied by Theodora. + +"Where is Theodora?" demanded he hastily. + +"I don't know," sullenly responded Roque; "probably in Heaven by this +time." + +"What mean you, villain? didst thou forget my orders?" + +"Certainly not, but when I was about to put them in practice, some +thousands of most desperate Moors came just in time to prevent my +laudable intentions. At first, bearing in mind the gallant master whom I +had the honor to serve, it was my determination to fight the unbelieving +rascals; but upon second thoughts, I discovered it would be more prudent +to yield to necessity, and since it was not in my power to save the +young lady from falling into their hands, I considered it laudable to +disappoint the rebels of one prisoner at least, whom they might perhaps +estimate as the most important of the two; and so, instead of making use +of my arms, I had recourse to my legs, which members, on more than one +occasion, I have found to be the most serviceable part of my poor self." + +Gomez Arias mused for a moment upon the narration of his attendant, as +though calculating the probable consequences of the event. Even in spite +of the uneasiness which he pretended for the fate of Theodora, he could +hardly disguise from himself a species of latent satisfaction. The event +removed from his way the only impediment by which his ambitious designs +could be thwarted. Theodora, in the power of the Moors, would be even +more secure than in a convent, and Gomez Arias, without troubling +himself about the probable fate to which his lovely and too confiding +victim was exposed, continued his journey to Granada, drowning the +recollection of his misconduct in the glittering prospect that was now +opening before him. + +The next day he met with the glorious army of Don Alonso de Aguilar, by +whom he was welcomed with a friendly and parental solicitude. He had the +good fortune to act a conspicuous part in the encounter which El Feri +sustained at Gergal, and which ultimately led to the complete overthrow +of the Moors at Alhacen, and the destruction of that town. Don Lope +proceeded to Granada with the prisoners, and to offer his services to +the queen upon his arrival. He soon found in the resources of his mind +specious pretexts to cover his long absence from Granada, and his +apparent dilatory conduct, notwithstanding the notification of his +safety sent to him by his future bride. But Leonor de Aguilar, though +proud and lofty, was still a woman in her affections, and willingly +received the most feeble excuses, when urged as they now were by the +eloquence of a favored lover. + +Thus Gomez Arias, whilst his victim was abandoned to all the horrors of +her fate, whilst her venerable father drank deep the bitter draught of +affliction--Gomez Arias, the heartless perpetrator of so much misery, +now fondly rioted in the anticipated pleasures of his approaching +nuptials, and the splendid honors that awaited his union with Leonor de +Aguilar. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Ecco l'ora--Nel sonno immerso giace + ----E gli occhi all'alma luce + Non aprirà più mai? Questa mia destra + Per farsi or sta del suo morir ministra?.... + + _Alfieri._ + + Est-ce une illusion soudaine + Qui trompe mes regards surpris? + Est-ce un songe dont l'ombre vaine + Trouble mes timides esprits? + + _J. B. Rousseau._ + + +The night was far advanced, and the numerous guests whom the hospitality +of Don Alonso had summoned together, began to retire from the joyous +scene of revelry and feasting. The noisy pleasure was wearing fast away, +and those antique halls no longer echoed with the boisterous mirth of so +many joyous hearts; for in Aguilar's palace that night every heart was +happy,--every heart save one,--one which, desolate and solitary amidst +this world of rejoicing, was a prey to the canker sorrow that had +fastened upon its core. + +But now the convivial assemblage had retired, and the banqueting hall +was left to the undisputed dominion of silence and lonely repose. No +longer ornamented with all the panoplies of war, and the verdant and +perfumed spoils of the garden, those glittering scenes which dazzled the +eyes and benumbed the senses, were now no longer resplendent, but wore +that chilling aspect which imparts to the mind a painful sensation of +melancholy and regret. Upon the long tables still remained the scattered +fragments, remnants of the banquet. Here the sumptuous display of the +looms of Valencia were stained with the waste of racy and highly +flavoured wines, and there broken goblets and ornaments of curious +workmanship were flung around in the reckless excitement of the +revellers. The lamps were out, and the few that still glimmered in the +sockets served but to heighten with their fitful and scanty light the +deserted and gloomy appearance of the scene. + +Gomez Arias had retired to his chamber in a transport of delight; the +most pleasing reveries thronged upon his mind, and as he paced the +silent apartment, he inwardly congratulated himself on the near +completion of all his hopes--the speedy enjoyment of his fondest wishes. +In this ferment of expectation, not a single thought obtruded to damp +his ardour, or throw a partial shadow over so bright a picture. Every +thing around him contributed to his felicity,--for alas! he did not see +the sorrow that was busily destroying those charms by whose power he had +been once captivated: nor did he hear the wailings of that voice +designed by nature to convey the softest tones of innocence and delight. +No, Gomez Arias had no thought for his unhappy victim--far, far was he +from surmising that she was at that moment beneath the same roof. + +In this delightful mood, Don Lope threw himself upon the superb couch, +to pass the night in the luxurious vision of his approaching happiness. +The silence was awful! the dull bluish glare of a solitary lamp flung +around the dim splendor of the chamber a charm of melancholy +tranquillity; the rich arabesque ornaments, the gorgeous tapestry, on +which the heroes of other times stood frowning in gloomy repose, were +now partially obscured in solemn shadows that might have imparted a +sensation of superstitious awe. More faintly now gleamed the expiring +light of the lamp, which looked a cold unearthly beam, colourless and +fixed, save when the chilling draft of nightly air found its way through +a crevice of the ponderous casement, and animated the languid flame with +a dull and sickly motion. + +Hushed is every sound, when lo! the door gently opens, and a white +figure moves slowly forwards. It is a female form, and the lamp that +still glimmered in the room, and another which the nocturnal visitor +carried in her hand, revealed a picture which might well chill the heart +of the most hardened:--it was a female in the first stage of youth, and +in whose lineaments could yet be traced the fading remains of beauty. +She grasped a dagger, and she came ready steeled for crime. Murder!--the +blackest deed of human depravity, revolting to the senses even when +instigated by the revengeful passions of man, but in a young and tender +female, unnatural, and full of horror. The figure paused, and cast +around a dubious and uncertain glance; her whole frame trembled, and the +weapon in her hand seemed ready to forsake its grasp. Alas! those +irresolute motions, bespoke her nature: it was woman, woman armed for +crime, but woman still. With noiseless step she advanced towards the +couch; she reached the spot, and gazed with fixed earnestness on the +sleeping Gomez Arias; a thousand gloomy thoughts expand on her pallid +brow; her dark eyes gleam with the flame of revenge; her livid lips curl +with the bitter smile of despair! With difficulty she draws the +oppressive breath, and violently shakes the hand that holds the shining +weapon. 'Tis a demon that directs her every motion, and imparts to that +melancholy and fading picture of youth and beauty, the darkest hues of +the fierce and frenzied passions. + +But the gust of rage is passed. She looks again upon the sleeper, and a +deadly calm overspreads those features but lately fraught with +convulsive passion. Fixed to the ground, she now appeared like an +inanimate statue, and apparently forgetful of the dire purpose that had +brought her to the spot. Poor Theodora!--child of misfortune!--victim of +that intensity of feeling which nature seemed to have designed for thy +bane and ruin; thou wert guilty but of a single error, and is then that +error so severely to be visited! That heaven which made thee pure, and +beautiful, and lovely, did it intend that thou shouldst experience all +the horrors of the most malignant fate, as a counterpoise for the +possession of so may attractions; or was it only to be exemplified as a +warning to others, who, like thee, might be rich in beauty and +gracefulness, of the dangers which these gifts bring in their train! + +Theodora had been guilty of one crime; if, alas! that deserves the name +of crime which is the genuine offspring of the sincerest heart. She had +loved, and loved with all the enthusiasm of devoted affection. She had +been generous, and unsuspecting, and for this she was betrayed and +abandoned. Her injuries had so far wrought upon her distempered brain, +that she was now about to commit a crime, for which she would be cursed, +despised, and perhaps brought to an ignominious end. + +Theodora remained a short time in a doubtful mood, and a heavenly spirit +seemed to struggle with the malignant fiend that instigated her. She +held the lamp in her trembling hand over the sleeping form of her lover, +and by the sickly light she discovered his features as if inspired by +some happy dream. His breath came thick upon her face, as she bent over +the couch. Smiles were upon his lips, and a gentle motion shook his +frame. + +"He loves her!" groaned the despairing Theodora,--"he loves her dearly, +and I am come to----" + +At this moment the deep toned bell of the palace sounded the hour, and +interrupted her dreadful sentence. Solemnly the peal rung through the +place like the death-knell of the perjured lover; but he, unconscious of +his impending fate, slept securely and dreamt of love and happiness. For +now his lips move, and in the broken articulation of deep but pleasing +sighs, the name of her who occupied his mind, burst from his swelling +bosom. It was the name of Leonor; the baneful sound went piercing to +Theodora's heart, and roused all the furies that held dominion there. +The kindly feelings which had returned, now withered fast away. She +starts with frenzy; she grows paler, and revenge alone prevails; her +bosom rises and falls with fearful emotion; wildly her eyes roll. She +resolutely grasps the dagger; the moment is arrived; one blow, and the +despoiler of her happiness would cease to exist: she fiercely raised her +arm, but at the instant all her strength withered: nerveless she dropped +the weapon from her powerless hand: no! she could not strike; for she +was a woman maddened by deep injuries, but she still loved her +betrayer, and the fountain of her gentle nature again bedewed her heart. +She could not strike the man who had, without remorse, inflicted on her +the pangs of a thousand deaths: she smiles in bitterness, and hangs over +the couch of her unconscious lover, her clustering hair loosely flowing +over the pillow; a piteous sigh escapes her, and, bending lower, she +kisses the lips that had betrayed her. + +Gomez Arias awakes.--Is this a vision? Surely a phantom mocks his sight; +the spectre of _her_ he had forsaken stands before him: it is indeed the +image of Theodora,--but, alas! how changed! A short time only had flown +since last he saw her, and yet so altered was that form, that were it +not for a consciousness of guilt, with difficulty he would have +recognised her whom he had once idolized. Gomez Arias thrilled as he +gazed on the nocturnal visitor; in her pale features could be traced no +sympathy with life; a clammy dampness bedewed her brows; a chilling +apathy sat upon her countenance. One of her hands now mechanically fell +on the feverish breast of Don Lope, and the cold, cold touch imparted a +thrill of horror. + +In speechless amazement Gomez Arias looked on the mournful figure, and +in her glazed eye he beheld one large tear, that, overwhelming the +eye-lid, dropt heavily on his hand. It was the tear of anguish, and the +drop, as it moistened the hand of Gomez Arias, awakened in his heart a +sad remembrance of violated love and truth. + +The first impression of astonishment had now subsided, and Don Lope, in +a broken voice, exclaimed--"Theodora! Heavens! is it thou?" + +"Yes," she answered, gloomily, "it is the lost, the wretched Theodora, +once the object of thy adoration, and now thy curse. But tremble not; +the dreadful moment is passed, and I cannot harm thee; for though thou +hast cruelly betrayed me, thou art _still_ Gomez Arias." + +"How came you hither?" demanded Don Lope, with emotion: "What was your +intention?" + +"Behold!" she replied, with a bitter smile, pointing to the dagger that +shone on the ground; "I came to kill thee--I came to deal out a reward +but little adequate to the pangs to which thy treachery has eternally +condemned me. Oh! Lope! Lope! why didst thou not take from me this +wretched life when I was no longer dear to thy heart? I should then have +been happy!--Thou didst not--but cruelly left me to the mercy of +strangers, when I had _none_ to look upon in life but thee." + +All the feelings of an injured, yet fond woman now flowed uncontrolled +over that heart where the stormy passions had raged before. She sobbed +convulsively, and a shower of tears relieved her breaking bosom. Her +weeping countenance was upon her lover's breast, and as he contemplated +her deep anguish, and the wreck of those charms which, but for him, had +still shone in their native grace, a ray of pity dawned upon his heart, +callous as he was. There was something so peculiarly distressing in the +situation of the unfortunate girl, that all the glowing considerations +of ambition faded for a moment from his view, and his senses were alive +only to more humane sentiments. + +Gomez Arias no longer loved Theodora; but still when he saw the extent +of her misery, and felt her warm tears inundating his bosom, pity +partially supplied the place of his departed affection. He took the +passive hand of Theodora, and gently pressed it between his own--and +happy--happy was at that moment his innocent victim at this solitary +mark of kindness. It was like a healing balm to her lacerated soul; but +too soon she discovered--for what, alas! can escape the acute +penetration of a loving woman--she soon discovered that pity alone +suggested the consoling token--pity which might alike have been excited +by any other object of distress; and, oh! how little does the sedate +voice of pity satisfy the craving bosom of one who had such claims to +command unbounded love! + +Theodora fixed her eyes on her lover, not in anger but in sorrow, and, +in a thrilling and piteous voice, she exclaimed-- + +"I know you no longer love me; but, Oh! heavens! have I deserved this +from you, Lope? Your vows I will not recall, for who can forget them? +They are deeply engraven in my heart, and I believed them true,--I loved +you, Lope--Oh! I loved you as never woman loved before, and how was such +affection requited? Alas! had I suffered the most terrible of deaths, it +had been kind compared with thy desertion." + +"Yes, Theodora," said Gomez Arias, "your reproaches are just; for well I +deserve the most bitter that language can invent; but I was compelled to +that necessity by obligations so imperative, so sacred, that they may +serve to explain, and perhaps, in some measure, to extenuate the +disgrace, which my heart tells me I have so justly incurred." + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, "could aught in earth oblige you to abandon one +linked to you by the dearest of ties?" + +"It was the consequence of former guilt," replied Don Lope. "Theodora, I +will deal frankly by you,--nay tremble not at the intelligence which I +must disclose, for it is now imperiously required.--Curse me, Theodora," +he then added with emotion, "curse the man who has accomplished your +ruin. When I courted your affections; when I sought your innocent +caresses, then--then, alas! I was the betrayer; for it was then that I +deceived your unsuspecting heart." + +"Oh! Heavens!" shrieked Theodora, "you never loved me then!" + +"Yes, I adored you,--I loved you truly,--passionately, but it was my +very love that wrought this misery. I had no strength to reveal the +terrible secret: I became selfish and ungenerous; for when I breathed to +your innocent ear the vows of everlasting affection, when you repaid my +profession with undisguised, pure, and disinterested love, even at that +time, my hand, my faith, were sacredly pledged to another." + +Theodora hid her face in agony, and wrung her hands in despair, but she +could not speak; her heart was full even to breaking, and it was with a +severe struggle that she faintly pronounced "Leonor!" + +"It is too true," replied Gomez Arias. "Previous to my arrival at +Guadix, and my acquaintance with you, my honor was bound to the daughter +of Aguilar by indissoluble ties; we were betrothed, and on the point of +being united, when an untoward accident drove me from Granada to avoid +the vengeance of the friends of my discarded rival Don Rodrigo de +Cespedes. Misguided by the fever of passion, I forgot my sacred +obligations to Leonor. You have already but too dreadfully suffered, and +a repetition of such scenes must necessarily increase the anguish of +your situation." + +This recital threw the hapless daughter of Monteblanco into that +exquisite agony which falls to the lot of woman alone to feel: for man, +far happier in the diversity of his pursuits; less susceptible in the +refinement of sensibility; more divided in his intercourse with +society, can never experience that poignancy of feeling excited by shame +and disappointed love, which exert their baneful influence over the +heart of forsaken woman! + +Theodora answered not her lover; there was something so atrocious in his +recital, that in spite of the palliation which a fond woman, even when +most injured, is anxious to find for the man who has wronged her, she +could not cast a shade over the glaring colours in which Don Lope's +treachery was depicted: she recoiled from him with a feeling of +apprehension, and her countenance assumed a deadly hue as she fearfully +exclaimed-- + +"And you left me then to perish in the mountains?" + +"No, Theodora," eagerly cried Gomez Arias; "no! such intentions never +entered my mind; of that at least I am innocent: it was my purpose to +have placed you in a convent, and I availed myself of your sleep to +spare you the pangs of a separation. Having instructed Roque how to act, +I proceeded onwards to make the necessary arrangements for your +reception in the religious asylum the Moors surprised you; Roque fled: +of the rest I am ignorant, and how I find you here is more than +imagination can conceive." + +"I came," said Theodora, bitterly--"I came to be a witness of your +joyful wedding: it is to be celebrated to-morrow, and I am yet in time." + +There was something evil-boding in the tone of these words, and an +involuntary chill crept over Gomez Arias as he fixed his eyes on the +sufferer. + +"Yes," she continued, "it is necessary that the ceremony should be +attended at least by one of your victims--the triumph of Leonor will +then be more brilliant; and I," she added in a faltering tone, "I shall +also enjoy one satisfaction----" + +Struck with horror, no less at these words than at the manner in which +they were delivered, Gomez Arias looked wildly on Theodora; but was +unable for some time to give utterance to his thoughts. + +"My poor life," continued Theodora, "must always be an obstacle to your +happiness, and it is meet I should make the sacrifice at the foot of the +altar, at the time of your union with the choice of your heart." + +Don Lope was fixed in deep abstraction; a thousand thoughts rushed +across his fevered brain; he raised himself from the couch; a copious +suffusion bathed his distended brows, and every thing bespoke the +dreadful conflict of his feelings. He saw all his prospects of grandeur +fall like the baseless structure of a dream: on the point of snatching +the golden treasure, he was arrested as effectually as if by the hand of +death. Perplexed with the most distracting thoughts and boisterous +passions, he for a time appeared even unconscious of the form that came +to nip his hopes in their blossom: but soon a light seemed to illumine +his over-clouded imagination, and his brow brightened as if actuated by +a sudden resolution. + +"Theodora," he said, with a solemn and energetic tone--"Theodora, I will +no longer dissemble with you; I have been cruel, barbarous as never man +was before: yes, to-morrow I am to be united to Spain's proudest +daughter, and all that ambition and glory can offer in dazzling +perspective to the ardent imagination of man, all, all is to be +fulfilled. But, alas! Theodora, I cannot endure your distress; your +tears, your anguish rend my heart, and awaken that affection which was +never completely extinguished. Dared I but hope for your forgiveness, +how willingly would I make the sacrifice of these glittering bubbles, +and return to that path where alone I can find peace and happiness. +Theodora!" he continued after a pause, "can you forgive me?" + +This appeal was made in a tone so subdued and pathetic, that a +conviction of its sincerity was readily admitted by the sorrowing +Theodora. + +"Forgive thee!" she exclaimed, in a voice thrilling with emotion, whilst +a rich glow of animation overspread those pale features: "Forgive thee, +Lope! Can Theodora deny you!" + +Earnestly she raised her clasped hands to Heaven, and, in the genuine +abandonment of an enthusiastic heart, + +"Oh God!" she exclaimed, "thy mercies are boundless. Dear Lope!" she +continued, "can I do otherwise than forgive you!" and the tear of joy +glistened in her eye. "Your returning love will repay me for all the +agonies I have undergone. And now you must forgive me--for did I not +even now come armed for your destruction! Oh, horror! I came to murder +thee--in this spot--sleeping as thou wast! But ah! pardon me; I was then +a poor distracted woman, a despairing maniac, and----" + +"Stay, my Theodora; reproach not thyself for an act of which I was the +cause; it was a fate that I too justly merited. But no more of that. +Listen, dear girl, and follow my injunctions, as upon their strict +observance depends our future happiness. To-morrow night I will conduct +you to your poor deserted parent: together at his knees we will implore +forgiveness. He will not be invulnerable to the tears and supplications +of his child; and I will forget the wild dreams that have so long +tyrannised over my kinder feelings, to fix all my thoughts upon love and +Theodora. To the happy termination of these designs, however, you must +be willing to pay attention to my instructions." + +"I will do all!" emphatically cried Theodora. + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "take heed that thou keepest silence with +reference to our meeting and resolves;--closed in thy chamber, thou must +appear an uninterested stranger to whatever may be proceeding without. +It will require the utmost delicacy and ability to disclose my +determination to the proud Aguilars, when the arrangements with them are +so far advanced. It is an insult they will never tamely brook, and all +my policy will be necessary to defer, at least for some time, the +terrible explosion of their indignation." + +"Oh, Lope," exclaimed the fond girl, in a transport of tenderness, "I +will--I will obey you faithfully! Your slightest wish shall be to me a +law." + +The tide of rapturous feeling overflowed her heart. Intoxicated with +happiness, she threw herself beside the couch, fervently clasped the +passive hands of her repentant lover, and tenderly pressed them to her +throbbing bosom. But those transports beat coldly responsive within the +breast of Don Lope; for pity and a sense of duty are but poor and +inadequate substitutes for the glow of passion. Still, however, +recollection brought to his fancy raptures past and endearments since +flown; and memory perhaps made him cherish the present by vividly +recalling the past. But it was like the melancholy regretful pleasure +which is experienced by one who revisits the scenes of his childhood. He +may indulge in the recollection of those departed joys, but his mind is +estranged by other feelings, and can no longer enjoy those pleasures +which formerly constituted his happiness. + +The morning was now fast approaching, and a separation became +indispensable.--Theodora made a hasty recital of her adventures and +withdrew, replete with returning joy; for she had passed a few moments +with greater delight than perhaps she could ever again experience in +this world--those blissful moments when hearts severed by destiny, or +alienated by misfortune, again unite in the genuine bonds of revived +affection. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Oh! what a jewel is a woman excellent! + + _Beaumont._ + + Mais qu'aisément l'amour croit tout ce qu'il souhaite! + + _Racine._ + + I humbly offer my advice (but still + Under correction), I hope I shall not + Incur your high displeasure. + + _Massinger._ + + +Oh, Woman! lovely devoted Woman! Of what mysterious particles could +nature have formed so strange a being--made up, as it were, of +contradictions, and yet deriving from that very inconsistency its +principal attraction. Uncertain and wavering, but amiable in that very +weakness. When impelled by affection or smarting under highly excited +feelings of injury, thou art capable of the most noble enthusiasm, or +the darkest exhibitions of passion. Man, proudly arrogating to himself +a despotic sway over the higher walks of intellect, and the wild and +luxuriant fields of imagination, has left thee undisputed sovereign of +the empire of the heart! He is often happy to avail himself of that more +delicate discrimination, an instinctive feeling with which nature has +gifted thee, though jealous of permitting thee to share in his power. +Woman! thou wert born to grace and smooth the rugged path of life; the +advancement of one endearing sentiment is the prized object of thy +existence, and its successful termination thy reward. Debarred by nature +and education from the glittering pursuits of ambition; incapable by the +delicacy of thy frame, and the softness of thy nature, of following the +rude pastimes, and participating in the laborious and dangerous +avocations of man, thy whole being is wrapt in the charm of that one +feeling--love! A feeling the most congenial to thy nature--blissful in +the possession, and often but too fatal in its effects. Man seeks thee +as a friend, to treat thee like an enemy. Thou lovest--he triumphs! and +then he spurns thee because thou hast been kind. Base and degrading +contradiction of human nature!--that because man is endowed with greater +powers of attack, than woman has strength to resist, in the unequal +strife, odium and shame should attach to the victim, whilst the betrayer +acquires a false lustre from his unmanly triumph! + +But Woman! such is the angelic essence of thy being, that while capable +of feeling with poignancy the shafts of ingratitude and neglect, thou +art still ready to pardon, and ever disposed to forget, when repentance +makes an appeal to thy compassionate and gentle heart. + +Such a woman was Theodora!--After having borne the extremity of sorrows, +which seemed to surpass the strength of human forbearance, instigated by +madness and despair, she had grasped the dagger in that soft hand little +adequate for a deed so dark; like the midnight assassin, she had +entered the chamber of her wronger, bent upon the commission of crime. +But the sight of _him_ who was once so dear disarms her--she cannot +accomplish the deed of guilt, and the sudden repentance of her betrayer, +like a potent charm, soon dispels the evil passions to which she was a +prey. Only a few words of comfort had Gomez Arias spoken before the +voice of sorrow was hushed in her heart. Nay, the man who had wounded +her so deeply, was endeared by his very cruelty; for, alas! Theodora +felt she loved him _now_ more tenderly than ever. + +She had forgotten the former treachery of her lover, and, incapable of +anticipating the possibility of a renewal, she retired to her chamber to +revel in her happiness, and await the coming of the day in anxious +expectation. + +In the meantime, Gomez Arias was pacing his apartment in the utmost +impatience and agitation. Scarcely had Theodora withdrawn and the first +impulse of pity subsided, than the sense of the danger to which his +ambitious projects were exposed, rushed upon his imagination, and +silenced every other consideration, save that of their accomplishment. +Morning came, and still found Don Lope measuring his chamber with an +irregularity of step that well bespoke the disorder of his feelings. +Sometimes he paused and pondered upon an idea which seemed to offer him +security, and then he rejected it as unavailable. Then he muttered half +broken sentences, and then again suddenly composed himself into a +saturnine tranquillity. After this he raved like a madman, and bitterly +cursed the unfortunate Theodora as an insurmountable impediment to his +views; forgetting that it was by the guilty indulgence of his own +unworthy passions that he was now entangled in the intricate +perplexities which surrounded him. The ill-fated victim of his guilt, +fortunately for her short-lived happiness, heard not the ungenerous +reproach. Alas! she was fondly indulging in the supposed kindness of her +lover, and longing to clasp him in her arms; whilst the object of her +endearment was at the same moment ungenerously contriving how to +disengage himself from that embrace. + +His present deceit was the natural consequence of the system he had +adopted. To relinquish the brilliant prospects which presented +themselves to his ambition, merely to listen to the voice of justice, +and give redress to the injured, was too great an effort, encompassed as +he was with the thousand conflicting passions that silenced the murmurs +of neglected duty. His aversion to Theodora now acquired additional +strength from the dilemma in which he was involved. He had never for a +moment contemplated breaking his engagements with Leonor; he was +unwilling even to calculate upon a possibility of such an event, for his +honor and pride were both too deeply interested; yet it was of the most +urgent necessity to delay the ceremony, and how to conciliate these +matters was the source of his present uneasiness. What pretext could he +assign plausible enough to justify so extraordinary a resolution? + +A thousand plans suggested themselves, all of which he discarded as +unavailable: he was apprehensive that night would surprise him before +any arrangements could be entered into with regard to Theodora; and to +attempt any coercive means of conveying her from the palace of Don +Alonso would be madness. At all events he must avoid any interview with +Theodora whilst his conduct might be subjected to observation; for at +such a time the attention of all the household would naturally be +directed towards him. + +In this perplexity he was surprised by his faithful valet, who came in +the morning, according to custom, to receive his orders. Roque entered, +and was not a little surprised to observe his master's abstraction. + +"Good morrow to you, Señor," said he, making an humble bow, and +advancing towards the musing cavalier; but Don Lope made no answer +whatever, nor did he take the slightest notice of his salutation. + +"There!" continued Roque. "_Dios me bendiga!_[36] my precious master is +in a most thoughtful mood. I had always the power of rousing him from +his meditations, but now they appear too powerful for my humble +abilities." "Don Lope," he proceeded in a louder key, "good morning to +your honor," and he accompanied this Christian-like wish with as many +noisy demonstrations as were compatible with good order. + +"Oh!" cried Don Lope, suddenly starting, "is it you, Roque?" + +"The same, Sir, at your service," replied the obsequious valet. + +"Curse thee!" returned his master, "why makest thou that noise?" + +"Thank you, dear master, that is a most amiable morning salutation; it +augurs well too on a wedding-day." + +"Pshaw! my wedding-day!" cried Gomez Arias, impatiently; and he again +relapsed into his train of reflection. + +"Eh?" ejaculated Roque; "I wonder what is in the wind now; all is not +right, I perceive. Señor Don Lope, may I so far intrude on your most +important meditations, as to demand what has sent your wits a +wool-gathering so early in the morning: surely your dreams have not been +unpleasant--for my part I cannot bear terrible dreams; they are ominous, +particularly on the eve of a wedding----" + +"Hold thy foolish chatter," interrupted Gomez Arias; "it is not a dream +that troubles me, but a reality, a most mortifying reality. Roque," he +then added in a more familiar tone, "I am involved in a labyrinth from +which it will be no easy matter to extricate myself." + +"I am very sorry, good Señor; for my part, I can very well conceive that +a prudent man has cogent reasons to ponder and reflect more than a +philosopher, when he is on the point of being entangled in the labyrinth +of matrimony. Yes, Sir, I allow it is a most dangerous experiment: it is +a voyage menaced with all sorts of foul weather, and surrounded with +shoals, quicksands, and rocks, so that----" + +"Roque, a truce with your cursed metaphors," cried Don Lope, "or I'll +blow such a storm about thine ears, as to surpass all description." + +"Sir," replied the valet, "if you dislike storms, I have not the +smallest affection for them, so I'll even hold my tongue." + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias after a moment's silence, "I am threatened +with the loss of the rich treasure which I have so long and so arduously +toiled to obtain." + +"Treasure, Señor!" cried the wondering valet. "_Cuerpo de Cristo!_ +Treasure! Be pleased to explain: I was not aware that you expected a +rich treasure; from what quarter is it to come? My dear, dear master, I +suppose you will then pay me all my vails." + +"Here's an infamous sinner!" exclaimed Gomez Arias; "an unconscionable +dog, to be talking of money and filthy wages when his master is +labouring under the most perplexing dilemma in which ever mortal man was +placed. Roque, I do not see what prevents me from shaking thy rascally +form to atoms." + +Don Lope, in his anger, made a step in advance, while Roque prudently +made one in retrograde. + +"Don Lope," cried the retreating valet, "as I hope for salvation, it is +not my wish to offend: you appear in a terrible passion, and there is +certainly some mystery at the bottom: something preys upon your mind, +and if you would make me acquainted with it, perhaps I might devise a +remedy for the evil." + +"You cannot, Roque," returned his master, somewhat composed; "you cannot +contrive to defer this wedding!" + +"_Virgin del tremedal_," ejaculated Roque, crossing himself, "and is it +come to this at last? So you have discovered some imperfection in the +beauteous bride; some failing of which you were ignorant; better before +the ceremony than after. But it would be a marvellous pity to spoil the +feast, after the splendid preparations made to celebrate it with the +state and decorum to which it is entitled. Lord bless us! a curious +business we should make of it. But never mind; perhaps it is for the +best after all." + +"Now, Roque, hast thou finished? Who in the name of _Satanas_[37] can +hear with patience thy everlasting foolery! I do not intend to postpone +the celebration of the wedding from inclination, but because I am so +compelled by unavoidable circumstances." + +"What say you, dear master? surely nothing has happened." + +"Yes, something, and most extraordinary; thou wilt be astonished at what +I have to relate, Roque." + +"Proceed, Señor; hold me not in suspense, and I can verily assure you, +that nothing is wonderful to me." + +"I have seen," continued Gomez Arias, in a solemn tone,--"I have seen +Theodora!" + +"Theodora!" echoed Roque, affecting surprise. "Seen Theodora! in your +dreams, perchance, my good master." + +"I have seen her," returned Don Lope, "as plainly as I now see thee. +Nay, I have spoken with her." + +"Where, Señor Don Lope?" + +"Here, in this very apartment." + +"You astonish me," proceeded Roque, "and yet I cannot say it is so very +strange, neither; for I, myself, saw her--that is, I dreamt I saw +her--and dreams, you know, my honored master, are often the precursors +of realities." + +"Enough," cried Gomez Arias; "we must now think on the means of averting +the danger." + +"The danger!" quoth Roque; "in the name of _San Pablo_, what danger do +you apprehend?" + +"Oh, Roque! I am threatened with the worst of evils." + +"_Virgen Santa!_ what say you, Señor?" + +"Theodora expects me to relinquish the intended wedding, and depart +hence with her, or she will expose me at the very altar." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Roque! "what, is not the gentle lady already tired +of rambling? Good God! I should have imagined she had had too many +mountain adventures to be longing to take another trip with you." + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "we must remove this girl out of our way." + +"Our way!" quoth the man of confidence--"our way, my good Señor? she is +not in my way, by any means." + +"No, buffoonery, Sirrah! you have chosen ill your time for jesting. Now +listen, varlet. This Theodora must be disposed of; the urgency of this +measure is obvious." + +"Very obvious," responded Roque. + +"The sooner the better," continued Don Lope, musing. + +"Exactly," rejoined the valet. + +"And how this is to be accomplished," muttered Gomez Arias, "without +exciting suspicion among the household, I cannot conceive." + +"Nor I," returned Roque. + +"It is really the most distressing circumstance," continued his master. + +"Uncommonly distressing," echoed the confidant. + +"Of course," proceeded Don Lope, "I must employ stratagem; the wedding +must be delayed; I will boldly accost Don Alonso. I shall merely demand +one day, and in that short interval, every thing must be arranged, some +way or other." + +Don Lope uttered this last observation with the most imperturbable _sang +froid_, and the conscientious Roque, wisely reflecting that under the +head of disposing of cumbersome damsels, there were some ways not +altogether in accordance with the dictates of conscience, ventured to +observe---- + +"Pardon me, Don Lope, but I hope that in the premeditated disposal of +this troublesome commodity, you do not mean to use any violence; for the +Lord knows that the poor lady is already but too deserving of +compassion." + +"Thou art an impertinent, officious fool, Roque." + +"That may be," coolly retorted the valet. "But be pleased to observe, +that from the very commencement of this adventure--from the very first +moment that you poured your sweet poison into the ear of this innocent +young creature, I strenuously set my face against such proceeding; +something whispered to me, that it would ultimately be productive of the +most disastrous results; time will show that forebodings are sometimes +to be credited. So be pleased to recollect, Señor, how often I +remonstrated with you about this melancholy business." + +"I do, Roque; and I suppose you likewise recollect what you gained by +your eloquent remonstrances?" + +"Oh, Sir," replied Roque, "favors they were, so deeply engraven, that it +would be difficult to efface them from my remembrance." + +"Well," continued Gomez Arias, "know, Roque, that I am at this time just +in a humor to treat you with a renewal of such like favors, if you do +not immediately put a stop to your droning and most impertinent +reminiscences. I do not ask your condolence and regret for what is past, +for that now cannot be remedied. I want thy shrewdness and invention to +aid me in the present emergency. Violence I will not employ, so let your +scruples be at rest. I must now see Don Alonso, and prepare the way for +ulterior plans. Roque, I recommend thee to preserve a strict silence on +the matter, if thou art not entirely disgusted with life. Now +begone,--and meet me two hours hence at the _Plaza Nueva_." + +Roque made a low bow of assent and withdrew; whilst Gomez Arias, +assuming as much resolution as the importance of the occasion demanded, +left his apartment to meet Don Alonso de Aguilar. Scarcely had he +quitted his chamber than he beheld, with no little emotion, the bustle +and activity which prevailed over the whole palace, on account of the +expected festivities of the day. Here were maids, in fine attire, +tripping gaily along, simpering and smiling, and all good nature and +amiability. There ran servants in gorgeous dresses parading about in +their respective departments, and assuming importance in proportion to +the degree of responsibility which they were to take at the festival; +and handsome pages were seen carrying bridal favors in large and +beautiful silver salvers. Then came a crowd of friends, eagerly making +their way to Gomez Arias, and offering their congratulation to the happy +bridegroom; while the bridegroom, so congratulated, bore on his +countenance an expression of any thing but happiness. Nor were these +tokens of kindness confined alone to friends; for the fame of the +wedding had attracted a proportionate number of hungry bards and +minstrels who came at an early hour to greet the bridegroom with their +songs and rhapsodies, whilst Don Lope, as it may well be supposed, +responded to their love ditties and congratulations with most hearty +curses. + +He traversed the long galleries and spacious halls of the palace, +already besieged with numerous visitors--some attracted by the splendor +of the festival, and others by the odour of savoury and delicious things +that would grace the convivial board--indeed, from the number of +intelligent artists employed in the preparations, the _connoisseurs_ in +culinary science augured favorably of this department of the feast. Don +Lope with difficulty escaped the compliments and embraces of his +_soi-disant_ dear and respected friends, and making his way through this +mighty army of parasites, called to one of the servants, and caused +himself to be announced to Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +He found the warrior already attired for the ceremony, and girding on a +most magnificent sword, which he only used on solemn occasions. After +the first salutations had passed, Gomez Arias remained for a few seconds +pondering within himself the best means of breaking to Aguilar the +disagreeable communication with which he came prepared. A consciousness +of the imposture he was meditating, rendered his situation in the +highest degree embarrassing, and his habitual self-command seemed almost +to have abandoned him at this critical moment. The old warrior perceived +the constraint of his manner, and was struck with the singularity of a +conduct so much at variance with the usual courtly ease and style of +Gomez Arias. + +He waited therefore for some time in expectation that Don Lope had +something to communicate; but as the young cavalier appeared in no haste +to signify his wishes-- + +"Don Lope," at length, said Aguilar, "you are really too thoughtful for +a man on his wedding-day." + +A pause ensued; and the affair becoming more perplexing every minute, +Gomez Arias found the urgency of adopting a decisive step. He summoned, +therefore, all his adroitness, and with much deference and respect he +said to the father of Leonor,-- + +"Don Alonso, an unexpected event has just been imparted to me,--and the +distress which my feelings have sustained, has no doubt excited your +surprise,--but before the ceremony proceeds, however great my +reluctance, it is imperatively required that I should communicate with +you, and solicit your advice in this difficulty." + +"Proceed, Señor," said Don Alonso; "though allow me to observe, that any +communication of importance ought to have been made before this day." + +"Don Alonso," resumed Gomez Arias, with firmness, "there are +circumstances in life which are not controllable by the will of man. +Strange as the request which I am about to make may appear, it is +absolutely necessary. Sir, with all the respect which you are entitled +to command, but with all the firmness which duty requires of me, I must +throw myself on your indulgence, and pray you to defer the wedding until +to-morrow." + +"What!" exclaimed Aguilar, struck with surprise at so extraordinary a +demand; "defer the wedding! Don Lope, what means this?--Surely you do +not intend to affront my house!" + +"The honor of your house, Don Alonso de Aguilar," answered Gomez Arias, +with composure, "is now intimately connected with my own; and it would +be unjustifiable to suppose me guilty of such intentions." + +"What am I then to think of your strange proposal?" demanded +Aguilar--his brow mantling with indignation. + +"It is a request," replied Gomez Arias, "that I would never have +contemplated of my own accord; and you may well imagine what my feelings +must be when I am obliged to postpone my happiness even for one day. +Certainly it is no trivial inducement that could prompt me to such a +measure; I hope this will plead my justification. I have received a +dispatch from my valued friend Count Ureña, stating that he is seized +with a mortal distemper, and conjuring me, as I esteem the blessings of +a dying man, to repair to his couch ere it be too late. He has a most +important communication which must be intrusted to no one but Gomez +Arias. The castle of the Count," added Don Lope, "is but six leagues +distant, and I shall be back by to-morrow. Now, Don Alonso, I crave your +advice: shall I disregard the last request of a man to whom my family +are under sacred obligations, or will you allow the ceremony to be +delayed till to-morrow, by which means I shall be enabled at once to +fulfil the dictates of honor and humanity, without trespassing too far +on my own happiness?" + +Don Alonso de Aguilar was in some manner reconciled to the necessity of +the measure proposed by Gomez Arias, though his pride received a severe +check, the effects of which were easily to be discerned in his +features. + +"But," said he with some asperity of tone, "my permission is not the +only one you are to obtain, Don Lope. My daughter must be +consulted--have you received her sanction? The Queen also must be +forthwith apprized of this sudden change, and I know not how her +Highness may be disposed to acquiesce in the alteration." + +Gomez Arias promised easily to remove all difficulties with his bride, +if Don Alonso would immediately use his influence with the Queen, and +urge the necessity of the delay. He was aware that the high spirit of +Leonor would, under any circumstances, deeply resent such a measure; +still he confidently relied on his own abilities and persuasion to +overrule any objection on her part. He hurried therefore to her +apartment, craved admittance, which was granted, and found himself +before his intended bride, rendered still more beautiful by the costly +ornaments with which she was adorned. + +"Well, Don Lope," said she smiling, while surveying herself in the +mirror, "what think you of my appearance?" + +"As of a divinity to whom I bend in adoration," gallantly replied Gomez +Arias, and taking her hand he pressed it to his lips with respectful +tenderness. + +Leonor replied to this mark of her lover's regard with a look of +affection. + +"But," exclaimed she, laughing, "I cannot compliment Señor Don Lope, +upon the taste of his toilet. No doubt he will tell me that his +imagination has been altogether engrossed with my beauty, and that he +has not bestowed a single thought upon himself: however," she continued +in the same strain, "from the respect we owe to the Queen, and the noble +friends who will honor us with their presence, it will be necessary to +recall the attention of the cavalier, even to so unworthy a subject as +himself." + +She was still proceeding, when Gomez Arias, who considered every moment +he lost of vital importance in the arrangement of his plans, resolved at +once to acquaint her with his determination. + +"It seems fated, dear Leonor," he said, "that I am to experience a +greater share of disappointment than usually falls to the lot of man; +scarcely has the late impediment to our union been removed, and I am on +the point of succeeding to my heart's fondest wishes, when----" + +"Surely, Lope," interrupted Leonor, with emotion, "your rashness has not +again placed you in the peril from which you have so lately escaped--and +yet your dress and deportment bespeak something disastrous--Speak--say, +Don Lope--let me know the worst." + +"Calm yourself, dearest Leonor; there is no danger to apprehend." + +He then, in a few words, explained what he had already said to her +father, and in soothing terms solicited her consent to what he proposed. + +"What need is there of my consent," she said, whilst her countenance +betrayed the mortification she experienced, "to a measure that meets the +approval of the Queen and my father! Certainly," she continued, "let us +defer the ceremony." + +There was something in the tone in which these words were delivered, +that thrilled to the heart of Don Lope; for the sarcastic smile and the +forced tranquillity which Leonor had assumed, plainly indicated that her +pride had been deeply wounded, though she affected to treat the affair +with indifference. Gomez Arias had recourse to all his eloquence in +order to smooth the resentment awakened by his proposal, but Leonor +repelled his advances with a resolute dignity of manner. + +"Go, Don Lope," she said, proudly, "you are losing time here--consider +the state of the Count; and unless you make good speed, he may never +know the kind and valuable friend he possesses." + +She then called her attendants, and with the most perfect indifference +began to divest herself of her ornaments, urging all the time to her +future husband the necessity of immediate departure. + +Gomez Arias, though reluctantly, was compelled to leave his bride, and +hurried away further to promote the accomplishment of the plots which +distracted his attention. + +Leonor was soon disrobed of her bridal garments, and the disconcerted +maids were lost in astonishment at the extraordinary change which had +taken place. Nor could they explain the cheerfulness of manner visible +in their mistress, when she announced that the wedding was to be +deferred. But under the apparent indifference of Leonor, rankled a deep +feeling of injury. The same pride that resented her lover's +determination, forbade her to exhibit any degree of concern; but though +the feeling was repressed, its effects would be more lasting than if +expended in reproaches and complaints. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar signified the unexpected delay to all the officers +of the household, and the amazement of every one may easily be +conceived. Every trifling circumstance was discussed, but nothing +satisfactory elucidated, save that every individual, either as his +interest was concerned, or his curiosity unsatisfied, loudly exclaimed +against a change which interfered so much with his profit or pleasure. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back; + It is a swelling, and the last affection + A high mind can put off. It is a rebel + Both to the soul and reason, and enforces + All laws, all conscience; treads upon religion, + And offers violence to Nature's self. + + Ben Jonson. + + +Gomez Arias, after his interview with Leonor, repaired to the place +where he had appointed his confidential valet to await his leisure. Upon +his way he met the diligent Roque, and briefly related to him the +success which had hitherto attended his operations. + +"My good Roque," he gaily exclaimed, "our path now seems clear, and we +have nothing to impede our course." + +"Aye, Señor," returned Roque, "so it appears; but God grant that our +course may not yet be obstructed. When he who walketh uprightly must see +that he stumbleth not, what chance have we?" + +"Well," cried his master, laughing, "in such a case mind thou art not in +my way; for assuredly my fall will entail upon thee some sore bruises." + +"Bless me, good Señor," cried the valet, jocosely, "do what I may, I +cannot guard myself from such peril; for, by some unaccountable +mischance, when you _do_ fall, I am sure to reap the disagreeable +results: however, may the saints protect us in all lawful enterprise, +and, certes, there is no stronger law than necessity." + +"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Don Lope, at this moment, "Roque--look! who is +that cavalier in the distance?" + +Roque looked as he was ordered, but could perceive nothing that might +call for such an exclamation. + +"Señor," said he, surprised, "what causes your alarm?" + +"Is not that _caballero_ going towards our mansion?" + +"He may--but what is there strange in that?" + +"Surely it is the Count Ureña!" + +"He looks very much like him." + +"Then I am undone! Run, Roque; dispatch! Detain him." + +And without further ceremony, by the smart application of his hand to +the back of the valet, he gave an additional impetus to the motives for +increased exertion, whilst he himself advanced at a brisk pace towards +the object that had so unseasonably disturbed his interesting +speculations. + +Roque, like a good servant, without losing any time in useless parley, +obeyed his master's commands by making the best of his way to the person +in question, who in reality proved to be the Count. Gomez Arias, feeling +certain that his apprehensions were well founded, suddenly seized him by +the shoulder, at the same time calling on him to stay. + +"What means this?" cried Ureña, sharply, turning round, not at all +pleased with the roughness of the salutation: "who is he that dares----" + +"Your friend," answered Gomez Arias, laughing. + +"Don Lope!" cried Count Ureña, in amazement. + +"The same--but whither are you going?" + +"To your house, surely: and now you must confess that I am a sincere +friend; for although not entirely recovered from my late indisposition, +I could not resist the desire of being present at your wedding; so I +posted to Granada, and here I am, in time, I suppose?" + +"Oh, quite," replied Don Lope, evidently annoyed. + +"But it seems," continued Count Ureña, "that my arrival does not meet +with your approbation?" + +"My dear friend, you must excuse my apparent want of cordiality, but I +have already dispatched an express to your castle to explain matters, +and you must on no account be seen in Granada." + +"But why?" + +"I ask it as a particular favor." + +"I cannot comprehend," said the Count, perplexed: then he turned to +Roque; but Roque, as if aware that he was about to be questioned, and, +conscious of his total inability to satisfy any queries, to save the +Count a fruitless expenditure of words, shrugged up his shoulders, and +rolled his eyes most expressively. + +"My dear Count," cried Gomez Arias, "it is of momentous importance that +you should not be seen in this city by any of our mutual relations and +friends. My peace of mind, my future prospects, nay, my very honor, +require this sacrifice from your friendship. I have no time now to enter +into explanation; but the enigma will be solved upon your perusal of my +dispatch: in the meantime suffice it to say, that your immediate removal +from Granada, and your strictly keeping within your house, will bind me +to you with a powerful and lasting obligation." + +"_By Santiago_, Don Lope," exclaimed the Count, good humoredly, "you +must either be crazy, or wish to pass some merry jest upon me. Well, I +am heartily happy to see a bridegroom in such spirits." + +"No, by my honor," returned Gomez Arias, "I solemnly vow to you, that +this step is demanded by actual and imperious necessity." + +"Well, well," replied the nobleman, acquiescing, "I will, at all events, +comply with your request, whatever may be the motive." + +The friends took leave of each other, and Gomez Arias breathed more +freely, as he again considered himself assured of the success of his +plans. + +"Señor," said Roque, "we were just speaking of impediments, and there +comes the Count. Now, God send that we may meet no more!" + +"Ay, Roque," replied Gomez Arias: "If I think rightly, the most material +part of the business remains yet to be done, and it puzzles me strangely +how to ensure its success." + +"Most prudently said, Señor," returned Roque; "for it is indeed a +ticklish point to dispose of a lady, when it unfortunately happens that +she is not equally desirous to be disposed of;--but whither are we going +now?" + +"To the gardens,--for there we shall be unobserved:" then, after a +pause, he continued; "Roque, thou appearest uneasy; what is the reason +that at every minute thy head is turned backwards, as if in +apprehension?" + +"Oh, nothing, Señor, nothing in the world." + +The valet delivered these words in an irresolute tone, for his master's +observations had been just. Roque had for some time betrayed such +disquietude in his manner, that at length the attention of Don Lope was +directed towards the object of his valet's uneasiness, and he perceived +a stranger following them at some distance. It was a Moor, of dark and +repulsive appearance, who was evidently observing them, although he +affected a total indifference to their movements. + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, in whom the slightest incident now created +suspicion, "Dost thou know that strange looking man?" + +"Think you, my honored master," returned Roque, "that I am likely to +consort with so villainous looking a Moor? What should I do with such an +acquaintance? I am a _Christiano viejo_,[38] and my conscience would not +allow me to consort with infidels, and particularly when they are so +ill-favored as yonder prowling rascal." + +"Roque, Roque, thou talkest too much, and the very earnestness of thy +manner makes me strongly suspect that thy knowledge of the stranger is +more than thou art willing that I should learn." + +"_San Pedro me valga!_" ejaculated Roque. "My honored master, how can +you thus call in question my integrity? Do you think, Señor, it is +really possible for me to use any mystery with my master?" + +"Avaunt, thou hypocritical dog!" cried Don Lope; "thou canst not deceive +me: however, I am now too deeply engrossed with more important matters; +but mark me--should I find out any double dealing, any imposition on thy +part, thou mayest well tremble!" + +"Tremble!" exclaimed Roque, in a shrill tone, and affecting +indifference. "An honest man has no reason to tremble." + +And he trembled and quivered like the aspen leaf, which doubtless did +not look as if he had yet possessed himself of the attributes of an +honest man. They had by this time arrived at the gardens, and Gomez +Arias was exceedingly surprised when he observed that the strange Moor +had followed them thither, though keeping always the same respectful +distance. + +"By my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "such conduct cannot be merely +accidental. Roque, _maldito_,[39] some mystery lies in this." + +"In what, Señor Don Lope?" demanded the valet, with much simplicity. + +"Attempt not to impose on me, thou base-born and ungracious varlet. Why +does that Moor follow us in this manner?" + +"My dear master," replied Roque, "is it in my power to stop the man? +What dominion have I over him? These places are public, and I suppose +that he, though a Moor, considers that he has the same right to walk +here as we faithful Christians. Now, good Señor, could you prevail upon +the queen to limit the privileges of those infidels, and allot them a +piece of ground for their own use, aloof from all public places, +certainly much abomination and contamination would be spared; and +thus----" + +"Cease, thou graceless dog!" interrupted Don Lope. "Cease, for I can no +longer endure thy interminable prosing; a more talkative varlet never +intruded on the patience of an indulgent master. See! there is the +mysterious Moor again; and if I mistake not, it is the very same who has +followed me already twice before. Yes, surely he is the same, although +he has somewhat altered his attire." + +"What!" cried Roque thrown off his guard; "has he followed you too, +Señor?" + +"Ah!" returned Don Lope, "then you have seen him before. Now, rascal," +he added, grasping roughly the poor valet by the collar--"Leave off this +foolish dissembling, or by _Santiago_, I'll strangle thee on the spot!" + +"Sweet master, you surely don't mean to harm your faithful Roque?" + +"Art thou, then, prepared to confess thy knowledge of the Moor?" +demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Like a good Christian, I am always prepared to confess." + +"Well, then, begin, thou sinner." + +"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir, +that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct their +natural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Señor, +unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all." + +Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of the +sincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectly +elegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain in +observing the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handle +his luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in its +colour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan--his loquacious tongue +protruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes started +out with an unusual degree of animation. + +Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few hearty +shakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthened +respirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he had +sustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar-- + +"_Virgen Santa!_" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honored +master, what have you done! There is my beautiful--my best +_gorguera_[40] completely destroyed--torn to tatters--absolutely spoilt +for ever--past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine _gorguera_, too, of +the very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers of +Lisarda--and what will she say? What will she say when her loquacious +abilities are called into action by no less a subject than the total +destruction of her superb _gorguera_?" + +"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I would +confidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world." + +"Señor Don Lope, a fine _gorguera_ is perhaps unworthy of your +eloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for more +deserving objects. But consider, Sir----" + +"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon your +foolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; but +now, Roque, be explicit or---- how often have you seen that Moor?" + +"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque. + +"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?" + +"Apparently he did; but you know, Señor, we must not always trust to +appearances." + +"How did you meet his advances?" + +"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself all +the time, and as it happened that we adhered constantly to the same +regular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without ever +coming into contact." + +"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed as +he was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of his +valet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely to +succeed by gentle means than by actual force-- + +"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what you +say, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return." + +"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit we +are even." + +"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?" + +"For my wages," composedly answered the valet. + +"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh at +your fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor. +However, as to the point in question,--it appears that the Moor had +really sought your acquaintance?" + +"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I am +in no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian may +take to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which is +precisely the case in the present instance." + +"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a future +period, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque, +tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of the +troublesome object of my disquietude." + +"My fruitful invention, Señor, as you are kindly pleased to term that +faculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat with +contempt;--my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up----" + +"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master. + +"Nothing," drawled out the valet. + +"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces me +to retain such a dull brute about me." + +A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course to +determine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by the +trees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque, +unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine the +unfortunate _gorguera_, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over its +melancholy fate. + +"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy but +placing Theodora in a convent." + +"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents." + +"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to the +inconvenience of consulting her inclination?--No, Roque; unless some +better plan be instantly devised, I must even resolve upon the convent; +for the time passes rapidly away, and this girl must be disposed of +to-night." + +"Could you not contrive to send her to her father?" demanded Roque: +"Poor thing, she is so very unhappy that----" + +"Send her to her father!" returned Gomez Arias. "Art thou mad, +Roque?--or is it thy wish that my fortune should be ruined for ever?" + +"Neither one nor the other," rejoined the valet; "but it strikes me as +plainly as day-light, that before we contrive to shut up this bird in +the cage, her continual chirping will call some one to the rescue, and +then I do not see any chance of mending our fortune; but, by-the-bye, +talking of mending, I wonder if I am likely to find any for this most +innocent and ill-treated _gorguera_?" + +"A thousand curses on thee and on thy _gorguera_!" cried Gomez Arias, +impatiently; then, assuming a calmer tone, he continued--"With regard to +thy fears that she may call for rescue, that inconvenience may be easily +obviated." + +"_Santos cielos!_" exclaimed Roque, with visible affright--"You surely +do not mean to cut off her tongue?" + +"No," answered Don Lope, "that fate I reserve for yours, unless you +contrive to keep it under better control."--He then added--"By sending +Theodora to some nunnery in a remote city, such as Barcelona or +Saragossa for example,--the air must be sharp, indeed, that can convey +thus far the sound of her complaints." + +"But, Señor," asked Roque, "is the young lady to be conducted to the +said remote city by magic, or is she merely to be led in the ordinary +way; for if this last be the case, what deception can you use subtle +enough to lure a bird that has already been caught once in your snares?" + +"That is true," replied Gomez Arias, "but I must risk a distant danger, +to ward off a more immediate one. I do not entirely flatter myself that +this unfortunate business will not come to light some time; but if I +cannot avoid the storm, I am anxious that, ere it explode, I should at +least be under good shelter." + +"Well, Señor," said Roque, "it is a very delicate piece of business, +and I really cannot harbour the presumption of offering you my advice. I +shall obey your commands, as in duty bound, provided they are not in too +direct an opposition with my conscience and----" + +"And what?" inquired Don Lope. + +"_Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas_," solemnly chaunted the valet, at +the same time affecting to wash his hands. + +"_Lavabo inter innocentes_, indeed," exclaimed Gomez Arias: "here's a +conscientious sinner with a vengeance! So you cannot light upon some +feasible design?" + +"No, in very truth I cannot." + +"Then who in the name of Satan can extricate me?" cried Gomez Arias, in +despair. + +"I can!" answered a deep and determined voice. + +Gomez Arias started, turned round, and with amazement beheld the +mysterious stranger standing, with folded arms, looking calmly upon him. + +"And who art thou?" demanded Don Lope, "that presumest thus to intrude +upon my privacy?" + +"Good Heavens! who should it be?" said Roque, not allowing time to the +stranger to give an answer; "why, my honored master, you piously invoked +Satan, and his diabolical majesty sends you forthwith one of his +emissaries." + +"Stranger!" proceeded Gomez Arias, not heeding his valet, "what is thy +name?" + +"To know that were superfluous," coldly answered the Moor, "and in +nowise necessary towards the acceptation of my services." + +"And what assistance canst thou afford me? I know thee not--and yet +those features should not be entirely strangers to my eyes." + +"It is possible that they are not," replied the stranger, unmoved, "nor +is your countenance altogether unknown to me." + +"Who then art thou?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Surely a Moor--a worthless Moor!" bitterly returned the renegade; for +it was no other that now addressed Don Lope;--nor did he feel +apprehensive of discovery, altered as he was by the conflict of his +passions, continual sufferings, and even by the dress which he had +adopted to baffle the penetration of Gomez Arias. + +"Whoever I may be," continued the renegade, "is of no consequence; I +come to render you service--are you disposed to accept it?" + +"I cannot," firmly replied Don Lope, "from an utter stranger, without +previously knowing the motives by which he is actuated." + +"What!" exclaimed Bermudo, affecting surprise, "cannot you guess my +motives? Certainly, I do not pretend to deny that by assisting you +_now_, I chiefly mean to serve myself. You surely cannot expect more +from a perfect stranger, as you call me. Look at me, Christian!" he +added, stifling the conflict which was working in his bosom at the very +sight of his foe; "behold, I am a Moor--a miserable Moor. And what else +but interest could prompt a destitute, a desperate man to proffer his +services to the proud and rich ones of the land?--Love, or esteem, or +gratitude, think you? No, never! My own interest I consult--consult +yours, and decide." + +"Interest!" cried Gomez Arias; "there is something reassuring in that +word. I like to hear a man talk of his interest, for then I am tempted +to believe in his sincerity. What, then, canst thou do for thy interest, +Moor? Let us hear in what manner thou art able to serve me." + +"I can do much," replied the renegade: "You, Don Lope Gomez Arias, are +at present involved in a most distressing predicament?" + +"I am." + +"And the source of your disquietude is a woman?" + +"Proceed." + +"Her name, Theodora?" + +"Thou art indeed instructed in this affair--how cam'st thou by the +knowledge?"--and he cast a terrible look on the trembling Roque. + +"Señor," cried Roque, "as I hope for salvation, I----" + +"Silence, Sirrah!" exclaimed his master. + +"Nay," observed the renegade, "blame not yon trembler; it is true that I +applied to him before I resolved upon offering you my services +personally; but from fear, or some other reason, he paid no regard to my +proposal. I therefore waved all further ceremony, and knowing the crisis +to be at hand, I have seized this opportunity to address you." + +"And what proposition hast thou to make?" demanded Don Lope. + +"To remove from your path this obstacle to your ambition; to rid you +immediately of Theodora." + +"Fiend!" fiercely cried Gomez Arias, "thou darest not propose murder to +me?" + +"No, Christian," calmly returned Bermudo "dark as my form may be, and +unseemly as my features are, yet I would scorn to imbrue my hands in the +blood of a woman: no, though a ruffian, I am not yet sunk to the +despicable wretch you suppose me. Theodora shall not suffer any +indignity from me, but merely be removed from Granada." + +"And what security wouldst thou afford of thy adherence to this promise, +should I be inclined to enter into arrangements?" + +"Security! the most firm and unbounded--the love which a Moor has +conceived for her charms." + +"What! art thou then the admirer?" sneeringly asked Gomez Arias. + +"No!" indignantly exclaimed the renegade--"see you aught of that in me? +Can the signs of any tender sentiment be traced in my visage?" + +"Well," muttered Roque, "methinks he speaks very sensibly." + +"I cannot love," repeated the renegade; "but a Moor, my superior in +rank, one whom I have bound myself to serve, is powerfully stricken with +the beauty of her you now wish to discard; he will treat her with every +consideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upon +gaining her love." + +The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade made +these overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination. +He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyze +every feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery were +discernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That dark +brow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which he +should be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for an +interview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus, +his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from which +expression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs that +had urged him to proffer his services. + +"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause. + +"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired Don +Lope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all further +communication on the subject would be needless." + +"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though not +far from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you be +disposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as I +shall be obliged to take my measures accordingly." + +He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seeming +indifference.--Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was something +in this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; but +the shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of the +danger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived the +inward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentle +remonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lope +indignantly repulsed the presuming valet. + +"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humility +will not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offer +thy opinion now." + +"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energies +to a firm resolution. + +"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensible +must be commensurate with the importance of my assistance." + +"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider a +just remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion." + +"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place confidence +in the magnitude of my service, I shall leave the reward entirely to +your generosity,--and now listen. At midnight you must be with Theodora +at the extremity of _El cerro de los Martires_;[41] the distance is +short from Granada, and can therefore soon be traversed. There I will +wait for you, and there you may likewise meet the noble Moor that +employs me." + +"I am resolved," cried Gomez Arias. "Yes, I will meet you at midnight +then"--and rising, he was about to withdraw, when the renegade gently +detaining him-- + +"Stay," he said; "I must have a pledge to present to my master." + +"What dost thou demand?" asked Don Lope. + +"That ring," returned Bermudo, pointing to one that sparkled on the hand +of Gomez Arias. + +"I cannot part with this gem; it is a bauble, but one I must preserve; +ask for another boon three times as valuable, and it shall be granted +thee." + +"One does not hinder the other," said the renegade, dissembling. "Think +you, Don Lope, that the difficulty from which I disentangle you merits +no other reward than a paltry ring? I must have it for a pledge, and it +shall be returned in due time for gold." + +Gomez Arias cast a look of contempt on the Moor, who, thoroughly +prepared for his part, most efficaciously assumed the appearance of the +mercenary he was then undertaking to personate. + +"Well, what is it you resolve," he cried, with a malicious smile--"to +part with a ring, or keep the woman you detest?" + +"Take it!" disdainfully replied Gomez Arias, throwing the required +pledge on the ground. + +The renegade humbly inclined himself to take it; but he could not so +completely master his feelings as not to betray some marks of the +pleasure he felt at the possession of so precious a gage. Gomez Arias, +however, erroneously attributed these symptoms to the avaricious +disposition of the wretch who appeared willing to undertake any service +for gold. He again cast a contemptuous glance on the Moor, and making a +sign to Roque, abruptly left the place. The renegade gave a loose to the +joy which swelled tumultuously in his bosom; he kissed the ring with +wild demonstrations of pleasure, and looking in the direction that Gomez +Arias was gone-- + +"Now," he exclaimed, "my time is coming, and soon, proud Spaniard, wilt +thou feel the power of thy bitterest enemy." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Cielos en que ha se parar + Tan dificultosa empresa? + + _Lope de Vega._ + + Quoi! tant de perfidie avec tant de courage? + De crimes, de vertus, quel horrible assemblage! + + _Voltaire._ + + +After the defeat of his companions at Alhacen, and the total +annihilation of their hopes and resources in that quarter, Bermudo the +renegade had prudently fled to Granada. He knew he should be in greater +security in that city, from the mixed intercourse of Moors and +Christians, than by continuing in the wandering habits of a mountain +life, now circumvented with numberless dangers from the active searches +which the Christians were making to destroy every rebel that might be +surprised lurking in suspicious places. The same course had been pursued +by a considerable number of the dispersed Moors, whilst others, less +enterprising or more cautious, had concealed themselves in obscure +caverns and hiding places. + +The renegade was one of the first that had arrived at Granada; and +prudently mingling with the crowd of joyous Christians, feigned to be +exceedingly interested in the solemnity of the day, when his attention +was forcibly attracted by the appearance of a cavalcade in which he +recognized an object already familiar to his sight. Great as his +surprise was, he could not entertain a doubt that it was Theodora +herself, Cañeri's fair captive, who now unexpectedly struck his view. An +impulse of curiosity induced him to follow her, until he perceived that +she was safely lodged in the mansion of Aguilar. From that instant, +Bermudo had unremittingly devoted his time to investigating this +occurrence. He learnt with pleasure that his hated foe was still alive. +Nay, he had actually seen him; and, fervently bent on prosecuting every +scheme that might hold out a probability of forwarding his views of +vengeance, he had succeeded in his first inquiries to the full extent of +his wishes. He had learnt the approaching wedding of Gomez Arias, and, +remembering the circumstance of Theodora's lamentations and despair on +the supposed death of that individual, he naturally concluded that there +was some mystery, which, if discovered, might be easily converted to his +own advantage. + +He had therefore artfully sought an acquaintance with Roque, the +acknowledged servant of Gomez Arias, and partly by insidious questions, +and partly by his own penetration, he had drawn the conclusion that +Theodora was the forsaken mistress of Gomez Arias, brought by chance to +the very scene of his expectations, and who, if apprised of her lover's +treachery, would afford a powerful obstacle to his views. The renegade +therefore seized the favorable opportunity which presented itself, to +accomplish the ruin of his hated foe, and determined to neglect no +means of accomplishing the revenge which had been his solitary pursuit +for many years. But his plan of operations was as deep and intricate as +the motive that directed him was dark and diabolical. Finding that Roque +absolutely refused to open his proposal to his master, he resolved to +break the matter to him in person, and with this intention had proceeded +to the public walks, as already mentioned. His artful and wily behavour, +assisted by the distracting position of Don Lope's affairs, had betrayed +the latter into that snare which the renegade had so cunningly devised, +and which, if followed up with success, would lead the unwary Gomez +Arias towards a labyrinth, in the mazes of which his destruction might +be easily completed. + +Thus Bermudo could not conceal his inward satisfaction when he found +himself possessed of the ring of Gomez Arias--a ring which he well +recollected had been the gift of Queen Isabella,--a precious gage, +which, in the process of his fiendish machinations, might contribute +materially to their successful termination. While on the one hand the +renegade was thus awaiting with anxiety the result of every move in his +diabolical game, and Don Lope on the other was congratulating himself +upon the speedy close of his heartless compact, the lovely but +unfortunate subject of both speculations was happy in comparative +tranquillity at the palace of her preserver. + +In perfect obedience to the urgent and repeated injunctions of her +lover, Theodora kept herself in seclusion in her apartment. Implicitly +confiding in the promises and vows of Don Lope, and fondly indulging in +dreams of future bliss, she nevertheless felt a degree of disquietude, +natural to the high excitement into which her feelings had been thrown. +The morning came--the morning of that eventful day, and the commotion +which prevailed throughout the palace, failed not to interest Theodora, +although the cause admitted of various interpretations. Now she fondly +imagined that Gomez Arias had already sought an interview with Aguilar, +and made the necessary disclosures; and then again she shuddered at the +idea that the fond wishes in which she had indulged might never be +realized. + +This state of anxiety and suspense was fortunately interrupted by +Lisarda, who burst abruptly into the room with looks of visible alarm. +She turned about without ceremony, and before Theodora could collect her +thoughts to inquire into the reason of this perturbation-- + +"_Santos Cielos!_" she exclaimed, "here are fine doings! that it should +come to this! fye--shame! precisely at the very moment that---- well, +before I would consent to be treated in this manner, I'd suffer my eyes +to be plucked out, and my tongue torn from the very root. After so much +preparation! Lord! Lord! to disappoint a whole family and throw so many +honorable people into confusion!" + +Here the good Lisarda was compelled to take breath, of which Theodora +most opportunely availed herself to inquire into the cause of the +disturbance. + +"Now, gentle Lisarda," she said "tell me what has happened? No disaster +to the family; I hope?" + +"Alas!" screamed out Lisarda, perfectly recovered from her exhaustion, +"your hopes, lady, unhappily, cannot prevent the disaster, for truly a +most terrible disaster it is,--fraud and insolence, and most abominable +perjury is in the case, I am sure. Yes, the family has been treated this +morning with the most untimely and vexatious incivility. Such a breach +of delicacy and decorum never did I witness before. _Virgen Santa!_ how +will this end? The Lord knows that I, for my part, never felt tranquil +on the score of the gallant.--No, no; I always said Don Rodrigo for my +money--but that is neither here nor there; the evil is done, and we must +stand the results. Really it is provoking--such a beautiful dress I had +prepared, and now to defer the ceremony!" + +"Defer what ceremony?" eagerly inquired Theodora. + +"The wedding to be sure," responded Lisarda. "What, did I not tell you +before?" + +"In sooth you did not." + +"Really? God defend us! I am a most thoughtless silly girl, that is +certain. Why, my good lady, what should be deferred but the wedding?" + +"And that is the misfortune, then, which has occasioned such uncommon +signs of regret?" demanded Theodora, scarcely able to conceal her inward +satisfaction. + +"To be sure, lady; and by my troth, it strikes me that the subject is +well worthy the mortification it has caused us all. Good heavens! had +the accident happened to you, my sweet lady, perchance you might not be +inclined to endure it so philosophically. But the Lord save me! if you +do not appear to rejoice in this calamity!" + +"Rejoice! heavens! what do you mean?" cried Theodora, blushing deeply, +and striving to conceal her emotion. "What can induce you to suppose I +could have so perverse a disposition, as to rejoice at an event that is +evidently annoying and distressing to my kind and generous benefactor?" + +"Dear lady, take not amiss my observation, but as sure as I am a +Christian, and hope for salvation, you are much altered for the better +since yesterday." + +Having communicated the news of the palace to her fair charge, the good +Lisarda bustled away to learn further particulars. Theodora soon after +received a visit from the noble Don Alonso, on whose countenance were +strongly depicted the signs of displeasure. Theodora easily divined the +cause, and though she rejoiced in the termination of an event, in which +her happiness was so deeply interested, she could not suppress a +sensation of generous pity, at the idea that she was the immediate, +though innocent, cause of her benefactor's disappointment. + +With the simplicity congenial to her nature, she more than once during +this interview felt a strong desire to throw herself at the feet of +Aguilar, and frankly to avow the whole of her melancholy tale; yet she +was restrained from following the genuine impulse of her heart, when +she recollected her lover's absolute command. Thus, although her +delicacy and frankness were hurt at the duplicity she was compelled to +use towards one by whom she had been rescued from the most appalling +fate, she stifled the suggestions of sincerity, to observe implicitly +the wishes of a man who was even then planning her future misery and +misfortune. Nor was this the only trial that Theodora had to sustain. +She had been obliged to resist the invitation of Aguilar, who repeatedly +pressed her to make her appearance in the grand saloon, and she had the +mortification of suspecting, that an unfavorable construction was put +upon her denial. They might attribute to female caprice, or a want of +proper feelings for a generous benefactor, that which in reality was the +mere effect of a sensitive mind and a devoted heart. + +Theodora underwent all these trials with patient resignation, in the +fond expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present irksome +situation. In this uninterrupted succession of doubt and fear she spent +the long and tedious day, and hailed with transport the arrival of +night, which was now enveloping in her sable mantle the proud turrets +and lofty buildings of Granada. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Per gli antri, e per le selve ognun traea + Allor la vita, nè fra setà, o lane + Le sue ruvide membra ravvolgea. + + _Metastasio._ + + +At a short distance from Granada there is a place called _El cerro de +los Martires_,[42] which traditionary lore had invested with most +appalling histories. This place abounded in deep caverns and +subterranean vaults, in which it was a received tradition that the Moors +used in former times to shut their Christian captives, and make them +undergo dreadful torments. By the vicissitudes of fortune, however, +these dungeons were now converted into secure retreats by the fallen +and dispersed Moors. Several of these lurking places had already been +traced out by the unwearied perseverance of the Spaniards, or betrayed +through the treachery of mercenary Moors, but there still were some +remaining which baffled every research, and whose existence known only +to some of the principal and most faithful Moors, were in no danger at +least of immediate discovery. + +To these subterraneous habitations a considerable portion of the +shattered forces of Cañeri had repaired, whilst some of the bolder party +of El Feri de Benastepar had fearlessly sought refuge in Granada, where, +in despite of the severe decrees promulgated by the queen, and the +examples made of those who had infringed them, the rebels nevertheless +found shelter and protection from their fellow-countrymen. Thus while +the rebellion seemed quelled to all appearance, it was not entirely +extinguished. A secret fire still slumbered under the ashes, ready to +burst forth when a master hand could be found to raise the flame. But +the want of unity amongst the Moors, and the general dispersion which +had ensued after the destruction of their last town, seemed to offer an +insurmountable bar to the organization of a second revolt. Besides, the +death of El Feri had struck the hearts of his followers with dismay, and +there was no Moor of sufficient talent or enterprize to supply his +place. + +Things were in this state, when at the close of a sultry day three men +were seen cautiously traversing the path which led towards _El cerro de +los Martires_. The foremost, who appeared to act as guide, from his +robust and athletic make, and the lowering expression of his +countenance, might be easily recognized as Bermudo, the renegade; the +others were strangers, and apparently disguised. They proceeded onwards, +slowly, and with care, until at length they stopped at a sequestered +spot, overgrown with brambles, and surrounded with high and widely +spreading trees, whose sombre foliage offered an impenetrable barrier to +the light of day. They plunged into the midst of this wilderness, and +presently the renegade blew a soft and hollow blast, when the thicket +suddenly seemed to move, and discovered an aperture which had hitherto +been concealed. The two Moors, for such they were, and their guide, then +descended through the opening into a deep and winding subterraneous +passage. After a descent of a few minutes, they found themselves in a +spacious vault hewn out of the solid rock and illumined by a solitary +lamp, which afforded only light sufficient to render the darkness more +dismal, and to give an indistinct view of forms and countenances +naturally repulsive, rendered still more so by apparent want and +exhaustion. About a dozen men and two or three women were reposing at +length in different parts of the cave, without any other covering than +their tattered dresses, and bearing on their features an expression of +resolute despair. + +At the further extremity of the cavern, which was somewhat elevated, and +rendered more tenantable by several pieces of an old carpet, reclined a +man of better appearance, whose apparel had evidently not undergone +such severe service as those of his companions. This personage it might +easily be supposed was the chief of those who, from their exterior, +might, without any great deviation from the rules of inferences, be +denominated a gang of desperate robbers. But it seldom happens that +robbers in the vicinity of a rich and populous city are to be found in a +state of such utter destitution; and if such were really the case, it +might puzzle the beholder to discover what possible inducement they +could have to continue in so unprofitable a profession. + +As soon as the renegade and his two companions entered that cheerless +and uncomfortable dwelling, all those woe-begone and lugubrious +countenances suddenly acquired a degree of animation. It was not without +reason; for the renegade and one of his companions laid down some +provisions, whilst the other stood with his arms folded, a calm +spectator of these proceedings, contemplating with deep attention the +group before him. + +"Alagraf! Malique!" cried the seated personage above designated: "Who +is that stranger?" + +"Fear not, Cañeri," whispered the renegade, "this is a friend--nay, +perhaps the sincerest adherent and the bravest supporter of the Moors in +their present condition." + +"Certainly from his proud bearing in our presence," replied Cañeri, with +offended dignity, "one might, indeed, be led to suppose him a person of +consequence, did not those unseemly habiliments contradict such a +conclusion." + +The stranger answered not, but contented himself with casting a look of +mingled pity and scorn on the mighty potentate of the cavern. The chief, +however, was prevented from inquiring more minutely into the pretensions +of one who appeared little disposed to pay him unqualified deference, by +the shrill and croaking voice of Marien Rufa, who at that moment was +actively engaged in heaping a redundance of abuse on the devoted head of +her husband Aboukar. The squabble, as far as it could be ascertained +amidst the confused din, originated in some provisions which the +provident Aboukar, in his capacity of ex-master of the household, +judiciously concluded ought to come by right under his control; +accordingly, _secundum artem_, he had entered on his official duties by +secreting a portion of the said provisions for his own private use, +before they were either served up to Cañeri, or finally distributed +amongst his hungry and rapacious band. Marien Rufa had observed the sly +larceny, but what in the name of conjugal regard could have induced the +crone to so unkind and unmatrimonial an action as the exposure of her +own husband, is not easily to be determined. An upright and indulgent +person might be tempted to believe it was a proper regard and tenderness +for the purity of his character; but others, not quite so considerate, +would suspect, and perhaps with a nearer semblance of truth, that the +unamiable spouse was instigated by a less honorable motive. It was a +fact, not to be contradicted, that Marien Rufa and her once beloved +Aboukar, at present detested as cordially as they had formerly loved +each other; which curious phenomenon in the condition of matrimony is +not of such rare occurrence as to need any particular investigation into +its nature or origin. + +As soon as Cañeri observed the disturbance, conjecturing from the +character of the belligerents that the commotion was likely to increase +apace, he rose suddenly from his seat, an action which clearly indicated +the extent of his indignation, and with vehemence exclaimed-- + +"Silence! What means this disturbance? Slaves, is this your respect for +your chief? Explain; what is the cause of this unwarrantable breach of +decorum?" + +No sooner had Cañeri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa, +conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tone +began:-- + +"Please your Mightiness, the cause of----" + +"Stop, stop," cried Cañeri; "I do not wish _thee_ to explain." Then, +turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words, +corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick of +which Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Cañeri, after pondering some +time, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminous +idea,-- + +"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention." + +The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapient +chief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceeded +to give his judgment. + +"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except the +convicted culprit and his accuser." + +This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party, +whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of their +chief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have, +indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation. +The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, but +they could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for the +degraded state of their companions, and the foolish importance with +which the vain-glorious Cañeri comported himself. + +Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,-- + +"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada? +Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success? +What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?" + +"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade. + +"And yet," returned Cañeri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopes +will be disappointed." + +"Not so, Cañeri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter upon +that subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim to +our notice." + +"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Cañeri, with displeasure, "I should +imagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself, +sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he added +impatiently, "that which concerns me most." + +"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that I +am not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these matters +until I think the time befitting." + +Cañeri was thunderstruck at this open act of insubordination; he rolled +his eyes in choler, and looked on his band as if appealing to them to +chastise the insolence of the renegade. But though those bold words had +thrown the Moors into some consternation, yet no one dared to move a +step, so much were they awed by the composed demeanor with which the +renegade gazed upon them. + +"Alagraf," said Cañeri, disguising his indignation, "are then my +injunctions openly to be disregarded before my people?" + +"Cañeri," answered the renegade resolutely, "you urge me too far, and +you ought to know me better." + +A murmur of discontent prevailed among the band, which was about to +break forth against the renegade, when, suddenly, their movement was +checked by the stranger Moor, who advanced towards them in a threatening +attitude. + +"Peace!" he exclaimed; "peace! ye abject, paltry slaves!" + +"And who art thou," demanded Cañeri, trembling with rage, "that darest +thus arrogate to thyself the power of dictating in my presence?" + +"I am, Cañeri," answered the stranger haughtily, "thy superior in all, +except in vice." + +"Seize him!" roared out Cañeri. "Seize the wretch!" + +"Stay!" cried Malique, interposing; "lay not your hands upon that +man.--Most mighty Cañeri," he then added, addressing the indignant +chief, "Mohabed Alhamdem, our opulent brother at Granada, has intrusted +that Moor to our care, commanding us to lead him hither; he has most +important matters to communicate, and, if the word of Mohabed is to be +credited, it is from this stranger alone that the Moors may expect their +salvation." + +"Who, then, is this mighty personage?" demanded Cañeri, with a scornful +sneer. + +"He will himself inform you," replied the renegade. "Cañeri, you know +how firmly I am devoted to the Moorish cause; why then was I insulted +when it was only to advance the interests of that cause I spoke? But let +that pass; I am no pettish boy to quarrel with my associates for a word +uttered intemperately in an unguarded moment." + +He held his hand in token of reconciliation, and then +continued:--"Theodora, if appearances amounting almost to certainty +deceive me not, will be yours, ere long." + +"Is it possible?" exclaimed Cañeri. "When?" + +"To-night or never," replied Bermudo. "Shortly I shall disclose to you +all the particulars of my transaction; and now let us examine on what +resources we can depend for a renewal of the insurrection." + +"Resources! None," said Cañeri, "Our surviving men are dispersed and +worn out by repeated misfortunes; most of our chiefs are dead, or have +passed over to Africa, and the only man who had the power of rallying +the straggling Moors, he who alone succeeded in imparting confidence to +his followers, El Feri de Benastepar, is now no more: fallen by the arm +of Aguilar, he shared the fate of those brave men who mingled their own +ashes with those of Alhacen." + +"El Feri de Benastepar is not dead," cried the renegade. + +Cañeri and his men started from the ground with an instinctive impulse +of returning courage, and all, with one accord, sent up an exclamation +of joyful surprise. + +"But where is the chief, then?" demanded Cañeri. + +"There!" replied Bermudo, pointing to the stranger. + +"Yes," said he, throwing aside his disguise; "yes, Cañeri, in this +humble garb, which necessity has compelled me to adopt, do you again +behold El Feri; conquered by Alonso de Aguilar, but miraculously rescued +from the grasp of death to redeem the tarnished glories of the Moorish +name; to close again in combat with the proud Christian chief, and, with +the assistance of the holy Prophet, to doom him to that untimely death +which he vainly imagines he has inflicted on me." + +A simultaneous murmur of approbation ran through the surrounding party; +even Cañeri, jealous as he was of the superior power and glory of El +Feri, hailed with real satisfaction his unexpected appearance amongst +them; for in the imagination of Cañeri were revived those hopes of +asserting the station of fancied dignity from which he had been hurled +by the late overthrow of the Moors. He again clung to the fond idea that +the Moslem cause would ultimately triumph, and then he of necessity must +succeed to a conspicuous share of power, to which he conceived himself +entitled by his distinguished birth. + +Thus the Moors, whom, but a moment before, we have seen in the lowest +state of dejection, now flew to the opposite extreme: they pictured to +their fancy the wonderful powers of El Feri, and the magic influence +which his name would possess in calling again his countrymen to arms, +while the desperate nature of such an undertaking, and the obstacles +with which it was on every side beset, vanished altogether before their +sanguine expectations. + +The renegade beheld this general emotion with more signs of discontent +than satisfaction; he argued little advantage to be derived from men, +who could so easily pass from the depths of despondence to the summit of +hope; for to a man like himself, endowed with strong passions, but +accustomed to watch progressively their workings, such sudden +transitions betrayed a weakness utterly incompatible with desperate +enterprises. + +"But how," now inquired Cañeri, addressing El Feri, "has thy precious +life been preserved?" + +"When I fell by the arm of Aguilar," returned El Feri, "it was more from +the excessive fatigue which I had for several days endured, than from +the nature of the wounds inflicted--they were not mortal; and as I lay +extended and helpless on the ground, I thought upon my country, and my +heart sunk within me when I considered that my life, which might still +have been preserved to her service, would soon, alas! be lost in a fiery +grave. The town was deserted--nought was heard but the crackling of the +flames, and the groans of those that were dying around me. Our enemies +were gone, and I, collecting my small remaining strength, with much +difficulty contrived to drag myself from that place of desolation. At +length, exhausted, I sunk under a tree, and there, for want of timely +assistance, I might have breathed my last, when, to my joy, I observed +two or three of our party, who had escaped in the general confusion, +advancing towards me, and the hopes which had almost abandoned me again +began to revive. My preservers removed me immediately to a place of +security, and administered all the remedies that their limited means +could afford. When I had sufficiently recovered my strength, in various +disguises we arrived at Granada, and made ourselves known to Mohabed +Alhamdem: at his dwelling the plan of a second rising has been +concerted, and I am come here to ask your support to the undertaking." + +"Noble and beloved companion," replied Cañeri, "next to the pleasure of +seeing thee alive, comes, certainly, that of hearing thy proposal. I +rejoice that, notwithstanding our little trivial disagreements, thou +hast thought of me in the hour of an important crisis: command me +freely, and command all mine." + +As he delivered these words with his habitual affectation of dignity, he +looked around upon his reduced followers, who all inclined their heads +in token of blind acquiescence. + +"And is this all thou canst command, Cañeri?" asked El Feri. + +"No, not all; for at a moment's notice, I can assemble a considerable +number, now prudently scattered in little parties, the better to avoid +observation. They lie concealed in some neighbouring caves, and will at +the first summons readily obey my orders. But what are thy designs, my +noble friend? Dost thou contemplate the surprise of some fort? or hast +thou in meditation a second expedition to the _Sierra Nevada_? + +"Neither;" replied El Feri: "my plans of operation are now widely +different; I mean to strike the blow far from the city of Granada: more +I will impart to thee at a future period. Art thou well determined to +second my exertions?" + +"Yes," answered Cañeri, bowing his head. "In the name of the holy +Prophet, I swear to follow thy instructions." + +"Well then," returned El Feri, satisfied, "this very night I set out for +the _Sierra Bermeja_, attended only by Mohabed and a servant: that +opulent Moor has enthusiastically joined our cause, and several of his +friends, slow to contribute with their persons towards the result, have +at least liberally assisted us with their gold. Thou, Cañeri, must not +tarry here, but with the utmost expedition march to Alhaurin, a town +neglected by the Christians, which thou wilt easily surprise; this is to +serve as a rallying place for all those who may flock to our standard. I +am assured that the mountain inhabitants of the _Sierra Bermeja_ are +prepared to join me,--thus, while the proud Spaniard triumphs in +security, and rejoices at the supposed death of El Feri, he will +suddenly dissolve the charm, and summon his enemies again to encounter +the effects of his wrath and vengeance. And now, Cañeri, remember that +Alagraf and Malique are the only persons through whom we are to +communicate: so to your post, and there await my further instructions. +Farewell! and when we meet again, may victory have rewarded our +exertions!" + +He said; and the two chiefs taking friendly leave of each other, El +Feri, without delay, returned to Granada. Cañeri, scarcely able to +contain his joy, rose and paced around the cave as if he were already +dictating from his palace at Alhacen. + +"Now, my brave followers!" he cried, suddenly halting, "be prepared to +march at a moment's notice." + +Such an injunction was perfectly useless; for it so happened that his +gallant followers had no other preparation to make than to rise and +march, having no baggage to encumber their operations beyond the very +slender equipments which they carried on their persons. + +"But!" exclaimed Cañeri, in the midst of his exultation, "Alagraf, if we +depart immediately, how is thy promise concerning the fair Christian to +be fulfilled?" + +"Fear not, Cañeri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you that +Theodora will be yours to-night or never." + +"Or never!" re-echoed Cañeri, dismally shaping his face into most +unwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain, +and I would gladly wait for such a prize." + +"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,--the time +approaches,--my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in your +power, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Si! m'ingannai: scerner dovea, che in petto + Di un traditor mai solo un tradimento + Non entra. + + _Alfieri._ + + Le cruel, hélas! il me quitte, + Il me laisse sans nul appui! + + _Berquin._ + + +"In the name of Heaven, Don Lope," said Roque; "let me again conjure you +to pause before you finally resolve upon this undertaking: my heart +misgives me strangely." + +"Thy heart," replied Gomez Arias, "is a most impertinent monitor. Simple +man! what other course is left me to pursue?--Is it thy wish that I +should relinquish the most glorious prize, at the very moment of its +attainment, from a pusillanimous fear of consequences? Already so far +advanced, must I shrink from an honorable alliance with Leonor? By +heaven! I cannot; I will not. Prudence, consistency, honor, forbid! + +"But, saving your displeasure," interposed Roque, "methinks that same +honor of which you appear so tenacious, cannot urge you to betray an +unfortunate girl into the hands of infidel Moors. And although your +present situation is certainly fraught with difficulties, there may yet +be found some other way of proceeding with regard to Theodora, not +altogether so frightful." + +"No, Roque, none. We have now no longer time to think; we must act, and +act without wasting a single precious moment.--Go, dispatch, deliver +this letter to Theodora, and conduct her to the place that I have +already pointed out. The night is fast advancing; dispatch; and be +faithful in the discharge of my orders. This step is unavoidable, and to +its necessity even thou thyself wilt be reconciled, though at present it +may awaken in thy bosom a foolish sentiment of pity, or fear, I know not +which." + +Roque attempted no farther expostulation, but heaving a sigh, and +casting his eyes to heaven, proceeded to the discharge of his +commission, whilst his master hurried to the solitary spot where he had +decided they should meet. Roque, in that wavering mood so natural to his +character, alike unfit for good or evil, made his way to Don Alonso's +garden, deliberating within himself on the course he ought to follow. +Pity and remorse, at intervals, made him shrink with dismay from the +picture of wretchedness which the unfortunate Theodora presented to his +view. There was something so iniquitous and unmanly in betraying the +unsuspecting and lovely victim, that the feelings of the valet, though +far from being refined, revolted from the participation: once or twice +he had even resolved to acquaint Theodora with the premeditated plot, +but these momentary impulses of his better feelings were soon checked +for want of strength to follow up the generous suggestion. The awe with +which Roque beheld his master, and the dread of the results which his +disclosure might produce in the mind of the victim, powerfully +contributed to silence the voice of conscience. Then he hoped that the +marriage once over, measures might be taken for the security and comfort +of Theodora; and finally he fondly admitted the hope, or rather forced +his rebellious mind to encourage it, that Gomez Arias would relent at +the sight of the unhappy girl, and that he would then fix upon some +other expedient less distressing and criminal. + +In this conflict, he arrived at the palace, and entering by a private +gate into the garden, he approached the window of Theodora's apartment. +The anxious girl, who had been all the day on the alert, immediately +descended, and stood by the side of Roque. + +"Where is he?" she eagerly cried, upon meeting the valet. + +"Prudence," replied Roque, "has obliged him, much against his +inclination, to keep aloof; but here is a letter which will explain his +motives, and the course that you are immediately to adopt." + +Theodora ran over the contents of the letter in a trepidation of +anxiety, and closed the perusal of it by imprinting the fervent kisses +of love and devotion on the vile instrument of treachery. + +"Let us make haste," she then said, and without waiting for Roque to +lead the way, she hurried through the garden upon the wings of +affection. The valet's heart misgave him, when he beheld her speeding +with such haste to her destruction. He contrasted the devoted confidence +of Theodora, hurrying to the fatal spot, with the duplicity and +heartlessness of Gomez Arias tranquilly awaiting her arrival. Roque led +her towards the place appointed; nor could he suppress a tear, as he +listened to the artless language in which her full heart indulged during +the way, in the fond expectation of being again united to her lover, and +obtaining the forgiveness of her beloved parent. They arrived at length +at the place. It was a beautiful night, unsullied by a breath of wind. +The eager eyes of Theodora were strained to catch as soon as possible a +sight of the dear object of her solicitude. She perceived at the further +extremity a man enveloped in a cloak, and standing beside three horses. +She gazed intensely; her bosom throbbed with emotion,--forward she +hurried--she flew; and in a moment, with all the enthusiasm of her fond +nature, threw herself into the arms of her lover. + +Gomez Arias received the tender pressure with feelings hard to be +defined. Distracted with conflicting passions, he appeared unable to act +the part which he had judged necessary in this critical moment, while +the loving Theodora, despite of her infatuation, could not but observe +the coldness and restraint evident in his manner. + +"What ails you, Lope?" she said, soothingly "are you not happy?" + +"Happy! yes, Theodora, I am happy; but be not astonished at my +disquietude: for alas! in my distracting situation I can feel no +otherwise; the step which I am about to take----" + +"Oh! I am sensible!" cried Theodora, earnestly, "of the extent of the +sacrifice; I know the glorious prospects you relinquish by renouncing +the hand of Leonor. Yes, I am indeed, aware of all the distressing +circumstances that may ensue from the resolution you have taken. But, +oh, Lope! will not the unutterable love, the fervid devotion of your +poor Theodora, afford you some requital for the advantages which your +honor obliges you to abandon?" + +She looked fondly in his countenance. A tear stood trembling upon her +eye, but in her lover's she beheld no sign of mutual tenderness. He +coldly assisted her to mount, and bidding Roque follow, for some time +they continued their route in silence. Theodora, however, in the +gentleness of her nature, was disposed to deceive herself, and without +hesitation attributed her lover's strange behaviour to the difficult +situation in which he was placed. Nor could she feel hurt when she +considered that it was for her sake that Gomez Arias exhibited this +disquietude. She had secured the most important object of her life, and +was not so selfish or unfeeling as to reproach him with a conduct which +she hoped would soon be changed. But the arguments of reason are not +always in accordance with the suggestions of feeling. Her mind +commanded her to be satisfied, but her heart, in acquiescing with those +dictates, was not entirely at ease, though she sedulously endeavoured to +conceal her emotion from Gomez Arias. Her efforts, however, were not +always successful, and the deep sighs that escaped her bosom, naturally +attracted the notice of her lover. He, therefore, artfully strove, by +bestowing some passing tokens of affection, to reassure the victim he +was leading to the sacrifice. But the art of man, though it may succeed +in imitating the various passions which agitate the human breast, is +rarely successful when he attempts to feign the more tender sentiments +of the heart; for cold must always be the language addressed to one, who +has been the object of a fervid passion, when that passion is unhappily +extinct. No powers of art--not all the force of imagination can call +into life fresh flowers on the barren waste of a heart that no longer +loves. + +As they approached _El cerro de los Martires_ Theodora suddenly began to +sob aloud, and Gomez Arias foresaw the dreadful scene he should have to +sustain before he could finally disengage himself from the sorrowing +girl. + +"Theodora, why do you weep?" he asked in a tender tone. + +"Alas! I know not," she answered. "But my heart is heavy--I feel as +though some misfortune were impending. Whither are we going?--surely +this is not the road to my father's mansion? Lope! Lope! whither are you +leading me?" she inquired, in a thrilling voice of distress. + +Steeled as it was against compassion, the heart of Gomez Arias felt +moved at the question. Roque was exceedingly affected, and a groan +escaped him as he piously ejaculated--"Heaven protect her!" + +Theodora heard the exclamation; for nothing that bodes ill can evade the +acute sense of misery. + +"Thank you, good Roque," she said, mournfully. "But why call on the +protection of heaven? My own Lope, are we in danger?" + +Gomez Arias did not answer; for a feeling akin to remorse arose within +him, as he thought on the treacherous duplicity he was about to practice +against one whose very existence seemed to depend upon his love. They +had now crossed _El cerro de los Martires_, and were ascending a little +slope, when suddenly three or four persons sprung from their +concealment, and checked their further advance. The moon shone +brilliantly, so that every object could be plainly distinguished, and +Theodora saw with dismay the forms that were moving towards them, as if +with the express determination of intercepting their passage. + +"They are Moors!" she exclaimed. "Oh, heavens! what can they want in +this solitary place at the dead of night? Surely they must be some of +those desperate people, who have been left houseless and forlorn in the +late rebellion. Alas! they will retaliate on us all the horrors which +they have suffered. My dear Lope, if we must die, it will be at least +some consolation to meet death with thee." + +She looked earnestly on her lover, but could trace no emotion in his +features; they were composed. The present feelings of Gomez Arias +partook of no alarm, and the unfortunate Theodora felt a fearful +presentiment, as she perceived the unmoved expression of his +countenance; for though the bravery of her lover might not allow him to +dread the approach of death, for his own sake, yet, surely, her own +danger ought to create in his mind some sensation of anxiety. In this +frightful agony of thought, Theodora remained until they came up with +the individuals who had awakened her fears. One of them now detached +himself from the group, and advanced to address Gomez Arias, who had +checked his horse to await his coming. What was the horror of Theodora +when she recognized in the person that stood before them, the dreaded +form of the renegade! She uttered a faint scream; and had not Gomez +Arias prevented her, she would have fallen to the ground. + +"So, Don Lope," said the renegade, "you have kept your word: I could +expect no less from the noble Gomez Arias." + +"And who are thy companions?" inquired Don Lope. + +"There stands," replied Bermudo, pointing to Cañeri, "the illustrious +Moor of whom I spoke--so the sooner we proceed to our arrangements, the +better." + +The mutual understanding which appeared to subsist between Gomez Arias +and the renegade, and the heartless manner in which the last words were +delivered, left not a doubt in the mind of Theodora, that some +treacherous design was in contemplation. Her fears were soon confirmed; +for Gomez Arias, turning to her, in a tone of pity, began---- + +"Theodora, I will not attempt to palliate the conduct which necessity +obliges me to pursue; but the circumstances in which I am placed admit +of no alternative. We must part for ever--nor can I for a moment prolong +a scene, which must be so distressing to your feelings. It consoles me, +however, to think that I can place you in the care of those who have +pledged themselves to treat you with every consideration." + +Saying this, he threw himself from his horse, and found no difficulty in +bearing to the ground the yielding form of Theodora. She could not +speak; amazement had absorbed all the powers of her mind, and benumbed +the principle of will and action. She stood wildly gazing on vacancy, +like one conscious of labouring under a dreadful dream, and striving to +awake from the painful illusion. But when Cañeri advanced, when she +actually saw his hated figure standing before her with a smile of +exulting joy, she seemed suddenly to regain all her powers of +recollection. + +"'Tis he!" she cried franticly, "'tis he. Oh! horror!"--She ran wildly +towards her lover. + +"Oh, Lope, deliver me from him." + +"No, young lady," returned the Moor, "you must now come with me." + +"Oh, heaven!" she shrieked, "no, no, he cannot--he will not thus abandon +me!--Oh, Lope!--my dear--my own beloved!--undeceive this barbarous, +this abhorred Moor." + +She appealed to her lover in the fervour of deep anguish,--he turned +from her to depart; the moment was bitter; he felt the rankling pangs of +remorse. The wretched girl clung to him,--he made one desperate struggle +to disengage himself. + +"Moor, take her," he cried with throbbing emotion, "but oh! deal thou +more kindly by her than I have done. Here," he continued, "receive this, +and see that she is treated with the regard which her beauty merits, and +her misfortunes deserve. Act faithfully to thy pledge, or dread the +worst effects of my vengeance." + +He threw a large purse of gold upon the ground, which Malique lost no +time in securing, whilst Cañeri, addressing Gomez Arias,-- + +"Christian," he said, "I fear not thy vengeance, and I value not thy +gifts; the word of a Moor is plighted; I love the beauteous female, and +these considerations will afford the best security for my conduct." + +He then advanced to take the hand of Theodora, but she flew from him +with a look of wildness that might have moved the very stones to pity. + +"Oh! no, no, never! Gomez Arias, you may be cruel, but cannot be +infamous.--Oh, do not, do not deliver me into the hands of the detested +enemy of our country--the ferocious, the false Cañeri." + +"What!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, surprised, "is this, then, Cañeri, the +rebel chief?" + +"The same," replied the renegade, interposing; "will that be an obstacle +to our agreement?" + +Gomez Arias remained a few minutes in silence; he felt an inward +disquiet he could not well explain; the name of Cañeri had awakened a +new and painful sensation; it recalled to his mind the edicts of the +queen, which he was on the point of violating by holding intercourse +with the rebel; but again he thought that the elevated situation to +which he would be shortly exalted might sufficiently secure him against +any danger, should even this transaction ever come to light, of which he +could not foresee the slightest probability. + +Meantime, poor Roque, who perceived the hesitation of his master, +ventured to approach him, and with a voice agitated with fear,-- + +"Oh, my dear master," he said, "if it is not too late, let us retreat +from this dreaded spot; do not conclude this hellish treaty, for be +assured it will prove the destruction of your fortunes, if there is an +omnipotence above or justice amongst men." + +It was too late; the heart that could not yield to the voice of its own +conscience, was not easily to be moved by the expostulation of a +dependant. Gomez Arias had now advanced too far to retrace his steps; it +was a fearful deed, but he relied with implicit confidence on its being +for ever buried in silence. Then, without further delay, he made a sign +to the renegade in token of agreement, and turned towards Granada. + +Theodora became frantic; with a desperate effort she flew to her lover; +a dismal, harrowing shriek quivered through the inmost fibres of her +heart; and then she spoke not, but clung to Gomez Arias with the fearful +might arising from despair. Her face was hidden in his bosom, her pulse +beat not, and the spark of life seemed extinct. Gomez Arias gently +endeavoured to extricate himself from her firm embrace; she again became +conscious of his intention, and in the paroxysm of agony she exclaimed-- + +"Barbarian! have I deserved this from you?" + +Roque now sobbed aloud like a child, and Gomez Arias himself was moved; +but the renegade, fearful of the results of the scene, advanced to claim +his victim. + +"Oh, my honored master!" cried Roque, "does not this harrowing picture +of despair move the kinder feelings of your heart?--you once loved her +tenderly, and were it only for the remembrance of what she was, spare +her now." + +Gomez Arias felt the rebuke; it soured his temper and confirmed him in +his purpose. He was indignant at the freedom of his dependant, and +darted on him a withering look of displeasure. But Roque, who had now +acquired a strength of mind and courage, of which his nature till then +had seemed wholly destitute, in a bold tone began-- + +"Shame to the man who calls himself noble, and can behave in this manner +towards a helpless woman! Don Lope, this is a fearful deed, and, mark me +well, the time will come at last, the time of terrible retribution." + +The brow of Gomez Arias grew black as a storm, and every suggestion of +pity at once vanished. + +"Villain!" he cried, in a voice choaked with rage, "is it a base born +varlet like thee, that dare utter such threats to me! Moor--" he added, +turning to the renegade, "take this fellow into your charge, and see +that he does not return to Granada; I will reward thee well." + +The renegade gave a token of assent, and made a sign to his companions +to secure him. + +"And what right," said Roque, indignantly, "have you to sell me thus? I +am a free born man, and a true Christian." + +"Roque," replied Gomez Arias, somewhat more composedly, "I have often +warned thee that thy indiscretion would at length bring thee into +trouble and disgrace. Thy offence merits even a more exemplary +punishment, which I will spare in consideration of thy former services. +Away with him, Moors," he added, "and take him to the distant country +whither you are going, for here he may prove dangerous to me." + +"Aye," returned Bermudo, in a voice of import, "we will take him in +charge, for as you say, Don Lope, he may indeed be dangerous to you." + +These words, though nothing in themselves, were uttered with a +mysterious meaning that sounded ominous to Gomez Arias. He felt as +though a cloud was darkening over the ambitious prospects which had +seduced his mind and perverted his heart; the voice that spoke rung in +his ear like an awful warning of which he had some strange +recollection. Again he attempted to escape from the scene. One sudden +powerful effort, and he loosened himself from the grasp of Theodora: the +despairing girl fell to the ground, and raved aloud, and pronounced a +curse on her betrayer. Then in the furious impulse of madness, she +snatched at the dagger that glittered in the girdle of Cañeri, with the +determination of closing her wretched existence; but her deadly +intention was thwarted by the renegade, who arrested her arm in time to +prevent the fatal deed. + +Gomez Arias now sprung upon his horse, and Cañeri took the hand of +Theodora; but she furiously darted from him, and sought to fly after her +lover, who was speeding fast away. + +"Oh stay!" she continued, crying in a tone of agony; "Oh stay, Lope! +complete your work--in pity kill me. One crime more will not make you +unacceptable to her you love. Return! return! oh Lope, in the name of +heaven!--Not for me, but for the love of Leonor, do not leave me thus! +Oh Lope, do not leave me thus!" + +Gomez Arias, as he sped away, heard the piteous appeal dying faintly on +the wind, and he plunged the rowels into his courser's sides, to escape +the harrowing sensation which such accents produced. Soon the mournful +cries were lost in the distance, and the wretched Theodora, at length +exhausted and overpowered, fell senseless on the ground. The Moors +easily succeeded in bearing her away, while poor Roque, who followed +close, seemed, out of pity for her, to be reconciled to his own fate. + + +END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. III. + +_LONDON_: + +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. + +65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. + +1828. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Nul ne sut mieux que lui le grand art de séduire; + Nul sur ses passions n'eut jamais plus d'empire, + Et ne sut mieux cacher, sous des dehors trompeurs, + Des plus vastes desseins les sombres profondeurs. + + _Voltaire._ + + +The pathetic and heart-rending lamentations of Theodora rung ominous in +the ears of Gomez Arias long after he had ceased to hear them; but as he +drew near Granada, and beheld its stately edifices, ambition again +dazzled his imagination, and he welcomed the bright images which rose +before his view to dispel the gloomy tendency of his present thoughts. +The stately turrets of the Alhambra enlarging upon his sight, awakened +the most flattering ideas in his ardent mind. Proud of the regard with +which he was honored by his gracious sovereign, and truly estimating the +high connexion he was about to form, he naturally anticipated the most +brilliant and honorable career. The last lingering suggestion of +remorse, which told him of the cruelty and ingratitude by which he had +paved the way to his advancement, now grew less powerful, and +conscience, that terrible monitor of the human heart, hushed her +enfeebled voice, bribed by the rich prize offered for future silence. + +Don Lope secretly applauded the dexterity with which he had extricated +himself from all his dilemmas, and rejoiced at having parted with Roque, +who now could only be considered as a witness of his crime. By handing +him over to the custody of the Moors, he was safely rid of a troublesome +servant, whose frowardness in future he must have tolerated as the +reward of secrecy. Besides, there was a further probability that the +loquacious disposition and impertinent sallies of the valet, would +ultimately draw upon him the ill-humour of some sullen Moor, who, not +inclined to relish his jests, might pay with a few inches of a poniard +the freedom of his tongue. With regard to Theodora, Don Lope could +entertain no fear of her escape, being under the guardianship of one who +appeared to be a captive to her charms. Meantime his wedding with Leonor +would be celebrated, all his views accomplished, and then if a decree of +wayward fate interfered with his flourishing honors, he would already +have power to set aside the past, and to make his way clear for the +future. + +In this pleasing anticipation, Gomez Arias arrived at Granada, and +awaited impatiently for the auspicious morning that was to terminate his +fears, and crown his fondest desires. Early in the morning, therefore, +he flew to the mansion of the Aguilars without changing his dress, and +bearing in his appearance all the hurry and derangement of a hasty +journey. He found Don Alonso in the apartment of Leonor; but the welcome +he received from the object of his attachment was certainly not given +with the warmth of an affianced bride; nor did the countenance of +Aguilar betoken any very friendly reception. Don Lope felt this +coldness, but he perceived the urgency of sustaining his equality of +character, whatever might be the nature of the peril with which he was +threatened. Affecting, therefore, not to notice the unsocial cast of +their meeting, in a gay and lively tone addressed himself to Leonor-- + +"My dear Leonor," he said, "in my impatience to greet you, I may appear +guilty of a little indecorum," looking upon his dress; "but you will, +perhaps, on that plea pardon my presenting myself before you in a manner +so irregular." + +"Oh, Don Lope," answered Leonor with a sarcastic smile, "I can forgive +you any thing, for my nature has become of late so indulgent, that I +find I could pardon offences much graver than a mere breach of manners." + +"Your goodness I never doubted," replied Gomez Arias; "but methinks you +look rather uneasy; surely you are not indisposed?--the noble Don +Alonso too! Nay, has any thing occurred during my short absence to cause +your disquietude?" + +"Certainly," returned Leonor coldly, "nothing has happened that _ought_ +to cause disquietude. But, surely, Don Lope," she added sarcastically, +"your sudden departure, and the summons of our mutual friend Count de +Ureña, might have held us in some little anxiety. Moreover, other small +circumstances have contributed to cause a transient uneasiness." + +"But you must not," interposed Don Lope, "suffer yourselves to be +discomposed on account of our friend Ureña, for I am happy to say he was +considerably better when I left him." + +"Then," cried Aguilar, "it is as I suspected." + +And rising from his seat with an expression of dark displeasure, without +further ceremony he quitted the apartment. Gomez Arias was struck at +such strange behaviour; but soon recovering his surprise,-- + +"What means this, Leonor?" he said in an angry tone: "Why am I treated +thus?" + +"Don Lope," returned Leonor, "surely the malady of your friend has +somewhat affected your understanding. We can have no right to interfere +with the actions of my father, particularly as I have already told you +some accidents have occurred lately to ruffle his temper." + +"And what accidents are those, in the name of heaven?" + +"Are you really, then, so ignorant of the events which have taken place +since you were imperiously summoned to attend your friend?" + +"Perfectly ignorant," replied Don Lope. + +Leonor looked steadily in his face, and making a sign of impatience +which she was unable to restrain, proceeded-- + +"It is surprising that the Count has not informed you." + +"Of what?" interrupted Gomez Arias, astonished. "In the name of heaven, +explain yourself, Leonor." + +"Now, do you not think," continued she, in an affected banter, "it was +highly ridiculous in a man of so grave a deportment as the Count to play +such boyish tricks? Can you really believe that, shortly after your +departure, a message came from him, to announce his intention of +surprising you by his attendance at your wedding." + +"Certainly," replied Gomez Arias with visible marks of emotion, "the +Count's conduct is strange; what his intention has been I really cannot +conceive: but at all events, it ought in no manner to entail on me your +noble father's displeasure." + +"Why, Don Lope," said Leonor significantly, "you are not such a novice +in knowledge of the world, as to expect that a man's displeasure should +be strictly confined to the object by which it has been caused. Besides, +Don Alonzo has other reasons: our fair guest, who was so sacredly +beholden to him, is gone." + +"What fair guest?" demanded Gomez Arias, with feigned curiosity. + +"Did you never hear me speak of her?" + +"If I did, I really do not remember." + +"And what is become of Roque?" abruptly demanded Leonor: "he did not +attend you upon your departure yesterday, and search has been made after +him without effect. Is he ill?" + +"Why, to say the truth, his health is rather precarious," answered Don +Lope, "and he has so repeatedly been entreating me to allow him to +retire to Toledo, where I believe he has a brother or sister, that I was +at length obliged to consent to his wishes; which, in sooth, I did the +more willingly, as he was growing of late so careless and impertinent, +that his attendance became more troublesome than serviceable to me." + +"Why, Don Lope," returned Leonor, "you must have been strangely +surprised that he should wish to quit your service precisely on the eve +of your wedding day. Moreover, you will be still more amazed when I +inform you that it was this identical Roque that eloped with our guest +Theodora de Monteblanco." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Don Lope, affecting to be thunderstruck. + +"Repollo, our old gardener," continued Leonor, "saw them leave the +palace, and instigated by a feeling of curiosity, followed them at a +distance, as well as the speed of their pace would permit. He saw them +at length halt at the public walks, where another person awaited with +horses. But this is the most extraordinary part of the tale, for the +gardener said that the person who was so complaisantly attending upon +the fugitives, appeared so exactly to resemble you, Don Lope, that he +would swear to the identity, were he not certain that you set out in the +morning for the seat of Count de Ureña." + +Great as was at all times Don Lope's presence of mind, and prepared as +he seemed for all contingencies, this last intelligence somewhat +deranged his composure; a circumstance which did not escape the keen and +scrutinizing eyes of Leonor. + +"The insolent rascal," cried Gomez Arias after a pause: "It was for this +then that he appeared so anxious to quit my service; but I told you that +his behaviour had become of late most impertinent, and even arrogant. +The reason is now plainly discovered. But after all, your fair guest, as +you are pleased to call the lady-love of this unseemly knight, is most +to blame. What, in the name of Lucifer, could possess a woman of noble +family to elope with a base menial? Was she devoid of all shame? + +"I suppose so," replied Leonor: then, in an expressive tone, she added, +"But shame has been completely set aside in all the turnings of this +iniquitous affair." + +She fixed a significant look on Gomez Arias, whilst the astounded +cavalier, aware of the perilous nature of his situation, merely assented +to the truth of her observation. Leonor, eager to pursue her clue in +ascertaining how far Don Lope was implicated in the transaction, +continued,-- + +"But is it not surprising, Don Lope, that this groom of Roque should in +every respect so much resemble you?" + +"My dear Leonor," replied Gomez Arias, laughing loudly, and affecting +good humour, "it is certainly a sad misfortune to have so +unprepossessing a likeness, but we must submit with a good grace to that +which is out of our power to remedy. But I dare say the rascally groom +is not after all so perfect a resemblance of your devoted admirer as the +besotted gardener would make us believe; how could the old dotard +distinguish objects so well, at the distance he confesses, and at night? +It would seem more probable, by his prowling abroad at such an hour, +that a free potation of wine had so far acted upon his senses, that he +saw the marvellous story he has related, in a reverie whilst sleeping +under the friendly shelter of a ditch." + +"Nay, Sir," replied Leonor, "we have no reason to doubt the testimony of +an honest and faithful servant, who has no interest in the invention of +a tale to deceive his benefactor." + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "I will prolong the discussion no further +than to express my concern that you should bestow your affections on one +who has the ill-fortune to resemble a vulgar groom. But I hope this +circumstance will not abate the tender regard with which you have +condescended to honour one who lives but in your smiles." + +Here Gomez Arias attempted to pour forth the most ardent protestations +of unalterable attachment; but he was shortly interrupted by Leonor,-- + +"Nay, Don Lope," she cried, "spare yourself the trouble of uttering a +single word more, either to convince me of the sincerity of your love, +or in extenuation of your conduct, for I can very well imagine +before-hand what you would say." + +"That is no miracle," replied Gomez Arias, "your discernment is not too +hardly taxed to perceive the emotion which I scarcely wish to conceal, +and must of necessity easily imagine the expressions that such feelings +must dictate. But pardon, if in a day like the present, my passion +oversteps the bounds of common love; for the delirium of bliss that +possesses me cannot be manifested by the usual demonstrations of +cold-hearted mortals. A day that unites me to the most exalted, as well +as the most lovely, of her sex, is surely--" + +"Hold, Don Lope," gravely interrupted Leonor; "I will not now dwell upon +the respective merits of your passion--for I have a favor to ask, and it +is your time to grant a request which, perchance, may sound strangely to +your ear." + +"I need not say that the wishes of my charming Leonor can meet with no +opposition from me," politely answered Gomez Arias. + +"Yesterday," continued Leonor, "notwithstanding the fervour of your +love, you requested that the wedding should be deferred one day. Now, +you cannot deny me a similar favor, and I have particular reasons for +desiring that it may be further postponed for a month." + +"Heavens! what say you? A month! a whole month!" + +"Yes, Sir," cried Leonor with emotion, "a month--a year, if +circumstances require a further delay--'tis alike indifferent to me." + +Saying this she abruptly left the apartment, leaving Gomez Arias in +indescribable consternation. + +"I am ruined!" he cried after a pause: "the forced indifference which +Leonor has imposed upon herself during this interview, and the burst of +feeling that marked her departure, leave me no room to doubt that her +suspicions are excited. But shall I tamely submit to this reverse of +fortune, after the many and cruel measures I have been impelled to adopt +for the success of my designs? No, by heaven! I will not." + +He then remained sometime buried in a musing attitude, balancing in his +mind the most prudent course to pursue in so difficult a situation. + +"Boldness and indifference," he said at length, "alone can insure +safety. From Theodora and Roque, I have nothing to apprehend. I will +forthwith send instructions to Count de Ureña; nay, I will partially +open my heart to him, since his co-operation is now become indispensable +to the furtherance of my plans." + +After this, Gomez Arias sought another interview with Leonor, and with a +proud and offended demeanor, informed her that he was perfectly willing +to concede her request. Then, without waiting for an answer, he abruptly +left her presence. He next repaired to Aguilar, and bitterly complained +of the material change he had observed in him as well as in his daughter +Leonor. + +"If," he added, "you have reasons to impeach my integrity, speak aloud, +Don Alonso, and give me an opportunity of removing the foul slander. But +if it is a caprice, or a late repentance in her choice, that induces +your daughter to adopt this strange behaviour, let her speak +frankly--Gomez Arias is above the thought of constraining a woman's +inclinations--and she shall be at once released from all engagements." + +Don Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the generosity and manliness of +Gomez Arias, and gave credit to the apparent sincerity of his words. +The noble mind of Don Alonso could not conceive it possible that guilt +should assume so perfect a resemblance of candour. The disappearance of +Theodora, and the events which had attended her departure, were +certainly well calculated to awake a suspicion that Gomez Arias was +implicated in that affair; but as nothing positive could be adduced to +prove his participation, Aguilar did not feel inclined to proceed with +inconsiderate hastiness in an affair calculated materially to injure +Gomez Arias in the estimation of the world. Leonor was naturally more +irritated than her father at the least shadow of duplicity in the +conduct of her lover. Thus she had requested the wedding to be deferred +for a month, during which interval a proper investigation might be made. + +Gomez Arias did not lose time in calling all his abilities into +requisition, for his case was desperate, and it was necessary that the +remedies should partake of the same character. He continued his visits +to the Aguilars, but not with the same confidence as heretofore; and as +he witnessed the high degree of esteem in which Don Antonio de Leyva was +held, both by Don Alonso and his daughter, he affected to look on Leonor +with offended pride, while he bitterly insinuated that it was a growing +attachment for young de Leyva that had induced her to consider with +suspicion, and treat with coldness, the conduct of a sincere lover. + +Leonor, however, continued in the same frame of mind, insensible alike +to his expostulations and bitter sarcasms. Deeply had her pride been +offended, and deeply she had determined to resent the affront; nor could +her sagacity and penetration permit her incautiously to trust the soft +words and blandishments of a man whose notoriety in gallantry, she began +to suspect, did not originate in idle rumour. + +Meanwhile the irritated Don Lope spared no efforts to place his own +conduct in a favorable light, and endeavoured to cast the imputation of +caprice on that of the Aguilars. He complained constantly in terms of +acrimony of the ungrateful manner in which his affection had been +requited, and vowed vengeance against de Leyva, whom he accused of most +criminal and ungentlemanly duplicity. + +Contending feelings kept him in a continual turmoil, and he earnestly +wished for an opportunity that might divert both the court and himself +from a subject of which he was so disagreeably the hero. + +Fortune again favoured his desires, by bringing about an event as +terrible as it was altogether unexpected. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The battle is their pastime; they go forth + Gay in the morn as to the summer's sport: + When evening comes, the glory of the morn, + The youthful warrior, is a clod of clay. + + _Home._ + + +The streets and squares of Granada were thronged with a bustling and +confused crowd. Here groups were assembled talking earnestly, and +evincing all the signs of surprise and terror--there others were running +about as if the dreaded event was actually come to pass. A continual hum +was heard in every corner of the city; every tongue was eloquent in +telling, and happy was he who could obtain an attentive listener, where +all were eager to assume the part of orators. Indeed the cause of these +demonstrations was important: several expresses had arrived, announcing +the insurrection of the Sierra Bermeja, with the additional calamity +that the terrible El Feri de Benastepar, whom they all supposed to have +been slain, was not only safe and alive, but with the means of renewing +a desperate warfare, and actually possessed of a force sufficiently +strong to enable him to march upon Granada. + +The town of Alhaurin, and several villages in the vicinity of the Sierra +Bermeja were likewise in arms, and the rebellion seemed rapidly to +extend throughout the whole of the surrounding country. + +The rage of the Christians on receiving this intelligence was greatly +increased by the insolent carriage of their fellow-citizens of the +Mahomedan creed. Indeed, they evinced, in the triumph of their demeanor, +the workings of smothered hatred, that only waited an opportunity to +explode. Granada itself would have become a scene of tumult and +bloodshed, had not Count de Tendilla speedily resorted to measures of +precaution to insure public tranquillity. Various bands of veteran +soldiers patrolled the streets, where the confused murmur of discontent, +or the whispering group of sedition, was heard on all sides. + +The queen was highly incensed at this fresh instance of the refractory +and turbulent disposition of her new subjects. Her former edicts were +again proclaimed through the city, not only against the aiders and +abettors of the rebels, but even against such as should hold communion +with them, howsoever slight or incidental. + +The indignation of Alonso de Aguilar was strongly depicted on his noble +and manly features, when in the presence of the assembled court he +grasped the standard of the cross, and in a tone of resolution and +enthusiasm-- + +"By the holy sign on this banner," he cried, "and by all the honors of +my house, I swear not to return to Granada until this accursed rebellion +is rooted out, and the promoters brought to punishment. Ere this month +be past, El Feri de Benastepar, or Don Alonso de Aguilar, shall be +numbered with the dead." + +A shout of enthusiasm answered the noble sentiments of the warrior, +whilst the queen issued orders that the next day all disposable forces +should depart for the Sierra Bermeja, under the command of Aguilar, his +son, Count de Ureña and Don Antonio de Leyva. The troops of Jaen and all +Castile were likewise ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march +under the Alcayde de los Donceles and Count de Cifuentes. + +Gomez Arias seized with avidity the opportunity which fortune thus +offered him to signalize himself, and found stronger claims to the +esteem and regard of his sovereign, on whose features he had lately +observed a degree of coldness which little accorded with her former +cordiality. He did not regret his being excluded from the number of +chiefs under Aguilar, though his pride might feel a temporary wound. For +he considered that his reputation would not be materially increased +whilst acting in subordination to such a chief as Aguilar. His gigantic +fame would engross almost all the glory, and its splendour would +naturally throw into shade the lesser stars of his unequal rivals. He +rejoiced, therefore, that his exertions were unfettered by a superior, +and his ardent and ambitious mind soon worked out a plan of operations +against a quarter of the revolted territory which had been neglected in +the hasty dispositions already made. + +He now boldly sought the presence of the queen, and requested her +authority to embody a division to act under his command, a boon which +his reputation as a soldier fully justified him in demanding. Isabella, +to whom Don Lope's courtly manners and gallant bearing had always been +pleasing, was happy to afford him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, and the cloud that obscured her brow was soon dispelled by a +gracious smile as she wished him success in his expedition. Indeed, +justice required that the request of Gomez Arias should not be denied, +for while most of the Spanish chiefs, his brothers in arms, were about +to share the dangers and glory of so honorable a war, it would have been +utterly inconsistent that Don Lope, who ranked amongst the foremost in +courage, should remain in obscurity. + +Gomez Arias immediately made his arrangements with the usual ardour of +his character, stimulated by ambition and the desire of forcing upon +Leonor a conviction of his superior merits, by adding to his fame +without being indebted to the proud family of the Aguilars. He summoned +to his ranks all the friends over whom he possessed power, and the +retainers of various noble families with whom he was in alliance. But +these being volunteers, whom their zeal or hatred to the Moors had +instigated to take up arms, could not be put in a state to depart from +Granada with the regular army of Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +The troops of this noble veteran were prepared to march. Previously, +however, to their departure from the city, they piously bent their +steps towards the cathedral, where divine service was performed with +great pomp, to propitiate heaven in favour of its servants. The +archbishop delivered an eloquent oration inculcating on the Christians +their duty, and the glory of their enterprize; pointing out fame and +honour to the survivors--an eternal crown to those who should fall in +defence of their country and religion. The banners of the army were then +blessed, and the various divisions directed their march towards the +gates of Elvira, by which they were to leave the city. + +It was a clear and beautiful morning; no lowering cloud defaced the +serene brilliancy of the sky, and the sunbeams sporting on the polished +helmets and glittering trappings of the army, were reflected in a +thousand curious rays. + +The trumpets, clarions, and other martial instruments, poured their +brazen voices in wild and animating strains, while the shouts of the +multitude, assembled to behold the departure of the Christian soldiers, +floated promiscuously along the air. The walls of the city were +thronged with spectators, whilst others, more active or more interested, +followed the army down the Vega. It was a scene at once splendid and +interesting, to behold the army marching gallantly to the field, +followed by a multitude all unanimous in imploring the benedictions of +heaven on their brave countrymen. + +Amongst the dense crowd that gazed upon that martial array, what +passions were called forth--how many latent affections kindled--and what +sentiments of glory displayed! The magnificent pomp and the +spirit-stirring dignity of war, at the same time that it elevates the +soul to deeds of heroism, fails not to awaken in the breast a +corresponding sentiment of awe.--Alas! while the warrior, in all the +enthusiasm of courage and self-devotion, marches with eager strides to +the paths of victory, perhaps of death, how many tender hearts swell +high and beat fearfully for the dangers which they themselves cannot +perceive! + +Amongst that overpowering multitude might be discerned the venerable +father, a lingering spark of noble fire still lurking in his dim eyes, +and his withering frame receiving new energies as he gazed on the +military display. A sigh of regret escapes him, for the perilous and +glorious scenes in which his age forbids him to bear a part. His +out-stretched palms are clasped in fervent orisons to heaven, not for +the safety of his child, but that his conduct in the field may be worthy +of a man and a Spaniard. + +There was also the affectionate spouse contemplating the marching army +in silent sorrow; her eyes swimming in tears are intensely fixed on that +numerous mass of warlike spirits, where _one_, to her dearer than all +the world, was speeding from her side. On one arm some innocent, +perhaps, lay in sweet slumber, whilst another urchin, with years enough +to gaze with delight upon the glorious scene, evinces his pleasure at +the animating prospect, and with infantine exultation looks upwards to +his mother, wondering to see her bathed in sorrow, for to his +unconscious heart no cause is there for grief; and yet his tears flow +because his mother weeps. + +Farther, perhaps, more lonely, on some high turret, on some distant +eminence, striving to hide her sorrows from the eye of the world, is +seen the trembling virgin, whose pure heart has received the first +impression of love, and whose charmed ear has listened with fondness to +the soft tale of promised bliss. Now, with restless and agitated glance, +she surveys the numerous host in the vain hope of distinguishing the +dear object of all her tenderest affections, torn from her arms to +exchange her smile for scenes of bloodshed and desolation. Alas! how +numerous and various are the fears that agitate her gentle breast! She +may never more see him: he may sleep his last sleep on the field of +horror; or he may return triumphant but false to his vows, with a proud +heart, to scorn the love of her who mourned for his absence. + +But women, likewise, there might be seen more high-minded and more +heroic in their thoughts and feelings; some who, like Leonor de Aguilar, +offered their tears at the shrine of glory and patriotism, and who, +while they trembled for the life of the object of their affections, were +still more anxious for his honor; some, whose passion received a spark +of heavenly fire that elevated them above their kind, and who gloried in +the sight as they beheld their lovers marching onwards to fame and +victory. + +Such scenes, such sensations, with others which as powerfully affect the +heart, but which the pen would vainly attempt to portray, are generally +attendant on a departing army. Fear, perhaps, holds its dominion in the +breasts of the many and interesting beings who are left behind; but hope +steals gently forward, and gilds with its bright illusion the most +fearful anticipations. + +Meantime the soldier marches on gaily and reckless, and with a light +heart he takes his farewell of those whom he is, perhaps, doomed never +more to behold; and the tears that accompany his departure, tears of +sympathy and affection, will soon, alas! be changed for the bitter drops +of grief and despair. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + _Mer._ Ce sont là de mes moindres coups, + De petits souflets ordinaires. + + _Sos._ Si j'étois aussi prompt que vous, + Nous ferions de belles affaires. + + _Molière._ + + No nos rompas la cabeza + Hombre----Pero Ay Dios mio! + Pored un freno a mi lengua; + Y ojala que esta no fuese + La menor de mis flaquezas. + + _Cruz._ + + +"_Valga me el cielo!_" exclaimed Roque, "Oh Maria, oh Rufa! Oh Rufa, oh +Maria! nearly a week have I been with you, and yet I cannot, for the +soul of me, believe what I see. There must be witchcraft in this; to +find the old crony of my late mother, _que en paz descanse_![43] to find +Maria Rufa, whom I had supposed dead, and her soul dwelling with the +saints, amongst the rebels--amongst the Moors I mean, and herself a +Moor: well, nothing shall make me wonder for the future." + +Such were the words that our reader's friend Roque addressed to dame +Aboukar, as they were advancing toward the town of Alhaurin in a +cavalcade, of which they made a part. The venerable and sour spouse of +the ex-master of the household, was rather nettled at the valet's +impertinent freedom: he had been during the way most assiduous in +favouring her with the benefit of his remarks, which he happened to +convey with such an extraordinary licence of tongue, that the dame's +patience, which it is believed was not of the most enduring kind, at +last became completely exhausted. With much tartness and asperity, +therefore, in a discordant voice, she exclaimed, "Out upon thee, most +saucy and ungracious varlet; curb that licence of tongue, and learn to +behave in a proper manner to thy elders and betters." + +"Sweet dame," quoth the valet, "I do not by any means desire to dispute +that first quality; you are certainly my elder by some good thirty +years; but at the same time, most matronly and venerable Marien, I beg +leave to differ in opinion on the second part of your assertion." + +Then, as if afraid of being overheard, he muttered, in an under tone, "I +am a good Christian and ever was." + +This observation did not escape Marien Rufa, who heaved a deep sigh, and +cast on Roque a look of mingled shame and resentment. She felt sorely +the rebuke, but notwithstanding the valet's impertinence, the friendship +she had entertained for his mother induced her to consider him with some +degree of interest, and prevented her from discharging on him the whole +weight of her indignation. + +"Roque, Roque," she observed with sourness of aspect, "methinks you +ought not to be so enamoured of the sound of your own voice, for that +most unfortunate propensity to prating has brought you to the present +pass: remember that it was on account of your growing sententious, that +your master so unceremoniously dispensed with your services." + +"Well," pertly cried Roque, "I suffer for having spoken truth, and I +glory in what I have done. By all the saints, since I reflect on the +flagrant injustice of Don Lope's conduct, and am become a martyr to my +rectitude and compassion, I find that I am endowed with a degree of +courage and resolution of which I was far from imagining that I was +possessed. And now," he added, drawing near the dame, "now will you +condescend to favour me with the particulars of your apostacy from our +holy religion. What, in the name of infatuation, could entice you to +take a step so detrimental to the interests of your soul? _Virgen +Santa!_ once no one was to be found more assiduous at the ceremonies of +our religion; you were in very troth the most devout _beata_[44] of the +whole parish, and now here's a change, in the name of _Satanas_! Oh, +Maria Rufa, you have surely been bewitched." + +"Alas!" cried the crone, ludicrously rolling her eyes in attempting the +pathetic, "you say right, Roque; I was verily bewitched." + +"_Santa Barbara!_" exclaimed Roque crossing himself, "and by whom were +you bewitched?" + +"By that most powerful tyrant." + +"What tyrant?" demanded Roque, drawing closer, and casting a suspicious +glance around. "What tyrant, Rufa?" + +"Guess, Roque, and spare my confusion." + +"Spare my guessing," returned the valet, "and with respect to your +confusion, I dare say it will not overwhelm you. Now, tell me the name +of the terrible tyrant." + +"Love," replied Marien Rufa, affecting much disorder. + +Roque forthwith burst into an immoderate fit of laughter that startled +the cavalcade. + +"Love! the Lord defend us!--how could such a guest enter so homely an +habitation! Love! here's a pretty object for Cupid to exercise his +pranks upon. Now, I do verily believe there is witchcraft in the tender +passion. _Miserere! Miserere!_ and who was the happy mortal attracted by +your matured charms?--whence came the man blessed with the good taste +necessary to set a just value on your miraculous attractions? That most +beautiful elongated chin--that capacious mouth--those lack-lustre eyes, +and shrivelled complexion--that most polite and well-educated nose, +which is continually bowing to the neighbouring chin; in fine, those +long shaggy tresses of hair, which, if we must judge by their +consistency, bespeak thee endowed with the strength of Sampson." + +Scarcely had Roque made a stop in his harangue, in order to take breath, +than Marien Rufa, exasperated beyond bearing at the caricature he was +drawing, with a wonderful alacrity lifted her clenched hand, and dealt +the facetious valet such a tremendous blow on the ear, that he fell +stunned from the donkey which he bestrode, and lighted on the ground +with such violence that the whole place rung with the noise. + +"There," cried the hag, "there's a convincing proof that my hair has not +imposed on your credulity with regard to my strength." + +Roque was completely reclaimed from his waggishness by the unexpected +visitation of the Sampsonic fist, and for some time utterly forgot the +use of his tongue. The notice of the whole cavalcade was attracted by +the mishap of the luckless valet, and the energetic exclamation of dame +Aboukar. The Moors that served as escort were seized with a fit of +wondering mirth, and even the renegade, who was the chief of the party, +spite of his habitual sternness, relaxed his rigid features into +something like a smile. The tenant of a litter that was carried in +advance likewise stopped to inquire into the reason of the commotion. + +"Roque, what is the matter," demanded Theodora (for she was indeed that +lady), when she perceived the valet rising from the ground in the +greatest confusion. + +"Nothing, my lady:" answered Roque, wofully; "the Lord defend us, but +we have in our party a devil incarnate, under the semblance of a woman. +Good heavens! here's such a concert ringing in the side of my head--such +a hissing and whizzing never did I hear. O, Maria Rufa!" he then +proceeded, in a humble tone, "what a flame you have imparted to my poor +face! If it is a sample of your amorous fires, I am amazed you are not +actually reduced to cinders!" + +"That will teach you," said Maria Rufa, pacified, "to put a proper +restraint on your froward tongue." + +Roque for some time after kept a profound silence, for though he +affected to treat the matter with jocose indifference, yet he was in no +manner satisfied with the mirth and merry sayings which his adventure +had occasioned. At length, however, his curiosity prevailed, and almost +forgetting his recent disgrace, he again in a friendly manner accosted +the Amazon. + +"Now, Rufa," he said, "I hope you entertain no rancour against me for +what has passed?" + +"By no means, good Roque," answered the hag grinning, "I am perfectly +satisfied, and I hope you are the same." + +"Quite," returned the valet, "quite; so let us say no more about it, but +rather tell me, if no ways disagreeable, the origin, progress, and final +results of your passion." + +"Alas! Roque," replied the old sybil, "it was unfortunate in its +results." + +And she heaved a profound sigh, whilst Roque, in most sympathetic +unison, uttered a dismal groan. + +"Console yourself," he said, "with the reflection that your case is +pretty general in this sinful world. But what is the name of the amiable +barbarian, the sweet monster, the bewitching, yet cruel oppressor, that +excited the tender sentiments of your virgin heart, and turned you from +the true faith." + +"What! you are yet unacquainted with my husband?" + +"Husband!" ejaculated Roque, "so there was a husband in the case! Oh, +then I am not surprised." + +"He treats me like a brute, as he is." + +"Indeed! that is astonishing," cried Roque, "wonderfully astonishing, +considering the means you have in your power of enforcing proper +behaviour on the unruly. And pray what is the name of your brute?" + +"You might have perceived it before: it is Aboukar." + +"Aboukar!" exclaimed Roque; "Now, indeed, my wonder ceases--Aboukar! Oh +the sweet creature! with his pretty lobster eyes, and most awful and +portentous proboscis, which seems for all the world like a fine ripe +tomato displayed on a copper platter." + +But here Roque thought it prudent to make a retrograde motion, as he +looked at the masculine arm of the dame, and remembered the little +relish she had evinced for his talent of drawing portraits, and the +manner in which she remunerated the artist. + +"So Aboukar is your husband!" + +"Alas! yes," answered the ancient, "we have been married now these five +years." + +"_Valgame San Roque!_" cried his namesake. "What a dull dog have I +been!--five years married--certainly I ought to have discovered that +long ago by his treatment." + +"Treatment!" re-echoed Marien Rufa, a little incensed, "What treatment?" + +"Oh! I mean no harm," replied Roque, "conjugal treatment, that is all." + +"Roque," resumed the crone, modulating her croaking voice to something +like a human sound, "Roque!" and she suddenly stopt, and looked the +valet steadfastly in the face. "Well?" said Roque, surprised at the +pomposity of her manner. + +"Roque, my child, are you a kind and compassionate soul--a thorough good +Christian?" + +"A very good Christian," responded Roque, "though a humble sinner. But +methinks such a question comes with ill grace from the mouth of a +renegade." + +"I will confide in thee, Roque," returned Marien Rufa, "I am an +unfortunate woman, and alas! might I hope that my repentance were not +too late? Roque, thinkest thou that there is truly a hell as terrible as +it is depicted?" + +"Worse, worse, a thousand times worse," replied Roque. "All the torments +which you may have suffered in the company of---- But do you allow me to +abuse your husband safely?" + +"As much as you please," answered the gentle spouse. + +"Well," resumed Roque, "all the torments which that most abominable, +ugly scarecrow of a rascally unbeliever has made you endure, are nothing +in comparison to the tortures you are doomed to suffer when you are +compelled to leave that miserable carcase, and that time you must be +aware cannot be far off. Then consider what a life you will lead in +those dark regions, where, by the bye, you will be eternally tormented +with the sight and company of your ungracious consort." + +"I am sensible of my errors, but if I have sought your confidence, it +was with the view of exciting your compassion, not your reproaches." + +But Roque had insensibly got into a very oratorical mood, and, without +heeding the hag's remonstrances, proceeded:-- + +"Now, Rufa, consider for a moment, who but the devil could tempt a +matron full half a century old, without a sound tooth in her head, the +head itself being unsound, to look kindly on the most perfect sample of +ugliness, and a ruffian Moor to boot: this is enough to make you despair +of salvation--But no, the blessed Virgin forbid! I think, and charitably +hope, that by a vigorous course of penance, and wholesome castigation, +properly and soundly administered, by a frequent use of discipline, +constant fasts, devout prayer, donations to the poor, of whom I am one, +and the like pious exercises, I really think your sinful soul may be +snatched from the perdition to which it has been brought by that +infernal Aboukar, your most confounded lord and master; therefore--" + +"Roque," interrupted ruefully Marien Rufa, "whether you are in right +earnest or only playing the fool with me, I cannot determine; but my +situation is such as to deserve the pity of every good Christian." + +Roque had, indeed, a peculiar inclination to a ludicrous banter, even +when dwelling on the gravest subjects, which might put on his guard a +person of quicker intellects than the dame of Aboukar. + +"Rufa," he said, "pardon me if, in my admonitions, I cannot impart to +your troubled spirit that unction which becomes the important subject +that dictates them. Now, provided you will tell me the manner in which +you intend to proceed, perhaps I may be able to help you with my good +advice." + +"Well, child," replied Marien Rufa, "I wish heartily to be reconciled to +the church, and for this purpose we must contrive to fly from these +accursed Moors." + +"Very well," replied Roque, "so, you are resolved to abandon your +matrimonial misery?" + +"Oh, yes, Roque," retorted Rufa, "my conversion is very sincere; I have +so many motives to quit the wretch. Oh, he is indeed a barbarian! +Think, Roque, such a sweet partner as I have been to him, and now to +neglect me for a little Moorish hussey not worth a _maravedi_. Oh, the +faithless Aboukar--the wicked man! Yes, Roque, I wish as soon as +possible to be reconciled to the church." + +Roque, though far from being a deep divine, could not but significantly +shake his head, when he perceived the motives that brought about the +conversion of the apostate love-smitten dame. However, the idea of +flying from the Moors very much tickled his fancy, and he was determined +to adopt the step, provided it could be carried into effect without any +great risk to his precious person, and that his mistress Theodora should +be a partner in the flight. + +Thus he was indulging in the most agreeable reverie, when his fair +penitent disturbed him by uttering a most discordant sound, which the +valet soon perceived to be a failure in the imitation of a groan. The +eyes of the hag exhibited terrible signs of displeasure, as she turned +round to some object that called her attention, while writhing her +uncouth features into a most diabolical grimace. She thundered out an +oath which made Roque invoke _Santa Maria_; but he was not a little +scandalized when he discovered that the occasion of the hag's +indignation was her frolicsome husband, who, without the least regard to +her presence, was carrying on, in the presence of his wife, a little +coquetry with a Moorish girl. + +"There," cried the ill-treated spouse, "there is a traitor--how I could +belabour the barbarian, and pluck that vile creature's eyes out! Oh, +Roque! I have been a sad sinner, and I fervently desire to be reconciled +to the church." + +"Well, well," said Roque, "but first tell me on what foundation do you +build hopes of an escape. We are, that is my mistress and myself, so +narrowly watched, that it will be no easy task to evade the vigilance of +our guards. It is true that by the interference of the renegade I am +allowed a free access to Theodora, and the lady herself is treated with +much courtesy; but at the same time I have observed that some cursed +Moor or other is constantly watching our motions. Moreover, good dame, I +must undeceive you, should you have relied on my courage for some +desperate plan. I will not fight a single Moor. My humility will not +permit me to exercise a business for which I consider myself utterly +unfit, both for want of practice and natural inclination." + +"No, child," replied the crone with a sneer, "I was never foolish enough +to place any great hopes on your bravery; but I trust we shall find +means to forward our plans without such assistance. To me," she then +added, "all the secrets of the Moors are known, for they consider me too +much interested in their cause to doubt my fidelity. Don Alonso de +Aguilar is rapidly advancing against El Feri and should he succeed in +his expedition against _Sierra Bermeja_, as it is more than probable he +will, Cañeri, Mohabed, and the other chiefs will not be able to +withstand the forces which are already sent against them. We must take +advantage of the confusion to escape, lest they should carry us with +them to Africa." + +"_Cuerpo de Cristo!_" cried Roque, "and is that all your wise head can +devise? Well, I hope you are not overpowered after such an effort of +imagination; but really I cannot give you credit for the contrivance." + +They were now entering Alhaurin, where Cañeri had preceded them two or +three days before, and they halted at the entrance of a large mansion, +which appeared, by the guards patrolling in front, to be the abode of +the chief. Meantime the renegade helped Theodora out of her conveyance, +and led her to the apartments allotted to her use. She was no longer a +prey to the frenzied passions that had so long stormed her breast. The +keen intensity of affliction, insulted and indignant pride, were now +lost in the gloomy resignation and cold apathy to which they had given +place. The severe trials she had undergone had impaired the beauties of +her person, and poisoned her warm and generous feelings, but still +Theodora was lovely and interesting. She had lost the brilliant beauty +of a girl blooming with youth and happiness, but she had acquired the +chaste graces and loveliness of sorrow. Alas! even in those sad +memorials of fading beauty, enough yet remained to make her an object of +interest, and keep alive the passion which Cañeri had conceived. The +load of grief and despair which had weighed her down at the last proof +of her lover's treachery, was succeeded by a mood of deadened +resignation. This calm, however, appeared presageful of some dire +intent, and accordingly, for the first two or three days, she had not +been left a moment alone, and every instrument of death had been +carefully removed from her reach. The attentive services of Roque partly +reconciled her to her dreadful situation; for it is consoling, even in +the lowest depths of affliction, to meet with _one_ sympathising being, +however humble his station, however weak and limited his means to +afford comfort and redress. In the midst of her barbarous enemies, she +was permitted the attendance of a Christian, and this circumstance, +trifling as it was, imparted some solace to her oppressed spirit. +Besides, Cañeri had abstained from importuning her with his loathsome +protestations of love. This forbearance of the Moor arose from the +renegade having stipulated, that in engaging the affections of Theodora, +he should resort to no violence in her present sorrowful condition. + +Thus Cañeri had limited his addresses to a bare manifestation of +respectful regard, foreign indeed to his nature, and borrowed only from +the necessity of acquiescing with the wishes of the renegade, who had +boldly declared he would oppose any violence employed against Theodora. +This favorable disposition of the renegade was a source of astonishment +to the object of his solicitude, for she could not forget that he had +been the principal agent in the completion of her misery. Did Bermudo +intend by these seeming kind offices to secure the prey to himself? or +was it really a sentiment of pity that impelled him to the +manifestation of this solicitude? Could heavenly pity dwell in that +darksome abode, where the most fiendish passions kept a constant +habitation? How were such opposite guests to be reconciled? + +These surmises kept the mind of Theodora in a state of continual +excitement, but as day after day passed, and the renegade, instead of +exhibiting the least mark of enamoured sentiments, seemed to grow more +respectful in his attention, those doubts began to wear away, and +Theodora concluded that some mystery enveloped his proceedings, which +she was unable to unravel, and which time alone could clear up. + +In pursuance of the injunctions of El Feri, his brother chief, Cañeri, +had established his head quarters at Alhaurin, where his party was daily +increasing by the Moors who came to join his standard. Cañeri himself +had arrived three days before, having left to the renegade the charge of +Theodora, who could not be supposed to travel with equal expedition. + +Bermudo, therefore, with a few resolute Moors of his band, and the other +personages of whom mention has been made in the former part of this +chapter, constituted the cavalcade that now entered the busy and +thronged streets of Alhaurin, where the ferment occasioned by fresh and +numerous arrivals, plainly manifested the rapid progress of the +insurrection. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Some good I mean to do, + Despight of my own nature. + + _Shakespeare_. + + _Ser._ No hay quien socorra, quien valga + A una muger infelice? + + _Fel._ Si, que decir muger basta, + Quando infeliz no dixera. + + _Calderon_. + + +The air of dignity and importance which Cañeri had resumed with his +change of fortune, was displayed to an extent that might render him +extravagantly ridiculous in the judgment of any sober individual. He +already considered himself a sovereign firmly established on his throne, +and he took no precaution to disguise the impulses of his over-bearing +vanity and despotic character. Thus, while he was apparently serving +the cause of independence, he afforded an opportunity to his enemies of +truly estimating the purity of his intentions. + +Cañeri paid a visit to Theodora immediately upon her arrival; but, +according to the agreement with the renegade, he limited his attentions +to the mere phrases of gallantry and courtly good nature. This +ostentatious shew of civility, however, did not arise from a generous +disposition, but merely constrained necessity. The renegade was +continually present to his thoughts, and though his superior in command +he was forced involuntarily to yield that tribute of respect, which +resolution and courage are sure to exact from the feeble, however humble +the situation in which their possessor may be placed. Besides this, +though his passion for the fair Christian had not abated, his heart was +now too much engrossed with objects highly gratifying to his vanity and +pride, to suffer the charms of a captive to rule there with undisputed +and despotic sway. His visits, therefore, were short, and he soon left +Theodora to the undisturbed possession of her own thoughts. She no +longer exhibited those signs of exquisite anguish or passionate +delirium. Keen and protracted suffering had rendered her in some measure +callous to the stings of sorrow. Musing melancholy and listlessness as +to her fate disputed alternately the possession of that heart, once so +fruitful in every tender feeling, in all the genuine virtues of female +loveliness and merit. But, alas! the situation of the unhappy Theodora +was, indeed, more distressing than heretofore. Hope now no longer +illumined her heart; amidst the darkness which had over-clouded her +imagination, no cheering light shone upon her path to lead her from +misery. But the dereliction of hope is not the worst enemy of virtuous +woman. No, it is the loss of salutary fear, and Theodora was nearly +sinking into that lamentable state of indifference which generally +succeeds the extinction of youthful hope and affection. Every thing +seemed to conspire against Theodora. The secluded and retired nature of +her education, and the tenderness of her age deprived her of those +auxiliaries to combat her present state, which a woman of greater +knowledge of the world, and more advanced in years, would gather from +these very circumstances. + +Roque had, by order of Cañeri, a free access to Theodora, and he took +special care frequently to profit by the permission granted. This was +some solace for the unfortunate girl; the interviews with the valet +diverted her thoughts by the lively, though ludicrous, pictures which he +drew of their future release from their present thraldom. The very night +of their arrival at Alhaurin, Roque was giving to his mistress a +circumstantial account of his conversation with Marien Rufa, when the +door of the apartment swung open, and the renegade boldly entered +without any previous announcement. His sudden appearance caused the +greatest perturbation and alarm, both to Roque and his mistress. The +unseasonable hour of the visit, and the interest evinced by the renegade +towards Theodora, were naturally indicative of some sinister intention. +Theodora, however, recovering from her first surprise, involuntarily +drew back as Bermudo advanced. Meanwhile Roque was at a loss what to +think or to do; the flutter of his whole person plainly indicated how +ill at ease he was with himself. He looked at his mistress, and +perceiving her emotion, felt more afraid, though on what account he was +perfectly unconscious. But Roque was not long suffered to remain in +uncertainty with respect to his own feelings. Bermudo, with a most +haughty demeanor, made a sign to the valet to quit the place, and as +Roque deliberated between regard for his mistress and dread for his own +dear self, the renegade, to bring about a final determination, laid his +hand on his weapon, an argument which completely set at rest the valet's +doubts, and convinced him of the necessity of a speedy retreat. + +Theodora perceiving how easily Bermudo had succeeded in convincing +Roque, and knowing the obsequious manner in which the valet acted when +such sort of conviction was forced upon him, deeply felt the danger of +her situation, if abandoned by the only being who might interest himself +in her fate. + +"Oh! Roque, do not leave me," she pathetically exclaimed; "stay--I +cannot remain alone with this dark, this terrible man." + +Roque cast a melancholy look on his mistress; her piteous appeal went to +his heart, but a terrible glance from the renegade seemed to make still +stronger impression, for he quickly resumed his retrograde motion. + +"He must be gone," said Bermudo resolutely, waving his hand in a most +expressive manner, which considerably tended to expedite the valet's +exit. + +He retired, therefore, and Theodora no sooner found herself deprived of +this last frail protection, than with an assumption of fierce dignity:-- + +"Renegade!" she cried, "what means this intrusion? Were then all thy +former marks of regard but the insidious means to cover the real +intentions of a miscreant heart? Away!--begone!--I will alarm the +place,--yes, I will call on the protection of Cañeri himself, for odious +as he is to my eyes, I can never look upon him with the same degree of +abhorrence and contempt as I do on a renegade to his faith, a traitor to +his country, and the vile minister to a despot's pleasures." + +Bermudo heard these bold and severe rebukes without attempting an +interruption. Calm and unmoved he suffered the first ebullition of +resentment to evaporate, and for some time deigned to make no other +reply than a bitter smile of disdain. + +At length he broke that dismal pause, and in a slow and deep toned +voice:-- + +"Woman," he said, "thy taunts I will not resent, for partly they are +just, and the rest I excuse in consideration of thy forlorn state, and +the many sufferings thou hast undergone." + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, with a sad smile, "It well becomes you to condole +for misfortunes to which you have so largely contributed;--approach me +not--begone--I cannot trust a traitor; there is guile and malice in the +very proffer of thy kindness;--hence,--or----" + +"Hush, lady," interposed the renegade, with indignant pride, "you surely +mistake my character. Threats and fears are strangers to this heart. +Nay, when it is in some weak moments attuned to virtue, a threat, a +solitary threat would banish hence the heavenly inspiration, and the +fiend again triumph in its natural dwelling. Therefore, lady, threat me +not, for the man is inaccessible to fear, who, like myself, is a beggar +in happiness. Rest, lady, rest, and do not by an imprudent act, neglect +the opportunity which fortune affords you of escaping the fate with +which you are threatened." + +There was an air of sullen yet dignified composure on the renegade, as +he delivered these words, and Theodora, in spite of her apprehension, +was for some time rivetted to the spot, waiting the disclosures of the +fearful man. + +"I do not pretend," he proceeded, "to command your implicit confidence; +I only counsel you to rely on your own judgment and discretion. My +character you have drawn in colours dark and glowing, but, perhaps, too +true. Yet I must correct an erroneous impression under which you labour; +'tis true I am an apostate--a traitor--and if in the catalogue of +accursed crimes, there is a name still more horrid and abhorred, I claim +it; but to be subservient to the pleasure of a despot--no, no, you must +know me better. No," he added with warmth, "my deeds have been dark, but +not dastardly or contemptible; I have drunk deep the cup of crime--yes, +I have quaffed it with avidity, but my palate has always been nice +enough to scorn the dregs. Had any other than a woman dared to give +utterance to the base thought, ere this he would have added one more to +the list of those who have fallen by this arm. You are a woman, and a +woman in distress; the only consideration that could have restrained my +indignation for such an insult." + +"What then wouldst thou with me?" demanded Theodora, somewhat reassured +by his words and manner. + +"To befriend you, not to harm you, for I war not with women; the +solitary being that showed the feelings of humanity towards Bermudo +belonged to womankind, and the recollection of her virtues and her love +for me, would secure her whole sex from the effects of my wrath." + +Theodora was struck with this asseveration. She could not reconcile +these symptoms of feeling with his previous acts, and his acknowledged +character for crime. + +"Theodora," resumed the renegade, and his austerity of tone and manner +seemed momentarily to acquire a tint of softness uncongenial with his +habitual nature; "Theodora, I am a man of guilt; yea, one who plays his +part in this detested world without a feeling of remorse--but I cannot +harm a woman--and you less than any other of your sex. _She_, like you, +was innocent and beautiful--like you, unfortunate--like _you_," he +added, with agitation, "like you, the victim of Gomez Arias." + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "what mystery is this? Oh, speak! I am +already but too low sunk in misery, and yet I fain would learn the full +measure of the crimes of him who has undone me." + +"It would be a difficult," replied the renegade, "an endless task, to +satisfy your desire; but you may, perhaps, from your own experience, +draw a just inference of his conduct to others. Beauty, innocence, and +youth, and unlimited affection, could not save you from his barbarous +acts; the rule has been the same for those who like you had charms to +captivate his attention, and an unsuspicious, a genuine heart to inhale +the poison of his persuasive tongue. But still the fate of poor Anselma +surpassed in horror her many rivals in misfortune." + +"He loved her once," said Theodora despondingly, "and then forsook her, +like me." + +"He loved her," darkly returned Bermudo, "with the affection of one, who +centres his whole bliss only in the enjoyment of his selfish and +degenerate passion. But she spurned him; stratagem and force prevailed. +Madness--despair--must I say it? death ensued. Enough--the circumstances +of the horrid tale 'tis needless to relate: I have said thus much to +convince you of the impossibility of my harming a woman whose fate bears +so strong a resemblance to that of my own unfortunate Anselma. Dispel +then your apprehensions, and look upon me _now_ not as a foe, but as +your sole friend and protector." + +Theodora gazed on the renegade with mute amazement; the professions of +her lover, and his base desertion, had taught her mistrust: her heart +was no longer ready to believe any pleasing tale, to welcome every +protestation of regard. It was by trusting too implicitly to her +feelings that her ruin had been accomplished, and even in her present +abandonment she considered those feelings as premeditating another +treason. Yet, when she beheld the composure of the renegade, when she +recalled to mind that not even a word had escaped him that could be +distrusted, she was persuaded to listen to his proposals, if not totally +to abide their results. The renegade perceived the state of her mind, +and hastened to hush the whispers of suspicion. + +"Think you," said he with firmness, "think you that I deceive +you?--abandon such a thought; for learn that should I be tempted to harm +you, the only object of my life would be blasted; trust then my +interest, if you cannot trust my honor. I came to render you a service, +which must be reciprocal. Nay, start not; you may well marvel what +affinity there can be between an unfortunate and helpless female, and an +outcast like myself; yet this seeming anomaly exists--we are drawn +together by the most powerful ties that can bind one fellow-creature to +another: for we are linked by those of misfortune, and misfortune +wrought by the same individual." + +"And yet," cried Theodora, "despite of your enmity to the barbarous, +unfeeling man, you strenuously seconded his plans; had you not aided +him, I should not have been here." + +"Perhaps not," replied the renegade, preserving an unalterable +composure; "but where would you have been? Have you reflected well on +your helpless situation, and the character of the foul betrayer. Ah! +call to your memory the last scene of his desertion, and judge by his +behaviour then, of what he might have been capable, in order to remove +from his path the unfortunate obstacle that impeded his ambitious and +criminal career." + +"The monster was capable of all!" exclaimed Theodora, with dreadful +agitation; for the recital of her lover's perfidy rudely awoke all the +dormant feelings of the heart. + +"I have saved you from his infernal machinations;" said the renegade. +"My conduct to you then appeared barbarous, but my subsequent behaviour +must have effaced from your mind those unfavorable impressions. If not, +the time is come for you to learn, and me to disclose, the motives by +which all my words and actions have been directed. Theodora," he then +added, in a firm but soothing tone, "my proceedings have been to you +mysterious; the mystery here ends--I have procured liberty, home, +happiness for you--revenge for myself." + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "explain, what mean you?" + +"I mean the truth. Be cautious and confident, and not many days shall +pass ere you flee from the company of men whom you abhor, and I despise. +Ere long you shall return to your deserted home, and enjoy the +consolation which a father can confer--a happiness which they say is +great.--I never knew it." + +"Can this be real?" exclaimed Theodora, with a scream of surprise and +joy. "Oh, Alagraf, are you then so generous?" and unable to restrain the +swelling emotion of her grateful heart, she fell at his feet. + +"Rise, lady, rise," vehemently cried the renegade, "that posture ill +becomes you. I cannot sustain the sight. Poor, helpless, innocent +sufferer," he then said in a pathetic tone, which in spite of his +sternness, he could not suppress. "Poor, poor, forlorn girl--it was thus +she begged and supplicated, but he denied her." He suddenly recollected +himself, and with an abrupt motion he raised the weeping Theodora from +the ground. + +"Rise; for by all the powers of darkness, to see you thus more fiercely +burns my brain, and my frenzied madness becomes more ungovernable. +Woman, I am not generous, I am only just, though some cold mortals might +denominate my justice selfish cruelty. But I care not for man or his +opinions." + +He paused for a moment, and then proceeded in a calmer tone:-- + +"Theodora, you are now acquainted with my intentions. I only grieve they +cannot be put in execution with the promptitude that I desire.--But I +must go hence immediately--I must keep up the hellish character which I +have assumed, and I am sent to act in conjunction with El Feri; my +absence shall be as short as I can make it, and in the mean time fear +not any violence from Cañeri. In that quarter you are secure; for the +petty despot knows that his death would be the consequence of such a +step. And now, lady, keep strict silence on my important disclosures. +Roque is faithfully devoted to your service, but much is to be +apprehended from his imprudent loquacity, should he be made acquainted +with the secret before the time of action. He and any other you wish to +point out shall be our attendants. Remember my injunctions. Be +comforted, but do not exhibit symptoms of sudden and extraordinary joy, +lest you awaken the suspicions of Cañeri; for he is possessed of all the +cunning and mistrust which generally fall to the share of a coward heart +blended with a despotic mind. Till we meet--adieu! I call for no +blessing on your head,--for I can only curse." + +He said, and suddenly withdrew. + +Theodora for some time was scarcely able to collect her thoughts; the +renegade had again revived her drooping spirits, and she ventured to +hope once more. She resolved implicitly to follow his instructions, in +the anxious expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present +miserable and perilous condition. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Un farouche silence, enfant de la fureur, + A ces bruyants éclats succède avec horreur. + D'un bras déterminé, d'un oeil brulant de rage, + Parmi ses ennemis chacun s'ouvre un passage. + + _La Henriade._ + + Now yield thee, or by him who made + The world! thy heart-blood dyes my blade.-- + Thy threats, thy mercy I despise, + Let recreant yield, who fears to die.-- + + _Sir Walter Scott._ + + +The shadows of evening were falling round when Alonso de Aguilar and his +gallant army arrived at the plain that skirts the mountain of the Sierra +Bermeja. The rebels, with El Feri de Benastepar at their head, who had +already been worsted in the plain, had resolved not to hazard another +battle, but to keep possession of the mountains, confident of the +advantages of their position. El Feri, therefore, having secured all the +heights and passes of the Sierra, beheld with inward satisfaction the +approach of the enemy; indeed, his situation could not be improved; +nature had fashioned an impregnable fortress in the whole circumference +of that huge mountain; large masses of rock frowned at intervals around +the summit and extended down the sides, and the hollows were filled up +with large clumps of trees, the growth of ages. There was only one path +by which an ascent appeared practicable, narrow, steep and tortuous, and +this perilous pass from the nature of its position might be defended by +a handful of brave men; numerous small ravines were likewise observable, +by which a laborious and difficult ascent might be attempted, although +they were almost choaked with different impediments, being the beds of +the torrents which at times poured their headlong course down the sides +of the mountain. + +The Christians beheld with dread the formidable array which the Sierra +presented. The Moors from the adjacent country had flocked to the +standard of El Feri, confiding in the prosperous turn which their +enterprise was likely to take; they manifested both their hopes and +defiance by a prolonged succession of shouts and barbaric yells, which, +in lengthened and fearful clamour, were reverberated through the rocky +passes and solitary caverns of those mountains. + +Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the advantages which the rebels +derived from their position, and the attempt to ascend the mountain, +crowned as it was with desperate men, might be considered more a deed of +madness than an act of true courage; but again he thought of the evil +which procrastinated measures often produce in a war of this nature--the +longer he delayed the attack the greater the number of enemies he should +have to encounter, and if the spark of revolt were not immediately +extinguished, the whole province would soon blaze out in open rebellion. +Most alarming symptoms of the refractory spirit of the inhabitants had +already been manifested during the progress of the army from Granada, +and Aguilar well knew that the difficulties he had now to surmount, +would increase tenfold each day that he suffered to pass without risking +a battle. + +Thus, although aware of the desperate character of his undertaking, he +nevertheless resolved to engage the Moors in defiance of their superior +advantages, relying with the most unlimited confidence on the +enthusiastic valour of his veteran troops, whose hatred to the Moors was +proverbial, and whose bravery and military conduct he had tried on many +a well-fought field. + +Under this impression, Don Alonso had summoned Count Ureña, and other +principal chiefs, to communicate to them his determination. + +"Perhaps you will think," he said, "that the resolution I have formed is +desperate, but there is no middle course to choose; we must either +return inglorious to our homes, or attack the rebels in their strong +hold. An assault must be immediately attempted. Our soldiers burn with +impatience to meet those rebellious and ungrateful Moors. It is on the +confidence of their love to their country, and hatred to their foes, +that I found my expectations. However, we will wait until night has +closed; darkness will be more favorable to us in the passive warfare +which for some time we shall be obliged to carry on. The shafts of our +enemies cannot thus be aimed with such fatal certainty. And now, my +brave companions, to your posts, and I hope that when next we meet it +will be amidst the shouts of victory." + +Aguilar divided his army into three parts, the right wing of which he +entrusted to the command of Count de Ureña, the left to Don de Antonio +Leyva, whilst he, with his gallant son Don Pedro, determined to lead on +the centre to the charge by the more direct ascent, where the chief +force of the Moors was judiciously placed. + +These three bodies were again sub-divided, as a large mass would afford +a conspicuous object against which the efforts of the enemy might be +more successfully directed. Thus the different commanders having +received their instructions, and the signal being given, various +columns advanced towards the mountains from their several points of +attack, whilst the war-cry, _Santiago y Cierra España_, was echoed from +one to another with inspiring courage and animated enthusiasm. The Moors +answered the challenge with wild acclamations, looking on the advancing +foe as a devoted prey on which they were shortly to glut their +long-desired vengeance. The Christians were, therefore, suffered to +proceed unmolested in their course lest, by a premature disclosure of +the resources of their enemies, they might be induced to retreat, and +thus prevent the Moors from obtaining a complete victory. Slowly, then, +the Christians began to ascend the rugged and difficult paths of the +mountain. The deafening shouts had for some time ceased, and were +succeeded by a dismal and deadly silence. The Christians, therefore, +continued to ascend in noiseless progression, until El Feri de +Benastepar, judging that the enemy was sufficiently drawn into his toils +to ensure success for the artful manoeuvres which he had planned, now +gave the signal of command, and again the whole mountain rung with an +overpowering tumult of cries and yells. + +Suddenly the rocks above seemed to be alive, broken into numberless +fragments. With dreadful and overwhelming violence their huge disjointed +masses rolled from their elevated summits, and gathering a new impetus +in their headlong course, rushed down the sides of the mountain, and +bounding from point to point with an appalling crash, heaped destruction +on the advancing enemy. The ominous and redoubled cries from the summit +of the Sierra, rose above the terrific sound of the deadly fragments, +and were sufficient to strike dismay into the most daring. Astonishment +for a moment paralyzed the Spaniards; yet their intrepidity did not +quail in the hazardous moment, though they perceived a heap of mangled +corpses swept before them with fearful rapidity. Aguilar could not +behold unmoved the destruction wrought amongst his brave followers; and +fearing that a second discharge of those terrible missiles might +succeed in disheartening them, in a voice of enthusiasm---- + +"Forward, my brave comrades!" he cried: "those rebels will find that +they will sooner tire of hurling rocks than we shall of withstanding +them. By suffering we will triumph. On, brave companions, on!" + +Aguilar succeeded by his example in instilling into the hearts of his +men a degree of maddened courage, which alone could carry them through +the obstacles that impeded their course. They accordingly continued +fearlessly to advance. + +Night had now closed in the most dense and impenetrable darkness. The +moon seemed unsuccessfully struggling through a pile of massy clouds, +and the scanty light afforded by the dim stars was insufficient to +illumine any distant object. Thus the Christians had no means of warding +off the dreadful fate which threatened them. They heard, without the +power of resistance, the low rumbling sound of the huge rocks that were +loosened from their beds, and the crash that followed their ponderous +course, as they tore down every object which came before them, mingling +all in one vast and promiscuous ruin. + +The voice of Aguilar and other chiefs, in hoarse tones, was heard at +intervals encouraging and animating their troops, who, wrought up to +madness by their loss, had now no other feeling than an ardent desire of +attaining the summit, where their enemies lay in security, and quenching +their rage in their detested blood. Indeed, the terrors of this dismal +and appalling conflict, instead of damping the courage of the soldiers, +served only to brace them with redoubled force. Dauntless, therefore, +they continued to ascend, unmindful of the cries and groans that rent +the air, and although they were sensible that a similar fate might the +next moment await themselves. On they proceeded, in the full confidence +that some amongst them would ultimately reach the summit, and take ample +vengeance for the death of those whom they left behind. Nor did the +Moors consider this stubborn constancy and self-devotion without +amazement and dread; but El Feri, who read their thoughts, immediately +took measures to prevent the consequences with which they might be +attended, if he allowed his men to indulge their fears; aware that the +best means of keeping up the mettle and ardour of his men was to employ +them actively, he ordered a considerable portion of them to descend and +meet the enemy boldly in the path. This order was joyfully obeyed, and +the Moors rushed impetuously to the attack. Aguilar, who hailed this +movement of the enemy as favorable to his troops, by affording them an +opportunity of profiting by their superiority, now rushed forward to +encounter the charge with increased energy, whilst Don Pedro, with a +chosen party, led the van. + +The young warrior continued gaining ground; the Moors retreated; and the +Spaniards considering this movement as the forerunner of success, boldly +pushed on, reckless of the thousand shafts which assailed them on every +side. Fresh men supplied, according to instruction, the place of the +Moors who retreated; and the wearied Christians had nothing to carry +them through the unequal contest but the undaunted courage which had +supported them in so many battles. Still they advanced, although the +enemy, in spite of the numbers that fell, preserved a fresh and unbroken +front, disputing every inch of ground apparently with undiminished +numbers. + +In the midst of his gallant achievements Don Pedro fell from the blow of +a stone, which disabled him from proceeding. His absence soon became +apparent; but Alonso de Aguilar pressing forwards to the front, by a +desperate effort soon compelled the rebels to abandon their defence, and +retreat precipitately to their stations. The Spaniards here halted for a +few moments and rallied their forces, on which dismal inroads had been +made by the late conflict. Again they advanced in silence and without +impediment. Their gallant leader, however, looked on this change with +the most gloomy apprehensions; for he conjectured that the Moors were +about to renew that system of defence which had been so destructive at +the first onset. His suspicions were well grounded. Incontinently +another ominous shout rent the air, and the tremendous fragments again +rolled down, spreading devastation wherever they passed. + +And now, to render the unequal strife more terrific, there fell some +broad and scattered drops of rain, announcing the storm which had been +gathering in the dark bosom of the swollen and shapeless clouds. Hollow +gusts of wind swept through the passes of the mountains, mingling their +gloomy cadences with the loud cries of the Moors and the wild +lamentations of their victims. And now the pregnant clouds discharged +their contents, which poured like an impetuous cataract down the +channels of the mountain, whilst from those dark and impenetrable masses +fitfully glimmered the livid streaks of lightning, followed by the +hollow muttering of the distant thunder. This approaching conflict of +the elements Don Alonso beheld undismayed. Boldly he urged on his men, +whilst the power of the storm increasing apace, presented additional +obstacles to their progress. Nearer the tempest advanced, and the +flickering sudden gleams of lightning were succeeded by closely repeated +sheets of sulphurous and liquid fire, which in serpentine corruscations +illumined those scenes of carnage and devastation, while loud and +prolonged peals sounded like the ominous voice of the spirit of +destruction riding on the storm, and exulting over the scene of death. +But the Spaniards, though moved by the sight of their companions falling +around, could not be subdued by the gloomy prospect before them, for it +is the attribute of noble courage, while it sympathises with the brave, +to continue in the path of honor and duty undaunted and undismayed. + +Flash now followed upon flash, and by their livid and unearthly +reflection appeared the gallant leader and his band, more resolute in +proportion to the fury of the warring elements. The caves and wild +recesses echoed with the hollow moaning of the blast, mingled with the +shouts of the combatants. Chilling was the scene; more chilling still +when the pause made by the raging storm was filled up with the more +terrific noise of the falling rocks and stones which came thundering +down. Aghast the Christians beheld, by the vivid flashes, the descending +destruction; now a block rolled along dyed in the blood of their gallant +companions, and again some uncouth and unfashioned fragment had gathered +in its career a broken limb, a nerveless arm, or a bleeding leg. The +channels were now filled with the water that rushed down the sides of +the mountain, forming gurgling eddies around the crushed bodies of the +fallen, and mingling their blood with the turbid waters in their descent +below. + +Such an accumulation of misfortunes began to dishearten the Christians, +whose forces were reduced to half their number. Don Pedro, Count de +Ureña, and other principal chiefs were wounded, others dead; and an +horrific shout on the left, commanded by Don Antonio de Leyva, announced +some dreadful catastrophe in that direction. + +The renegade, with a valiant reinforcement, had by a dexterous +manoeuvre cut off the retreat of the Christians in that quarter; and, +though they had fought with the most desperate courage, they were +completely routed, and the greater number slaughtered on the spot. +Savagely Bermudo dealt his blows on his own countrymen, and vented his +diabolical feelings on many brave and innocent men to take vengeance for +the wrongs he had sustained from one. But few men escaped from this +promiscuous carnage, and those few cut their way with frenzied courage +through the ranks of the enemy, bearing the bleeding body of their +chief, Don Antonio de Leyva. + +The rage of the storm had by this time abated, and Alonso de Aguilar, +auguring favorably of men who had withstood, undaunted, such an +accumulation of terrors, had pushed forward, and was now midway on the +mountain. The rebels beheld his progress with conscious alarm, for +though his numbers were considerably reduced and weakened by fatigue, +yet Don Alonso was about to reach a space of even ground, in which +should he succeed, it would render more doubtful the victory which they +had till now considered as certain. Still they continued to roll down +their destructive missiles, but these had lost their former power; for +though some visited the enemy, yet the greater part stopt in their +career, impeded by the trunks of trees torn up by the tempest, or stuck +in the spots of marshy ground caused by the descending torrents. The +Moors, therefore, abandoned this system of aggression, and perceiving +that the gallant band of Don Alonso de Aguilar was extremely small, and +that it could not receive assistance from the Spanish forces below, they +collected a great body, and determined to oppose the further progress of +Aguilar, before he could succeed in reaching the little plain. A +desperate contest ensued, in which every Christian exerted his remaining +strength, and their present position was so far favorable, that the +Moors were not able to overwhelm them with numbers. Thus Aguilar, +encouraging his men with the better aspect of their fortune, continued +fighting desperately, and gaining ground, whilst the affrighted Moors +retreated before his amazing efforts. + +But the most exalted courage cannot support the body under the +accumulated sufferings of wounds and exhaustion, and Don Alonso at +length beheld with a look of melancholy resignation, blended with manly +fortitude, the diminution of his numbers, and the state of depression +under which they laboured. He could no longer hope to accomplish his +daring enterprise, nor effect an honorable retreat. The day, which had +now shed its first glimmering light, revealed the forlorn condition of +his men: he beheld his once gallant army stretched along the path, which +was so completely covered with the dead, that it seemed to be paved with +human victims. The Spaniards fought still, but their foes were +continually supplied with fresh men, and Aguilar foresaw with a pang of +distress that the Moors would ultimately triumph. In this emergency he +cast a desponding look on his troops below, who would in vain have +attempted to assist him, on account of the distance which separated +them. + +The followers of Don Alonso were now reduced to a very limited number, +but he perceived on their countenances the noble expression of resigned +courage and high-minded patriotism. A sad smile of satisfaction was on +his lip, as with a firm voice, he exclaimed:-- + +"Christians, this standard must be planted on the highest point we can +attain." Then after a pause he added, pointing to the little plain; +"Behold your grave!---- advance boldly--there is the last stage of our +existence--and if any one returns to Granada, he may tell the queen that +Alonso de Aguilar has redeemed his pledge." + +These words were electric--the countenances of his companions +brightened, and they seemed to acquire new vigour from the example of +their noble leader. They dealt their blows with increased energy, and +after a terrific struggle, they at length reached the fatal plain. +There they halted at the goal of their glorious career, and Alonso de +Aguilar planting the standard of the cross firmly on the ground, placed +himself near a rock which he caused to be surrounded by his men. There +the devoted warriors resolved to await their fate. + +The Moors now rushed on them from all parts with a ferocious joy. But +many were those who fell before they could succeed in mastering the +brave and infuriated Christians. Man to man they fought, and round the +rock the gallant soldiers gradually fell. The heroism of the Spaniards +might protract, but could not avert their fall. Aguilar at length beheld +himself alone amongst a heap of his fallen men; his armour was broken in +many places, and stained with the life-blood which flowed through the +crevices; with his left hand he grasped the remains of a banner, and +supported himself against the rock, while his right still continued to +wield his ponderous sword. The numerous assailants looked with dread +and awe on the redoubtable champion, and for some time seemed to be +rivetted to the place. But a host was gathering around to rush at once +upon the formidable foe, when a giant figure made his way through the +crowd, crying aloud-- + +"Yield thee, Christian, for the Moors know how to respect courage like +thine." + +"Yield! Never will I yield to a rebel. I am Alonso de Aguilar." + +"Thanks to the prophet!" cried the Moor; "look then on thy +irreconcileable foe!--I am El Feri de Benastepar." + +Aguilar saw the Moor-chief with the fortitude of a noble heart, and +rising superior to his adverse fortune, although covered with wounds, +and fainting from exhaustion, he sprung forward to meet the advance of +his terrible adversary, whilst the Moors awed by the meeting of such +warriors, stood around in breathless silence. + +The mighty foes closed in desperate combat. But soon Aguilar conscious +of his weakness, retired to his original position against the rock, and +in that posture sustained the attack. The fresh and unabated force of +El Feri became too powerful for the Christian chief, worn out as he was +with the loss of blood, and the fatigue of many hours of battle. Aguilar +now perceived that to die nobly was the only alternative he could +embrace, and accordingly grasping firmly the banner, he continued a +resolute but unequal combat. His exhaustion, however, increased, and as +he perceived his end approach, he sprang forward, and with one desperate +blow, in which he collected his remaining energies, endeavoured to crush +his enemy. But the exertion far exceeded his strength, and the same blow +that an hour before would have cloven through buckler and hauberk, now +fell almost harmless upon the shield of El Feri. The Moor availed +himself of the moment, and before Aguilar had time to recover, the +scymitar of his foe had cleft through the helmet of Don Alonso, and sunk +deep into the brain. The hero fell; with one deep sigh his noble spirit +parted from its clay, and the brave, the generous, the heroic Don Alonso +de Aguilar was no more![45] + +A tremendous shout from the exulting Moors announced the catastrophe to +the Christians below: it sounded through the mountain like the ferocious +yell of demons revelling over their victim. El Feri stood silent for a +moment gazing on his prostrate enemy, and he could not but contemplate +with veneration and awe that form which even in death preserved the +nobleness and dignity which had distinguished it through life. His +helmet had given way, and rolled to some distance on the plain. His +black hair silvered with age, and now dripping with his blood, +overshaded part of his noble countenance. Shorn of its proud device, his +broken shield lay on his left arm, as well as the remains of the banner +which he had sworn to defend with his life, whilst his right arm still +retained that sword once the terror of the Moors, now lying harmless on +the ground. Thus fell Aguilar, and the exulting Moors flocked round his +corpse, led by an instinctive curiosity to behold the prostrate warrior +so long the object of their dread. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter their bodies as becomes their births: + + _Shakespeare._ + + Few, few shall part where many meet, + + * * * * + + And every turf beneath their feet + Shall be a soldier's sepulchre. + + _T. Campbell._ + + +The victory of the Moors was complete; and as they had been long +accustomed to reverses, so unusual a success elated them beyond all +bounds of moderation. They considered their independence as now firmly +established, and could scarcely be restrained from rushing, like a +disorderly horde of conquering barbarians, on their enemies below, and +ravaging the country round. But fortunately El Feri joined to great +courage and activity the rare endowments of a prudent and sagacious +chief. He foresaw that the present success, if not followed up +judiciously, would prove more prejudicial than favorable to their cause. +It was not by a confused depredatory system that this first victory +should be followed up; for their cause could only be ultimately +benefited by improving their present advantages. Besides, the fierce +courage of his followers, arising rather from a sense of injuries and +revenge, than real military bravery, was ill calculated to sustain the +superior numbers and better disciplined bands of the Christians. Nor +could El Feri be so far dazzled by one solitary success as to attribute +solely to their conduct and courage that result which was chiefly to be +ascribed to the advantages of their position, combined with a series of +fortunate circumstances that had assisted them against the Christians. +He knew that the intelligence of this victory would excite those of his +countrymen who were as yet lukewarm in the cause, to take up arms and +repair to that mountain which was now the cradle in which their infant +liberty was to be rocked. He wished to preserve and improve this +situation without risking the danger of another action, until he +possessed ample means of insuring success. A precipitate movement now +might involve the Moors in difficulties capable not only of retarding +their triumph, but even of rendering fruitless the effects of a first +victory: Gomez Arias was likewise marching with a powerful army, and it +would be madness to abandon the strong hold of the Sierra for the sake +of hazarding an encounter, when as yet they were in all respects +inferior to their enemies. + +El Feri, therefore, strongly deprecated the design formed by Mohabed of +advancing at present against the Spaniards. But Mohabed, flushed with +pride and little conversant with military affairs, could only be +prevailed upon to defer his sally from the mountain for two days; and El +Feri, considering the baneful effects which any disagreement amongst the +chief leaders might produce, prudently acquiesced in his decision. He +hoped that in the meantime he should have an opportunity either of +dissuading his brother chief, or at least of organising a more +systematic and powerful invasion. + +Whilst the best warrior in the Moorish ranks was deeply interested in +forwarding their views, his disorderly and savage followers were +affording proofs of their wanton cruelty and insubordination. El Feri +saw with disgust and sorrow, that the men he led to the field adhered +not to the principles which they pretended to profess. He perceived that +his army more resembled a horde of undisciplined barbarians than true +and sincere patriots; that the gratification of private animosity and +revenge had a far greater preponderance in directing their exertions, +than the heroic impulses of noble enthusiasm and public spirit. He had +been himself stimulated to take up arms solely by pure and patriotic +sentiments, without the least alloy of personal interest, or the +indulgence of a revengeful disposition. He, therefore, bitterly +lamented, for the sake of his country, when a secret voice whispered to +him, that he was less the leader of independent men, panting for +liberty, than of a lawless discontented rabble, better deserving the +name of rebels than that of liberators. Alas! how often is the lustre of +a good cause darkened by the private interests and vices of its agents! + +The attention of El Feri was however diverted towards a tumult in that +part of the mountain where the mighty Aguilar had fallen: he hurried to +the spot to inquire into the cause of the commotion, when he saw the +noble form of his redoubtable foe ignominiously placed on an eminence, +round which men, women, and children were crowding, to glut their eyes +with the bleeding spectacle. While their savage disposition was +gladdened with the sight, they heaped maledictions on the dead. This +dastardly ebullition of revenge was more particularly displayed by the +weaker portion of men, and by the refuse of women. Women, fashioned by +nature to indulge every kindly feeling, and tender sentiment of +compassion for the fallen--women, when they have overstepped the +barriers of their natural delicacy, become more lawless and cruel than +the most hardened of men. An old hag was, with wanton mockery, striving +to close the eyes of the warrior; another was trampling under her foot +the cross which she had wrenched from his breast; and a dirty urchin was +rending his venerable locks, whilst some miscreants, not satisfied with +these profanations, in base revenge plunged their weapons into the +lifeless clay. But still there were some whom the great Aguilar inspired +with terrors even in death, and they shrunk from the inanimate corpse, +as if it were ready to start into life, and wreak vengeance for the +outrages sustained. Flushed with indignation at the sight, El Feri soon +dispersed the vile and motley crowd. + +"Base, pitiful wretches," he cried in anger, "it well becomes your +cowardly nature thus to insult in death, the man you dared not look on +in life. Aye, quench your valour on that unconscious body, for those +weapons are unworthy of warring against the living, which cannot +respect the dead. Avaunt, miscreants! tempt no further my just anger." + +The affrighted crew shrunk back in confusion, but one more daring than +the rest ventured to exclaim-- + +"He was the mortal foe of the Moors, and of El Feri de Benastepar----" + +"In life he was," sternly replied El Feri; "but death reconciles the +bitterest enemy--for enmity must lose its fire in the cold precincts of +the grave." + +"The Moor and the Christian," retorted gruffly the other, "even in +death, must be irreconcileable; even in the frost of the sepulchre, the +hate of such foes must not be extinguished. + +"Cease, miscreant!" fiercely returned El Feri, "or by the mighty Allah, +a single word more, and a blow from the scymitar of El Feri shall be thy +only answer." + +In speechless terror they all retreated, when El Feri turning to one of +his followers-- + +"Do you, Moraz," said he, "and some of your brave companions, pay the +last honors to the noble Don Alonso de Aguilar." + +The Moors obeyed the orders of their chief, and forthwith a grave was +dug at the foot of the rock. No funeral pomp--no military honors graced +the obsequies of the great Aguilar--no chaunting priest was there to +rehearse the service of the dead--no friend to weep over his loss--no +grateful dependant to raise the closed hands in prayer to heaven; but in +silence his enemies laid him in his humble grave, and strewed the earth +over his warlike form. What, though no sculptured marble was there to +point out the noble dust that lay beneath; the name of the warrior will +live in the hearts of his countrymen, and will be handed to posterity as +long as the records of Spain shall exist. But, in the absence of the +pomp which marks the burial of the illustrious, Don Alonso received the +most honorable tribute that can adorn a warrior's grave--the manly and +venerating tear of his mortal foe; for, as the earth covered for ever +the remains of Aguilar, the silent tear of noble feeling fell on it +from the eye of El Feri de Benastepar. + +Meantime the Christians at the foot of the mountain were making a +precipitate retreat, carrying with them a number of their wounded +companions, and leaving behind a terrible monument of their bravery and +misfortune. + +How imposing is the calm, when the warm activity of action gives place +to the desolate repose of death! Now, the din of strife is over; no +longer the brazen notes of the trumpet swell in the wind--no longer the +echoes of the mountain rehearse and fling back the warlike sounds. +Hushed is the voice of command and animation--mute the cries of victory +or defeat. Even the howling blast, which lately, with its fitful voice, +increased the terrors of the scene, is now softened into a low and +mournful murmur, emblematical of the dismal tranquillity that reigns +around. The smiling face of nature is bloted and defaced by the +truculent works of men. The rich and reviving green that carpeted the +ground, now presents to the view an ensanguined plain, and the smiling +flowers, emblems of innocence and peace, bear no longer in their calice +the pearly moisture of the morn, but display the crimson evidence of +man's hatred to his kind. The soft grass is not now ruffled by the +welcome pressure of living individuals, happy in the joyous dance, or +gently reclining under the sweet influence of slumber, but by the weight +of ghastly corpses. + +It was a sight fearful to behold! not a sound was heard; an unnatural +sadness prevailed over the scene; a thousand warriors lay there in the +silence of the grave, but in those colourless features still lingered a +tinge of the last feeling by which they were animated--the last passion +that raged within; the brow stiffened into gloomy fierceness--the eye +intensely fixed with bold resolve--the firmly clenched hand--bespoke the +various sensations in which they were surprised by death. Tranquil and +extended lay some who had received the summons without a throb; surely +the blow was struck, and swiftly fled the spark of life, whilst others, +in the violent contraction of the muscles, and the writhing expression +of pain, indicated how fearfully the rebellious soul had grappled with +the destroyer, before she could be dislodged from her tenement. Death +levels all distinction, and here were seen men of various ages and +ranks, so widely separated in life, promiscuously mingled in the last +repose. Youth and age alike indifferently strewed the plain, and the +silvered locks lay beside the flowing tresses; the pale hue of +protracted life, with the rosy healthful tints of commencing and hopeful +existence. Spring had mixed its blossoms with the falling leaves of +autumn. No distinction of rank was here; by the noble chief lay the +humble soldier--their attire alone could distinguish one from the other; +and even this external ornament would soon be destroyed, and all, all +would be amalgamated in one general indiscriminate dust. + +But still that period was not arrived, and the encampment of corpses, +fresh in death, appeared most like an army of sleeping warriors; but for +the bloody tokens and fearful disorder which drove away every image of +natural repose, it seemed as if their departed spirits still hovered +within the bodies which they had lately abandoned. But alas! too soon +the harbinger of fading and helpless mortality would speed to dispel the +melancholy charm. The carrion birds were now hurrying to claim the +undisputed inheritance of that prey which a short time since had been +the receptacle of so many feelings and affections, while a thousand +hearts were doomed to weep for the occasion that afforded joy to the +gloomy and filthy revellers. + +The routed Christians, meantime, were fast retreating, whilst the news +of their defeat and the fate of Aguilar spreading swiftly around, soon +reached the stately city of Granada, for misfortune is a most +expeditious traveller. The heroic Isabella felt an indescribable shock +at these unwelcome tidings; even victory, if purchased with the death of +Don Alonso, she would consider a reverse, but attended, as it was, with +complete overthrow, it created the most lively sensations of indignation +and sorrow. She made a solemn vow in the presence of the archbishop her +confessor, and her nobles, that she would neither wear linen nor sleep +on her royal couch until that daring rebellion had been annihilated, and +its agitators brought to retribution. She next gave orders that all her +troops should march against the rebels, and a numerous army was soon +collected, both of veterans and volunteers. + +Meantime the grief of Leonor for the death of her father was exhibited +in a striking manner, but still in a manner worthy a branch of that +noble tree. She found a generous consolation in the name bequeathed to +her by her departed parent, and she fondly cherished the halo of glory +that surrounded her father's life, and now must adhere for ever to his +memory. The queen, anxious to contribute to the mitigation of her +sorrow, had kindly invited her to the palace, that by a temporary +absence from her own dwelling she might be relieved from the sight of +objects, which continually brought to her mind a train of painful +associations. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Padre mio, caro padre, + E tu ancor m'abbandoni! + + _Guarini._ + + I know not how to tell thee; + Shame rises in my face and interrupts + The story of my tongue. + + _Otway._ + + +Bermudo, the renegade, having received instructions from El Feri soon +after the affair of the Sierra Bermeja, returned to Alhaurin, where he +found Cañeri in an extacy of uncontrollable joy. His late extravagance +had of course been considerably augmented by the news of the recent +success. So elated were his spirits, and so confident did he feel of the +happy results which would attend all the future operations of the Moors, +that, forgetting a secret dislike he always entertained to actual +strife, he talked of heading a body, and meeting the Christians, who +were rapidly advancing upon Alhaurin: but the renegade brought +different injunctions from El Feri, who was now looked upon, by common +consent, as the supreme arbitrator of the Moorish cause. Cañeri was +ordered, unfortunately for the display of his present ebullition of +valour, to fortify himself in Alhaurin, and prepare a retreat for +Mohabed, in case the rash expedition of that chief against Gomez Arias +should prove unsuccessful. + +All El Feri's persuasions had been thrown away upon Mohabed, who, quite +inexperienced in war, and highly flushed by their recent victory, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with a strong division to offer battle to +the Spaniards. Cañeri submissively followed the orders of his brother in +command. Indeed in his present exhilaration of spirits, he would submit +almost to any thing, except to renounce the outward show of dignity, for +Cañeri was one of those good-natured soldiers, who can be satisfied with +the shadow, whilst other leaders possessed the substance of power. + +In every age and country, there needs must be warriors of all +descriptions; some are designed by nature to encounter perils, and +acquire a name to be enrolled in the temple of immortality, and there +are others whose noble achievements entitle them to the same honor, +though traced in different characters; there is also a third class of +military men, who, being neither sanguinary nor heroic, are yet intended +to shine in a more peaceful warfare,--generals of undoubted military +capacity, of extraordinary genius for the enactment of regulations and +orders, with a clear judgment for the various qualifications of staff +officers, and bearing an exceedingly martial and appropriate carriage in +courts, reviews, and parades. Now, to this last class Cañeri most +assuredly belonged: his talents for military parade and shew no one +could dispute. He now approached the renegade, and in as affable a +manner as his arrogant dictatorial manner would permit:-- + +"Alagraf," he said, "these are joyful times for the Moors." + +"Provided they last," coldly returned the renegade. + +"Last," rejoined the Moor, with indignant surprise. "Behold!" and he +pointed to his men, all arrayed and equipped in a martial style, as they +were standing in review, "those men are not likely to tarnish the +laurels already culled by their companions of the Sierra Bermeja. But +you are ever sullen, Alagraf; no victory, no fortune can efface the +gloom which pervades every action of your life." + +"Yours, at all events, Cañeri," replied the renegade, sneeringly, "is +excessively gay; the love of your country must certainly be great, since +it can occasion such extraordinary marks of satisfaction for a temporary +success." + +"My country and religion are dear to me," returned Cañeri, with dignity, +"very dear, and sacred. But then," he added, relaxing, "my heart is not +wholly absorbed in the love of my country." + +"That I believe," replied Bermudo, significantly. "It will easily admit +of division, and in the distribution of your lore, I dare swear you have +reserved a considerable share for yourself." + +Cañeri laughed affectedly, then drawing nearer to the renegade, and +taking him gently by the hand-- + +"My friend," he said, "much as I love myself, still have I a store left +for such as love me well, and when a lady fair----" + +"Eh!" exclaimed the renegade, "what lady fair is this?" + +"Oh, Alagraf," returned Cañeri, unable any longer to contain himself, "I +am the happiest of men--Theodora--the beautiful Theodora has at length +yielded to the soft persuasions of love, and it is to you, my good +Alagraf, that I stand chiefly indebted for such favorable results." + +The renegade started back in visible consternation. Cañeri's words sent +daggers to his heart. Could it be possible? the amiable and elevated +Theodora, sunk to the base minion of so worthless a character! and all +his plans overturned for ever! It appeared unaccountable--impossible. +Theodora could not look kindly upon the object of her late mortal +abhorrence.--Such a transition was abrupt--unnatural--unless, indeed, +her reason had fallen a sacrifice to her accumulated distress. + +Terrible thoughts coursed over the troubled and darkened brow of the +renegade, whilst his whole person manifested strong marks of the passion +that agitated his bosom. + +"Alagraf, what means this emotion? why, you appear thunderstruck." + +"Yes;" replied the renegade, assuming his composure, "with surprise. But +you said it was to my good offices you stood indebted for your success. +Now would you favour me with the particulars of such an extraordinary +conquest?"-- + +"Aye, my friend," returned vauntingly Cañeri; "Fortune is very +capricious. She never works progressively, but by starts, and then +according to the mood she is in, a man is either overpowered with misery +or with bliss. Some time since both the affairs of my country and those +of my heart went on desperately; the scales are now turned, and I am +blessed in a double triumph. + +"But," cried the renegade, "the nature of your triumph I would fain +learn." + +"It is complete," replied Cañeri with complacency. + +"Complete!" re-echoed the renegade with emotion--"complete! how?" + +"At least by anticipation," returned the Moor. "Complete by +anticipation. Nothing is yet concluded." + +The renegade recovered from the suspense of agony. + +"The triumph of which I speak," continued Cañeri, "is yet to come, +though it is already beyond a doubt. Theodora, until now so resolutely +bent against me--Theodora, who at the very sight of me shrunk back with +horror and abhorrence--Theodora at last receives me not only without +reluctance, but even with kindness. My visits no longer create disgust +and dread, and every symptom foretels a speedy and grateful termination +to my fondest hopes." He then added with conceited vanity,--"And I +marvel how else an affair of this nature could terminate? Theodora was a +lovely woman, a woman in affliction; but she was a woman still, and +could not be expected to continue eternally in the same mind. Constancy +in any thing is against the very nature of woman; perseverance is a foe +she could never successfully withstand." + +To this sapient observation the renegade made no reply. A glance of +scorn was the only sign by which he evinced his value of the chiefs +opinion. He allowed him a free range to his hopes, and when the vain +Moor had satisfied himself with aerial happiness, the renegade in a +bitter bantering tone wished him joy of his conquest, and hurried away +to certify upon what basis were founded the expectations of the Moor. + +Cañeri retired to his couch, when to his waking dreams succeeded those +of night, which though not wilder in their nature, were still by their +flattering prospects the source of unspeakable satisfaction. He rose, +therefore, the next morning if possible in greater exhilaration of +spirits than before, and immediately sent for his confidant the +renegade; but his confidant came not, and Cañeri was in absolute +necessity of a person to whom he might communicate his hopes and his +plans. Malique was accordingly ordered into his presence. + +"Malique, where is Alagraf?" inquired the chief. + +"Alagraf!" exclaimed the astonished Malique; and he remained for some +time as if struck by a thunderbolt. + +"Alagraf!" + +"Alagraf! yes Alagraf," repeated impatiently Cañeri. "What means this +confusion? speak. Where is the renegade?" + +"The renegade is gone," answered the trembling Malique. + +"Gone!" echoed Cañeri with superadded agitation.--"Gone! where? when? to +what purpose?--gone! without my knowledge!" + +"The purport of his mission," replied Malique, "I know not; nor was I +made acquainted with his departure until this morning. The guards of the +night allowed him to pass. Possessed as Alagraf was of your secrets and +unbounded confidence, it was naturally supposed that he acted under your +instructions: his egress from the town therefore caused neither surprise +nor alarm." + +"My instructions!" cried fiercely the chief; "I gave him no +instructions; it is an act of insubordination. That man was ever too +proud; his accursed Christian blood still remained in his veins, when +his mouth pronounced a recantation of his creed. He renounced his +country; but could not renounce his character. By the mighty Allah! he +shall severely suffer for this breach of discipline if Cañeri has power +amongst the Moors. Yes, he shall feel the bitter consequences of his +imprudence upon his return." + +"Return!" cried Malique, despondingly, "If he acted not according to +your orders, I much apprehend he will never return; for his companions +in flight leave no doubt as to the motives that have directed him." + +"Companions!" exclaimed Cañeri, in breathless anxiety. "What +companions?" + +"Even the fair captive, and the menial Roque," replied Malique, after +some hesitation. + +"What! Theodora gone! gone with the renegade!--hell! furies!--unsay +those words, Malique! tremble for the villains that allowed him to leave +the town--nay, tremble for your own life!" + +The fury of Cañeri knew no bounds, upon the confirmation of Malique's +intelligence. He stamped and raved like a madman, and plucked his beard +in very ire: then, in the summary way of distributing Moorish justice, +he caused the chief and two or three of the guards of the night to be +slaughtered in his presence. Indeed, Malique himself would have shared +the same fate, had not the private interest of the Moor superseded his +frenzied revenge. But Cañeri considered Malique as totally devoted to +his person, and he was loath to part with a man of whose aid and +counsel he stood in greater need than ever. Thus the life of Malique was +spared by the despot, as those of many other humble slaves had before +been and will again, by their despotic masters, not for the services +which they have already rendered, but in consideration of those which +they might still afford. + +"Malique, quick," cried Cañeri, "take the best of my troops, the +fleetest of my horses, and speed after that accursed renegade; bring +him, dead or alive;--alive, if possible; and ask for any recompence, +any, how great soever, which I can grant.--Begone!--fly!" + +In a moment the faithful Malique with a chosen band was mounted, and in +a moment they started rapidly with the velocity that a hope of +recompence or a dread of punishment inspires. They sped in the direction +reported to be taken by the fugitives, but it was too late; the renegade +had devised the necessary precautions to insure success in his +undertaking. He had the advantage of a whole night's journey, and had +besides prudently changed his route as soon as he found himself out of +sight. + +Thus the efforts of Malique proved as abortive as the ravings of his +master. After a day spent in fruitless pursuit, the party was compelled +to retreat before an advancing band of Christians, and returned to +Alhaurin, to witness the extravagant rage of Cañeri, who was alternately +the prey of shame, disappointment, and vexation. Indeed, all the Moors +evinced signs of discontent at the disappearance of the renegade. Some, +because his presence animated their courage, and others because they +dreaded the despotic temper of Cañeri, now rendered doubly formidable by +this untoward event. All the Moors were, therefore, in dismay at the +flight of the renegade, all but one, and that was Aboukar, who found +with no less surprise than joy, that amongst the companions of the +runaway was included his spouse, Marien Rufa. + +Meantime, the fugitives were rapidly approaching the town of Guadix, +the native place of Theodora. But with what throbbing hearts the +travellers proceeded on their journey, and how different were the +feelings that gave expression to their features! A thousand sensations +agitated the bosom of Theodora; fear, hope, and filial love, alternately +disputed the mastery, whilst the countenance of the renegade evinced +nought but a dreary isolation of feeling; revenge alone reigned in his +heart uncontrolled, and undisputed. The two inferior personages were +likewise indulging in reflections consonant to their nature and habits. +A vacant joy, a happy riddance from a state of fear and thraldom, +predominated in the heart of Roque, whilst a curious amalgamation of +gratified spite and returning superstition claimed that of Marien Rufa. +But, however different the sentiments by which they were actuated, the +travellers evinced an equal joy when their anxious look caught the first +glimpse of Guadix, which now stood before them softly enveloped in the +twilight shadows. + +"Welcome! dear lady," cried Roque, joyfully, "once more behold your +home." + +Home, delightful thrilling word! It went to the heart of Theodora in a +tumultuous flow of pleasing, yet painful sensations. She now returned to +the scenes of her innocence and happiness, but it was also the theatre +of her disgrace and sorrow. What agitation did she feel as every well +known object presented itself with powerful associations to her mind. +Already she descried the stately appearance of her father's mansion, +rising majestically in the shades of approaching night. Though distant +she clearly perceived every object, every feature of the surrounding +scene. + +Tranquil and quiet the country and the city lay in religious silence, +and the gentle hum of humanity that softly stole upon the ear, and the +tinkling of a bell, or the social bark of a dog, every well-known sound +struck with a congeniality of feeling on the trembling heart of +Theodora. She returned to her home like the happy traveller after a +lapse of many years, to whose memory charged with numberless objects +that have intervened since his departure, these infant scenes must +return in a confused, fading, yet pleasing sensation of delight. +Theodora came; she drew near the place of her birth with anxiety and +dread. Around she beheld every object as she had left it. Nature had +proceeded undisturbed in her accustomed rotation. Green were the fields, +and the boundless heavens still displayed their majestic grandeur. Yet, +all around, to the eyes of Theodora, bore a tint of strangeness she +could not well define. Alas! the change was not in those places, but in +the tone of mind with which she considered them. Guadix and its gardens, +and its groves, and its fountains, were still the same, but Theodora was +changed. She had left those happy scenes in all the glory of youth and +beauty. She returned experienced in grief in the beginning of life, and +bearing in those heavenly features the iron stamp of premature decay. +She had left them in the wild delirium of love,--in the intoxicating +bliss of a first all-powerful affection, lavishly bestowed, and +abundantly requited. She returned with a heart desolate and forlorn, +the pure springs of which were envenomed by the baneful effects of +passion, and embittered with shame and grief. She had left them in the +happy society of a fond lover, full of present joy and glowing hopes of +future happiness. She returned full of disappointment and remorse, under +the protection of an apostate, the dark enemy of her country. These sad +images obtruded upon her mind, and to such dismal thoughts was +superadded the load of fear and anxiety arising from the uncertainty of +her offended parent's reception. She was his only child, tenderly loved +and cherished; but yet, would not this very love offer obstacles to a +reconciliation? Would not her father's unbounded kindness serve to set +off in blacker colours her own cruel ingratitude? + +With these gloomy ideas she at length reached the threshold of the +paternal dwelling. There was a melancholy calm that smote her heart--the +ponderous casements were closed--a dismal silence prevailed, and as they +entered the _Zaguan_, the echo of their steps was sent back in a +mournful sound that seemed to rebuke the intruders. The old favorite dog +of Don Manuel lay in a corner dozing a dull slumber, and Theodora, as +she fondly called him by his name, received no sign of pleased +recognition. The animal slowly raised his head, and mechanically fixed +his heavy eyes on the speaker, but he neither leaped briskly to hail an +old friend, nor resented the approach of an unwelcome stranger. The +servants, too, were long in making their appearance, and when at last +Pedro, the old major-domo, advanced to meet the party, he bore on his +countenance deep lines of affliction: for some time he gazed vacantly on +the strangers, and then in a harsh, inhospitable tone, inquired their +business. + +"Pedro!" said Theodora, with faultering emotion; "Pedro, don't you know +me?" + +At the sound of that voice Pedro started, and made the sign of the +cross--he gazed in astonishment, applied his hand to his dim eyes, and +then in a sort of wild stupor-- + +"_Santo cielo!_" he exclaimed, "Is this a dream, or a miracle? Surely +it must be an apparition!--My lady Theodora, here!" + +"Yes, good Pedro," mournfully replied Theodora, "this is no delusion. I +am, in truth, Theodora, thy young mistress. But the announcement shocks +you! What means this confusion?" Her emotion redoubled--she trembled and +had scarcely strength to cry--"My father!--where is my father?" + +Pedro heaved a sigh, and shook his head despondingly--"Alas! your +father!" + +"What! speak!" shrieked Theodora, struck with horror--"He is not +dead!--Speak!" + +"No, not dead," replied the old man, "but it seems that heaven sends you +to close his eyes, and witness his departure from this world.--Oh!" he +added, sobbing violently, "sorrow hath bowed down his venerable head: +since his daughter fled from him, this has been the home of grief and +desolation." + +Theodora covered her face with her hands; the consciousness of her guilt +came with additional force to pierce her heart, as the melancholy +results of her dereliction were revealed to her. Roque and Marien Rufa +were much affected, and even the stern features of the renegade seemed +to be softened by a tinge of pity. + +Theodora now could be detained by no consideration. The powerful impulse +of nature rose superior to the suggestions of fear. She hurried to her +father's chamber--she crossed the long corridor and reached her own +saloon without opposition. There she threw a melancholy glance on the +objects around, and heaved a bitter sigh when she beheld every thing in +which she formerly took delight remaining in the same situation as when +she had left them. Her books were scattered about, and her guitar was +thrown carelessly upon the sofa where she had last sung a mournful +romance previously to her meeting her lover in the garden. It was a +rapid glance Theodora cast, and yet, alas! what a world of keen +sensations did it produce. Every thing around bespoke the disconsolate +tranquillity of a deserted home. Theodora at length gained her father's +apartment; the door was closed, but she listened, and distinctly heard +the murmur of disease. She gently knocked; an old female attendant +opened the door--Theodora rushed in, and threw herself at the feet of +Monteblanco's couch. + +"Oh! my father!" she cried, and her agony denying her the powers of +utterance, silent she sank by the bedside; yet the violent respiration +and the smothered groaning which escaped from her bosom but too plainly +told the full measure of her sorrow. + +"Who is this?" feebly inquired the old man, as those sounds of distress +snatched him from the feverish and troubled slumber of disease. + +"Your daughter! your guilty, your unfortunate Theodora! Oh, my father, I +come but to crave your forgiveness and die." + +Prostrate and weakened as Don Manuel was, the sound of his daughter's +voice, and her pathetic appeal, awakened all his latent feelings, and +gave a new impulse to his decaying frame. + +"Theodora! my child! my child!" he cried, raising himself on the couch; +and as the sombre reflection of a dim lamp fell on the form before him, +he was chilled with horror and amazement. He saw his Theodora; for the +eyes of a father will always recognise his child, spite of the blasting +influence of misfortune in disguising the features. He recognised his +daughter, but alas! how changed was that model of female loveliness and +beauty. Sunk was that eye, and quenched its pure and brilliant fire; the +smile of innocence had fled from those lips, and the soft delicate tint +of her countenance was chased away by a deadly paleness. But still +Theodora was interesting and lovely; still Monteblanco gazed on her with +the tender fondness of a parent. He rose superior to the malady which +confined his withered frame to the couch of sickness; the film of +decaying nature was upon his eyes; but yet he fixed them intensely on +that fading form that bore the resemblance of his once-beloved child. He +could not speak, nor did his daughter attempt to break this pause of +dreadful solemnity. Her overpowering grief burst with impetuous +effusion; in briny showers the tears fell, and her bosom seemed ready +to break under the pressure of heavy and tumultuous groans. Monteblanco +was moved to tears; his parched eyelids, which appeared unused to these +testimonies of sympathy, were bathed in moisture. He wept, while in +soothing accents he endeavoured to raise his daughter from the ground. +But she struggled to preserve her humble position. + +"Oh, my father!" she cried in an agonizing tone, "your kindness will +kill me more than cruelty. I am unworthy of so much tenderness; +forgiveness, only forgiveness, is the melancholy boon that the wretched, +the guilty Theodora craves from her venerable and injured parent." + +The recollection of some dark dream seemed now to absorb the senses of +the old man. The debility to which sickness had reduced his mental and +physical powers, and the overpowering efficacy of a first impression of +pleasure and surprise, had entirely banished from his mind the dreadful +image of a parent's just indignation. At first he only saw his lost +child returned to his arms, nor in that moment of agitation did he +recur to the cause of her absconding, to the state in which she +returned. All the sensations which might naturally spring in the bosom +of an injured cavalier were deadened by the more powerful feelings of a +father's love. + +But now that the first emotion had subsided, and that the voice of the +guilty Theodora sounded distinctly in his ear, the attention of Don +Manuel was promptly recalled to images of a painful nature. His +daughter's desertion and the misery consequent on this first act of +guilt, rushed upon his mind in deepened and aggravated colours. He +rudely drew back the hand which the unfortunate Theodora was bathing +with her tears, and in a tone of indignant feeling-- + +"Say," he cried, "art thou come to hasten my departure from a wretched +state of existence?--Speak, guilty as thou art; unfold the horrid tale; +and when I am doubly cursed, when I have seen thee thus forlorn and +blasted by guilt and misfortune, then let me die!" + +"Oh my father," she exclaimed with heart-rending emotion, "I am a +criminal daughter--a wretch unworthy of the name I bear--yes, I amply +merit your wrath and malediction. But oh! in pity do not deny me your +forgiveness, for I have drunk deep of sorrow; if my guilt has been +great, so have likewise been the tortures that have rent the heart of +your child, since the moment of her first transgression." + +"Unfold to me those horrors," exclaimed the desolate father, in a +frantic tone; "perhaps their disclosure may break my heart, and bestow +on me the only comfort I can now expect--yes, speak, and let the last +words I hear from my daughter be my passport to the tomb!" + +"Father, speak not thus--on me alone let the vengeance of the offended +heavens fall--I alone must expiate the guilt, for shame cannot be joined +with the name of Monteblanco; but you, oh! father, live--live to support +the dignity of that name." + +"You have disgraced it," interrupted Don Manuel, "but I will hear +tranquilly--ere I deeply curse, I will deliberately examine the extent +of your guilt." + +He seemed suddenly to acquire a dreadful composure, and Theodora, as +soon as her emotion would permit, told in the strains of deepest woe the +particulars of her sorrowful history. It was interrupted repeatedly by +her disconsolate father: rage, pride, pity, and resentment, by turns +swelled his breast, according as the circumstances related excited those +different feelings. But when the harrowing recital was finished, his +character seemed to assume a tone of energy uncongenial with his present +state of malady. Family pride, a sense of degradation and of injury +unrevenged, rose paramount in his mind, and stifling for the moment all +the pleadings of pity and parental tenderness, he felt an equal degree +of horror and resentment against the betrayer and his unfortunate +victim. + +In the first impulse, therefore, of his rage, Monteblanco fixed his +despairing eyes on his daughter, and in a tone of bitterness, enough to +break the fibres of her heart, he cried out imperiously-- + +"Begone from my sight for ever--begone, and let me die in peace--let me +descend to my grave without the additional pang which the presence of an +ungrateful child inflicts upon me--rise and begone; and may the stings +you have planted in this withered heart, and the shame you have heaped +on my head, be your companion to the latest moment of your ignominious +life." + +"Oh horror! horror!" shrieked Theodora: "Father! father, you do not--you +cannot curse your hapless child. Oh! my expiation has been +boundless--the justice of Heaven itself must be satisfied, and the heart +of a father cannot deny forgiveness to the poor wretch whose miseries +are far--far superior to her guilt. Oh pity me!--grant me your +pardon--repulse me not thus from your heart, and I will immediately +speed to bury my sufferings and my shame amidst the gloom of a +cloister." + +She ceased, and the wildness of her manner, a fitful tremor that shook +her frame, and the unearthly hue that overspread her already pallid +countenance, exhibited in glowing tints the havoc that such deep anguish +had made. Her trembling arms were extended, and the thin cold fingers +clasped in agony; loosely her dishevelled tresses fell on her father's +couch, as in the earnestness of grief she appealed to him for mercy. + +Monteblanco looked on her, intensely looked on that harrowing picture of +distress, and felt the burning tears that descended in copious streams +from their swollen springs. The vivid signs of her repentance, and the +excess of her affliction were inconsistent with depravity. Error more +than guilt was there, and Don Manuel could not behold unmoved his once +beloved daughter, the pride and solace of his declining years, reduced +to her present state of utter wretchedness. Dreadful was the conflict +which the noble and high-minded cavalier had to sustain between the +stern dictates of worldly prejudice, and the tender pleadings of nature. +But happily to the father's honour, nature at length prevailed. He was +softened, and in an extacy of mingled grief and affection, he clasped +his sorrowing child in his trembling arms. + +Monteblanco appeared now partially relieved from a load of anguish. He +consoled the poor forlorn culprit that pathetically clung to his +protection, and his fondness for the once beautiful and accomplished +Theodora, seemed to return with additional force for the unfortunate +being that stood before him. + +But now new feelings took possession of his breast. As he gazed with a +melancholy joy on his restored child--as he considered with the smile of +sadness the mournful devastation which one man's treachery had wrought +there, all his thoughts were forcibly drawn into one predominant idea, +whilst the decaying energies of his frame received a new impulse to +second the resolutions of his working mind. The cold and unnatural +atrocity of Gomez Arias burned in his brain; he felt the agonized throb +of his injury run corrosive through his veins, and impart an +uncontrollable desire of revenge; the fever of excitement rose superior +to that which had laid him prostrate, and he seemed impatient at the +weakness that confined him to his couch. + +"Before I die, poor suffering mourner," he said, turning soothingly to +his daughter, "I shall see your wrongs redressed, and my insulted honor +amply revenged; this sacred duty links me yet to life, and I hope +fervently in God that my existence may be protracted until that period." + +The renegade was there; for when revenge was the word, how could Bermudo +be absent from the essence of his life? Theodora, overpowered with the +emotion which her meeting with her father had produced, retired to +compose her disordered spirits, and in the mean time, Don Manuel had a +short but terrible explanation with the renegade: in few words this man +of darkness unfolded his powers of seconding Monteblanco's plans of +vengeance. + +The heated mind of the old cavalier, though in need of no stimulus, +nevertheless gathered fuel from the insinuating eloquence of the +renegade. A plan was concerted, and an immediate appeal to the queen +resolved upon; but the state of Monteblanco's health did not allow him +to put in execution his determination with a promptitude consonant with +his feelings. The renegade was therefore prudently concealed for the +present, to avoid the danger of inquisitive curiosity, whilst the only +obstacle that retarded the departure of Monteblanco for Granada, was the +sickness which still confined him to his couch. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Crece el tumulto, y el espanto crece: + Y todos le abandonan--uno solo + Fiel se presenta, y con valor perece. + + _Anon._ + + +Don Manuel de Monteblanco has already been described as a man weighed +down by years and the iron pressure of infirmities and sorrows. The +disappearance of his daughter, in whom all his thoughts, all the +affections of his heart were solely centred, tended to fill the measure +of his misery and reduce him to that gloomy state of despondency with +which his lost energies and increasing age in vain attempted to +struggle. Totally unsuccessful in his endeavours to discover the retreat +of Theodora, time at length reconciled him to his state of desolation, +but it was the resignation of despair; that feeling which makes man +acquiesce with gloomy calmness in the decrees of fate, and look with +tranquillity on the approach of death as the happy termination of his +sufferings. + +Don Manuel had sent despatches, and made diligent inquiries to recover +his daughter, but in vain. Martha, the old duenna, from whom he might +have obtained a knowledge of the truth, had successfully baffled his +pursuit, the sanctimonious hag having embarked at Barcelona, for Italy. +The vessel was wrecked, and it was supposed she perished, as no +information of her could be afterwards obtained. Don Lope Gomez Arias +had all the time kept up a correspondence with the deluded and ill-fated +father, who, far from harbouring the least suspicion against the +betrayer of his daughter, considered him as one in whose advice and +services he could implicitly confide. Thus in proportion as the +intelligence from Gomez Arias grew more cold and less frequent, the +hopes of the old cavalier decreased, until he was at last reduced to a +state bordering upon distraction. He lay prostrate on the couch of +sickness; it was presaged he was doomed never more to rise. Slowly death +was stealing over him, and all his friends and dependants bitterly +deplored the causes which contributed to render so miserable the last +days of the good old cavalier. Indeed, it appeared as if the angel of +death hovered round his fated mansion, and awed all its inmates into a +melancholy tranquillity. At this time the sudden and unexpected +appearance of Theodora worked a powerful revolution in the feelings of +the family, whilst the frame of Don Manuel, instead of sinking under the +weight of the impression which it produced, seemed to revive. His latent +feelings were roused from their gloomy torpor, the slumbering energies +were called into action by the powerful excitement of new ideas, and the +mind rendered buoyant in proportion as new projects called for the +exertion of its faculties. The unparalleled effrontery and cruelty of +Gomez Arias formed the source from which the drooping frame of +Monteblanco gathered life. His wrongs, instead of accelerating the +progress of death, seemed instantly to check its strides, while the +desire of revenge so powerfully operated on his mind, that it warmed the +torpid energies of decaying mortality. + +Three days had scarcely elapsed since the arrival of Theodora, when Don +Manuel already considered himself equal to the exertion of a journey to +Granada. The distance was short, and his feelings would not allow him a +longer delay; for he conceived every dilatory suggestion to be as +detrimental to the success of his design. The renegade, instead of +checking Monteblanco's views, contributed to encourage them by his +instigations. + +Early, therefore, on the fourth day, every thing was prepared for their +departure. Theodora habited herself in robes of deep mourning, and +departed from Guadix with her father and her former companions in +flight. The presence of Roque was indispensable, and Marien Rufa went +with the pious intention of being reconciled as soon as possible to the +church, by the Archbishop of Granada. + +Whilst our travellers are journeying towards that city, let me entreat +you, kind or unkind reader, to suffer them to go in peace, and accompany +me in another direction. We must now revert to the Moors, whom we left +in high excitement at Alhaurin, though the rage of Cañeri at the flight +of his captive had considerably damped the joy produced by their +victory. + +The disappointed Moor roamed about like a discontented mastiff, growling +and casting around his revengeful glances; whilst his dependants, awed +by his ferocity, cared not to encounter the ebullition of his wrath, but +timidly skulked away: strange phenomenon of human nature! Amongst those +Moors there was not one who did not inwardly despise the petty despot; +not one that was not endowed with a greater share of personal courage, +and yet they all trembled before the man they contemned, and shrank +from an object invested with no other terrors than those which they had +voluntarily conferred upon it. Where lies the spell of a tyrant that +enables him _alone_, hated and contemned, to tyrannize over his fellow +creatures! However, the Moors had now a respite from their fears, for +the approach of the Christians compelled Cañeri to forsake the +gratification of his petty malice, and direct his thoughts to the public +danger. The town of Alhaurin, which he commanded, was well garrisoned, +and had a plentiful store of provisions; and yet the mind of the chief +sadly misgave him. Every moment straggling Moors arrived, who depicted, +in the most lively colours, the terrible appearance of the Christians. +These reports, and the names of the gallant chiefs who headed the enemy, +failed not to depress the hearts of those who a week before had looked +upon their triumph as certain, imagining that the lustre of their glory +was beyond the possibility of a blemish. + +In the mean time Mohabed, contrary to the advice of El Feri, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with the Moors under his command. El Feri +had expostulated with his brother chief, but could not persuade him to +postpone an attempt which, planned with haste, and executed with +rashness, could only be attended with disaster. The Moors, though +possessed of courage, were unskilled in the discipline of war, and +better calculated, therefore, to harrass the Spaniards by detached +bodies, in petty skirmishes, than to oppose them in the open field. +Mohabed was callous to all remonstrances; and this want of unity in the +chiefs, proved a mortal blow to the Moorish cause. El Feri saw with +grief his companions descending that mountain which, to them, had +afforded a strong hold, and a secure home, to risk, by an act of +imprudence, the advantages which they had already gained. + +Mohabed boldly directed his course towards Granada, in which direction +Gomez Arias was said to be advancing. The enemies shortly came in sight; +but no sooner did they come within hearing, than the Moors sent forth a +wild shout of exultation, which was answered by the war-cry of the +Christians, who were burning to revenge the defeat of their countrymen +in the Sierra Bermeja. + +Gomez Arias beheld the advance of the enemy with transports of joy. He +hailed an opportunity of avenging the death of Aguilar, and of +acquiring, by a brilliant act, fresh laurels to sanction his ambitious +and enterprizing schemes. Besides the many deceitful stratagems to which +he had resorted on account of Theodora, his unsatisfactory conduct on +the day of his intended wedding, and a degree of mystery that remained +over that affair, had combined to throw a shade over his character which +he was anxious to remove by the _eclat_ of a military exploit. The hope +of victory, the desire of retrieving the late disgrace of the +Christians, and the sweet whispers of ambition, produced a state of wild +excitation he could scarcely restrain. His soldiers were equally +impatient to signalize themselves, and every one awaited the moment of +action in a ferment of expectation. + +Gomez Arias made choice of an advantageous position near _Rio Gordo_, +and there resolved to receive the attack of the enemy. Meantime Mohabed, +as if to forward the wishes of the Spaniards, hurried on without +considering the fatigue and exhaustion to which his men were reduced by +a forced march. The Christians, in their turn, beheld the approach of +the rebels, as an approaching holocaust to the spirits of those who fell +in the Sierra Bermeja with the gallant Aguilar. Don Lope commanded his +men to sustain the first attack without moving, and then, taking +advantage of the confusion excited by a repulse, suddenly to charge +their enemies with the united advantages of discipline and courage. His +wishes succeeded to their utmost extent. The Moors rushed on to the +charge in a blind and disorderly manner, totally heedless of the +consequences of their want of organization. The Spaniards suffered the +attack with the greatest coolness and intrepidity; when their fiery +courage, acquiring additional stimulus from having been compressed, now +spurred them on, and, with their entire force, they fell on the +confused and crowded masses of the enemy with an overwhelming shock. + +A dreadful carnage ensued. Terror had succeeded the first ebullition of +courage, and the Moors perceived their own rout and confusion only when +it was too late. Mohabed exerted all his powers to rally his +panic-stricken followers, but it was in vain. Disorder and dismay every +where prevailed, and the Christians obtained a victory as easy as it was +complete. The greater part of the Moors were slain in the field; a few +only escaped to carry the disheartening tale to their companions. The +rest, with their chief, Mohabed, fell into the hands of the enemy. + +The news of this disaster caused the wildest consternation amongst the +rebels at Alhaurin and the Sierra Bermeja. El Feri de Benastepar, +grieved but not surprised at the unfortunate results of Mohabed's +rashness, was active in repairing the loss, but his numbers being so +much reduced, he was now more fully confirmed in his design of confining +their warfare against the Christians to the Sierra Bermeja. With the +vigour of a superior character, he did not feel dejected by this +overthrow, as he had not been wildly elated by his previous success. Not +so with Cañeri: the total rout of Mohabed, described in the darkest +colours by those who had succeeded in effecting their escape, began to +awaken apprehensions for his own safety. His fear was considerably +aggravated by the arrival of the Alcayde de los Donceles, who, by forced +marches, had suddenly made his appearance before Alhaurin, to which he +immediately laid siege. The disorder and discontent of the Moors hourly +increased, and the absence of the renegade was severely felt. + +At this moment the Alcayde de los Donceles sent a herald to summon the +rebels to surrender, promising a full pardon should they be willing to +lay down their arms and deliver up their chiefs. But in case they +neglected to adopt in time this conciliatory measure, it was threatened +that they should all be put to the sword, and the town reduced to +ashes. Discontent and insubordination now prevailed amongst the rebels. +The sense of their danger--the formidable array of the enemy--and above +all, the unpopularity of their chief, Cañeri, conspired to render a +great portion of the troops willing to accede to the proposals of the +Alcayde. + +Soon a numerous and powerful cabal was formed, and the malcontents, +deciding that their cause was desperate, agreed to surrender. In a large +body they proceeded to the palace, and insolently demanded that the +gates of the town should be opened to the Christians. Cañeri, and some +of his adherents, aware that they were made an exception to the amnesty, +were naturally anxious to defend the city, as the only means of averting +their fate. + +Cañeri, no longer an unruly despot, now crouched to the danger like an +abject slave, and in a piteous tone began to expostulate with the +mutineers. It was a striking contrast to see the man, who lately was the +terror of all, converted into so gentle an animal as to astonish even +the Moors when they contemplated the cowardly being who had held them +so long in dread. They were not moved by his entreaties; for the +supplications of a despot, instead of awakening sympathy, serve only to +augment the rage of mankind, by placing in a more striking light his +pusillanimity and unworthiness, and the shame of having suffered so +despicable a thing to tyrannize over and oppress them. + +The uproar and insubordination increased as the term allowed by the +Alcayde to effect a surrender was drawing near. All obedience was now +disregarded, and a party of the most turbulent resolved to put their +chief to death, and, by this means, propitiate the favor of their +enemies. Accordingly, with wild exclamations and terrific yells, they +surrounded the mansion of Cañeri, and insolently summoned the few Moors +who still adhered to him to give up the despot, or that they would +immediately commit the palace to the flames. Cañeri, pale, haggard, and +trembling, stood like a convicted culprit in the scene of his former +brief authority, bewildered with fear, and without knowing what course +to pursue. To escape was utterly impossible, the palace being surrounded +by the infuriate Moors, and the town beleaguered by the Spaniards. In +this emergency he cast an imploring look on his followers, and saw with +despair the limited number of his adherents. In vain he attempted to +harangue the infuriated throng from the window; he was driven back by a +shower of stones and other missiles. In this suspense and agony he +remained some time, during which he had the mortification to behold his +few remaining friends gradually deserting his side in proportion as the +danger became more imminent. All was tumult and anarchy, and the cries +which proceeded from without, predicted to Cañeri's ears his approaching +and terrible fate. To the curses heaped on his devoted and abhorred +person, succeeded the appalling threats and the wild savage laugh of +exultation over his near downfall. Those who were formerly the most +abject of his slaves, were now more particularly conspicuous in +manifesting their revengeful disposition. + +The outward gates had now given way to the ponderous hammers with a +terrible crash, and the frenzied mutineers rushing impetuously in, +traversed the hall and gallery without opposition, and directed their +course to the apartment of the chief. + +The wretched Cañeri, alike unable to meet his death like a man, by +opposing his rebellious soldiers, or to prevent by his own hand the +ignominy which threatened him, awaited in stupor the crisis of the +bursting storm. Aghast he rolled his starting eyes, glazed with agonized +terror; and he saw himself deserted in that dreadful moment by all his +dependants. All had forsaken him--all but one man; he alone, in spite of +the fate which inevitably awaited his adherence to the fallen chief, +still remained faithful to his side: it was Malique. There is an +instinctive fidelity, existing sometimes in the most unrefined and +barbarous minds, honorable to human nature,--the uncouth Malique was of +this stamp; he had received no favors from his master when in +prosperity, yet he now scorned to abandon him in adversity. + +Cañeri looked at him, and in spite of his forlorn and perilous +situation, could not but be moved at the sight of the faithful Malique. +The noble minded Moor stood by his side, his scymitar drawn, and +evincing on his countenance no signs of terror or dismay. Cañeri, frail +as was the protection that could be derived from a single man, still +fondly clung to hope with the sordidness of a cowardly mind. + +"My faithful Malique," he cried in a tone of agony; "Is there no hope?" + +"None," replied Malique, sadly, but resolutely: "none, but to die like +brave Moors; draw your weapon, noble Cañeri, and perish as becomes your +race." The trembling chief answered with a groan, for the mutinous +soldiers had succeeded in bursting the door of the apartment, and now +with a dreadful clamour poured in, eager to strike the first blow at +their wretched and defenceless chief. Their very impatience retarded the +accomplishment of their fell desire, for as they thronged the narrow +passages, some were thrown down, the impatience of the one impeding the +progress of the other. + +His suspense between life and death was protracted by the confusion; and +the miserable Cañeri suffered the additional torture of hearing for some +time the appalling heralds of his fate, before the blow was struck. The +door burst open, and the savage eyes of his enemies glared upon their +victim, and the glitter of their weapons struck fearfully on his +sickening sight. He stood gazing with the petrified look of despair; +Malique boldly advanced and placed himself before his master, with the +resolute courage of one who has determined upon his part. + +"Malique," cried the foremost of the conspirators, who happened to be +one whom Cañeri had favored; "Sheath thy weapon; we seek not for thy +life." Malique made no reply, but with a single blow he levelled the +traitor with the ground; he then sprung fearlessly amongst the +rebellious crowd, and after having laid prostrate two or three of the +most infuriated, he was himself struck down, and met his death with the +courage of a soldier, and the coolness of a man, who dies in the +discharge of his duty. + +Grown desperate by the very impulse of terror, and moved by the sight of +Malique bleeding at his feet, Cañeri assumed a courage arising from +desperation, and as the mutineers closed round him, he dealt several +blows with a stubborn resistance that might have done him honour in the +field. He was, however, soon overpowered, and fell covered with +innumerable wounds. His head was immediately severed from the body, and +being affixed to a long pole, the disorderly and motley crowd now +proceeded to the camp of the Spaniards, bearing before them the bleeding +and ghastly token of their surrender. + +The whole town now became the scene of indiscriminate riot; men and +women, old and young, ran about in a tumult of hope and fear, whilst the +discordant shouts of the soldiery, and the appalling sight of the +procession, bearing the ensanguined trophy, greatly contributed to +increase the confusion. + +El Alcayde de los Donceles having taken the necessary precautions to +insure the safety of his men, in case of treason, now entered the town +of Alhaurin amidst the acclamations of his late foes; the chiefs of the +rebels had already been secured, and the disorderly multitude taking +advantage of the proffered pardon, soon evacuated the place, and +dispersed in every direction. + +Meantime the Alcayde, having left a garrison in the town to prevent any +further trouble, proceeded towards the Sierra Bermeja, the last and only +refuge of the Moors; for the little villages where the fire of sedition +yet burned, were too insignificant to engross his attention. The +Christians therefore continued their march towards the dreadful spot, +where the spirit of the noble Aguilar seemed to hover, in expectation of +redress, and where the terrible El Feri, the most valiant of the Moors, +still kept his ground. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Cuan breve y cuan caduca resplandece + Nuestra gloria! Cuan subito, en el punto + Que deleita a los ojos, desparece! + + _Herrera._ + + Che piu si apera, o che s'attende omai? + Dopo trionfo e palma + + * * * * + + Luto e lamenti, e lagrimosi lai; + + _Tasso._ + + +Granada, lately the seat of mourning, was again converted into a scene +of indiscriminate joy. The recent victory obtained by Gomez Arias, and +the defeat of Cañeri which had so closely followed that advantage, awoke +the most pleasing sentiments in the minds of the inhabitants. They +almost considered the rebellion as at an end, assured by the late +successes, and awaited with impatience the triumphant entry of Gomez +Arias and his conquering band, now rapidly approaching towards the city. +The court was assembled, and displayed the heroic Isabella in all the +insignia of royalty. Surrounded by all the principal personages in +Spain, she awaited the arrival of the victor, anxious to offer him her +congratulations and to bestow upon him adequate marks of her royal +favor. + +The grand saloon of the Alhambra, where formerly the Moorish sovereigns +dictated their laws, now afforded a different, though no less striking +display. The dazzling glitter of armour and the sumptuousness of +official dresses, blended with the gay and richly ornamented attires of +the ladies of the court, presented a picture at once beautiful and +imposing. + +At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall. It +proceeded from the guards, who appeared anxious to deny admittance to +some person who, with a feeble though piercing voice, was heard +continually to exclaim-- + +"Justice! I come to the Queen! Justice! She cannot deny it to an +unfortunate noble!" + +The queen was moved by the appeal, and ordered that the supplicant +should be admitted without delay. Scarcely were her commands obeyed, +when a venerable old man, in sable robes, and bearing on his countenance +deep traces of grief, slowly and solemnly advanced towards the throne of +the queen. He supported, or rather was supported, by a young female, +likewise in mourning, and wearing a veil, which reached almost to the +ground, thus concealing her beauties and her sorrows from the curious +gaze of the spectators. Two other figures followed closely, a man of +strong athletic proportions in a Moorish garb, and a thin +curious-looking individual, apparently of inferior station. + +Solemn silence prevailed, and every one seemed anxious to learn the +cause of this extraordinary appeal. But when the stranger reached the +throne he was immediately recognised by the queen and several of the +nobles, who could not conceal their astonishment at the sight. +"Monteblanco!" involuntarily and simultaneously escaped from several +voices in the some breath. + +"Yes," replied he, kneeling with his daughter at the foot of the throne; +"the wretched Monteblanco comes humbly to crave justice from his +sovereign. Before his grey hairs descend with sorrow into the tomb, he +collects his weak remaining strength to seek redress from the powerful, +and to interest in his behalf the feelings of all the noble and +generous. Pardon, most noble and gracious Queen--" he then added, +addressing Isabella, "Pardon, if I come in a day of glory and jubilee, +to damp with the tale of woe the joy that reigns around. But behold the +picture of an aged father, wounded and insulted in his best +affections--a noble family dishonoured--the only scion of that family +reduced to the lowest state of obloquy and shame. Such a picture may +well call the attention of the just, even from objects of dazzling +interest. Yes, I may be pardoned for intruding my misfortunes on my +Queen--my generous Queen, from whom alone I can expect redress." + +"You shall not demand it in vain," replied the queen; "all times are +sacred to the solemn appeal of justice, and in the court of Isabella, +every other consideration shall be postponed to satisfy its demands. +Monteblanco, you have been guilty of no intrusion; speak +confidently--unfold the particulars of your grievances, and trust that +nought on earth shall induce the Queen to deviate a single step from the +sacred path of justice." + +"Gracious Queen!" cried Monteblanco, "that hope has been my sole +inducement to prolong my miserable existence. I am injured deeply; +injured in the dearest feeling of a nobleman and a Spaniard. The honors +of my family, gained by a long line of illustrious ancestors, have been +foully tarnished by one who calls himself noble and a Spaniard, but who +is alike unworthy to rank as either. I will not enumerate the services +of the Monteblancos to interest our Queen in behalf of their affronted +house; still, whilst the lustre of their name is on the point of being +extinguished, it may be permitted to the last remaining but withered +branch of that noble tree, once again to speak of those who are alas! +now no more. Oh, Isabella, I had five sons; all--all deserving of the +name they bore. Bravely they fought against the Moors, and gloriously +they fell before the walls of this city, in the sacred cause of their +religion and country. I was left desolate with this only frail but dear +support of my declining age." + +He cast a piteous look on Theodora, and then continued. "The fate of my +sons might draw tears from the eyes of a father; but those tears were +unmingled with the bitterness of shame. With pride I remembered that my +boys died for their country. Heaven! could I then surmise that in my +unfortunate daughter all the former glory so dearly earned should be +degraded! Could I ever anticipate that the day should come when the +noble fate of my sons would be to me a subject of regret! I am now +reduced to envy my country those lives which might now stand forward to +avenge the honor of their house. My daughter, blessed with innocence and +beauty, gentle and kind in her nature, was the only solace of my +declining years--the only sweet and blooming flower that still grew +smiling beside the parent stem. Yet of this, my only remaining comfort, +I was treacherously and cruelly deprived. A ruffian, honored far beyond +his deserts, and rich in the plenitude of power, envied me this solitary +consolation. My unfortunate daughter was seduced from her home! Oh +heaven! that a Monteblanco should be reduced to confess his shame! She +was seduced from the fond arms of her parent under the most sacred +promises, and then, in violation of his plighted honor, the miscreant +cast her aside to wither in neglect and obscurity. But it was necessary +that the most atrocious example of barbarity should accompany his base +desertion. In the arms of sleep, the hapless victim was abandoned amidst +the wilderness of the Alpujarras. She fell into the power of the Moors, +from whom she experienced all the terrors which her forlorn situation +was naturally calculated to produce. Fortune threw her again in contact +with her betrayer, when the cold heartless ruffian, under the most +insidious promises of false repentance, drew her from the house of her +protector, that she might be no obstruction to his ambitious career. He +again delivered her to the power of the Moors, the rebels whose heads +were proscribed, and with whom the guilty man scrupled not to hold +communion, in open defiance of the repeated and solemnly promulgated +decree of your highness." + +Here Monteblanco stopped, and a suppressed murmur of indignation ran +through the whole assembly. + +"Such an example of depravity," continued the old man, "astonishes you, +but your wonder will be increased when you learn that the man who has so +disgracefully added treason to his crimes is one high in rank, great in +military renown, and honored by the favour of his sovereign." + +"Those circumstances," cried the queen, "render his conduct doubly +criminal. Monteblanco, your wrongs shall be redressed. Let the guilt be +firmly established, and then, were the culprit the first man in the +kingdom, the support of my throne--nay," she added, rising in her +anger, "were he even of my own blood, he shall not be screened from the +rigour of the law." As she delivered these words a cloud of indignation +mantled on her brow, and her eyes shot the fire of insulted majesty as +she looked proudly on the surrounding nobles and warriors. + +A pause ensued, and the splendid train that had assembled to celebrate a +victory, now gazed on each other in blank dismay, expecting to hear in +the name of the criminal one of their own friends or relatives. + +"Pronounce the name of the traitor," cried the queen, "and if he be not +here already, he shall be summoned this very moment into our presence, +to answer these charges." + +"His name is powerful," replied Monteblanco. + +"Not more so than my will," nobly retorted Isabella. + +At this moment a burst of popular applause announced the triumphant +entry of the victorious Spaniard, and the name of Gomez Arias, in the +wild strains of a grateful multitude, was repeated by a thousand voices. + +"His name?" impatiently demanded the Queen. + +_Viva!_ Gomez Arias, _Viva!_ again burst on the ears of the Court, and +Monteblanco, with bitter emphasis, exclaimed:-- + +"Hear! hear his name honored with the strains of triumph: hear the name +which causes my misery and dishonor, now receiving the glorious reward +of the hero! Oh, shame on my withered arm; where is the strength of my +youth; and where the sons of my name?" + +"Gomez Arias!" cried the queen and the courtiers with one simultaneous +cry of amazement--"Gomez Arias!" + +"'Tis he!" replied Monteblanco, firmly and indignantly. + +A dismal silence then succeeded, and the emotion of the queen became +strongly apparent. She felt that, in the person of a triumphant +conqueror, she was about to receive a criminal, and that the reward due +to his services could not avert the punishment incurred by his guilt. +The surrounding courtiers stood aghast, gazing in wonder on the queen. +They were well assured of the rigid impartiality which had swayed her +conducts through life; and aware that not even all the powerful voices +in the country could successfully plead against the claims of the +unprotected, or stay the decree of justice upon the oppressor and the +criminal. + +Meantime Gomez Arias, with all the exultation of a conquering warrior, +entered the hall, attended by his principal adherents, and preceded by +Mohabed and other captive chiefs. He advanced in joyful expectation +towards the throne, when suddenly his course was arrested by a dreadful +vision. + +Fixed in mute astonishment, he stood, as he gazed upon the group, at the +foot of the throne; an ashy paleness succeeded the glowing tints of joy +yet visible on his countenance. His confusion became apparent, and was +productive of the most injurious surmises in the minds of all around. +Yet Gomez Arias raised his eyes towards his sovereign, but from her +features he could augur nothing favorable; no encouragement could be +traced in their calm and distant expression. + +A consciousness of guilt now mastered all his powers of dissimulation, +and the nature of Gomez Arias seemed, in a few moments, to have +undergone a total and inexplicable revolution. His joyous attendants +were surprised at these unwonted signs of consternation; and the sounds +of pleasure and triumph suddenly ceased. A deadly spell seemed to have +been suddenly cast over the scene, and every one remained in a state of +terrible suspense. At length Gomez Arias, striving to conceal his +agitation with an assumption of boldness and ease that ill consorted +with his manner--"Most gracious Isabella," he cried, "behold the +rebellious Mohabed at your royal feet, and accept the humble +congratulations and devout attachment of your faithful servant." + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias," answered the queen, with stern dignity of tone +and demeanor, "before we receive your congratulations, and acknowledge +your services--before we can consider you with the regard due to the +glorious character of a victorious soldier, you must remove certain +accusations which have this day been averred against you by the noble +and respected individual now before the throne. Answer these serious +charges before you claim a title to our gratitude and favor; for not all +the splendor of conquest shall throw a veil over flagrant guilt. +Approach, and behold those whom you have wronged--mark well the +situation to which you have reduced a noble family, and say, what you +can plead in justification." + +Don Lope cast a glance on the group; but when he perceived his man, +Roque, whose presence deprived him of the little opportunity left for +prevarication, hope forsook him, and the presence of mind which had +served him on so many occasions proved utterly insufficient at this +critical moment. He foresaw that any attempt at exculpation would be as +fruitless as dangerous. He therefore continued in mute silence, and +appeared to plead guilty to the accusation. His countenance, however, +gradually cleared, as though a cheering ray had suddenly beamed upon +him. He seemed to adopt some resolution so imperiously demanded by +circumstances--he regained his composure; but a deep sigh escaped him; +it was the last testimony of regret that announced the disappointment of +his hopes. No alternative was left; he must relinquish all thoughts of +Leonor; and he accordingly attuned his mind to receive with deference +the commands which he awaited from the queen. + +"Gomez Arias," said Isabella after a lapse of time, "that silence +clearly bespeaks thy conviction; the honor of a noble family has been +stained. It now remains for you to make all the reparation in your +power; and that must be done immediately; for I will not leave this +place, nor shall you leave my presence, till I see the victim of your +wantonness and cruelty restored to that honor and happiness of which she +has been deprived." + +Gomez Arias heard these words with apparent respect and humility. Foiled +completely in his former hopes, he yet was willing to preserve the +favor of the queen, and to effect this it was necessary to deprecate the +indignation which his conduct had excited. He therefore assumed all the +symptoms of repentance, without any alloy of fear or servility, and +casting himself at the foot of the throne, "It would never," said he, +"be worthy of Gomez Arias to resist in any instance the will of his +sovereign; much less on an occasion when honor induces him to follow her +dictates." + +"Pity," answered Isabella sarcastically, "that this consideration did +not sooner induce you to adopt such a course, for much misery had by +these means been prevented. But the evil is already done, and must be +instantly repaired. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias," she then proceeded, "This very moment you must +plight your hand and faith to Theodora de Monteblanco. You appear fully +sensible of the justice of such a measure, and therefore in my presence +let the ceremony be performed." + +One of the chaplains of the queen was immediately summoned, and before +the assembled court, whose looks bespoke their astonishment at this +extraordinary scene, the unfortunate Theodora became the wife of Gomez +Arias. With trembling steps, and supported by her father, she advanced +to the foot of the throne. Don Lope approached her, not only without +symptoms of dislike, but even with some appearance of a kindly feeling, +the sincerity of which was however of a doubtful nature, as little trust +could be placed in a conversion so suddenly effected. Nor did Theodora, +blinded as she was by her infatuation, confide entirely in his specious +address; but yet the thought of restoring peace of mind to her father, +and honor to herself, rose paramount to every other consideration. +Amidst the tears that dimmed her eyes, and the lines of sorrow that +marked her countenance, some grateful signs of happiness were +discernible, like the cheering rays of the sun struggling through the +gloom of the clouds. + +She received the hand of Gomez Arias tremblingly, with a mixed sensation +of joy and dread. Alas! when she took that hand, once so dear, it +seemed deadly cold, and the touch imparted to her heart a chill she +could not define. + +As soon as the ceremony was performed, the queen arose, and with a +stateliness of manner that struck with awe the surrounding train-- + +"Don Lope," she said, "You have, as far as it lay in your power, +repaired the injury you have done to the daughter of Monteblanco; you +must now answer your Queen, for treason to your country." + +Gomez Arias was struck with astonishment, not so much from the +consciousness of guilt, as from the suddenness of such an unexpected +charge. As soon, therefore, as he recovered from his surprise, with +indignant pride he exclaimed: "What! Gomez Arias charged with treason, +when he comes to afford the most incontestable proofs of his love and +devotion to his country? Where--where is the villain who dares affix so +foul a stigma to the name of Gomez Arias? Where is he?--let him appear, +that I may confound and chastise the miscreant;" then looking round with +haughtiness, he added, "who dares charge _me_ with treason?" + +"I dare," cried a voice; and presently the renegade, who, till then, had +been concealed from Don Lope, came forward with boldness, and fixing his +eyes steadfastly on Gomez Arias-- + +"I dare," he repeated, "in the face of Spain, and I will make good my +charge." + +Gomez Arias staggered at the sight; the apparition had burst upon him so +unexpectedly, that, unable to contain his emotion,-- + +"Ah!" he cried, faultering; "what! the Moor here!" + +"The Moor!" echoed the queen; "then you know the Moor?" + +"I have seen the wretch before," replied Gomez Arias; "but how dares he +throw on me so dark an imputation?" + +He cast a look of darkening anger on the renegade, but Bermudo returned +the haughty glance with a cold sneer. + +"Proud man," he exclaimed, "your wrath affrights not me, and humility +becomes you better than arrogance. You can as little intimidate me, as +you can effectually contradict the veracity of my accusation. Queen of +Spain," he then cried in a tone of fearless intrepidity, "and you, ye +nobles of Granada, behold in me one of the rebels who has laid down his +arms and accepted the amnesty. An eager desire to unmask that haughty +man, has obliged me to abandon my companions, and appear within the +walls of a Christian city. My motives for proceeding against Don Lope +will shortly come to light; but first his guilt shall be established. +His conviction and punishment will necessarily follow, if the court of +Isabella can boast real claims to that impartial justice, for which the +world gives it credit." + +These words were delivered with such firmness of tone and manner, that +the friends of Gomez Arias began to look on him with mingled pity and +amazement. He, however, cast around a glance of indignant contempt; +then he preserved a sullen silence, attempting not to contradict the +statement of his accuser. + +"What answer make you to this charge?" demanded the queen, observing the +pertinacity of his silence. + +"Answer!" replied Don Lope, with overpowering indignation; "none! Gomez +Arias will not deign to answer the accusations of a vile rebel, nor will +he afford his Queen and brethren in arms the satisfaction of seeing the +established character of a noble Christian put in competition with the +base assertions of a villain." + +Hurt as the queen felt at the arrogance and insolence couched in these +words, she forbore manifesting her displeasure. + +"No, Don Lope," she said, "your Queen is grateful, but not more than she +is just. You stand accused of treason, but the mere word of that Moor +will not be sufficient in itself to induce your Queen, or your brethren +in arms, to convict of treason one of the first knights in Spain. We +must have proof--evident, irrefragable proofs of the crime alleged +against you, before a decision is pronounced." + +"Proofs!" exclaimed the renegade, with a sarcastic sneer--"such a demand +is too just to be denied; and who would be the presumptuous madman, that +dare impeach Gomez Arias without proofs? In the first place, therefore, +the Queen will perhaps not question the validity of this." And saying +this, he took a ring from his finger, and approaching the throne, +added:-- + +"Your Highness cannot have forgotten this pledge of your regard for +Gomez Arias, though that nobleman seems totally to have overlooked such +a gift, when he speaks in dubious terms of your Highness's gratitude." + +A gloomy joy animated the features of the renegade, as he pronounced +these words; a demoniac triumph was visible on his countenance. + +The queen felt an involuntary shudder as she received the ring, whilst +Gomez Arias stood in speechless suspense, a transitory, but deadly +paleness driving the flush of anger from his countenance. + +"Moor--how camest thou by this ring?" asked the queen. + +"It was," answered Bermudo, "a recompence for the services I rendered +Don Lope Gomez Arias. When this gallant knight wished to part with yon +noble lady, I was the agent in the transaction; I procured him the +interview with Cañeri." + +"Cañeri!" exclaimed several voices in consternation. + +"Cañeri, aye, Cañeri," repeated the renegade, unmoved. "Could the noble +Gomez Arias enter into a treaty with a rebel less than a chief. I was +the individual who introduced these personages to each other, and surely +for so considerable a service could I expect less than a ring--a ring +valuable indeed in itself--more valuable from the illustrious personage +to whom it had belonged--more precious still, as I have it in my power +to return it to that elevated owner." + +The solemn mockery of this speech was suddenly interrupted by the queen, +while, with looks of anger and displeasure-- + +"Peace!" she cried. "You came here to make good an accusation, not to +intrude upon our patience with these remarks." Then turning to Gomez +Arias, she continued in a tone of mingled sternness and compassion-- + +"Don Lope, you gave this ring to the Moor?" + +"I did," replied Gomez Arias, gloomily, but dauntless. + +"An oath," resumed the renegade, "will surely be held sacred with a +Christian. Let one be taken by that man," he added, pointing to Roque, +who was now endeavouring to effect his escape, as he beheld, with +dismay, the unexpected and serious turn the affair was taking, and felt +repugnant to criminate his former master, for whom he still preserved a +feeling of respect. + +"Secure the man," continued Bermudo, "and we will then see how far I am +justified in my assertions." + +"Silence!" again exclaimed the queen, inwardly grieved at the evidence +that was pressing against Don Lope. "Silence, Moor: we need not thy +instructions." + +A mixture of pity and amazement prevailed throughout the assembly. They +met to congratulate a victor, and they were now to consider him as one +who had not scrupled to outrage the laws of his country, and for the +purpose of accomplishing a detestable crime. So extraordinary and +contradictory a situation appeared to some impossible; yet nothing is +beyond the compass of the passions when unrestrained in their headlong +career. + +The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggar +description. There she was obliged to stand and witness the accusation +of her husband, brought by her means into this dreadful situation. But +her dismay was doubly augmented when she observed the queen rise, and in +a solemn manner, address the surrounding train. + +"Christians," she said, "I bitterly deplore this melancholy event, which +changes a day of triumph into one of sorrow. Governor of Granada," she +then added, turning to Count de Tendilla, "to you I commit the person of +Don Lope Gomez Arias, accused of treason to the state. See that he be +safely guarded, though respectfully treated--and you, Don Lope, prepare +to stand a trial for your life." + +"For his life!" exclaimed Theodora with horror; and she fixed her +imploring eyes on the queen. + +Gomez Arias heard the decision of his sovereign with more indignation +than fear, and in the bitterness of his soul, he said, turning to his +adherents-- + +"My friends, be zealous to serve your country, for you perceive the +recompense and encouragement which await you in a day of triumph." + +"Don Lope," cried the queen with warmth, "charge not to your country +what has been the effect of your unrestrained passions and imprudence; +nor carry your insolence so far as to imagine and insinuate that I can +wantonly sport with the life of the meanest of my subjects, much less +with yours. You shall be judged by your peers, who will not neglect any +extenuation in your favor, and it shall be only on irresistible evidence +that the decree of justice shall be pronounced." + +She then made a signal for the assembly to disperse, and every one +retired in deep consternation. A deadly silence prevailed as they slowly +left the hall, and to the joyful sounds of popular feeling which had +lately been heard, now succeeded the murmurs of grief and astonishment. + +As it was feared that the friends of Gomez Arias might be tempted to +some rash act, proper precautions were taken, that the public +tranquillity should not be disturbed. Mohabed and the other prisoners +were confined in dungeons, and Monteblanco and his wretched daughter, by +the desire of the queen, remained at the palace until the fate of Gomez +Arias should be decided. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + A do el favor antiguo? a do la gloria + De mi pasado tiempo y venturoso? + A do tantos despojos y vitoria! + + _Herrera._ + + I am merrier to die, than thou art to live. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +The fatal day of the trial arrived; the evidence was heard, the facts +fully substantiated. Gomez Arias convicted of treason and condemned to +lose his head on a scaffold! This sentence filled the inhabitants of +Granada with indescribable horror. The man, who a few days before had +been the theme of general admiration; he, who came victorious, borne on +the wings of fortune to the highest pinnacle of honor, was now, by the +same capricious turn of fate, shorn of all his dignity and splendor, +and condemned to the horrors of an ignominious death. He, who had so +long awakened the jealousy of the great, was now the object of general +compassion. + +Theodora had been schooled in affliction, and familiarized with +suffering, yet when she was apprised of the result of the trial, many +circumstances conspired to add to the intensity of her grief. She +considered herself as the primary, though innocent cause of her +husband's untimely fate; all his ingratitude and cruelty; all the +treachery of which he had been guilty towards her, were now forgotten, +and her vivid fancy, excited by the extent of the danger, now saw +nothing but his brilliant qualities, and his untimely fate. Doubly dear +was Gomez Arias to Theodora, when she perceived him on the brink of +destruction. Hope, however, did not entirely forsake her, though the +boding voice of grief, which floated on the air, soon dissolved so +enchanting an illusion. If expectation had been great, the +disappointment was now doubly terrible; the sentence had been +pronounced, and the queen alone could mitigate its rigour by virtue of +the royal prerogative. To this last hope Theodora clung with fond +expectation; Isabella was humane and a woman; she had, it was true, +acquired celebrity by the rigid and unimpeachable justice of her +decisions, but could she send to the scaffold, a young and gallant +nobleman, to whom she stood indebted for a brilliant victory, without +infringing the sacred principles of that justice. She was a woman, and +though heroic and high-minded, still nature must have planted in her +bosom the genuine attributes of her sex. Pity, humanity, generosity, +would stifle the sterner voice of duty, and she could not repel from her +throne, the humble, yet noble supplicants for mercy; she would be deeply +moved by the tears of one, whom but lately she had made a bride, and +whom another word would make a widow. Besides, the application of many +intimate friends, and many of the first families in the kingdom, could +not be utterly disregarded by the queen, to whom their services had been +so important. + +These soothing ideas in some measure lulled Theodora's apprehensions, +and she successfully combated the idea of losing him for ever. +Unfortunate woman! soon she was doomed to learn the fallacy of her +expectations! Several strong appeals had already been made to the queen; +the first families of Granada had deeply interested themselves in favor +of Gomez Arias, but all applications had met with a disheartening and +absolute repulse. Nor indeed could the queen be taxed with ingratitude +and cruelty, for she adduced powerful reasons in her answer to the +supplicants, to prove her inability to comply with their request, +without at the same time giving her subjects an example of unjustifiable +partiality. A week had not elapsed, since six men had been executed in +the _Plaza de Bivarrambla_, on account of the same offence for which Don +Lope stood condemned. With this melancholy precedent, even the most +sanguine in their expectations began to droop, and the death of Gomez +Arias was looked upon as an inevitable misfortune. + +Theodora heard the opinion generally entertained with a feeling of +horror. In vain she cast herself at the feet of the queen, and there +implored the royal clemency with all the fervid eloquence of grief; +Isabella received her with tenderness, but allowed the wretched girl no +room for hope: Theodora's feelings were wrought to the wildest paroxysm +of anguish. She flung herself violently on the ground, and in all the +poignancy of her affliction, prayed, fervently prayed for the life of +her husband, the mere life, though by incurring banishment, she might be +doomed to see him no more; the tears of the unfortunate bride fell +profusely; her hands were franticly clasped, and trembled in the +intensity of her emotion. It was a picture of distress unutterable. The +queen beheld it with compassion--she was astonished at the sight of such +affliction in one so injured as Theodora, but she could not remove her +sorrows without a partiality in the administration of justice, which it +had been the pride of her life to avoid. + +Evidently distressed, she kindly bade Theodora rise, but with noble +dignity she pronounced those memorable words:-- + +"As a woman, I might forgive a treason against love; as a queen, I can +never forget one committed against my country." + +The wretched Theodora was then ordered to retire, but she was unable to +obey the mandate. She clung earnestly to the foot of the throne, fondly +imagining that as long as she retained sight of Isabella, she could not +lose every hope. Again she was invited to withdraw, the queen humanely +wishing to spare her feelings another unnecessary shock, but the object +of her solicitude was not conscious of the kindness of her motive. An +officer of the governor now entering, proceeded to deliver a roll of +paper into the hands of the queen. Isabella appeared suddenly agitated +as she received the scroll, whilst a ray of horrible light glancing +across the mind of the wretched supplicant-- + +"Oh, in mercy do not sign"--she franticly exclaimed. "In the name of +heaven! not yet--do not sign!" + +It was too late--the decree which condemned Gomez Arias was signed, and +his unfortunate wife fell senseless to the ground. + +In this melancholy state she was carried to her father, who, far from +being able to afford consolation, was himself a prey to the bitterest +woe. + +Gloomily the day wore away, and the inhabitants of Granada beheld with +horror the high scaffold which was already prepared at the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. An universal mourning seemed to prevail throughout the +city. Every one felt interested and shocked at the approaching +execution, though no one dared to impugn the justice of the sentence, by +virtue of which the noble culprit was about to suffer. + +After the condemnation of Gomez Arias, a strong guard was placed at the +mansion of Count de Tendilla, where he had been confined. He was treated +with the utmost deference and regard, the queen having particularly +commanded that every attention should be lavished on him; and indeed, +until his death warrant was signed, the prisoner had been permitted a +free intercourse with his friends and relatives. Thus his prison bore +rather the resemblance of a levee of a person in power, than the visits +of despairing friends to one in the last stage of mortality. All his +friends and companions in arms had been assiduous in these mournful +visits, and he appeared greatly pleased with this testimony of their +regard. Indeed it was his pride which had brought Gomez Arias into this +dreadful predicament, and he was thus highly gratified at the very +general interest exhibited in his behalf. + +It might be easily seen that he had not yet lost every hope; for to him +it seemed impossible that the queen could ever be prevailed on to give +her sanction to the sentence. He fondly recalled to his mind the high +favor in which he had hitherto been held by Isabella--the different +tokens of regard received from her royal hand--the many interviews and +even familiar conversations with which he had been honored. To these +pleasing recollections he added the intercessions of so many powerful +advocates, all eager to solicit the royal clemency in his behalf. Thus, +every thing conspired to buoy up the spirits of the prisoner, and to +prolong an illusion from which he was soon to be rudely awakened. He was +conversing in a tranquil, nay, lively manner, with two or three friends, +when Count de Tendilla, followed by the official attendants, entered, +and in a sad melancholy tone-- + +"Don Lope," he said, "I deeply lament the necessity to which I am +reduced, of being the messenger of woeful tidings; but part of the pain +I feel in such a disagreeable duty, is removed when I have to +communicate it to such as Gomez Arias, who have fortitude and courage to +know how to sustain misfortune." + +"Proceed, Count," answered Don Lope, with a bitter smile, "let me know +the worst, and I dare say I shall have that fortitude which you kindly +suppose me--" + +"Don Lope," solemnly said the Count, "your sentence is confirmed, and +you must prepare for death." + +"Death!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, with emotion, "death!" Then suddenly +composing himself, he continued in an indignant tone:--"Well, I must +confess that I am somewhat struck with your information, Count. +Certainly, I was not prepared for so much--banishment and confiscation, +I could have expected, but I see that I have most erroneously calculated +on the favor of our Queen--her generosity, indeed, surpasses my most +sanguine ideas." + +Count de Tendilla, without seeming to understand this innuendo, +proceeded-- + +"In consideration of your services, Don Lope, the Queen is willing to +grant any request you may wish to make. It shall be most religiously +observed." + +"I am greatly beholden to the Queen," replied Gomez Arias, in the same +bitter manner, "but upon my honor, I am already too much indebted to her +Highness, and I should be loath to trespass on her indulgence." + +"Don Lope," cried Tendilla, with warmth, "you wrong the Queen. At this +very moment she deplores the necessity which compels her to sign your +death warrant. Had there been any means, any honorable method to save +you from your fate, she would eagerly have seized the opportunity. She +would willingly forfeit the greatest treasure of her kingdom to save +your life.--Yes, for your existence she would sacrifice all--all but her +duty." + +"And when," demanded Gomez Arias, "is this sentence to be carried into +effect?" + +"To-morrow;" replied the governor, "but should you like to profit by the +favor, a respite of two days is granted." + +"No," proudly returned Gomez Arias, "I should feel exceedingly mortified +to disappoint the expectations of the public, who, no doubt, are by this +time anxiously looking for the preparations of the approaching +spectacle: no, let the ceremony take place to-morrow; I am ready." Then, +turning to young Garcilaso, who had been his companion in the expedition +against Mohabed-- + +"My young friend," he said, "you are a gallant and most promising +soldier, but be careful how you use the favors of the ladies; for not +all your services rendered to a queen will compensate the most trivial +disregard offered to the woman; and above all, be cautious how you +meddle with rings." + +Count de Tendilla did not think proper to resent these remarks, for the +present situation of Gomez Arias precluded the propriety of replying to +the imprudent effusion of his irritated feelings. + +"Don Lope," resumed the governor, "I will place your person under no +unnecessary restraint, but you must pardon the disagreeable necessity to +which my responsibility reduces me of stationing a guard within your +apartment." + +"The presence of soldiers, Count," replied Don Lope, "was never +unpleasant to Gomez Arias; on the contrary, I shall feel particularly +gratified; they will, perhaps, tend to dispel the cloud that hangs over +my mind by recalling to memory my former glory; besides, they will +acquire a new stimulus to serve their Queen by witnessing the +encouraging reward she has in store for her servants." + +He now folded his arms and began to pace the room with an affected +indifference, but his inward feelings baffled even the powers of his +superior mind. No man can feel calm and indifferent under such +circumstances; it is against the principles of his nature; pride and a +due sense of honorable feeling may help him to assume a dignified +composure, or ferocity and callousness may adopt an insolent demeanor or +a gloomy tranquillity; but real philosophic evenness of mind exists more +in theory than in practice. Nevertheless Gomez Arias manifested no +symptoms of weak regret, and his exclamations bespoke more his +resentment against the queen than the dread of relinquishing life in the +midst of a brilliant career. He now seemed to be absorbed in thought and +the governor prepared to take his leave, when-- + +"Stay," he cried, "upon better reflection, perhaps it will be more +respectful not to refuse the kind offer of my sovereign; I shall +therefore make one request." + +"Name it," said Tendilla, kindly; "it shall be granted." + +"It is," resumed Don Lope, "that upon my way to the scaffold I may be +allowed to head a party of my own gallant soldiers, mounted on my +charger and attended with all military honors." + +Count de Tendilla gave an involuntary start at so strange a demand, and +looked steadfastly on Gomez Arias, as if doubting whether compliance +might not be attended with danger. The request might involve the secret +of some desperate act, or perhaps only bespoke the workings of a noble +pride. However, the governor considered himself justified in granting +the favor. + +"Your wish shall be fulfilled," he said. "Whatever may be the feeling +that prompts you, Don Lope, to make such a request, I and my _own_ guard +will likewise accompany you." + +He delivered these words with great significancy of tone and manner, +that Gomez Arias might be sure the governor was prepared, should there +be aught in contemplation that might affect the public tranquillity. + +"And now," resumed Tendilla, "I must bring you a visitor, Don Lope; one +who earnestly wishes to take a last farewell." + +"And who is that charitable being?" inquired Gomez Arias, carelessly; +"for if I mistake not, all my friends and relatives have already +fulfilled that duty." + +"It is your lady," replied Tendilla, "the lovely and unfortunate +Theodora." + +Gomez Arias made a sign of impatient displeasure, and then, in a cold +and constrained manner-- + +"I am sensible," he said, "of her kindness and self-devotion, but I +cannot consent; no, I cannot, I will not see her; and I earnestly pray +and hope she may no longer require an interview to which I have already +given an absolute denial." + +This was true. Gomez Arias had obstinately refused to see his once +idolized Theodora, nor could all her prayers and entreaties, backed by +the remonstrances of friends, prevail on him to alter so unkind a +resolution. This determination might have sprung from a feeling of +horror for the cause of his death, or of pity for the poignancy of her +anguish: perhaps he wished to avoid a scene which was capable of +producing nothing but terrible or melancholy recollections. + +He evinced, however, no reluctance to see his man, Roque. The poor +faithful creature anxiously desired to be admitted; for though the +claims of his master to his gratitude were feeble, yet a lively +sentiment of affliction and a degree of horror for having been, though +unwillingly, one of the instruments to forward the catastrophe, made him +desirous of throwing himself at the feet of Gomez Arias. + +Tremblingly the poor valet entered, and as he beheld the noble figure of +Don Lope standing composedly in the middle of the apartment, he could +not refrain from tears. + +"Oh! Don Lope," he cried, despondingly, "my dear and honored master, +that it should come to this! That ever I should live to see the most +gallant cavalier in Granada undergo such a sentence!" + +He then threw himself at the feet of Gomez Arias, and clasping firmly +both his knees, in a tone of keen anguish continued-- + +"Alas! my unfortunate master, I will not rise from the ground until you +grant me full pardon for the share I have in your death. Heaven knows +how unwillingly I have acted, and how sadly I repent the untoward +circumstances which reduced me to that fearful alternative." + +"Rise, my good Roque," said Gomez Arias. "I freely forgive thee, not +only the melancholy necessity to which thou hast been compelled, but +even all the other transgressions of which thou hast been guilty in my +service, and I dare say they are not a few; however, as I am to +undertake to-morrow so long a journey in which, I suppose, thou hast no +inclination to bear me company----" + +"_Virgen de las Angustias_," interrupted Roque, "how can you, Señor, +speak of such dreadful things in so light a manner?" + +"Now, Roque," replied Don Lope, "thou must be silent, at least at +present, and allow me thy privilege for a time; listen with attention. +It is high time to settle my accounts. I am thy debtor, Roque." + +"_Valgame Dios_!" exclaimed the valet. "Señor Don Lope, why think of +these matters at such a time?" + +"The best of times," returned his master, "or you run a fair chance of +not being paid at all." + +"But I do not want to be paid," cried Roque, sobbing aloud. "I am sure +you think too meanly of me, if you suppose I came here with such on +intention." + +"No, Roque, I well know thy fidelity, and I mean not to offend thee; but +thou must not refuse the last bequest of thy master: here, take this," +he said, delivering a large purse, which the valet could scarcely be +prevailed upon to accept. "And here," he continued, taking a ring from +his finger, "receive this as a token of remembrance," and as Roque +hesitated to take it, he added, smiling, "Take it, for I can now give +rings away without danger." + +"Thank you, my good master, but have you no pledge of affection, no last +remembrance for _her_?" + +"Why," answered Gomez Arias, with affected levity, "she will never +forget me. Besides I have nothing worthy of her acceptance--give her my +best wishes, and beseech her to pardon me as freely as I forgive her." + +Having said this, he wished to turn away, but Roque again interposed, +and in a most doleful tone-- + +"Alack! Don Lope," he said, "remember what I told you at Guadix; my +forebodings did not deceive me, for my prognostication has, +unfortunately, been but too truly accomplished. Now, had you then--" + +"Gently, my good fellow," interrupted Gomez Arias, "gently; this will +never do; thou camest here in the humble mood of a sinner, to crave my +forgiveness, and now thou hast relapsed into thy former calling by +assuming the preacher. In goodness forbear, and leave that task to those +who claim it in virtue of their office. And now, my faithful Roque, +begone, for I feel drowsy, and an hour's sleep would not come amiss." + +Saying this, he bade his servant kindly adieu, and retired to his +closet, followed by two guards. + +Roque was bewildered, for though he had already had several occasions of +forming a just estimation of the character and temper of Gomez Arias, +yet he could not comprehend how a man on the eve of death could resign +himself to sleep with the ease and composure which his master evinced. + +"_Virgen Santa!_" he ejaculated, "did ever man think of sleep at such a +time? Why _los siete durmientes_[46] would have been at fault at such a +pinch. He is going to sleep; the Lord help him! I am sure I cannot +sleep; nay, I don't know whether I shall ever sleep again." + +Saying this, poor Roque withdrew, weeping and wondering, and imploring +the protection of all the saints in the calendar, for his unfortunate +master. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Voilà le précipice où l'ont enfin jeté + Les attraits enchanteurs de la prospérité. + + _La Fontaine._ + + Oh di destino avverso + Fatal possanza! a mie tante sventure + Ciò sol mancava. + + _Alfieri._ + + Forget! forgive!--I must indeed forget + When I forgive. + + _Southern._ + + +Every hope was now extinct--the fatal morning arrived. Theodora, the +hapless Theodora, against whom fate seemed to have exhausted all her +malice, after a night of restless grief, had left her couch betimes, and +in a gloomy reverie was sitting by the casement, her hands clasped +together, and her eyes vacantly fixed on the moving groups below. + +The door opened, and her father entered--the wretched man was in a most +pitiable state. + +"My child," he said, tenderly, "my dear child, you must leave this +place." + +"Never," cried the melancholy Theodora, "unless it is to be carried to +the grave. Oh! my poor, my dear father, you will soon have to fulfil +that last mournful duty towards your hapless child." + +"Theodora, speak not thus; your words are daggers. We must submit to the +will of Providence--raise your streaming eyes to that heaven, my +beloved, and cherish the fond hope that this life of sorrow is to +purchase an eternity of pure uninterrupted bliss. Throw yourself into +the arms of religion, and your evils will appear lighter to bear." + +"Yes, my father, now my only friend," replied Theodora, in a tumult of +agony, "I will consider my misfortunes as a just atonement to offended +heaven, for the ingratitude of which I have been guilty towards the +best of parents." + +"Heaven bless thee, Theodora," returned the affectionate father, "and +restore to thee peace and tranquillity; and now grant me a request--you +must away with me." + +"But whither are we going?" demanded Theodora, "I cannot--I will not +quit Granada until I see _him_ laid in the ground. I am now his wife, +and I shall religiously fulfil the duties of such a character, for cruel +as he was," she added, mournfully, "to refuse me permission to see him +when alive, he cannot prevent me from showing my attachment when he is +dead." + +"Theodora," said Monteblanco, "it is not my intention to take you away +from Granada. I merely wish you to accompany me to the dwelling of our +kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva. He has repeatedly demanded to see you, +but you have always denied his request. You surely cannot dislike him?" + +"Father! father!" cried Theodora, in a tone of reproach and sadness; +"why this eagerness to renew an intimacy with a man whom I have +wronged? Think you that Theodora will be able to sustain his reproach?" + +"No, Theodora, such thoughts are far from the minds of Don Antonio and +your father. But the gallant young man lies prostrate on the bed of +sickness. The wounds he received at the disastrous affair of the Sierra +Bermeja, have reduced him to the last stage of debility. He has this +very instant earnestly requested to see you; for he has something to +announce which may affect the fate of us all." + +Theodora answered not, but rising immediately, signified her readiness +to obey, and supported by her father, she proceeded towards the +residence of Don Antonio. Dismay and confusion reigned throughout the +city. At every step Theodora met with some object to impress her +forcibly with the dreariness of the fate which was at hand. Busily the +moving groups were talking of the melancholy event. She beheld the +troops that were collecting and marching about to insure the public +tranquillity, and this testimony of the hopeless situation of her +husband filled her bursting heart with new terrors. How dismally sounded +the trumpets and clarions! And now the ponderous bell of the cathedral +sent forth its reverberating tones, and it sounded like the summons of +death to Theodora. It struck eight, and in two hours Gomez Arias would +cease to exist. A chill seized on the very soul of Theodora, at each +stroke of the dreadful monitor, and as if its terrors had not been +sufficiently multiplied, a hundred different clocks, with their boding +voices, repeated the same sad tale to the agonizing heart of the +wretched girl. + +Next came the sight of the ministers of religion hurrying about; sad +heralds of mortality, in Christian charity, earnestly wishing to offer +their prayers for the departing soul, or holding out the example of the +approaching execution to the young and inexperienced. + +Theodora shuddered at every object she saw--at every sound that struck +her ear, and in this state she reached the mansion of Don Antonio de +Leyva, which happily was situated at a short distance. She trembled with +emotion as she found herself before young De Leyva, nor was her +appearance productive of less astonishment to Don Antonio. They were +both much altered--she by intense suffering--he by his wounds and +lingering sickness. Don Antonio, extremely faint, was reclining on a +couch, from which he attempted to rise when he saw his kinsman enter, +but was prevented by Monteblanco. The countenance of the gallant young +man seemed suddenly to brighten up. + +"Theodora," he kindly said, "tremble not thus, for you are in the +presence of a friend, a sincere friend; one who bitterly laments having, +though unconsciously, been instrumental in your misfortunes. Alas! dear +lady, had you placed more confidence in me, perchance so much misery had +been prevented. However, this is no time for reproach; the moments speed +swiftly away, and we have none to spare. Had you not at this moment +arrived, weak and wounded as I am, I was about to be carried to your +habitation, though the exertion had proved fatal to my recovery. +Theodora, look upon me as a friend--as a dear valued friend, and receive +the greatest proof a man can give of pure disinterested regard. Here," +he then added, presenting a little casket to Theodora, "take this +precious gage; look, it is the portrait of our Queen, given by her own +royal hands, when fortune favoured my exertions in the last tournament. +The bearer of this gift is entitled to claim any boon from Isabella. +Dispatch--present her with this beauteous copy of herself. Reclaim the +promise--demand the life of Gomez Arias--it will be granted." + +"Merciful heavens!" cried Theodora, overpowered with emotion, "Can it be +possible!" Then falling at the feet of young de +Leyva--"Generous--generous Don Antonio; is this the way that you repay +an injury?" + +"I might," replied Don Antonio nobly, "satisfy the cravings of a paltry +revenge, by leaving my rival to perish ignominiously, when I have it in +my power to save him. But no; my heart shudders at such reprisals, and +finds joy in contributing to the happiness of Theodora." + +Struck with admiration at such noble and manly conduct, Theodora seized +the hand of the high-minded Don Antonio, and would have imprinted on it +a thousand kisses of gratitude, but he modestly prevented her, urging +her to depart. + +"My dear Theodora, begone; you have no time to lose. Think that the +least delay may perhaps prove fatal." + +These words acted like magic on the mind of Theodora. The thought of her +husband's danger absorbed every other consideration. She rushed with +impetuous alacrity towards the palace, pressing with convulsive firmness +the valuable pledge on which all her hopes depended. Upon her arrival at +the entrance, the guards, struck with the wildness of her manner, and +sympathising with her misfortunes, expeditiously opened a passage, as +she exclaimed almost incoherently, that she must see the queen. + +Meantime the Plaza de Bivarrambla was thronged with a vast multitude, +for the novelty and exemplary justice of such an execution had thrown +the people into a ferment. It was long since a nobleman had suffered +thus, and no instance occurred to their recollection of a conqueror +stepping from the car of victory to the platform of a scaffold. + +All lamented the fate of Gomez Arias, and yet most of the lower classes, +amidst the feelings of pity, experienced a kind of satisfaction at the +idea that so great a personage was doomed to suffer, as well as the +meanest of their own class. In the middle of the Plaza rose a high +scaffold, covered with costly black velvet, and most of the houses +around were likewise draperied with mourning symbols of the sorrow of +their owners. A strong body of veterans lined the square, whilst other +detached parties of horse patrolled the neighbouring places to prevent +any obstruction from the multitude. The hurry and agitation of the +people now became extreme; but when at last the tremendous knell from +the cathedral gave the mournful signal for Gomez Arias to set out for +the goal of his mortal career, a simultaneous murmur of horror rose from +the surrounding crowd. The dismal tolling of bells, accompanied at +intervals by the sad and hollow strains of trumpets, announced that the +procession was ready to move. + +Gomez Arias had descended from his apartment perfectly composed. Indeed, +no other feeling could be descried in his features but stern pride and +resentment. He walked with a firm step towards the melancholy train that +awaited him. But when about to mount his horse, he perceived the +Countess de Tendilla bathed in tears, approaching to bid him farewell. +He kindly thanked this lady for all the attentions he had experienced at +her house during the time he had remained there, and having bidden her a +last adieu, he bounded on his favorite charger. The spirited animal +began to curvet and rear, as if proud of his burthen. + +"Gently, gently, Babieca," said his master, caressing the noble steed: +"be not impatient, for this is the last time thou wilt carry thy +master." + +He then looked around, and as he saw a party of his victorious troops, +chosen for his escort according to his desire, all plunged in the +deepest grief, in a soothing tone he bade them be of good cheer. + +Don Lope being determined to set at defiance every appearance of +despondency, had assumed an air of martial and dignified composure. His +handsome figure never looked to greater advantage than at this +disastrous moment; he was attired in a most sumptuous suit, while all +the friends and relatives who accompanied him were habited in deep +mourning. The procession moved slowly on amidst the confused murmur of +the multitude, deeply lamenting the fate, and admiring the firmness of +the hero of the dismal tragedy. He was attended by a crowd of the +ministers of religion; but two friars of the order of St. Francis +attached themselves more particularly to his person. The whole presented +a most singularly contrasted scene; for in the same view appeared +mingled all the panoplies of war, stirring the soul to martial deeds, +and the solemn emblems of religion inviting the mind to abandon the pomp +of the world, and turn its thoughts towards eternity. Warriors and +priests, banners and crosses, moved promiscuously along, while the +subdued blast of clarions united their strains to the deep-toned and +gloomy cadences of the chaunting monks. + +In this manner the procession reached at length the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. At the sight of the scaffold, Gomez Arias gave an +involuntary start, for he was unable to stifle the impression which the +first view of that dreadful spot made on his mind. He soon, however, +recovered his usual composure, and cast an inquiring and intense look on +the assembled multitude. Sorrow and consternation were every where +visible, but all was tranquil and quiet. The last lingering hope now +vanished from the breast of Gomez Arias, and he seemed resigned to the +fate that awaited him. The murmur of the multitude was hushed into a +deadly silence. Don Lope dismounted, ascended the scaffold, and turning +to his soldiers, he said-- + +"Farewell, my brave companions; this is the last expedition in which we +shall meet; but in this, as well as in all the former, Gomez Arias will +display the coolness and courage which becomes a soldier." He then with +equal resolution was about to bare his neck for the fatal stroke, when a +piercing scream was heard at a distance in the crowd. Presently a female +form was seen flying towards the scaffold-- + +"A pardon! a pardon!" shouted various voices; and the multitude joyfully +opened a passage to the unfortunate. She ran with frantic speed, until +she arrived at length, exhausted, at the foot of the scaffold, +exhibiting in the disorder of her person and the wild expression of her +features, all the workings of terror, anxiety, and joy. Every one stood +mute with astonishment when they beheld in this apparition the wretched +Theodora, who flew up the steps of the scaffold, holding aloft in her +trembling hand a paper; then throwing herself into the arms of her +husband-- + +"Oh it is not too late," she cried eagerly; "I have brought your pardon. +Here! here! You are safe--it is the Queen's signet." + +Count de Tendilla took the paper from her hand, and read joyfully aloud +the pardon of Gomez Arias. Theodora looked wildly around, her large +beautiful eyes fraught with terror: she gazed upon the appalling scene, +as though still fearful that the execution would not be suspended. + +"Read! read!" she cried vehemently to Count de Tendilla: "it is the +Queen's order. A messenger will soon arrive; but I am here first. I came +to save my husband." + +These few electric words were followed by a shout of tumultuous applause +from the assembled throng. + +The messenger indeed arrived. Theodora uttered a wild scream of joy, and +her feelings, unable any longer to support the efforts she had made, +overpowered her, and she fainted in the arms of Gomez Arias. + +Even Gomez Arias, that man so hardened to all the tender pleadings of +gratitude, was at length overcome. As he beheld her who had returned +his coldness with affection, and repaid his cruelty with kindness--as he +considered that miracle of love and goodness lying lifeless in his arms, +a tear stood trembling in his eye--one solitary tear; but that +testimonial of feeling in Gomez Arias was equivalent to years of sorrow +in other men. He tenderly pressed Theodora to his heart, and the fond +embrace seemed to recall her suspended animation. She opened her languid +eyes and was happy; for she saw the object of all her care and affection +now watching with tender solicitude her returning life. + +"Oh Theodora," cried Don Lope, in a voice almost inarticulate with +emotion, "I am unworthy of you. How can I ever atone for so many wrongs? +This is indeed a noble vengeance." + +The queen had ordered that Gomez Arias should be conducted to her +presence, and accordingly, accompanied by the happy Theodora, he +proceeded towards the palace, followed by the immense crowd, who rent +the air with joyful acclamations. + +When they arrived at the palace, they found the gracious Isabella seated +in the large public hall, ready to receive them. Her countenance was +radiant with delight in the consciousness of having been able to save +Don Lope from an untimely end. + +"Gomez Arias," she said, "your life is saved by the most fortunate, as +it was the most unexpected of incidents. Nobles of Granada," she then +added, turning to the surrounding court, "you cannot accuse your Queen +of partiality in the distribution of justice. At the moment when Don +Lope was approaching the end of his mortal career, this gage was brought +to me and the guerdon claimed. It was a pledge of regard given to Don +Antonio de Leyva for his conduct at the tournament, with my sacred +promise that any boon should be granted to the bearer. Theodora produced +it, and I could not resist her just appeal--my royal word had passed. +Gomez Arias, you owe your life to the generous Don Antonio de Leyva and +your wife. Let then your future life show that you are not insensible of +the magnitude of the obligation. To yourself you owe nothing; for had +it not been for this happy circumstance, by this time you would have +been numbered with the dead. Go, and rejoice with your friends over your +fortunate deliverance, and then I will receive you as becomes a victor." + +A shout of unfeigned approbation burst from every one. Theodora seemed +intoxicated with happiness. She looked on Gomez Arias, and in those +features which had so successfully enraptured her young heart, again saw +a display of tenderness to recompense her affection. All her sufferings +were forgotten; the cup of misery had been drained, and happiness, +boundless, uninterrupted happiness, was to be hers for ever. Gomez +Arias, moved with kindly and generous feelings which had long been +dormant in his heart, had as yet been unable to give utterance to his +demonstrations of gratitude. He now disengaged himself from the hands of +Theodora, moved forwards, and threw himself at the feet of the queen. +Every eye was joyfully turned on him, when suddenly one of the friars, +who had attended him at the scaffold, broke from the surrounding group. +In his hand gleamed a poniard, and before any arm could arrest the blow, +he buried the fatal weapon in the breast of Gomez Arias, who started on +his feet, reeled, and fell at the foot of the throne. In an instant +every thing was wild confusion. Theodora, with a piercing scream, threw +herself beside her murdered husband, while several leaches hastened to +the assistance of the fallen knight. + +The queen alone seemed to preserve her presence of mind amidst the +uproar that prevailed. + +"Seize the assassin!" she exclaimed, and the guards immediately secured +his person. He was one of the Franciscans who had accompanied Gomez +Arias to the scaffold. He still held in his sinewy hand the ensanguined +poniard, and with the savage laugh of a fiend exulted over his deed. + +"Now, God be thanked!" exclaimed the leach who had examined the wound of +Gomez Arias, "if my skill fail me not, the knight may yet live." + +"Never!" cried the friar, in a voice that chilled the reviving hopes of +every one; "Never! your skill is vain--the dagger is poisoned." + +A shudder of horror ran through the court. + +"Man of darkness," exclaimed Count de Tendilla, "fiend under the holy +garb of religion, what could prompt thee to such a crime? But a short +time since I saw thee attend thy victim to administer to him hope and +consolation." + +"Yes," replied the friar, grimly, "yes, I did accompany him to the stage +of his despair and my glory: yes, I was beside my victim, like the +vulture watching for the moment to lacerate his heart. But I went not to +whisper hope into his dying ear, or to bid him rely on the mercies of +Heaven; no, it was to speak the words of horror; to bid him despair, and +point the way to that hell whither soon I was to follow him. My soul was +drunk with joy; my heart was wild with happiness: gladly would I +purchase with a whole existence of misery and crime those few rapturous +moments when I could watch the dreadful workings of his mind, as the +last peal of my ominous voice rung in his ear, ere his soul took its +flight from this world." + +"Peace, wretch!" exclaimed the queen. "Leave thy blasphemy; tremble for +the profanation of thy sacred calling; tremble for the punishment which +awaits thy crime." + +"I tremble at nought," sternly replied the assassin. "No canting friar +am I; no preaching monk; but a man deeply wronged, and now amply +revenged. Look on me," he continued in a wild tone, throwing off his +disguise, "I am Bermudo, the renegade!" + +Every one shrunk back with instinctive horror at the well known name; +but the consternation increased, when in the person of the apostate was +recognised the Moor who had played so principal a part in the +condemnation of Gomez Arias. + +"Look on me," proceeded the renegade; "look on me, Gomez Arias; behold +the man by you condemned to misery and shame--I am Bermudo the outcast, +the maddened lover of the unfortunate Anselma. Call back, Don Lope, the +powers of thy fleeting soul, and fix its fading recollection on thy +crimes and my misfortunes: remember Anselma--remember her frightful +fate--your wrongs to me--the despair to which I was driven. But for +thee, proud man, I might have been a hero, and for thee I am a traitor +and a renegade. But, oh! now thou art laid low--no, not even princely +fortune and favour could save thee from the hand of a desperate man. +Die, then, die in despair: it is in the hour of rapturous happiness that +the blow is struck, and think with agony that it is struck by +Bermudo.--Anselma, thou art revenged!" + +A wild and savage laugh closed this apostrophe, and the renegade stood +calmly gazing on his victim with an expression of ferocious joy: his +dark features seemed to brighten in the glare of infernal revenge, and +his strong frame shook with the rapture of the fiend that inspired him. + +Meantime, Gomez Arias was rapidly approaching his end; the blood flowed +thick and heavy through his veins, and the film of death was fast +dimming his sight: still his noble features shewed no symptoms of +unmanly emotion; but fixing his dying eyes upon the renegade, in a firm +tone he said-- + +"Bermudo, thy hellish desire is but partially fulfilled; I die not in +despair; despair is the attribute of cowards, not of Gomez Arias: I feel +thy poison burning in my veins, yet my soul takes its flight with +calmness. Wretched man," he then added, "may God forgive thee as I do: +and thou, dear and last object of my solicitude," he said, faintly +addressing himself to the disconsolate Theodora, who, in a paroxysm of +agony, was kneeling beside him, "Theodora, injured and unfortunate girl, +too late I appreciate thy value; too late I deplore my fault. Oh! if I +regret existence, it is because I cannot live to prove my love and +gratitude. Forgive me, Theodora! forgive the repentant Gomez Arias!" + +His dim eyes were cast tenderly on her despairing countenance, and +pressing gently her clammy hand, he breathed his last. + +The piercing cries and lamentations of Theodora deeply affected the +spectators of this tragic scene: she tore her flowing tresses, and +falling on the bleeding corpse, in a wild incoherent tone poured forth +her anguish. The renegade himself appeared somewhat moved at the +exhibition of her frantic sorrow. The darksome deed was done; his enemy +was dead, and Bermudo seemed no longer to live in this world; stupor and +apathy were overshadowing his countenance, for the principle that fed +his life was now no more. + +The soldiers were about to move away with the prisoner, when a minister +of religion addressed him:-- + +"Sinner," he cried, "behold your deadly crime and repent; repent ere +'tis too late; thy mortal career is short; employ it, then, in calming +the offended justice of heaven." + +"Friar," said firmly the renegade, "my conscience is seared; my soul has +no longer sympathy with human feelings; I cannot, will not now repent me +of a deed which has been the sole object of my existence. Lead me to +torture, and when ye tear this flesh, and suffering nature is unable to +sustain the racking pangs, then, even then, my eyes, faithful +interpreters of my soul, will tell you I shrink not from my fate; the +poniard that struck my foe I might have plunged in this breast, but I +disdained to evade the recompense of my deed. Lead me to torture, but +mock me not with words of penitence." + +"Oh horror! art thou a man and speakest thus!" exclaimed the priest. + +"I was a man; I know not what I am; let me return to my kindred clay, +and hide from the face of the earth the monster at which ye shudder." + +He ceased, and his features stiffened into a horrid tranquillity more +appalling to behold than his wildest ebullition of passion. One last +savage look he cast on his prostrate enemy, and then, with a firm step, +he walked away to meet the punishment due to his crimes. + +The wretched Theodora could not be torn from the mortal bleeding remains +of her adored Gomez Arias, until the paroxysm of her grief was +succeeded by insensibility. In this melancholy state she was borne from +the fatal spot, while sorrow and compassion swelled the hearts of every +one who had witnessed the events of that disastrous day! + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + La douleur lentement m'entr'ouve le tombeau, + Salut mon dernier jour! sois mon jour le plus beau! + + _Lamartine._ + + +Three months had now elapsed since the death of Gomez Arias, and the +people of Granada were again rejoicing in the success of the Christian +arms. The insurrection of the Moors was now completely quelled; the wise +and prudent conduct of the queen had saved the country from the horrors +attendant on a fanatical war. The individuals admitted to the counsels +of Isabella were in general men of enlightened understanding and +philanthropic dispositions, and though some few voices, swayed by +fanatical zeal and religious intolerance, opposed themselves to liberal +measures, yet, happily for Spain and honorably for her ministers, their +objections were over-ruled, and the more beneficial and milder course +adopted. A full pardon was proclaimed to the rebels. Moreover it was +promised that they should enjoy the same privileges as the Spaniards, +and that no compulsory measures should be adopted to make them embrace +the tenets of the Christian religion. Free permission was given to every +Moor who should prefer passing over to Africa, to remove unmolested, and +with full security to his family and property. + +These judicious resolutions answered the desired effect. The Moors +joyfully accepted the offers of the queen, and the greatest part of them +came immediately to lay down their arms at the feet of the Alcayde de +los Donceles, and other chiefs who still were carrying on the war. +However, some Moors of the higher rank, who refused to subject +themselves to the Christian government, retired into Africa, and amongst +this number we must count the magnanimous El Feri de Benastepar; for, +as no account was received of his death, it was supposed he had +abandoned the country. + +Thus peace was at length restored, and the city of Granada became again +the center of gaiety and happiness, and this was not a little enhanced +by the anticipation of the union of Leonor de Aguilar with the gallant +Don Antonio de Leyva: the nuptials being only delayed until a due +allowance of time had been devoted to the memory of the noble Don Alonso +de Aguilar. + +Meantime Don Manuel de Monteblanco and his unfortunate daughter had +retired to their mansion at Guadix. Shortly after the mortal remains of +Gomez Arias had been consigned to the earth, Don Manuel prevailed on his +unhappy daughter to abandon a city fraught with such dreadful +associations. Theodora submissively obeyed the desires of her solicitous +and kind parent, but alas! the sorrow that slowly consumed her heart was +not to be removed by change of place: the lovely victim carried within +her the deadly poison that was to consign her to an early grave. +Theodora became the prey of a deep-rooted melancholy. The kind attention +of friends, the tender expostulation of her father, might momentarily +withdraw her mind from the subject of her constant meditations; tokens +of regard, and the soft caresses of pity might elicit a transient smile; +but soon, alas! her mind would revert to its mournful occupation; soon +her smile would give way to sadness. + +During the day, she wandered about the large mansion like a restless +spirit whose duties in life are fulfilled, and who longs to take its +flight. Sometimes she took her lute, and in wild and plaintive voice she +would sing those romances which Gomez Arias had loved to hear. Then she +would ramble through the garden, and visit those spots endeared by the +recollection of her love. Sometimes, too, in the stillness of night, a +most piercing scream would issue from her chamber, and arouse the +unfortunate Monteblanco from his couch, to hush the fevered imagination +of his daughter, continually haunted by the image of the murdered Gomez +Arias. + +Day after day the disconsolate father watched the progress of the +malady. Gradually Theodora was wasting in form, and her intellectual +powers seemed to share in the wreck of her outward appearance. Nothing +could disturb the gloomy monotony of her thoughts. Musing tranquilly, +she would pass the hour, and oft in the night when the moon beams fell +on the garden, she would be seen gliding along its paths like some +fleeting phantom. + +In this melancholy state Theodora had continued during some time, when +one morning Monteblanco was agreeably surprised to see his child in +unusually good spirits. The gloom which sat habitually on her brow had +vanished, and a placid smile played upon her lips. Joyfully the +venerable parent beheld the welcome change, and anxiously he wished to +improve those favorable symptoms of returning health. Theodora told her +father that she had dreamed in the night an awful dream. She had seen +her husband, not as heretofore, in the fearful scenes of his desertion +and death, but his eyes beaming with a heavenly light, bidding her be +happy, as he was happy and blessed. + +It was the anniversary of the day on which Theodora had left her home. +Night came, and Monteblanco saw not his daughter by his side. He waited +impatiently for some time, and then repaired to the garden, for he knew +Theodora delighted in rambling there. + +The faithful Roque, who since the death of his master had attached +himself to the service of Monteblanco, took a torch, and accompanied the +old cavalier to the garden. Don Manuel called aloud upon his daughter, +but his voice was only answered by the sad echoes of the place. He +became alarmed, and hastily proceeded to the bower: there he descried +Theodora lying on the marble seat, apparently asleep. He approached her, +and affectionately chid her for her absence. + +"Awake, child, awake," he cried; "surely your delicate health will be +injured by the chilling air of night." + +He gently raised her arm. + +"Roque, bring closer that torch." + +Roque obeyed--Theodora indeed slept, but it was the sleep of death. + +Struck with consternation, the wretched old man clasped the lifeless +body in his arms, and called eagerly on his child by the most endearing +of names. Alas! it was too late: the spark of life had fled for ever, +and the dull glare of the torch that fell upon her countenance soon +confirmed the mournful truth. Pale and bloodless was her cheek, and cold +were those beauteous limbs. The angel of death had spread his sable +pinions over her dewy brow, and closed her eyes in eternal sleep. The +despairing father now strove to raise his daughter in his arms, when +something fell from her nerveless grasp. Roque immediately took it +up--he gave a start, and uttered a most piteous moan, as he presented +the object to Don Manuel. It was the portrait of Gomez Arias. That +melancholy testimonial told that the heavenly spirit had lately taken +its flight, for it was yet moist with _her_ tears, the last effort of +her departing soul--the last sad evidence of a _woman's love_. + + Non come fiamma, che per forza è spenta, + Ma che per se medesma si consuma, + Se n'andò in pace l'anima contenta. + + _Petrarca._ + + +THE END. + +GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES: + +[1] The unfortunate passion of Don Rodrigo, the last of the Goths, for +Florinda, surnamed La Cava, was the primary cause of the Moorish +invasion, and the disastrous wars which followed. Count Julian, father +of the frail fair one, highly indignant at the affront he had received, +resolved to take the most signal vengeance. His views were warmly +espoused by Don Oppas, Archbishop of Toledo, who was the most +influential man in the kingdom. These two noblemen betrayed their +country to the Moors, who, invited by them, landed in Spain, under the +command of Tarik and Muza. + +[2] The Black. + +[3] Champion of the Lists. + +[4] For this and for my King. + +[5] A kind of small mantle. + +[6] I am like my name. + +[7] + + I will bear him to the skies, + That he may have the greater fall. + + + +[8] Know him by his deeds. + +[9] The game of the Ring. + +[10] The _Chirimia_ was a musical instrument made of wood, resembling +somewhat a wooden flageolet, though much longer: it contained ten holes; +the wind pipe was thin, and made of reed. _Præcentoria tuba, fistula +musica._ The _Dulzaina_ was an instrument like the _Chirimia_, only upon +a smaller scale, and capable of producing sounds more acute and +sharp.--_Tibia._ + +[11] Gallants. + +[12] Pera. The military term is _imperial_; a small tuft of hair. + +[13] Jester. + +[14] _Reja_, a small grated window. + +[15] _Anglice_, a beldam. + +[16] I am an old Christian. + +[17] A porch,--the entrance of a building. + +[18] From a poor sinner like myself. + +[19] Jew. + +[20] St. James of Compostela, patron of Spain. + +[21] Girl. + +[22] God forgive me. + +[23] Sluggard. + +[24] The _Adarga_ was a peculiar sort of shield or short buckler used by +the Spaniards in those times. The presentation of the _adarga_ was +equivalent to an offer of peace. It was a practice often resorted to by +the persons entrusted with a mission to the enemy. + +[25] Thieves. + +[26] A _Maravedi_ was a coin of such diminutive value as to answer to +the one-third of an English farthing. + +[27] The square. + +[28] The Persians, and even the Turks, when speaking of a brave man, +generally compare him to a lion;--their poetry is full of this simile, +and there is nothing more common than to hear them say _aslan_, lion, or +_caplan_, tiger. + +[29] The brave man who protects the helpless is a Lion. + +[30] New Square. + +[31] At the period in which my Romance takes place, the revival of the +art of painting was in its infancy. I am aware, therefore, that some +scrupulous folks will be apt to find fault with me for having introduced +a gallery of pictures with the same confidence as if I were writing a +novel of the present day. Yet this seeming anachronism does not exist. +The Moors, though they certainly could not boast of a Rafael or a +Titian, had exercised themselves in the art, and, according to some +authorities, even excelled in portrait painting. I do not intend to +maintain that either the Moorish or Christian artists of the period had +arrived at any eminence: for my purpose, it is enough that they _did_ +exist at the time: let imagination do the rest. + +[32] Our lady protect us. + +[33] In those times, when war was the only meritorious occupation of the +_gentle_ blood, the Jews, though despised and persecuted, were in some +respects men of great consequence in a state. They were not only, as in +the present day, the most expert and assiduous in money transactions, +but cultivated the science of medicine with much success; when no other +career was deemed compatible with honor and glory but the profession of +arms or the church. + +[34] Samaritan--term of reproach. + +[35] God defend us. + +[36] God bless me. + +[37] Satan. + +[38] Old Christian. + +[39] Accursed. + +[40] A kind of ruffle or frill, worn formerly round the neck--a collar. + +[41] The Hill of the Martyrs. + +[42] On the hill of the Martyrs, so called from the supposed cruelties +that the Moors had exercised against the Christian prisoners who fell +into their hands, Queen Isabella caused a chapel to be erected, which +became the object of many a pious pilgrimage. + +[43] May she rest in peace. + +[44] A devotee. + +[45] History describes Don Alonso de Aguilar as one of the most valiant +and renowned amongst the celebrated warriors of that period. His death +has been the subject of many and some very good ballads or romances, but +it is better known and appreciated among the reading portion of the +Spaniards by the description given by Hurtado de Mendoza in his work +entitled, "_Guerra de Granada_." It is a masterly composition. Indeed +the whole work passes amongst the _literati_ as the most elegant and +classic piece of Spanish history. + +[46] The seven Sleepers. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Gomez Arias, by Joaquín Telesforo de Trueba y Cosío + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + +***** This file should be named 29916-8.txt or 29916-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/9/1/29916/ + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gomez Arias + The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance. + +Author: Joaquín Telesforo de Trueba y Cosío + +Release Date: September 5, 2009 [EBook #29916] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<table summary="note" +cellpadding="10" style="background-color:#99CCFF; +border:4px double gray;text-align:center; +font-size:90%;margin:5% auto 5% auto;"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + The spelling (sometimes archaic: shew, extacy, stopt, +etc.) of the original book has been retained.<br />(Note of transcriber) + </td> + </tr> +</table> + + +<h1>GOMEZ ARIAS;</h1> + +<p class="c"><b>OR,</b></p> + +<h2 class="top5">THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS.</h2> + +<p class="c"><b>A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE.</b></p> + +<p class="c">BY</p> + +<h3 class="top5">DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO.</h3> + + +<p class="c"><b>IN THREE VOLUMES.</b></p> + +<table summary="toc" +cellpadding="5" +cellspacing="5" +style="border:4px double gray;padding:2%;margin:5% auto 5% auto; +text-align:center;"> +<tr><td><b>VOL. I.</b><br /> +<a href="#PREFACE"><b>PREFACE.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Ia"><b>CHAPTER I., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIa"><b>II., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIa"><b>III., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IVa"><b>IV., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Va"><b>V., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIa"><b>VI., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIa"><b>VII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIa"><b>VIII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IXa"><b>IX., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Xa"><b>X., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIa"><b>XI., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIa"><b>XII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIIa"><b>XIII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIVa"><b>XIV.</b></a> +</td></tr> +<tr><td><b>VOL. II.</b><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Ib"><b>CHAPTER I., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIb"><b>II., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIb"><b>III., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IVb"><b>IV., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Vb"><b>V., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIb"><b>VI., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIb"><b>VII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIb"><b>VIII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IXb"><b>IX., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Xb"><b>X., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIb"><b>XI., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIb"><b>XII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIIIb"><b>XIII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIVb"><b>XIV.</b></a> +</td></tr> +<tr><td><b>VOL. III.</b><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Ic"><b>CHAPTER I., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIc"><b>II., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IIIc"><b>III., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IVc"><b>IV., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Vc"><b>V., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIc"><b>VI., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIc"><b>VII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIIIc"><b>VIII., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IXc"><b>IX., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_Xc"><b>X., </b></a> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIc"><b>XI.</b></a> +<a href="#CONCLUSION"><b>CONCLUSION.</b></a> +</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#NOTES"><b>NOTES.</b></a></td></tr> +</table> + +<p class="c"><b><i>LONDON:</i><br /> +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO.<br /> +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD.<br /> +1828.</b></p> + +<p class="gunnell">GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE.</p> + +<h2>VOL. I.</h2> + +<hr class="double" /> +<div class="lord"> +<p class="c">TO THE<br /> +RIGHT HONORABLE LORD HOLLAND.</p> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>My Lord</i>,</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><i>It is with pleasure I avail myself of your permission to dedicate the +following Work to your name, as a small mark of my respect for your +Lordship's character.</i></p> + +<p><i>As a Spaniard, I find an additional motive for addressing it to one who +has uniformly shewn the interest he feels in the prosperity and +literature of my country.</i></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>I have the honor to be</i>,</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 3em;"><i>My Lord</i>,</span></p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 4em;"><i>Your Lordship's</i></span></p> + +<p><i>Most obedient and obliged Servant</i>,</p> + +<p><span style="margin-left: 7em;font-size:80%;"> +TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO.</span></p> + +<p><i>London, March 1, 1828.</i></p> +</div> + +<hr class="double" /> + +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 10%;" /> + + +<p>Let me intreat the reader not to be alarmed at the hacknied word, which +generally augurs that a person is going to be very egotistical and +prosy. This, at least, it will be my ambition to avoid. Nor is it my +intention to assume its literary prerogatives in any way as a mask for a +sort of mock humility, endeavouring to impose upon good-natured persons +by protestations of demerits, want of experience and talent, with that +long series of et ceteras with which a writer generally opens his first +campaign.</p> + +<p>The public has nothing to do with an exculpatory doctrine, which carries +with it the aggravating circumstance of not being sincere; for I am sure +that no man, with a moderate share of common sense, will suppose that an +author really believes the accusation he so humbly utters against +himself. Could he indeed persuade himself that his book was so very +indifferent a performance, he might assuredly more justly accuse himself +of acting the part of an unnatural parent in thus gratuitously exposing +his intellectual offspring to the neglect and compassion of the world.</p> + +<p>Besides, when an author presents his readers with this stultifying +catalogue of demerits, he supplies them with the very best reasons to +retort upon him:—"Good heavens; if the man has neither talents nor +information, why does he write at all?" Having thus waved my claims to +any similar indulgence, it only remains for me to say a few words +respecting the origin and the object of the following Romance.</p> + +<p>As an enthusiastic admirer of the lofty genius, the delightful and vivid +creations of that great founder of English historical fiction, Sir +Walter Scott, it often struck me, while reading his enchanting novels, +as rather singular that he had never availed himself of the beautiful +and inexhaustible materials for works upon a similar plan to be met +with in Spain. It has, indeed, been generally admitted that Spain was +the classic ground of chivalry and romance. The long dominion of the +Moors—the striking contrast between their religion, their customs and +manners, and those of their Christian enemy—the different petty +kingdoms into which Spain was divided, with the consequent feuds, +intrigues and battles,—all concurred to produce a succession of +extraordinary incidents and character, highly adapted for romantic and +dramatic illustration. Yet, while the less abundant chronicles and +traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, were successively +ransacked by the great magician and his most successful imitators, they +seem almost studiously to have avoided dwelling upon those glowing, +luxuriant productions, replete with such variety of incident and +character, which form the national treasures of Spain.</p> + +<p>Conceiving, then, that I had the same right as any one else to spoil, if +I failed to give attraction to a fine subject, I found that my ideas +were further confirmed by the encouragement of some of the most eminent +amongst my fellow-countrymen. I accordingly engaged in the undertaking, +the result of which is the following Romance.</p> + +<p>With regard to the hero, I cannot well determine whether he ever existed +or not. In spite of my researches, I have no other authority for his +reality than the well known comedy of the celebrated Calderon de la +Barca, entitled "<i>La niña de Gomez Arias</i>." The probability is, that +Calderon took the hint of this comedy, according to a generally +prevailing custom in his time, from some legend or tradition now lost. +Be this as it may, it is enough that such characters as Gomez Arias are +unfortunately within the pale of human nature. I have endeavoured, +however, to soften the character, as it is depicted, from that of an +utterly abandoned libertine into a man of extraordinary ambition; for +great passions, though they cannot palliate crime, are nevertheless not +inconsistent with a dereliction of moral and legal ties.</p> + +<p>To conclude my prefatory reasons for not writing a long preface, there +is one point on which I am anxious to appeal to the indulgence of my +readers. It is obvious that the work being written in English by a +Spaniard, must bear some traces of its foreign descent. In extenuation +of these unavoidable faults of style and language, I can only entreat +that the English public will extend the same generous sympathy and +benevolence to the errors of the author, which it has already evinced, +in far more important matters, on behalf of his unfortunate +fellow-countrymen.</p> + + + +<h1>GOMEZ ARIAS;</h1> + +<p class="c">OR,</p> + +<h3 class="top5">THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS.</h3> + +<hr class="double" /> + +<h3 class="top5"><a name="CHAPTER_Ia" id="CHAPTER_Ia"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> + +<p class="head">INTRODUCTORY.</p> + + +<p>The ancient city of Granada has ever proved a source of gratification to +those who have occupied themselves with the investigation of its earlier +history. It abounds with objects curious and interesting; and is no less +celebrated for the conspicuous place which it holds in the page of +Spanish history, than for the more pleasing associations of chivalry +and romance. Situated at the base of the snow-capt mountains of the +<i>Sierra Nevada</i>, and extending into the luxuriant plain of the <i>Vega</i>, +it seems placed by nature as a barrier between an eternal winter and a +constant spring—</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Not as elsewhere with fervours frosts severe,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Or clouds with calms divide the happy hours,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">But heaven than whitest crystal e'en more clear,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A flood of sunshine in all seasons showers;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nursing to fields their herbs, to herbs their flowers,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">To flowers their smell, leaves to th' immortal trees:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Here by its lake the splendid palace towers,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">On marble columns rich with golden frieze,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">For leagues and leagues around, o'erhanging hills and seas."</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><i>Wiffen's Tasso.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Amongst the many architectural remains which adorn the city, the palace +of the Alhambra is perhaps the most conspicuous. It was originally +founded by one of the Moorish kings, after the conquest of the kingdom +of Granada, and became, in process of time, the favorite residence of a +long line of princes, by whom it was enriched with the spoils of +conquest, and all the embellishments which wealth could supply. Nothing, +indeed, that imagination could devise, or human industry effect, was +omitted, to render it a retreat worthy of the Moorish sovereigns of +Granada.</p> + +<p>Ages have gone by since its foundation, kingdoms have been overthrown, +and whole generations have passed away, but the Alhambra still remains a +proud record of the Moslem's power. It is the last monument of their +glory, amidst the changes that have long since taken place, and that +still proclaim their fall.</p> + +<p>The city commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, and the +eye wanders with delight over the picturesque and varied scenery which +opens on every side. Far as the eye can reach, a fertile plain teeming +with life exhibits nature in her most lovely and fascinating forms; +large flocks and herds are seen browzing and disporting amongst the +luxuriant herbage, while the distant quiet villages interspersed +throughout the landscape, are thrown out in bold relief by the dark +green foliage in which they are embosomed. Here the orange-flower and +the jasmin of the gardens, decked in all the pride of cultivation, load +the air with their grateful perfume; and sparkling jets of limpid water, +thrown aloft from fountains of alabaster, impart a continual freshness +and beauty to the scene, whilst they contribute to dissipate the languor +which in this luxurious climate softly steals over the senses.</p> + +<p>After dwelling with delight upon this living landscape of happiness and +tranquillity, the feelings of the beholder are aroused by the imposing +aspect of the <i>Sierra Nevada</i>. The never-varying hue, the sameness of +desolation exhibited by these gigantic mountains, offer a striking +contrast to the glowing and lively tints of the surrounding country. On +their lofty summits the clouds appear to have fixed their abode; and in +their inhospitable regions no living thing can dwell.—Still barren and +dreary they remain, in the very bosom of luxuriance and cheerfulness; +throughout the vicissitudes of climate and season they are for ever the +same.</p> + +<p>Granada was the last strong hold of the Moors in Spain. They had for +seven centuries defied the power of different Christian sovereigns, who +by unremitted efforts slowly and progressively regained those +territories which had been suddenly wrested from their ancestors. +Indeed, it required the lapse of ages and a series of successes, wrought +by the exertions of many a distinguished warrior, to recover those +possessions which had been thus lost by the weakness of a king, and the +treason of a prelate.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 1.">[1]</a></p> + +<p>Ferdinand and Isabella, happily uniting by marriage the crowns of +Arragon and Castile, consolidated the power and gave a new impulse to +the energies of the Christians. After a variety of minor advantages, +they resolved to lay siege to Granada, fortunately at a time when that +city was a prey to civil dissentions, occasioned by the rival families +of the Zegris and Abencerrages. The Moors, gradually weakened by their +domestic broils, offered but an inadequate opposition to the enemy, who +pressed them, on this account, with increasing ardour. After a +protracted siege of eight months, in which a host of warriors +distinguished themselves, Granada, the royal residence of the Moslems +for seven hundred years, surrendered, and the banner of the Cross +streamed triumphantly over the turrets of the Alhambra.</p> + +<p>The Moors seemed satisfied with their new masters, and the partial +change of government which ensued; so that King Ferdinand returned to +Seville, leaving the subdued city in apparent tranquillity. This calm +was, however, but of short duration. Strong symptoms of disaffection +were soon observable in the conduct of the vanquished Moors, and the +murmurs of discontent which prevailed in every quarter, shortly +terminated in open revolt.</p> + +<p>The Archbishop of Toledo, in his intemperate zeal for the conversion of +the infidels, had adopted measures which tended rather to increase their +natural aversion to the Christian religion, than to wean them from a +creed, the mandates of which were in greater harmony with their habits +and inclination. The prelate seeing his designs thwarted by the +inhabitants of the Albaycin, commissioned one of his officers to arrest +those whom he suspected of promoting the opposition. This last +ill-advised and imprudent step so greatly exasperated the malcontents, +that no sooner did the alguazil proceed to the discharge of his duty, +than he became a victim to their fury. Imprecations were first heaped +upon him; menaces succeeded; and finally a large stone, hurled from a +window, stretched the unfortunate officer lifeless an the ground.</p> + +<p>This murder was the signal for open rebellion. The Moors were aware that +so flagrant an act could not escape an adequate punishment, and they +accordingly prepared themselves for a vigorous resistance. Some of the +most daring hurried from street to street, summoning their +fellow-countrymen to arms, and exclaiming that the articles of the +treaty, in virtue of which they had surrendered, were violated, since +they could not continue unmolested in the exercise of their religious +duties.</p> + +<p>This untoward event was the occasion of great anxiety to the Count de +Tendilla, who had been entrusted with the government of the city by the +queen. He took active measures to subdue the increasing fury of the +malcontents. But desirous of trying the effect of negociation before he +had recourse to extremes, he set forth to the rebels, in the strongest +light, the criminality and madness of the enterprise in which they had +embarked, and the little probability of their ever again struggling with +success against the Christian power. All his efforts to restore order +proved for some time ineffectual. But the promise of amnesty and redress +of their grievances, the well known integrity of the count, and his +generosity in sending his lady and son as hostages for the fulfilment of +the treaty, induced at length the majority of the rebels to lay down +their arms and accept the proffered pardon.</p> + +<p>The forty chiefs, however, who had been chosen by the insurgents, +considered this conduct as pusillanimous, and despised it accordingly. +Dazzled by dreams of ambition, fired with hopes of asserting their +independence, and aware that the wild recesses of the mountains afforded +facilities for conducting the war with greater security and success; +they fled from Granada in the night, and succeeded in instilling their +sentiments into the minds of the Moors who inhabited the adjacent +country. The towns of Guejar, Lanjaron and Andarax soon rose up in arms; +all the mountaineers of the Alpujarras followed the example, and the +Christians were threatened with the loss of those acquisitions, which +their valour and perseverance had so nobly won.</p> + +<p>It is at this interesting period that the following romance takes place; +and some of the subsequent events of the rebellion form the historical +portion of its subject.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIa" id="CHAPTER_IIa"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">We are up in arms,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">If not to fight with foreign enemies,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Yet to beat down these rebels here at home.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 12.5em;"><i>Shakespeare.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being +communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the +preservation of her power. She summoned around her all those counsellors +in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose +valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied.</p> + +<p>At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now +assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over +which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet. Isabella could +scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her +stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of +dignity which pervaded her every action. The mildness which beamed in +her bright blue eye seemed rather to act as a persuasive to the +observance of her mandates, than as a command, and her displeasure was +manifested more by reproaches than by threats. Few women could boast of +greater personal attractions—none a better regulated mind; if fault +there were, it might be traced in the cloud which darkened her brow, +when a consciousness of what was due to religion stood most prominently +forward. At such times she became severe and abstracted; and yet her +occasional austerity could hardly be condemned by her subjects, when it +led to that firmness and courage, and that inflexibility in the decrees +of justice, for which she was so remarkable. If the grave historian has +stamped her character with these attributes of heroism, what scope may +not be allowed to the writer of historical fiction? Distinguished by his +noble bearing and his honorable station, on the right hand of the queen +stood the renowned Alonso de Aguilar, the terror of the Moorish name. He +had, like his brother, the heroic Gonzalo de Cordova, particularly +distinguished himself in the wars against Granada, and was honored with +the regard and unlimited confidence of Isabella. Of a lofty and imposing +stature, he united with gigantic strength an air of dignity which well +became the most accomplished warrior of the age. His noble countenance +wore an expression of resolution and intrepidity, blended with openness +and candour, that inspired the beholder with sentiments of awe and +admiration. His fine athletic form was rendered more interesting from +its still retaining the elasticity of ardent youth, unsubdued by the +chill of fifty winters, which he had chiefly spent in the toils of the +camp. His character bore out the impression thus formed in his favor. +The active courage of his earlier days was chastened, not subdued, by +the experience of a more mature age; whilst the furrows on his manly +brow, and the few gray locks that slightly silvered his raven hair, +heightened the feeling of respect and veneration which his many virtues +were so well calculated to inspire.</p> + +<p>On the opposite side stood Don Iñigo Mendoza, Count de Tendilla, +Governor of Granada, a man who had numerous claims to the gratitude of +Spain.—Nor was it the least, that of being father of a son, who +afterwards served his country in the triple capacities of a valiant +soldier, an enlightened statesman, and a profound scholar.</p> + +<p>Near these warriors were seen the Master of the Order of Calatrava, the +Aleayde de los Donceles, Count Ureña, and other renowned chiefs. The +rest of the nobles, taking precedence, according to their rank, +completed this imposing assembly.</p> + +<p>An universal silence prevailed, and every one seemed impatient to +ascertain the object of the council to which they had been so hastily +summoned, the nature of which they could only conjecture.</p> + +<p>But from these noble ranks, a gallant knight was absent—one who, though +young in years, was already a veteran in military achievements, and +whose brilliant abilities had won him the right of sharing with these +distinguished personages the marked favor of his sovereign.—Gomez Arias +was not there, and Alonso de Aguilar, who considered him already as his +son, felt chagrined at his unavoidable absence.</p> + +<p>This young nobleman was now a voluntary exile from court, and nowise +anxious to appear at Granada, where his presence would be attended with +danger. Neither his own merits, nor the influence of Aguilar, could +induce Isabella to deviate from the path of justice, loudly demanded by +the family and friends of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who, at that time, +was stretched on a bed of sickness, in consequence of a dangerous wound +inflicted by Gomez Arias, his fortunate rival in the affections of +Leonor de Aguilar.</p> + +<p>The members of the council, with this solitary exception, being +assembled, the queen rose to address them.—"Noble Christians," she +said, "my friends and brave defenders! You are no doubt already aware of +the important motive which summons you to our presence. Unless a speedy +remedy be applied, we are threatened with the loss of those territories +for which we have so long toiled, and which have been purchased with the +dearest blood in Spain. Again the noble patriotic fire which animates +you must be called forth, and the redoubled strength of your arms be +displayed against the enemies of our faith and native land. Scarcely had +you, by courage and perseverance, reduced this last strong hold of +Granada, and compelled the Moors to surrender the inheritance of our +forefathers, when the seeds of discontent were sown, and sprung into +open rebellion. Whatever may have been the complaints of the inhabitants +of the Albaycin, it was by calm remonstrance, and by applications to +our throne of justice, that they ought to have sought redress; not by +the force of arms, in which they have had but too many occasions to +acknowledge our superiority.—Our officers of justice have been +insulted, and one of them has been murdered in the discharge of his +duty. The prudent and active conduct of the Count de Tendilla succeeded +in putting down the first commotion, but the leaders of the outrage have +sought, in the wild passes of the Alpujarras, to conduct by stratagem a +war which they are not able to sustain against us in the field. Let us +then hasten to chastise their insolence before the evil gain ground. Not +that I entertain any doubts of success, but for the purpose of saving +the valuable lives which such procrastination might endanger. Amongst +the rebel chiefs, who appear to possess in the greatest degree the +confidence of their comrades, and most resolutely to defy our power, are +el Negro,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 2.">[2]</a> of Lanjaron, and el Feri de Benastepar. The former, +blockaded in the Castle of Lanjaron, will not long brave a siege; but +the latter is a more formidable enemy, and being well acquainted with +the innermost passes of those wild mountains, will offer a greater +resistance. Against this man, therefore, our chief efforts must be +directed."</p> + +<p>She then took a banner, on which was splendidly emblazoned the arms of +Castile and Arragon.—"To thee, Don Alonso de Aguilar," she said, "do we +intrust the chief command in this expedition, and to thy care and +keeping do we commit this precious gage, which thou must fix on the +summit of the Alpujarras."</p> + +<p>Saying this, she delivered the standard to the veteran warrior. He bowed +on receiving it, and the fire of enthusiasm kindled in his dark eyes as +he knelt, and kissed the hand of the donor; then waving the banner on +high, he exclaimed—"All that human efforts can achieve, will I do. My +Liege, from your hands Alonso de Aguilar receives this pledge of royal +favor, and he will not prove ungrateful for the noble distinction. Yes, +I will punish these accursed infidels, and this sacred standard shall +not be separated from me till it streams in triumph on the summit of the +mountain. Noble warriors," he continued with a burst of exultation—"if +this banner be lost, search for it in the midst of slaughtered +Moors—there you will find it, dyed in the blood, but still in the grasp +of Alonso de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>As he uttered these words, he again raised the banner on high, and the +surrounding chiefs sent forth, simultaneously, a shout of approbation. +Isabella then motioning with her hand to command attention, again +addressed the council.—"Listen further to our sovereign decree. From +this time let no one of our subjects hold communion or any intercourse +whatever with the rebels. The least infringement of this order shall be +accounted treason, and the transgressor shall be dealt with according to +the law. Let an edict be proclaimed, that no one may plead ignorance of +its purport."</p> + +<p>The chiefs now gradually withdrew; and Don Alonso having made his +obeisance, was likewise about to retire, when his royal mistress +detained him.—"Stay, Aguilar. It grieves me much that the marriage of +thy daughter should be thus deferred, nay, perhaps set aside, by the +unfortunate adventure of her lover with Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. How is +the wounded man?"</p> + +<p>"Most gracious Queen"—replied Don Alonso, "I have received intelligence +that he is even now considered almost out of danger. The issue of a few +days will determine, and then if the result be favorable, I may safely +welcome the return of Don Lope Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"As good a knight as Spain can boast"—returned the queen—"and +possessed of those accomplishments which insure the favor of our sex. +But I hear he has a failing, which, as a woman, I ought rather to call a +grievous fault. I am told he is of a very fickle character. Is not your +Leonor alarmed at the reported inconstancy of her future husband?"</p> + +<p>"Is she not the child of Aguilar?"—proudly cried the warrior—"And +where is the man that dared wrong one of that name?"</p> + +<p>"Nay," replied Isabella, in the most condescending tone and manner, "I +do not mean that Leonor will repent her choice when once made; she has +attractions to fix the most volatile and inconstant of men; and I +sincerely hope that Gomez Arias will have discernment sufficient to +appreciate them."</p> + +<p>"Don Lope is not so fickle as some have wished your Highness to +believe," observed Don Alonso. "Moreover, I use no compulsion; they love +each other well, and I only am concerned that their marriage should not +be celebrated before I march against el Feri de Benastepar. In the face +of danger I would then feel tranquil, from the consciousness that there +was one to protect my child, should aught happen to her father in this +hazardous expedition."</p> + +<p>"The daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar"—replied the queen—"can never +need one to supply her father's place whilst Isabella lives. She shall +remain constantly with me, and I shall be gratified to manifest by my +attention and kindness to Leonor, the high estimation in which I hold +her father. But how does it happen that you are not the <i>Mantenedor</i> of +the lists in the games of to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"One more capable than myself has already assumed the charge. Besides, I +can feel little interested with the display of a tournament, when we are +shortly to meet the enemy in mortal encounter. These sports suit well +with gay young cavaliers, but not with veterans like myself. Those +gallant knights have admiring ladies to look upon their prowess, and +reward their success. But my only ambition is to sustain the laurels +earned in bloody fray against the enemy of my country,—to gain the +approbation of that country, and the favor of its greatest ornament,—my +noble sovereign."</p> + +<p>The resolute and manly tone in which Don Alonso spoke, perfectly +accorded with the frankness and generosity of his character. He bent his +knee as he pressed to his lips the extended hand of his queen.</p> + +<p>"And well hast thou deserved that favor," she exclaimed, "my best, and +most faithful friend: thy country will pay with gratitude thy long +proved services. Go; prosper in thy brilliant career!"</p> + +<p>The remainder of the day was passed in preparations for the games of the +morrow. Gallant knights were busily engaged in preparing their +accoutrements, and examining their armour, whilst many a fair hand was +as anxiously occupied in ornamenting the devices, and arranging the +colours of the favored knight. The city was thronged with visitors, the +inhabitants of the adjacent country having been attracted by the fame of +the reported games, insomuch that Granada could not hold her numerous +guests. For more accommodation, numerous temporary tents had been +pitched along the smiling plain of the Vega. The voices of vacant joy +and revelry were heard on all sides, and the warriors and irregular +groups, moving along in all the recklessness of anticipated pleasure, +presented a gay and lively picture.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIIa" id="CHAPTER_IIIa"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cada uno dellos mientes tiene al so,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Abrazan los escudos delant los corazones:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Abaxan las lauzas abueltas con los pendones;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Enclinaban las caras sobre los arzones:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Batien los cavallos con los espolones,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tembrar quierie la tierra dod eran movedores.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14.5em;"><i>Poema del Cid.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The morning arrived, and the entrances to the lists were thronged by the +inhabitants of Granada and their visitors; all anxious to witness a +display which it was expected would surpass in magnificence any thing of +the kind they had ever seen. A large piece of ground, perfectly level +and free from impediment, had been appropriately chosen without the +walls of the city, for the exhibition of the games of strength, valour, +and skill, and a temporary gallery had been constructed, extending on +either side to the extremity of the lists. At the end nearest the city, +was erected a temporary wooden fortress, painted in imitation of +stone-work, curiously fabricated, covered over with canvas, and capable +of containing a number of men-at-arms. On the front turret of this +castle streamed a large banner, on which was emblazoned a red cross +decorated with gold, being the arms of the order of Calatrava, of which +the <i>Mantenedor</i><a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 3.">[3]</a> was the grand master. Other smaller banners were +placed around it, and they appertained to the four knights, who had +volunteered to support the <i>Mantenedor</i>, and who, in conjunction with +him, were bound to accept the challenge of all knights adventurers +disposed to encounter them. On each side of the castle were two tents, +before which were placed the pennon and shield of the knights to whom +they belonged, and at the entrance stood a squire, ready to meet the +demands of all comers.</p> + +<p>Directly facing the castle, at the other extremity of the lists, was +pitched a large and magnificent pavilion, ornamented with little +pennons, and numberless armorial devices curiously interwoven with gold +and silver thread on green silk brocade. Before it were artificially +grouped swords, lances, shields, and every description of armour, +emblematical of the intent to which the pavilion was appropriated, it +being set apart for the use of those knights who were willing to enter +the lists against the <i>Mantenedor</i> and his assistants. About the middle +of the gallery on the right of the castle, a platform had been erected +for the accommodation of the queen and her retinue. It was covered with +scarlet cloth, and shaded by a rich canopy of purple brocade, on the top +of which were seen the royal and united arms of Arragon and Castile +shining in burnished gold. The whole of this platform was occupied by +the maids of honour, and other principal ladies, as well as the +noblemen and gentlemen of the court. In front of the place occupied by +the queen, were stationed the umpires of the tournament, whose duty it +was to decide the merits of the candidates, and award the prizes. Other +places on either side of the throne were allotted to the various +nobility and gentry of Granada, whilst the two extremities of this +gallery and the whole of the other were assigned to the public, without +any claim to precedence, but that of a priority of occupation.</p> + +<p>And now the ponderous bells of the cathedral filled the air with their +tolling; and immediately the bands of martial instruments within the +lists, struck up a glorious and enlivening strain, in signal of the +queen's approach.</p> + +<p>At length she made her appearance, surrounded by a numerous suite, and +heartily was she welcomed by the multitude, whose joy at the sight of +their beloved sovereign was equal to the anticipated pleasure of the +tournament.</p> + +<p>Isabella was sumptuously attired in a rich dress of crimson velvet, +ornamented with pearls. A delicate and costly scarf, of the finest lace, +was attached to the back part of her head, and covered with its graceful +folds her beautiful neck and shoulders. On this splendid scarf were +wrought in gold thread, lions and castles, and other insignia of the +arms of Spain. The queen wore likewise the crosses of the orders of +Santiago and Calatrava, richly studded with diamonds and precious gems +of immense value.</p> + +<p>The lists now offered a most dazzling and noble spectacle. On one side +was displayed all the splendour of the court, and the sparkling +jewellery, the costly attire, and the waving plumes indicated the spot +where the rank and beauty of Spain was assembled in all its glory and +magnificence. Indeed towards this part of the lists the attention was +more particularly directed, as in all courteous exhibitions of martial +prowess, the interest is chiefly centered in those objects, to win whose +smile lances are broken and helmets shivered.—Nor was the feeling of +enthusiasm on beholding this scene lessened by the appearance of the +opposite gallery, which, though more humble, nevertheless contributed, +by the variety and gaiety of their costume, together with the cheerful +animation expressed in their countenances, to the general effect of the +picture. Then the proud display of all the panoplies of the court; the +rich waving plumage of the crests; the lustre of the burnished shields +and polished armour, together with the neighing of the spirited charger +that caracolled the lists, and the warlike strains that at intervals +floated on the air, powerfully tended to strike the imagination and +inspire the heart to deeds of chivalry and arms.</p> + +<p>A flourish of trumpets and clarions now indicated that the tournament +was about to commence. In a few moments therefore the lists were +cleared, with the exception of the heralds, who, gorgeously equipped in +suits of crimson and gold, and attended by trumpeters, advanced to the +four corners of the lists to proclaim the challenge. It was couched in +the formula of chivalric language, which it would be superfluous here to +transcribe. The meaning, however, was, that the <i>Mantenedor</i> and his +supporters, Don Manuel Ponce de Leon, the Alcayde de los Donceles, Count +Cifuentes, and Don Antonio de Leyva, invited all knights adventurers to +break lances, if they were hardy enough to dispute their right to the +lists. As soon as the challenge had been pronounced, the heralds retired +to their posts; when the trumpets sounded again, the gates of the castle +were thrown open, and the five challengers came forward.</p> + +<p>Nothing could surpass the richness of their harness, the splendour of +their armour, and the gallantry of their bearing. The grand master was +attired in a costly suit of steel, the corslet of which was entirely +burnished with silver, and the ornaments chased with the same precious +metal. Over this he wore a short mantle of white velvet, which was the +colour he had adopted. On his shield, upon a field argent, was portrayed +the red cross of Calatrava, which he also bore on his breast, and which +was surrounded with the following device—"<i>Por esta y por mi Rey.</i>" +<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 4.">[4]</a></p> + +<p>Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next fixed the attention of the spectators; his +armour was the same as the <i>Mantenedor</i>'s, excepting that the <i>ropa</i><a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 5.">[5]</a> +which hung from his shoulder was crimson. On his ample buckler were +emblazoned the bars of the arms of Arragon, granted to his warlike +ancestors by the kings of that country; and likewise quartered thereon, +was a lion rampant, in field argent, a device which, tradition says, was +adopted by the famous Trojan, Hector, from whom the old French +chroniclers assert the Ponces de Leon to be descended. Beneath the arms +was legible in red letters the motto—"<i>Soy como mi nombre.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 6.">[6]</a></p> + +<p>The armour of the other knights was made to correspond with that of the +<i>Mantenedor</i>, the only distinguishing mark being the colour of the +<i>ropas</i>, and the different device which each bore upon his shield, +either as indicative of his feelings, or from the armorial bearings of +his family. The colour of the spirited chargers of these challengers was +snow white. Nothing could exceed the beauty of their proportions and the +splendour of their trappings. They beat the ground with short quick +tramp, and shook the white foam from their mouths, as they fretted at +the discipline by which their fiery ardour was restrained. They were +caparisoned with long housings of costly brocade, and ornamented with +gold or silver, according to the colour of the rider's dress, and their +manes and tails were decorated with knots of gay ribbons.</p> + +<p>The five challengers now advanced at a stately pace, till they arrived +before the queen, when, with a graceful and simultaneous motion, they +made their horses kneel down; and after saluting the courtly retinue +with their lances, they caracolled round the lists, as if to reconnoitre +their dominions. At last, after various martial evolutions, in which +they were accompanied by the animating strains of the music, they +proceeded to the middle of the lists—there they halted, and, throwing +down their gauntlets, retreated to the castle in the same order in which +they had advanced. The trumpets then sounded, and immediately there was +a rush of gallant knights, who pricked into the lists, all eager to take +up these tokens of defiance. So upon retiring, five of their number, who +had succeeded in securing the gage, came forward from the pavilion. The +champions wore fine Spanish shirts of mail, with a polished breast-plate +inlaid with gold, and their pliant barbs of raven black, seemed to have +been chosen to contrast with those of the challengers. The helmets of +the knights were almost hidden in a shadowing plumage of white and red +feathers. The chief of this gallant band declined giving his name, +though he was known to his four companions, who pledged themselves for +him. However, from the superior courage and address which the strange +knight afterwards displayed, it was generally believed that he could be +no other than the renowned Gonzalo de Cordova, who, from a pique in a +momentary fit of passion, had withdrawn from court, and lost the +friendship of the queen. The other four knights were easily +distinguished by their devices and colours. Amongst them, the most +conspicuous, appeared the young Don Pedro, son of Don Alonso de Aguilar. +He carried himself with a bearing far superior to his years, and +inspired a general interest, both on his own account and for that of his +illustrious sire. On his shield he bore a golden eagle, emblematical of +his name, flying towards heaven, and carrying in his claws a bleeding +Moor. Underneath was the motto—</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"Le subiré hasta el cielo,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"> Porque dé mayor caida."<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 7.">[7]</a></span><br /> +</p> + +<p>This shield belonged to Alonso de Aguilar himself, who was no less +pleased than surprised that his son should have chosen such a device for +the occasion. But every one applauded the young Don Pedro for that +unconquerable hatred towards the enemies of his country, which he had +inherited from his ancestors, and which engrossed their thoughts even in +pastimes and games. By the side of Don Pedro, rode Garcilaso de la Vega, +who was proud to bear the brazen shield which he had inherited from his +father, and upon which was displayed the bleeding head of a Moor, +hanging on a black charger's tail, and round which were the words—"<i>Ave +Maria</i>"—a device which the Garcilasos wore in commemoration of the +famous single combat which one of their house had sustained against the +fierce Moor Audala, who, with impious insolence, had interwoven the +sacred salutation to the virgin, in token of derision, in his horse's +tail. The two other champions were the Count de Ureña and young +Sayavedra, both equally renowned in that age of chivalry, brave and +gallant knights.</p> + +<p>They now proceeded to the castle, and after the ceremony of striking +twice the gong which was placed beside it, and selecting their tents, +they again retreated. The five challengers next presented themselves, +and a desperate encounter was anticipated. Indeed ten more valiant +knights were scarcely to be found in all Spain, and their acknowledged +skill promised a display of more than usual interest for the beholders.</p> + +<p>At the signal given, they rushed impetuously forward, yet such was their +perfection in horsemanship, and so well trained and disciplined were +their chargers, that they all arrived at the middle of the lists at the +same time, meeting in a shock, the abrupt and fearful clash of which +seemed as if it had been the effect of a single but awful concussion. +The lances were splintered to the very hilts, but the knights resumed +their places amidst the loud applause of the multitude. Again they +darted with the velocity of the wind, and again they met with the same +precision, but not with the same success; for in this encounter the +challengers were considered the victors—the two chiefs alone having +sustained no injury—their lances broke as before, but they remained +firm and erect in their saddle. Not so with the rest—for young Don +Pedro was not able to withstand the superior force of Ponce de Leon's +more manly age. Garcilaso was unhorsed by Don Antonio de Leyva, and the +two others sustained great inconvenience from the Alcayde and Count +Cifuentes.</p> + +<p>The shouts of the spectators, and the flourish of instruments, +proclaimed the victory of the <i>Mantenedor</i> and his supporters, who +retired to the castle with their good fortune, ready to meet the demands +of all other adventurers. The chief of the vanquished party who had so +handsomely maintained his ground against the Maestre, now signified his +intention of encountering that champion singly; but in this he was +opposed by the marshals of the games, who declared that after the demand +of his challenge had been acceded to, he could not, according to the +rules, encounter again the same knight on that day. The matter was +referred to the judges, who decided against the stranger chief, and he +was accordingly obliged to desist from his purpose.</p> + +<p>Great was the joy of the <i>Mantenedor</i> and his associates, who, having +vanquished the most formidable knights, proudly imagined that all who +might now appear, would afford an easy victory. Indeed this opinion +seemed generally to prevail, as for some time no one shewed himself in +the lists to dispute their supremacy.</p> + +<p>Don Pedro, vexed at heart, now mounted a strong charger—rode up to the +castle, and challenged the <i>Mantenedor</i> himself. Don Alonso de Aguilar +saw the noble daring of his son at once with pleasure and dismay; for +although he was overjoyed to perceive him possessed of such undaunted +courage, he yet trembled for the consequences of his temerity.</p> + +<p>The gong sounded twice—the Maestre appeared, and was struck at the +presumption of the young adventurer.—They took their places—the +trumpets gave the signal—forward the champions started, and at the +first meeting displayed such an equality that the whole place rung with +acclamations. Indeed this was the most important encounter, and every +one waited its issue in breathless expectation—the ladies in +particular, always interested where youth dares against manhood, waved +their kerchiefs and scarfs to animate the young knight, whose heart in +sooth needed no such stimulus. In the second encounter, however, he was +not equally fortunate; for the <i>Mantenedor</i>, jealous of his fame, now +risked against a youth, stood more on his guard, and summoned all his +might and skill to his assistance.—Don Pedro was unable to withstand +the shock; the lance flew unharmed from his grasp, and he was compelled +to leave the field honorably, but still in possession of the +challengers.</p> + +<p>The castle now sent forth a blast of clarions, in sign of triumph and +defiance, whilst at the pavilion, no knight evinced any desire of +renewing the engagement. In this state of suspense, some time elapsed, +and the heralds, according to form, proceeded to summon the knights +adventurers, but no one appeared—again ten minutes elapsed, and a +second summons was pronounced, but again it met with no answer. The +triumph of the <i>Mantenedor</i> now seemed certain, and the heralds were +about to utter the third and last proclamation, when, lo! a knight was +seen riding at full speed towards the lists, and, after thundering at +the barrier for admittance, without further ceremony, was directing his +course to the castle, when his career was arrested by the marshals, as +no one could pretend to enter the lists against the challengers, without +previously delivering his name and titles, or at least presenting a +known friend to vouch for his being a true and loyal knight.</p> + +<p>The incognito knight was accordingly obliged to give way; but making a +sign to the herald not to proceed to the third summons, he rode up to +Don Pedro and, taking him aside, conferred with him in secret. Young +Aguilar immediately advanced with visible surprise and pleasure, and +pledged himself for his new companion. This circumstance, no less than +the general appearance of the champion in question, commanded universal +interest and attention. He was completely accoutred in a blue steel +armour, over which he wore a short mantle of black velvet, sumptuously +adorned with gold. On his burnished helmet he wore a profusion of white +and sable feathers, and on his lance streamed a pennon of the same +colours. His breast was covered with a ponderous shield, bearing no +device, but the solitary motto—"<i>Conocelle por sus fechos.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 8.">[8]</a> The +incognito knight brought with him neither squire nor page, and there was +an air of mystery about his person that tended considerably to heighten +the interest which his sudden appearance had already excited.</p> + +<p>He now rushed impetuously towards the castle, when the charger seemed to +be under no command, and the knight was apparently in peril of being +dashed to pieces;—a simultaneous cry of terror burst from the +surrounding multitude, when the incognito knight on the point of being +hurled against the wall of the castle, and at the distance of scarcely +two feet, suddenly reined up, and both he and his charger appeared +rooted to the ground. A burst of admiration now superseded the terror +which his precipitous career had occasioned, and every one was lost in +conjectures relating to the incognito knight. The noble arrogance of the +motto—"<i>Conocelle por sus fechos</i>," made them better appreciate the +feat he had just performed. He advanced to the gong, and sounded a +redoubled and protracted peal, and flourishing his lance in the face of +the castle and tents, indicated his willingness to do battle with all. +This daring act excited a second burst of applause, and the astonished +challengers appeared at the castle in a mood of mixed perplexity and +indignant pride. The incognito knight, however, vaulted on his charger, +and then retreated to await the pleasure of the <i>Mantenedor</i>; who, +according to rank, was the first to engage. The flourish of trumpets +acted as a signal, and the champions rushed against each other at full +speed; the shock was tremendous—the lances were shivered, and the +powerful chargers staggered with the violent concussion. The champions +taking new lances, prepared for a second encounter, when the horse of +the <i>Mantenedor</i>, either from sudden fright or other cause, swerved in +the middle of its career, and its master, being obliged to deviate from +his intended aim, would have offered an easy victory to his antagonist. +The knight, however, generously refused to take advantage of this +accident, and, making a demi-volte, returned to await the <i>Mantenedor</i>'s +leisure. But the latter, overcome by the courteous behaviour of his +adversary, declined a second encounter, and retired to the castle.</p> + +<p>Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next advanced, happy in the opportunity which +chance offered him of gathering the laurels, which his principal had +forgone. This knight, in the opinion of many, was the most formidable of +the five challengers—the repeated single combats in which he had +engaged against the Moors, and other feats of arms, having won for him +very great reputation. He came therefore into the lists, as if conscious +of his powers, and fully confident of success. In the first shock, +there was a slight advantage on his part, having succeeded in striking +his lance so forcibly, and directly on the breast-plate of his +adversary, that the incognito knight was observed somewhat to stagger; +while Don Manuel remained immoveable as a rock—however, as no decided +advantage could be claimed, the two champions prepared to renew the +engagement. Again the swift-footed steeds fly over the lists, and again +the combatants meet with a terrific clash. It proved unfortunate for +Ponce de Leon, who was dealt such a severe blow, that had it not been +for the extreme goodness of his armour, the queen would have lost one of +her most gallant warriors. As it was, the saddle girths broke, and the +horse, unable to withstand the shock, staggered backward—tottered, and +rolled over, throwing his rider, with a tremendous fall, into the middle +of the lists. Ponce de Leon with difficulty arose, having received a +sore contusion, and was assisted back to the castle, from whence the +Alcayde de los Donceles soon issued forth, intent upon revenging the +disgrace of his companion. He offered, however, a faint resistance; for +the incognito knight, at every encounter, appeared to acquire new +strength. The opposition afforded by Count de Cifuentes was still +weaker; the unfortunate knight being fairly unhorsed in such a manner, +that he seemed for a moment to be carried on the point of his +antagonist's lance to the ground. The shouts of the spectators, and the +peal of instruments redoubled at every new proof of strength and skill +thus manifested, and the triumph of the incognito knight was hailed as +certain. He had now only to meet the youngest; and, to the opinion of +all, the least renowned of the challengers. Young Don Antonio de Leyva, +however, by the martial and undaunted manner in which he came forward, +showed that he was in no ways intimidated by the repeated and +extraordinary good fortune of the doughty champion.</p> + +<p>The trumpets sounded—the lances are couched—the horses started—the +silence is intense—when, with one fearful resounding clash, the +knights meet—the charm is broken, and all is converted into an uproar +of wonder and delight.—The champions, though so unequal in all +appearances, now proved to be fairly matched—both lances descended from +the air in splinters, and the tremendous shock which the combatants had +sustained, appeared to produce no other effect than to check their +steeds in their impetuous course. The knights soon recovered and +regained their stations.—Again the signal is heard—and again they +speed with the swiftness of the arrow—the lances break, and both the +horses recede with the violent shock.—Surprise and delight agitate the +bosom of the spectators.—Hope inspires the drooping spirits of the +<i>Mantenedor</i> and those of the castle.—Disappointment and vexation rage +in the heart of the incognito knight. He made a movement of impatient +anger, as he grasped firmly the lance which was now presented to him, +and poised it as if to ascertain its consistency; then, making a circuit +with his steed, he appeared resolved to put a termination to the hopes +of his adversary in the present encounter.—With a desperate start he +rushed headlong against his opponent, who, aware of the furious attack +he was about to sustain, collected all his might to meet it with a +suitable resistance.—The incognito knight inclined himself more forward +on his horse, and turned his aim full at the breast of his antagonist, +while Don Antonio, who perceived his intention, resolved to direct his +lance towards his adversary's head, which, though a difficult +manœuvre, would, if successful, insure the advantage.—The incognito +knight, however, broke the tendency of the blow by suddenly inclining +his head forward, while the anger that boiled within his bosom, so +powerfully seconded his efforts, that the gallant Don Antonio fell, +bearing, however, his adversary backwards on his seat, and carrying +away, on the point of his lance, the plumage that adorned his casque.</p> + +<p>The victory was now completed, and the whole place resounded with shouts +of admiration. The incognito knight having thus vanquished the +champions, for some time gallantly paraded the lists, making his +obedient and tutored steed perform several graceful evolutions. Then +suddenly advancing before the throne of the queen, he lowered the point +of his lance and made his charger to kneel. Passing onwards to Leonor de +Aguilar, he again made the graceful salute, whilst a shower of +many-colored ribbons, white and highly-scented gloves, flowers, and +other favors, fell profusely from fair hands—a due tribute to bravery +and skill. Having performed this mark of courtesy, without waiting to +receive the guerdon he had so well merited, he applied spurs to his +horse and was soon lost to the sight of the delighted and admiring +multitude.</p> + +<p>The incognito knight became the subject of general speculation—he had +overcome five champions to whom the court of Isabella could afford no +equals—only one man perhaps might be capable of such valorous +achievements, but he was now an exile whom the law pursued, and whose +appearance in the lists would be attended with danger. Still the +extraordinary prowess of the knight, and the circumstance of Don Pedro +coming forward to answer for him when he entered the lists, left no room +to doubt that he was that illustrious exile. Indeed the significant +smile which the queen directed to Alonso de Aguilar, when the champion +saluted his daughter, and the blush that mantled on the cheek of that +lady implied a perfect recognition of her lover.</p> + +<p>His absence from the lists gave the judges an opportunity of awarding +the principal prize to Don Antonio de Leyva, by whom, according to their +own, as well as the general opinion, it was more justly merited. The +different bands now struck up a martial air; the queen departed with her +numerous and splendid train, and every one retired from the lists, +perfectly satisfied with the sports of the day, to spend the remainder +of it in feasting and discussing the various merits of the knights who +had afforded them so much pleasure.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IVa" id="CHAPTER_IVa"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Poi la Vittoria da quel canto stia,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Che vorra la divina providenza:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Il cavalier non havrà colpa alcuna,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ma il tutto impulterassi à la fortuna.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;"><i>Ariosto.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The following morning shone equally bright as the preceding, and the +expectations of the public were equally sanguine. The same pomp and +ceremony presided in the court; the same precision and gallant +deportment was observable in the knights, the heralds, and all other +persons connected with the sports.</p> + +<p>As these, however, as far as concerned the tournament, were but a +repetition of the antecedent day, and more to be enjoyed by being an +active witness than a passive reader of them, we will not dwell on the +subject further than to observe, that those of the castle sustained the +challenge most gallantly. Although many were the fresh arrivals of +adventurers who fearlessly advanced to engage the <i>Mantenedor</i> and his +comrades, none were sufficiently accomplished to bear away the palm. +Indeed, the incognito knight, the most redoubtable of all the +combatants, either from fear of discovery, or from some secret +injunction, had abstained from making a second appearance in the lists.</p> + +<p>The signal was now given, and the heralds proclaimed that the games of +valour and strength were ended, and those of skill about to commence.</p> + +<p>An interval of two hours was employed in clearing the lists, and +preparing the ground for the <i>juego de la sortija</i>,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 9.">[9]</a> which was +peculiarly gratifying to the queen. This intermediate time was devoted +by the assembled and motley crowd, to the rational, and provident +purpose of a substantial repast.</p> + +<p>A tall and slight pine tree, beautifully decorated with ribbons, was +placed in the ground, and a gold ring of proportion suitable to the +occasion, suspended on one of the projecting branches, under which the +candidates were to pass at full career. The queen herself resolved to +reward the victor with her own royal hand. Her portrait, superbly set in +sparkling jewellery, and hanging on a ponderous gold chain of curious +workmanship, was suspended by her side—a meet reward for the successful +competitor. The nature of the guerdon, the quality of the bestower, and +the circumstance that there was but one prize to be obtained, greatly +stimulated the emulation of every knight to deserve an honor the more +desirable from its admitting of no participation.</p> + +<p><i>Chirimias</i>, <i>dulzainas</i>,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 10.">[10]</a> and other musical instruments which are +now grown obsolete, but which in those days were in high request, now +filled the air with harmony, while the attention of the gay and motley +concourse was arrested by the sudden arrival of heralds on horseback, +gorgeously apparelled, and preceded by black slaves playing on the +cymbals. These paraded the lists for a short time, and then retiring to +their posts, gave way to beautiful pages, mounted on elegant palfreys, +and attired in costly silken dresses of light blue, bedizened with +ribbons, and bearing a turban of crimson velvet with white feathers. +These pages carried before them the light and slender lances +appropriated for the games, and having deposited them near the queen, +they retired and took their stations opposite to the troop of heralds +and black musicians.</p> + +<p>The attention of the public was then simultaneously attracted to the +four corners of the lists, from whence four quadrilles of equestrians +proceeded, all vieing with each other in the richness of their dresses, +the splendor of ornaments, and the gaiety of their bearing. These +quadrilles were distinguished by the different colours which they wore, +and out of each were selected three champions to dispute the prize. At +the signal given, they started severally according to the order of +precedence, which had been obtained by casting lots, and in the first +course seven candidates passed their lances clearly through the ring, +carrying it along in their headlong career.</p> + +<p>The music sounded a flourish, and the seven competitors underwent +another trial, in which only two were successful—young Garcilaso, and +Antonio de Leyva. The contest was now to be divided by the two, and pink +and green were the colours that contended for the victory; accordingly +their quadrilles, as well as the spectators of both sexes who had +adopted those colours, awaited the result of the contest, with anxious +suspense. Garcilaso now made a graceful curvet, and spring at once with +the celerity of an arrow, in the middle of his precipitous career he +extended his lance with perfect ease and dexterity, and again carried +away the ring. Don Antonio next advanced; and having indulged for a +short space in several feats of horsemanship, he sped towards the +honored tree on which was suspended victory or defeat. His horsemanship +was so perfect that, excepting the feather on his head which streamed +before the wind, all appeared like the figure of a centaur, flying +meteor-like along the plain. His lance, however, missed the middle of +the ring, and touching one of its edges, such was the rapidity of Don +Antonio's motion that the ring sprung high in the air, when the +dexterous cavalier, to the admiration of the surrounding multitude, +turned short, and before the ring had time to fall, he caught it fairly +with his lance. This extraordinary feat excited universal applause, and +some even vociferated that Don Antonio was deservedly entitled to the +prize. However, as Garcilaso had likewise succeeded in carrying away the +ring, the candidates were obliged to refer to another trial, which was +decided in favor of young de Leyva, who was immediately escorted by the +triumphant party to receive the reward amidst the exhilarating strains +of the music, and the acclamation of the vast concourse.</p> + +<p>As soon as the victorious cavalcade arrived near the queen, Don Antonio +and the chief of the quadrille vaulted nimbly from their horses, when +the conqueror knelt at the feet of his gracious sovereign, who, with a +condescending smile, threw the portrait round his neck.</p> + +<p>"Wear this," she then said, "in commemoration of thy skill, and the +regard of Isabella. Remember that this gift is a gage of my royal word +to accord to the bearer any boon he may have to demand. Upon the +presentation of this token it shall be granted. My royal word is +passed."</p> + +<p>Don Antonio humbly kissed the hand of his queen, and mingling again with +his party, they paraded the place in ceremonial triumph, previous to +their departure. The feats of De Leyva, both in the tourney and the game +of the ring, had secured for him the admiration of all the spectators, +and more particularly amongst the fairer part. Many were the glances +bestowed upon him by sparkling eyes and many a gentle bosom beat high +with emotion as he inclined towards them his handsome figure in graceful +salutations.—Even the proud Leonor could not entirely conceal the +inward satisfaction she felt at the triumph of the young Don Antonio; +for, notwithstanding her efforts, she could but ill disguise a latent +feeling of interest and delight. Certainly it was not love; for, +according to general opinion, she had irretrievably fixed her affections +on another object. But yet she was in that state of mind which is more +easily felt than described; a state too glowing to be called mere +friendship—too cold to be denominated love; it was something between +both—a tender sentiment of regard towards one whom she was taught to +consider her inferior in point of rank and fortune.</p> + +<p>Leonor de Aguilar had inherited from her warlike father that pride and +loftiness of spirit which in some measure spurned the softer sensations +of the heart. She scarcely believed in the existence of unbounded, +unconquerable passion; her ideas were too much engrossed in the dazzling +visions of glory and fame to descend to a minute analysis of the various +gradations of tenderness, and the progressive workings of love.—She +seemed to sympathize more with the lofty feelings of her father, than +with those of her woman's heart. She had implicitly trusted to him the +care of her happiness, and upon his slightest intimation she had +consented to receive Gomez Arias as her future husband, and he had too +many brilliant qualities not to meet with her approbation.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias possessed in an eminent degree great military talents, and +an unbounded desire of glory and renown,—qualities which, in the +opinion of Leonor, were paramount to every other consideration. +Accordingly, she loved him, as she thought, in a manner worthy of the +daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar.</p> + +<p>In this state of mind she awaited the marriage, which had only been +retarded by the untoward accident which had unhappily brought the life +of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes into mortal jeopardy.</p> + +<p>Meantime the extraordinary valour and address which Gomez Arias had +displayed in the tournament (for Leonor felt conscious that the +incognito knight could be no other), tended considerably to increase her +admiration for him, and to enhance her desire of uniting her fortunes to +those of a man so well calculated to merit by his services the +approbation of his country.</p> + +<p>The games being over, various chiefs, such as the Alcayde de los +Donceles, Count Cifuentes, and others of equal merit, departed with the +forces under their command, to act against the rebels, now daily +increasing both in number and strength.</p> + +<p>Meantime Don Alonso de Aguilar, on whom devolved the most dangerous part +of the enterprize, that of penetrating into the heart of those terrible +mountains of the Alpujarras, felt scarcely satisfied with his detention +at Granada, as he considered every moment spent in inactivity as lost to +glory and renown.</p> + +<p>Great, therefore, was his satisfaction when he communicated to his +daughter the perfect recovery of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. Nothing now +could prevent the immediate appearance of Gomez Arias at Granada, for +the celebration of the nuptials, or throw any impediment on Don Alonso's +departure against the rebel Moors. Intelligence, therefore, was sent to +Don Lope, who lay concealed at Guadix, that he might repair with the +utmost expedition to Granada,—an invitation which Aguilar entertained +no doubt would be most anxiously welcomed by that cavalier. Under this +impression Don Alonso now turned his thoughts solely to the object that +was ever in his mind, and engrossed his every sentiment. Two or three +days more and he would be marching against the enemies of his country, +and adding new laurels to the flourishing branches that already graced +his glorious name.</p> + +<p>Meantime his daughter Leonor evinced an equal anxiety for the return of +her lover, not so much for any selfish gratification of feeling as for +the more noble ambition of claiming the prerogative to call by the +endearing names of father and husband, the two first warriors of the +land.</p> + +<p>Thus impressed, both father and daughter awaited with impatience the +following day, which, beyond the possibility of doubt, was to bring +Gomez Arias to the city.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Va" id="CHAPTER_Va"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="sterling top5"> +<i>Sterling.</i> True, True; and since you only transfer from one +girl to another, it is no more than transferring so much stock, +you know.</p> +<p class="sterling"> +<i>Sir John.</i> The very thing.</p> +<p class="sterling"> +<i>Sterling.</i> Odso! I had quite forgot. We are reckoning +without our host here.</p> +<p class="sterling"> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;"><i>Clandestine Marriage.</i></span> +</p> + + +<p class="top5">"What is to be the wonder now?" asked Gomez Arias, as he observed his +valet and confidant, Roque, approaching, with an unusual expression of +gravity upon his countenance, such indeed as was seldom discernible in +the features of the merry buffoon.</p> + +<p>"What is it you want?"</p> + +<p>"I wish to leave your service, Señor."</p> + +<p>"Leave my service! Surely, Roque, you are not tired of so indulgent a +master?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sir," answered Roque, "I am; and what is more, I have been so +these three years—may I speak out?"</p> + +<p>"Why," said Don Lope, "you never till now asked leave to be +impertinent—but let me hear your complaints."</p> + +<p>"In the first place you are not rich—a grievous fault."</p> + +<p>"How can I help that?" demanded Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Señor, you could have helped it once; but that is passed. Then you +play——"</p> + +<p>"Here's the devil preaching morality," exclaimed his master, with a +laugh. "Oh! most conscientious Roque, what are thine objections to this +amusement?"</p> + +<p>"To the amusement in itself, none; I am only discontented with the +consequences. If you gain, you very composedly enjoy the whole fruits of +your success; if, on the contrary, you lose, I get more than a +reasonable share of your ill-humours, with which you most liberally +indulge me. Now, Don Lope, I should like fair play, if play you will; +to feel a little more the effect of the first, and not quite so much of +the second."</p> + +<p>"Thou art a pleasant sort of a fool, Roque," said Gomez Arias, as he +leisurely twirled round his curling jet-black mustachios, and with much +complacency eyed his fine figure in a mirror.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Sir," replied the valet, with a low bow; "but be pleased to +consider, that the good opinion you entertain of my talents is +unfortunately no adequate compensation for the privations and numberless +perils which I undergo in your service. To continue, then, the list +of——"</p> + +<p>"My faults!" interrupted his master.</p> + +<p>"I only say of my complaints," returned the valet: "next to your being a +gamester, what I most deprecate is, your military profession, and the +fame which you have acquired by your bravery."</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" cried Gomez Arias, "why thou art precisely complaining +of the qualities that most become a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"But I am no gentleman," pertinently observed Roque; "and I cannot +imagine why I should be exposed to the dangers attendant on heroes, +without likewise reaping their rewards."</p> + +<p>"I glory in being a soldier," exclaimed Don Lope, a sudden burst of +martial enthusiasm glowing on his manly countenance.—"Yes, I have laid +low many of the enemies of my country; and before I die I hope often to +try my good sword against those accursed and rebellious Moors of the +Alpujarras."</p> + +<p>"All that is very fine, certainly," said Roque; "but do you know, Señor, +that I do not consider the country so much indebted to you, as no doubt +you most complacently imagine."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried the cavalier, with looks of displeasure.</p> + +<p>"Pray be temperate, Don Lope; I do not mean to offend. You have +unquestionably done great services to Spain, by ridding her of many an +unbelieving Moor; but reflect, Sir, that your sword has not been less +fatal to Christian blood. In battle you hew down infidels to your +soul's content, and in the intervals of peace, to keep you in practice, +I suppose, you take no less care to send the bravest of her majesty's +warriors to the grave. Now put this in the balance, and let us consider +whether the country does not suffer more by your duels in peace, than +she actually gains by your courage in war. But now comes the most +terrible of all your peccadilloes—of all my complaints, I mean."</p> + +<p>"And which is that, pray?"</p> + +<p>"The invincible propensity you have for intrigue, and the no less +unfortunate attendant upon it—inconstancy."</p> + +<p>"Inconstancy!" exclaimed Gomez Arias. "How should it be otherwise? +Inconstancy is the very soul of love."</p> + +<p>"I will not attempt to argue that point with so great an adept; my +remonstrances are merely limited to the results, and I can truly aver +that my life in time of peace is, if possible, more miserable than in +war; for what with carrying love-letters, bribing servants, attending +serenades, watching the movements of venerable fathers, morose duennas, +and fierce-looking brothers, I cannot enjoy a moment's rest."</p> + +<p>"Why, 'tis true," said Don Lope, "my life is solely devoted to love and +war."</p> + +<p>"I rather think it a continual war," retorted the valet. "It may be much +to your taste, Sir, but I, that am neither of so amorous a temperament, +nor of so warlike a disposition, cannot enjoy the amusement so well. +Instead of passing the nights quietly in bed, as good Christians should +do, we employ them in parading the silent streets, putting in +requisition all the established signals of love, and singing amorous +songs to the tender cadences of the love-inspiring guitar. Even this I +might endure with Christian resignation, were it not for the +disagreeable results which generally terminate our laudable occupations. +It often happens that whilst you are dying with love, and I with fear +and apprehension, we meet with persons who unfortunately are not such +decided amateurs of music. Some surly ill-disposed brother, or +unsuccessful lover of the beauty, is invariably sure to come and +disturb our harmony; then discord begins—swords are drawn—women +scream—alguazils pounce upon us, and thus the sport goes on, till one +of the <i>galanes</i><a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 11.">[11]</a> is dead or wounded, or till the alguazils are so +strong as to render a prudent retreat advisable. Then by some ill +fortune I am sure to be collared by the brother or the alguazils in +question, and without further ceremony, by way of remunerating merit and +encouraging a servant for faithfully serving his master, I am +entertained with sundry hearty cudgellings, liberally bestowed on my +miserable hide. When they have not left a single sound bone in my skin, +they kindly permit me to go, telling me, for consolation, to thank my +stars, and that another time I shall not escape so easily. With this +pleasing assurance, I creep home as well as I can, and then my humane +and grateful master, by way of sympathising with the misfortunes I +suffer on his account, fiercely demands—'Roque! where have you been +loitering, Sir?' Calls me a most negligent rascal, and other names +equally gratifying, and upon the recital of my tragical adventure, very +coolly, and as he thinks very justly, observes—'It serves you +right—'tis all your fault—why did you not watch better?'"</p> + +<p>"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "you have told me the same story over and +over again, and I do not see the necessity of your repeating it now."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, Don Lope Gomez Arias," responded the valet, with +most ludicrous solemnity, "but I am firmly resolved to quit your service +in good earnest; for I perceive you are bent on getting into new +difficulties, and I feel no inclination to go in search of fresh +adventures. Lately you suddenly disappeared on some mysterious +expedition, and I am sure you have been to Granada, to be a candidate in +the tournament, notwithstanding the perilous nature of such an +undertaking; for had you been discovered!—--"</p> + +<p>"Enough, Roque—that danger is past."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Sir; but there are a thousand others that are not. Will you +be pleased to reply to a few questions?"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, to spare any superfluous expenditure of words, nodded +assent.</p> + +<p>"How long is it since we left Granada?"—asked the valet.</p> + +<p>"Two months or so," replied his master.</p> + +<p>"We quitted that city," proceeded Roque, "in consequence of the mortal +wounds you inflicted on Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, your rival in the +affections of Leonor de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>"True."</p> + +<p>"We sought a refuge here in Guadix, to lie concealed until the storm +blow over."</p> + +<p>"Right."</p> + +<p>"And you are now creditably employed in gaining the affections of a +young and innocent girl, who knows no more of you than she does of his +holiness the pope."</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you intend to marry both these ladies?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not."</p> + +<p>"Then it puzzles me to decide how you can reconcile these matters; and +as I foresee that mischief is likely to ensue, you must excuse me if I +prudently think of withdrawing before the evil is unavoidable. If +fortunately both or even one of your mistresses were a plebeian beauty, +I might be persuaded to hush my apprehensions, but as it is I cannot; +two ladies of rank are concerned."</p> + +<p>Thus far had Roque proceeded in his eloquent and moral remonstrance, +when Gomez Arias turned round, took up a cane that lay near him, and +walking very deliberately to his valet with the most perfect +composure—"Now, Roque," he said, "you must allow I have listened very +attentively to your prosing. I have had quite enough of your nonsense +for this morning, so I beg you to close your arguments, unless you +really wish that I should honor them with a most unanswerable reply."</p> + +<p>Here to illustrate his meaning, he very expressively shook the cane, and +Roque as prudently retreated; for he knew his master strictly adhered to +his word on occasions of this nature.</p> + +<p>"With respect to your quitting my service," continued Don Lope, "I have +no sort of objection, provided that when you part with me, you are +likewise disposed to part with your ears, for I have taken such a fancy +to you, my dear Roque, that I cannot possibly allow you to quit me, +without leaving me behind a token of remembrance. And now," he added in +a more serious tone, "withdraw immediately, and mind your business."</p> + +<p>Roque made an humble bow and retired. Gomez Arias in this instance, as +well as in many others, took advantage of that uncontrollable authority +which strong minds generally assume over their inferiors. The valet had +indeed resolved several times to leave his master, for it happened that +this same Roque had no particular relish for canings, and other favors +of the kind which were liberally administered to him, as a remuneration +for his master's achievements. Moreover, he had the nicest sense of +justice, and he could not but feel the shocking impropriety of accepting +a reward that was unquestionably due to his superiors. Indeed, it is but +fair to add, he never acquiesced in the obligation, until it was +actually forced upon him.</p> + +<p>Roque was moreover blessed with a conscience—that sort of prudential +conscience which must be considered as a most valuable acquisition. He +certainly was not so unreasonable as to expect a spirited nobleman to +lead the life of a sequestered monk, nor could he object to his master's +intrigues, but he nevertheless found it extremely objectionable that +these should not be kept within the bounds of common prudence. Now, +could Gomez Arias have limited his gallantries to the seduction of +farmers' daughters, or debauching trademen's wives, Roque would most +implicitly have approved of the practice, inasmuch as in this case, his +master would only be asserting a sort of hereditary right attached to +those of his class. But to be deceiving two ladies of distinction was +really too much for the delicate feelings of the conscientious menial.</p> + +<p>Again, Roque could not urge anything against the courage of his master; +he only objected to the effects of its superabundance; for this +superabundance, together with Don Lope's unusually amorous disposition, +were constantly in opposition with the nicety of Roque's conscience, by +reason of the difficulties they gave rise to, in the fulfilment of the +natural law of self-preservation.</p> + +<p>It is an averred fact that Roque never wilfully put himself in the way +of infringing so rational a precept, and most fortunately he was endowed +with a quality highly favorable to the observance thereof. A quality +which other individuals not blessed with the same scruples, would +denominate cowardice.</p> + +<p>This is not all: the valet was far from being of a romantic turn of +mind; he evinced no taste whatever for moonlit scenery, and nocturnal +adventure; and he was vulgar enough to prefer the gross advantages of a +sound slumber to all the sentimental beauties of the silvered moon and +its appendages.</p> + +<p>These considerations dwelt strongly on the mind of Roque, and he had +accordingly several times resolved to quit his master, but such was the +dominion which Gomez Arias held over him, that the valet's resolutions +fell to the ground, whenever he attempted to put them in practice.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIa" id="CHAPTER_VIa"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">Ma chi'l vede e non l'ama?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ardito umano cor, nobil fierezza,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sublime ingegno—Ah! perchè tal ti fero</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Natura e il cielo?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;"><i>Alfieri.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The bloom of op'ning flowers, unsullied beauty,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Softness and sweetest innocence she wears,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And looks like nature in the world's first spring.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;"><i>Rowe.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Don Lope Gomez Arias was a man whose will had seldom been checked, and +he placed the most unbounded confidence in the magnitude of his +resources, physical and intellectual. Nature had indeed been lavished in +conferring on this individual her choicest favors. To the most undaunted +courage and quickness of resolve, he united the greatest powers of mind, +and brilliancy of talent, but he was unfortunately divested of those +genuine feelings of the heart, which alone can render these qualities +desirable.</p> + +<p>His courage, talents, and abilities, had rendered him an object of +dread, not only to the enemies of his country, but to the rivals of his +love or ambition. By the men he was generally disliked, feared or +envied. Unfortunately the softer sex entertained for him far different +sentiments.—Alas! they could not discover the void within his heart, +through the dazzling splendour of his outward form, and habitual +allurements of manner. Many had already been the victims of his seducing +arts; were they to blame?—perhaps they were only to be pitied. He +possessed every resource that professed libertines employ, to inveigle +the affections of the innocent maiden, or attract the admiration of the +more experienced woman. Besides his courage and resolution—qualities as +much more prized by females, as they seldom fall to their share, Gomez +Arias was engaging in his deportment and without any alloy of servility +in his address; indeed he seemed rather to command attention, than to +court it, and the general expression of his features was that of pride, +tempered with the polish of gentlemanly bearing.</p> + +<p>In his personal appearance he was remarkably handsome, being of tall and +majestic stature, to which his finely turned limbs were in strict +proportion. There was an intelligence in the piercing glance of his dark +eye, and a smile of mixed gaiety and satire sat habitually upon his lip. +To his other attractions he added a set of regular though somewhat large +features, which were shaded by a profusion of black glossy curls, and +the superb mustachios and <i>pera</i><a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 12.">[12]</a> that clothed his upper lip and +chin.</p> + +<p>Such was the principal hero of this tale. Spite of all the resources of +his mind, Gomez Arias found himself at the present moment involved in +deep perplexity, and much at a loss how to extricate himself therefrom. +He had received a letter from Don Alonso de Aguilar, father of his +future bride, announcing the perfect recovery of his rival, Don Rodrigo, +and urging a speedy return to Granada. But, unluckily, Gomez Arias felt +in no hurry to return. Certainly, Granada was at the time particularly +interesting, and far preferable to Guadix. Again, the beauty of Leonor +was unrivalled at court—a great consideration to Don Lope. She was rich +and of the first rank—greater consideration still; and bearing in mind +the influence that her father, the celebrated Aguilar, enjoyed with the +queen, a marriage with his daughter would open the road to the highest +preferment, and yet our hero felt loath to return to Granada. The +blooming Theodora de Monteblanco was then the reigning idol of the +moment. She had fixed for a time his errant heart, and it was now that +Don Lope perceived the great inconveniency of the unity of man; and +certainly a lover of his description ought to be duplex for the +opportunity of satisfying both duty and inclination.</p> + +<p>In this state of irresolution Gomez Arias remained for some time. His +sacred engagement to Leonor, and the brilliant dreams of ambition that +sported before his fancy, could not all chase away the image of +Theodora; for in this lovely girl he found all the perfections of his +former mistresses, with an absolute exemption from their foibles.</p> + +<p>Theodora, at the tender age of seventeen, exhibited already the matured +charms of a form voluptuously beautiful, blended with the delightful +innocence of manner characteristic of that early stage of life, when the +heart is yet unacquainted with guile, and unpractised in the deceits of +the world. Her complexion was of a delicate white, without any other +colour than that which occasionally mantled upon her cheek when called +forth by the sensibility of her feelings, or diffused by the influence +of some passing emotion. So lovely and yet so pensive was her +countenance that but for the rapturous expression of her large dark +eyes, partially revealed through their long silken fringes, and the +profusion of sable ringlets which floated with unrestrained luxuriance +over her exquisitely turned neck and shoulders, you might have thought +that she had been a master-piece of some divine sculptor, who had +successfully imitated, in the purest alabaster, the fairest work of +nature.</p> + +<p>Theodora loved Gomez Arias with all the enthusiasm of a romantic girl's +first love. She felt the most ardent attachment, and could not,—would +not conceal it from the object of her adoration. She loved him with the +genuine simplicity of a heart incapable of deceit; and, unpractised in +the school of worldly prudence, unacquainted with the arts to which more +experienced women resort for the purpose of enhancing their own charms, +or fixing more firmly the affections of men, she had surrendered her +whole soul to her lover with the most confiding innocence, and an +implicit reliance on his unbounded return to her tenderness.</p> + +<p>This complete devotedness flattered the vanity of Gomez Arias. He beheld +an angelic girl who centered all her happiness in his love, and in the +ardour of her feelings was incapable of admitting the least alloy of +cold calculating precaution. He was charmed with a character cast in the +mould of nature, untutored yet by art, and, as amongst his former +mistresses he had never met with one so entirely devoted, he returned +her love with the warmest admiration.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias was fondly indulging in these pleasing reveries, when his +man, Roque, suddenly burst upon him with a look full of information.</p> + +<p>"Well, Sirrah!" cried Don Lope, "what means this intrusion?—Do you +still stick to the wise determination of quitting my service? Are you +willing to comply with the conditions?"</p> + +<p>"No, Señor," answered Roque, with conscious importance; "I come loaded +with fresh proofs of my inclination to serve you."</p> + +<p>"Upon my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "thou art marvellously +complaisant, friend—thou hast seen the duenna, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sir, and I have seen some one else, besides."</p> + +<p>"Let us hear first of the duenna."</p> + +<p>"We must go to night—her master is engaged with a guest from Granada. I +saw them leave the house myself."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias lost no time in preparing for the interview; and as night +was now coming on, he girded on his sword, and, flinging his cloak +carelessly round him, sallied out accompanied by his valet, on his +nocturnal expedition.</p> + +<p>"Art thou sure, good Roque," he demanded, "that you really saw the old +gentleman leave his mansion?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, Don Lope—my eyes seldom deceive me; indeed I feel +perfectly satisfied with their capability. Never was there a more trusty +pair, in descrying afar off a father, or brother, or any other kind of +unwelcome intruder upon moonlight meetings. Argus, they say, had a +hundred eyes, and yet was found at fault, whereas I have only two +and——"</p> + +<p>"They are sometimes as watchful," interrupted Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"Seldom," replied Roque—"and when they unfortunately deceive me, I +sorely feel for the deception. I am a man of very tender feelings."</p> + +<p>"Argus," observed his master, "was punished for his negligence, and it +is meet thou shouldst experience the same treatment, under similar +circumstances."</p> + +<p>"Aye," quoth Roque, "he was changed into a peacock—I wonder into what +animal I shall be changed, since this sort of transformation is the +retribution attendant on negligent scouts—I think the character of a +jackal would suit me best, for I certainly lead the lion to his prey. +But now, Sir, leaving jesting aside, I have a little piece of serious +information for your ear. Do you know whom I saw in close converse with +Don Manuel de Monteblanco when he left his house?"</p> + +<p>"No, nor do I care."</p> + +<p>"Don't you, indeed?—Well, it is very fortunate, for it happened to be +no other than your rival, Don Rodrigo."</p> + +<p>"Now, Roque," cried his master jocosely, "here's a convincing proof of +the failure of thy boasted eye-sight."</p> + +<p>"Why I really thought so at first myself, and I made the sign of the +cross accordingly, but I soon perceived it was no delusion. Now it would +be pleasant, should this same Don Rodrigo come upon an expedition +similar to yours—it would seem as tho' the man was born on purpose to +thwart you."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Gomez Arias, with a smile—"and it would seem also that +I am born to chastise his insolence."</p> + +<p>To this, Roque made some foolish reply; for in his capacity of +<i>gracioso</i>,<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 13.">[13]</a> he freely availed himself of the privilege allowed him +of giving utterance to every thing that came into his head, whether to +the purpose or not.</p> + +<p>They proceeded with hasty steps towards the mansion of +Monteblanco;—already they reach the spot, and the moon that sheds a +partial gleam over yonder <i>reja</i>,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 14.">[14]</a> developes to the sight the outline +of a female form. Gomez Arias approaches, and his penetrating glance +discerns through the darkness the figure of his Theodora—her face is +decked in placid smiles, and her frame evinces the soft flutterings of +an anxious heart. The bolt of the entrance gently creeks, and the harsh +sound thrills like the strain of heavenly music to the lover's throbbing +breast—the door opens at length, and a comely matron far stricken in +years welcomes the cavalier. Don Lope is not backward in his advances; a +smile of grateful recognition plays upon his lip. He then seizes the +good duenna's hand, and presses it in kind acknowledgment.</p> + +<p>The trusty Martha showed in her dress and manner, all the outward signs +of her state and condition. An imperturbable gravity sat upon those +harsh features which were never known to relax into a smile, and in +whose expression predominated a mixture of religious asperity and pride, +vainly disguised under the cloak of humility. However, Martha was far +from practising the rigid austerities her whole appearance seemed to +indicate. She only assumed this outward demeanor, in the same manner +that a dastard mimics courage, the better to conceal his cowardice.</p> + +<p>Martha was dressed in an ample habit of black woollen cloth, girded her +waist with the band of a monkish order, to which was suspended a rosary +of huge black counters. A cap of the whitest linen adorned her head, and +in all the rigour of female modesty, every part of her neck up to the +chin was carefully concealed by a kerchief of the same material.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias rushes forwards, and the next moment finds him at the feet +of his mistress. Theodora is happy in the Elysium of love; a thousand +tender emotions swell that fond bosom, where an ardent flame burns under +the cover of pure snow.—As she gazes on Gomez Arias her melting eye is +lighted up with unusual fire, and her whole frame appears gently +agitated with a delicious tremor. The smile that quivers on her lip +feelingly responds to the ardent glance of her passionate admirer, and +the sudden rush of crimson that overspreads her lily cheek bespeaks the +thrilling transports of genuine love in the first stages of youthful +innocence and delight. Don Lope takes her soft yielding hand, and +tenderly presses it to his bosom, he gazes fervently on her countenance; +in sweet intoxication he inhales her youthful breath. Caressingly his +arm encircles her sylphic waist. She gently inclines her head towards +him, and both seemed overshadowed by the long beautiful tresses which +float in wild luxuriance. From Don Lope's flashing eye the innocent +Theodora drinks large draughts of sweet but deadly poison; a tear of +tenderness starts to overwhelm her eye and falls on the lover's hand; a +deep sigh escapes her bosom, and they meet in a fervent embrace. +Happy!—thrice happy moments!—dear to the genuine sensibility of +humanity, dearly cherished and oft alas! but too dearly purchased! Few +words the lovers spoke, for when the heart is replete with rapture, +there is an eloquence in silence far above the cold trammels of +language. Gomez Arias forgot the dream of future ambition in the reality +of present bliss. He was loved, loved passionately by one who was the +most perfect pattern of innocence and beauty; loved more than he thought +it was in the nature of woman to love. Hope assured its brightest +colours, and Don Lope anticipated all the transports of delight possible +for man to enjoy. He was supremely happy in expectation; for the +expectation of bliss is perhaps even more gratifying than the reality. +Thus the rose in its opening bloom, is sweeter than when its charms are +expanded to the sight, for the hour of maturity is but the signal of +decay. Alas! we eagerly follow the sparkling joy, snatch it with +enthusiasm, and it withers in the grasp!</p> + +<p>Time sped; yet the lovers still remained as if entranced in a +delightful reverie of love, in the mutual interchange of soft sighs and +eloquent glances, when suddenly the door burst open, and Roque rushed in +with visible emotion. The faithful Argus came to announce the near +approach of Monteblanco and his guest, Don Rodrigo. Gomez Arias, +however, could not believe the danger to be so imminent, making due +allowance for the valet's timorous disposition; but the good duenna, who +had been unpleasantly disturbed at her devotions, now came forward to +confirm the fearful intelligence.</p> + +<p>Though these unpleasant interruptions are far from being of novel +occurrence in the annals of love, and though Gomez Arias was +familiarized with their danger, yet when he looked on the duenna's +countenance, that faithful thermometer of intrigue, he could not but +perceive the impending storm to be more than usually alarming. Deeper +wrinkles furrowed her sallow visage; her eye was haggard, and the rosary +shook in her withered hand.</p> + +<p>"Holy Virgin! I am lost," exclaimed the affrighted dame. "Ah! Don Lope, +this comes of my tender-hearted, complying disposition; there's my +reputation sullied with a stain that not all the holy water in Spain +will be able to wash away!"</p> + +<p>"But, surely," observed Gomez Arias, "the danger is not so imminent as +to preclude my escape."</p> + +<p>"Escape!" quoth the duenna; "it is impossible; they are at this moment +on the stairs."</p> + +<p>"Villain!" cried Don Lope, turning fiercely to Roque, "is this the way +you do your duty?"</p> + +<p>Roque very prudently kept aloof from the contact of his master's hand; +and, as if anticipating an explosion, began to stammer forth his +excuses. Theodora's countenance was suddenly overspread with a deadly +paleness, and the timid girl wrung her hands in an attitude of despair. +Her critical situation, and the duenna's alarm, at first staggered Gomez +Arias, but with the start of resolution which immediate danger inspires, +he assumed a mastery over his emotion, and instantly bethought himself +of an expedient to ward off the threatened discovery.</p> + +<p>"If Don Rodrigo arrives with Monteblanco," said he, "we are safe; we +shall have nothing to fear."</p> + +<p>"Nothing to fear!" echoed Roque. "Methinks the danger is doubled when a +man has two enemies to encounter, instead of one."</p> + +<p>"Silence, fool!" cried his master. "Martha, be calm; affect not to know +me; make free use of the organ with which nature has so liberally +endowed you, and do not spare your reproaches and abuse. Theodora, keep +up your spirits. Roque, be silent, you rascal."</p> + +<p>The door opens—Monteblanco and Don Rodrigo enter, but are fixed to the +ground in mute amazement at the group that presents itself to their +view. The duenna had summoned the courage of despair, and was +overwhelming Gomez Arias with a torrent of abuse. Theodora had receded +from the light to hide her emotion from her father's sight, which +fortunately was so impaired with age, as not to afford any material +impediment to her concealment. Roque assumed an air of saucy assurance, +and his master appeared leaning against the wall with the most perfect +coolness and self-possession. Don Manuel and his guest stared at the +intruders for some time, before either attempted to speak, till at +length Don Rodrigo broke silence, with an ejaculation of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the astonished cavalier.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" re-echoed Monteblanco. "It is your rival, +then.—What is the meaning of this, Martha?"</p> + +<p>"Your honor may ask the gentleman himself," responded the duenna; "I +know nothing of him, but that he is the most daring and impertinent +man"—(Martha indulged in the privilege granted her by Don Lope); "the +most unceremonious, head-strong, self-sufficient cavalier I ever met +with—Virgen Santa!—What a disturbance he has raised in the house. Then +there's that most impudent rascal of a valet; he is the principal cause +of the commotion, and I humbly crave and hope your honor will give him +ample reason to repent his impudence."</p> + +<p>"Repent my impudence!" quoth Roque, "thou accursed <i>bruja</i>;<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 15.">[15]</a> it would +be more meritorious to chop off thy slanderous tongue!"</p> + +<p>Here the duenna proceeded to pour forth a fresh volley of words, without +any positive explanation, as is generally the practice when people are +anxious to gain time, and collect their senses.</p> + +<p>"Peace, woman!" interrupted Gomez Arias, in the middle of her harangue; +"this disturbance, as you term it, is of your own doing; had you behaved +with more courtesy to a stranger, you might have saved the impropriety +my valet has been guilty of towards you; an impropriety for which he +shall most assuredly suffer in due time."—Here he cast a terrible look +on the astonished Roque, who perfectly well knew he was doomed to suffer +for his master's vagaries; and that the failure of his adventures must +recoil invariably on his unfortunate head. Yet he looked sorely puzzled +how to find out the nature of the impropriety he had committed against +the superannuated dame who dealt him such abundance of vilipendiary +epithets.</p> + +<p>All this time the good Don Manuel was patiently waiting for an +explanation, and the more the duenna explained the more perplexed he +found himself.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias at last, after several fruitless endeavours to stop Martha's +tongue, availed himself of a momentary pause she made to take +breath.—"Don Manuel de Monteblanco," said he, "is undoubtedly anxious +to learn the object of my visit to his house."</p> + +<p>"Visit!" exclaimed the duenna. "Intrusion—a downright taking by +storm.—God bless me! a visit you call it—- a visit!"</p> + +<p>"Silence, Martha, silence; let the gentleman proceed," cried Don Manuel, +a little more composed, and feeling an inward dread at the matron's +explanatory talents.</p> + +<p>"Don Manuel," continued Gomez Arias, "I am exceedingly concerned for +the confusion created in the mansion of so honorable a cavalier; but +certainly I am not so greatly to blame as that good woman wishes to +imply."</p> + +<p>"Good woman, indeed!" ejaculated the duenna. "<i>Jesus me valga!</i> that I +should live to be so called—<i>soy Cristiana vieja</i><a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 16.">[16]</a>—and of as good a +family as needs be.—No Jewish puddle in my veins.—Good woman, +forsooth! My dear master, am I to be called a good woman?"</p> + +<p>Don Manuel looked very grave, not so much perhaps at the difficulty of +resolving the question, as at the probability of never obtaining a +knowledge of the business so long as the duenna had the free use of her +tongue; to quiet therefore her anger, the complaisant old cavalier +kindly soothed her apparently wounded feelings, by allowing that she by +no means deserved the appellation.</p> + +<p>Silence being thus restored, Gomez Arias continued: "The cause of my +apparent intrusion is simply this:—informed by my servant that Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes was in active search after me, and not wishing to +be backward in acknowledging the favor, I thought it incumbent on my +honor to facilitate a meeting with the utmost expedition. I repaired to +this house, from whence my servant had seen that gentleman issue, but +before the nature of my business could be disclosed, that rigid dame +assailed me with a tremendous storm of abuse, when my valet, in his zeal +to serve me, or rather indulging in a propensity to retaliate, retorted +the lady's freedom of tongue with rather too much acrimony."</p> + +<p>"Now," thought Roque, "it is really too bad to accuse me of acrimony +when I have not opened my lips."</p> + +<p>"I attempted an explanation," continued Gomez Arias, "in the hopes of +meeting with a more courteous reception, when this young lady made her +appearance (turning to Theodora). I was then about to acquaint her with +my intention, when fortunately the object of my search presents himself +in person, a circumstance which I hail with the more pleasure, as I am +assured that Don Rodrigo is particularly anxious we should renew an old +interchange of tokens of our mutual regard."</p> + +<p>"Señor Don Lope Gomez Arias," replied Don Rodrigo, sorely incensed at +the tone of levity in which he was addressed by his rival, "I likewise +congratulate myself in thus accidentally meeting with Don Lope sooner +than I was led to expect, and though the mock courtesy of his style +plainly indicates the reliance he places on the constant good fortune +that protects him, yet he shall find me more solicitous than ever for +the immediate interchange of the tokens to which he so facetiously +alludes."</p> + +<p>"Señor Don Rodrigo de Cespedes," returned Gomez Arias, "I cannot but +greatly admire that laudable ambition which stimulates you to deeds of +noble daring, and an unworthy individual like myself cannot feel +sufficiently grateful for the honor you wish to confer upon him."</p> + +<p>These words and the sarcastic sneer that accompanied them, exasperated +Don Rodrigo to such a degree, that turning to his rival, he pointed to +the door, and without further reply intimated to him to follow. Gomez +Arias was about to comply, when Monteblanco interposing, exclaimed,</p> + +<p>"Forbear, <i>caballeros</i>, forbear; this is my house, and though I am far +from desiring to withhold any gentlemen from the calls of honor, yet let +it not be said that my mansion was made a scene of violence and +bloodshed."</p> + +<p>"<i>Valgame Dios!</i>" cried Roque, "Don Manuel speaks like an oracle. Nor do +I think myself, this hour of night the most fit to decide such important +matters. Broad day-light is certainly preferable to the glimmer of the +moon and stars, for business like this."</p> + +<p>Theodora was ready to sink with emotion and fear, but the very imminence +of the danger inspired her with a sort of desperate tranquillity. She +knew that her interposition would only increase the perplexities of her +situation, without preventing the accomplishment of their design. +Besides, she placed much confidence in her lover's courage and superior +skill in the management of arms, and ultimately she possessed that +nobleness of mind that shrinks from the imputation of cowardice in the +object of its admiration.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco's remonstrances were vain. Don Rodrigo rushed to the door +with desperate haste, and Gomez Arias followed with the coolness of one +to whom such scenes were familiar.</p> + +<p>"Follow me," cried Don Rodrigo, as he bounded down the stairs with +fearful alacrity.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Don Rodrigo," said Gomez Arias, sarcastically, "not such +precipitation, or you may perchance fall before your time."</p> + +<p>This provoking sarcasm entirely overthrew the little remaining temper +which Don Rodrigo possessed. His eyes flashed fire, his whole frame +shook, and unable to restrain himself any longer, he furiously drew his +sword, and fixed on the <i>Zaguan</i><a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 17.">[17]</a> for the field of action.</p> + +<p>"Defend yourself, Don Lope," exclaimed he, with frenzied rage.</p> + +<p>"Look to yourself, fair Sir," returned Don Lope, as, unsheathing his +rapier, he calmly placed himself in a posture of defence.</p> + +<p>With impetuous fury Don Rodrigo darted on his antagonist, and commenced +an assault with all the courage and address of a practised swordsman. +Thrust succeeded thrust with mortal rapidity, but the active eye of +Gomez Arias foiled their deadly aim with consummate skill and dexterity. +A demoniac spirit seemed to agitate Don Rodrigo, and he continued for +some minutes wasting his strength in the fruitless attack, and impairing +his own means of resistance. The combat was too fierce to be of long +duration, and a few moments would have brought it to a mortal issue (for +Don Lope was now in his turn about to press hard his weakened +adversary), had not Roque, in that tenderness of conscience for which he +was so noted, very adroitly extinguished the light that hung in the +<i>Zaguan</i>, as the most effectual way of suspending hostilities.</p> + +<p>The place was thus plunged in utter darkness, and Don Rodrigo, afraid of +being disappointed in his revenge, called out to Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"I am here," replied Don Lope; "I am here, Don Rodrigo; the light is +superfluous; we shall do perfectly well without it, for a mutual +sympathy will lead our weapons aright."</p> + +<p>The swords again met, and short, quick sparks of light, like the +fugitive flash of a summer's exhalation, gave a momentary glimpse of the +combatants' fearful countenances—then a dismal groan is heard, a body +falls heavily on the ground, and a shriek of horror burst from the +household, who had crowded round the entrance of the <i>Zaguan</i>.</p> + +<p>"He is dead," muttered Don Rodrigo to himself, and sought for safety +with the swiftness of lightning.</p> + +<p>"Bring torches," cried Monteblanco; "let us afford the fallen +<i>caballero</i> all the assistance in our power."</p> + +<p>The state of Theodora baffles all description. Ignorant as yet who was +the victim, her soul was harrowed up with the most fearful +apprehensions, the reality of which would dash the cup of happiness from +her lips, and embitter her future existence. This petrifying, this +heart-rending suspense was happily but of short continuance. Theodora +herself, with breathless anxiety, was the first to bring a torch, that +might perhaps illume the pale ghastly features of him on whom she had +centered all her felicity. The moment was awful, when the torch throwing +a broad glare around the <i>Zaguan</i>, discovered Gomez Arias, tranquil and +erect, in all the assurance of perfect safety. A faint scream escaped +from the bosom of his mistress, for all the feelings which horrifying +suspense had held imprisoned there, now sought relief in a tumult of +sighs and tears. Her emotion, however, was scarcely noticed by her +father, too much occupied at the time in ascertaining which was the +fallen cavalier.</p> + +<p>"Don Rodrigo is then the victim," sorrowfully exclaimed the old +cavalier, casting his eyes around; for at this moment he spied a human +body, lying in a dark corner of the <i>Zaguan</i>.</p> + +<p>"It moves—it moves!" cried Martha, crossing herself.</p> + +<p>"Then he is yet alive," returned Don Manuel; "let us hasten to succour +the unfortunate young man; look to his wounds!"</p> + +<p>"Aye," responded the duenna; "let us rather attend to his soul, and +behave like true charitable Christians; run, Cacho, run, and call Fray +Bernardo, or Fray Benito—no matter whom—any friar will do at such a +moment."</p> + +<p>Monteblanco and all his attendants hurried to the spot in their +eagerness to render assistance to the fallen Don Rodrigo, when, lo! the +body with a sudden spring bounds on its legs, and to the astonished eyes +of every one discovers the person of Roque.</p> + +<p>"What's this? Where is Don Rodrigo?" interrogated Monteblanco.</p> + +<p>"Why," answered Roque, very unconcernedly; "some fifty leagues from +hence, I should imagine, by his hurry to get away."</p> + +<p>"Then he is not dead?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of."</p> + +<p>"Whence came that groan?"</p> + +<p>"<i>De este humilde pecador.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 18.">[18]</a></p> + +<p>"<i>Jesus Maria</i>," ejaculated the duenna; "how dare this <i>judio</i><a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 19.">[19]</a> throw +a noble family into consternation?"</p> + +<p>"Now, Señora duenna," quoth the valet, "I rather think I have been +instrumental in preventing the noble family from being thrown into that +consternation."</p> + +<p>"Roque," interposed here Gomez Arias, "thou art not wounded I perceive."</p> + +<p>"No, thank God!" replied Roque.</p> + +<p>"Then thou art a rascal."</p> + +<p>"A rascal because I am not wounded! Good Heaven! here's a consequence +with a vengeance!"</p> + +<p>"This is an impudent interference," continued Don Lope, "and dearly +shalt thou rue it."</p> + +<p>"An impudent interference do you call it? A marvellous good one, in +sooth, for I have saved the fruitless effusion of noble Christian blood, +and I have separated two enraged combatants better than a whole posse of +alguazils: and now, all the reward I am likely to obtain for such an +important service, is threats and abuse. Here is my dear master sorely +exasperated, because I have a greater regard for his safety than he has +himself, and quite disappointed at not being run through the body by +that sanguinary Don Rodrigo."</p> + +<p>"Basta, basta," said angrily Don Lope;—then in a gentler tone he +continued, "I am really concerned for Don Rodrigo,—full of anxiety for +my supposed death, I venture to say he is now flying from the abode of +man, to seek a shelter in the wilderness of the Alpujarras.</p> + +<p>"It is very Christian-like in you, Señor," interposed Roque, "to show so +much solicitude for the fate of Don Rodrigo. Well, the ways of honorable +gentlemen are to me unaccountable. Here was my honorable master, but a +short while since, eagerly seeking the life of Don Rodrigo at the point +of his rapier, and now he is equally anxious that his adversary should +not be exposed to the inconvenience of a nocturnal ramble into the +mountains of Alpujarras."</p> + +<p>Monteblanco could not but inwardly congratulate himself upon the +fortunate termination of an adventure which threatened such serious +results; for he by no means liked the idea of having a corpse in his +house, with all the unpleasant appendages necessarily attendant on such +an inmate. He certainly felt concerned for the safety and comfort of Don +Rodrigo, but he very judiciously opined it was better his dear friend +should suffer the inconvenience of passing a night in the mountains, +than that he himself should be exposed to the unpleasant consequences +which would inevitably attend a fatal result to either party, especially +had the event occurred in his own <i>Zaguan</i>; for he would be thus +compelled to take a part in the drama, with which he would very +willingly dispense—that of explaining the catastrophe to the officers +of justice. This consideration induced him to approve in his own mind +the stratagem of Roque, although he would by no means audibly testify +his approbation, thinking very properly that the conduct of inferiors +and dependants should never be lauded, even when they are most +successful in their services.</p> + +<p>Acting upon this charitable principle, he would on no account interfere +to prevent the taunts and abuse with which the luckless valet was +assailed on all sides. Thus poor Roque had a fresh opportunity of +discovering the little a man is likely to gain by following the impulse +of a good heart, and the very extraordinary way men have of +acknowledging a service, even when they are internally well pleased +therewith.</p> + +<p>"Begone, thou graceless dog!" exclaimed Don Manuel. "Thy impertinence +justly deserves most exemplary punishment from thy master."</p> + +<p>Saying this, he took his daughter by the hand, made a slight bow to +Gomez Arias, and was about to retire, when Don Lope stept forward as +though he wished to detain him.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Don Manuel," said he; "I cannot leave your house, without again +expressing my regret for the disturbance I have caused. I sincerely +offer you my apologies as an honorable cavalier, and as such I am +confident Don Manuel de Monteblanco will accept them. Moreover, I shall +make all the atonement in my power; and as it is obvious that my servant +is the primary cause of all the mischief, you may rest assured, Sir, the +culprit shall not escape without condign and adequate punishment."</p> + +<p>Don Manuel expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the apology of +Gomez Arias, and most graciously accepted the atonement proposed; then +making another bow, not quite so slight as the former, left the <i>Zaguan</i> +accompanied by his beautiful daughter, who had already caught the +eloquent parting look of her lover, and treasured in her bosom all the +tender sentiments it conveyed.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Don Lope, well contented with himself, haughtily called to +poor Roque—the faithful valet was in a moment ready to lead the way. +His master then very composedly returned to his apartments to muse over +the adventures of the evening, and form plans for the successful +accomplishment of his ulterior projects.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIa" id="CHAPTER_VIIa"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pariome a drede mi Madre</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Oxala no me pariera!—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 11em;"><i>Quevedo.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">No ill luck stirring, but what lights on my shoulders.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;"><i>Shakespeare.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>"<i>Better be born fortunate than rich</i>," says an old proverb, and the +correctness of this saying was fully exemplified in the life of Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes. Indeed, his whole existence had been a series of +mischances and unfortunate results; and he appeared especially reserved +as a proper subject on whom the fickle goddess might exercise her +caprice at leisure.</p> + +<p>Why Don Rodrigo should belong to this class, is more than can well be +resolved, for he was possessed of all those qualifications which are +calculated to render a man brilliant in society, and amiable in private +life. He enjoyed the advantages of birth and wealth; handsome in his +person, and elegant in his address. A brave soldier in war, and a +courteous cavalier in peace, it appeared natural that his fortune should +be prosperous, and yet all those endowments availed him not. On the +contrary, they only served to render the ill success of his undertakings +the more remarkable.</p> + +<p>These anomalies cannot be accounted for on any rational principle; but +may perhaps be attributed to the absence of that requisite +qualification, which sometimes serves a man in lieu of birth or fortune, +and not unfrequently goes further than both these advantages;—it is +that most enviable requisite, known under the appropriate, though +somewhat vulgar, denomination of good-luck.</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo had paid his addresses to three different ladies, with the +moral and highly creditable intention of entering the holy state of +matrimony. Perhaps in strict justice it must be confessed, this idea +crossed his mind after having completely failed in his attempts to +signalize himself as <i>un homme à bonnes fortunes</i>, a sort of ambition +which, if not praise-worthy in itself, is nevertheless, when +successfully pursued, conducive to the eclat of a man of rank, as well +as gratifying to his vanity. Indeed it may be rather suspected, without +any great affectation of discernment, that the unlucky Don Rodrigo +bethought himself of marriage as a last resource, when ultimately +convinced of his inability to succeed in his career of gallantry. But +even in this instance, that unrelenting fatality which constantly +followed him, could not be persuaded to spare him even in consideration +of hymen.</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo had first for a rival a man whose stature was rather under +than over four feet, whose features were of the most forbidding kind; +his person distorted, and his fortune by no means superior to that of +the Don; yet with all these disadvantages, this little monster, to the +astonishment of every one, carried off the fair prize.</p> + +<p>He next placed his affections on a lady of more humble pretensions, his +inferior both in birth and fortune, and by no means remarkable for +beauty. Don Rodrigo fondly imagined that his rank and affluence would +insure him success; nor did he overlook the advantages nature had given +him in a pair of fine eyes, an aquiline nose, well proportioned limbs, a +carriage that shewed off these qualifications to advantage, and a degree +of personal courage that even his rivals and enemies respected; but his +Angelica must have been an admirer of the opposite qualities, as she +chose for her husband an obscure plebeian, whom the very sight of a +Toledo steel threw into an ague. Disgusted with the bad taste and +vulgarity of those he had already courted, he boldly resolved to prefer +his suit to the very first lady in the land. He accordingly laid siege +to the heart of Leonor, but here his pretensions met with as decided a +repulse as before, and though his vanity could not have been wounded by +having Gomez Arias for his fortunate rival, yet, soured by his repeated +crosses, he determined, if he could not by gentle means succeed in his +object, to kill his rival or fall in the attempt: his success in this +last exploit the reader will perhaps remember.</p> + +<p>Nor was the ill-luck of Don Rodrigo confined to his amours; it extended +to all his affairs. If he engaged in a duel, a wound was generally the +result; or if he escaped unhurt, though he might have been the injured +party, yet by some fatality he was sure to be accounted the aggressor. +If he happened to say a good thing, it was invariably attributed to +another person, while, if a piece of scurrility or a foolish remark +circulated, he never failed to have the whole merit to himself.</p> + +<p>We need not, however, go further for instances to exemplify the ill-luck +that constantly attended Don Rodrigo. We see him at present a prey to +his evil genius. He left the <i>Zaguan</i> of Monteblanco's dwelling with the +utmost precipitation. Impressed with the idea that he had killed his +rival; and, fully sensible of the necessity of speedy flight, he +hurried to the inn for his horse and valet, anxious to put in practice +his prudential resolution, before any impediment could be thrown in his +way. On his arrival he asked for his man Peregil; but Peregil, as if on +purpose to perplex him, was gone to evening prayers, which Don Rodrigo +very naturally interpreted, to the tavern. So he sent a boy there, with +instructions where he was to meet him out of the town. He then hastened +to the stable, but found, to his unspeakable mortification, that +Peregil, in his abundant care, had taken the key. Time being precious, +Don Rodrigo, afraid of causing a disturbance, was fain to avail himself +of the benefit of an ill-favoured looking mule that stood ready saddled +in an outhouse. He doubted not that Peregil would bring his horse after +him, and render compensation for the mule, which indeed, from the +miserable appearance of the beast, would be no difficult matter.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, after making his way to the place appointed, he waited two +whole hours in a state of extreme anxiety and suspense, alarmed at +every noise lest it should be a pursuit, and only consoling himself with +the idea, that when his horse should arrive he could soon place himself +out of the reach of danger.</p> + +<p>At length he descried his valet advancing at a most leisurely pace, not +mounted on his own strong horse, and leading a beautiful Arabian, but +bestriding a miserable jackass, which required constant application of +the whip. Of this Peregil was by no means sparing, to induce him to move +at even the slowest pace a jackass is capable of travelling.</p> + +<p>"Peregil, thou imp of Satan, where is my horse?" impatiently demanded +Don Rodrigo.</p> + +<p>"At the inn," sullenly answered the valet.</p> + +<p>"At the inn, thou rascal! why didst thou not bring it, knowing, as you +ought, that my life is in jeopardy?"</p> + +<p>"For a very good reason," replied Peregil, "because they would not let +me. You need only blame yourself, Señor, for since your honor scruples +not to make free with the reverend friar's mule, you ought not to be +surprised if his reverence takes the same liberty with your horse."</p> + +<p>"By <i>Santiago de Compostela</i>,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 20.">[20]</a> this is past bearing," cried Don +Rodrigo. "How can the rogue of a friar conscientiously take my beautiful +Arabian for this worthless mule? What! has the man of God no +conscience?"</p> + +<p>"I did not inquire that, Señor, but I rather think he is not +overburthened by the manner he has dealt with me.—Oh! if I could catch +his reverence by himself, I would so belabour his shaven skull, as not +to leave it in want of razors for the future."</p> + +<p>"Well, but how comest thou by that contemptible jackass?" demanded Don +Rodrigo, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Gently, Señor, gently; since the master shows such a predilection for +mules, it is not to be wondered if the valet evinces a similar taste for +jackasses."</p> + +<p>"Villain! darest thou jest at this time and on such a subject?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, 'tis no laughing matter, sure enough," quoth Peregil; "and in +sooth I cannot perceive why I should be facetious on the occasion, for +after all I am the greater loser of the two. Look for a moment at this +vile beast! May the lightning of heaven and the curses of all the saints +fall on him and his former master too;" and so saying he again +belaboured the sides of the unfortunate jackass, regretting that its +former master was not near enough to benefit by the energetic blows he +so liberally dealt out.</p> + +<p>"A truce, fellow, with thy profane foolery," said Don Rodrigo; "it is +not seemly when the life of thy master is at stake. Prepare to give me a +full and circumstantial account of this iniquitous business, or by my +sword thou shalt severely rue the day thy master first bestrode a mule."</p> + +<p>"Alack a-day," submissively rejoined the valet.—"You must know, Don +Rodrigo, that the mule is the cause of all this. When I returned from +church I was startled to see the inn thrown into the greatest +confusion. The reverend fat friar was running round the place bellowing +like a bull, calling for his noble mule, and vowing vengeance on the +profane thief, which unseemly appellation he was pleased to bestow upon +your honor."</p> + +<p>"The friar must have been drunk," said Don Rodrigo, sneeringly; "why! +did he not perceive that I had left my steed in the stable, which I +think was sufficient security, till you could pay him the value of his +beggarly mule!"</p> + +<p>"Sure enough he did perceive it, but when I proposed to pay him for his +loss, he demanded such an exorbitant price that it was out of my power +to comply therewith. In his opinion, the steed was no adequate +compensation for his mule; so to make matters even, and adjust the +affair amicably, he proposed that I should give up my horse into the +bargain, and then take this abominable ass as a present."</p> + +<p>Peregil accompanied the epithet with another donation of his wonted +favors.</p> + +<p>"Thou miserable sinner," said Don Rodrigo, "how couldst thou consent to +this nefarious arrangement?"</p> + +<p>"Because I could not help it. Think you, Señor mio, I would have agreed +to such an extortion had it been in my power to avoid it? But your +precipitate flight gave me to understand that you had killed your +adversary. Any delay in the town might have been attended with danger, +backed as his reverence was by all the rabble of the inn."</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo was sensible of the force of this argument, and after +bestowing sundry anathemas on the cheating friar and the inn, in which +he was zealously joined by Peregil, he said in a melancholy tone, "Well, +as there is no remedy, we must put up with this misfortune as well as we +can."</p> + +<p>"So we must, Señor," replied Peregil; "and at least there is some +consolation in the reflection that we are already on such familiar terms +with dame Fortune, that this new instance of her good-will ought by no +means to take us by surprise.—But may I ask whither we are going?"</p> + +<p>"To seek refuge in the mountains," gloomily answered Don Rodrigo.</p> + +<p>"Well, may the help of God be with us!" ejaculated Peregil, "for we +stand marvellously in need of it."</p> + +<p>Saying this, they bent their course to the Alpujarras, as melancholy and +slowly as suited the condition and convenience of the animals that bore +them. Indeed, from time to time, the reverend mule actually stood still, +as if pondering what he should do, and it required all Don Rodrigo's +caresses (for he dared employ no other means) to induce her to proceed.</p> + +<p>Thus the distressed master and his humble valet continued their march, +for the space of three hours, in a most gloomy night. Observing at +length that his servant made a dead stop, Don Rodrigo determined to +assist him, and accordingly indicated his intention to the mule; but to +his utter dismay he found that she had profited by the good example set +by her companion the ass, and stood stone still. This obstinacy of their +animals proved more than equal to the powers of Don Rodrigo and his +man, who, after exhausting their strength in fruitless chastisement, +prudently resolved to wait the leisure of their more determined +companions. They took shelter, therefore, under the spreading branches +of a large tree, and there they remained in anxious expectation of +day-break, passing the tedious hours in silent and profound reflections +on their miserable condition.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIa" id="CHAPTER_VIIIa"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">O gran contrasto in giovenil pensiero,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Desir di laude ed impeto d'Amore;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nè chi più vaglia ancor si trova il vero,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Che resta or questo, or quello superiore.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Ariosto.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">At first a vague suspicion, a blind dread,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Then a quick feeling of the fatal truth</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Instinctive flashed across her mind.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Wiffin's Tasso.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The first rosy tints of morning at length began to appear, and the heavy +clouds of night were gradually rolling away before the splendour of the +approaching sun, when Don Manuel de Monteblanco, who was already on the +alert, received information that a party of horsemen were rapidly +approaching the mansion. The old cavalier hastened to a spot whence he +could descry his visitors, and form a judgment of their quality. The +party consisted of an armed knight, and about half a dozen men-at-arms, +bounding over the elastic turf, with the greatest buoyancy of spirits. +Don Manuel, who stood watching their advance, was soon able to +recognize, in the martial figure and gallant carriage of the knight, his +young friend and kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva, of whose arrival he had +been in daily expectation. The youthful warrior was clad in a suit of +polished steel armour, inlaid with silver; a quantity of massy and +waving red plumage almost overshaded his shining helmet, and threw a +crimson flush over his manly countenance, in which an expression of +resolute courage was blended with an air of gaiety and frankness. The +colour of his cheek was heightened by exercise, and the brilliancy of +his dark blue eyes expressed an unusual degree of animation, whilst his +blooming age and the gracefulness of his carriage tended to increase the +interest of his commanding appearance. He was mounted on a fiery and +slender barb, decorated with the most costly trappings, which appeared +to participate in the buoyancy of the rider; for he champed the bit and +shook off the white foam, requiring all the dexterity of his master to +restrain the impetuosity of his nature.</p> + +<p>The small party which accompanied the youthful warrior were arrayed in +the military costume of the period. They served Don Antonio as an +escort, and belonged to the body of which he was the leader. Upon their +arrival the massy doors of the mansion were thrown open, and the +venerable Monteblanco stood at the entrance ready to receive his noble +visitor. The next moment Don Antonio, springing from his steed, threw +himself into the arms that hospitably invited him to their embrace.</p> + +<p>"Welcome, Don Antonio, thrice welcome to the abode of your old friend +and kinsman."</p> + +<p>"Save you, noble Don Manuel; it rejoices me to see that the hand of time +has made so little impression upon you; your spirits are still young and +ardent. How does the fair Theodora?"</p> + +<p>"Blooming as the rose of summer, fair as the lily of the valley, and +blithesome as the free tenant of the air," replied the fond father; "but +come in," he continued, with joyful accents; "come and refresh yourself. +Pedro," he then added, turning to his major-domo, a long, thin, grave +looking personage, "mind that these cavaliers," pointing to Don +Antonio's attendants, "are well entertained."</p> + +<p>Then taking his relative by the hand, he led him into the mansion.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," he then resumed, "is as yet at her morning orisons, in the +company of good Martha, but on an occasion like the present, there would +be no great sin in shortening her devotions."</p> + +<p>"By no means," replied Don Antonio, smiling; "it is not my maxim to +disturb fair ladies when so laudably occupied."</p> + +<p>"Well, my young friend, as you please; but, good heavens!" continued he, +surveying his guest from head to foot, with much complacency, "how you +are altered! It is a goodly and consoling sight to see the improvement +a few years bestow on a young man. You have distinguished yourself at +the games," said Don Manuel; "this is a source of unspeakable joy to me, +the more so, as it appears that the queen has been pleased to reward +your merit. I have heard that you are entrusted with the command of a +party of those gallant men, that are destined to chastise the rebellious +Moors of the Alpujarras."</p> + +<p>"In truth," modestly answered Don Antonio, "our great queen has +condescended to honor me far above my deserts; but I trust that my +future conduct will make me worthy of the confidence she has reposed in +me."</p> + +<p>"I suppose, then," said Don Manuel, "that your stay at Guadix will be +but short?"</p> + +<p>"Very short; as I am only allowed to wait the arrival of my party, and +must then set off immediately to join the army under the command of the +noble Aguilar."</p> + +<p>"Then, my dear kinsman," observed Monteblanco, smiling, "the object of +your visit must be accomplished without further delay."</p> + +<p>"I shall never complain of too much expedition when the happiness of my +life is so intimately concerned."</p> + +<p>At this moment the door of the saloon was thrown open, and Theodora was +ceremoniously ushered in by the stately duenna, who, after making a +stiff and formal courtsey, sunk back, and kept a respectful distance.</p> + +<p>"Dear child," said Don Manuel, "here is your kinsman, Don Antonio de +Leyva, with whom you are already acquainted. He appears in our house as +best becomes a gallant knight; his brow adorned with the wreath of +triumph for the skill and prowess he has displayed in the games, a sure +omen of his future glory in the field."</p> + +<p>Theodora offered her hand to the salutation of her kinsman, with an +attempt at cordiality; but it was evidently an effort to hide the real +coldness she felt; for an involuntary tremor crept gradually over her, +and her countenance betrayed strong symptoms of emotion, as she began +to suspect the object of Don Antonio's visit. Indeed, the tone of ease +and affection, in which her father and young de Leyva conversed, tended +to confirm those suspicions, the truth of which she so much dreaded to +learn.</p> + +<p>As soon as Don Antonio withdrew, Monteblanco requested to speak with his +daughter in his apartment. The trembling girl obeyed with a faltering +step, looking like a criminal about to receive the sentence that is to +seal her fate. The duenna remained somewhat surprised at this mysterious +transaction, in which her family counsel and approbation had been so +unceremoniously dispensed with. Her pride was mortified; in high +dudgeon, she crossed herself with fervour; and then departed, muttering +something between a prayer and a malediction.</p> + +<p>A short time after, the conference broke up, and Theodora came forth, +her eyes swimming in tears, and evincing the most lively emotion. She +hied to her own chamber, and fastening the door, she gave a free vent to +her grief.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" she exclaimed, "the dreadful suspicion is confirmed, and the +resolute manner in which my father has enforced his commands, affords me +no room to hope for any alteration—any delay. Not a month—not even a +week is allowed me to prepare—the measure of my misfortune is +full—Lost! lost!—Oh! Lope! Lope!—--"</p> + +<p>She could proceed no further; the tumult of sorrow impeded her +utterance, and she gave loose to her feelings in sighs and tears.</p> + +<p>Presently, however, a comforter came to proffer advice and +assistance—in the shape of the duenna. As we have already seen, she was +ruffled by Don Manuel's want of confidence, and proper regard for her +judgment; and she had resolved to tender her assistance to another +quarter. It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obliging +disposition. She bestowed her good advice most liberally, and she had an +inexhaustible fund of pious exclamations and admonitions at the service +of her friends. She could not forego the idea of being serviceable, and +therefore very properly desired to be consulted on all occasions. Yet +with all these amiable qualities, the duenna, in the opinion of most +people, would be entitled to no better appellation for her pains than +that of a busy body.</p> + +<p>"<i>Niña</i>,<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 21.">[21]</a> how's this?" she cried—"What mean these tears?—Aye! aye! +I see that your father has been guilty of some preposterous and +tyrannical measure; I suspected as much from his carefulness in keeping +the secret from me.—God bless the man!—what is the matter with +him?—he will never be advised, and really I cannot imagine why I remain +in his house. Well, child, unfold your sorrows and grievances to your +kindest friend; you know nothing delights me so much as consoling the +afflicted, and offering service to the unprotected."</p> + +<p>"Yes, good Martha," replied the sorrowing girl; "I am fully sensible of +your goodness, and I do trust you will not deny me your compassion. +Alas! without your valuable advice and assistance, I shall never +surmount the difficulties with which I am surrounded. I must see him—I +must see Don Lope this very night!"</p> + +<p>She then explained to Martha the nature of her distress, and the duenna, +glad to find an opportunity of being serviceable, readily promised her +co-operation in the accomplishment of her charge's wishes.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IXa" id="CHAPTER_IXa"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">Ye fair!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Be greatly cautious of your sliding hearts!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dare not the infectious sigh; nor in the bower</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Where woodbines flaunt, and roses shed a couch,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">While evening draws her crimson curtain round,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Trust your soft minutes with betraying man.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Thomson.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>In the most retired part of Monteblanco's garden, reclining on a rustic +seat, under the fragrant canopy of the myrtle and arbutus, sat a female +form enveloped in a loosely flowing dress of virgin whiteness. The air +was cool and serene, and except the rustling of the surrounding foliage, +when agitated by the breeze, or the soft plaintive voice of the +nightingale, no obtrusive sound disturbed the solemn silence. The blue +vault of heaven, glittering with countless stars, the rich perfume +flung around by the orange flower and jasmine, and a stilly languor that +pervaded the spot, all disposed the mind to gentle and loving thoughts.</p> + +<p>Theodora, however, sat absorbed in silent sorrow and abstraction: her +long clustering tresses fell in luxuriance over her white and polished +neck, almost concealing in their profusion the traits of a countenance +overcast with grief and despondency.</p> + +<p>But a figure appears on the garden wall, and the sound as of some one +falling is heard on the soft turf. Theodora starts, yet a sudden +recollection seems to check her momentary fear. The nocturnal visitor +was Gomez Arias, who had received a hasty summons from Theodora, and +surmising that some unpleasant intelligence awaited him, he hurried in +breathless expectation to the place of appointment.</p> + +<p>What was his amazement, upon his arrival!—He beheld his Theodora, not +in the joyful eagerness of affection springing forward to meet his +embrace, but silent and dejected. Her intelligent countenance no longer +beamed with that charming smile which his appearance never failed to +create. Motionless and unmoved she appeared, amongst the flowery shrubs +and verdant foliage of the garden, like some statue of chaste and +classical beauty, placed to embellish and diversify the sylvan spot.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias is before her, and yet she seems hardly conscious of his +presence. He gazes on her with surprise, and then gently whispers her +dear name. The well known voice recalls her scattered ideas, and its +magic sound awakens her benumbed sensations to fresh warmth and life. +She raised her head, threw aside the rich clusters of her hair, and a +stream of moonlight falling on her countenance revealed to Gomez Arias a +picture of sorrowing love.</p> + +<p>Her eye was swollen with grief, and the big tears in quick succession +chased each other down her pallid cheek.</p> + +<p>Don Lope approached her tenderly, and folding her in his arms, +endeavoured to calm her emotion, by the most soothing and endearing +expressions.</p> + +<p>"Theodora, what means this sorrow? Whatever be the misfortune which +threatens us, do not vainly yield yourself a prey to terror, before you +know the means I may have of averting it." Then, as if struck by a +passing thought, he added—"You surely cannot entertain a distant doubt +of the singleness—the devotedness of my affection?"</p> + +<p>"Doubt of your affection! Oh, heavens! do not even mention the appalling +word; there is something more terrible than death in the very idea. No, +no," she continued, with vivid earnestness; "I do not; I cannot; I will +not doubt of your affection. If ever such agonizing——"</p> + +<p>She could not proceed, for her imagination was so powerfully acted upon, +even with the remote image of such a misfortune, that she was obliged to +remain some time silent before she could control her emotions.</p> + +<p>"No," she resumed; "I cannot doubt your affection. But there is another +calamity in store for me that will assuredly render wretched the rest of +my existence."</p> + +<p>She again stopped, and her tears flowed more abundantly than ever.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias felt relieved from a heavy foreboding; for the idea that his +engagement with Leonor de Aguilar had come to the knowledge of Theodora, +had at first filled his mind with apprehensions. He was accordingly more +at ease, feeling an inward conviction that however distressing the +dreaded intelligence might prove, he should still find resources within +himself to avert its dangers.</p> + +<p>"Speak, my Theodora; unfold the cause of your extraordinary sorrow, and +do not weep and tremble thus."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lope!" she despondingly cried, "I must renounce you for ever."</p> + +<p>"For heaven's sake, calm this agitation, Theodora, and let me know the +worst. But yesterday you were as happy as a heart teeming with genuine +affection, and blessed with a most unbounded return, can make a mortal, +and now——"</p> + +<p>"He is come," she fearfully interrupted him; "my destined husband is +come."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias appeared staggered at this unexpected information, but +immediately recovering himself in apparent calmness, demanded the name +of his rival. "Who is it," he cried, "that boldly claims the hand of my +Theodora?—No doubt some noble and distinguished cavalier."</p> + +<p>"Alas! your supposition is but too just," replied the weeping girl; "and +it is that circumstance which adds to the poignancy of my grief: were he +a less estimable character, were he divested of those amiable qualities +that render man dear to the eyes of woman, my reasons for refusing his +addresses would be unanswerable. In that case, if I were made a victim +to parental authority, some consolation might be found in the conviction +that the inextinguishable hatred which I bore him was grounded on +justice. But the man that seeks an alliance with our house is one whose +choice would confer the greatest honor on the most exalted of the land. +Brave, generous, of noble birth, and alike distinguished for the +superiority of his mind and person, he is in the highest favor with the +queen, who has intrusted him with the command of one of the divisions +which are now marching against the rebel Moors."</p> + +<p>Theodora made these observations in the perfect simplicity of her heart, +but she unconsciously excited an idea of the most galling nature in the +mind of her lover. Not that he felt the pangs of jealousy, for he was +too confident both in his own merit, and the unparalleled affection of +his beloved; but yet he was inwardly mortified at the encomiums bestowed +on another, inasmuch as they gave rise to a comparison which he could +not easily brook. He, therefore, with some asperity of tone, inquired +the name of this accomplished knight; and Theodora, who perceived the +inward workings of his soul, with a faultering voice pronounced the name +of Don Antonio de Leyva. The sound operated like an electric shock on +the mind of Gomez Arias, and despite of his habitual self-command, signs +of uncommon perturbation were discernible in his countenance.</p> + +<p>"What!" he cried, "Don Antonio de Leyva,—that presumptuous, that +detested youth!"</p> + +<p>Here he checked his emotion; pride resumed the mastery over his +irritated feelings, and with a forced gaiety of manner, he continued,—</p> + +<p>"Certainly Don Antonio is a gallant cavalier, and well calculated to +captivate a woman's affections."</p> + +<p>He stopped; for his surprise had been too abrupt, and his manner too ill +disguised to continue long in this constrained suppression of his real +feelings. Gomez Arias hated Don Antonio on no other plea, than the fame +he was daily acquiring for his valour and brilliant qualities. Besides, +he could not forget his adventure in the tournament, when Don Antonio +crossed him in his career, and well nigh endangered the reputation he +had that day acquired. He looked on him, therefore, as a dangerous +rival, and felt chagrined at the command with which the queen had +invested him, as it would afford him opportunities of grounding his +claims to her royal favor on the firmest foundation.</p> + +<p>Theodora was far from suspecting the cause of her lover's agitation. She +naturally attributed to a feeling of jealousy, what was in fact the +effect of restless emulation. A long pause ensued, during which the +state of Theodora became more distressing, as she perceived her lover's +countenance gradually assuming an unusual expression of sternness. +Various passions seemed to be contending for mastery in his bosom, but +the feeling of wounded pride soon appeared to predominate. His eyes +glistened with indignant fire, his lip curled with a bitter smile, and +the flush of anger mantled on his brow.</p> + +<p>"Theodora!" he said, fixing earnestly his eyes on the trembling girl; +"Theodora, you have deceived me!"</p> + +<p>"Deceive you, Gomez Arias!" She looked petrified at the bare +supposition. "Deceived you! And can you for a moment harbour such a +cruel, such a degrading suspicion? Oh! Lope, is it possible you can +think thus basely of your Theodora?"</p> + +<p>"Why was not I made acquainted with this engagement before?"</p> + +<p>"I was ignorant of it myself; the marriage had been settled between my +father and Don Antonio, without consulting my inclination. Alas! the +first intelligence I received, was to bid me prepare for the ceremony, +which is to take place immediately.—My dearest Lope," she added with +tenderness; "Oh! never again harrow up my feelings, with doubts unworthy +of our mutual passion."</p> + +<p>She clung to Don Lope's neck, and pressing him with the earnestness of +unbounded confidence and love—"Never," she continued, "had Theodora a +single thought concealed from you; you, the absolute master of my heart, +and the most secret wishes of my soul."</p> + +<p>Then in a more composed manner, she proceeded; "It was but this morning +that Don Antonio arrived, when my father immediately proceeded to +announce the purport of his visit. My amazement at first knew no bounds; +I remonstrated on the abruptness of the proposal, and endeavoured, by +gentle expostulation, to ward off the threatening blow. But my +entreaties, and my tears were in vain. My father, strenuously bent on +the accomplishment of his wishes, left me the only option of yielding +implicit obedience to his mandates, or passing the rest of my existence +in the solitary gloom of a convent. My choice is made; I lose you, +Lope;"—and here her anguish almost overpowered her utterance; "I lose +you for ever, but your dear image shall be constantly before me in those +dark abodes of penitence and woe. Thither must I go, and leave all these +dear scenes, and the dearer sight of you, consigned to unrelenting +misery. Not humbly, alas! to pray; not to abjure the world; for ah! I +cannot abjure that world which contains the fondest object that links me +to life. I go not in the humble mood of a repentant sinner, to weep over +a guilty life, but in the desponding resolution of a fond woman, eager +to keep her faith unbroken to him of her heart's first and only +attachment. For you, oh Lope, my tears will flow; you alone will be the +theme of my constant meditations—my fervent prayers. In my hopeless +solitude, I may perhaps feel one glimpse of consolation;—the idea that +you may be happy, and that even in the glittering scenes of ambition, +you will sometimes revert to the cheerless abode of Theodora. This will +afford me some solace in my affliction. And when the hand of death +releases me from my odious chains, your tears will tenderly fall on the +grave of her, whose greatest crime was that of loving you too well."</p> + +<p>"Theodora!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, moved by the picture she had drawn; +"and is this then the only remedy you can devise?"</p> + +<p>"What!" cried she eagerly, "is there any other to be found?"</p> + +<p>She paused, and gazed on Gomez Arias, with anxious expectation, +breathless with hope.</p> + +<p>Don Lope, after a momentary lapse, with a chilling coldness, +observed—"You do not love me, Theodora!"</p> + +<p>"Oh Heavens!" she cried in the hurried accents of terror—"Never, Lope, +never utter those killing words;—what do you require of me?—Speak, +Gomez Arias, speak: I will do all, to convince you of the sincerity of +my affection, and the cruel injustice of your words."</p> + +<p>"You must fly then from the abode of parental oppression," calmly +replied Don Lope; "and in your lover you shall find that tenderness, +which a father denies; nay, start not, these words may perhaps alarm +you, yet consider it is our only resource, and that imperious necessity +is a law to which we must all submit. In a short time you shall be mine +in the face of heaven, and now, you must resolve to follow me."</p> + +<p>Theodora started at the proposition. She fixed her eyes on Gomez Arias, +and with a deep but tranquil anguish exclaimed—"Alas, Don Lope! Is +this the remedy you propose? Can you indeed tempt me to abandon my +father in his declining years, to regret and shame?"</p> + +<p>"You had already determined to abandon him," observed Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"No, Lope," she replied; "by that step, I should only disappoint him in +his expectations—not incur his merited hatred and malediction;—his +grief would be tempered by resignation, not corroded with the sting of +shame." "Don Lope," she then continued with dignity, "command my life; +but oh! never, never require of me the commission of a crime, as the +proof of my love."</p> + +<p>"Stay, Theodora," interrupted Gomez Arias, with a composure that ill +agreed with the terrific cloud gathering on his brow; "stay, you are +right, and I must retract my words: the offer was dictated in the +transports of sincere and ardent love, and as the only means left us in +the hour of danger. But I perceive that I have mistaken your +sentiments; such actions were only made for souls capable of feeling +and appreciating the extent of a true passion; not for cold and timorous +beings like yourself. I flattered my fond pride, that in you I had met +with a miracle of deep and all-absorbing affection, but I am deceived, +and sorely shall I repent my delusion; I now see you in your true +colours; you are like the rest of your feeble sex, pleased with the +gratification of their vanity, but incapable of a bold and generous +resolution in favor of the man they pretend to love. I will not upbraid +you; but from this moment cast you from me as a piece of inanimate clay, +a painted thing, alike incapable of estimating and sharing my regard."</p> + +<p>Saying this he rudely disengaged himself from her arms, whilst the +unfortunate Theodora, affrighted at the violence of his manner, fixed on +him a wild and vacant stare, the intensity of her grief depriving her of +the power of reflection. But when she saw her lover actually receding +from the place, her mind started from its abstraction, and her thoughts +were fixed upon the dreadful desertion that now threatened her. She gave +a frantic shriek, and fell lifeless on the ground.</p> + +<p>Alarmed at the effect produced by his passionate and cruel proceeding, +Gomez Arias hurried back to the spot, and raising the lovely victim from +the ground, gazed on her with all the anxiety of returning affection. +Theodora was in his arms, but, alas! her beautiful eyes were closed, her +cheek was colourless, and a cold suffusion bathed her stiffened limbs. +The vital spark had apparently deserted its frail tenement, for no sign +of conscious life was there. Don Lope's angry feelings had given way to +his fears for her safety, and as he wiped the cold dew from her face, he +perceived blood trickling slowly down her marble brow. In the violence +of her fall upon the gravelled walk, a flint had wounded her forehead, +and the crimson drops that issued from it contrasted mournfully with the +frozen paleness of her countenance.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias was moved as he gazed intensely on the angelic creature now +before him. This was no artful fiction, no solemn mockery of woe: a few +words had worked that dreadful revolution in her mind. Perhaps there is +at times an indescribable cruelty in love that prompts a man, in a +certain degree, to enjoy the misery which is wrought by an excess of +affection towards him, and triumph now mingled with compassion in the +abandoned lover's heart. He was, however, soon called to more generous +sentiments. Anxiety and regret took place of vanity, while his passion +for Theodora acquired new intensity as he scanned her beauteous figure +and contemplated the distress he had occasioned. With the most endearing +efforts he endeavoured to reanimate the lifeless form of Theodora. He +ardently pressed the yielding burthen to his heart, placed his glowing +cheek by the cold one of his mistress, fervently kissed the crimson +stain upon her forehead, and then bound it with a scarf.</p> + +<p>Theodora, however, for some time gave no sign of life. Don Lope called +her by the most tender names, sprinkled her face with the water of a +neighbouring fountain, and exhausted himself in efforts to revive her. +At last she gently opened her eyes, a scarce perceptible motion shook +her frame, and shortly after she raised her white fingers to her +forehead, as if conscious of sensation. She heaved a deep sigh, and +Gomez Arias watching with anxious gaze the progress of her reviving +senses, strove with soothing fondness to hasten their return. Her eyes +gently opened, and a sad smile played upon her lip, as she acknowledged +the tender solicitude of her lover, unable as yet to express herself by +words.</p> + +<p>"Theodora, my dearest, don't you know me?"</p> + +<p>Her abstracted senses awoke as if from a horrid dream, and with fearful +and convulsive clasp she hung to Don Lope's neck.</p> + +<p>"He is not gone—no, no, I have him here—" The rest of her sentence was +lost in a hysteric laugh.</p> + +<p>"No, my love," tenderly said Gomez Arias, "I am not gone, nor ever will. +I am a barbarian to treat you thus. I do not merit such excellence as +thine, and, I crave thy forgiveness for the misery I have inflicted."</p> + +<p>Theodora, now perfectly restored, saw the stain of blood on her lover's +lip, then she felt the bandage on her forehead, and when Gomez Arias +explained the nature of her wound, the fond girl rejoiced at a cause +that had called forth her lover's anxiety and caresses.</p> + +<p>They remained in profound silence, which they were both afraid to break, +for they trembled to renew a subject which had produced such melancholy +effects.</p> + +<p>But time was swiftly flying, and Gomez Arias again urged the necessity +of adopting some resolution.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," he said, "the night is wearing fast away, her friendly shade +will but for a short time longer favor us, and the morning must, alas! +throw still darker shadows over our brightest hopes."</p> + +<p>Theodora sighed deeply, but was unable to reply.</p> + +<p>"What is to be done?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it your wish that we should +part for ever?"</p> + +<p>"Part for ever!" cried Theodora; "Oh Heavens! the idea is more than I +can endure."</p> + +<p>"There is no other alternative left us," said Gomez Arias, "unless you +feel yourself courageous enough to—" and here he cast an inquiring +glance, and waited her reply; for though the purport of his meaning was +obvious, he felt almost afraid to convey it by language.</p> + +<p>Theodora's distress increased, and her fond arms that had till now +encircled her lover's neck, loosened their hold, whilst her head drooped +despondingly upon her bosom.</p> + +<p>After a short pause—"My love," continued Gomez Arias, "you must decide, +and instantly, we have but a short time more to remain."</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," exclaimed the afflicted girl, with impassioned eagerness, +"pity! oh pity my horrible situation, and do not tempt me with a crime, +to which my own fond woman's heart urges me but too strongly. No, do not +exert that uncontrollable power which you possess over my very soul, to +sink me deeper into the abyss of misery, that must embitter my future +existence. Do not force me to destroy the tranquillity and comfort of a +venerable parent—of that parent, whose greatest fault is his excessive +fondness and solicitude for his child. Though by his last determination +he has completed my misery, he is nevertheless more deserving of pity +than reproach. Alas! while he destroys my felicity and repose, he +cherishes the idea, that he is laying the foundation of the future +happiness of his child."</p> + +<p>"Yes!" cried Gomez Arias, smiling bitterly, "by forcing her to waste her +life in a cloister."</p> + +<p>"No," exclaimed Theodora, "he does not suppose me capable of such a +terrible resolution; he is ignorant that my affections are +irretrievably bestowed on another, fondly imagining that I shall not +long be insensible to the merits of the husband he has chosen."</p> + +<p>She fell on the ground, and clasping the knees of her lover, proceeded +with redoubled emotion—"Oh, Lope, I know but too well my own weakness! +Take, therefore, compassion on my distress, urge me no further, and do +not avail yourself of the tenderness and self-devotion of one who adores +you, to render her a cruel and delinquent daughter."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias was powerfully struck with the earnestness of her manner; he +never imagined he should meet with such opposition from a heart so +enthusiastically devoted. He could not but admire the generosity and +nobleness of feeling which thus voluntarily condemned itself to a life +of solitude and despair, rather than deviate in the smallest degree from +moral rectitude. Yet he was inwardly mortified at her superiority, and +would fain have persuaded himself that her scruples proceeded rather +from a deficiency of passion than from a sense of honor and filial +duty. He looked on her with a mixture of compassion and disappointment +as he endeavoured to raise her from the ground.</p> + +<p>"No, never," she cried, "never will I rise till you grant my request."</p> + +<p>"Rise, rise, Theodora," said he gloomily, "and listen to me for the last +time.—Since it is your desire, I will no longer, press a sacrifice I +was naturally bound to expect from your repeated, and apparently +sincere, protestations of regard. Since you will have it so, I must +yield. I will begone immediately; but if you are to be for ever lost to +me, think not I will tamely submit to my wrongs. I will seek out the +cause of our misfortunes, and if he is the valiant knight report speaks +him, I shall then find the only solace left me in my desolation, that of +taking ample vengeance or falling nobly by his weapon. And now," he +added after a short pause, "farewell Theodora! Farewell, for we part for +ever!"</p> + +<p>"No, you cannot," franticly cried Theodora, "you must not leave me +thus. Oh Lope! you were always tender, and generous, and kind.—Never +did you in the slightest manner wound my heart till this dreadful +night."</p> + +<p>"True," replied Don Lope, "and never till the present moment could I +doubt your love."</p> + +<p>"Oh Lope! Lope! and is it to your Theodora you speak thus! In pity +recall those dreadful words."</p> + +<p>"Silly girl," vehemently exclaimed Gomez Arias, "what do you require of +me? Or what is it that you wish? You have chosen your path, let me now +take mine, unless you force me in my anguish to curse the hour when I +first beheld you."</p> + +<p>"Curse the day you saw me!" As she uttered this exclamation an +involuntary chill crept over her, which seemed to have frozen the +springs of her heart.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," he now said in a tone of sad reproach, "dry your tears—you +will soon have bitter occasion for them. May you enjoy that repose +which you have for ever destroyed in my heart—Farewell! Farewell!"</p> + +<p>As he said this he gently strove to disengage himself from her hold. The +struggle was too powerful for her nature, and like the poor bird when +under the magic influence of the serpent, yields itself to the +destructive charm, Theodora, unable any longer to combat with her +overpowering feelings, threw herself into her lover's arms, and +exclaimed passionately upon his bosom—"No, no, dear Lope, we will not +part. Let it be as you will." She paused, and then added with +solemnity—"It is decreed that I must be wretched, but you at least +shall never have reason to reproach me."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias clasped her fondly to his breast, and in the transports of +his joy, endeavoured to draw a glowing picture of their future +happiness.</p> + +<p>"My dearest Theodora, hush your apprehensions and unreasonable fears. At +the first opportunity we marry. Your father will at last relent, and +even if he should prove deaf to the appeal of nature, the love and +gratitude of Gomez Arias will supply the loss."</p> + +<p>"Oh that is my only consolation," she interrupted with eagerness. "Love +me, Lope, love me even as I love you. No, no, that is not possible. But, +oh, if thy love should ever decrease—deceive me! in pity deceive me! Do +not let me suspect the dreadful truth—No, let death first conceal from +me so terrible a secret."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias again tenderly essayed to calm her agitation, and then urged +the necessity of quitting the place with the utmost expedition. She made +no longer any resistance, for she had advanced too far now to recede, +and leaning on her lover she was almost carried along the garden.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias quickly made a signal, and a ladder of ropes was thrown from +the other side. At the sight Theodora could scarcely restrain the agony +of her feelings. A crowd of thoughts distracted her mind—a load of +anguish was upon her breast, and had it not been for the support of her +lover, she would have fallen. Gomez Arias bore the trembling girl +across the wall, but as she stood for an instant on the summit, she cast +a long melancholy look on the home of her innocence and childhood—the +now deserted abode, of a venerable parent, and with a heart throbbing +with anguish, she intrusted herself to the protection of her lover.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Xa" id="CHAPTER_Xa"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Where is she?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I wish to see my daughter, shew her me;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"> +<span style="letter-spacing:20px;line-height:2em;">* * * * *</span></span><br /><span style="margin-left: 2em;">You have betrayed me; y' have let loose</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The jewel of my life: Go, bring her me,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And set her here before me.—</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 13em;"><i>Beaumont and Fletcher.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The next day arrived—a day of sorrow for the unfortunate Monteblanco. +Seated on a ponderous chair of rude workmanship, the old <i>caballero</i> +waited for the appearance of his darling daughter, to pay her morning +devoirs, and receive his blessing. He waited patiently for some time, +but his mind becoming fraught with more than usual anxiety, he called +lustily to the duenna,—he called again, and again, but to no purpose. +The pious old dame was deeply engaged in her orisons, and her mind +occupied with other affairs than appertain to this sinful world. She +appeared at last, her eyes half closed, her lips moving fast in the +fervour of her devotions, and her long skinny fingers employed in a +manner equally devout, as with the most exemplary industry, and solemn +sedateness, she let fall in measured intervals, one by one, the large +black counters of her rosary.</p> + +<p>"The Lord be with you!" ejaculated piously the duenna.</p> + +<p>"Save you, good Martha," responded Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"And may the blessed Virgin forgive you Señor, for thus disturbing an +humble sinner at her prayers."</p> + +<p>"Amen!" answered Don Manuel; "and now Martha tell me where is my +daughter."</p> + +<p>"<i>Ave Maria!</i>" continued the duenna, as another counter fell.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco, who expected quite a different answer, was however kind +enough to give the customary response to the salutation.</p> + +<p>"<i>Santa Maria!</i>" muttered he with a movement of impatience, raising +nevertheless his eyes to heaven. But it so happened that the devotion of +the old cavalier was obliged to give way to his paternal solicitude.</p> + +<p>"Martha," he therefore cried, "put aside your beads, and tell me, in +goodness tell me, if my child is indisposed."</p> + +<p>"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the duenna, "what brings that into your head, +Don Manuel?"</p> + +<p>"If not," demanded the father, "how does it happen she has not yet +appeared?—Where is she?"</p> + +<p>"In bed, God help her," replied Martha, "for she very naturally +concluded, that a lady who had spent the night in an amorous colloquy, +could not be expected to rise over early the next morning."</p> + +<p>"In bed!" echoed Monteblanco, "in bed! shame, why it is past seven," he +added, somewhat ruffled at the idea. "What! has she passed an +indifferent night?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of, unless indeed that she may have been a little too +zealous in her midnight devotions: the grace of the Lord be upon her for +a sweet, innocent child. Bless her soul, she could not be otherwise +after the holy counsel which I, a miserable sinner, have endeavoured to +instill into her tender mind."</p> + +<p>"Martha, Martha," seriously observed Don Manuel, "I do not entirely +approve of this excess of devotion."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" ejaculated the duenna. "That is exactly what I say to her, but she +is very scrupulous in her religious exercises."</p> + +<p>"Well Martha, you must moderate her zeal, and make her understand that +the views of heaven will be much better realized, by yielding implicit +obedience to the dictates of a father; and now," he added in a more +familiar tone, "go, and bid her come, for I expect Don Antonio de Leyva +every minute."</p> + +<p>The duenna went out muttering a <i>Gloria Patri</i>, which was exactly +finished by the time she got at the other side of the door. She then +hastened to the chamber of her charge, by no means pleased with a +somnolency that exposed her to any rebuke, however trifling.</p> + +<p>"Oh you sluggish girl," she began. "<i>Dios me perdone</i>,<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 22.">[22]</a> what means +this? Are you not ashamed to be in bed at this time in the morning, and +allow a christian matron like me to be disturbed at her prayers on your +account? This comes of your nocturnal meetings; I must put a stop to +them; they may be very refreshing to the heart, but cannot contribute to +the health, nor to the good keeping of the soul; up, up <i>perezosa</i>,<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 23.">[23]</a> +and never more expose a kind duenna to your father's rebukes; up, +immediately, Don Manuel is waiting." Receiving no answer, she took it +for granted, being not a little deaf, that Theodora was replying with +the various excuses which were naturally to be expected, under similar +circumstances. She continued, therefore, without troubling herself as to +their import. "Nay, nay, attempt not to exculpate yourself, for it is +very wrong to expose me thus, because I am so amiably inclined as to +overlook your frailties with christian charity. Holy Virgin! I shudder +when I think to what perilous compromises my unsullied reputation is +daily exposed by the tenderness of my disposition. What is it you +say?—Eh?—What?—you are silent then, well child, after all that is the +wisest thing you can do; it pleaseth me to see you thus humble, for +humility, like charity, covereth a multitude of sins." The good duenna +proceeded in this strain for some time, without receiving any check to +her eloquence, till at length, surprised at such an excess of +contrition, she grew impatient, flung the windows wide open, pulled the +bed hangings aside, when to her utter consternation she found the object +of her intended visitation vanished. The surprise of the duenna was +strongly pictured on her shrivelled visage, as the dismal truth obtruded +itself upon her mind. The wrath of Monteblanco, and the blot upon her +own dear reputation, as the natural consequences of this disaster, took +possession of her mind. She first uttered something between a whine and +a discordant cry, meaning thereby to indicate at once her emotions of +anger and sorrow. Then she began busily to invoke the protection of all +the saints in the calendar. But the saints, though very holy personages +in their way, are by no means the proper persons to consult respecting +the discovery of stray damsels. She appeared to place more confidence in +her own exertions than in their assistance. She commenced a scrupulous +search in every part of the chamber, under and round about the bed, and +waddling out of the apartment, she left no corner in the house +unsearched.</p> + +<p>Astonished at the duenna's activity, and puzzled to discover the cause, +the servants flocked around her, but to all their inquiries she gave no +other answer but interjections and exclamations, and such harsh guttural +sounds, that they began to suspect that the good dame had fairly lost +her wits.</p> + +<p>The garden was now explored, but alas! with no better success, and the +perturbation of poor Martha's mind baffled all description.</p> + +<p>It was some time before she could determine what course to pursue, +balancing in her mind whether it would be more prudent to avoid the +impending storm by flight, or boldly and confidently to encounter her +master's ire. Flight certainly is the method preferred on similar +occasions; but then by adopting it she would tacitly confess herself +guilty, and her tender reputation would be sullied with an indelible +stain; by bravely encountering, on the other hand, the irritated father, +she could stoutly deny all cognizance of the affair, and boldly call on +all the saints of Heaven to assert her innocence, witnesses to whose +testimony Martha always confidently appealed, being satisfied they would +have no inclination to contradict her.</p> + +<p>Acting upon this idea, she left the garden, instilling into her +parchment features all the surprise and grief that she could muster up +at so short a notice.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Monteblanco, heartily tired of sending message after +message, resolved to seek himself the cause of the duenna's protracted +absence.</p> + +<p>"Martha—Martha," he cried, as soon as he saw her—"In the name of the +devil, what means this?"</p> + +<p>"Hush, Don Manuel!" replied the duenna, with great solemnity of +manner—"Hush, venerated Señor; for sure enough the evil one has been at +work."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed the astonished Don Manuel, "explain yourself, and +quickly."</p> + +<p>"Holy Virgin!" proceeded the dame, "that such a thing should happen in +my time!"</p> + +<p>"In the name of God—Martha," cried again the father, in agony, "tell me +what misfortune has happened."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" whined the duenna, struggling hard to force from her old eyes a +couple of rebellious tears, "ask me not, for shame and sorrow will choke +my utterance."</p> + +<p>"May all the curses of Heaven choke you! Woman, what have you done with +my daughter? Speak—speak, or by <i>Santiago de Compostela</i>, I will so +belabour thy shrivelled form, as to reduce it to atoms in less time +than you can say your <i>credo</i>."</p> + +<p>The duenna had never before seen her master in so terrible a passion, +and she almost repented not having followed her first impulse to fly. +She inwardly cursed that tenderness for her reputation, which had +brought the more substantial part of her person into the present +quandary. A vigorous defence was the only alternative now left her.</p> + +<p>"What have I done with your daughter!" she exclaimed, with a look which +she meant to be expressive of indignant surprise.—"May the Lord help +you!—what should I have done with your daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Where is she then?"</p> + +<p>A pause ensued.</p> + +<p>"Where is she?" demanded again the agitated father, with redoubled +emotion.</p> + +<p>"Alas! I know not—she is gone to all appearance—May the light of +Heaven, and her guardian angel conduct her steps!"</p> + +<p>"Gone!—my Theodora gone!" cried Don Manuel in the height of +affliction.</p> + +<p>"I conclude that to be the case," added the duenna, with assurance, "for +she is nowhere to be found."</p> + +<p>The desolate father appeared thunderstruck at this intelligence. He +smote his venerable forehead, and plucked his grey beard in the anguish +of despair. Then he vented the most bitter reproaches against the +ingratitude of his daughter, and cursed the day that gave her birth.</p> + +<p>Whilst he was thus vainly indulging in the paroxysm of grief, the duenna +kept crossing herself with such active fervour, that the repeated and +rapid motion of her hand at last caught the attention of the sorrowing +and abstracted father.</p> + +<p>"Oh, thou vile hypocrite!" he exclaimed, darting a furious look—"Thou +beldame!—Is this the way thou hast answered the confidence reposed in +thee?—I have nurtured a serpent in my house—I have set the ravenous +wolf to guard the lamb! Accursed beldame! Thou art an accomplice in my +daughter's flight."</p> + +<p>"Holy Virgin of the Conception!" ejaculated the offended Martha, "that +such foul aspersions should be thrown on my character, after sixty +years of rigid penitence! May the Lord forgive you, Señor, as I do"—and +she crossed herself with redoubled zeal.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, thou imp of the devil!" thundered Don Manuel, astonished at +her assurance.—"Forgive me!"</p> + +<p>"I an imp of the devil!—I, who had an aunt who died in odour of +sanctity, in the convent of Santa Clara—I, who am second cousin to Fray +Domingo, one of the most religious as well as most celebrated preachers +of the day!"</p> + +<p>"May the curse of Heaven fall on thee, and him, and all thy race."</p> + +<p>"Do not swear," interrupted Martha; "Oh! do not swear—you fright me—I +shall faint."</p> + +<p>"Avaunt, thou detested hag!" continued Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"<i>San Pedro y san Pablo!</i>" cried the duenna.</p> + +<p>"Thou poisonous crocodile!" replied Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"<i>San Jose bendito!</i>" responded the duenna.</p> + +<p>"Abominable fiend!" returned Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"<i>Animas benditas!</i>" answered the duenna.</p> + +<p>This extraordinary litany, however, was at length cut short by the +arrival of Don Antonio de Leyva. He was not a little surprised at the +scene which presented itself, and was for some time unable to obtain an +explanation. When he at length arrived at a knowledge of the affair, his +astonishment and sorrow were exhibited in the most lively manner.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" he cried, "I could not but suspect from my first interview with +Theodora, that her affections were fixed on another object."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no," eagerly replied Don Manuel—"you are far from the +mark—she cannot love any one—how could she form an attachment without +my knowledge?"</p> + +<p>"Then," said Don Antonio, sighing, "it was to avoid my addresses that +she has sought a refuge in flight."</p> + +<p>"<i>Jesus Maria!</i>" interposed the duenna—"Do not say so, Don Antonio—how +could she possibly object to so accomplished a cavalier?"</p> + +<p>"Good dame," answered he, "it is not difficult to account for her +dislike; and I must acknowledge with painful sensations, that I am +chiefly to blame for this unfortunate occurrence."</p> + +<p>"No, no," cried Monteblanco, pointing to Martha; "the person chiefly to +blame in this affair, is that detestable hag.—See how she crosses +herself, and rolls her eyes to impose upon our credulity; but it is all +over—I have been too long the dupe of her affected piety, and seeming +austerity of manners; my eyes are at length open to conviction, and I +see the despicable creature in her true colours."</p> + +<p>"What reason," observed de Leyva, "can you assign for Theodora's strange +resolution, unless it be dislike to me, or love for another."</p> + +<p>"Alas! I know not what to think," answered Don Manuel; "my mind is +bewildered, and all my conjectures may prove wrong. Perhaps some +hastiness in my way of proceeding may have influenced her +determination. But I do not despair; she may yet be brought to a sense +of her duty; if not," he added despondingly, "the happiness of my +declining age is blasted, and heartily shall I wish to be numbered with +the dead."</p> + +<p>Monteblanco by these means sought a medium between accusing his daughter +of downright criminality, and confessing to young de Leyva that his +suspicions concerning Theodora's aversion to the intended wedding were +not entirely groundless.</p> + +<p>He was unwilling also to relinquish the thought of having so excellent a +son-in-law, and he believed Don Antonio to be possessed of all those +qualities which are capable of enslaving the affections of women, even +the most fastidious. He, therefore, prudently resolved, in case of his +child's return, to allow her due time to consider the proposal, which he +had been so anxious to carry by parental authority, hoping that she +would at last be brought to acquiesce in his wishes, by the constant +assiduity and numberless accomplishments of her suitor.</p> + +<p>Under this impression, he readily accepted the services proffered by Don +Antonio, for the recovery of Theodora, and for speedily concerting the +means.</p> + +<p>"Don Manuel," exclaimed the gallant de Leyva, "spite of your kind and +courteous asseverations, I cannot but consider myself the cause of your +daughter's leaving her home. This reflection and that tender sentiment +which Theodora was as capable of inspiring as I am susceptible of +feeling, makes me perhaps a principal in this melancholy event. It is +with heartfelt sincerity, therefore, that I offer my assistance. Let us +first endeavour to restore the lovely fugitive to her deserted home, and +then let not the shadow of compulsion actuate her future determination."</p> + +<p>"I shall be happy," replied Don Manuel, "to profit by advice dictated at +once by affection and prudence. Theodora," he added after a short pause, +"cannot have departed from this city, and we shall probably find her +either in a convent, or at the abode of one of her relatives. However, +to insure all precaution, I shall forthwith send despatches to Granada, +and the neighbouring towns."</p> + +<p>Saying this, Monteblanco made a movement to retire with his young +friend, and casting a look of anger on the duenna, he said as he +passed—"Thou mayest well tremble, miserable sinner that thou art!"</p> + +<p>"Tremble, forsooth!" returned the stately dame, with great dignity of +manner. "Innocence has no occasion to tremble; and now it only remains +for me to quit a place where my virtue and honesty have so unwarrantably +been called in question."</p> + +<p>"When thou dost quit my house," said Don Manuel, "it will be to be shut +up for life in a convent, there to do penance for thy sins, and to +profit by the holy example of that good aunt that died in odour of +sanctity."</p> + +<p>Left to herself, Martha began seriously to reflect on the unpleasantness +of her situation; the threat of a conventual seclusion sounded harshly +to her ear. She fancied it would be more advantageous to society that +her good offices should continue in requisition, than that they should +be for ever lost by an untimely adoption of a contemplative life.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that ungracious Gomez Arias!" she exclaimed, in her perplexity.</p> + +<p>"What wouldst thou with Gomez Arias?" said a well known voice.</p> + +<p>She turned, and saw before her the object of her exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Blessed be the Virgin! It is he, sure enough. What brings you here, +Sir? Where is my young lady?"</p> + +<p>"Where is she?" inquired Gomez Arias, with feigned anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, your arts are thrown away on me; I know that Theodora, poor +silly thing, has eloped with you. She loves you, in very truth, she +does; and when a woman really loves, it is unaccountable what a number +of fooleries she will be tempted to commit."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Don Lope, "supposing she has intrusted herself to my +protection, she only followed the dictates of pure affection; surely +there could be no harm in so doing."</p> + +<p>"Under favour, Don Lope," observed the duenna, "but there is. Not +forsooth in loving you; but yet, there is a crying injustice, an +unpardonable cruelty, in leaving me to suffer for it without a——"</p> + +<p>"Reward, wouldst thou say?" interrupted Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"<i>Valgame San Juan!</i> But you misapprehend me strangely. I am not +mercenary; heaven knows my only concern is for my safety, threatened as +I am."</p> + +<p>"Threatened! in what possible manner?" demanded Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"With nothing less than a convent."</p> + +<p>"A convent," repeated Don Lope, smiling, "to so devout a dame, methinks, +can have no terrors."</p> + +<p>"Aye in troth, I am devout," replied the duenna, "and yet I feel nowise +inclined to be immured between four walls. What merit would there be in +the sacrifice of an old, poor, decrepid piece of mortality such as I. +No, it is the voluntary seclusion of young, rich and beautiful virgins +that delights the divinity."</p> + +<p>"Most prudent Martha," gaily replied Gomez Arias, "I greatly admire and +applaud your discretion. Never ought so worthy, so valuable a matron to +be lost to the world. No, thou wert born to be the consolation of +gallant knights and amorous damsels; it would be really unpardonable to +permit thy seclusion, whilst thou mayest yet tend thy services to +lovers. No, no, God forbid thou shouldst go to a nunnery."</p> + +<p>"The Lord bless you, good Señor," returned Martha with humility; "but +you over-rate my poor deserts."</p> + +<p>"By my sword! that modesty becomes thee mightily. But we must lose no +time. Attend vespers this afternoon, there thou shalt find my +conscientious valet, who will give thee proper directions and assistance +to effect thy escape, and ample means to pass the remainder of thy +precious life in some distant city of Spain, free from the blessed idea +of conventual retirement."</p> + +<p>"That will I do, most generous Don Lope, and be thankful withal."</p> + +<p>"But stay," added Gomez Arias with mock gravity; "there is one objection +to this arrangement."</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgen de las Angustias!</i>—What is it, Señor?" demanded the duenna, in +visible alarm.</p> + +<p>"Why!" answered Gomez Arias, "only that thou must sacrifice somewhat of +that dear, unsullied reputation by following such a course."</p> + +<p>"Alas, Señor!" exclaimed she of the nice reputation—"That is too true; +willingly would I preserve it entire, but feeble mortals are not bound +to do more than their strength can compass."</p> + +<p>"True," rejoined Gomez Arias; "thine argument, most venerable Martha, is +a very plausible argument, and very consoling withal."</p> + +<p>At this moment a noise was heard. The duenna started. "It is my master, +and Don Antonio," cried she. "Hence! begone, Don Lope, they must not see +us together."</p> + +<p>"Fear not, most respected dame," said Gomez Arias; "I am no college +gallant, no unskilful tyro in the affairs of love; I depart but to +return in due time."</p> + +<p>"Return!" echoed Martha; "to what purpose?"</p> + +<p>"To cover thy threadbare reputation," said he laughing; "it appears of +so tender a texture, that it is likely to be torn piece-meal, if not +remedied in time. Besides, I must protect my own, should it be +necessary: a good pilot, even in a calm, must prepare against foul +weather."</p> + +<p>"Our Lady's blessing be upon your head!" said Martha, "for a right +prudent <i>caballero</i>."</p> + +<p>"Well, mind to give thy assistance at vespers."</p> + +<p>"Ah, my good Señor; my devotion requires no stimulus."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias made his exit, just in time to prevent a meeting with the +aforesaid gentlemen. They had been busily occupied in devising the most +efficacious means to insure success in their researches. Don Manuel +appeared more composed in his demeanor, for he placed much confidence +in the influence and abilities of his ally. Hope, that with its cheering +ray lights us even on the gloomy borders of the tomb, now in part +dispelled the heavy cloud that overshadowed the deserted father's heart.</p> + +<p>Don Antonio took an affectionate leave, and after repeating his cordial +offers of assistance, departed.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco, when left by himself, felt his wrath again revived, at the +sight of the duenna; he therefore renewed his threats of a convent.</p> + +<p>"Don Manuel!" said the duenna, with a most sanctimonious look, "I am +innocent—innocent, as the child unborn: yet if it so pleaseth Heaven, +that I should be immured in a cloister, the Lord's will be done; a +convent has no terrors for me; alas! a poor humble sinner can desire no +better abode; but think, Señor, how galling it is to be forced by +compulsion to embrace a state, that ought to be embraced out of +spontaneous inclination; allow me at least a few hours to arrange my +worldly concerns, and I shall be ready to obey your commands."</p> + +<p>Saying this, the female <i>tartuffe</i> retired to her chamber, to prepare +for her secret departure.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIa" id="CHAPTER_XIa"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tu puoi pensar, se'l padre addolorato</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Riman quand'accusar sente la figlia,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Si perchè ode di lei quel, che pensato</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mai non avrebbe, e n'ha gran maraviglia.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Ariosto.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ben se'crudel, se tu già non ti duoli</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pensando cio ch'al mio cor s'annunziava:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E se non piangi di che pianger suoli?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Dante.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Whilst the unhappy father was absorbed in his recent misfortune, and +endeavouring to beguile the tedious hours, by directing researches in +all quarters of the town, where there was any possibility of his +daughter having taken refuge, he was surprised with a visit from Gomez +Arias.</p> + +<p>"Pardon my intrusion, Señor," he said with much courtesy; "my anxiety +for the fate of an honorable gentleman, though a rival, will perhaps +hold me excused in the eyes of Don Manuel de Monteblanco."</p> + +<p>"Sir," returned Don Manuel, "your visits do much honor to my humble +dwelling, and stand in no need of an apology."</p> + +<p>After the long vocabulary of compliments had been exhausted, Gomez Arias +reverted to the adventure in the <i>Zaguan</i>, and with apparent anxiety +demanded news of Don Rodrigo.</p> + +<p>"I have none, Señor," said Monteblanco; "and alas! I am not likely to +feel much concerned for the inconvenience of another, at a time when I +am myself plunged in deep affliction."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," resumed Gomez Arias, "it may not be altogether right in a +stranger to pry into the secret motives of your sorrows; but if I can by +any means in my power alleviate them, I should esteem myself +particularly honored in meriting your confidence. I but now perceived +signs of alarm in the countenances of your servants, apparently not +without foundation, and it grieves my very soul to see so honorable a +personage in distress. What has happened, noble Señor?"</p> + +<p>"Alas! My child—my child!" cried the afflicted father.</p> + +<p>"She is not ill?" inquired Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"Oh! worse!—worse," replied Don Manuel with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, feigning surprise. "What?—no—it is not +possible—and yet it may be so."</p> + +<p>"Eh?" cried Monteblanco, in an inquiring tone of voice, and opening wide +his eyes in the eagerness of anticipation.</p> + +<p>"My valet," continued Don Lope, "brought me information that there was a +rumour circulating about the town, relating to the elopement of a noble +lady. As I am a perfect stranger in the place, I felt no curiosity to +inquire further into the affair, but I could not then imagine that you, +Sir, were the victim of this misfortune."</p> + +<p>"Alas! Don Lope! it is but too true!"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias had learnt so well the part he had to perform, that he found +not the slightest difficulty in going through it with the most perfect +ease, and by this means he insensibly won the confidence of the deluded +Don Manuel, who, like many others under similar circumstances, felt a +relief in confiding his sorrows to one, who appeared to sympathise with +him so sincerely.</p> + +<p>"For surely," continued Don Lope, "some one must have been acquainted +with this flight. Have you well examined your servants? Depend upon it, +Señor, they are generally the instruments and abettors in the rebellion +of children against their parents."</p> + +<p>"You are right, my honored Sir," replied Don Manuel. "Servants are the +sworn enemies of those who give them bread; but though I am disposed to +suspect every one of my dependants of being accessary to this treason, I +am yet at a loss on whom to fix my suspicions with justice. I am +assured, however, that the duenna must have had an active part in +conducting this abominable transaction."</p> + +<p>"The duenna!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, darting a look full of wonder and +well feigned surprise—"The duenna! By my sword, that must be our +clue—I had almost forgotten that you had a duenna in your house, +otherwise my astonishment would not have been so lively. Duennas are the +soul of every intrigue, and you may indeed affirm, with a safe +conscience, that yours has not only connived at, but even facilitated +your daughter's escape."</p> + +<p>"Of that, alas! I am but too confident," replied the father, +"notwithstanding her solemn asseverations and canting hypocrisy."</p> + +<p>"Ah! the cunning beldame," quoth Don Lope sarcastically. "She has all +the arts of her kind, I perceive; but I hope, Señor Don Manuel, that you +are not to be imposed upon by such shallow artifices. We must secure the +duenna, and examine her well; perchance a few threats will not be +altogether unavailing."</p> + +<p>"That is precisely the method I have adopted," said Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"And where is the old hag, now?" inquired Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"Packing up her trumpery, to depart for the convent."</p> + +<p>"Pedro"—then called Don Manuel.</p> + +<p>"Your pleasure?" demanded the valet, as he entered.</p> + +<p>"Send Martha to me."</p> + +<p>Pedro obeyed, but shortly after returned with a most dismal and +elongated visage.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is the old dotard staring at?" impatiently cried his master.</p> + +<p>"Señor, Martha is flown," replied the dependant.</p> + +<p>"Flown!" re-echoed Monteblanco, in consternation; "Flown! And how came +you not to prevent her departure?"</p> + +<p>"Save your honor," returned the terrified Pedro, "we all thought she was +quietly shut up in her chamber. She has contrived to escape, the Lord +only knows how—she must have vanished through the chimney, or a key +hole, like a witch that she is, <i>Jesus me valga</i>!"</p> + +<p>"That she is a witch I am fully aware, and you are all her familiars," +cried Don Manuel with violence. "But you shall rue the moment the hag +foiled your vigilance."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, who had observed a perfect silence, now ventured to +remark—</p> + +<p>"We need go no further for a positive proof of the duenna's culpability, +since her guilt is rendered sufficiently evident by her flight."</p> + +<p>"Yes," observed Don Manuel, "but that circumstance affords me little +consolation. The means of ascertaining the truth are now lost, by the +disappearance of the principal accomplice."</p> + +<p>The afflicted old man again gave way to his exasperated feelings; this +last stroke quite overpowered him. His pride was sorely wounded, for he +was one of those old Spanish cavaliers, who, when deprived of every +other satisfaction, took a melancholy pleasure in inflicting his +vengeance on the object of his wrath. But even this solitary consolation +was now denied him, and the idea that he had been so grossly imposed +upon by an old beldame, added to the galling reflections which his +misfortune had inflicted.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias exerted his utmost endeavours to sooth his emotion, +employing for this purpose all the established maxims resorted to under +similar circumstances—maxims profoundly wise no doubt, but which +unluckily are often lost upon their object.</p> + +<p>"In order then," said Gomez Arias, "to unravel this mystery, it is of +the first importance to set about the inquiry from the commencement, in +order to discover the authors. We have now the agent of this nefarious +enterprise, but we must seek for the actual culprit. There can be no +doubt that when a young girl is induced to elope from her home, there is +generally a lover who prompts her to so objectionable a measure. Now, +Don Manuel, is there no person on whom suspicion may attach with any +probability?"</p> + +<p>Monteblanco pondered for a while, and then replied—"Really, Don Lope, +if there exists such a man, I am totally unacquainted with his person."</p> + +<p>"What, are you unable to hazard even a conjecture?"</p> + +<p>"I am, Don Lope," sorrowfully answered the father.</p> + +<p>"Indeed! this is surprising;—look, Señor, around the circle of your +acquaintance, and perchance you may find a clue to guide your +investigation."</p> + +<p>Don Manuel mechanically looked around, and then shook his head +despondingly.</p> + +<p>"I would not willingly," continued Gomez Arias, "throw an aspersion on +the reputation of any one, but what are we to surmise from the visit of +Don Rodrigo de Cespedes? Certainly, there was something unaccountable in +his chivalric expedition against me. Besides, why require the assistance +of an aged cavalier, when he might have commanded that of more suitable +agents for that description of undertaking?"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias met with no great difficulty in deceiving the man he had +injured; for one under Don Manuel's distressing situation, is of all +others the most easy to be imposed upon. His own wounded feelings, in +some measure, paved the way to the deception;—as a man who has lost his +purse, is apt to throw the charge on the very first individual who +unfortunately happens to attract his notice.</p> + +<p>"In addition to this," proceeded Gomez Arias, "we may remark the visible +alarm which was stamped on the countenance of the young lady, when our +quarrel took place—her anxiety to bring the light—the shriek she +uttered on imagining that my antagonist had fallen;—these, Don Manuel, +are strong indications, which may have escaped your observation in +moments of anger and grief, but which to a cooler judgment amount almost +to certainty. However, it is not my intention to prejudice your mind +against Don Rodrigo; my only desire is to warn you."</p> + +<p>By such subtle means, Gomez Arias confirmed Monteblanco's suspicions; +for when once started, nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen them +than a sort of recantation in their author. Accordingly, Don Manuel +felt almost convinced of the treachery of his friend. Certainly there +was ample room to doubt the justice of such an imputation, if he had +chosen to reflect coolly on the subject; but in cases like the present, +the best reasons are unfortunately most unceremoniously set aside.</p> + +<p>Thus Don Manuel was at once deceiving himself, and casting a reflection +on the character of a man who had not the remotest connection with the +event, and whose integrity in this instance could still less be +impeached than in the case of his having feloniously taken the old mule +of the friar, instead of his own beautiful horse, for the purpose of +gaining by the exchange.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco, after a moment's thought, suddenly grasping the hand of +Gomez Arias—"I owe you much, Don Lope," he said, "and I pray you to be +convinced of the sincerity of my gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Nay, honored Sir," replied Gomez Arias, "you labour under a +delusion—you owe me nothing—at least you owe me no favor, and I +solemnly disclaim any title to your acknowledgments."</p> + +<p>Many and reciprocal were the compliments that passed from this time +between the two cavaliers; they mutually offered their services to each +other, and Don Lope very prudently afforded to his new friend all the +instructions which might tend to render abortive the pursuit and +recovery of the fugitive. Shortly after he took leave of the unfortunate +cavalier, who was even troublesome in the expression of his gratitude, +and whose hopes now began to assume a brighter hue.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIIa" id="CHAPTER_XIIa"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">The intent, and not the deed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Is in our power; and therefore, who dares greatly</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Does greatly.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Browne's Barbarossa.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E ben degg'io, di libertade amico,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">Meno la morte odiar di quella vita,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Che ricever dovrei dal mio nemico.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Metastasio.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>We must now recall the reader's attention to that portion of the history +of the rebellious Moors, which is in some measure connected with our +tale. The forty chiefs, who had been elected in the revolt of the +Albaycin, succeeded, as we have already seen, in disseminating their +sentiments through many towns and villages in the jurisdiction of the +Alpujarras: their efforts, however, were almost invariably unsuccessful. +In most of their encounters, the Moors were either entirely worsted, or +compelled to seek for safety in flight; yet they persevered in their +designs. Defeats and repeated crosses, instead of subduing, tended only +to increase their courage, by adding to the desire of vengeance.</p> + +<p>The rebels had already sustained some severe reverses; amongst which the +most prominent was the loss of the town of Guejar, which, after a +protracted and desperate resistance, had been taken by storm by the +combined forces of Count de Tendilla and the famous Gonzalo de Cordova. +Most of the Moors either perished in the defence, or were put to the +sword by the conquerors; whilst the Castle itself was given up to the +flames.</p> + +<p>The Count de Lerin next possessed himself of the fortress and town of +Andarax; and, exasperated at the resistance of the inhabitants, who +continued to protract the defence, although without any chance of +success, he at length blew up the Mosque, where a considerable number +had fled for shelter, along with the women and children.</p> + +<p>Thus of the three strong holds of the rebels, Lanjaron was the only one +that now remained unconquered, and this indeed appeared to offer a more +formidable resistance, chiefly on account of the garrison having el +Negro for a leader—a man of mean origin, but extraordinary courage and +resolution. These qualities, together with the services which he had +already rendered to the Moorish cause in the wars of Granada, had +acquired for him the confidence of his countrymen, who had accordingly +intrusted him with the command of this important post. He was a man of +severe habits, with a natural ferocity of character, which, although not +calculated to conciliate, nevertheless succeeded in commanding the +respect and obedience of his troops.</p> + +<p>The castle of Lanjaron, situated in the vale of Lecrin, was considered a +post of the utmost consequence, not only from the strength of its +defences, but from the circumstance of being a place of secure retreat +to the Moors of the surrounding country. At this moment the fortress +was closely beleaguered by the troops under the command of the Alcayde +de los Donceles and other chiefs, who deprived the rebels of the +smallest communication with their friends of the mountains, and had thus +reduced them to an utter state of destitution.</p> + +<p>Under these distressing circumstances, el Negro assembled his men, and +in a short but animated speech endeavoured to make them sensible of the +importance of keeping possession of Lanjaron, till the other leaders had +gained time to organise their means of defence in the Alpujarras. The +words of el Negro were received with a burst of enthusiasm, and for some +time the Moors vied with each other in giving the most heroic proofs of +courage and perseverance. As the fortress, however, was completely +surrounded, and the means of subsistence began to fail them, as a last +hope, they made a desperate sally during the night, but were driven back +with considerable loss. The failure of this attempt damped their +resolution, and some of the less courageous even murmured against an +exploit beset with difficulties, which it appeared next to an +impossibility to surmount.</p> + +<p>El Negro beheld these symptoms of discontent with heartfelt sorrow, but +at the same time with a countenance expressive of coolness and undaunted +fortitude. He exerted his utmost endeavour to quell the rising storm, +soothing some with pleasing hopes and promises, and thundering horrible +threats on the most refractory. The following morning three grisly +heads, dripping blood, appeared affixed to poles upon the battlements; +but this salutary punishment did not produce the expected effect, for +though it appalled the discontented, it inspired not a single spark of +valour in their hearts; whilst the Christians, who beheld the ghastly +spectacle, augured favorably from this bloody proof of disaffection.</p> + +<p>The numbers of the besieged were daily decreasing, until at length they +came to an open resolution of surrendering at discretion. The principal +men of the garrison, without the knowledge of their chief, had already +sent privately a messenger into the camp of the Spaniards to treat about +the surrender, and the conspirators had assembled in a clandestine +meeting, when el Negro, whom they supposed to be reposing from his +fatigue, suddenly came, and threw them into consternation.</p> + +<p>"Traitors! what means this?" he cried, with a voice of thunder; "what +are your intents?"</p> + +<p>"To capitulate," answered one more hardy than the rest, "and save our +lives by a timely submission."</p> + +<p>"Villain!" exclaimed el Negro, fiercely, "thou at least shall not enjoy +the reward of thy cowardice!" And raising his arm, with a ponderous blow +of his scymitar, he cleaved the head of the traitor down to the very +shoulder, and the body rolled heavily on the ground. His companions +stood aghast in speechless horror, whilst el Negro, his lips curling +with ire, and casting around a glance of defiance and contempt—"Go," he +exclaimed, "go, unworthy Moors, and abandon a cause which you have not +the courage to sustain. Go, and live like slaves, since ye know not how +to die like men. Senseless, pitiful cowards! Was it for this then that +you forced me to be your leader? Was it for this that I abandoned +Granada, leaving there, at the mercy of the Christians, all my dearest +friends, and severing the tenderest ties that bind man to existence? Go, +and accept the proffered pardon. I will remain alone, to shew our +countrymen of the Alpujarras, that at Lanjaron there was at least <i>one</i> +true man—one who knew how to die in the execution of his duty."</p> + +<p>He said, and snatching the sacred standard, ascended rapidly to the +summit of the battlements, and placed himself by the three heads, which, +from their exposure to the sun and wind, had already begun to decay, and +presented a most ghastly and loathsome spectacle. The revolted garrison +threw open the gates of the castle to their enemies, whilst el Negro, +abandoned by all his companions, continued gloomily pacing the +battlements. The Christians, respecting his resolute conduct, and +willing to save his life, sent a herald to invite him once more to +surrender, declaring he had done his duty, and death alone would be the +consequence of his further resistance. He received the message with a +sneer, in which contempt was blended with sadness and despair; then +taking the presented <i>adarga</i>,<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 24.">[24]</a> the acceptation of which was a +signification of peace, he threw it disdainfully on the ground, and +trampled it under his feet.</p> + +<p>"Carry this answer to him who sent thee!" and folding his arms, he +resumed his melancholy walk.</p> + +<p>The Christians now took possession of the castle, and el Negro +tranquilly beheld their approach. El Alcayde de los Donceles, willing to +make a last effort to save him, cried out as he advanced—"Yield thee, +Moor—yield—and accept thy pardon."</p> + +<p>"Never!" exclaimed fiercely el Negro; "the Moor will accept no boon from +his enemies. Death is now my only resource; but, Christians, do not +rejoice; I have been subdued by treachery, not by arms. Do not rejoice, +for our resources are still great, and while el Feri de Benastepar and +Cañeri live, your oppression shall not be complete."</p> + +<p>He said, and with a sudden spring he hurled himself from the summit of +the tower. His body falling on a rock below, was dashed to pieces.</p> + +<p>The surrender of Lanjaron, and the tragical end of el Negro, were an +irretrievable loss to the Moors. They now found it utterly impossible to +oppose the superior and better disciplined troops of the Christians with +any chance of success, either in open battle or in regular sieges. They +therefore resolved to limit their whole means of defence to the +mountains, a description of warfare more suitable to their wandering +habits, and far better calculated to harrass the enemy, without +sustaining risk. Accordingly, el Feri de Benastepar, Andalla, Cañeri, +and other chiefs, collected their forces, and assigned to each other a +portion of those mountains which they were at once to govern and defend. +By this means the Christians were likewise obliged to divide their army +into many divisions, and to encounter the rebels in partial struggles. +Don Alonso de Aguilar, who had succeeded in compelling el Feri to +retreat before him, now pursued his advantage, and advanced towards +Gergal, where that rebel chief was collecting his adherents.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, Don Antonio de Leyva, whom we have left at Guadix, +condoling with Don Manuel at the flight of his daughter, was compelled +to forego his wishes to serve the afflicted father. His duty now called +him to join the army of Aguilar, and act in conjunction with him against +Cañeri and el Feri de Benastepar.</p> + +<p>Don Antonio's party had already arrived at Guadix, and the gallant young +knight, unwilling to procrastinate his departure when the path of honor +was open to him, immediately proceeded to take leave of Monteblanco. He +found the unfortunate father plunged in deeper affliction than before. +In the society of Don Antonio he had found a source of relief, and his +departure was productive of the most melancholy sensations. But Don +Manuel felt the necessity of the separation, and he was too generous and +noble minded to signify his wish to cause any delay.</p> + +<p>"Go, my friend, go, where honor calls you," he said, as he threw his +arms round de Leyva's neck—"Go, and show by your conduct how worthy you +are of the confidence reposed in you.—When the glory of your deeds +shall be blazoned abroad, my ungrateful child will feel a pang of regret +for the loss of a man so deserving of her affection and esteem."</p> + +<p>Here he was overcome with grief, and could proceed no further.</p> + +<p>"Señor," said Don Antonio, "do not yield yourself a prey to despondency; +but a short time has yet elapsed since the melancholy occurrence that +afflicts you, and you have no reason to relinquish your hopes. In all +cases be assured, Don Manuel, that you and those who concern you will +always be next my heart, and that unless death deprive me of the power, +I shall at least see your wrongs redressed, if I can bring no other +consolation."</p> + +<p>Saying this he hastily disengaged himself from the arms of Don Manuel, +and endeavouring to conceal his own emotion, gave the word of command. +He bounded lightly on his spirited barb, and the martial display of his +men, the glitter of armour, and the seductive prospect of future glory +and renown, powerfully contributed to dispel the cloud that hung over +him. Yet it was a sad parting, for there was something peculiarly +affecting in the sight of a father who, like Monteblanco, found himself +in old age isolated in the midst of the world, and bereft of the last +dear comfort that still bound him to life. Besides, in the short +interviews between Theodora and Don Antonio, both in the last visit and +at former periods, she had left a pleasing recollection in his mind. +Already the cries of those who bade the party of de Leyva farewell were +diminishing on the ear, and the turrets and steeples of Guadix became +more obscurely perceptible in the distance. The warriors began now to +assume a mastery over their feelings, and the tear of sympathy was +brightened in the glow of expectation. Courage and renown took entire +possession of those hearts which but too lately had sympathized with the +weaker and more tender sentiments of humanity.</p> + +<p>The absence of Don Antonio was like a death-blow to the hopes of +Monteblanco. Often did he regret the infirmities of age, which now +prevented him from grasping his sword; but his arm was grown nerveless, +and for the first time in his life the helpless cavalier felt bitterly +the recollection that all his brave sons had sacrificed their lives in +the defence of their country, not one now remaining to prop the honor of +his falling house. Don Manuel was a man, and this transitory feeling of +regret was natural to a father under his affliction, who knew not to +whom to turn for consolation and advice.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, who had insensibly won his favor, departed the next day +for Granada, in which quarter he had no longer any danger to apprehend. +He was anxious to assume his station in the war against the rebel Moors. +Monteblanco considered his intention not only just, but highly +commendable, and a tear coursed down the old man's cheek, as he took +leave of the seducer of his child, and the cause of his present +misfortunes.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIIIa" id="CHAPTER_XIIIa"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">D'une secrète horreur je me sens frissoner;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Je crains, malgré moi-même, un malheur que j'ignore.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Racine.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Señor Gomez Arias</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Duelete de mi</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Que soy niña y sola</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nunca en tal me vi.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;"><i>Calderon.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>It was a rich and splendid summer evening. The sun was slowly sinking +behind the giant mountains of the Alpujarras, whose dark fantastic +shadows were gradually lengthening along the plains below. No intruding +sound broke upon the soft stillness of the scene, save when the +feathered tenants of the forest warbled their evening song, or the +tolling of a distant convent bell reverberated through the sombre +recesses of the mountains. A soft languor prevailed over the sylvan +scenery. The fancifully wreathing clouds, streaked with the red and +gold of the lingering sun—the variegated tints of those quiet +solitudes—the warm, chequered streams of light that glanced on the +broad-leafed tree, or fitfully quivered over the straggling +streamlet—the calm repose which reigned over that wide extending +landscape, all tended to raise the mind to contemplation, and to +interest the heart.</p> + +<p>At this tranquil hour, a group, consisting of three persons, were seen +slowly ascending a green sloping height, which seemed designed by nature +as a first resting place in the severe ascent of the gigantic mountain. +The first of the party was a knight of most gallant bearing, and mounted +on a shining black steed. Close by his side rode a beautiful damsel, +whose long redundant tresses were with difficulty restrained in a fillet +of silver lace. She wore a long riding habit; a Spanish hat, ornamented +with a plume of black feathers, was hanging gracefully on one side of +her head. Having thrown aside the thick veil which had protected her +from the scorching influence of the sun, she discovered a fair +countenance, to whose delicate cheek the heat and exercise had lent a +gentle tinge of the rose. Yet an expression of pensive sadness pervaded +the features of the lovely traveller.</p> + +<p>At a short distance behind these two personages, rode a man who appeared +by his dress and deportment to be their attendant. He sat with perfect +nonchalance on a stout Andalusian horse, but by the looks of suspicious +alertness, which he now and then cast around, it might be inferred that +this apparent ease was not in strict unison with his inward feelings. At +the moment of which we speak, he was singing in a <i>mezzo tuono</i> the +romance of the Marriage of the Cid—</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A Ximena y a Rodrigo</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Prendió el rey palabraymano</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">De juntarlos para en uno</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">En presencia de Layn Calvo.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Cease thy confounded noise, Roque," cried angrily the knight, who, as +the reader may suppose, was no other than Gomez Arias. "What in the +name of Satan can induce thee to sing, when thou hast neither voice nor +ear? Give over, for thy confounded harmony is anything but pleasing."</p> + +<p>"Señor," observed the attendant; "what if I only sing to please myself?"</p> + +<p>"Silence, buffoon; or I shall presently raise a discord about thee, by +which all thy future powers of hearing shall be ruefully endangered."</p> + +<p>"Pray, Señor, do not deny me this only comfort; I wish particularly to +sing at this moment."</p> + +<p>"Thy reasons?"</p> + +<p>"Because I always sing when I am afraid; there is nothing so efficacious +as a song to drive away fear."</p> + +<p>"In sooth, such singing as thine would drive away the very devil. But +why shouldst thou fear?"</p> + +<p>"Under favor, Don Lope," replied the valet, "methinks fear ought to be +the most natural sensation at the present moment."</p> + +<p>"Darest thou talk of fear, poltroon!" said Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"By our Lady of the Pillar," ejaculated Roque, "such talk befits both +time and place. Are we not in hourly danger of encountering a set of +most fierce murderous-looking <i>ladrones</i>?"<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 25.">[25]</a></p> + +<p>"Well, and if that were really the case, we have but to defend ourselves +manfully. By the soul of the Cid, I would make very light work of a host +of such ruffians."</p> + +<p>"Well, my honored master," returned the valet, "but be pleased to +consider that this is not our only danger, for I trow we are now in the +mountains of Alpujarras, where those accursed and rebellious Moors hold +dominion. A plague on the infidel dogs! Are they not continually on the +watch to spring upon straggling and unwary Christians, and when they do +surprise them—"</p> + +<p>"Peace, fool, peace!" impatiently interrupted Gomez Arias, "This is not +the Alpujarras. Forgettest thou that when we left Guadix two days +since, we pursued quite a different route?"</p> + +<p>"That I know, Don Lope, but I likewise know that during the night, +either by chance or on purpose, we lost our way. Besides I am not so +ignorant of the country as to mistake these places, and I would wager my +head against two <i>maravedis</i><a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 26.">[26]</a> that we are actually ascending the +Alpujarras."</p> + +<p>The young lady, who had till now observed a profound silence, with a +faultering voice exclaimed—"Oh, heavens! are we really in those +terrible mountains, and are we indeed in danger?"</p> + +<p>"No, my love," answered Gomez Arias; "the danger is not so great as this +fool would make us believe."</p> + +<p>"No, my lady," retorted Roque; "the danger is not so great, for after +all, the worst that can befall us is but to be hung upon a tree, there +to dance to the tune of the whistling midnight wind, and to afford a +luscious repast to the ravens, and other carnivorous gentry that hold +tenantry in these wild passes."</p> + +<p>"Heavens!" cried Theodora alarmed.</p> + +<p>"Nay, gentle lady," interposed Roque, "the hanging system will only be +followed up with respect to my valiant master and his humble servant. As +for yourself, the Moors are men celebrated for their gallantry, and +would place too great a value on your beauty, to subject it to such +rough treatment."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, greatly exasperated at Roque's insinuations, suddenly +turned, and, riding up to him, interrupted the course of his oratory +with a smart blow.—"Now, rascal," he said, "if thou darest again to +give utterance to any of those ridiculous fears, by <i>Santiago</i>, the +Moors shall not be put to the trouble of hanging thee—So be cautious +what thou sayest."</p> + +<p>"Say!" humbly muttered the valet, "Blessed Virgin! I have nothing else +to say; your arguments, Don Lope, are unanswerable. But I hope, my good +Señor, I may be allowed to recite my prayers, since singing and rational +conversation are interdicted."</p> + +<p>"Pray as much as thou pleasest, sinner, provided thy orisons are +inaudible to us."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias now endeavoured to calm the fears of Theodora, who had been +greatly agitated by the imprudent remarks of Roque, which tended +considerably to increase the depression under which she laboured.</p> + +<p>"My Theodora," he said, "is it possible that I cannot remove the +continued dejection that preys upon you?"</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Lope," she answered; "the expression of my grief I know is +painful to thee, but a dismal foreboding obtrudes itself upon my mind, +which I strive in vain to banish. Alas! it is fraught with a most +fearful, but indefinite anticipation; a woeful presage that freezes my +very soul."</p> + +<p>"Hush such foolish chimeras," said Gomez Arias; "it is true that, for +greater security of avoiding observation, I have been obliged to seek +studiously the most unfrequented paths, and travel through these wild +and solitary passes; but our journey draws to a conclusion, and all the +appalling images of Moorish ruffians will soon be entirely dispelled."</p> + +<p>"Alas! the dreaded sight of those infidels is not the only cause of my +emotion," sadly replied Theodora.</p> + +<p>"What else can occasion it?" demanded Gomez Arias, with anxiety. +"Surely, my Theodora repents not the hour she intrusted herself to the +protection of Gomez Arias?"</p> + +<p>She spoke not for some time;—a flood of tears relieved her bursting +bosom: then, as if struggling to collect her forces which were almost +overpowered by sad recollections, she exclaimed—"Oh! never mention the +hour of my crime—for crime it was, and a deadly sin, to abandon the +best of parents, in his old age; and yet," she added, sobbing, +"conscious as I am of my guilt, were the sin again to be committed, for +thy sake, Lope, I should again brave the voice of self-reproach.—Gomez +Arias, wert thou to read the hidden pages of my heart, there thou +wouldst find a tale of boundless love and never-ending sorrow, which no +words of mine can describe, but which must embitter the future portion +of my existence, unless we speedily obtain the forgiveness of my injured +parent."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Theodora, this weakness is as unreasonable as it is unjust; nor +can I at all imagine why thy future life should be embittered with +grief, united as it is with the very being of Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"I am sensible," cried Theodora, "both of the tenderness and sincerity +of your love, and you know full well with what fervent devotion it is +requited."</p> + +<p>"What, then, can urge your mind to form such desponding anticipations? +Have you seen aught in my conduct,—have you discerned anything in my +words, that can afford even the shadow of justice to your +apprehensions?"</p> + +<p>"No, Gomez Arias," she answered; "your conduct to me has always been +kind; your words breathing the same solicitude for my comfort and +happiness: but you must forgive the weakness and fears of a fond woman's +heart. Forgive me, Lope, if these feelings should sometimes create ideas +galling at once to my peace, and derogatory to thy constancy and love. I +have laboured hard to subdue them, but, alas! the exertion has +constantly proved above my strength; I must give them utterance. Oh, +Lope," she added; mournfully, "I fear you are not the same. Pardon +me,—you are not the same, as when I first surrendered to you all my +affections, fondly imagining you were mine for ever."</p> + +<p>"Not the same!" ejaculated Gomez Arias; "have my attentions been less +constant than from the first rapturous moment when you allowed me to +call you my own?"</p> + +<p>A deep long rending sigh burst from the bosom of Theodora, and her whole +frame seemed to suffer from a painful recollection.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, smiling sadly through her tears, "you watch with +solicitude over me, and you are lavish of endearments; but, alas! the +pure and soul-warm part of your affection I fear is flown."</p> + +<p>"By my honor," said Gomez Arias, "I could never have expected these +unkind expressions from you."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Lope," cried the affrighted girl; "do not heed me; think not of the +remarks to which my foolish fears give rise; I am ashamed of them +myself. I will no more disturb your mind; no, never more shall the +voice of complaint sound in your ears, and call forth the resentment of +your wounded feelings.—Ah! Gomez Arias, compose yourself, and be not +angry with your poor—your helpless Theodora."</p> + +<p>As she uttered this affectionate appeal, her beautiful eyes were fixed +on Don Lope, with an expression in which all the tender, all the genuine +feelings of her heart seemed to be collected. Gomez Arias was softened; +his features relaxed from that sudden asperity which had for a moment +usurped the more habitual complacency of his countenance, and he +endeavoured to dispel from the mind of Theodora the impression which +such unkindness might produce.</p> + +<p>They had now arrived at the summit of the little hill. It was a most +delightful spot. A sward of short pliant grass carpeted a romantic +little plain, skirted on one side by a portion of a forest, through +which the sun cast short and interrupted glances of his parting +splendour. Above the heads of the travellers, rose in dark grandeur the +majestic form of the Alpujarras; and beneath them, as far as the eye +could reach, was spread an extensive range of sylvan scenery, +intermingled with the habitations of men. Farther, the little quiet +villages lay slumbering in the soft blue shadows. The whole of the scene +was wrapped in an indescribable charm, that well accorded with the +tranquillity of the hour.</p> + +<p>Here they halted, and Gomez Arias turning to Theodora said in an +affectionate tone, "My love, your tender frame has already endured a +greater share of fatigue than becomes your strength. Let us then, in +this delightful and sequestered spot, indulge an hour in refreshing and +invigorating repose."</p> + +<p>Theodora assented in silence.</p> + +<p>"Nay," continued Don Lope, "consult your inclination. I will not press +you to rest, unless you feel its necessity."</p> + +<p>"I have no wish but your own," cheerfully answered Theodora; "you appear +inclined to stay in this place—let us tarry then."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias sprung lightly from his steed, and aided his fair companion +to dismount. She threw herself into his arms, but as her feet touched +the ground, she heaved a sigh, and cast a melancholy look around her.</p> + +<p>"How you tremble, my love," said Don Lope; "this is the consequence of +that rascally Roque's foolery. I have a good mind to chastise the fellow +for the fears he has conjured in your breast."</p> + +<p>Roque, who had followed at some distance in silent mood, no sooner heard +his name pronounced, than he pricked up his ears like an intelligent dog +on the scent for game, and when he heard his master's kind intentions +towards him, he ventured to observe—</p> + +<p>"Señor, I would not trespass on your generosity; pray reserve your +intended favor for a future occasion, when I shall have more specially +deserved it."</p> + +<p>"Sirrah! be silent; come down, and tie the horses to yonder trees."</p> + +<p>The valet obeyed briskly; while Gomez Arias conducted his fair companion +to the entrance of the wood; where, arranging a couch under the +spreading arms of a huge oak, he invited her to lie down and rest. She +was about to accede to his invitation, when they were startled by a +shrill and discordant sound accompanied with a heavy flapping of wings, +and presently a flight of dull ill-omened ravens issued from their +solitary abodes, and hovered about, as if to dispute the possession of +their ancient homes with the intruders.</p> + +<p>A fitful and involuntary shudder ran cold over the affrighted girl, as +with a wild and appalled look she gazed on the recluse birds, which +their arrival had disturbed; she clung eagerly to Gomez Arias, as they +both sat down on the spot above-mentioned.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Theodora?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it possible that a few +ravens can inspire with childish terrors a mind like yours?"</p> + +<p>Theodora acknowledged her foolish weakness, but she was far from feeling +tranquil and consoled. Indeed when she perceived Roque, with visible +alarm, cross himself fervently three times, it added to the excitement +of her feverish imagination.</p> + +<p>Owls, ravens and bats, have always had an indisputable privilege to +excite superstitious fears. Whence they derive this particular claim, it +would be difficult to determine, but they are generally considered the +harbingers of some dismal event, which is more properly, after all, the +result of an over-heated fancy.</p> + +<p>Theodora, who since she left the paternal roof had been a prey to that +fixed sorrow which the intoxicating transports of love had not been able +to subdue, now contemplated, in the gloomy croaking of the ravens, the +sad presage of some dire misfortune. She reclined silently with downcast +eyes, while Roque was busy in fastening the horses.</p> + +<p>"Gently, gently, Babieca," said the valet, caressing the spirited steed +of his master; then he muttered to himself—"for we have nothing to fear +if we escape safe and sound from this place—So help me God if I did +not count thirteen ravens, as ill-omened in every respect of size, color +and voice, as a Christian might wish to behold—Well, our <i>Lady de las +Angustias</i> send us her grace and protection!"</p> + +<p>"What art thou muttering there?" asked Gomez Arias. "Thou graceless +varlet, hast thou a wish that I should fulfil the promise I made thee a +short time since?"</p> + +<p>"Señor?" inquired Roque, pretending not to hear.</p> + +<p>"No dissembling, thou dog!—What art thou mumbling to thyself?"</p> + +<p>"Save you, kind master; sure enough I am only praying, and in so doing I +infringe not your commands, since I have your permission to pray to my +soul's content, provided it is in a tacit capuchin-like manner."</p> + +<p>The ravens having practised their cumbrous evolutions, now sought their +rest amidst the deeper gloom of the forest, and all again was hushed, to +the great relief of Roque, who forthwith began to devour alone the +provisions which, like a careful and sagacious forager, he had provided +against the necessities of the journey.</p> + +<p>Theodora had laid aside her hat and veil, to enjoy the luxury of repose +with greater convenience, whilst her lover placing himself near her, and +watching her every movement, diffused by his tender anxiety a transient +joy over her features. She soon insensibly sunk into that sweet state of +languor which precedes sleep—her beautiful eyes by fits now entirely +closing, now gently opening, indicated the gradual absorption of her +senses, till at last she fell into a profound slumber. Gomez Arias, who +as we have observed stood watching her, like the tender mother over her +beloved daughter, now knelt close by her side, and softly pronounced her +name—she answered not—he took her yielding hand, gazed over her +anxiously, till he was perfectly assured that a profound sleep had +completely overpowered her faculties.</p> + +<p>"Señor," quoth Roque, "methinks it would be a pity to disturb the +slumbers of the poor lady after the journey she has undergone."</p> + +<p>"I do not mean to interrupt her rest," said Gomez Arias, in a low voice, +"so we must even retire."</p> + +<p>Then he rose up with cautious silence, and drawing near his valet, he +added—</p> + +<p>"Rise, rise quickly, and make no noise."</p> + +<p>Roque obeyed, and both having retreated to some distance—"Señor," +observed the valet, who cared not again to disturb the ominous ravens, +for which he felt an instinctive horror—"Señor, no necessity for +retiring further."</p> + +<p>"Yes there is an imperious one," replied Gomez Arias, "I can no longer +remain here."</p> + +<p>"What say you, my honored master!" demanded Roque, alarmed; "surely you +are not afraid of the Moors? By my conscience, we should come to a +pretty pass if such were really the case."</p> + +<p>"Peace, thou wretch!" said Don Lope; "speak not a word, but immediately +untie my horse, and as you expect to live, mind you make not noise +enough to disturb even the leaf of the tree."</p> + +<p>"Señor, I do not understand," quoth the bewildered Roque.</p> + +<p>"I must begone," impatiently replied his master.</p> + +<p>"Gone, Sir! Why I understood you had determined not to break our young +lady's repose."</p> + +<p>"Nor is that my intention. She must remain here with thee, till I am out +of sight."</p> + +<p>"<i>Cuerpo de Christo!</i> What ails you my dear Señor; what ails you, in the +name of <i>San Jose bendito</i>?" exclaimed the astounded Roque, who really +imagined his master was beside himself.</p> + +<p>"Listen, Roque," said Gomez Arias, "and mind thou religiously observest +my instructions. Unavoidable circumstances require that I and Theodora +should part; I have been seeking an opportunity of so doing, and +assuredly I shall not find a better than the present. It is necessary I +should return to Granada immediately, and it would be highly imprudent +to hazard the chance of being seen with Theodora, for reasons of which +thou must be well aware. A separation, therefore, becomes at this +moment indispensable. When I am gone, thou shalt awaken yon sleeping +beauty, and accompany her thyself to the said city, where I shall +precede you in order to make arrangements for her reception. There is a +nunnery, of which my cousin Ursula is the Lady Abbess, where she shall +for the present find an asylum. Thou hast only to inform Theodora, that +I thought it most advisable to ride in advance to prepare our retreat. +Upon thy arrival at the <i>Torre del Aceytuno</i> a man will join thee, to +whom thou must look for further instruction, and whose direction thou +art to follow with confidence. Thy reward shall be proportioned to the +magnitude of the service; so now get me my horse, and let me begone ere +she awake."</p> + +<p>Roque remained thunderstruck as his master revealed to him his cruel +intentions; the poor fellow drew his hand across his eyes, as if to +ascertain whether or no he was under the delusion of a dream; but as his +master in a more imperative voice repeated his injunctions, the reality +of his barbarous purpose burst upon his mind.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Don Lope," he said in a supplicating tone, "such surely cannot +be your intentions; abandon the poor girl! no, you only wish to trifle +with my credulity."</p> + +<p>"I must begone," resolutely retorted Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Why, Sir, assuredly you loved her?"</p> + +<p>"I loved her once, but that is passed."</p> + +<p>"<i>Holy Virgin del tremedal!</i> What say you, Señor? What has the poor lady +done? How has she offended you, unless it be in loving you too well?"</p> + +<p>"Aye, Roque, thou art a shrewd fellow; she has indeed loved me too +well."</p> + +<p>"But consider, my honored master, she is more like an angel than a +woman; never before did I see a being so kind, so tender and devoted."</p> + +<p>"Roque, Roque, be not sententious; I have no time to listen to thy +sentimental cant; the qualities which thou praisest in Theodora are +precisely those that withdraw me from her.—Haste thee, I say—What is +the fool staring at?"</p> + +<p>"But, Señor Don Lope Gomez Arias," solemnly said Roque, "consider that +common humanity——"</p> + +<p>"Humanity!" interrupted his master, "how am I deficient in humanity, +when I place her in the only situation that becomes her, since a +marriage between us is utterly impossible. But enough; a truce with your +remarks; prepare to obey my orders, and take care thou art strict in +their observance as thou valuest my regard, or tremblest at the effects +of my wrath and indignation. However, to remove thy ridiculous and +ill-timed scruples, I must recall to thy mind that I cannot pursue +another course, for thou art aware that I am betrothed to Leonor; I must +not violate the sanctity of my promise, and thereby lose the favor of +the Queen, and incur the resentment of the justly offended Don Alonso de +Aguilar."</p> + +<p>This last observation somewhat reconciled Roque to the necessity of the +measure, the more so as he hoped that, when at Granada, another plan +might be devised for Theodora, besides that of conventual reclusion; and +finally, as he knew that all further expostulation would be thrown away +upon his master, he prudently contented himself with shrugging up his +shoulders, and holding the stirrup for Don Lope to mount.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias briskly leaped upon his horse, and was about to depart, when +casting a last look on the victim he was deserting, the better feelings +of his heart seemed for a moment to struggle for predominance.</p> + +<p>There is something peculiarly interesting in the sleep of a young and +beautiful woman; the features unruffled by anxiety or care, appear more +soft and attractive. The mind of the gazer scans with nicer accuracy her +charms, and dwells with fonder attention on each beauty of the lovely +sleeper. Besides the consciousness of so gentle, so helpless and so +heavenly a form, sleeping in innocent security, confiding in the +protection of man, and that very helplessness of her nature, awakens a +sentiment of sympathy and tenderness, as undefinable as it is thrilling +and transporting. And such was the sleep of Theodora: she was young and +replete with charms, and, alas! but too helpless and in need of +protection. Her beauteous form was displayed to the greatest advantage; +the sportive breeze now playing amidst her luxuriant hair, which +occasionally concealed a countenance beaming in loveliness, and hushed +in soft repose, imparted a degree of fairy grace and delicate freshness +to her charms. One of her arms was carelessly thrown over her, and with +the other she supported her head, while, unconscious of the fate with +which she was threatened, she slept on in security. And now a tinge of +animation illumined her countenance, or a fascinating smile played upon +her lips, as she dreamed perhaps, like the fond deserted Ariadné, that +her godlike lover was still watching over the slumbers of his beloved.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias still gazed on her—he heard his name in smothered accents +escape her tender bosom, but it awakened in him no feeling of delight, +for his heart had now resumed its cold calculations of worldly pursuits; +perhaps the predominant sentiment of his mind at this moment, was the +necessity of immediate departure, lest the imagination of the +unconscious victim should master the deluded senses, and call them back +to life, before he had time to remove from the spot.</p> + +<p>"Lope! my love!" murmured Theodora, and a gentle thrill seemed to +agitate her, as she extended her arm, as though she would assure him +that whether sleeping or awake, Gomez Arias was the object that +predominated over all her thoughts and affections. Yet Gomez Arias stood +calmly for a moment by the victim he was deserting, and bidding her a +long farewell, rode slowly and silently on his way.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIVa" id="CHAPTER_XIVa"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">El honor</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Es un fantasma aparante,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Que no esta' en que yo lo tenga,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sino en que el otro lo piense.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Calderon.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Honor's a fine imaginary notion.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Addison.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Honor! thou dazzling and wayward deity, how boundless is thy dominion! +How widely different the nature and pretensions of thy worshippers! All +do thee homage; all gladly and proudly profess themselves thy votaries; +all would resent the supposition of being heretical to thy creed, and +yet how few truly adhere to the purity of thy precepts! How few are +sincere in the expression of their adoration!—nay, how limited the +number of those who really understand the essence of thy doctrine! The +sanguinary ruffian considers himself as zealous in the service of honor, +as the high minded and courageous man who has a sword to avenge the +wrongs of his country, and a heart to sympathise with the picture of +human misery. All are swayed by the magic word, Honor; for even those +who affect to despise virtue, her attractions being of too humble and +plebeian a character, nevertheless pretend to revere the name of +<i>honor</i>, as conveying an idea more bright and consonant with worldly +pomp, and at the same time affording a greater latitude for various +interpretations. Alas! this very vagueness has something more flattering +to deluded mortals, than the strict and definite term, the more heroic +nature of virtue.</p> + +<p>Honor was the idol of Gomez Arias, who appeared one of the most +scrupulous in the observance of its tenets; he could not brook a word, a +glance, a smile which might seem derogatory to the essence of its +established maxims. Again, his word was sacred and inviolable. The +least equivocation in his promise to man might sully him with an +indelible stain; but then he would calmly and deliberately, without +transgressing his honor, employ all his guile to deceive a weak and +unprotected female. Honor would compel him to acquit the debt of the +gaming table, even when he was almost justified in impeaching the +integrity of the creditor, but as a counterpoise, that same honor, +without any dereliction of principle, allowed him to turn a deaf ear to +the claims of more humble suitors; claims, certainly more just and +sacred, but far less <i>honorable</i>.</p> + +<p>The rigid adherence of Don Lope to his word, was fully exemplified in +the convenient recollection of his engagement to Leonor de Aguilar. He +had pledged his faith to that lady, and had undoubtedly been a little +too remiss in its fulfilment, but now that he had nothing more to hope +from Theodora, he was alive to the sacredness of his promise, and the +almost dishonorable nature of any delay.</p> + +<p>It was by this and the like sophistical reasonings, that he endeavored +to palliate his ingratitude and cruelty towards the hapless victim of +his lawless desires; for hardened as he was in his libertinism, and +unjust as were his sentiments with regard to women, he could not avoid +feeling a pang of conscious remorse at the recollection of Theodora. He +had systematically won the confidence of an unsuspecting girl, and when +she had intrusted him with her heart's best affections, how was the +trust requited? He had despoiled her of her innocence and peace of mind; +seduced her from her home; snatched her from the arms of an indulgent +parent, and now abandoned her, degraded in her own estimation, and a +prey to all the bitterest pangs of shame and remorse, and disappointed +love. He had laid rude hands on the tender flower in its opening bloom, +and prematurely sipped the sweetness from the blossom, and then +unpitying he had cast it by, neglected and forlorn.</p> + +<p>It required all the brilliant anticipations of Don Lope's future career, +to stifle the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon his imagination, +and he endeavoured for some time wholly to dispel such unwelcome ideas, +by courting others of a more agreeable nature.</p> + +<p>The image of Leonor de Aguilar stood before his sight in all the charms +of ripened beauty, surrounded with the dazzling splendors of rank, +fortune, and a glorious name. Gomez Arias perceived the advantages of +his alliance with Leonor, and the wildest dreams of ambition danced in +rapid succession before his mind. He beheld himself the envied possessor +of the first lady of the land, the near relative of its most respected +warrior, and the honorable expectant of the highest preferment. His +pride would be gratified, and his fondest desires realized. He held the +cup of happiness to his lips, filled even to the brim; he was +bewildered, intoxicated with the sweet beverage, and in the flow of +pleasurable expectations, the thought of <i>her</i> whom he had made wretched +for ever, was soon completely lost.</p> + +<p>Alas! the anticipation of the future will always thus overpower the +recollection of the past; beauty, honors, glory, and their sparkling +attendants, were fearful odds against the love, the solitary love, of a +fond and innocent girl—a love which had nothing more to promise, +nothing more to bestow. But to return:</p> + +<p>No sooner had Gomez Arias quitted the place, than Roque, struck by the +decision and promptitude of his master, stood silent and motionless, +gazing on the unfortunate and deserted fair. She was tranquilly +sleeping; dreaming perhaps of love and joy, and Roque hesitated to +shorten the sweet illusion by making known to her the dismal reality. He +felt an unconquerable repugnance to be the messenger of such fearful +intelligence; for though the valet was accustomed to the unprincipled +vagaries of his master, he was not entirely divested of humanity, and he +could not but commiserate the utter wretchedness of Theodora's lot.</p> + +<p>But now the soft rays of evening were deepening into twilight; darker +shadows stole imperceptibly over the various-tinted and drowsy +landscape, till at last all was enveloped in one calm uninterrupted blue +of night.</p> + +<p>The superstitious fears of Roque, as he saw the gloom increasing around, +overcame his feelings of compassion, and he began to think of awakening +Theodora, when the hollow sound of a horn burst suddenly upon his ear, +and momentarily rivetted him to the spot. He looked towards the quarter +from whence the blast proceeded, and with surprise and terror he beheld, +at a short distance above his head, two men, who, as well as he could +distinguish, were arrayed in Moorish attire; presently three or four +others made their appearance, and Roque, now dead to all other +sensations than those of personal danger, sprung eagerly upon his horse, +and fled with the utmost precipitation in the direction that his master +had taken.</p> + +<p>The Moors, for such they were, saw his flight with savage +disappointment; but Roque having the advantage of a horse to facilitate +his escape, they considered that a pursuit would be useless. They left +him, therefore, hoping that his capture would be made by some other of +the straggling parties that patrolled those solitudes.</p> + +<p>"The base Christian escapes," said one, who appeared to be the leader.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Malique," answered another, "but let us look what he leaves +behind."</p> + +<p>"By the Prophet's sacred beard," cried Malique, "it bears very much the +resemblance of a woman. But she moves not.—What, is she dead? The +detested ruffian surely has not murdered her. Let us hasten down and +ascertain the truth."</p> + +<p>They rapidly descended from the height, and surrounded the unhappy +Theodora, who, quite overcome with fatigue, was still sleeping.</p> + +<p>"She is not dead; she is only asleep," quoth one.</p> + +<p>"And a pleasant apartment has she chosen for her chamber," cried +another.</p> + +<p>"She is a lovely lady, and gentle handmaids will she have to awaken her +withal," observed Malique. "Soft and fair as one of the Houris promised +to the faithful in paradise. By the holy sepulchre of Mecca, such a +morsel as this would not be disagreeable even to the fastidious palate +of our chief Cañeri."</p> + +<p>He approached, and for a moment stood gazing over the sleeping beauty, +his eyes glistening with savage pleasure; then pulling her gently by the +arm,—</p> + +<p>"Awake, fair maiden, awake!" he said, in as soothing a tone as the +roughness of his nature would permit.</p> + +<p>With a fitful start Theodora awoke. She opened her eyes. Oh, horror! +horror! Surely she was labouring under the impression of a fearful +delusion. Yes, it must be the wild chimera of her feverish fancy. She +saw herself surrounded by a band of appalling figures, each seeming to +vie with his fellow who should display in his appearance the greatest +terror.</p> + +<p>The pale moon that now slowly arose from behind the clouds, threw +around streams of chilling, unearthly light, which served to illumine +countenances still more chilling and unearthly. Strange black eyes, +wildly rolling under their darksome covering, were all intensely gazing +on her; and horrid grins, which were peculiar to those features, served +to increase the natural ferocity of their ruffian aspect. Poorly attired +they were,—outcast and rebellious spirits, who had the caverns of the +forest for their resting place, and the wild mountain for their country. +The tranquil recklessness of their wandering life was depicted in all +their movements; and the cold expression of their bronzed features +betokened a hardihood in the commission of crime, and in the unwearied +pursuit of vengeance.</p> + +<p>"Fair Christian, be not afraid," said Malique; "we will not harm thee."</p> + +<p>Theodora looked at the speaker and closed her eyes, as if unable to +endure the sight. Words coming from so terrible a source could convey no +confidence; and kindness and assurances of safety, offered by such a +being, seemed a refinement of cruelty, to render dishonor and death +more poignant. A broad face, of swarthy complexion, was rendered +frightful by an enormous mouth, where large white projecting teeth +seemed to be placed more to disfigure than to adorn it. A large scar +extended across the face, dividing the eyebrows, and adding new terrors +to that already repulsive physiognomy.</p> + +<p>When Theodora recovered a little from her first emotion, she became a +prey to the most harrowing recollections. Alas! her reason seemed to +return only to augment the poignancy of her distress.</p> + +<p>"My love! my own Lope!" she franticly cried, "where art thou? Come, come +and protect thy poor Theodora!"</p> + +<p>The hardened Moors raised a laugh at those piteous exclamations, whilst +Malique observed—</p> + +<p>"Nay, lady, if that same Lope be thy husband, or lover, call him not; +for I presume he is not within ear-shot, and can afford thee no +assistance; so be composed, and yield submissively to thy fate, since +there is no other alternative left thee."</p> + +<p>Theodora heeded him not, for she was absorbed in the ideas that crowded +upon her mind. Terrible was the sight of those mountain ruffians, and +horrid was the anticipation of her destiny, yet only one melancholy, +heart-rending misfortune occupied her every feeling. She was alive to +one only calamity, but in that, alas! all the horrors with which fate +could overwhelm her were at once combined. She saw <i>him</i> not—the man of +her heart—her last protector, and the single link that bound her to +existence. Gomez Arias was not by her side; had he abandoned her? She +could not harbour such a thought in her innocent bosom,—nay, not even +in a transitory flash, was the dreadful truth revealed to her. She was +at least blessed in this ignorance, but yet Gomez Arias was not present. +She thought that her lover had been murdered, but not that he had +abandoned her.</p> + +<p>Malique now made a sign, and one of his companions untied the horse +which had been left behind.</p> + +<p>"Come, fair maiden," he then said, addressing Theodora, "thou must mount +and follow us."</p> + +<p>"Follow you! Oh! heavens, have pity on me!"</p> + +<p>"We do pity thee, lady, for we intend to carry thee to a place of +safety, where, if thou knowest how to use to advantage the attractions +of which nature has been so prodigal to thee, thou mayest perchance +experience a lot far more fortunate than a Christian captive has a right +to expect when in the power of the oppressed and injured Moors."</p> + +<p>"Alas! where do you lead me?" again tremblingly demanded Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Even to our chief Cañeri; and we can promise thee that if thy charms +are such as to insure his affections, thou wilt be honored with his +choice, and perhaps rank foremost amongst his wives."</p> + +<p>"Oh! horror," cried the wretched girl, in frantic agony. "Kill me, oh! +in pity kill me, before I am overwhelmed with such degradation."</p> + +<p>She threw herself on the ground, and fearfully clasped the knees of the +ferocious Moor.</p> + +<p>"Kill thee!" re-echoed Malique; "no, no, thou art too beauteous, too +lovely. Thy grief at present for the death of the man thou bewailest, +makes thee call for a fate which some time hence thou wilt thank me to +have spared thee: with Cañeri thou wilt learn to forget the lover thou +deplorest, for thou wilt find that a Moor can love even more sincerely +than a Christian."</p> + +<p>Theodora entreated in vain. Deaf to her piercing cries, Malique mounted +her palfrey, and forcibly placed her before him to prevent her falling, +as her frame shook convulsively, and he began to fear he would shortly +have to support a lifeless burthen.</p> + +<p>Night's sable pall had now overspread the drowsy earth. The moon no +longer afforded her light, and thick darkness hung over those mournful +solitudes. The listless silence was only broken by the tramp of one +solitary horse; while the suppressed gaiety of the Moors, and the deep +sighs that oft escaped from a sorrowing heart, but too plainly told the +tale of violence and distress.</p> + +<p>A calm cold tranquillity presided over the place. The screech-owl gave +one gloomy shrill and prolonged note, and all was still again. But that +sound went thrilling to Theodora's heart, like the death-knell on the +mountain blast; while the night wind blew fearfully, and the dismal +howling was rehearsed by the echoes of the wilderness.</p> + +<p>But deserted and lonely as were those dark recesses, more lonely and +deserted still was the heart of Theodora. She was a wretched outcast, a +solitary being in the world, and she lived on memory alone. Alas! it is +in the hour of distress and perilous adventure, that the voice of memory +holds more busy converse with the mind. She then tells a long and varied +tale, in which the fortunate portion of our past existence is powerfully +heightened, whilst the gloomy part is rendered lighter by the weight of +actual endurance. In this hour of terror, the remembrance of the happy +home which she should never see again, and the tranquil pastimes of +innocence which she could never more enjoy, passed in rapid succession +before her mind. The first dawning of genuine love—the fervour of +adoration, all were fled. The image of Don Lope, rendered still more +endearing by his untimely loss, filled up the measure of Theodora's woe, +till her heart could no longer support the pressure of so much distress. +She sobbed aloud; and the tears which fell from her eyes in some measure +relieved her bursting heart. She looked around, and saw nothing but the +undisturbed continuance of wild solitudes, clothed in dark shadows; and +she heard nought but mournful sounds to add to the wretchedness of her +already deplorable lot. The ill-omened bird again shrieked, and the wind +howled fitfully; whilst the moon, issuing from behind a cloud, now threw +a cold comfortless light, which imparted a death-like hue to every +object around.</p> + +<p>While thus overwhelmed with sensations of terror at her forlorn +situation, she perceived some object of dark appearance hanging upon a +tree almost across their path, and waving to and fro at the will of the +blast. A glimpse of moonlight now falling upon the place, discovered a +human figure: it was indeed the body of a murdered man. Theodora +shuddered at the sight: an icy chill crept over her, and she dreaded, +and yet was eager to learn what she, alas! too well anticipated.</p> + +<p>"The sight appears to unnerve you, lady," coolly observed her conductor, +"and I wonder not, for it is a sorry sight for a tender female, and a +Christian withal. Yonder scarecrow was, a short time since, a Christian +knight, and is there placed as a warning to his fellow-countrymen how +they dare provoke the angry lion in his dominions. In each Moor will the +Christian encounter a lion;—nay, something even more terrible than the +king of beasts; for, joined with the mighty strength and fierce +resolution of this animal, we have the reason and wounded feelings of +men."</p> + +<p>"By the prophet," said one of the Moors, "that Christian well deserved +his fate; a more desperate man never did I see!"</p> + +<p>"Aye," continued another, "he fought bravely, and we bought his life at +the dear price of two comrades."</p> + +<p>"I came not till he was dispatched," exclaimed Malique in a haughty +tone, "otherwise the combat would not have been long dubious; but you +are a cowardly set, and had the Christian been seconded, I suspect that +the five who attacked him would have been disgracefully driven back: but +he fought alone, his dastardly servant having fled. Pity we could not +catch the rascal, for he would have made a proper accompaniment to his +master on the next tree."</p> + +<p>Theodora listened in frozen suspense, whilst another of the Moors +observed, in an under-tone,—</p> + +<p>"'Twas unfortunate though, that love should have brought about his +death: in his last moment he said something concerning love; and who +knows but this young maiden"—</p> + +<p>Theodora heard no more,—she uttered a faint smothered scream, and fell +lifeless into the arms of Malique.</p> + +<p>"Give help! give help! she faints! poor damsel—Get some water from the +brook."</p> + +<p>They halted a moment, and sprinkling the reviving liquid over Theodora's +face, succeeded in recalling her back to life. Malique then endeavoured +to administer words of comfort to the distressed girl, but he was +utterly unsuccessful; a settled gloom pervaded her soul, and she +discarded the very idea of consolation. Thus they continued to travel +during the night, till the first gleams of the dawning day brought to +their view the outline of a village enveloped in the morning mist.—As +they gently advanced, the scene enlarged, and the shade gradually +rolling off, a little quiet town became at length perceptible, shining +in the first rays of the sun, and fresh with silvery drops of the dew. +The sombre aspect of the Alpujarras began to lose its sterner frown in +the loveliness and animation of the morning hour. But alas! it brought +no comfort to the desponding heart of Theodora. Deep and poignant as her +sorrows were, she felt conscious that a yet more dreadful fate awaited +her; she was about to be offered a victim to the lawless desires of a +ruffian, and an infidel. Death alone could release her from so +degrading a destiny; but even death, that last melancholy consolation, +was denied to her. She prayed fervently to heaven, and her +supplications, pronounced in the sincerity of her heart, served only to +console her. No help came: eagerly she cast her eyes around, and clung +with fond endearment to the wildest hopes that ever fancy created.—She +hailed with a fluttering expectation the least sound, for in it she was +willing to fancy a deliverer. The distant tramp of a horse, or the bark +of a dog, failed not to raise hopes which tended only to render her +distress more poignant by disappointment.</p> + +<p>Her mind, worn out in this conflict, began to lose its powers of +consciousness, and as they approached the town, she gradually fell into +a state of passive despair. She saw without emotion a group of men +standing at the entrance, who, in conjunction with some ragged children, +as soon as she was perceived, raised an exulting shout.</p> + +<p>A Christian captive! a Christian captive!—And presently three or four +armed Moors came forward, to whom Malique related his adventure. They +then proceeded altogether through the principal street of the town of +Alhacen, which was at that time the headquarters of the Moors, who fell +within the jurisdiction of the rebel chief Cañeri. The town presented a +most dismal and disconsolate aspect; the inhabitants bearing in their +appearance a proof of their miserable wandering life, and seeming all +prepared to abandon their precarious tenements at the first summons. +Indeed the late losses which they had sustained, and more especially the +surrender of Lanjaron, contributed, to keep them in a state of continual +alarm. This feeling was considerably augmented by the intelligence they +had just now received, that Alonso de Aguilar, the most renowned and the +most redoubtable of their enemies, was rapidly advancing against El Feri +de Benastepar. However, as they had nothing to lose,—no riches to +abandon—no pleasures to relinquish—no comforts to forget, the +expression of their countenances exhibited a cold resignation, blended +with gloomy ferocity.</p> + +<p>The party that conducted Theodora having traversed the town, stopt at +its extremity, before a house which appeared somewhat in better order +than the rest, in front of which several armed Moors were pacing to and +fro.</p> + +<p>Malique demanded an immediate interview with Cañeri, which was denied +him on the plea that the chief was at the moment deeply engaged in a +conference with the most important amongst the Moors. Soon after, +however, a short broad-faced ugly fellow made his appearance, and with +demonstrations of joy welcomed Malique, who was his kinsman.</p> + +<p>"By our holy prophet, Malique, I am glad to see thee return with such a +goodly sport:—Cañeri is not to be interrupted now, but thou mayest be +sure of a good reward."</p> + +<p>Aboukar, for such was the Moor's name, then ushered in his kinsman. +Every one seemed to pay great respect and deference to the little man; +it was with reason, for he acted in no less a capacity than master of +the household to the mountain sovereign of the place. Meantime Theodora +was intrusted to the care of an old hag, wife to Aboukar, and a renegade +Christian. She conducted her ward to a little narrow apartment, where +having placed some refreshments, she recommended Theodora to partake of +them, and retired.</p> + + +<p class="c top15"><b>END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.</b></p> + + +<hr class="full" /> + + +<h1>GOMEZ ARIAS;</h1> + +<p class="c"><b>OR,</b></p> + +<h2 class="top5">THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS.</h2> + +<p class="c"><b>A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE.</b></p> + +<p class="c">BY</p> + +<h2 class="top5">DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO.</h2> + + +<p class="c"><b>IN THREE VOLUMES.</b></p> + +<h2 class="top5">VOL. II.</h2> + + +<p class="c"><b><i>LONDON:</i><br /> +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO.<br /> +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD.<br /> +1828.</b></p> + +<hr class="double" /> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Ib" id="CHAPTER_Ib"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;">Though I had the form</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I had no sympathy with breathing flesh;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nor, 'midst the creatures of clay that girded me,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Was there but one, who——but of her anon.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I said with men, and with the thoughts of men,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I held but slight communion; but instead</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">My joy was in the wilderness; to breathe</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The difficult air of the iced mountain's top,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Where the birds dare not build.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Byron.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Some secret venom preys upon his heart;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A stubborn and unconquerable flame</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Creeps in his veins, and drinks the stream of life.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Rowe.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>In the recess of a spacious apartment sat Cañeri, indolently reclining +upon a pile of cushions, after the manner of the Moors of distinction. +He was descended from a family related to the old Moorish kings of +Cordova, so that in consequence of his rank, and a certain influence +which it obtained for him, he had been elected by the rebels as one of +the principal leaders chosen to direct their enterprize. Weak, and +vain-glorious, Cañeri evinced the utmost solicitude to maintain the +semblance of a splendour which corresponded but indifferently with the +poverty of his present state, and assumed an authority that ill assorted +with the precarious tenure by which he held his power. Anxious to cling +even to the shadow of a Court, he had appointed his officers, and +regulated his household, with all the precision and etiquette of a petty +sovereign. The mansion which he now inhabited had apparently belonged to +some more wealthy person of the town of Alhacen, and had been studiously +decorated with all the tapestry and other ornaments which could be +collected together; but the faded and tattered condition of the +materials, evidently indicated that the days of their splendour had +long since passed.</p> + +<p>Cañeri was at this moment exhibiting the capricious disposition of a +vain and would-be despot. Some half dozen miserable looking figures, who +surrounded his couch, constituted his whole retinue, and appeared +completely subservient to the ridiculous fancies of their master. But +amongst these desperate ruffians, there was a man whose countenance and +demeanor were calculated more particularly to attract the notice of a +stranger. He sat at the right of Cañeri, and seemed, by the freedom of +his language and manner, to possess the unlimited confidence of that +chief. On what plea he could found his claim to such a distinction, +would have been no easy matter to determine; his countenance being +remarkable only for a larger share of calm resolution, deep malignity, +and ill-boding ferocity, than those of his companions. A broad and +strongly built frame, dark and lowering features, black shaggy beard, +and the savage glitter of an eye that scowled gloomily under its heavy +brow, gave to his whole appearance a most forbidding and sinister +expression. Even when his features occasionally relaxed from their +sternness, they only seemed to writhe into a peculiar sneer, which could +not be contemplated without an involuntary shudder of terror and +repugnance. Yet, even amidst this repulsive exterior, at times there +could be traced a few sad remains of noble lines in that countenance, +which spoke of hateful passions, long cherished within the breast. There +was enough to induce the belief that this man had originally been +capable of better feelings, and worthy a more honorable career.</p> + +<p>This mysterious being, like the rest of Cañeri's train, was apparelled +in a Moorish garb, remarkable only for its poverty and simplicity. But, +though his appearance and attire bespoke the Moor, yet the expression of +his features by no means corresponded with his exterior; and a +penetrating eye could easily discover, that whatever might now be his +profession, he had formerly belonged to other creed and nation than +that of the Moslem.</p> + +<p>"Bermudo," said Cañeri, addressing himself to the personage in question, +"thou art unusually abstracted to-day, far more than for some time past +I have known thee."</p> + +<p>"Bermudo!" exclaimed the other indignantly; "Bermudo! Call me no more by +a name so hateful;—a name that brings to my recollection my miseries +and my crimes. It is an ominous, a detested sound, that rings in my ear, +to tell me that I was once a Christian—an injured man; and that I am +<i>now</i>——"</p> + +<p>"A valiant Moor," interrupted Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"A vile renegade!" retorted Bermudo with a sneer. "A renegade; for thou +canst not gild the bitter potion, nor will I attempt to disguise my +character. I am a ruffian; but I have pledged myself to serve the Moors, +and I <span class="sml">WILL</span> serve them faithfully, actively, to the last breath of my +loathed existence."</p> + +<p>"Thy services, indeed, have been most valuable," said Cañeri, "and +grateful are the Moors for the interest thou evincest in their cause."</p> + +<p>"Tush," cried the renegade; "thank me not. It is not my love for the +Moors that prompts my services, but my hatred to the Christians. No, +Cañeri, I will not admit acknowledgments which I little deserve. You say +that I am brave and active—'tis true. I can endure privations, and +encounter dangers; but in so doing, I look not to advance the interests +of the Moorish cause, but to serve that of my revenge. No, I anticipate +no triumphs; I live merely for the gratification of vengeance for wrongs +long past, but too deeply rooted in this heart to be ever forgotten." As +he pronounced these last words his frame shook with agitation.</p> + +<p>"Calm thyself, Alagraf," said Cañeri, "since thou hast adopted that +name, and art now——"</p> + +<p>"A traitor!" cried the renegade, interrupting him. "I am a traitor to my +faith and country. Nay, do not attempt to palliate a name in which I +glory. I well know the vile thing that I am considered. My career is a +dark one; and the passion which fires my heart, and nerves my arm, +cannot ennoble my deeds of valour, but may at least satisfy my craving: +and that is enough—I am a villain; but woe to the man who made me what +I am. May the curse of despair, may the venom that festers here (and he +forcibly smote his breast) poison and corrode the life of him who +planted it in a heart kind by nature, and designed for virtue; but by +one bad man driven to revolting crime."</p> + +<p>"Thy wrongs," interposed Cañeri, "shall be avenged; and our cause, +desperate as it seems, may still prosper. 'Tis true, we have lately +sustained many reverses; but el Feri de Benastepar yet lives, and even +now may check the proud course of our enemies, and blight the verdant +laurels of the Christian's brow. Even now, perhaps, Alonso de Aguilar +meets the doom to which his hate to the Moorish name so irresistibly +impels him. We have resources left,—our forces may be less; our courage +greater."</p> + +<p>"Hold, Cañeri," cried the renegade; "if thou wilt deceive thyself, +deceive not me,—thou canst not. I abhor the Christians, but why should +I deny the melancholy truth that is daily forced upon our conviction? +The Christians are our superiors, and we have to oppose to them, only +the desperate, the frenzied power which springs from a sense of deep +injuries sustained,—of wrongs carefully treasured up for the day of +retribution."</p> + +<p>"Alagraf!" returned Cañeri, somewhat hurt at the boldness and freedom of +the renegade, "whatever may be the motives that urge thee to second our +enterprise, forget not that mine and those of my companions originate in +a cause more noble and dignified—It is to assert our rights as a free +and independent nation."</p> + +<p>"That," sneeringly muttered Bermudo, "may be the pretext; but I will +neither discuss the merits of our undertaking, nor the justice of our +cause. To me, at least, they are just and meritorious. I seek by my own +exertions that redress which my humble station could not procure, when +matched against those to whom chance, not superior worth, gave power +over me."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Cañeri; "whatever be thy motives, thy services have +been most acceptable to us, and thy reward shall be proportionate to the +value of thy assistance."</p> + +<p>"Reward!" exclaimed the renegade, "I ask for no reward; thinkest thou, +Moor, I would have been tempted to abandon the most sacred ties of +country and religion for a reward?—Thinkest thou that for a bribe I +could be instigated to become an open villain?—a thing despised? for ye +all despise me, and must despise me,—nor can I feel offended."</p> + +<p>"Despise thee!" cried Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"Aye, despise me; for such as I must ever be despised, though their +services may be most welcome. A reward! and what reward? Some paltry +gold, perchance. No, Cañeri; I am at least a bold, not a mean ruffian, +and I wish for no other reward save that which I can exact with my own +hands. Ah! let me strew the rankest thorns in the path of my wronger! +Let me throw a deepening cloud over the brilliancy of his hopes, and +envenom all the springs of his affections and happiness! Let me make him +a thing to create abhorrence, and heap upon his head the shame and +degradation that weigh me down; and when he writhes in agony, let me +enjoy his misery and despair, and hear him cry for mercy, and deny it +him, as he denied it <i>her</i>! Oh! that I may watch his life as slowly it +ebbs away, and then in that last tumult of anguish,—in that violent +separation of the soul,—let me—let me pour into his afflicted ear my +exulting voice, shrieking aloud <i>Anselma</i>!"</p> + +<p>Callous as was the nature of Cañeri, he could not suppress an +involuntary shudder, when he beheld the horrid picture which the +renegade now exhibited. It was a fearful sight, for that gust of +frenzied passion gave to his whole person the look of a demon: his frame +shook violently, and as he grasped his weapon with nervous convulsion, +those iron features became fraught with indescribable hatred and +revenge. But the storm passed rapidly away, and after a short struggle, +the renegade again resumed his look of dark, imperturbable calmness, and +relapsing into his wonted mood of gloomy abstraction, he recovered the +cold fixed sneer which habit had rendered natural to his countenance.</p> + +<p>At this time Malique claimed admittance, and advancing slowly towards +the pile of cushions on which the vain-glorious Cañeri languidly +reclined, failed not to present all those marks of reverence which so +much delighted the chief, who conceived them indispensable to the +support of his dignity. Malique, therefore, crossed his arms with the +most abject air, inclined his head until it came nearly in contact with +his knees, and with all the outward signs of humility made three times +the Moorish obeisance. These tokens of submission Cañeri received with +the haughtiness of manner peculiar to a despot, accustomed to command +respect and adoration from his herd of slavish dependants.</p> + +<p>"Malique," he then cried, "what brings thee here? Why am I disturbed in +my moments of privacy? What can induce thee to commit so daring a +transgression?"</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, most potent Cañeri," humbly replied Malique. "Pardon the +good intentions of a faithful slave;—I am the bearer of pleasing +tidings, although in my zeal to serve my master, I may perhaps have been +guilty of indiscretion."</p> + +<p>"Speak," said Cañeri, assuming a look of important gravity. "Alagraf, +remain—I may need thy counsel—let the rest withdraw."</p> + +<p>"Most mighty Cañeri," continued Malique; "as my party was patrolling the +mountains last night, some of my men surprised a Christian."</p> + +<p>"And of course he met his death?" interrupted the Chief.</p> + +<p>"He did, after a long struggle, for a more desperate man we have seldom +seen! he now dangles on a tree, like many others of his countrymen, a +fit scarecrow to rambling adventurers."</p> + +<p>"Proceed—" said Cañeri gravely.</p> + +<p>"A moment after," resumed Malique, "chance led us to the spot where +another Christian slept in fancied security."</p> + +<p>"And didst thou slay the wretch?" inquired the Chief.</p> + +<p>"No, most noble Cañeri. It was a female, and therefore I brought her +here, for she is a most bewitching creature—such as seldom meets the +enamoured gaze of an enraptured lover. The rose in its opening bloom +looks not more lovely in the garden of the faithful, than this beauteous +captive. Indeed the fascination of her person is peculiarly striking, +though at present the gloom that preys upon her mind, tends considerably +to diminish the lustre of her charms. Still I thought she might find +favor in the sight of our illustrious Chief, and be honored with his +smile."</p> + +<p>"A young Christian maiden," cried Cañeri, "sleeping in the +Alpujarras!—'tis strange!—how came she there? Malique, didst thou +learn? Knowest thou the nature of her sorrows?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Malique,—"she bitterly deplores the fate of him we +slew. Apparently, he was a husband or a lover. At all events the +Christian people cannot boast of a nobler or braver warrior."</p> + +<p>"Knowest thou his name?" demanded Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"I learnt it," replied Malique, "from the captive herself;—it is Don +Lope Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the renegade; starting back in amazement. +"Gomez Arias! it cannot be!"</p> + +<p>"Such is the name," returned Malique, "that our prisoner gave him, and +there is no reason why she should deceive us. In troth her anguish was +too deep, and her grief but too lively, to leave a doubt of the veracity +of her statement."</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias!" cried again the renegade, "and is he really dead!—dead! +Malique, art thou sure?—did he not escape?"</p> + +<p>"Escape!" muttered the Moor, "his soul escaped from his body. That is +all the escape that I wot of."</p> + +<p>"Then," continued the renegade, Bermudo, striking his forehead in a +paroxysm of disappointed passion, "my revenge is foiled, my victory +incomplete. I, too, could once have taken his life; but he owed me more +than his base life could pay. Long have I toiled to bring about a day of +retribution, and now my hopes are suddenly crushed, and my vengeance +wrested from my hand."</p> + +<p>"What means this, Alagraf?" inquired Cañeri, surprised at such uncommon +demonstrations.</p> + +<p>"Is this thy acute perception!" cried Bermudo, "that thou canst not +divine the motive that alone brings joy or pain to this blighted heart? +Dost thou forget that there is only one solitary feeling that can affect +it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, revenge!" replied Cañeri, "but then this Christian! this Gomez +Arias—"</p> + +<p>"Is my accursed enemy," thundered the renegade; "my foul wronger; once +my lord and master; and this captive, this weeping beauty, is perchance +his affianced bride, the proud daughter of our bitterest, our +redoubtable foe. Yes, she must be the daughter of Alonso de Aguilar. +And yet," he added, pondering, "how came she there?"</p> + +<p>"What sayest thou?" exclaimed Cañeri, with strong marks of pleasure. +"Can it be possible? Thanks, thanks to the holy prophet that vouchsafes +such reward to the faithful. This is indeed a most precious gage, as it +may perhaps be the means of curbing the overbearing insolence of +Aguilar; for, destitute as he is of all sympathy towards the Moors, he +may yet feel the anxiety of parental love when he learns the situation +of his child. Dispatch, quick; Malique, bring forth thy captive, and ask +a meed—'tis granted."</p> + +<p>Malique withdrew, leaving the chief reveling in delight at the +unexpected tidings; and the renegade, with a countenance expressive of +deep regret at an occurrence which deprived him of the enjoyment of the +one dark passion that actuated his every feeling, and engrossed every +thought.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the unfortunate Theodora was conducted by Malique before the +chief, like a trembling victim for the sacrifice.</p> + +<p>"Behold my prize," said the obsequious Moor, pointing to the helpless +girl. "I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Cañeri."</p> + +<p>The gratified Moor made a slight inclination with his head in token of +approval, and then in the most scrutinizing manner proceeded to scan the +beauties of the afflicted fair, who hung down her head in sorrow and +confusion. The renegade made a movement of disappointment, when he +perceived that the captive was not, as he had surmised, the daughter of +Aguilar.</p> + +<p>"What!" said Cañeri, observing his surprise, "does she not merit thy +approbation? Methinks, Alagraf, thou hast no soul for beauty: look, look +at that lovely countenance; it is certainly bathed in grief, and defaced +with weeping; but that does not detract from its charm."</p> + +<p>"Fair Christian," he added, in a condescending tone, "droop not thus +like the humble and neglected flower of the valley, since thou art +called to a brighter destiny; thou shalt flourish like the cultured +lily of the garden, for thou hast found grace in the eyes of Cañeri, and +he has the power to render thee happy."</p> + +<p>These words of kindness, far from tranquillizing the mind of Theodora, +served but to increase its agitation.</p> + +<p>She hastily shrunk back as she perceived the Moor make a motion to take +her hand. Malique, in the meantime, exhibited much satisfaction in +having thus rendered himself useful to the pleasures of Cañeri, and thus +acquired indisputable claims to his notice and gratitude; for, with the +petty despot, as with the greater tyrants of whom he was the miserable +copy, the base ministrants to his private gratifications were generally +more abundantly remunerated than those who gloriously served their +country.</p> + +<p>"Malique," exclaimed Cañeri, his eyes glowing with joy, "I am so well +pleased with thy zeal, that I will assuredly enable thee to hold the +most confidential offices near my person."</p> + +<p>Then, turning to the renegade, who was as stubborn in his silence as the +chief appeared eager in lauding the attractions of the captive, "Curse +upon such apathy, Alagraf," he said with affected glee, "thou art a man +of marble, if such a woman is not capable of moving thee."</p> + +<p>"Yes," sternly responded the renegade, "I am in sooth a man of marble, +and pity there are so few to resemble me: better it were for the +prosperity of our enterprize. What have I to do with the charms of +woman? they have proved the bane of my existence. Once, indeed, I knew +their value, but that is past, and now they are hateful to my sight: +they recall the unfortunate and innocent cause of the horrors which +surround me. Moor," he then added, "abandon not thyself to such +unreasonable joy; for, learn that the hopes which we conceived from the +possession of our captive are already vanished. She is not the woman we +had supposed."</p> + +<p>"What meanest thou?" asked Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"She is not the daughter of Aguilar," replied Bermudo.</p> + +<p>"Well," rejoined the Moor, "we must then submit to the disappointment; +but will this circumstance detract from the charms which you see render +her so lovely?" He cast an enamoured glance, as he delivered these +words, on the subject of his present delight; and then, very well +satisfied with his discretion, he continued—"I can justly appreciate +merit wherever I find it; and although certainly the creed and country +of our fair guest are in direct opposition with mine, yet that shall not +prevent me from paying the tribute which her beauty so justly deserves."</p> + +<p>Theodora heard all this with sorrowful resignation; nor was Cañeri by +any means satisfied with the success of his eloquence, for he had been +accustomed to meet with a more joyous reception from every female to +whom he had yet condescended to make advances.</p> + +<p>"Malique," he said, turning to the officious menial, "lead this +beauteous damsel to one of our best apartments, and see that she wants +for nothing that I can command."</p> + +<p>He then favored the afflicted Theodora with a peculiar smile, in which, +somewhat of the ludicrous prevailed over the tender, and dismissed her +from his presence, with a gracious promise of a visit as early as the +importance of his affairs would allow.</p> + +<p>While Cañeri spoke, Bermudo held his accustomed silence, but he could +not disguise his contempt when he perceived the Moor so completely +engrossed with the pursuit of his selfish gratification, at a time when +affairs of such magnitude were at stake.</p> + +<p>"Cañeri," he cried sullenly; "it appears to me that our cause is not +likely to derive any great advantage from the possession of that +Christian."</p> + +<p>"A mind," replied Cañeri, with an assumption of gravity, "a mind +harassed with numerous cares, necessarily requires some relaxation.—To +thee alone, as a friend, do I speak in these terms of confidence; to any +other, I would not condescend to afford the shadow of explanation +regarding what may appear strange in my conduct; my actions must not be +subjected to the scrutiny of any one."</p> + +<p>As he said this, he looked around with an air of offended dignity, as +though a signification of his will were sufficient to command respect +and obedience; while the renegade made no other reply than a smile of +derision.</p> + +<p>Cañeri now summoned around him his principal officers, and happy in the +beggarly retinue that attended him, he paraded the wretched town of +Alhacen, the capital of his scanty dominions. This was more for idle +display, than for the purpose of taking vigorous and efficient measures +to check the course of the Christians. The garrison was drawn out in the +<i>Plaza</i><a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 27.">[27]</a> to be reviewed by their commander. They amounted to about +eight hundred men, but exhibited a miserable appearance, both with +regard to arms and equipment. He harangued them upon the glory of their +cause, and exhorted the chiefs to a rigid observance of their duty. +Having thus terminated this singular exhibition to his entire +satisfaction, he returned with the same parade to his humble mansion, +which, in compliment to its illustrious inhabitant, was now dignified +with the title of the palace.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIb" id="CHAPTER_IIb"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mais puisque je naquis, sans doute il falloit nâitre;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Si l'on m'eut consulté, j'aurais refusé l'être.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Vains regrets! Le destin me condamnoit au jour,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Et je viens, o soleil! te maudire à mon tour.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Lamartine</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 13em;">I have no dread,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And feel the curse to have no natural fear</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Or lurking love of something on the earth.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Lord Byron</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Returned to his dwelling, Cañeri seated himself to his repast, which, +though frugal in the extreme, was nevertheless served with all the +etiquette of a sovereign. The taciturnity of the renegade was if +possible more marked than ever, nor could he be prevailed upon to +partake of the food which was before them. Cañeri felt an invincible +desire to dive into the mysterious history of his confidant; an attempt +which he had already frequently made, but always unattended with +success. As soon, therefore, as their meal was finished, he dismissed +the attendants, and turning to the renegade in the most friendly +manner—</p> + +<p>"Alagraf," he said, "cheer up; let not thy noble spirit droop: think on +our cause, and rouse thy energies in proportion to the danger which +surrounds us."</p> + +<p>"Danger!" cried the renegade, "talk not to me of danger—I am reckless +now of consequences;—what is the whole world to me? My hated, my +detested enemy is no more;—the only longing of my life is thwarted, and +I can feel no longer any interest in the pursuits of man."</p> + +<p>"Surely!" exclaimed Cañeri, somewhat alarmed, "thou dost not mean to +abandon our cause!"</p> + +<p>"Moor!" replied the renegade, in a voice of thunder, his eyes flashing, +and his brows assuming an additional sternness—"Moor! is it to me thou +darest hold such language? Thinkest thou that being <i>once</i> a traitor, my +whole existence must be made up of treasons? Suspicious man, know me +better; I am a dark and accursed villain; hateful alike to Christian and +Moor, but yet I am no deluded wretch, that will stoop to swerve from the +path he has once resolved to follow."</p> + +<p>"Calm thy temper, Alagraf," said Cañeri, interposing; "I meant not to +offend thee, and if I have, I pray thy indulgence: thou art sensible of +the friendship which unites us; it is from the zeal of that friendship, +that I continually urge the questions which thou seemest to avoid. Great +must be the nature of thy sufferings, and powerful the motive which +provokes such unusual signs of emotion; yet surely some consolation +might be found in trusting thy secret to the bosom of a comrade."</p> + +<p>The renegade remained silent for a few minutes; then, as if suddenly +adopting a fresh resolution—</p> + +<p>"Cañeri," he said, "oft has thine officious zeal, or weak curiosity, +fatigued my ears with repeated questions that are daggers to my soul. I +will now satisfy thy craving; yes, I will unravel the mystery that hangs +around my head. By this concession I may perhaps acquire the right to +brood over my wrongs and misfortunes undisturbed and unmolested in +future.</p> + +<p>"Cañeri," he continued, "all the calamity which is now the portion of +the man that stands before thee—all the struggles, the racking throes +that torture this seared breast, arise from one solitary cause—the +offspring of one crime, and of that crime the unhappy victim who suffers +by it is innocent. The rites of religion never blessed my mother's +bridal bed, and I was born a thing despised, looked down upon by the +proud ones of the land, pointed at by the urchins, and even taunted by +the beggar as he went his rounds. But nature, that made me a thing to be +contemned, gave me no feelings congenial to such a state. I was endowed +with sentiments more noble, and greater powers of mind than those who +affected to spurn me. I know not my father, nor was I ever anxious to +learn a name to me so full of misery, and which could claim no other +token from his child than a malediction. This much I learnt—that my +parent was a nobleman; but what unnatural cruelty could induce him to +abandon his offspring, I never was able to determine. I was brought up a +retainer in the house of the sire of my bitter foe, Don Lope Gomez +Arias, where I was subjected to indignities at which my proud nature +revolted, whilst the obscurity of my birth powerfully contributed to +exasperate those feelings already too much excited by repeated +contumelies and scorn. Wherever I turned my eyes I discovered a dreary +waste in the midst of society; for I was an outcast, and I felt no +sympathy with the uses of the world. Chance made me a wretch, and nature +unkindly gave me feelings and sentiments to heighten the misery to which +my existence was doomed. Alas! my dark and repulsive exterior gave an +additional motive to justify the dislike with which I was generally +beheld.</p> + +<p>"Such a life," interrupted Cañeri, "must have been insupportable."</p> + +<p>"It might," nobly answered the renegade, "to a weak mind—not to mine, +for the very injustice of my fate gave me courage to support it. I rose +superior to my misfortunes, and nourished a sensation of mixed hatred +and contempt towards my kind: I assiduously nurtured sentiments +calculated to make me believe myself independent in the bosom of slavery +and degradation.—Yes, I had a beam of cheering hope, a wild and +romantic emulation, a noble ambition, to acquire by my own deeds, my +daring exertion, that which was denied me by the combined oppositions of +birth and station. My pretensions were supported by my pride, and spread +a solitary but brilliant light amidst the darkness with which my +existence was clouded. In these sentiments I grew, hated and abhorring, +despising and contemned. The springs of my heart, which would have +sympathised with human nature, seemed to have been dried up for ever. I +found myself incapable of any kindly feeling, and my whole being was +wrapped in that dismal and isolated gloom which, like the mephitic +vapour, tended to paralyze the exertions and blight the fair prospects +of life. Alas! I was mistaken; for, to my misfortune, I eventually +discovered that I was a man, subject to the weakness of human nature, +that the depths of my heart, which I had judged impenetrable to the +influence of the softer passions, were soon to be deeply stirred, and +that I was fated to experience those sentiments which I had proudly +imagined to be foreign to my nature.</p> + +<p>"Amongst the numberless beings who conspired to render me +wretched—amongst the many whom I was forced to look upon more as +natural foes than fellow-creatures, there was one who first beheld me +with a genuine and heavenly feeling of compassion, and from that sweet +and pure emanation of sensibility soon sprung the most tender and +devoted attachment. This being, generous and kind, this solitary +exception to the overwhelming mass of hatred that encompassed me, for +whose dear sake alone I might forgive my parents for the miserable life +they bestowed upon me—this being was a woman—a woman, alas! for our +mutual woe! She was as abundant in personal attractions as she was rich +in mental beauty. She loved, aye! she devotedly loved the unhappy +Bermudo, the wretched outcast, from whom every one else recoiled. She +loved him, and she found in that dark form, in that being so degraded +and despised, a heart capable of feeling and estimating a genuine +passion. Yes, in this desolate wilderness of my heart, not all was then +barren, and the kindly feelings sowed by her hand took root and budded +forth; I fostered them, and they flourished as vigorously as if they had +been cast in a more generous mould. I loved her! Oh, Anselma! Five years +have passed since that dreadful moment, but yet the bloody scene is +glowing, burning in my memory. I see thy mangled form, thy beauteous +limbs broken, and thy long dishevelled hair clotted with gore. Anselma! +Anselma! I did not follow thee to thy untimely grave, for I had to plan +and accomplish the deed of vengeance.—I cannot weep: the sad fountains +of these eyes are long since dry, but my scorched heart still weeps with +tears of blood, when the scenes of thy youth, thy love, and thy horrid +fate crowd upon my agonized recollection."</p> + +<p>The renegade could not proceed; his agitation became terrible, and all +the occurrences of his past life were busy in distorting those features +and adding to their natural ferocity. Cañeri looked aghast, for his +frivolous soul could not easily comprehend the nature of an attachment +so fervent, so deeply rooted, as to produce the violent effects which he +now witnessed. But his wonder increased as he perceived that gust of +uncontroulable passion gradually subside and give place to a kinder +emotion than he thought congenial to the being that stood before him. +The renegade was again calm. A tear stood trembling in his eye, and +that pitying drop spoke of affections long subdued, but not entirely +extinct in the breast of him who had but few tears to bestow. Soon, +however, his glassy eyes were fixed, and as Bermudo raised mechanically +his long sinewy fingers to his burning forehead, his countenance became +the index of a mind engaged in scenes far away. It was a deep though +momentary abstraction, for as Cañeri gazed in amazement, the renegade +awoke from his trance, and became aware of the notice which his emotion +had excited. He felt ashamed that a token of weakness should have +betrayed him before man, and with a strong exertion strove to smother +the commotion which swelled his breast. He dashed away the drop that +fain would soften the lurid expression of his eye. His pride succeeded +in the conflict: soon that lip recovered its sardonic curl, and his +features relapsing into their calm and gloomy ferocity, he then +proceeded—</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias, upon whom nature had lavished her choicest gifts, only as +the means of following with greater success his licentious +courses—Gomez Arias saw the beautiful Anselma. Her attractions and +innocence could not escape his observation, and he marked her out for +his prey. Curse the day his wily smile first lighted on the unfortunate +girl!"</p> + +<p>"She did not then," interrupted Cañeri, "fall into the snare of the +seducer?"</p> + +<p>"No," firmly replied the renegade, "she did not; but the gentle creature +knew too well how boundless was the power of her persecutor, and +trembled to provoke its influence—not for her own sake, but for mine. +Our mutual inclination was no longer a secret; and my presumption in +crossing the will of my arrogant master, would have been attended with +inevitable ruin. Anselma, sensible of our dangerous position, carefully +endeavoured to avoid the threatened storm. It was all in vain; her tears +fell fast, and her prayers were uttered in all the fervour of desolate +grief; but the barbarian saw those tears unmoved, and heard her piteous +expostulations with the coldness of a villain. Nay, he felt exasperated +at the resistance with which his wishes were opposed by one whom his +pride naturally led him to consider as affording an easy conquest. He +had been accustomed, in his shameful career, to meet with little or no +opposition; he was base enough to doubt the very existence of female +virtue; and was it for a poor humble girl, born his dependant, an orphan +from her childhood, and clinging to no other protection than that which +could be afforded by such a thing as I, to contradict the vile opinion +which the proud patrician entertained?</p> + +<p>"Cañeri, I will no longer dwell on this subject. Gomez Arias at length +resolved to accomplish by a vile contrivance, what he could not obtain +by seductive persuasion. I was despatched on a trifling commission to +one of his estates, my presence being an obstacle to his designs; for +poor and despised as I was, Gomez Arias nevertheless looked upon me with +a feeling of dread. He could crush the reptile, but he feared the sting. +I was strong in my very weakness, for as I had but one solitary motive +to link me to life; that being removed, my oppressor felt aware my life +would then only serve as the price by which I was to purchase revenge.</p> + +<p>"I was absent, when one of his miscreants administered some deleterious +beverage to the unsuspecting Anselma, the effects of which answered to +their utmost extent the wishes of the libertine. An irresistible +lethargy oppressed the senses and rendered powerless the limbs of the +helpless victim. In that state she was borne to the couch of her undoer, +and by a stratagem worthy of the monster by whom it was invented, Gomez +Arias triumphed over her passive unconscious form. Happy, happy if the +unnatural slumber in which Anselma was immersed, had subsided into the +sleep of death. But no, she awoke—she returned to life, only to curse +that life which was now covered with degradation. Alas! she had no one +to whom she could fly, and under whose fostering kindness she might hide +her shame; she had no refuge left—none but death, the last shelter of +virtuous woman betrayed. She spurned with indignant pride the glittering +offers of the miscreant who wrought her ruin. She recoiled with +abhorrence from his loathsome caresses; cursed in bitter agony his +unmanly deed, and brooded over her misfortune, until the loss of her +reason followed the profanation of her person."</p> + +<p>Again the renegade stopt in his recital, as if unable to sustain the +painful recollection, and after a pause he continued:—</p> + +<p>"Evening was falling as I returned from my distant mission. My heart +felt unusually heavy and desponding; as I was passing near a precipice +in these very mountains, my ear was struck with the hum of voices, +mingled with the discordant shrieks of birds of prey which issued from +the abyss below. Presently a flight of those ominous birds came +screaming on high, as if scared by some unwelcome intruders, and the hum +of voices was converted into a long, piercing, and promiscuous +lamentation. With as much activity as the perilous nature of that +precipice would permit, I hastened towards the spot, and soon perceived +the melancholy cause of the wailings that had arrested my course. Some +peasants were with difficulty dragging from that frightful abyss a +burthen, which, as well as I could distinguish from the distance, +appeared a human body. I approached nearer, and found that it was in +reality a human—a mangled corpse!—It was that of my Anselma!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, horror!" exclaimed Cañeri, in chilled amazement.</p> + +<p>"It was Anselma," gloomily repeated Bermudo; "my love, my only happiness +in this accursed world. She had already been dead sometime. Her slender +garments were rent, her long tresses torn and stained with blood, and +her delicate limbs broken and mangled with the fall. Alas! her beautiful +features were now scarcely discernible; the raven had plucked at those +eyes that once beamed with affection, and the hungry vulture had +lacerated the pure heart, that hallowed shrine of innocence and love and +virtue. I did not weep, nor did I utter a single groan; no sign of +grief escaped me. No,—the springs of my heart were instantaneously +frozen, and with horrified stupor I gazed on the ghastly spectacle. +Suddenly my whole frame underwent a revolution. I felt a dreadful +pressure on my heart,—a ball of fire seemed rolling in my brain. It was +torture intense; the pangs of frenzied agony came over me, and for a +time I knew not what I did; but the tempest of passion gradually +subsided, and my soul became fixed in that settled and sombre mood, +which has been to me as a second nature since that dreadful event.</p> + +<p>"The sad remains of the lovely Anselma were consigned to the kindred +earth, and I hastened to learn the cause of the appalling fate, which my +boding heart already but too faithfully foretold. I hurried to the +mansion of Gomez Arias; the truth was soon revealed, but I felt no +surprise—I was prepared for the dire intelligence. I reproached Gomez +Arias in the most bitter and provoking terms; he answered me with the +laugh of contempt. I laid my hand on my sword—he smote me on the face. +Furiously I drew the mortal weapon, but was soon overpowered and +disarmed by the numerous attendants of my foe. I applied for +redress—for justice. I denounced my enemy as the murderer of Anselma. +It was all in vain; justice affected to be deaf to my earnest and +reiterated appeal. Alas! what redress could I obtain against so powerful +an enemy? His constant good fortune had raised him in the estimation of +the court; he was brave, victorious in various encounters against the +Moors in the war of Granada. His services were rewarded; his crimes +overlooked; and I with the sting of shame and revenge and disappointment +rankling in my heart, determined to extort with my own hands that +redress which the justice of my country had denied me. I made a world to +myself in the solitude of my now desolate feelings. Severed from every +pursuit, a stranger to every natural tie, I resolved to dedicate all the +resources of my soul to the prosecution of the most exemplary revenge. +Ever since that time, I have, under the cover of various disguises, +hovered about his path, and I had once an opportunity of partly +satiating my thirst of revenge; but I let it pass, because the draught +would not half satisfy my fevered longing for deeper retribution. It was +in the embrace of a deep slumber that I once saw Gomez Arias, and I +hovered over his devoted head with the pleasure of the vulture that sees +beneath him its defenceless prey."</p> + +<p>"And why didst thou not slay him?" inquired Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"No!" replied the renegade, "I would not kill him then, for that were no +revenge; his soul would flee from this world without the knowledge that +it was <i>I</i>—it was Bermudo that inflicted the wound. I did not kill him; +I reserved his hated life for more exquisite tortures—a more appalling +fate, with all the harrowing attendants of remorse and despair."</p> + +<p>"And what probability was there afterwards," demanded the Moor, "of +prosecuting your intentions with success?"</p> + +<p>"That," returned the renegade, "was the constant object of my +meditation; but alas! the whole study of my existence is now rendered +useless by the unexpected death of my enemy. However, I joined your +cause from hatred to the injustice of my countrymen. That hatred still +burns, and I will yet find means for vengeance in the detested blood of +Christians. Moor," he then added, with sternness, "I am sunk low, low in +the depths of crime, and this is thy best security for my constancy to +the desperate course I have adopted. My life is solitary and +independent, reckless of all results. Lead then to the combat, and where +slaughter stains the way, and where shrieks and groans encumber the air, +where death is busiest, there! thou mayest exultingly cry, there is the +renegade!"</p> + +<p>As Alagraf delivered these words, he suddenly withdrew, leaving the Moor +plunged in astonishment. Cañeri, however, was soon aroused from his +train of reflection by a consciousness of the importance of his station. +He prudently judged that too much of his valuable time had already been +devoted to a matter of individual interest. He started therefore from +his couch, summoned his various officers, and inquired with minute +accuracy into the state of every thing in the palace. Satisfactory +answers were returned, and the chief received the communications with a +demeanor appropriately grave and dignified. He next paraded the town +with a display of importance that might well have amused his followers, +if indeed they had been capable of feeling anything but concern in their +destitute situation.</p> + +<p>Again Cañeri returned to his dwelling, and a discussion was entered into +with respect to the several articles that composed his dress: his faded +turban was retrimmed; his couch arranged with the greatest care, and +odoriferous shrubs burnt in the apartment which he honoured with his +presence. The duties of the day having been happily completed, the chief +resigned himself to his habitual indolence with all the complacency of +one who considers himself by situation entitled to the contribution of +every one towards his comfort and luxury.</p> + +<p>At the close of evening, however, his repose was disturbed by a +messenger who arrived from El Feri de Benastepar, announcing that the +redoubtable Don Alonso de Aguilar was rapidly advancing, and that they +should shortly be obliged to join in combat. He implored Cañeri to be +ready for any disaster that might occur, and to keep his men prepared +for all contingencies. This intelligence, as it may be well conceived, +threw the Moor into some degree of agitation, and being rather late, he +resolved to call into requisition the multifarious powers he possessed +of serving his country. He speedily summoned a cabinet council, whose +opinions he would condescend to hear, and whose understandings he +graciously intended to enlighten. He pompously reclined himself on the +cushions, and assembling his courtly retinue, commenced his harangue +respecting the plans necessary to be adopted under existing +circumstances. His councillors, however, appeared in a very sorry +plight to give advice: they looked at each other with woe-begone +countenances, and their sleepy eyes seemed to concur in one opinion, +though they did not actually venture to give it utterance, that the most +rational course to pursue, after the fatigues of the day, was to indulge +nature with a few hours of refreshing repose. Indeed the judicious and +salutary tendency of this measure appeared to meet with such unanimous +assent, that after sitting half an hour, both the president and the +sapient members of the council very leisurely fell asleep, and thereby +testified their opinion, like sensible men, as to the most rational way +of terminating a council of state.</p> + +<p>The renegade, disturbed in the meditations into which he had fallen +during the empty oration of Cañeri, by the sonorous and unequivocal +signs of slumber evinced by his colleagues, saw with surprise the +conclusion to which they had unanimously arrived, and casting a look of +contempt on the sleeping councillors, retired to his quarters.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIIb" id="CHAPTER_IIIb"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ite, caldi sospiri, al freddo core;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Rompete il ghiaccio che pietà contende;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E, se prego mortal al ciel s'intende,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Morte, o mercè sia fine al mio dolore.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Petrarca.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">He has I know not what</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Of greatness in his looks, and of high fate,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">That almost awes me.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Dryden.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Meantime the unfortunate Theodora had spent the day in a continual +succession of sorrows. She had been conducted to another apartment, +somewhat in better order, where she had been pressed in vain to partake +of some food which Marien Rufa with friendly officiousness presented to +her. Sad recollections of her past misfortunes left not an interval of +repose, and her interview with Cañeri had awakened in her mind a lively +sense of danger and alarm. Slowly, therefore, and painfully the hours +wore away. She had no alleviation to her distress. The words of comfort +which the hag vainly attempted to administer, would have failed to +sooth, even from the lips of sympathising friends, much more when +surrounded by the avowed and ferocious enemies of her country.</p> + +<p>This melancholy day was succeeded by a night still more dreary; for +although worn out with fatigue and suffering, Theodora could find no +respite in the sweet oblivion of sleep. Alas! the feverish slumber that +stole upon her at intervals, was fraught with all the terrors that her +present situation could suggest. The phantoms of night in rapid +succession pressed upon her bewildered imagination: she saw her +venerable father borne down under the pressure of grief, wringing his +withered hands in agony, and pronouncing a direful malediction on his +ungrateful child. She heard that thrilling voice, broken by age, and +quivering with emotion, and on his countenance she beheld the workings +of despair. Fitfully she awoke, and struggled hard to chase away the +heart-rending vision, and then she sunk again to meet another still more +frightful. The wind whistled gloomily through the forest trees; the wild +bird screamed his death song; and a spectre rose with sunken eyes and +squalid cheek, his wounds distilling blood, and his raven locks clotted +with gore. It was her lover—he had left the tree on which he withered +like the seared leaf of autumn, and stalked to her widowed couch smiling +sadly in death,—she shrieked aloud—the phantom fled, and again in +terror she awoke.</p> + +<p>Dreams such as these haunted her imagination during the long night. Nor +could the cheering rays of the morn impart consolation to her desponding +bosom. She heard the mingling voices of nature's simple minstrels hail +in grateful chorus the approach of day, and she listened to the various +sounds of busy humanity, rising from the drowsiness of repose to life +and activity. But her feelings could no longer sympathise with the +pursuits of this world. The appalling images which her feverish fancy +had conjured up still pursued her, and if these unwelcome guests left +her a momentary repose, they were succeeded by others no less chilling +to the soul. The heavy measure of her sorrows was yet to be increased by +the anticipation of future evils—evils worse than the terrors of +slavery or death, for she was in hourly danger of encountering the +bitter pangs of shame and degradation.</p> + +<p>Cañeri had been inspired by her beauty with a violent but licentious +passion, which he had it in his power at that moment to gratify, and +this idea agitated the wretched Theodora with the most dismal +apprehensions. While she sat pondering on her disastrous fate, and +vainly devising means to avert its danger, she was surprised by the +entrance of Marien Rufa.</p> + +<p>"A good morrow, sweet lady," said the crone; "well, this is a pretty +comfortable chamber:—you must have slept soundly."</p> + +<p>A deep sigh was the only answer she could elicit from Theodora.</p> + +<p>"At all events," continued Marien Rufa, "you must leave off sighing and +weeping, for sure enough you can derive no good thereby. Besides, it is +meet your countenance should assume a more cheerful expression, since +you are soon to be honored with a visit from the magnificent Cañeri. He +has been forcibly struck with your charms, and has signified his +intentions of coming shortly to pay his devoirs in person. So I am here +before-hand to bid you prepare for the illustrious visitor."</p> + +<p>The heart of Theodora died within her, as the hag announced this dreaded +intelligence, for though we may fancy ourselves prepared to meet a +danger with which we are hourly threatened, yet its immediate approach +rarely fails to cause an additional pang.</p> + +<p>Theodora was cruelly alive to the helplessness of her situation. She +cast a hurried glance around, but could find no signs of comfort; yet +she fixed her last hopes on Marien Rufa, this decayed piece of blanched +mortality, like the drowning wretch who snatches at a withered branch, +though conscious of the frail support to which he clings.</p> + +<p>From the little previous intercourse with Marien Rufa, Theodora had +discovered that her disposition was not altogether so inhuman as her +exterior naturally seemed to indicate. Though a renegade, she did not +appear completely divested of compassion towards those to whom she had +once been endeared by the ties of religion and country; a latent feeling +of remorse lurked within her heart, and she did not seem to feel much +interest in the affairs of the Moors. These considerations, together +with the imminency of her danger, led Theodora to throw herself on the +protection of the crone, and beseech her pity and commiseration. But +before she could try the effect of her persuasion, the door suddenly +swung open, and the dreaded figure of Cañeri presented itself to her +sight.</p> + +<p>He dismissed his attendants, and waved his hand to Marien Rufa, who +slowly retired muttering some half formed inaudible sentences. The door +closed, and Theodora shuddered as she found herself alone with the +odious and detested Moor.</p> + +<p>He approached her mildly, and endeavoured with soothing words to calm +her apprehensions.</p> + +<p>"Nay, fair Christian," he said, "thou art too much dejected, nor is thy +grief reasonable. The chances of fortune threw thee into my power, and +thou art now my slave: this, as well as the circumstance of thy +belonging to the race of our accursed enemies, might naturally make thee +apprehend but indifferent treatment from the Moor. I might, indeed, have +delivered thee to the brutality of my soldiers; I might have heaped upon +thee all the horrors of such a degradation; but I have taken compassion +upon thy youth and beauty (his eyes glistened with savage joy), and +instead of that, thou shalt have the honor of being the partner of my +own pleasures."</p> + +<p>Theodora covered her face with her hands, and her whole frame shook +violently, whilst Cañeri, in an agitated and angry tone, proceeded—</p> + +<p>"This contempt of my generosity may prove prejudicial to thy future +fortunes. Many, many are the women amongst the faithful who would feel +proud to accept the offers which thou seemest to treat with unbecoming +disregard. But trifle not with the benignity of my disposition; for +Cañeri, though an outcast, and a sovereign only of wild mountains and +deserted villages, has yet power enough to enforce his commands, and +inflict a summary vengeance upon those who dare thwart his wishes. +Remember, then, thou art my slave, and deny me not as a lover what I can +easily exact as a master."</p> + +<p>"I am your slave," cried Theodora, tremblingly, "and it is not my +intention either to despise your generosity or dispute your power. I am +sensible of both—command me the most menial services, I will do +all—nay, take my life; but, oh! spare me, in mercy spare me the +degradation which you are meditating."</p> + +<p>"Degradation!" exclaimed Cañeri, rising with rage, "degradation! By the +mighty Allah! such temerity is unparalleled! Thy youth and ignorance +alone can excuse the criminality of such an expression."</p> + +<p>Theodora could only answer by tears. But during the pause which ensued, +the mind of Cañeri underwent a sudden revolution; from the highest +paroxysm of choler, his features gradually relaxed into complete +serenity. This alteration did not proceed from a sense of generosity +towards his victim, for he was fully determined to carry his designs +into execution; but, like a refined voluptuary, he calculated the +advantages he might derive from a timely forbearance. He was, therefore, +resolved to exhaust every gentle means before he had recourse to the +last extremity.</p> + +<p>He now took the hand of Theodora, which she had not the power to +withhold, and pressing it tenderly between his own, he renewed his suit +with much more suavity of tone and delicacy of manner. Theodora +suffered perhaps more from this unexpected display of kindness, than +from the brutal asperity and violence which the Moor had before evinced. +For in cases of extreme danger, violence will sometimes inspire a degree +of courage, while condescension and urbanity from those who have the +power to command is more distressing, inasmuch as it enervates that +strong principle of resistance and leaves in its place the weaker and +less decisive resource of expostulation.</p> + +<p>But by degrees the patience of the amorous Moor was wearing away with +the ill-success of his suit, and starting up suddenly, and looking +intensely on the afflicted fair, he made a last attempt to conquer her +opposition.</p> + +<p>Theodora threw herself at his feet, and embracing them eagerly strove to +interest his pity by the intensity of her anguish. Her tears fell +copiously and her sobs almost impeded her utterance; but this evidence +of extreme distress, in lieu of subduing, only tended to kindle more +warmly the fierce desires of the Moor. In his hot distempered veins +raged the fever of passion, as he saw that lovely picture of female +helplessness prostrate at his feet; her clustering hair floating in +loose profusion, and her charms acquiring additional interest from the +wild disorder of her situation.</p> + +<p>Cañeri glutted his eyes with her beauty, and his whole frame thrilled in +a ferment of anticipated raptures. He snatched the fainting Theodora +from the ground, almost overpowered with the conflict of her +feelings.—As he clasped her in his arms, the unfortunate girl beheld +his savage features glistening with joy. She shuddered at their glowing +expression, and with a sudden and violent effort burst from his hold.</p> + +<p>The heart of the miscreant swelled with indignation and disappointment. +He cast a threatening look on the trembling victim, and no longer +restrained by any consideration, he again violently seized her.</p> + +<p>"Who will protect thee now?" cried the Moor, exultingly.</p> + +<p>"Death!" replied Theodora, with the courage of despair.</p> + +<p>"Death!" retorted Cañeri, with a mocking laugh; "Death! Surely thou must +fancy that I am to be intimidated by the ravings of a woman. No, thou +canst not die, even if that were truly thy desire. Thou <i>shalt</i> not die, +at least till I think thee no longer worthy of contributing to my joys." +Theodora clasped her hands in agony; her fate appeared now inevitable. +Her unmanly enemy furiously mastered her remaining efforts; her feeble +struggles were almost overpowered, and as her senses were about to +forsake her, she wildly shrieked aloud for help. At this moment a noise +was heard at the entrance of the room; the door, as if by a tremendous +exertion of strength, was wrenched from its hinges, and a tall +mysterious figure stalked into the apartment and stood motionless with +amazement. Theodora uttered a scream of joy at this timely deliverance, +while the enraged and disappointed Moor turned fiercely round to +ascertain who had the temerity to venture upon such an intrusion.</p> + +<p>The towering figure that stood before him seemed a stranger to his eyes. +He was enveloped in a long and ample Spanish cloak, and his countenance +was almost hidden by a dark clustering feather that fell from his +slouched hat.</p> + +<p>Cañeri shook with ire.</p> + +<p>"What treason is this?" he exclaimed. "A cursed Christian in my very +dwelling. Malique! Alagraf! Where are ye, villains? Guards! Seize the +wretch, seize him, and drag him to death!"</p> + +<p>"Stay!" cried the stranger, in a voice of thunder; "stay! ere thou +darest to offer the least violence to me—nay, advance but one foot, and +I'll strike thee to the earth."</p> + +<p>Cañeri was awed by the noble and fearless manner of the stranger.</p> + +<p>"A Christian!" he continued, in a more subdued voice, "and darest thou +in my very dominions to utter such vaunting threats? Dost thou forget +that these are the Alpujarras, and that I am Cañeri?"</p> + +<p>"I am no Christian," replied the stranger: "a Moor, a true Moor am I, +but one who blushes to count Cañeri amongst his associates."</p> + +<p>"Speak!" cried Cañeri, bewildered, "Speak! what mystery is this? Who +then art thou?"</p> + +<p>"Know me, then," returned the other, and throwing aside his disguise, +discovered a man of tall stature and athletic proportions. On his dark +bronzed countenance there was an expression of bold defiance and cool +resolution; his eyes were lighted up with the fire of noble courage, and +although no tender feeling could be detected in his stern features, yet +they were not altogether devoid of generosity. He was a model of +mountain beauty, wild, majestic, and free from artful decoration. A +simple Moorish tunic, which the most humble of his followers might wear, +covered his manly figure, and the only mark of distinction by which his +dignity could be recognized was a scarf of green, the sacred colour, and +a large buckler on which was portrayed a noble lion, surmounted by the +Arabic motto,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 28.">[28]</a></p> + +<p class="c"> +<i>Edem pasban derwish est aslan.</i><a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 29.">[29]</a><br /> +</p> + +<p>Cañeri gazed in astonishment, and almost bereft of the powers of +utterance could only exclaim——</p> + +<p>"El Feri!"</p> + +<p>"Yes!" answered he. "El Feri de Benastepar arrives in time to witness +the honorable occupation of his colleague in command, whilst our brave +companions remain unburied and rotting on these wild solitudes, and the +proud Christian pursues us like the hungry tiger, giving us not a +moment's repose; whilst our forces have been routed and slaughtered by +the victorious Alonso de Aguilar, and the few that have escaped his +murderous sword, in conjunction with El Feri, are compelled to seek for +safety in disguise and flight; I thought we should meet with succour and +assistance in the mountain home of Cañeri—and how do I meet him? Not +ready in arms to cover our retreat; not laudably occupied in providing +resources for our dispirited soldiers, but meanly courting the +blandishments of a Christian slave. Weak and forlorn and despairing, my +few brave comrades are stretched on yonder street, fainting through +want, and worn out with fatigue. I call upon Cañeri for help, and I find +that the power which was intrusted to him for our mutual defence is +basely employed, not against the common enemy, but a feeble defenceless +female! Shame, Moor! shame! But that I reverence the public voice that +named thee chief, and that I desire not to arrogate to myself a +retributive justice, I myself would wrench from thee that command which +thou shamest, and entrust it to the hands of men more worthy."</p> + +<p>Cañeri remained some time speechless and abashed. Amazement, confusion +and terror alternately occupied his distracted mind; the taunts and +rebukes which El Feri had so lavishly bestowed, roused his anger almost +to madness. His heart boiled in a frenzied ebullition to which he durst +not give utterance, for he well knew that he himself would be the first +victim of its explosion. Convulsed with rage at the imagined insult, he +seemed ready to dart upon the arrogant censor of his actions, but the +tremendous power of his fellow-chief suddenly paralyzed his arm. It was +the fierce mastiff burning to rush upon the terrible bull, yet +restrained by the conscious superiority of the noble animal.</p> + +<p>Twice the hand of Cañeri was involuntarily directed towards his dagger, +and twice some sudden recollection seemed to arrest its progress. And +then he strove to conceal the incautious movement from the eagle eye of +El Feri; but the inward workings of his soul were easily detected by the +keen penetration of that chief. He stood unmoved, and whilst a sardonic +smile curled his lip, he said in a voice of dreadful import——</p> + +<p>"Cañeri, thou darest not. I see thy dastardly intention, but thou hast +not the boldness to practise what thy heart has the baseness to +dictate:—another such a movement, and thou liest a corpse at my feet."</p> + +<p>As he uttered these last words, his brow was darkened, and his eye +flashed with indignation. Cañeri, if somewhat deficient in the manly +virtues of a warrior, was amply compensated by the crafty dexterity of a +dissembler, and he now perceived the policy of hailing as a friend the +man whom he dared not defy as an enemy: he therefore with a mighty +exertion stifled his emotion, and his whole appearance became calm and +composed. Indeed an expression of mixed repentance and candour varnished +his wily and tortuous features, as he proceeded to greet El Feri with +words of amity and companionship.</p> + +<p>"Forgive," he said, "the unwary ebullition of transient displeasure. +Thou knowest the sincerity of my sentiments towards El Feri. But, were +these even to be doubted, the welfare of the Moorish cause imperiously +requires the sacrifice of all private resentment amongst its chiefs."</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned El Feri, "the welfare of the Moorish cause requires +union and amity between the chiefs, but these are not the only virtues +necessary to render it successful."</p> + +<p>He uttered these words in a significant tone, which could not be +misconstrued, but to which Cañeri pretended not to give any +interpretation.</p> + +<p>"Is then our danger so imminent?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"This very day," replied El Feri, sadly, "this very day perhaps our fate +will be decided. The victorious army of Aguilar is rapidly advancing +against us. We have been completely routed at Gergal, by forces superior +in number and discipline, and the few who have escaped the slaughter are +indebted for their safety to their knowledge of the mountain passes. We +have no time to spare; our men must be instantly put in a state of +defence or we shall be surprised unprepared: the hidden situation of +this place affords no security, since a traitor Moor is the guide of the +Christians; and to his perfidy is chiefly to be ascribed our late +discomfiture."</p> + +<p>This intelligence threw Cañeri into some confusion, but he soon +recovered that coolness and presence of mind which constituted his +resources in cases of emergency, and which made up for his moderate +share of personal courage.</p> + +<p>"Friend," he cried; "it is enough—let us act."</p> + +<p>He was on the point of sallying forth, when he was startled by a +confused murmur from without, and presently a Moor rushed in, with all +the symptoms of fear and alarm.</p> + +<p>"Buzcur, what means this trepidation?" demanded Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"The Christians are in sight," replied Buzcur.</p> + +<p>"The Christians! The Christians!" echoed a hundred voices.</p> + +<p>"Let us haste then, and prepare for our defence," exclaimed El Feri; and +he rushed forward without even noticing Theodora, for his thoughts were +too much engrossed by the public weal.</p> + +<p>Cañeri saw him depart with visible pleasure; for though the danger +appeared great, yet he did not lose sight of his expected prey, and +casting a fierce look on the affrighted girl, he exclaimed——</p> + +<p>"The next time we meet, thou shalt not escape me thus."</p> + +<p>Then having with promptness secured all her means of evasion, he +hastened to join El Feri de Benastepar and his companions.</p> + +<p>The feelings of Theodora at this unexpected event were thrown into the +highest excitement. Hope now resumed its sway, though mingled with doubt +and fear, for the sudden transition from a state of hopeless despair to +that of comparative safety, is ever attended with a misgiving of its +reality. Her deliverance from the power of the Moors appeared almost +certain; the name of Aguilar was the harbinger of victory; yet the +anticipation of her rescue caused so powerful a revulsion of feeling, +that Theodora nearly sunk under its pressure. When she had a little +recovered, she perceived, however, more clearly, that her destiny was +still involved in threatening clouds. The Christians came, but they +might be vanquished. The name of Alonso de Aguilar conjured up the +brightest hopes, but that of El Feri gave rise to as many fears.</p> + +<p>Thus the heart of the afflicted girl fluctuated between pain and +pleasure, when the clangor of trumpets, the tramp of horses, and all the +imposing sounds of military preparations, announced to her the speedy +arrival of the eventful crisis.</p> + +<p>In that awful moment her ideas piously reverted to heaven. She fell +prostrate on the ground, and while her countrymen were fast approaching +to join in terrific conflict with their enemies, she prayed fervently +for the assistance of her God in favor of the Christian arms.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IVb" id="CHAPTER_IVb"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Le desordre partout redoublant les alarmes,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;"><span style="letter-spacing:20px;line-height:2em;">* * * * *</span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Les cris que les rochers renvoyaient plus affreux,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Enfin toute l'horreur d'un combat ténèbreux;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Que pouvait la valeur en ce trouble funeste?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Les uns sont morts, la fuite a sauvé tout le reste.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Racine.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Morir famosos ó vencer valientes</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pompa triunfal ó decorosa pira</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Solo os aguarda.</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Ercilla.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Great was the confusion into which the Moors were thrown by this sudden +alarm: the appearance of El Feri, however, partially succeeded in +restoring order amongst the panic-stricken inhabitants, and revived the +fainting courage of the soldiers. In a short time, all the Moors capable +of bearing arms were ready for defence, whilst the old and infirm, the +women and children, busied themselves in collecting their scanty goods, +and placing them securely on their beasts of burthen, as they +anticipated the probability of a speedy retreat from their habitations. +They evinced no signs of sorrow or reluctance at the prospect of +abandoning their homes, for they had been too well enured to the +uncertainties of a wandering and predatory life, to betray marks of +impatience or anger at an event which necessity had taught them to look +upon with indifference.</p> + +<p>El Feri, having placed himself at the head of a brave and chosen party, +boldly sallied from the town to meet the Christians, hoping that by a +courageous effort, he might check their course, and afford time to his +associate in command, the better to organise his means of resistance. +The Christians advanced gallantly to the attack, shouting their war cry +of <i>Santiago y cierra España</i>, which was answered by the Moors with the +sound of Allah! illah! allah!</p> + +<p>Twice the Christians rushed onwards with impetuosity, and twice they +were repulsed with equal fierceness and courage. Again they closed in +the conflict, collecting new energies, and exerting their utmost +strength. Don Alonso de Aguilar now appeared conspicuous amongst his +companions, directing every movement with cool intrepidity, and +animating his followers with the example of valorous achievement; his +ponderous sword, reeking with blood, gleamed on high, a beacon of +victory; and death marked his progress as he waded through the field of +strife. The numbers and better discipline of the Spaniards, at length +began to prevail: the rebels wavered, and terror soon spread through +their ranks. In vain did El Feri exert his utmost powers to rally the +discomfited Moors; in vain did his flashing eye kindle; in vain did he +labour to animate their sinking hearts; fruitless was the strength of +his arm in stemming the torrent that overwhelmed them: his animating +voice, as he called to them the remembrance of their country, was lost +in the wild confusion which prevailed, and the few that adhered faithful +to him, sealed their devotion with their blood. The rest fled for +safety, and El Feri was at length compelled to retreat precipitately +into the town.</p> + +<p>The Christians paused for a moment in their victorious career. They were +about to enter the lion's den; as, from the covert to which the rebels +had betaken themselves, they could spread destruction through the ranks +of their advancing enemies in comparative security. The Christians were +likewise aware that the Moors, although defeated, were not subdued; and +they had more to fear from their treacherous ambuscade, than from their +courage in open fight.</p> + +<p>In the mean time, El Feri succeeded in rallying his scattered forces, +and in conjunction with those of Cañeri, prepared for a second +encounter: he had, however, taken care to distribute the most expert of +his adherents in concealed situations, whence they could more +effectually annoy the Christians with their missiles. These hidden foes +proved extremely fatal to the Spaniards; blows dealt with security, and +from invisible hands, laying prostrate many of their gallant soldiers. +Don Antonio de Leyva had penetrated into the town, with the unrestrained +impetuosity of youth, reckless of all danger; but El Feri and Cañeri +disputed their ground inch by inch, whilst the renegade, in another +quarter, was making dreadful havoc amongst his former fellow-countrymen.</p> + +<p>Night had now began to lour, but the fury of the combatants, instead of +abating, seemed to acquire additional power, in proportion as death +reduced their numbers. The Moor and the Christian fell, but immediately +their places were supplied by others, equally ready to lay down their +lives at the shrine of victory or revenge. The town of Alhacen was now +become the scene of indiscriminate carnage, and on every side death +appeared busy in counting its victims. The Christians, however, advanced +slowly, in consequence of the destruction dealt amongst them by the +shafts of their concealed adversaries, who had converted every house +into a fortress, whence they could with difficulty be dislodged. In +order, therefore, to foil this deadly warfare, they had recourse to a +still more terrible expedient: they applied the blazing torch to the +inflammable habitations of their enemies; a rising gale seconded their +intentions, and the greedy flames spreading widely round, the town was +soon enveloped in one promiscuous conflagration. Large volumes of red +foggy flame pierced at intervals through the dense columns of smoke that +rose in undulating sweep, flinging around a pestilential suffocation; +whilst the shrill screams of the women, the cries of the wounded, the +despairing shouts of the defenders, the howling of the blast, and the +crackling of the raging blaze, united in one wild reverberation, that +seemed to strike dismay into the heart of the bravest.</p> + +<p>But the frenzied courage of the Moors, instead of yielding, acquired new +impetus when they beheld their dwellings a prey to the ravenous flames. +Furiously they fought by the light of the conflagration, and as the +fitful wind flung high the clouds of smoke, and the unresisting fire +assumed the mastery, you might see by their dark reflection the grim +visages of the infuriate foes distended with rage, and each arm with +fearful grasp raising the deadly weapon, flashing upon his adversary: +then they were all again concealed in the wreathing folds of the +impervious fog which closed upon them.</p> + +<p>The principal street of the town now presented a ruinous and desolate +aspect; both parties were concentrating their efforts in this spot, and +here the combat raged with the greatest violence. Again the blast swept +along, bearing before it the masses of black suffocating vapour, but in +a clearer interval the eagle glance of Alonso de Aguilar had descried +the terrible form of El Feri, now animating his followers, and now +darting amongst the foremost of the assailants. He eagerly rushed +forward to encounter hand to hand the formidable enemy of the +Christians, crying aloud,——</p> + +<p>"Turn, rebel Moor; turn, traitor, and receive thy reward from the sword +of Alonso de Aguilar." El Feri readily obeyed the summons, and +springing upon his enemy, with his uplifted weapon he dealt a tremendous +blow on the shield of Aguilar and almost clove it asunder. A furious +combat ensued, the results of which were soon lost in a huge mass of +smoke. But now a wild cry rent the air; it was the death knell of the +Moors, that rung prophetic on the blast—hope affrighted fled from their +hearts, for El Feri had fallen. The mighty chief drew his stern features +into a condensed expression of resolute despair; his face assumed an +ashy hue, and his frozen lip curled with an expression of scornful +defiance. Dimly but ferociously his eyes were bent on his conqueror, +whilst his sinewy hand grasped firmly the weapon it could no longer +wield. The gigantic frame of the Moor was convulsed, and his soul +struggled fiercely to recover the lost energies of its frame. El Feri +had fallen, but even prostrate and defenceless, he seemed still +formidable; for even in its ruins, manly strength and noble courage must +ever strike the mind with a sensation of awe.</p> + +<p>Don Alonso de Aguilar gazed intently on the foe now lying at his feet. A +single blow, and his country would be for ever freed from her most +redoubted enemy. But Don Alonso beheld that enemy defenceless, and his +arm refused to strike, for his heart was too generous to admit at that +moment of political considerations: he turned, therefore, and pursued +his victorious course against those who were still able to offer +resistance.</p> + +<p>Meantime Don Antonio de Leyva had succeeded in driving Cañeri out of the +town. Before this chief the houseless Moors fled in confusion and +dismay. By the gloomy reflection that reddened the sky, a caravan was +now seen moving in irregular groups towards the thickest recesses of the +mountains. As the fugitives who composed it looked behind, they saw +their late dwellings fast reducing to ashes; but alas! they deplored not +the sight of their flaming homes, for they who had adopted the +wilderness for their country, cared but little on what spot their +habitations were fixed. They left behind pledges far more endearing, in +whom their loss was irremediable, for amongst the flying throng, there +was not one who had not to lament a father, a husband or a son, whose +remains were soon to mingle their ashes with those of their dwellings.</p> + +<p>Don Alonso de Aguilar soon put to flight the few that still remained, +and he pursued his march through streets obstructed at every step with +broken armour, masses of the falling houses, or the more distressing +impediments of mangled and bleeding bodies. The fire lighted his steps +through that scene of horror, and often his unguided tread was answered +by a smothered groan from a dying man, who was still sensible of the +rude pressure. He saw many a Moor, grim in the last writhings of death, +still betraying symptoms of unconquered hatred; and then he stumbled on +the bodies of his valiant comrades, some of whom he recognized,—the +bravest of his band! For many were the victims about to perish in the +flames, and mingle their ashes in that vast ruin, where Moors and +Christians, separated by mutual hate in life, would be finally united +in the embrace of death.</p> + +<p>Some of the unfortunate wounded mournfully supplicated their comrades +that passed over them to terminate their sufferings; and others, who +were already deprived of the powers of speech, sent an imploring look of +sorrowful import. Aguilar saw the helpless victims he could not assist, +and his compassion was strongly excited, as he pressed forward in the +pursuit of the flying enemy. Thus he traversed the deserted and +perishing town, when he was suddenly arrested by the piercing shrieks of +a female in distress.</p> + +<p>He paused, and surveying the place, he perceived that they proceeded +from a large house to which the devouring flames had already +communicated. Don Alonso boldly rushed forward; his pity required no +stimulus, but yet it was considerably heightened, when as he approached +the building, the cries of affliction were clearly distinguishable in +the Spanish tongue. He darted with velocity to the spot, and rushed +through the fiery clouds that enveloped the house. He passed the +entrance—traversed the court—reached the stairs—mounted them with the +eager alacrity of youth, and guided by the distressing sounds, he at +length attained the door of an apartment which was strongly fastened. In +an instant it gave way to his powerful strength, when amidst the obscure +fog that was fast filling the room, Don Alonso perceived a female form +kneeling on the ground, in the attitude of one who had abandoned all +hope from mortal assistance.</p> + +<p>The noise of the bursting door had called the attention of the +unfortunate towards that direction, and when she beheld her deliverer, +she uttered a cry of joy, and sprung eagerly into his arms. But the +sudden transition from a state of anguish and despair, to that of hope +and life, was too much for her to bear. Scarcely had the lovely sufferer +contemplated the prospect of a rescue, than overpowered by tumultuous +feelings, her energies faltered; the blood forsook its channels to +return to its fountain source, and Don Alonso de Aguilar received a +lifeless burthen into his arms. The danger was appalling, for the +flames had already enveloped the house, and the undaunted warrior, more +apprehensive for the safety of his charge than for his own, hastened to +snatch her from the dreadful spot.</p> + +<p>Aguilar supported the unconscious female with one arm, whilst with the +other he gathered together the light and flowing drapery with which she +was attired, lest the inflammable nature of the material might attract +the fire. Thus he reached the summit of the stairs. There for a moment +he stood aghast, for the wooden steps had already become the prey of the +fiery element, and a descent appeared totally impracticable. In this +emergency, Don Alonso firmly grasped his lovely burden, and with a +promptness of decision and rapidity of execution congenial to his +character, he threw himself fearlessly from the place, and clearing the +flaming obstruction, alighted on the floor, without sustaining any +injury. Dauntless he pierced through the rolling mist; he gained the +entrance, crossed it, and arrived safely in the street.</p> + +<p>But now he felt anxious for the beautiful being he had snatched from a +fiery tomb; he tore away part of her garments which had attracted the +consuming flames, and in a short time he recalled her to a consciousness +of life and feeling. It was a lovely girl whom Don Alonso had saved, for +the excessive emotion under which she laboured was not sufficient to +obscure the charms with which nature had so liberally gifted her.</p> + +<p>"Where am I?" she demanded, languidly opening her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Fear nothing, gentle maiden," answered Aguilar, "you are with a +friend."</p> + +<p>"Oh save me! Save me from the Moors," she cried vehemently; not yet +entirely aware into whose power she had fallen.</p> + +<p>"Those rebels cannot harm you," exclaimed her preserver, "they fly like +timorous deer before our triumphant banners, and you are now by the side +of Alonso de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>The welcome sound of this glorious name acted powerfully on the feelings +of Theodora and, perfectly tranquillised, she cried with ardour—</p> + +<p>"Thanks! thanks! to that God, who will not forsake his creatures in the +hour of peril!" then turning to Don Alonso, she continued,—"The head of +the Aguilars will not forsake an unfortunate child of the house of +Monteblanco?"</p> + +<p>Don Alonso was struck with a well known name; but as Theodora appeared +too much exhausted for an explanation, without inquiring into the cause +of the strange situation in which he found her, he contented himself +with repeating his assurances of protection.</p> + +<p>"Duty," he added, "summons me hence, but you shall find nothing wanting +on my part to insure your safety. In my house at Granada, and from my +daughter Leonor, you will experience all the kindness that may tend to +mitigate your sorrows, until you are restored to the embrace of your +venerable parent."</p> + +<p>He then turned to one of his attendants, and proceeded:—</p> + +<p>"Ramirez, you will conduct this lady to Granada: to your protection I +commend her, and see that she be treated with all the consideration due +to the charge of Alonso de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>Ramirez bowed, and singling out an escort of a dozen men, prepared to +obey his leader's orders; whilst Don Alonso, taking leave of Theodora, +proceeded with his conquering band to join Don Antonio de Leyva. Each +took a different way, and in a short time left the ill-fated town to the +melancholy possession of the dying and the dead; occupied alone by the +few wretches, to whom a spark of lingering life still adhered, and whose +sufferings were shortly to be terminated in the general conflagration +now fast approaching to its crisis.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Vb" id="CHAPTER_Vb"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">La cosa mas alegre que en la vida,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Permite al ser mortal humana gloria,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Es la patria del hombre tan querida</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Despues de alguna prospera victoria.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Lope de Vega.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ah! che per tutto io veggo</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Qualche oggetto funesto!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;"><i>Metastasio.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Granada now presented a scene of animated confusion. The repeated +successes of the Christians against the rebels, and the intelligence +lately received of the defeat of El Feri de Benastepar, with the total +destruction of his forces, filled the inhabitants of that city with joy. +Various bands of musicians paraded the gay and busy streets, uniting +their harmonious strains with the more solemn sounds of the bells, +whilst the joyous laugh, and other clamorous evidences of pleasure, +filled the air with a confused yet pleasing din.</p> + +<p>It was amidst this tumult of rejoicing, that Theodora entered the city +of Granada. Her party had travelled slowly, so that the intelligence of +the recent victory had reached the place before them, and they were not +surprised at the extraordinary excitement of popular feeling. The +animated scene served, in some degree, to draw her mind from its gloomy +recollections, for during her journey she had again relapsed into her +former state of despondency. She was now traversing the principal +streets of that far-famed and renowned city, so long the grand arena of +the Moslem's greatness, now the undisputed dominion of the victorious +Christian. Every step she advanced exhibited some new object to awaken +her curiosity or excite her feelings, such as a stranger must feel upon +arriving at a city so lately rescued from the possession of an +hereditary enemy.</p> + +<p>Relics of Moorish grandeur were every where discernible; every street, +every building, nay the very pavement on which they trod, teemed with +associations of by-gone glory and departed power. The city was now +chiefly inhabited by Spaniards; yet a considerable portion of its +population consisted of Moors, who scrupulously adhered to their +national costume, strikingly contrasted by its gaiety with the less +fanciful but more manly attire of the Christians. The two people widely +differed in all points, though now enclosed within the same precincts. +Two mortal and implacable enemies, united in apparent friendship, +paraded the streets, or tenanted the dwellings of Granada.</p> + +<p>The high balconies of the city were hung with costly drapery, and the +turrets of the magnificent palaces adorned with a profusion of large +waving banners and gay pennons. Every window was crowded with rank and +beauty, witnessing the gambols of the merry children or the boisterous +recreations of the populace. The streets themselves afforded a quaint +and curious spectacle, for in promiscuous and gay confusion were seen +the splendid apparel of the noble, and the modest garb of the peasant; +the shining armour and waving plumes of the Christian warrior, and the +gaudy fantastic habiliments of the Moslem. With them appeared the solemn +and lugubrious vestments of the ecclesiastical dignitaries, and the +coarse habit and shaven crown of the monk.</p> + +<p>Theodora was lost in wonder, so numerous and so whimsically contrasted +were these various objects. But amongst this motley assemblage there +were some who appeared more capable of interesting her heart and her +fancy. She espied those who were no sincere partakers of the general +joy, and whose sad eye and clouded brow belied the accents of their +tongue. Some, who vainly strove to animate their countenances with a +pleasure that was foreign to their hearts. The dejected and down-fallen +Moors were among these; for though they had submitted to the Christian +government, and admitted to the fullest extent the criminality of their +fellow-countrymen, yet they could not but be sensible that it was the +defeat and annihilation of their friends and former companions that +occasioned these demonstrations of joy. Besides, they felt the pangs of +shame and degradation, rendered still more poignant by a consciousness +of the superior courage of those whose destruction they were now in some +measure compelled to celebrate. To this was added the painful +conviction, that although they might outwardly be treated by the +Spaniards as fellow-subjects, no true sentiment of esteem and friendship +could be awakened in the breasts of those who must always consider them +as vanquished enemies. Besides the hatred which rankled alike in the +hearts of the followers of the Cross and those of the Crescent, a +hatred, which had been hereditary for many ages, was of itself an +insurmountable obstacle to the friendly conjunction of two such +different people. The Moors were therefore a prey to the most galling +reflections, and smarting under the bitterest disappointment, at the +very time that pleasure and contentment alone seemed to hold dominion +in Granada.</p> + +<p>Theodora beheld these unfortunates with a lively sensation of pity, +though they had certainly little claim to it. The image of the odious +Cañeri was of itself sufficient to banish any kindly feeling; yet they +were forlorn and wretched, and this was alone a sacred title to the +sympathies of her generous soul. She was, however, soon obliged to +recall her thoughts to a subject of individual interest, for as she was +doubling the <i>Plaza nueva</i>,<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 30.">[30]</a> amongst the various Moors that paraded +about, her eyes lighted on one that struck a sensation of dread to her +very heart. It was Bermudo the renegade! She could not be deceived in +his person, though his outward appearance had undergone a material +alteration. The ingenuity which had changed his dress and disguised his +manner, could not however alter the peculiar expression of his eye, and +the chilling tranquil sternness of his features. Theodora trembled, for +she perceived that she had been recognised by the renegade, who +intensely fixed his eyes upon her, as though her person powerfully +arrested his attention. She turned with terror from the dreaded object, +and during the rest of her way, felt an involuntary apprehension at +looking around her.</p> + +<p>The party of Theodora had by this time arrived at the palace of Don +Alonso de Aguilar, but an entrance was not to be effected without +considerable difficulty, all the avenues leading to it being crowded +with the multitude eager to congratulate the daughter of the victorious +warrior. The lady herself appeared for a moment at the balcony, gaily +surrounded by gallant knights and pages, waving her silken scarf in +grateful acknowledgment of these public demonstrations of respect. +Ramirez turned, and conducting his party to the back of the mansion, +sought an easier admission by the garden entrance. Theodora was soon +ushered into a splendid apartment, while her attentive conductor +proceeded alone, to fulfil his instructions to the daughter of Aguilar.</p> + +<p>During the short interval that succeeded the departure of Ramirez, the +mind of Theodora was alternately agitated between hope and fear. Not +that she had any reason to doubt the reception she would experience from +Leonor, but she felt the painful difficulty of affording the explanation +that would naturally be required of her upon the arrival of Aguilar, +whose return was daily expected. These painful reflections, however, +were checked by the return of Ramirez, who taking the trembling hand of +Theodora, led her to Leonor's private apartment. They traversed in +silence the spacious corridors of the palace, and before Theodora had +time to collect her scattered senses, a pair of folding doors were +thrown open, and she found herself in the presence of one whom her +fervid imagination had almost portrayed as something more than mortal.</p> + +<p>Leonor advanced gracefully to meet her guest, and observing her extreme +emotion, endeavoured to sooth it by the most friendly expressions.</p> + +<p>"So lovely a being," she said, as she led the passive Theodora towards +a sofa, "needed not the recommendation of my noble parent, to be +received with cordial hospitality by his daughter;—but rest yourself," +she continued, "for you must be in want of repose, after the journey you +have undergone."</p> + +<p>Theodora, notwithstanding this reassuring tone, was unable to give +utterance to the acknowledgments of her grateful heart. There was +something in the whole appearance of Leonor that contributed to heighten +her natural timidity, and even the kindness and affability of the +daughter of Aguilar could not entirely dissipate an indefinable +sensation of awe, which Theodora felt in her presence. She had been at +first sight struck by the imposing and majestic beauty of Leonor, +together with the dazzling splendour in which she was attired. Her +senses were bewildered in the contemplation of so much grandeur and +magnificence.</p> + +<p>Indeed Leonor de Aguilar was designed by nature to produce those +sensations in minds far more familiar with scenes of greatness and +power than the simple and unsophisticated heart of the guileless +Theodora. Leonor de Aguilar was a model of that peculiar beauty which +partakes at once of the lovely graces of her own sex, with some of the +more decided attributes of man. Her form was largely but most elegantly +framed, and exhibited a classic boldness of contour that perfectly +harmonized with her stateliness of carriage. Her complexion was of a +transparent brown, mellowed by the rich rosy tint that played over it, +and her large brilliant eyes sparkled with dazzling and energetic fire. +Dark glossy tresses overshadowed her oval face, where a beautiful shaped +aquiline nose, and lips of the deepest carnation, contributed to give +her countenance an expression of striking brilliancy. Yet there was +something stern in the resolute flash of her eye, and the bold curl of +her lip. A slight tincture of hauteur was likewise occasionally to be +detected, through the affability of manner by which she was +characterized; and in the very tone of her voice, even when attuned to +the softest expressions of kindness and regard, there was a chord that +vibrated upon the ear, which told of conscious superiority and masculine +genius. Yet these peculiarities were favorable to the commanding style +of her beauty, and served to heighten the impression which her natural +attractions could not fail to produce.</p> + +<p>"But come," said Leonor, after the first salutations, and when Theodora +felt a little reassured; "come, I must introduce you to the grand +saloon, where some of the first nobility of Spain are now assembled: I +am sure," she added with a smile, "those gallant knights will be greatly +beholden to me for bringing so lovely an addition to their society."</p> + +<p>"Your kind flattery," replied Theodora, "would certainly arouse a +feeling of vanity, if any such, alas! still lingered in my heart; but at +present sad recollections too severely oppress me to render society +desirable: besides, I should feel myself lost amidst so brilliant an +assemblage."</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Leonor, "I will not impose any exertion upon my fair +guest that may not accord with the present state of her mind; let us, +however, hope that her sorrows are not so deeply rooted but that, in the +kindness of her friends, she may soon find some alleviation. Yet," she +added, "if you will not join in our festivities, you will at least be +able to witness them, without inconvenience, from your casement. The +grand procession will presently move towards the cathedral, to return a +solemn thanksgiving for the successes of the Christian arms. The queen +will shortly leave her palace, attended with the flower of Spanish +warriors, and all the rank and beauty of Granada. And now, my gentle +friend," she continued in a kind tone, "I shall be obliged for a time to +leave you, as my attendance on the queen is absolutely required."</p> + +<p>She then appointed two of her maids to attend on her guest, and renewing +her assurances of regard and friendship, she retired, leaving the +unfortunate daughter of Monteblanco deeply impressed with gratitude and +admiration.</p> + +<p>Upon the departure of Leonor, Theodora drew near the window, and gazed +on the moving multitude below. The increased clamour of the populace, +and an unusual hurrying to and fro, together with the tolling of the +cathedral bells, now announced that the procession had left the palace, +and was approaching. Soon after, the sumptuous cavalcade came in sight, +slowly moving forwards. A magnificent banner was borne at the head of +the procession, displaying the cross of Santiago, patron of Spain, +gorgeously embroidered thereon, and followed by the knights of that +noble military order, in their grand ceremonial costumes. After them, +came those of the order of Calatrava, with their brave and renowned +maestre at their head. A long train of noblemen and knights, all +martially equipped, and mounted on beautiful steeds, succeeded, bearing +amongst them the spoils taken in the late conflicts. Isabella herself at +last appeared, seated on a superb milk-white charger, with the ease and +elegance of a perfect equestrian. She was immediately attended by the +Count de Tendilla, governor of the city, and the Archbishop of Toledo +and that of Granada, who were to officiate at the cathedral. The +splendor of the cavalcade was diversified by ranks of friars and monks +of various orders, who moved in regular order, mingling the sounds of +solemn anthems to the notes of clarions and other warlike instruments. +Then the incense rose to the sky, flinging around a grateful odour, +whilst the din and confusion of the overwhelming throng that closed the +march, evinced the interest which the scene excited in the minds of the +people.</p> + +<p>Theodora gazed after the procession until it gradually diminished in the +distance, and the clamorous noise was gradually subdued into a tranquil +and pleasing murmur. The pageant moved forward to the cathedral, where a +grand <i>Te Deum</i> was sung, and a thousand voices united in heartfelt +gratitude to that awful power which had been so propitious to the +Christian people.</p> + +<p>Theodora now retired from the casement, and abandoned herself to her +former thoughts. The sumptuous display she had just witnessed forcibly +recalled her mind to the subject of its constant meditations. Alas! +amongst the host of gallant knights that composed the scene, the best +and bravest was not there; and the image of her murdered lover, arrayed +in terror, rose sadly before the imagination of Theodora. Her +attendants, ignorant of the nature of her sorrows, but in the true +spirit of female compassion, endeavoured to divert her thoughts to more +pleasing channels. The mind may be better weaned from scenes of past +distress, by interesting the curiosity, than by a consolation which +often, instead of healing the lacerated heart, serves but to increase +the torture of the wound.</p> + +<p>The kind females, therefore, led Theodora to view the interior of the +palace, which, from its venerable antiquity, and the interesting relics +of Moorish taste and ornament it contained, afforded a subject for +curious investigation. The quaint and fantastic carvings of the cornices +of the grand saloon, together with its Arabic devices and decorations, +and the mosaic pavement, harmonized strangely with the armorial bearings +and heavily grouped emblems of Christian panoplies.</p> + +<p>Theodora gazed on these warlike trophies with a listless indifference, +but when she came to a long gallery hung round with pictures, both of +Christian and Moorish subjects, her feelings were powerfully excited, +and she beheld those living mockeries of departed greatness with a deep +sensation of awe. Many a picture was there which recorded the faded +splendour of the Moslems. Many a scene of the chivalrous tales and +amours of the valiant Gazul and the love-smitten Lindaraxa, and other +characters now highly prized in Moorish legend. These scenes of private +and individual interest were artificially mixed with other +representations of a more general and dignified nature. Battles and +sieges and valorous deeds of Mahomedan warriors were gaudily portrayed +by the Moorish artist, who had taken care to bestow with his pencil a +gratuitous splendor upon the exploits of his countrymen, as they passed +in review under his hand. These works were succeeded by others of a very +different character, in which the Christian artist had ingeniously taken +the hint from his Mahomedan rival, and had fairly outdone the infidel in +the fierce and indomitable expression of his heroes.</p> + +<p>These were followed by a series of portraits, both of living personages +and others who were long since dead. Amongst these, Theodora saw the +mighty form of Alonso de Aguilar, on whose noble countenance was stamped +that commanding expression which brought vividly to her memory the image +of his daughter Leonor. There also stood as in life the renowned and +terrible Ruy Diaz de Vivar, surnamed <i>El Cid Campeador</i>,<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 31.">[31]</a> mounted on +his scarcely less celebrated charger Babieca, both actively engaged in +the destruction of their Moorish enemies; for it is a received +tradition that the animal had an instinctive horror and abhorrence of +the infidels, and accordingly never lost an opportunity of exhibiting +towards them his patriotic propensities by the force of his bites and +kicks. There was likewise the awful and sanctified figure of the apostle +<i>Santiago</i>, riding like a whirlwind through the air, on his milk-white +horse, and accomplishing in his progress those wonderful and miraculous +deeds which have so much embellished the pages of the old legends, and +from whose rich sources the romancers have derived such heroic spirit +and power. The portraits of the Catholic Ferdinand, and his noble spouse +Isabella, were also there, together with many other Christian sovereigns +and warriors, who had played conspicuous parts in the history of their +country.</p> + +<p>Theodora unconsciously wandered along until she had nearly reached the +extremity of the gallery, when, as she was about to return, her eye +suddenly alighted on a figure that thrilled the inmost fibres of her +frame. It was <i>him</i> she saw, so truly portrayed and so exact in every +lineament, that the painted canvas seemed endowed with life. Gomez Arias +was there; his bold demeanor, his proud smile, the intelligent glance of +his eye—all, all was religiously preserved in that inanimate +counterpart of living reality. Theodora gazed and gazed, until her +dilated eyes seemed ready to start from their orbits. The unfortunate +girl was rivetted to the spot, for she felt a melancholy pleasure in +dwelling on the semblance of those handsome features. She descried all +the graces of her lover in that perfect memorial of him, and her own +vivid imagination imparted to it life and passion. She stood before the +picture, till she fancied her lover present, earnestly gazing on her +immovable form, and she felt a portion of that happiness which he never +failed to create when he whispered the ardent vows of everlasting love.</p> + +<p>Theodora remained some time plunged in a tide of feeling, painful yet +pleasing, and in the recollection of past scenes she almost forgot the +horrid fate of Gomez Arias. She gazed, and in the height of her +enthusiasm she was happy; but, alas! how short, how transient was the +delusion which, when dissolved, would tend to sink her deeper in +affliction! The brazen, heavy voice of the cathedral bell suddenly broke +the magic charm. Theodora started from her reverie, and all again became +a chaos of misery and despondence.</p> + +<p>The pageant was now returning from the Cathedral, and once more the +tolling of bells and the martial strains rung in the air. Theodora, +unwilling to betray her situation to her attendants, returned to her +apartment, where she endeavoured to conceal her emotion as well as the +high excitement of her feelings would permit.</p> + +<p>The generous Leonor soon repaired to her charge.</p> + +<p>"Come," said she, as she entered, "I suppose you will at least grace the +convivial table, since I could not prevail on you to adorn the +procession?"</p> + +<p>"Suffer me," gently answered Theodora, "to trespass so far on your kind +indulgence as to excuse my absence from the feast. My mind, alas! is in +no state to enjoy the revelry, and I should but cast a gloom on the +brilliancy of the scene."</p> + +<p>Leonor had a superior knowledge of human nature, and an unusual +quickness of discernment. She prudently considered that consolation +could much better be promoted by a gentle and timely acquiescence with +the desires of the afflicted, than by an overstrained and ill-timed +attempt to obtrude gaiety on a mind that was not prepared for its +admission. Theodora's request to keep her apartment was accordingly +complied with. There she passed the remainder of the day in busy +communion with her own thoughts, and bewildered in contemplating the +conduct that she ought to adopt in her unfortunate situation. Her +forlorn heart naturally and affectionately turned to the home of her +childhood; her ideas fondly returned to the pure channel from whence +they had too long wandered, and momentarily overpowered the terrors +which a consciousness of guilt presented to her imagination. Her father +would not discard his afflicted, his repentant child. Her offence +towards him had been great, but it could not be greater than the +parental anxiety, the fond, boundless affection he had ever shown to the +only remaining pledge of her mother's love, the sole descendant of his +ancient house.</p> + +<p>These consoling reflections happily soothed the heart of Theodora. She +arose from her despondency with a sudden start of resolution, and +determined that on the moment her generous deliverer should arrive, she +would acquaint him with her wishes, and crave his assistance to conduct +her to the feet of her sorrowing parent.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIb" id="CHAPTER_VIb"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Così gl'interi giorni in lungo incerto</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sonno gemo! ma poi quando la bruna</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Notte gli astri nel ciel chiama e la luna</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E il freddo aer di mute ombre è coverto;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dove selvoso è il piano è più deserto</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Allor lento io vagando, ad una ad una</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Palpo le piaghe onde la rea fortuna</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E amore e il mondo hanno il mio core aperto.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 14em;"><i>Ugo Foscolo.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>It was night, gentle and serene, such a night as in the favored clime of +Andalusia is wont to succeed the sultriness of a summer's day. The +bright canopy of heaven shone in passionless serenity, emblazoned with +its countless stars. The moon flung a solemn light on the tall palaces +and stately turrets of Granada, and tinged the citron groves of Don +Alonso's garden with a flood of chaste and silvery splendor. The placid +beams reposed calmly and unbroken on the bosom of the still lake, or +danced fitfully on the bubbling eddies of the limpid water, as it fell +on the marble basin with a refreshing sound.</p> + +<p>How beautiful this calm! In such a spot as this could the wearied mind +taste of the sweet repose of an earthless spirit. But hark! the +breathless silence is violated by a low harsh sound. It is the grating +voice of yonder ponderous Moorish casement. It opens, and a female form +is there wrapped in contemplation; her eye is fixed, her figure +motionless. She now raises the trembling fingers to her white forehead, +and reclines on her arm, as she watches, with the unconscious gaze of an +absent mind, the sportive waters as they played below. She seemed to +delight in the soft stillness, and to gather fresh life amidst the +mysterious shades that reigned around. Spirit-like, she sat in the +frowning window, enrobed in shadow, and the cold whiteness that +pencilled out her form, seemed to array it with the character of a +living statue.</p> + +<p>It was Theodora—the hapless Theodora, who, a prey to the rooted +melancholy that consumed her, had left her couch to enjoy undisturbed +the luxury of grief. The garden soon brought to her fancy recollections +of past scenes, and the source of all her present misfortunes. It was in +a garden, and on such nights as these that her meetings with Gomez Arias +had taken place, as well as the last interview which had decided her +fate, and given birth to all the miseries which followed. Tranquil and +serene was all around; Theodora felt a wild and romantic sensation of +delight, while gazing on objects fraught with associations of past bliss +and present misery. The hallowed placidity of the blue vaulted heavens; +the soft whispering of the foliage that slumbered in the cold moonlight; +the spectre-like appearance of the tall trees, which stood partly +enrobed in shadowy darkness, and partly glowing in serene and chastened +splendor; the gentle murmuring of the sportive breeze—all tended to +lead her senses into a delusive, but pleasing reverie. She listened, and +thought she heard <i>his</i> voice. She looked tremblingly as if in the +expectation of the appearance of her lover. The thicket of myrtle +rustles and shakes, and flings on the air its load of fragrance, when +from its green bosom softly steals forward a tall and majestic figure.</p> + +<p>Could it be possible? Or had her bewildered imagination conjured up the +airy phantom to deceive her? It was <i>he</i>—Gomez Arias—and as she gazed +intensely, the shadow moved slowly along, lengthening in the moonlight +as it proceeded. No delusion was here; it was indeed her lover she +beheld, moving with the same graceful manner as when she saw him last in +the garden of her father. The phantom approached, not in the unearthly +sickly semblance of a tenant of the tomb, but radiant with the joy of a +successful lover; his eye beaming with the glow of life. It moved! it +passed! 'tis gone—and Theodora, in the complication of her feelings, +remained with her eyes fixed, looking intently on the space where she +had distinguished the form of her lover.</p> + +<p>During some time she remained plunged in a delightful trance, till the +solemn knell of a neighbouring convent, summoning the cloistered monks +to their orisons, suddenly dissolved the potent charm, and banished the +bright illusion for the reality of sorrow. The dear image of her lover +had departed, and a veil of gloom seemed to fall over the surrounding +scene. An unearthly dullness pervaded the air; the night wind sighed +mournfully through the rustling boughs of the trees; the moon threw a +colourless light from behind a shroud of clouds, and the semblance of +death seemed to reign around.</p> + +<p>Theodora could no longer sustain the dreary scene, and she hurried back +to her couch, to linger through the night in the unavailing attempt to +court repose. Alas! refreshing sleep came not to close her weary +eyelids. At intervals, indeed, a heavy slumber stole over her, but so +oppressive was its influence, that she struggled hard to regain her +senses. The night wore away, and the morning dawned, but it brought no +alleviation to her sorrow. At an early hour she rose from her couch, +and, as if led by an instinctive impulse, she drew near the window that +commanded a view of the garden. There, musing on the vision of her past +night, she was surprised by the entrance of Lisarda, one of her +attendants. She came bustling in with an air of importance, and +apparently with a firm resolution that no opportunity should escape in +the proffer of her good services, and in the exercise of her loquacious +talents.</p> + +<p>"Good day, sweet lady! Save you, my dear lady! How have you passed the +night?—Very composedly I trow, for this is a most quiet and sequestered +apartment: but, our Lady defend us! how pale you look;—surely, you are +not ill?—<i>La virgen nos valga</i>.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 32.">[32]</a> Samuel Mendez shall be commanded +here forthwith; for this same Samuel, you must know, is a very sapient +leech, and well versed in occult medical science, though a very dog of a +cursed unbelieving Jew;<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 33.">[33]</a> he shall be sent for anon; there is no cause +to fear him, for the infidel dare not use any of his poisonous drugs to +such as you, my sweet lady. The <i>Samaritano</i><a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 34.">[34]</a> would answer with his +life any mischance to yours; and that is methinks a right way of +effecting cures. So permit me to send for Samuel Mendez."</p> + +<p>"Thank you most kindly," answered Theodora, "but my disease is not to be +removed by the powers of medicine. Alas! it is seated in the mind," she +added, smiling sadly, "and there all the science of Samuel Mendez would +be unavailing."</p> + +<p>"Cheer up, my sweet lady," returned Lisarda, "for this is a time of +rejoicing at Granada, and it would be a pity to have one sorrowful heart +amidst the revelries of this mansion. Good heavens! we are all mad for +joy in the very anticipation of so much feasting and merry-making."</p> + +<p>"I congratulate you sincerely," said Theodora, "though I cannot be a +partaker of the general joy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you must," exclaimed Lisarda, "you must be glad, aye, and +rejoice too;—and how can you in troth do otherwise, seeing that our +master, Don Alonso de Aguilar, is hourly expected in the city?"</p> + +<p>"It will indeed," returned Theodora, "throw a beam of comfort into my +poor heart to behold my brave and generous deliverer, and to pour forth +the tribute of my humble gratitude, which he so justly deserves."</p> + +<p>"His arrival," continued Lisarda, with marvellous volubility of tongue, +"is the signal of numberless pleasures; for now, thank God and the +mighty <i>Santiago</i>, the Moors have had such a dressing that they will be +in no humour for some time to renew their unruly frolics, and that happy +event which we have so long a time been anxiously awaiting will at last +be accomplished."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Theodora, mechanically, "peace will be restored."</p> + +<p>"Aye, peace will be restored," quoth she of the expeditious tongue; +"peace will be restored; and in sooth how should it not? But then that +is not the only happiness in store for the friends and retainers of Don +Alonso."</p> + +<p>As she said this, Lisarda looked steadfastly on Theodora, as if +expecting to be questioned about the said happiness, but as she +perceived no symptoms of such an intention, she found the necessity of +affording both questions and answers, lest the dialogue should draw to a +conclusion, a catastrophe much dreaded by the good Lisarda.</p> + +<p>"Now, by <i>San Jose Bendito</i>!" she continued in the tone of one that is +most good-naturedly inclined to give unsought-for information; "my +gentle lady, I would venture to assert that you cannot guess the motive +of such happy anticipations."</p> + +<p>"I cannot indeed," answered Theodora, with indifference.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will keep you no longer in suspense, since you evince so +anxious a desire to be acquainted with all the particulars."</p> + +<p>Theodora betrayed some little impatience at the unconscionable chatter +of her attendant; but the giddy maid, heedless of every thing, +continued in a tone of great delight—</p> + +<p>"So, the Lord save us! but the happiness in question is nothing less +than a wedding."</p> + +<p>"A wedding!" cried Theodora, with some emotion.</p> + +<p>"Aye, a wedding," repeated Lisarda, emphatically, accompanying the +stress she laid on the word with a most appropriate movement of her head +and hands, as the right one struck the palm of its left companion, in +token of asseveration: "A wedding," she continued; "and such a wedding +too, that the like has not been seen at Granada for many, many a year. +Let them boast of their Moorish gallantry and their infidel marriages—a +fig for them! No, no; a Christian for me—a Christian, who will be +satisfied with one woman, and in truth why should he not?"</p> + +<p>"And who is the fortunate bride?" demanded Theodora, not from any motive +of curiosity, but merely to acquiesce in the loquacious humor of her +attendant.</p> + +<p>"The bride!" exclaimed Lisarda, "the bride! why, who should be the +bride?—Have I not already told you?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, you have not."</p> + +<p>"Really," resumed Lisarda, conceitedly, "for a thoughtless silly girl, I +am the most unaccountable female in Spain."</p> + +<p>Theodora did not attempt to contradict her, as she was certainly a most +unaccountable girl for a woman of forty.</p> + +<p>"Well," proceeded Lisarda, "before it again slips from my memory, I must +acquaint you that the bride is no other than our beloved and most noble +mistress, the lady Doña Leonor."</p> + +<p>"She well deserves a gentle bridegroom," observed Theodora, with +affability.</p> + +<p>"She does in troth," replied Lisarda; "and how should she not, being as +she is? We have had no lack of suitors—aye, and the noblest. Good +Heavens! what ado there has been about it—gallants we have had, +clustering about us like bees when they flock around their queen. The +bridegroom is indeed a most deserving and accomplished cavalier; and so +he should, to be the favored choice of Doña Leonor. However, he is not +the one I patronized, and who I hoped at one time would marry my +lady—he, alas! was prevented from proceeding in so desirable an +engagement, not from any fault of his or mine either, but from an +unexpected event that presented the most insurmountable impediment to +the marriage."</p> + +<p>"And that was—?" inquired Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Death!" replied Lisarda: "it being rumoured and readily believed, that +the unfortunate caballero was murdered by those blood-thirsty Moors of +the Alpujarras; and indeed his long disappearance from Granada makes the +unwelcome intelligence to rest on no shallow foundation."</p> + +<p>Theodora felt an involuntary chill at this part of her attendant's +narration; for the similarity of fate between Leonor's lover and her own +could not but be productive of a most harrowing sensation. Lisarda, +however, continued, unconscious of the pang she had inflicted.</p> + +<p>"And it was a marvellous pity," said she, "for a more gallant and +generous cavalier was not easily to be met with in all Spain. So gentle, +so brave, so rich, and so generous withal;—now, never did he appear +before me, but he needs must force some present or other upon me; and, +indeed, spite of my shyness, I found the greatest difficulty in +resisting the acceptance of gifts which were offered in so delicate a +manner: peace be to his soul! it was always a ring, a gem, a pair of +pendants, or——"</p> + +<p>"And what is the name of the present bridegroom?" interrupted Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Certainly he is a sweet gallant too, and in great estimation at +court——"</p> + +<p>"And his name is—?" inquired Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Though, to say the truth, there are many others equally meritorious. It +is not the Maestre de Calatrava; oh, no; his attractions are rather too +mature to suit the taste of Doña Leonor."</p> + +<p>"Who is he?" again demanded Theodora "A most handsome man, certainly; +now—but do not suppose it is Don Felix de Almagro, or young Garcilaso, +or Don Juan de—— No,——".</p> + +<p>"Well, but, good Lisarda, what is his name?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he bears a most glorious name; but now I think on't, what a +thoughtless, silly girl I am; surely I was to bring you a beautiful +dress, that my lady ordered for you: sweet lady, you must forgive me; I +will run forthwith and rectify my fault."</p> + +<p>Then, without waiting for a reply, she flew out of the room. Theodora +felt a strange sensation at the intelligence she had just received. A +wedding was shortly to be solemnized, at which her presence would +naturally be required, and the idea of witnessing a ceremony which would +bring to her mind a train of painful associations, failed not to +increase her agitation. Then she was lost in conjectures respecting the +bridegroom, and she felt impressed with a belief that he could be no +other than Don Antonio de Leyva. She felt a dread at the prospect of +appearing before him, whom her venerable parent had chosen for her +partner in life.</p> + +<p>Theodora strove to drive away such unpleasant images, and to divert her +attention she hurried to the garden. There she walked to the same spot +where the resemblance of her lover had appeared the preceding night; +feeling a strange indefinable delight in visiting a spot endeared by the +awful visitation of her beloved and never to be forgotten Gomez Arias. +In the garden, therefore, she remained some time, now walking amidst +fragrant avenues of orange and citron, now resting on the marble edge of +the fountain, refreshing her hands and face in the transparent liquid, +or gazing on the clear and sparkling pebbles embedded on the golden +sand. Her sighs seemed attuned to the soft but melancholy sound of the +murmuring fountain, and she was insensibly falling into her wonted train +of reverie, when she was startled by the noise of advancing footsteps; +she raised her eyes and perceived a man coming directly across the path +on which she was standing; to her utter amazement, she beheld in the +disturber of her meditations the person, the very person of Roque. The +valet himself was rivetted to the spot at this mutual recognition, and +his features exhibited a curious amalgamation of sensations difficult to +be defined. He crossed himself thrice, uttered a faint ejaculation, and, +with wandering eyes and open mouth, he looked and looked again, as if +doubting the reality of what he saw. Being at length perfectly satisfied +that it was Theodora herself, the unhappy and forsaken victim of his +master, he made a hasty movement to leave the place.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Roque, stay!" eagerly cried Theodora; "thou surely dost not mean +to leave me thus:—What alarms thee? Is it my dejected and forlorn +appearance? Alas! it may well awaken thy surprise; for deep and bitter +anguish has left its sad traces on my features."</p> + +<p>Roque then approached, but not without casting a look around, as if +fearful of being observed.</p> + +<p>"What ails thee, Roque?" demanded Theodora surprised; "thou +tremblest,—wherefore? What mystery is here?"</p> + +<p>"<i>El cielo, San Pedro y San Pablo me valgan!</i>" ejaculated Roque, again +crossing himself.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Theodora, clasping her hand in eager supplication—"do not +harrow up my feelings with this suspense:—Speak!—"</p> + +<p>"Good heavens! my lady, how came you here?"</p> + +<p>"Alas!" answered Theodora, "the tale of my sufferings is as tedious in +length as it has been deep in sorrow; rather inform me of matters far +more interesting to my heart: tell me," she then proceeded, with +vehement earnestness, "tell me the circumstances of that horrid event +which has doomed me for ever to despair."</p> + +<p>"That horrid event!" re-echoed Roque, with a look of marvellous +stupidity.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Roque, it was a fearful deed, and not in vain did my heart warn me +with ominous forebodings."</p> + +<p>"Yes, gentle lady," said Roque, in a tone of compunction, "it was a +fearful deed, I confess."</p> + +<p>"And thou, Roque," continued Theodora, "thou hast to answer for a great +share of the misery which ensued."</p> + +<p>"Alas, my dear lady! I know that my courage failed me in that dreadful +moment, but perhaps I am not wholly undeserving of pardon, for what +other course could I then pursue?"</p> + +<p>"To fight," resolutely said Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Fight," returned the valet, "fight! good God! you would not have had me +fight a host of ruffian Moors, would you, lady? A thousand they might +have been, for aught I know. Indeed, at the time, I lost my talent for +calculation, but they looked as many, and as for poor Roque, whom Heaven +has been pleased to endow with a most pacific temperament, thinking of +fighting a thousand Moors, he might as well be expected to engage +against Satan, backed by a whole legion of his infernal subjects."</p> + +<p>"But was it well," rejoined Theodora, "to abandon thy master in the +hour of danger?"</p> + +<p>"Abandon my master!" exclaimed Roque, "<i>válgame el cielo!</i> Under favor, +Señora, it was my master that abandoned me."</p> + +<p>"Out upon thee, fellow! I thought thee possessed of more manly feelings +than to make light with so sad a subject, and introduce an unseemly +jest."</p> + +<p>"By all the saints in the calendar, lady—but I am in no mood for +merriment. I am not in very truth, and may the first jest I attempt to +utter strangulate me outright, before it escapes from my lips. But +really, with respect to abandoning my master, thank the blessed virgin, +that is a crime of which no one can accuse me. A man cannot help feeling +shy at engaging in broils and combats, if his star doth not propel him +thereto,—and that in verity is pretty nearly my case; but if any one is +tempted to question my fidelity, this miserable carcass of mine can bear +witness to the contrary, by displaying the honorable bruises I have +reaped in the service of my master.—Alack! had I been less constant in +following my Señor Gomez Arias, certain cudgellings and beatings without +number would not so continually have fallen to the lot of Roque."</p> + +<p>"Darest thou speak in this strain," interposed Theodora, "when thou +betookest thyself to a shameful flight, at the very first appearance of +the Moors, leaving thy gallant and unfortunate master to be murdered at +their hands?"</p> + +<p>At this unexpected accusation, Roque appeared astounded, and for some +time could collect no adequate term to express his surprise. He cast a +look of mixed amazement and compassion, shrugged up his shoulders, and, +in a scarcely audible tone, muttered to himself:—"Poor thing! may the +Lord preserve her—sorrow hath brought this about."</p> + +<p>Theodora, heedless of his manner, continued;—"Alas! what was the +courage of a single man against the united force of so many enemies?"</p> + +<p>"Aye—aye—nothing," responded Roque, "nothing certainly;—but under +favor, my good lady, though my master's courage stood ever the fairest +test, yet I do not clearly perceive how he is entitled to encomiums for +feats which, though he might, he <i>did</i> not actually achieve."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Theodora, with warmth, "would you even defraud his +memory of its too-well merited guerdon, the possession of a glorious +name?"</p> + +<p>"Good my lady," humbly replied Roque, "I would not defraud my master of +a single <i>maravedi</i>, much less of so valuable a treasure as a glorious +name. But I am strangely puzzled to determine how I can deprive him of a +commodity which in my hands would lose its worth. Nor indeed can I +perceive why you bestow such commendations on the deeds of my master, +since, in the instance to which you allude, I rather suspect he was in +nowise anxious to distinguish himself."</p> + +<p>"Thy speech," said Theodora, "is enigmatical, and wherefore it is so I +cannot surmise. But his very enemies confessed that he fought bravely, +and fell like a hero. Aye, Roque, they further added, that had you not +abandoned him in that critical moment, their victory would not have been +so easily effected."</p> + +<p>"<i>Santa Barbara!</i>" cried Roque, more astounded than ever, "the Moors +said that? Well it was very kind of the <i>malandrines</i> to speak in such +good terms of my honored master.—Good God! good God!" he then +continued, in a confused incoherent manner—"My lady, pray forgive my +impertinence, but will you tell me if I am awake?"</p> + +<p>"Awake!" repeated Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear lady, for either I must be now asleep, or you must have +been dreaming when the facetious Moors favored you with such an +extraordinary story."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Roque! cease this ribaldry, so unbecoming in thee when we speak of +<i>him</i> whom thou knowest I so much loved—when we speak of his untimely +death."</p> + +<p>"The death of Gomez Arias, say you!" exclaimed Roque, retreating with +increased amazement. "My master dead?—in the name of Heaven! what say +you lady!"—</p> + +<p>"The truth;—with these unhappy eyes did I see his murdered body in the +Alpujarras:—art thou then, Roque, so ignorant of his fate?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, quite so," replied Roque; "this is the very first intelligence I +received of such an event;—and I suppose you will tell me next that you +have seen his ghost."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" returned Theodora, "it was but last night that I beheld his +figure as perfectly as when I saw him last in the Alpujarras!"</p> + +<p>Roque assumed as much gravity as he was able, considering the difficulty +he had to restrain his risibility; and, supposing that the intellect of +the poor lady was impaired, in a comic serious tone observed:—"Well, my +master is a most wonderful man, that his murdered body should be food +for the ravens of the Alpujarras, and his troubled spirit be haunting +Don Alonso's garden; when at the same time I saw him myself not long +since, in perfect sanity of body and soul, parading the promenades of +Granada."</p> + +<p>Theodora gasped for breath; she gazed on Roque with astonishment. The +valet was in the greatest perplexity; but thinking that Theodora still +doubted the veracity of his statement, he again, in a serious tone and +asseverating manner, said—"Yes, my lady, you are deceived—my master is +alive."</p> + +<p>"Alive!" screamed aloud Theodora, and her whole frame shook like the +aspen leaf; "alive! where? where is he?"</p> + +<p>"In this city, and will come to the palace presently. More I cannot tell +you, lady;—permit me now to withdraw, and oh! that you might do the +same!"</p> + +<p>Roque, as we have already observed, was far from being of a cruel and +hardened disposition, and his acquiescence in the unprincipled actions +of his master arose more from dread of his character than perversity of +heart. He was now strangely perplexed, anticipating the disastrous +results which might spring from the unlooked-for meeting of Gomez Arias +and the forsaken victim of his satiated passion. He almost regretted +having removed the error under which Theodora laboured with regard to +her lover's death.</p> + +<p>Meantime Theodora, partly recovered from the violent shock which her +feelings had sustained, felt a chill of doubt and a vague apprehension +of evil that deadened the first impression of transporting pleasure +which the certainty of her Lope's existence had produced. She +endeavoured to give a solution to the enigma, but met with none +congenial to her feelings. The circumstance of her lover being in +Granada, and apparently unconcerned for her fate, withered the budding +hopes within her bosom, for she fondly imagined that Gomez Arias could +never be separated from her but by death. This suspense was terrible, +and Roque's demeanor tended to increase her anxiety. She fixed her +starting eyes on him, and holding his hand with a fearful grasp, in a +voice wild with emotion, she exclaimed:—"Roque! Roque! in the name of +Heaven, unravel this mystery."</p> + +<p>She hesitated a moment, but the very poignancy of her anguish gave her +force to demand—"Did Gomez Arias, then, leave me in the power of the +Moors without attempting my defence?"</p> + +<p>Roque made no answer.</p> + +<p>Theodora became intensely excited, and with the piercing voice of +despair:—"Then it is true!" she exclaimed, "your silence confirms my +fears!"</p> + +<p>A ghastly smile was on her lip, and a deadly paleness overspread her +features.</p> + +<p>Roque now perceived the utter impossibility of keeping his master's +cruelty any longer a secret from his victim: yet he dreaded to acquaint +her with the whole extent of her misery; he trembled for the +consequences that such an avowal would produce upon her feelings, and he +knew that with a fond woman of extraordinary sensibility and elevated +sentiments, the death of a lover might be more easily supported than his +dereliction. On the other hand it was imperatively demanded by +circumstances that Gomez Arias and Theodora should never meet again; +for, alas! such a meeting could be productive only of reproach and shame +to the former—anguish, despair, and perhaps death to the latter.</p> + +<p>Theodora, meantime, read in the agitated countenance of the valet a tale +of distress more cruel than any she had yet endured; whilst Roque, who +trembled lest, by an imprudent continuance of his interview with +Theodora, they might be surprised by Gomez Arias, summoned up his +resolution, and determined at once to acquaint her with her lover's +treason:—"Lady!" he exclaimed with emphasis, "in the name of God, +endeavour to brace your nerves against the dreadful intelligence I have +to communicate.—You must forget him for ever;—nay, if you consult the +happiness of all those that are interested in your welfare or in his, +you will decide never to see him more."</p> + +<p>"What mean you?" demanded Theodora, with redoubled agitation.</p> + +<p>"Your lover is false, lady; you must fly to your parent, or encounter +the peril of being immured in the gloomy seclusion of a convent. Such +were my master's intentions towards you, when the arrival of the Moors +happened in time to frustrate them. Should he, however, learn that you +are at Granada, where your presence may throw invincible impediments in +his way, the knowledge would be perhaps attended with disastrous +results. I am a poor man, a butt to sustain my master's ill humors, but +I will not so far dishonor my feelings as to permit the possibility of +your being exposed a second time to the dreaded manœuvres of Gomez +Arias. Fly, lady, fly to your kind parent."</p> + +<p>Theodora fixed a wild look on Roque, and the horrid nature of his +recital seemed to have frozen the springs of feeling. She did not speak, +nor was any passion, save that of despair, depicted on her countenance; +a settled stupor sat upon her pallid brow, and shone in the cold glance +of her eyes.</p> + +<p>Roque was moved by the picture of loveliness that stood before him, +motionless in the intensity of grief; but he was conscious of the +danger he incurred by protracting his stay.</p> + +<p>"Alas!" he said in a soothing tone, "you are very, very unfortunate; but +consider, lady, the consequences of our being seen together. Allow me to +retire, then, and command my services; but, oh, do not by any means +appear before——"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by Theodora, who suddenly started before that +dreadful name once so endearing could be pronounced.</p> + +<p>"Roque," she cried, in a tone and manner that bespoke her possessed of +more resolution than could be gathered from the expression of her +countenance, "Roque, I will retire; be silent, and let me see you +again.—Yes," she added with a voice of presageful import, "it is better +I should not see him more!"</p> + +<p>She then hastily retired from the spot, and sought the way to her +apartment. That feeling so deeply rooted in the female heart—the desire +of probing a lover's perfidy to the utmost, determined her to follow +the valet's advice. No, she dreaded not the most disastrous +consequences; for, alas! what has betrayed woman to fear, when she seeks +justice from the man for whom she has sacrificed all! Is it death? Ah! +it is her best refuge and only consolation!</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIb" id="CHAPTER_VIIb"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Sierpes apacienta el pecho</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">De una muger ofendida.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Moreto.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Ah taci! ogni parola</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Mi drizza i crini; assei dicesti; basta</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Basta cosi, non proseguir.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Monti</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Roque made a precipitate retreat from the garden; for, anxious as the +poor fellow was to render any service to Theodora, he still felt no +inclination to incur thereby the displeasure of his master, and draw +upon himself the full measure of his indignation. The valet resolved to +keep a strict silence respecting his interview with Theodora, and he +entertained a belief that the fears of the unfortunate girl would induce +her to follow a similar course. Thus he flattered himself there was +nothing to apprehend farther than the danger of an accidental meeting.</p> + +<p>Theodora meantime, a prey to a thousand distracting fears, had locked +herself within her chamber, in a miserable state of hopelessness. +Tormented with various conflicting passions, she now boldly resolved to +meet her perjured lover, and demand an explanation of his cruel and +unnatural conduct; but again she was suddenly checked by an instinctive +dread which seemed to freeze her powers of action. She despondingly +threw herself upon the couch, that gaudy but unconscious witness of her +sorrows, and as the briny drops fell fast from their sad fountains, and +bedewed the rich silken covering, she exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Yes, it was he himself that I beheld last night."</p> + +<p>These few words conveyed a portion of that exquisite anguish that gave +them birth.</p> + +<p>It was a fearful idea: she had seen her lover a nocturnal visitor to +that garden, his face decked with smiles, and his eyes replete with +pleasure and hope. He was happy, and thought no more of the lost +Theodora. He had forsaken her—her whom he had vowed for ever to love, +and to whom he had pledged his word to acknowledge her as his own before +the world. This was a masterpiece of ingratitude; and yet Theodora hoped +that ingratitude, that blackest stain of the human heart, might have +prompted the dereliction of Gomez Arias, rather than love for another. +To think that she had entirely lost his love, was a pang more cruel than +all she had hitherto endured; and this alas! was the phantom which she +strove in vain to chase away, and that most obtruded upon her mind.</p> + +<p>The loquacious Lisarda was not tardy in making a second appearance: she +knocked for admittance, and Theodora, who in her present state was but +little predisposed to encourage her unmeaning chatter, felt nevertheless +an inward desire for the presence of her attendant. By her means she +could acquire a solution of the mystery with which she so much dreaded +to be acquainted, and yet was so anxious to learn. She opened the door, +and Lisarda no sooner entered than with her accustomed volubility she +began—</p> + +<p>"Well, well, my gentle lady, you must forgive me certainly; I have +neglected you too long; but then consider, my good lady, what a day this +is: what with the expectation of my master's arrival, and the +preparations for this wedding, the whole palace is thrown into a +marvellous confusion."</p> + +<p>"Say no more," replied Theodora; "you need not seek to excuse yourself; +I am but a stranger here, and have no right whatever to engross the +attention of any one, much less on such an occasion as the present."</p> + +<p>"Aye, aye," continued Lisarda, "it is indeed a most busy time. Well, the +glorious Don Alonso arrives to-day, and to-morrow his beautiful daughter +will be led to the altar by her gallant bridegroom. Only think, my sweet +lady, what a wedding this will be. The queen and the Maestre de +Calatrava, in the absence of the king, are to be the sponsors."</p> + +<p>"That mark of the royal favor," said Theodora, "speaks highly for the +merits of both the parties; but I am yet to learn the name of the +knight who has rendered himself deserving of such an honor."</p> + +<p>She pronounced these last words in a faltering tone, and Lisarda, though +a thoughtless woman, soon perceived her agitation.</p> + +<p>"<i>Dios nos defienda</i>!"<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 35.">[35]</a> she cried, "what ails you, dear lady? you +look so shockingly pale. Well, it is all your fault for being set +against taking counsel; now if you could but be persuaded to admit the +visit of Samuel Mendez, God knows how much you would profit by his +advice; for believe me, lady, the iniquitous Jew cures better than most +of our good Christians."</p> + +<p>"I assure you," interrupted Theodora, "that my unwillingness to +acquiesce with your wishes does not arise from the circumstance of the +doctor being a Jew, but merely because my indisposition can receive no +benefit from medicine, whether it be administered by an infidel or a +true believer.—So, I pray you mention no more this Samuel Mendez, but +rather tell me the name of the future partner of Leonor."</p> + +<p>"Aye, fortunate indeed, Señora, you may well call him fortunate, for +Doña Leonor is a most accomplished lady, a beautiful lady; and were it +not that she is——"</p> + +<p>"She is most accomplished," interrupted Theodora.</p> + +<p>"She is in troth," retorted Lisarda, "and so dutiful a daughter withal. +She is now going to meet her noble father in his triumphant entry into +the city, and she will be accompanied by her future husband, and a +numerous and splendid retinue.—But, hark! hear you not the tramp of +horses, and the sound of trumpets?"</p> + +<p>She flew to the window, and Theodora, in breathless anxiety, followed.</p> + +<p>"There!" cried Lisarda, with glee, "they are about to depart. Now, see, +my lady, Leonor mounts—the bridegroom holds the stirrup."</p> + +<p>Theodora cast a terrified look, which shot a pang to her inmost +heart—It was Gomez Arias who helped Leonor to mount. Theodora saw +enough—but one glance, and all the horrors of her fate were revealed. +The deluding smile which had seduced her heart, the traitor eloquent eye +which wrought her ruin, were now devoted to another.</p> + +<p>Theodora uttered no piercing shriek; neither did sigh or groan escape +her; but she silently sank backwards in the tranquillity of horror. She +had now nothing else to hope or fear; no throbbing anxiety to +forego,—no further perils to dread—the sum of her misery was complete, +and dauntless she might encounter any disaster; for this last blow had +imparted to her the passive courage of indifference and despair.</p> + +<p>Lisarda, occupied with the dazzling objects which moved beneath, did not +perceive Theodora's situation, and without taking her eyes from the +cavalcade pursued her remarks:—</p> + +<p>"Now they go—the Lord bless them, how handsome they look! Well, I do +not blame my lady's taste, for certainly Don Lope is the most gallant of +cavaliers. What think you, my sweet lady? Well, certainly they do say +he has many a grievous sin to answer for, in the list of innocent girls +he has seduced and undone: the Lord defend them, poor creatures; I pity +them. But it was surely their fault:—more fools they for trusting to +the fair promises of such a man—what think you gentle lady, am I not +right?"</p> + +<p>Happily the cavalcade was now out of sight, and Lisarda's observations +were accordingly cut short. But she immediately turned to Theodora, who +had sat motionless on her couch from the first glance that had +acquainted her with the full extent of her wretchedness.</p> + +<p>"Well," said the loquacious waiting maid, "what shall I do to divert +you, lady? Really I am at a loss. If you are not moved by the splendid +sight you have just now witnessed, I cannot imagine what will affect +you. Mayhap I might afford some consolation, since you are so strongly +bent against the assistance of Samuel Mendez."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Theodora, raising her eyes towards the speaker, "thank +you for your kind intentions, but if anything could tend to the +alleviation of my sorrows, it would be perhaps a free and unmolested +indulgence of them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear lady, but we must have no sorrowful faces at the wedding. +<i>Virgen de las Angustias!</i> that would be dreadfully ominous. Cheer up, +sweet lady; there is nothing in the world like a good example, and when +you see every one rejoice, I am sure you will not mar the general joy. +Cheer up, good lady—better days will come. To-morrow, at the wedding +festival, your thoughts, I engage, will be fixed on other objects; such +indeed as are interesting to every female who, like ourselves, is yet +blessed in the primeval season of youth. Am I not right?"</p> + +<p>"Happy!" cried Theodora, in a thrilling tone, "happy!" Then as if to +veil the effect which her exclamation might produce, she added, "who +can promise themselves happiness in this world?"</p> + +<p>"Alack, and that is true!" responded Lisarda, "for many, many are the +lovers who are born to be unfortunate and die of broken hearts." She +strove to swell her own with a mighty sigh: "And even those who marry, +how oft do they curse the day that—but this is neither here nor there."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow! and is it really to-morrow, that the ceremony is to take +place?" demanded Theodora.</p> + +<p>"There is no doubt of it. God have mercy, the ceremony has been already +delayed too long. The young lovers would have been united some months +since, had not unavoidable impediments retarded the accomplishment of +their mutual wishes."</p> + +<p>A clamorous shout, and a burst of trumpets now announced the approach of +Aguilar to Granada, and Lisarda with giddy steps sallied out, leaving +Theodora to the undisturbed enjoyment of her gloomy reflections. The +unfortunate child of Monteblanco had now the most unequivocal proof of +her lover's baseness and treachery: Gomez Arias was faithless, but what +an aggravation of guilt attached to his infidelity! His cold, heartless +villainy seemed to surpass all power of conception, and Theodora for +some time remained like one striving to recall the fleeting illusion of +a horrid dream. Then she clasped her hands fearfully over her swollen +eyelids; a few large drops fell on her cold marbled hands, and in those +eyes flashed the wild resolution of despair.</p> + +<p>A bitter smile now gently curled those parched and pallid lips, and she +raised her trembling fingers to her forehead, expressing all the passive +agonies of an absent mind. Then suddenly, as if actuated by a powerful +impulse, she sprung upon her feet: she cautiously drew towards the +casement in a listening attitude, and the names of Aguilar and Gomez +Arias which floated in lengthening sound along the air, threw additional +excitement on her already distracted feelings. But one day more, and she +was to witness the completion of her lover's union with her rival. What +a train of frightful associations this image brought to mind!</p> + +<p>Dreadful was the conflict that Theodora had to sustain, and in that +unequal warfare, her whole frame underwent an appalling change: her eyes +glistened, and her hands shook violently, as she threw back with a +resolute movement the tresses of her redundant hair. Again she stopped +as if brooding over some frightful design; her throat became swollen +with hysteric affection; the blood that hitherto had seemed congealed in +its source, rushed with impetuosity down its wonted channels, and the +blue veins through which the little rivulet of life had gently flowed, +now became dark and turbid as the mountain stream. Her eyes shot the +lurid flashes of madness; a wild laugh broke the harmony of the purest +voice; and a malignant curl usurped the place where heavenly smiles had +habitually sat.</p> + +<p>Theodora, that soft and seraphic being who but a short time since, rich +in the charms of native grace and loveliness, had been the star of a +happy home, and the delight of a fond and admiring parent—that Theodora +was now changed into the fearful semblance of a frantic being. Alas! +such was the effect that a few moments had wrought, that the eyes of a +fond parent would have in vain endeavoured to recognize his darling +child. Feelings utterly foreign to the nature of Theodora, had now taken +possession of the shattered fragments of a broken heart, once the shrine +of hallowed and mental beauty; and those intelligent, soul-stirring +features which nature had bestowed as the interpreters of soft +sentiments and kindly feelings, now faithfully reflected the workings of +impassioned and frenzied woe.</p> + +<p>Alas! it is too often found that the gentle female heart, when rudely +lacerated by the perfidy of man, is capable of being wrought, by a +powerful sense of injury and intense anguish, to the utmost agony which +the darker passions can display.</p> + +<p>With irregular steps, which bespoke the confusion of her thoughts, she +paced the silent chamber that gave back with hollow sound the measure +of her steps, while the vaulted passages of the palace echoed at +intervals the deafening shouts that were heard from without.</p> + +<p>But the fit of frenzied passion under which Theodora laboured was too +violent to last. That fatal crisis was approaching, which generally +terminates in the immediate accomplishment of a mad suggestion, or with +calmness treasures up in silence some direful resolve. The moment had +now arrived when the forces of the suffering victim were exhausted; she +suddenly became composed; her mind appeared irrevocably fixed on some +act of madness, and despair was stamped in the cold and unearthly +expression which at that moment subdued her whole frame, and apparently +subjected her existence to a new dominion.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIb" id="CHAPTER_VIIIb"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Aguarda hasta que yo pase</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Si ha de caer una teja.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Quevedo.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Este misterio aparente</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Te voy, Señor a explicar.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Zarate.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>We think it almost time to retrace our steps, and revert to a character +which played a conspicuous part at the beginning of this history. The +reader, if not particularly deficient in memory, will perhaps remember a +certain Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who bustled not a little in one or two +of the foregoing chapters, though he had the best excuse in the world +for subsequently keeping out of the way. It is to him we must return; +therefore, patient reader, suffer your attention to be diverted for a +few moments from the interest of the present events, and resume your +acquaintance with that most deserving and ill-used cavalier. And here, +by the way, I may perhaps be allowed to indulge my spleen, by +manifesting my extreme dislike to interruptions in general, for there is +nothing so vexatious and mortifying as the unpleasant necessity to which +an author is obliged to submit of breaking the thread of a narration +when it begins to excite some interest.</p> + +<p>It is a subject well worthy of notice, that the generality of readers +should be of so inquisitive a temperament, that they cannot be induced +to take in good part whatever they read, and rely implicitly on the good +faith of the author for the correctness of what he advances. By this +means, much time and paper might be saved, explanations would be +useless, and works would be rendered more compact, and consequently less +tedious, which we cannot but consider an infinite advantage to the +literary world at large. However, we must take matters as we find them, +and as a circumstantial and satisfactory solution is expected by the +reader to every incident enveloped somewhat in mystery, let us hasten to +comply with the established custom: and now to return—</p> + +<p>We left Don Rodrigo with his man Peregil, patiently waiting the leisure +of their beasts, sighing, and cursing, and complaining by turns, for +want of more suitable recreation. The night was dreary, and the +spreading branches of the tree under which our friends had taken +shelter, afforded but a meagre accommodation. If their lodgings were +comfortless, the supper which they could expect was still more humble +and hermit-like;—the bill of fare consisted of some green grass, which +though abundantly supplied, presented a most provoking and unrelishing +want of variety. We would not venture to determine whether the +refinement of their palate stood in the way of their appetite, but it is +nevertheless a fact that both master and man left the reverend father's +mule and the <i>mesonero's</i> ass undisturbed possessors of the repast. The +comforts of supper and rest being, therefore, denied to our wanderers, +they resigned themselves to their unpleasant situation, and with the +patience that necessity imposed upon them, awaited the approach of +morning. Don Rodrigo in particular, being thoroughly impressed with the +idea that his rival Gomez Arias had fallen in the encounter, was full of +inquietude, and excessively desirous to penetrate further into the +mountains to a place of security, where he might lie concealed until +their safe return to Granada.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, scarcely had the first blush of dawn shed a dubious ray +over the still slumbering earth, than with much impatience Don Rodrigo +hastened to try how far he might rely upon the complaisance of the mule. +Peregil followed the example of his master, and having found that the +temper of their beasts had been considerably improved by the abundance +of their repast, they quickly mounted, and endeavouring to make up for +the loss of time by a tolerably brisk pace, they pursued their route +towards the thickest and darkest part of the wilderness.</p> + +<p>Two whole days did Don Rodrigo and his attendant continue to wander +without making much progress, which may perhaps be chiefly attributed to +the perverse disposition of the mule and her companion. Indeed the +cavalier and his attendant wandered about much in the same manner that a +knight-errant and his worthy squire might be expected to do, with this +difference only, that the knight-errant would be eagerly seeking for +adventures, whereas Don Rodrigo was equally solicitous to avoid them. +The poor cavalier found himself in a most miserable plight; his revenge +had been satisfied, but more generous sentiments now occupied his bosom. +He reflected, with deep-felt remorse, that for the sake of redressing +the fancied wrongs inflicted on him by an individual, he had deprived +his country of one of its bravest defenders; then again, like most +lovers under similar circumstances, he easily conjectured that the +female who had evinced such an unequivocal aversion to his addresses, +would feel yet more repugnant to accept them, when offered by a man +reeking with the blood of her favored lover.</p> + +<p>These and many other reflections of the like nature continued to intrude +upon his mind; for it is really a matter worthy of remark how very +circumspect and thoughtful a man becomes, when by an undue neglect of +those same qualifications he has brought himself into an uncomfortable +and perilous predicament. They had by this time penetrated into those +places which were under the dominion of the rebel Moors. This +circumstance was therefore attended with the greatest danger, and +consequently their anxiety and distrust became proportionably augmented +as they advanced.</p> + +<p>However, Don Rodrigo still bore with manly fortitude the unpleasant and +dangerous turn which their affairs had taken, whilst the valet, since he +could find no other resource, freely gave vent to his complaints.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he cried, turning to his master, "so may the Lord defend us, +but we are every instant getting deeper into difficulties. Here are we +flying from the clutches of alguazils, to fall into the grasp of the +rebel Moors; and after all, unwelcome as the appearance of alguazils may +be, I should feel very well contented at this moment to be under their +special guardianship, rather than sustain the murderous aspect of these +infidels. Nay, would to God that I were safely and comfortably +incarcerated within the walls of the most obscure dungeon in Granada."</p> + +<p>"Let us then look for our way to Granada, and risk the worst from the +friends of Don Lope," said Don Rodrigo, who, though possessed of much +personal courage and resolution, yet was aware these qualities would not +avail him against the enemies which he was likely to encounter by +proceeding.</p> + +<p>"Aye, indeed," replied Peregil, "let us find our way to Granada, and may +the guardian angel conduct us safely thither.—Blessed be the virgin! +for a man like myself, endowed with a lively and poetical imagination, +I may say, these wild places are exceedingly disagreeable, for they +induce me to make strange metamorphoses: my fancy is continually upon +the alert to transform every object into any thing save what it really +is: at day-break I mistook my ass for an officer, and your mule for a +Moor. Alas! we are alike, my honored master; for you, Don Rodrigo, when +in a poetic and loving mood, are ever disposed to convert cheeks into +roses, and lips into coral, and to find pearls where others only see +teeth. Now, Señor, by a similar process, when a fit of poetry and fear +comes upon me, I feel marvellously inclined to convert all objects that +come before my view—let alone my ass and your mule—flocks of sheep, +flights of crows, stray cows, and barking dogs, into so many, +ruffian-looking and hideous Moors; and, moreover, I am fully persuaded +that my poetry is not a whit more extravagant than yours."</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo, harassed with the combined inconveniences of hunger and +fatigue, paid little attention to the absurdities upon which his +timorous valet was commenting; but Peregil, emboldened by the passive +forbearance of his master, continued in a higher key:—</p> + +<p>"A plague on all lovers, say I; a plague on lovers who for a woman, one +solitary woman, when there is so abundant a choice of such commodity in +Spain, can be stimulated to cut the throats of each other, risk all +sorts of perils, and undergo all the miseries that can afflict human +nature. Fye! fye——"</p> + +<p>"Peace, thou wretch!" exclaimed Don Rodrigo; "profane not with thy foul +remarks and scurrilous rebukes, that tender sentiment which thine own +gross and brutish disposition is neither competent to appreciate nor +enjoy."</p> + +<p>"And most humbly," returned Peregil, "do I thank providence for having +given me a heart withal so brutish and so gross, since those refined +pleasures and feelings which are likely to lead a man into mischief, are +in direct opposition to my taste. Now tell me, my honored master, is +there any law, either human or divine, which ordains that, because you +most desperately love Leonor de Aguilar, and Leonor de Aguilar as +cordially dislikes you, I, who am by no means a party concerned in this +love or hatred, ought to be exposed to all the united miseries of hunger +and thirst, fatigue, dangers, and even death?"</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo, occupied with very different subjects, heard not the +flippant observations of his servant, when suddenly, as they were +approaching the skirts of a wood, his reflections and the valet's +impertinent loquacity were cut short by the unwelcome appearance of a +party of the strolling rebels. They sprung eagerly from their +concealment, and in a moment stood before Don Rodrigo and his attendant, +bearing on their countenances the marks of their revengeful disposition, +and the savage pleasure of meeting with a devoted prey.</p> + +<p>"Stand!" fiercely cried one of the ruffians.</p> + +<p>Don Rodrigo made no reply, but gallantly drew his weapon, and prepared +for a resolute defence.</p> + +<p>"What! base Christian! darest thou provoke our anger? Thy life shall pay +for the temerity."</p> + +<p>"The payment," returned Don Rodrigo, "shall not, at least, be easily +extorted."</p> + +<p>At this the Moors rushed upon the unfortunate cavalier, who though aware +of the impossibility of making any successful resistance against so many +enemies, defended himself bravely and undauntedly, while Peregil fled +with equal speed and terror. The combat could not be long protracted. +Don Rodrigo fell covered with wounds and exhausted from the loss of +blood, uttering a faint murmuring complaint on his unlucky fate and +disastrous love. The ferocious Moors raised his body from the ground, +and as it was the custom with those desperate men when a Christian +unfortunately fell into their power, they immediately hung it on a tree. +There they left him, and shortly after chance led them to the spot where +the hapless Theodora slept, forsaken by her unprincipled betrayer.</p> + +<p>The flight of Roque, and the remarks she had heard from the Moors on the +night she was taken, led that unfortunate girl to believe that it was +her lover who had fallen a victim to the cruelty of those barbarians. +Thus she bitterly deplored the supposed death of him who was at the very +moment accomplishing the blackest deed of ingratitude.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Roque, instigated by fear, and retreating on the scent of +safety, shortly overtook his master, who was not a little surprised and +alarmed at the discomposure of his plans, when he perceived his valet +appear unaccompanied by Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Where is Theodora?" demanded he hastily.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," sullenly responded Roque; "probably in Heaven by this +time."</p> + +<p>"What mean you, villain? didst thou forget my orders?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, but when I was about to put them in practice, some +thousands of most desperate Moors came just in time to prevent my +laudable intentions. At first, bearing in mind the gallant master whom I +had the honor to serve, it was my determination to fight the unbelieving +rascals; but upon second thoughts, I discovered it would be more prudent +to yield to necessity, and since it was not in my power to save the +young lady from falling into their hands, I considered it laudable to +disappoint the rebels of one prisoner at least, whom they might perhaps +estimate as the most important of the two; and so, instead of making use +of my arms, I had recourse to my legs, which members, on more than one +occasion, I have found to be the most serviceable part of my poor self."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias mused for a moment upon the narration of his attendant, as +though calculating the probable consequences of the event. Even in spite +of the uneasiness which he pretended for the fate of Theodora, he could +hardly disguise from himself a species of latent satisfaction. The event +removed from his way the only impediment by which his ambitious designs +could be thwarted. Theodora, in the power of the Moors, would be even +more secure than in a convent, and Gomez Arias, without troubling +himself about the probable fate to which his lovely and too confiding +victim was exposed, continued his journey to Granada, drowning the +recollection of his misconduct in the glittering prospect that was now +opening before him.</p> + +<p>The next day he met with the glorious army of Don Alonso de Aguilar, by +whom he was welcomed with a friendly and parental solicitude. He had the +good fortune to act a conspicuous part in the encounter which El Feri +sustained at Gergal, and which ultimately led to the complete overthrow +of the Moors at Alhacen, and the destruction of that town. Don Lope +proceeded to Granada with the prisoners, and to offer his services to +the queen upon his arrival. He soon found in the resources of his mind +specious pretexts to cover his long absence from Granada, and his +apparent dilatory conduct, notwithstanding the notification of his +safety sent to him by his future bride. But Leonor de Aguilar, though +proud and lofty, was still a woman in her affections, and willingly +received the most feeble excuses, when urged as they now were by the +eloquence of a favored lover.</p> + +<p>Thus Gomez Arias, whilst his victim was abandoned to all the horrors of +her fate, whilst her venerable father drank deep the bitter draught of +affliction—Gomez Arias, the heartless perpetrator of so much misery, +now fondly rioted in the anticipated pleasures of his approaching +nuptials, and the splendid honors that awaited his union with Leonor de +Aguilar.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IXb" id="CHAPTER_IXb"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ecco l'ora—Nel sonno immerso giace</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">——E gli occhi all'alma luce</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Non aprirà più mai? Questa mia destra</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Per farsi or sta del suo morir ministra?....</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Alfieri.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Est-ce une illusion soudaine</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Qui trompe mes regards surpris?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Est-ce un songe dont l'ombre vaine</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Trouble mes timides esprits?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>J. B. Rousseau.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The night was far advanced, and the numerous guests whom the hospitality +of Don Alonso had summoned together, began to retire from the joyous +scene of revelry and feasting. The noisy pleasure was wearing fast away, +and those antique halls no longer echoed with the boisterous mirth of so +many joyous hearts; for in Aguilar's palace that night every heart was +happy,—every heart save one,—one which, desolate and solitary amidst +this world of rejoicing, was a prey to the canker sorrow that had +fastened upon its core.</p> + +<p>But now the convivial assemblage had retired, and the banqueting hall +was left to the undisputed dominion of silence and lonely repose. No +longer ornamented with all the panoplies of war, and the verdant and +perfumed spoils of the garden, those glittering scenes which dazzled the +eyes and benumbed the senses, were now no longer resplendent, but wore +that chilling aspect which imparts to the mind a painful sensation of +melancholy and regret. Upon the long tables still remained the scattered +fragments, remnants of the banquet. Here the sumptuous display of the +looms of Valencia were stained with the waste of racy and highly +flavoured wines, and there broken goblets and ornaments of curious +workmanship were flung around in the reckless excitement of the +revellers. The lamps were out, and the few that still glimmered in the +sockets served but to heighten with their fitful and scanty light the +deserted and gloomy appearance of the scene.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias had retired to his chamber in a transport of delight; the +most pleasing reveries thronged upon his mind, and as he paced the +silent apartment, he inwardly congratulated himself on the near +completion of all his hopes—the speedy enjoyment of his fondest wishes. +In this ferment of expectation, not a single thought obtruded to damp +his ardour, or throw a partial shadow over so bright a picture. Every +thing around him contributed to his felicity,—for alas! he did not see +the sorrow that was busily destroying those charms by whose power he had +been once captivated: nor did he hear the wailings of that voice +designed by nature to convey the softest tones of innocence and delight. +No, Gomez Arias had no thought for his unhappy victim—far, far was he +from surmising that she was at that moment beneath the same roof.</p> + +<p>In this delightful mood, Don Lope threw himself upon the superb couch, +to pass the night in the luxurious vision of his approaching happiness. +The silence was awful! the dull bluish glare of a solitary lamp flung +around the dim splendor of the chamber a charm of melancholy +tranquillity; the rich arabesque ornaments, the gorgeous tapestry, on +which the heroes of other times stood frowning in gloomy repose, were +now partially obscured in solemn shadows that might have imparted a +sensation of superstitious awe. More faintly now gleamed the expiring +light of the lamp, which looked a cold unearthly beam, colourless and +fixed, save when the chilling draft of nightly air found its way through +a crevice of the ponderous casement, and animated the languid flame with +a dull and sickly motion.</p> + +<p>Hushed is every sound, when lo! the door gently opens, and a white +figure moves slowly forwards. It is a female form, and the lamp that +still glimmered in the room, and another which the nocturnal visitor +carried in her hand, revealed a picture which might well chill the heart +of the most hardened:—it was a female in the first stage of youth, and +in whose lineaments could yet be traced the fading remains of beauty. +She grasped a dagger, and she came ready steeled for crime. Murder!—the +blackest deed of human depravity, revolting to the senses even when +instigated by the revengeful passions of man, but in a young and tender +female, unnatural, and full of horror. The figure paused, and cast +around a dubious and uncertain glance; her whole frame trembled, and the +weapon in her hand seemed ready to forsake its grasp. Alas! those +irresolute motions, bespoke her nature: it was woman, woman armed for +crime, but woman still. With noiseless step she advanced towards the +couch; she reached the spot, and gazed with fixed earnestness on the +sleeping Gomez Arias; a thousand gloomy thoughts expand on her pallid +brow; her dark eyes gleam with the flame of revenge; her livid lips curl +with the bitter smile of despair! With difficulty she draws the +oppressive breath, and violently shakes the hand that holds the shining +weapon. 'Tis a demon that directs her every motion, and imparts to that +melancholy and fading picture of youth and beauty, the darkest hues of +the fierce and frenzied passions.</p> + +<p>But the gust of rage is passed. She looks again upon the sleeper, and a +deadly calm overspreads those features but lately fraught with +convulsive passion. Fixed to the ground, she now appeared like an +inanimate statue, and apparently forgetful of the dire purpose that had +brought her to the spot. Poor Theodora!—child of misfortune!—victim of +that intensity of feeling which nature seemed to have designed for thy +bane and ruin; thou wert guilty but of a single error, and is then that +error so severely to be visited! That heaven which made thee pure, and +beautiful, and lovely, did it intend that thou shouldst experience all +the horrors of the most malignant fate, as a counterpoise for the +possession of so may attractions; or was it only to be exemplified as a +warning to others, who, like thee, might be rich in beauty and +gracefulness, of the dangers which these gifts bring in their train!</p> + +<p>Theodora had been guilty of one crime; if, alas! that deserves the name +of crime which is the genuine offspring of the sincerest heart. She had +loved, and loved with all the enthusiasm of devoted affection. She had +been generous, and unsuspecting, and for this she was betrayed and +abandoned. Her injuries had so far wrought upon her distempered brain, +that she was now about to commit a crime, for which she would be cursed, +despised, and perhaps brought to an ignominious end.</p> + +<p>Theodora remained a short time in a doubtful mood, and a heavenly spirit +seemed to struggle with the malignant fiend that instigated her. She +held the lamp in her trembling hand over the sleeping form of her lover, +and by the sickly light she discovered his features as if inspired by +some happy dream. His breath came thick upon her face, as she bent over +the couch. Smiles were upon his lips, and a gentle motion shook his +frame.</p> + +<p>"He loves her!" groaned the despairing Theodora,—"he loves her dearly, +and I am come to——"</p> + +<p>At this moment the deep toned bell of the palace sounded the hour, and +interrupted her dreadful sentence. Solemnly the peal rung through the +place like the death-knell of the perjured lover; but he, unconscious of +his impending fate, slept securely and dreamt of love and happiness. For +now his lips move, and in the broken articulation of deep but pleasing +sighs, the name of her who occupied his mind, burst from his swelling +bosom. It was the name of Leonor; the baneful sound went piercing to +Theodora's heart, and roused all the furies that held dominion there. +The kindly feelings which had returned, now withered fast away. She +starts with frenzy; she grows paler, and revenge alone prevails; her +bosom rises and falls with fearful emotion; wildly her eyes roll. She +resolutely grasps the dagger; the moment is arrived; one blow, and the +despoiler of her happiness would cease to exist: she fiercely raised her +arm, but at the instant all her strength withered: nerveless she dropped +the weapon from her powerless hand: no! she could not strike; for she +was a woman maddened by deep injuries, but she still loved her +betrayer, and the fountain of her gentle nature again bedewed her heart. +She could not strike the man who had, without remorse, inflicted on her +the pangs of a thousand deaths: she smiles in bitterness, and hangs over +the couch of her unconscious lover, her clustering hair loosely flowing +over the pillow; a piteous sigh escapes her, and, bending lower, she +kisses the lips that had betrayed her.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias awakes.—Is this a vision? Surely a phantom mocks his sight; +the spectre of <i>her</i> he had forsaken stands before him: it is indeed the +image of Theodora,—but, alas! how changed! A short time only had flown +since last he saw her, and yet so altered was that form, that were it +not for a consciousness of guilt, with difficulty he would have +recognised her whom he had once idolized. Gomez Arias thrilled as he +gazed on the nocturnal visitor; in her pale features could be traced no +sympathy with life; a clammy dampness bedewed her brows; a chilling +apathy sat upon her countenance. One of her hands now mechanically fell +on the feverish breast of Don Lope, and the cold, cold touch imparted a +thrill of horror.</p> + +<p>In speechless amazement Gomez Arias looked on the mournful figure, and +in her glazed eye he beheld one large tear, that, overwhelming the +eye-lid, dropt heavily on his hand. It was the tear of anguish, and the +drop, as it moistened the hand of Gomez Arias, awakened in his heart a +sad remembrance of violated love and truth.</p> + +<p>The first impression of astonishment had now subsided, and Don Lope, in +a broken voice, exclaimed—"Theodora! Heavens! is it thou?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered, gloomily, "it is the lost, the wretched Theodora, +once the object of thy adoration, and now thy curse. But tremble not; +the dreadful moment is passed, and I cannot harm thee; for though thou +hast cruelly betrayed me, thou art <i>still</i> Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"How came you hither?" demanded Don Lope, with emotion: "What was your +intention?"</p> + +<p>"Behold!" she replied, with a bitter smile, pointing to the dagger that +shone on the ground; "I came to kill thee—I came to deal out a reward +but little adequate to the pangs to which thy treachery has eternally +condemned me. Oh! Lope! Lope! why didst thou not take from me this +wretched life when I was no longer dear to thy heart? I should then have +been happy!—Thou didst not—but cruelly left me to the mercy of +strangers, when I had <i>none</i> to look upon in life but thee."</p> + +<p>All the feelings of an injured, yet fond woman now flowed uncontrolled +over that heart where the stormy passions had raged before. She sobbed +convulsively, and a shower of tears relieved her breaking bosom. Her +weeping countenance was upon her lover's breast, and as he contemplated +her deep anguish, and the wreck of those charms which, but for him, had +still shone in their native grace, a ray of pity dawned upon his heart, +callous as he was. There was something so peculiarly distressing in the +situation of the unfortunate girl, that all the glowing considerations +of ambition faded for a moment from his view, and his senses were alive +only to more humane sentiments.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias no longer loved Theodora; but still when he saw the extent +of her misery, and felt her warm tears inundating his bosom, pity +partially supplied the place of his departed affection. He took the +passive hand of Theodora, and gently pressed it between his own—and +happy—happy was at that moment his innocent victim at this solitary +mark of kindness. It was like a healing balm to her lacerated soul; but +too soon she discovered—for what, alas! can escape the acute +penetration of a loving woman—she soon discovered that pity alone +suggested the consoling token—pity which might alike have been excited +by any other object of distress; and, oh! how little does the sedate +voice of pity satisfy the craving bosom of one who had such claims to +command unbounded love!</p> + +<p>Theodora fixed her eyes on her lover, not in anger but in sorrow, and, +in a thrilling and piteous voice, she exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"I know you no longer love me; but, Oh! heavens! have I deserved this +from you, Lope? Your vows I will not recall, for who can forget them? +They are deeply engraven in my heart, and I believed them true,—I loved +you, Lope—Oh! I loved you as never woman loved before, and how was such +affection requited? Alas! had I suffered the most terrible of deaths, it +had been kind compared with thy desertion."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Theodora," said Gomez Arias, "your reproaches are just; for well I +deserve the most bitter that language can invent; but I was compelled to +that necessity by obligations so imperative, so sacred, that they may +serve to explain, and perhaps, in some measure, to extenuate the +disgrace, which my heart tells me I have so justly incurred."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Theodora, "could aught in earth oblige you to abandon one +linked to you by the dearest of ties?"</p> + +<p>"It was the consequence of former guilt," replied Don Lope. "Theodora, I +will deal frankly by you,—nay tremble not at the intelligence which I +must disclose, for it is now imperiously required.—Curse me, Theodora," +he then added with emotion, "curse the man who has accomplished your +ruin. When I courted your affections; when I sought your innocent +caresses, then—then, alas! I was the betrayer; for it was then that I +deceived your unsuspecting heart."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Heavens!" shrieked Theodora, "you never loved me then!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I adored you,—I loved you truly,—passionately, but it was my +very love that wrought this misery. I had no strength to reveal the +terrible secret: I became selfish and ungenerous; for when I breathed to +your innocent ear the vows of everlasting affection, when you repaid my +profession with undisguised, pure, and disinterested love, even at that +time, my hand, my faith, were sacredly pledged to another."</p> + +<p>Theodora hid her face in agony, and wrung her hands in despair, but she +could not speak; her heart was full even to breaking, and it was with a +severe struggle that she faintly pronounced "Leonor!"</p> + +<p>"It is too true," replied Gomez Arias. "Previous to my arrival at +Guadix, and my acquaintance with you, my honor was bound to the daughter +of Aguilar by indissoluble ties; we were betrothed, and on the point of +being united, when an untoward accident drove me from Granada to avoid +the vengeance of the friends of my discarded rival Don Rodrigo de +Cespedes. Misguided by the fever of passion, I forgot my sacred +obligations to Leonor. You have already but too dreadfully suffered, and +a repetition of such scenes must necessarily increase the anguish of +your situation."</p> + +<p>This recital threw the hapless daughter of Monteblanco into that +exquisite agony which falls to the lot of woman alone to feel: for man, +far happier in the diversity of his pursuits; less susceptible in the +refinement of sensibility; more divided in his intercourse with +society, can never experience that poignancy of feeling excited by shame +and disappointed love, which exert their baneful influence over the +heart of forsaken woman!</p> + +<p>Theodora answered not her lover; there was something so atrocious in his +recital, that in spite of the palliation which a fond woman, even when +most injured, is anxious to find for the man who has wronged her, she +could not cast a shade over the glaring colours in which Don Lope's +treachery was depicted: she recoiled from him with a feeling of +apprehension, and her countenance assumed a deadly hue as she fearfully +exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"And you left me then to perish in the mountains?"</p> + +<p>"No, Theodora," eagerly cried Gomez Arias; "no! such intentions never +entered my mind; of that at least I am innocent: it was my purpose to +have placed you in a convent, and I availed myself of your sleep to +spare you the pangs of a separation. Having instructed Roque how to act, +I proceeded onwards to make the necessary arrangements for your +reception in the religious asylum the Moors surprised you; Roque fled: +of the rest I am ignorant, and how I find you here is more than +imagination can conceive."</p> + +<p>"I came," said Theodora, bitterly—"I came to be a witness of your +joyful wedding: it is to be celebrated to-morrow, and I am yet in time."</p> + +<p>There was something evil-boding in the tone of these words, and an +involuntary chill crept over Gomez Arias as he fixed his eyes on the +sufferer.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she continued, "it is necessary that the ceremony should be +attended at least by one of your victims—the triumph of Leonor will +then be more brilliant; and I," she added in a faltering tone, "I shall +also enjoy one satisfaction——"</p> + +<p>Struck with horror, no less at these words than at the manner in which +they were delivered, Gomez Arias looked wildly on Theodora; but was +unable for some time to give utterance to his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"My poor life," continued Theodora, "must always be an obstacle to your +happiness, and it is meet I should make the sacrifice at the foot of the +altar, at the time of your union with the choice of your heart."</p> + +<p>Don Lope was fixed in deep abstraction; a thousand thoughts rushed +across his fevered brain; he raised himself from the couch; a copious +suffusion bathed his distended brows, and every thing bespoke the +dreadful conflict of his feelings. He saw all his prospects of grandeur +fall like the baseless structure of a dream: on the point of snatching +the golden treasure, he was arrested as effectually as if by the hand of +death. Perplexed with the most distracting thoughts and boisterous +passions, he for a time appeared even unconscious of the form that came +to nip his hopes in their blossom: but soon a light seemed to illumine +his over-clouded imagination, and his brow brightened as if actuated by +a sudden resolution.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," he said, with a solemn and energetic tone—"Theodora, I will +no longer dissemble with you; I have been cruel, barbarous as never man +was before: yes, to-morrow I am to be united to Spain's proudest +daughter, and all that ambition and glory can offer in dazzling +perspective to the ardent imagination of man, all, all is to be +fulfilled. But, alas! Theodora, I cannot endure your distress; your +tears, your anguish rend my heart, and awaken that affection which was +never completely extinguished. Dared I but hope for your forgiveness, +how willingly would I make the sacrifice of these glittering bubbles, +and return to that path where alone I can find peace and happiness. +Theodora!" he continued after a pause, "can you forgive me?"</p> + +<p>This appeal was made in a tone so subdued and pathetic, that a +conviction of its sincerity was readily admitted by the sorrowing +Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Forgive thee!" she exclaimed, in a voice thrilling with emotion, whilst +a rich glow of animation overspread those pale features: "Forgive thee, +Lope! Can Theodora deny you!"</p> + +<p>Earnestly she raised her clasped hands to Heaven, and, in the genuine +abandonment of an enthusiastic heart,</p> + +<p>"Oh God!" she exclaimed, "thy mercies are boundless. Dear Lope!" she +continued, "can I do otherwise than forgive you!" and the tear of joy +glistened in her eye. "Your returning love will repay me for all the +agonies I have undergone. And now you must forgive me—for did I not +even now come armed for your destruction! Oh, horror! I came to murder +thee—in this spot—sleeping as thou wast! But ah! pardon me; I was then +a poor distracted woman, a despairing maniac, and——"</p> + +<p>"Stay, my Theodora; reproach not thyself for an act of which I was the +cause; it was a fate that I too justly merited. But no more of that. +Listen, dear girl, and follow my injunctions, as upon their strict +observance depends our future happiness. To-morrow night I will conduct +you to your poor deserted parent: together at his knees we will implore +forgiveness. He will not be invulnerable to the tears and supplications +of his child; and I will forget the wild dreams that have so long +tyrannised over my kinder feelings, to fix all my thoughts upon love and +Theodora. To the happy termination of these designs, however, you must +be willing to pay attention to my instructions."</p> + +<p>"I will do all!" emphatically cried Theodora.</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "take heed that thou keepest silence with +reference to our meeting and resolves;—closed in thy chamber, thou must +appear an uninterested stranger to whatever may be proceeding without. +It will require the utmost delicacy and ability to disclose my +determination to the proud Aguilars, when the arrangements with them are +so far advanced. It is an insult they will never tamely brook, and all +my policy will be necessary to defer, at least for some time, the +terrible explosion of their indignation."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lope," exclaimed the fond girl, in a transport of tenderness, "I +will—I will obey you faithfully! Your slightest wish shall be to me a +law."</p> + +<p>The tide of rapturous feeling overflowed her heart. Intoxicated with +happiness, she threw herself beside the couch, fervently clasped the +passive hands of her repentant lover, and tenderly pressed them to her +throbbing bosom. But those transports beat coldly responsive within the +breast of Don Lope; for pity and a sense of duty are but poor and +inadequate substitutes for the glow of passion. Still, however, +recollection brought to his fancy raptures past and endearments since +flown; and memory perhaps made him cherish the present by vividly +recalling the past. But it was like the melancholy regretful pleasure +which is experienced by one who revisits the scenes of his childhood. He +may indulge in the recollection of those departed joys, but his mind is +estranged by other feelings, and can no longer enjoy those pleasures +which formerly constituted his happiness.</p> + +<p>The morning was now fast approaching, and a separation became +indispensable.—Theodora made a hasty recital of her adventures and +withdrew, replete with returning joy; for she had passed a few moments +with greater delight than perhaps she could ever again experience in +this world—those blissful moments when hearts severed by destiny, or +alienated by misfortune, again unite in the genuine bonds of revived +affection.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Xb" id="CHAPTER_Xb"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="c sml"> +Oh! what a jewel is a woman excellent!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 17em;"><i>Beaumont.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="c sml"> +Mais qu'aisément l'amour croit tout ce qu'il souhaite!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Racine.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">I humbly offer my advice (but still</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Under correction), I hope I shall not</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Incur your high displeasure.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Massinger.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Oh, Woman! lovely devoted Woman! Of what mysterious particles could +nature have formed so strange a being—made up, as it were, of +contradictions, and yet deriving from that very inconsistency its +principal attraction. Uncertain and wavering, but amiable in that very +weakness. When impelled by affection or smarting under highly excited +feelings of injury, thou art capable of the most noble enthusiasm, or +the darkest exhibitions of passion. Man, proudly arrogating to himself +a despotic sway over the higher walks of intellect, and the wild and +luxuriant fields of imagination, has left thee undisputed sovereign of +the empire of the heart! He is often happy to avail himself of that more +delicate discrimination, an instinctive feeling with which nature has +gifted thee, though jealous of permitting thee to share in his power. +Woman! thou wert born to grace and smooth the rugged path of life; the +advancement of one endearing sentiment is the prized object of thy +existence, and its successful termination thy reward. Debarred by nature +and education from the glittering pursuits of ambition; incapable by the +delicacy of thy frame, and the softness of thy nature, of following the +rude pastimes, and participating in the laborious and dangerous +avocations of man, thy whole being is wrapt in the charm of that one +feeling—love! A feeling the most congenial to thy nature—blissful in +the possession, and often but too fatal in its effects. Man seeks thee +as a friend, to treat thee like an enemy. Thou lovest—he triumphs! and +then he spurns thee because thou hast been kind. Base and degrading +contradiction of human nature!—that because man is endowed with greater +powers of attack, than woman has strength to resist, in the unequal +strife, odium and shame should attach to the victim, whilst the betrayer +acquires a false lustre from his unmanly triumph!</p> + +<p>But Woman! such is the angelic essence of thy being, that while capable +of feeling with poignancy the shafts of ingratitude and neglect, thou +art still ready to pardon, and ever disposed to forget, when repentance +makes an appeal to thy compassionate and gentle heart.</p> + +<p>Such a woman was Theodora!—After having borne the extremity of sorrows, +which seemed to surpass the strength of human forbearance, instigated by +madness and despair, she had grasped the dagger in that soft hand little +adequate for a deed so dark; like the midnight assassin, she had +entered the chamber of her wronger, bent upon the commission of crime. +But the sight of <i>him</i> who was once so dear disarms her—she cannot +accomplish the deed of guilt, and the sudden repentance of her betrayer, +like a potent charm, soon dispels the evil passions to which she was a +prey. Only a few words of comfort had Gomez Arias spoken before the +voice of sorrow was hushed in her heart. Nay, the man who had wounded +her so deeply, was endeared by his very cruelty; for, alas! Theodora +felt she loved him <i>now</i> more tenderly than ever.</p> + +<p>She had forgotten the former treachery of her lover, and, incapable of +anticipating the possibility of a renewal, she retired to her chamber to +revel in her happiness, and await the coming of the day in anxious +expectation.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Gomez Arias was pacing his apartment in the utmost +impatience and agitation. Scarcely had Theodora withdrawn and the first +impulse of pity subsided, than the sense of the danger to which his +ambitious projects were exposed, rushed upon his imagination, and +silenced every other consideration, save that of their accomplishment. +Morning came, and still found Don Lope measuring his chamber with an +irregularity of step that well bespoke the disorder of his feelings. +Sometimes he paused and pondered upon an idea which seemed to offer him +security, and then he rejected it as unavailable. Then he muttered half +broken sentences, and then again suddenly composed himself into a +saturnine tranquillity. After this he raved like a madman, and bitterly +cursed the unfortunate Theodora as an insurmountable impediment to his +views; forgetting that it was by the guilty indulgence of his own +unworthy passions that he was now entangled in the intricate +perplexities which surrounded him. The ill-fated victim of his guilt, +fortunately for her short-lived happiness, heard not the ungenerous +reproach. Alas! she was fondly indulging in the supposed kindness of her +lover, and longing to clasp him in her arms; whilst the object of her +endearment was at the same moment ungenerously contriving how to +disengage himself from that embrace.</p> + +<p>His present deceit was the natural consequence of the system he had +adopted. To relinquish the brilliant prospects which presented +themselves to his ambition, merely to listen to the voice of justice, +and give redress to the injured, was too great an effort, encompassed as +he was with the thousand conflicting passions that silenced the murmurs +of neglected duty. His aversion to Theodora now acquired additional +strength from the dilemma in which he was involved. He had never for a +moment contemplated breaking his engagements with Leonor; he was +unwilling even to calculate upon a possibility of such an event, for his +honor and pride were both too deeply interested; yet it was of the most +urgent necessity to delay the ceremony, and how to conciliate these +matters was the source of his present uneasiness. What pretext could he +assign plausible enough to justify so extraordinary a resolution?</p> + +<p>A thousand plans suggested themselves, all of which he discarded as +unavailable: he was apprehensive that night would surprise him before +any arrangements could be entered into with regard to Theodora; and to +attempt any coercive means of conveying her from the palace of Don +Alonso would be madness. At all events he must avoid any interview with +Theodora whilst his conduct might be subjected to observation; for at +such a time the attention of all the household would naturally be +directed towards him.</p> + +<p>In this perplexity he was surprised by his faithful valet, who came in +the morning, according to custom, to receive his orders. Roque entered, +and was not a little surprised to observe his master's abstraction.</p> + +<p>"Good morrow to you, Señor," said he, making an humble bow, and +advancing towards the musing cavalier; but Don Lope made no answer +whatever, nor did he take the slightest notice of his salutation.</p> + +<p>"There!" continued Roque. "<i>Dios me bendiga!</i><a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 36.">[36]</a> my precious master is +in a most thoughtful mood. I had always the power of rousing him from +his meditations, but now they appear too powerful for my humble +abilities." "Don Lope," he proceeded in a louder key, "good morning to +your honor," and he accompanied this Christian-like wish with as many +noisy demonstrations as were compatible with good order.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Don Lope, suddenly starting, "is it you, Roque?"</p> + +<p>"The same, Sir, at your service," replied the obsequious valet.</p> + +<p>"Curse thee!" returned his master, "why makest thou that noise?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear master, that is a most amiable morning salutation; it +augurs well too on a wedding-day."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! my wedding-day!" cried Gomez Arias, impatiently; and he again +relapsed into his train of reflection.</p> + +<p>"Eh?" ejaculated Roque; "I wonder what is in the wind now; all is not +right, I perceive. Señor Don Lope, may I so far intrude on your most +important meditations, as to demand what has sent your wits a +wool-gathering so early in the morning: surely your dreams have not been +unpleasant—for my part I cannot bear terrible dreams; they are ominous, +particularly on the eve of a wedding——"</p> + +<p>"Hold thy foolish chatter," interrupted Gomez Arias; "it is not a dream +that troubles me, but a reality, a most mortifying reality. Roque," he +then added in a more familiar tone, "I am involved in a labyrinth from +which it will be no easy matter to extricate myself."</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry, good Señor; for my part, I can very well conceive that +a prudent man has cogent reasons to ponder and reflect more than a +philosopher, when he is on the point of being entangled in the labyrinth +of matrimony. Yes, Sir, I allow it is a most dangerous experiment: it is +a voyage menaced with all sorts of foul weather, and surrounded with +shoals, quicksands, and rocks, so that——"</p> + +<p>"Roque, a truce with your cursed metaphors," cried Don Lope, "or I'll +blow such a storm about thine ears, as to surpass all description."</p> + +<p>"Sir," replied the valet, "if you dislike storms, I have not the +smallest affection for them, so I'll even hold my tongue."</p> + +<p>"Roque," said Gomez Arias after a moment's silence, "I am threatened +with the loss of the rich treasure which I have so long and so arduously +toiled to obtain."</p> + +<p>"Treasure, Señor!" cried the wondering valet. "<i>Cuerpo de Cristo!</i> +Treasure! Be pleased to explain: I was not aware that you expected a +rich treasure; from what quarter is it to come? My dear, dear master, I +suppose you will then pay me all my vails."</p> + +<p>"Here's an infamous sinner!" exclaimed Gomez Arias; "an unconscionable +dog, to be talking of money and filthy wages when his master is +labouring under the most perplexing dilemma in which ever mortal man was +placed. Roque, I do not see what prevents me from shaking thy rascally +form to atoms."</p> + +<p>Don Lope, in his anger, made a step in advance, while Roque prudently +made one in retrograde.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," cried the retreating valet, "as I hope for salvation, it is +not my wish to offend: you appear in a terrible passion, and there is +certainly some mystery at the bottom: something preys upon your mind, +and if you would make me acquainted with it, perhaps I might devise a +remedy for the evil."</p> + +<p>"You cannot, Roque," returned his master, somewhat composed; "you cannot +contrive to defer this wedding!"</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgin del tremedal</i>," ejaculated Roque, crossing himself, "and is it +come to this at last? So you have discovered some imperfection in the +beauteous bride; some failing of which you were ignorant; better before +the ceremony than after. But it would be a marvellous pity to spoil the +feast, after the splendid preparations made to celebrate it with the +state and decorum to which it is entitled. Lord bless us! a curious +business we should make of it. But never mind; perhaps it is for the +best after all."</p> + +<p>"Now, Roque, hast thou finished? Who in the name of <i>Satanas</i><a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 37.">[37]</a> can +hear with patience thy everlasting foolery! I do not intend to postpone +the celebration of the wedding from inclination, but because I am so +compelled by unavoidable circumstances."</p> + +<p>"What say you, dear master? surely nothing has happened."</p> + +<p>"Yes, something, and most extraordinary; thou wilt be astonished at what +I have to relate, Roque."</p> + +<p>"Proceed, Señor; hold me not in suspense, and I can verily assure you, +that nothing is wonderful to me."</p> + +<p>"I have seen," continued Gomez Arias, in a solemn tone,—"I have seen +Theodora!"</p> + +<p>"Theodora!" echoed Roque, affecting surprise. "Seen Theodora! in your +dreams, perchance, my good master."</p> + +<p>"I have seen her," returned Don Lope, "as plainly as I now see thee. +Nay, I have spoken with her."</p> + +<p>"Where, Señor Don Lope?"</p> + +<p>"Here, in this very apartment."</p> + +<p>"You astonish me," proceeded Roque, "and yet I cannot say it is so very +strange, neither; for I, myself, saw her—that is, I dreamt I saw +her—and dreams, you know, my honored master, are often the precursors +of realities."</p> + +<p>"Enough," cried Gomez Arias; "we must now think on the means of averting +the danger."</p> + +<p>"The danger!" quoth Roque; "in the name of <i>San Pablo</i>, what danger do +you apprehend?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Roque! I am threatened with the worst of evils."</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgen Santa!</i> what say you, Señor?"</p> + +<p>"Theodora expects me to relinquish the intended wedding, and depart +hence with her, or she will expose me at the very altar."</p> + +<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Roque! "what, is not the gentle lady already tired +of rambling? Good God! I should have imagined she had had too many +mountain adventures to be longing to take another trip with you."</p> + +<p>"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "we must remove this girl out of our way."</p> + +<p>"Our way!" quoth the man of confidence—"our way, my good Señor? she is +not in my way, by any means."</p> + +<p>"No, buffoonery, Sirrah! you have chosen ill your time for jesting. Now +listen, varlet. This Theodora must be disposed of; the urgency of this +measure is obvious."</p> + +<p>"Very obvious," responded Roque.</p> + +<p>"The sooner the better," continued Don Lope, musing.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," rejoined the valet.</p> + +<p>"And how this is to be accomplished," muttered Gomez Arias, "without +exciting suspicion among the household, I cannot conceive."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," returned Roque.</p> + +<p>"It is really the most distressing circumstance," continued his master.</p> + +<p>"Uncommonly distressing," echoed the confidant.</p> + +<p>"Of course," proceeded Don Lope, "I must employ stratagem; the wedding +must be delayed; I will boldly accost Don Alonso. I shall merely demand +one day, and in that short interval, every thing must be arranged, some +way or other."</p> + +<p>Don Lope uttered this last observation with the most imperturbable <i>sang +froid</i>, and the conscientious Roque, wisely reflecting that under the +head of disposing of cumbersome damsels, there were some ways not +altogether in accordance with the dictates of conscience, ventured to +observe——</p> + +<p>"Pardon me, Don Lope, but I hope that in the premeditated disposal of +this troublesome commodity, you do not mean to use any violence; for the +Lord knows that the poor lady is already but too deserving of +compassion."</p> + +<p>"Thou art an impertinent, officious fool, Roque."</p> + +<p>"That may be," coolly retorted the valet. "But be pleased to observe, +that from the very commencement of this adventure—from the very first +moment that you poured your sweet poison into the ear of this innocent +young creature, I strenuously set my face against such proceeding; +something whispered to me, that it would ultimately be productive of the +most disastrous results; time will show that forebodings are sometimes +to be credited. So be pleased to recollect, Señor, how often I +remonstrated with you about this melancholy business."</p> + +<p>"I do, Roque; and I suppose you likewise recollect what you gained by +your eloquent remonstrances?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sir," replied Roque, "favors they were, so deeply engraven, that it +would be difficult to efface them from my remembrance."</p> + +<p>"Well," continued Gomez Arias, "know, Roque, that I am at this time just +in a humor to treat you with a renewal of such like favors, if you do +not immediately put a stop to your droning and most impertinent +reminiscences. I do not ask your condolence and regret for what is past, +for that now cannot be remedied. I want thy shrewdness and invention to +aid me in the present emergency. Violence I will not employ, so let your +scruples be at rest. I must now see Don Alonso, and prepare the way for +ulterior plans. Roque, I recommend thee to preserve a strict silence on +the matter, if thou art not entirely disgusted with life. Now +begone,—and meet me two hours hence at the <i>Plaza Nueva</i>."</p> + +<p>Roque made a low bow of assent and withdrew; whilst Gomez Arias, +assuming as much resolution as the importance of the occasion demanded, +left his apartment to meet Don Alonso de Aguilar. Scarcely had he +quitted his chamber than he beheld, with no little emotion, the bustle +and activity which prevailed over the whole palace, on account of the +expected festivities of the day. Here were maids, in fine attire, +tripping gaily along, simpering and smiling, and all good nature and +amiability. There ran servants in gorgeous dresses parading about in +their respective departments, and assuming importance in proportion to +the degree of responsibility which they were to take at the festival; +and handsome pages were seen carrying bridal favors in large and +beautiful silver salvers. Then came a crowd of friends, eagerly making +their way to Gomez Arias, and offering their congratulation to the happy +bridegroom; while the bridegroom, so congratulated, bore on his +countenance an expression of any thing but happiness. Nor were these +tokens of kindness confined alone to friends; for the fame of the +wedding had attracted a proportionate number of hungry bards and +minstrels who came at an early hour to greet the bridegroom with their +songs and rhapsodies, whilst Don Lope, as it may well be supposed, +responded to their love ditties and congratulations with most hearty +curses.</p> + +<p>He traversed the long galleries and spacious halls of the palace, +already besieged with numerous visitors—some attracted by the splendor +of the festival, and others by the odour of savoury and delicious things +that would grace the convivial board—indeed, from the number of +intelligent artists employed in the preparations, the <i>connoisseurs</i> in +culinary science augured favorably of this department of the feast. Don +Lope with difficulty escaped the compliments and embraces of his +<i>soi-disant</i> dear and respected friends, and making his way through this +mighty army of parasites, called to one of the servants, and caused +himself to be announced to Don Alonso de Aguilar.</p> + +<p>He found the warrior already attired for the ceremony, and girding on a +most magnificent sword, which he only used on solemn occasions. After +the first salutations had passed, Gomez Arias remained for a few seconds +pondering within himself the best means of breaking to Aguilar the +disagreeable communication with which he came prepared. A consciousness +of the imposture he was meditating, rendered his situation in the +highest degree embarrassing, and his habitual self-command seemed almost +to have abandoned him at this critical moment. The old warrior perceived +the constraint of his manner, and was struck with the singularity of a +conduct so much at variance with the usual courtly ease and style of +Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>He waited therefore for some time in expectation that Don Lope had +something to communicate; but as the young cavalier appeared in no haste +to signify his wishes—</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," at length, said Aguilar, "you are really too thoughtful for +a man on his wedding-day."</p> + +<p>A pause ensued; and the affair becoming more perplexing every minute, +Gomez Arias found the urgency of adopting a decisive step. He summoned, +therefore, all his adroitness, and with much deference and respect he +said to the father of Leonor,—</p> + +<p>"Don Alonso, an unexpected event has just been imparted to me,—and the +distress which my feelings have sustained, has no doubt excited your +surprise,—but before the ceremony proceeds, however great my +reluctance, it is imperatively required that I should communicate with +you, and solicit your advice in this difficulty."</p> + +<p>"Proceed, Señor," said Don Alonso; "though allow me to observe, that any +communication of importance ought to have been made before this day."</p> + +<p>"Don Alonso," resumed Gomez Arias, with firmness, "there are +circumstances in life which are not controllable by the will of man. +Strange as the request which I am about to make may appear, it is +absolutely necessary. Sir, with all the respect which you are entitled +to command, but with all the firmness which duty requires of me, I must +throw myself on your indulgence, and pray you to defer the wedding until +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Aguilar, struck with surprise at so extraordinary a +demand; "defer the wedding! Don Lope, what means this?—Surely you do +not intend to affront my house!"</p> + +<p>"The honor of your house, Don Alonso de Aguilar," answered Gomez Arias, +with composure, "is now intimately connected with my own; and it would +be unjustifiable to suppose me guilty of such intentions."</p> + +<p>"What am I then to think of your strange proposal?" demanded +Aguilar—his brow mantling with indignation.</p> + +<p>"It is a request," replied Gomez Arias, "that I would never have +contemplated of my own accord; and you may well imagine what my feelings +must be when I am obliged to postpone my happiness even for one day. +Certainly it is no trivial inducement that could prompt me to such a +measure; I hope this will plead my justification. I have received a +dispatch from my valued friend Count Ureña, stating that he is seized +with a mortal distemper, and conjuring me, as I esteem the blessings of +a dying man, to repair to his couch ere it be too late. He has a most +important communication which must be intrusted to no one but Gomez +Arias. The castle of the Count," added Don Lope, "is but six leagues +distant, and I shall be back by to-morrow. Now, Don Alonso, I crave your +advice: shall I disregard the last request of a man to whom my family +are under sacred obligations, or will you allow the ceremony to be +delayed till to-morrow, by which means I shall be enabled at once to +fulfil the dictates of honor and humanity, without trespassing too far +on my own happiness?"</p> + +<p>Don Alonso de Aguilar was in some manner reconciled to the necessity of +the measure proposed by Gomez Arias, though his pride received a severe +check, the effects of which were easily to be discerned in his +features.</p> + +<p>"But," said he with some asperity of tone, "my permission is not the +only one you are to obtain, Don Lope. My daughter must be +consulted—have you received her sanction? The Queen also must be +forthwith apprized of this sudden change, and I know not how her +Highness may be disposed to acquiesce in the alteration."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias promised easily to remove all difficulties with his bride, +if Don Alonso would immediately use his influence with the Queen, and +urge the necessity of the delay. He was aware that the high spirit of +Leonor would, under any circumstances, deeply resent such a measure; +still he confidently relied on his own abilities and persuasion to +overrule any objection on her part. He hurried therefore to her +apartment, craved admittance, which was granted, and found himself +before his intended bride, rendered still more beautiful by the costly +ornaments with which she was adorned.</p> + +<p>"Well, Don Lope," said she smiling, while surveying herself in the +mirror, "what think you of my appearance?"</p> + +<p>"As of a divinity to whom I bend in adoration," gallantly replied Gomez +Arias, and taking her hand he pressed it to his lips with respectful +tenderness.</p> + +<p>Leonor replied to this mark of her lover's regard with a look of +affection.</p> + +<p>"But," exclaimed she, laughing, "I cannot compliment Señor Don Lope, +upon the taste of his toilet. No doubt he will tell me that his +imagination has been altogether engrossed with my beauty, and that he +has not bestowed a single thought upon himself: however," she continued +in the same strain, "from the respect we owe to the Queen, and the noble +friends who will honor us with their presence, it will be necessary to +recall the attention of the cavalier, even to so unworthy a subject as +himself."</p> + +<p>She was still proceeding, when Gomez Arias, who considered every moment +he lost of vital importance in the arrangement of his plans, resolved at +once to acquaint her with his determination.</p> + +<p>"It seems fated, dear Leonor," he said, "that I am to experience a +greater share of disappointment than usually falls to the lot of man; +scarcely has the late impediment to our union been removed, and I am on +the point of succeeding to my heart's fondest wishes, when——"</p> + +<p>"Surely, Lope," interrupted Leonor, with emotion, "your rashness has not +again placed you in the peril from which you have so lately escaped—and +yet your dress and deportment bespeak something disastrous—Speak—say, +Don Lope—let me know the worst."</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, dearest Leonor; there is no danger to apprehend."</p> + +<p>He then, in a few words, explained what he had already said to her +father, and in soothing terms solicited her consent to what he proposed.</p> + +<p>"What need is there of my consent," she said, whilst her countenance +betrayed the mortification she experienced, "to a measure that meets the +approval of the Queen and my father! Certainly," she continued, "let us +defer the ceremony."</p> + +<p>There was something in the tone in which these words were delivered, +that thrilled to the heart of Don Lope; for the sarcastic smile and the +forced tranquillity which Leonor had assumed, plainly indicated that her +pride had been deeply wounded, though she affected to treat the affair +with indifference. Gomez Arias had recourse to all his eloquence in +order to smooth the resentment awakened by his proposal, but Leonor +repelled his advances with a resolute dignity of manner.</p> + +<p>"Go, Don Lope," she said, proudly, "you are losing time here—consider +the state of the Count; and unless you make good speed, he may never +know the kind and valuable friend he possesses."</p> + +<p>She then called her attendants, and with the most perfect indifference +began to divest herself of her ornaments, urging all the time to her +future husband the necessity of immediate departure.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, though reluctantly, was compelled to leave his bride, and +hurried away further to promote the accomplishment of the plots which +distracted his attention.</p> + +<p>Leonor was soon disrobed of her bridal garments, and the disconcerted +maids were lost in astonishment at the extraordinary change which had +taken place. Nor could they explain the cheerfulness of manner visible +in their mistress, when she announced that the wedding was to be +deferred. But under the apparent indifference of Leonor, rankled a deep +feeling of injury. The same pride that resented her lover's +determination, forbade her to exhibit any degree of concern; but though +the feeling was repressed, its effects would be more lasting than if +expended in reproaches and complaints.</p> + +<p>Don Alonso de Aguilar signified the unexpected delay to all the officers +of the household, and the amazement of every one may easily be +conceived. Every trifling circumstance was discussed, but nothing +satisfactory elucidated, save that every individual, either as his +interest was concerned, or his curiosity unsatisfied, loudly exclaimed +against a change which interfered so much with his profit or pleasure.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIb" id="CHAPTER_XIb"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">It is a swelling, and the last affection</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A high mind can put off. It is a rebel</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Both to the soul and reason, and enforces</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">All laws, all conscience; treads upon religion,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And offers violence to Nature's self.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;">Ben Jonson.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Gomez Arias, after his interview with Leonor, repaired to the place +where he had appointed his confidential valet to await his leisure. Upon +his way he met the diligent Roque, and briefly related to him the +success which had hitherto attended his operations.</p> + +<p>"My good Roque," he gaily exclaimed, "our path now seems clear, and we +have nothing to impede our course."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Señor," returned Roque, "so it appears; but God grant that our +course may not yet be obstructed. When he who walketh uprightly must see +that he stumbleth not, what chance have we?"</p> + +<p>"Well," cried his master, laughing, "in such a case mind thou art not in +my way; for assuredly my fall will entail upon thee some sore bruises."</p> + +<p>"Bless me, good Señor," cried the valet, jocosely, "do what I may, I +cannot guard myself from such peril; for, by some unaccountable +mischance, when you <i>do</i> fall, I am sure to reap the disagreeable +results: however, may the saints protect us in all lawful enterprise, +and, certes, there is no stronger law than necessity."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Don Lope, at this moment, "Roque—look! who is +that cavalier in the distance?"</p> + +<p>Roque looked as he was ordered, but could perceive nothing that might +call for such an exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Señor," said he, surprised, "what causes your alarm?"</p> + +<p>"Is not that <i>caballero</i> going towards our mansion?"</p> + +<p>"He may—but what is there strange in that?"</p> + +<p>"Surely it is the Count Ureña!"</p> + +<p>"He looks very much like him."</p> + +<p>"Then I am undone! Run, Roque; dispatch! Detain him."</p> + +<p>And without further ceremony, by the smart application of his hand to +the back of the valet, he gave an additional impetus to the motives for +increased exertion, whilst he himself advanced at a brisk pace towards +the object that had so unseasonably disturbed his interesting +speculations.</p> + +<p>Roque, like a good servant, without losing any time in useless parley, +obeyed his master's commands by making the best of his way to the person +in question, who in reality proved to be the Count. Gomez Arias, feeling +certain that his apprehensions were well founded, suddenly seized him by +the shoulder, at the same time calling on him to stay.</p> + +<p>"What means this?" cried Ureña, sharply, turning round, not at all +pleased with the roughness of the salutation: "who is he that dares——"</p> + +<p>"Your friend," answered Gomez Arias, laughing.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope!" cried Count Ureña, in amazement.</p> + +<p>"The same—but whither are you going?"</p> + +<p>"To your house, surely: and now you must confess that I am a sincere +friend; for although not entirely recovered from my late indisposition, +I could not resist the desire of being present at your wedding; so I +posted to Granada, and here I am, in time, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, quite," replied Don Lope, evidently annoyed.</p> + +<p>"But it seems," continued Count Ureña, "that my arrival does not meet +with your approbation?"</p> + +<p>"My dear friend, you must excuse my apparent want of cordiality, but I +have already dispatched an express to your castle to explain matters, +and you must on no account be seen in Granada."</p> + +<p>"But why?"</p> + +<p>"I ask it as a particular favor."</p> + +<p>"I cannot comprehend," said the Count, perplexed: then he turned to +Roque; but Roque, as if aware that he was about to be questioned, and, +conscious of his total inability to satisfy any queries, to save the +Count a fruitless expenditure of words, shrugged up his shoulders, and +rolled his eyes most expressively.</p> + +<p>"My dear Count," cried Gomez Arias, "it is of momentous importance that +you should not be seen in this city by any of our mutual relations and +friends. My peace of mind, my future prospects, nay, my very honor, +require this sacrifice from your friendship. I have no time now to enter +into explanation; but the enigma will be solved upon your perusal of my +dispatch: in the meantime suffice it to say, that your immediate removal +from Granada, and your strictly keeping within your house, will bind me +to you with a powerful and lasting obligation."</p> + +<p>"<i>By Santiago</i>, Don Lope," exclaimed the Count, good humoredly, "you +must either be crazy, or wish to pass some merry jest upon me. Well, I +am heartily happy to see a bridegroom in such spirits."</p> + +<p>"No, by my honor," returned Gomez Arias, "I solemnly vow to you, that +this step is demanded by actual and imperious necessity."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," replied the nobleman, acquiescing, "I will, at all events, +comply with your request, whatever may be the motive."</p> + +<p>The friends took leave of each other, and Gomez Arias breathed more +freely, as he again considered himself assured of the success of his +plans.</p> + +<p>"Señor," said Roque, "we were just speaking of impediments, and there +comes the Count. Now, God send that we may meet no more!"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Roque," replied Gomez Arias: "If I think rightly, the most material +part of the business remains yet to be done, and it puzzles me strangely +how to ensure its success."</p> + +<p>"Most prudently said, Señor," returned Roque; "for it is indeed a +ticklish point to dispose of a lady, when it unfortunately happens that +she is not equally desirous to be disposed of;—but whither are we going +now?"</p> + +<p>"To the gardens,—for there we shall be unobserved:" then, after a +pause, he continued; "Roque, thou appearest uneasy; what is the reason +that at every minute thy head is turned backwards, as if in +apprehension?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nothing, Señor, nothing in the world."</p> + +<p>The valet delivered these words in an irresolute tone, for his master's +observations had been just. Roque had for some time betrayed such +disquietude in his manner, that at length the attention of Don Lope was +directed towards the object of his valet's uneasiness, and he perceived +a stranger following them at some distance. It was a Moor, of dark and +repulsive appearance, who was evidently observing them, although he +affected a total indifference to their movements.</p> + +<p>"Roque," said Gomez Arias, in whom the slightest incident now created +suspicion, "Dost thou know that strange looking man?"</p> + +<p>"Think you, my honored master," returned Roque, "that I am likely to +consort with so villainous looking a Moor? What should I do with such an +acquaintance? I am a <i>Christiano viejo</i>,<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 38.">[38]</a> and my conscience would not +allow me to consort with infidels, and particularly when they are so +ill-favored as yonder prowling rascal."</p> + +<p>"Roque, Roque, thou talkest too much, and the very earnestness of thy +manner makes me strongly suspect that thy knowledge of the stranger is +more than thou art willing that I should learn."</p> + +<p>"<i>San Pedro me valga!</i>" ejaculated Roque. "My honored master, how can +you thus call in question my integrity? Do you think, Señor, it is +really possible for me to use any mystery with my master?"</p> + +<p>"Avaunt, thou hypocritical dog!" cried Don Lope; "thou canst not deceive +me: however, I am now too deeply engrossed with more important matters; +but mark me—should I find out any double dealing, any imposition on thy +part, thou mayest well tremble!"</p> + +<p>"Tremble!" exclaimed Roque, in a shrill tone, and affecting +indifference. "An honest man has no reason to tremble."</p> + +<p>And he trembled and quivered like the aspen leaf, which doubtless did +not look as if he had yet possessed himself of the attributes of an +honest man. They had by this time arrived at the gardens, and Gomez +Arias was exceedingly surprised when he observed that the strange Moor +had followed them thither, though keeping always the same respectful +distance.</p> + +<p>"By my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "such conduct cannot be merely +accidental. Roque, <i>maldito</i>,<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 39.">[39]</a> some mystery lies in this."</p> + +<p>"In what, Señor Don Lope?" demanded the valet, with much simplicity.</p> + +<p>"Attempt not to impose on me, thou base-born and ungracious varlet. Why +does that Moor follow us in this manner?"</p> + +<p>"My dear master," replied Roque, "is it in my power to stop the man? +What dominion have I over him? These places are public, and I suppose +that he, though a Moor, considers that he has the same right to walk +here as we faithful Christians. Now, good Señor, could you prevail upon +the queen to limit the privileges of those infidels, and allot them a +piece of ground for their own use, aloof from all public places, +certainly much abomination and contamination would be spared; and +thus——"</p> + +<p>"Cease, thou graceless dog!" interrupted Don Lope. "Cease, for I can no +longer endure thy interminable prosing; a more talkative varlet never +intruded on the patience of an indulgent master. See! there is the +mysterious Moor again; and if I mistake not, it is the very same who has +followed me already twice before. Yes, surely he is the same, although +he has somewhat altered his attire."</p> + +<p>"What!" cried Roque thrown off his guard; "has he followed you too, +Señor?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" returned Don Lope, "then you have seen him before. Now, rascal," +he added, grasping roughly the poor valet by the collar—"Leave off this +foolish dissembling, or by <i>Santiago</i>, I'll strangle thee on the spot!"</p> + +<p>"Sweet master, you surely don't mean to harm your faithful Roque?"</p> + +<p>"Art thou, then, prepared to confess thy knowledge of the Moor?" +demanded Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Like a good Christian, I am always prepared to confess."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, begin, thou sinner."</p> + +<p>"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir, +that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct their +natural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Señor, +unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all."</p> + +<p>Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of the +sincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectly +elegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain in +observing the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handle +his luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in its +colour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan—his loquacious tongue +protruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes started +out with an unusual degree of animation.</p> + +<p>Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few hearty +shakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthened +respirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he had +sustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar—</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgen Santa!</i>" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honored +master, what have you done! There is my beautiful—my best +<i>gorguera</i><a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 40.">[40]</a> completely destroyed—torn to tatters—absolutely spoilt +for ever—past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine <i>gorguera</i>, too, of +the very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers of +Lisarda—and what will she say? What will she say when her loquacious +abilities are called into action by no less a subject than the total +destruction of her superb <i>gorguera</i>?"</p> + +<p>"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I would +confidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world."</p> + +<p>"Señor Don Lope, a fine <i>gorguera</i> is perhaps unworthy of your +eloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for more +deserving objects. But consider, Sir——"</p> + +<p>"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon your +foolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; but +now, Roque, be explicit or—— how often have you seen that Moor?"</p> + +<p>"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque.</p> + +<p>"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?"</p> + +<p>"Apparently he did; but you know, Señor, we must not always trust to +appearances."</p> + +<p>"How did you meet his advances?"</p> + +<p>"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself all +the time, and as it happened that we adhered constantly to the same +regular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without ever +coming into contact."</p> + +<p>"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed as +he was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of his +valet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely to +succeed by gentle means than by actual force—</p> + +<p>"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what you +say, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return."</p> + +<p>"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit we +are even."</p> + +<p>"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?"</p> + +<p>"For my wages," composedly answered the valet.</p> + +<p>"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh at +your fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor. +However, as to the point in question,—it appears that the Moor had +really sought your acquaintance?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I am +in no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian may +take to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which is +precisely the case in the present instance."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a future +period, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque, +tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of the +troublesome object of my disquietude."</p> + +<p>"My fruitful invention, Señor, as you are kindly pleased to term that +faculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat with +contempt;—my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up——"</p> + +<p>"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master.</p> + +<p>"Nothing," drawled out the valet.</p> + +<p>"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces me +to retain such a dull brute about me."</p> + +<p>A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course to +determine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by the +trees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque, +unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine the +unfortunate <i>gorguera</i>, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over its +melancholy fate.</p> + +<p>"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy but +placing Theodora in a convent."</p> + +<p>"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents."</p> + +<p>"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to the +inconvenience of consulting her inclination?—No, Roque; unless some +better plan be instantly devised, I must even resolve upon the convent; +for the time passes rapidly away, and this girl must be disposed of +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Could you not contrive to send her to her father?" demanded Roque: +"Poor thing, she is so very unhappy that——"</p> + +<p>"Send her to her father!" returned Gomez Arias. "Art thou mad, +Roque?—or is it thy wish that my fortune should be ruined for ever?"</p> + +<p>"Neither one nor the other," rejoined the valet; "but it strikes me as +plainly as day-light, that before we contrive to shut up this bird in +the cage, her continual chirping will call some one to the rescue, and +then I do not see any chance of mending our fortune; but, by-the-bye, +talking of mending, I wonder if I am likely to find any for this most +innocent and ill-treated <i>gorguera</i>?"</p> + +<p>"A thousand curses on thee and on thy <i>gorguera</i>!" cried Gomez Arias, +impatiently; then, assuming a calmer tone, he continued—"With regard to +thy fears that she may call for rescue, that inconvenience may be easily +obviated."</p> + +<p>"<i>Santos cielos!</i>" exclaimed Roque, with visible affright—"You surely +do not mean to cut off her tongue?"</p> + +<p>"No," answered Don Lope, "that fate I reserve for yours, unless you +contrive to keep it under better control."—He then added—"By sending +Theodora to some nunnery in a remote city, such as Barcelona or +Saragossa for example,—the air must be sharp, indeed, that can convey +thus far the sound of her complaints."</p> + +<p>"But, Señor," asked Roque, "is the young lady to be conducted to the +said remote city by magic, or is she merely to be led in the ordinary +way; for if this last be the case, what deception can you use subtle +enough to lure a bird that has already been caught once in your snares?"</p> + +<p>"That is true," replied Gomez Arias, "but I must risk a distant danger, +to ward off a more immediate one. I do not entirely flatter myself that +this unfortunate business will not come to light some time; but if I +cannot avoid the storm, I am anxious that, ere it explode, I should at +least be under good shelter."</p> + +<p>"Well, Señor," said Roque, "it is a very delicate piece of business, +and I really cannot harbour the presumption of offering you my advice. I +shall obey your commands, as in duty bound, provided they are not in too +direct an opposition with my conscience and——"</p> + +<p>"And what?" inquired Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"<i>Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas</i>," solemnly chaunted the valet, at +the same time affecting to wash his hands.</p> + +<p>"<i>Lavabo inter innocentes</i>, indeed," exclaimed Gomez Arias: "here's a +conscientious sinner with a vengeance! So you cannot light upon some +feasible design?"</p> + +<p>"No, in very truth I cannot."</p> + +<p>"Then who in the name of Satan can extricate me?" cried Gomez Arias, in +despair.</p> + +<p>"I can!" answered a deep and determined voice.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias started, turned round, and with amazement beheld the +mysterious stranger standing, with folded arms, looking calmly upon him.</p> + +<p>"And who art thou?" demanded Don Lope, "that presumest thus to intrude +upon my privacy?"</p> + +<p>"Good Heavens! who should it be?" said Roque, not allowing time to the +stranger to give an answer; "why, my honored master, you piously invoked +Satan, and his diabolical majesty sends you forthwith one of his +emissaries."</p> + +<p>"Stranger!" proceeded Gomez Arias, not heeding his valet, "what is thy +name?"</p> + +<p>"To know that were superfluous," coldly answered the Moor, "and in +nowise necessary towards the acceptation of my services."</p> + +<p>"And what assistance canst thou afford me? I know thee not—and yet +those features should not be entirely strangers to my eyes."</p> + +<p>"It is possible that they are not," replied the stranger, unmoved, "nor +is your countenance altogether unknown to me."</p> + +<p>"Who then art thou?" demanded Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Surely a Moor—a worthless Moor!" bitterly returned the renegade; for +it was no other that now addressed Don Lope;—nor did he feel +apprehensive of discovery, altered as he was by the conflict of his +passions, continual sufferings, and even by the dress which he had +adopted to baffle the penetration of Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Whoever I may be," continued the renegade, "is of no consequence; I +come to render you service—are you disposed to accept it?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot," firmly replied Don Lope, "from an utter stranger, without +previously knowing the motives by which he is actuated."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Bermudo, affecting surprise, "cannot you guess my +motives? Certainly, I do not pretend to deny that by assisting you +<i>now</i>, I chiefly mean to serve myself. You surely cannot expect more +from a perfect stranger, as you call me. Look at me, Christian!" he +added, stifling the conflict which was working in his bosom at the very +sight of his foe; "behold, I am a Moor—a miserable Moor. And what else +but interest could prompt a destitute, a desperate man to proffer his +services to the proud and rich ones of the land?—Love, or esteem, or +gratitude, think you? No, never! My own interest I consult—consult +yours, and decide."</p> + +<p>"Interest!" cried Gomez Arias; "there is something reassuring in that +word. I like to hear a man talk of his interest, for then I am tempted +to believe in his sincerity. What, then, canst thou do for thy interest, +Moor? Let us hear in what manner thou art able to serve me."</p> + +<p>"I can do much," replied the renegade: "You, Don Lope Gomez Arias, are +at present involved in a most distressing predicament?"</p> + +<p>"I am."</p> + +<p>"And the source of your disquietude is a woman?"</p> + +<p>"Proceed."</p> + +<p>"Her name, Theodora?"</p> + +<p>"Thou art indeed instructed in this affair—how cam'st thou by the +knowledge?"—and he cast a terrible look on the trembling Roque.</p> + +<p>"Señor," cried Roque, "as I hope for salvation, I——"</p> + +<p>"Silence, Sirrah!" exclaimed his master.</p> + +<p>"Nay," observed the renegade, "blame not yon trembler; it is true that I +applied to him before I resolved upon offering you my services +personally; but from fear, or some other reason, he paid no regard to my +proposal. I therefore waved all further ceremony, and knowing the crisis +to be at hand, I have seized this opportunity to address you."</p> + +<p>"And what proposition hast thou to make?" demanded Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"To remove from your path this obstacle to your ambition; to rid you +immediately of Theodora."</p> + +<p>"Fiend!" fiercely cried Gomez Arias, "thou darest not propose murder to +me?"</p> + +<p>"No, Christian," calmly returned Bermudo "dark as my form may be, and +unseemly as my features are, yet I would scorn to imbrue my hands in the +blood of a woman: no, though a ruffian, I am not yet sunk to the +despicable wretch you suppose me. Theodora shall not suffer any +indignity from me, but merely be removed from Granada."</p> + +<p>"And what security wouldst thou afford of thy adherence to this promise, +should I be inclined to enter into arrangements?"</p> + +<p>"Security! the most firm and unbounded—the love which a Moor has +conceived for her charms."</p> + +<p>"What! art thou then the admirer?" sneeringly asked Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"No!" indignantly exclaimed the renegade—"see you aught of that in me? +Can the signs of any tender sentiment be traced in my visage?"</p> + +<p>"Well," muttered Roque, "methinks he speaks very sensibly."</p> + +<p>"I cannot love," repeated the renegade; "but a Moor, my superior in +rank, one whom I have bound myself to serve, is powerfully stricken with +the beauty of her you now wish to discard; he will treat her with every +consideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upon +gaining her love."</p> + +<p>The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade made +these overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination. +He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyze +every feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery were +discernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That dark +brow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which he +should be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for an +interview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus, +his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from which +expression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs that +had urged him to proffer his services.</p> + +<p>"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired Don +Lope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all further +communication on the subject would be needless."</p> + +<p>"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though not +far from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you be +disposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as I +shall be obliged to take my measures accordingly."</p> + +<p>He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seeming +indifference.—Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was something +in this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; but +the shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of the +danger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived the +inward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentle +remonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lope +indignantly repulsed the presuming valet.</p> + +<p>"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humility +will not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offer +thy opinion now."</p> + +<p>"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energies +to a firm resolution.</p> + +<p>"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensible +must be commensurate with the importance of my assistance."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider a +just remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion."</p> + +<p>"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place confidence +in the magnitude of my service, I shall leave the reward entirely to +your generosity,—and now listen. At midnight you must be with Theodora +at the extremity of <i>El cerro de los Martires</i>;<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 41.">[41]</a> the distance is +short from Granada, and can therefore soon be traversed. There I will +wait for you, and there you may likewise meet the noble Moor that +employs me."</p> + +<p>"I am resolved," cried Gomez Arias. "Yes, I will meet you at midnight +then"—and rising, he was about to withdraw, when the renegade gently +detaining him—</p> + +<p>"Stay," he said; "I must have a pledge to present to my master."</p> + +<p>"What dost thou demand?" asked Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"That ring," returned Bermudo, pointing to one that sparkled on the hand +of Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"I cannot part with this gem; it is a bauble, but one I must preserve; +ask for another boon three times as valuable, and it shall be granted +thee."</p> + +<p>"One does not hinder the other," said the renegade, dissembling. "Think +you, Don Lope, that the difficulty from which I disentangle you merits +no other reward than a paltry ring? I must have it for a pledge, and it +shall be returned in due time for gold."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias cast a look of contempt on the Moor, who, thoroughly +prepared for his part, most efficaciously assumed the appearance of the +mercenary he was then undertaking to personate.</p> + +<p>"Well, what is it you resolve," he cried, with a malicious smile—"to +part with a ring, or keep the woman you detest?"</p> + +<p>"Take it!" disdainfully replied Gomez Arias, throwing the required +pledge on the ground.</p> + +<p>The renegade humbly inclined himself to take it; but he could not so +completely master his feelings as not to betray some marks of the +pleasure he felt at the possession of so precious a gage. Gomez Arias, +however, erroneously attributed these symptoms to the avaricious +disposition of the wretch who appeared willing to undertake any service +for gold. He again cast a contemptuous glance on the Moor, and making a +sign to Roque, abruptly left the place. The renegade gave a loose to the +joy which swelled tumultuously in his bosom; he kissed the ring with +wild demonstrations of pleasure, and looking in the direction that Gomez +Arias was gone—</p> + +<p>"Now," he exclaimed, "my time is coming, and soon, proud Spaniard, wilt +thou feel the power of thy bitterest enemy."</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIIb" id="CHAPTER_XIIb"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Cielos en que ha se parar</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Tan dificultosa empresa?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Lope de Vega.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Quoi! tant de perfidie avec tant de courage?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">De crimes, de vertus, quel horrible assemblage!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Voltaire.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>After the defeat of his companions at Alhacen, and the total +annihilation of their hopes and resources in that quarter, Bermudo the +renegade had prudently fled to Granada. He knew he should be in greater +security in that city, from the mixed intercourse of Moors and +Christians, than by continuing in the wandering habits of a mountain +life, now circumvented with numberless dangers from the active searches +which the Christians were making to destroy every rebel that might be +surprised lurking in suspicious places. The same course had been pursued +by a considerable number of the dispersed Moors, whilst others, less +enterprising or more cautious, had concealed themselves in obscure +caverns and hiding places.</p> + +<p>The renegade was one of the first that had arrived at Granada; and +prudently mingling with the crowd of joyous Christians, feigned to be +exceedingly interested in the solemnity of the day, when his attention +was forcibly attracted by the appearance of a cavalcade in which he +recognized an object already familiar to his sight. Great as his +surprise was, he could not entertain a doubt that it was Theodora +herself, Cañeri's fair captive, who now unexpectedly struck his view. An +impulse of curiosity induced him to follow her, until he perceived that +she was safely lodged in the mansion of Aguilar. From that instant, +Bermudo had unremittingly devoted his time to investigating this +occurrence. He learnt with pleasure that his hated foe was still alive. +Nay, he had actually seen him; and, fervently bent on prosecuting every +scheme that might hold out a probability of forwarding his views of +vengeance, he had succeeded in his first inquiries to the full extent of +his wishes. He had learnt the approaching wedding of Gomez Arias, and, +remembering the circumstance of Theodora's lamentations and despair on +the supposed death of that individual, he naturally concluded that there +was some mystery, which, if discovered, might be easily converted to his +own advantage.</p> + +<p>He had therefore artfully sought an acquaintance with Roque, the +acknowledged servant of Gomez Arias, and partly by insidious questions, +and partly by his own penetration, he had drawn the conclusion that +Theodora was the forsaken mistress of Gomez Arias, brought by chance to +the very scene of his expectations, and who, if apprised of her lover's +treachery, would afford a powerful obstacle to his views. The renegade +therefore seized the favorable opportunity which presented itself, to +accomplish the ruin of his hated foe, and determined to neglect no +means of accomplishing the revenge which had been his solitary pursuit +for many years. But his plan of operations was as deep and intricate as +the motive that directed him was dark and diabolical. Finding that Roque +absolutely refused to open his proposal to his master, he resolved to +break the matter to him in person, and with this intention had proceeded +to the public walks, as already mentioned. His artful and wily behavour, +assisted by the distracting position of Don Lope's affairs, had betrayed +the latter into that snare which the renegade had so cunningly devised, +and which, if followed up with success, would lead the unwary Gomez +Arias towards a labyrinth, in the mazes of which his destruction might +be easily completed.</p> + +<p>Thus Bermudo could not conceal his inward satisfaction when he found +himself possessed of the ring of Gomez Arias—a ring which he well +recollected had been the gift of Queen Isabella,—a precious gage, +which, in the process of his fiendish machinations, might contribute +materially to their successful termination. While on the one hand the +renegade was thus awaiting with anxiety the result of every move in his +diabolical game, and Don Lope on the other was congratulating himself +upon the speedy close of his heartless compact, the lovely but +unfortunate subject of both speculations was happy in comparative +tranquillity at the palace of her preserver.</p> + +<p>In perfect obedience to the urgent and repeated injunctions of her +lover, Theodora kept herself in seclusion in her apartment. Implicitly +confiding in the promises and vows of Don Lope, and fondly indulging in +dreams of future bliss, she nevertheless felt a degree of disquietude, +natural to the high excitement into which her feelings had been thrown. +The morning came—the morning of that eventful day, and the commotion +which prevailed throughout the palace, failed not to interest Theodora, +although the cause admitted of various interpretations. Now she fondly +imagined that Gomez Arias had already sought an interview with Aguilar, +and made the necessary disclosures; and then again she shuddered at the +idea that the fond wishes in which she had indulged might never be +realized.</p> + +<p>This state of anxiety and suspense was fortunately interrupted by +Lisarda, who burst abruptly into the room with looks of visible alarm. +She turned about without ceremony, and before Theodora could collect her +thoughts to inquire into the reason of this perturbation—</p> + +<p>"<i>Santos Cielos!</i>" she exclaimed, "here are fine doings! that it should +come to this! fye—shame! precisely at the very moment that—— well, +before I would consent to be treated in this manner, I'd suffer my eyes +to be plucked out, and my tongue torn from the very root. After so much +preparation! Lord! Lord! to disappoint a whole family and throw so many +honorable people into confusion!"</p> + +<p>Here the good Lisarda was compelled to take breath, of which Theodora +most opportunely availed herself to inquire into the cause of the +disturbance.</p> + +<p>"Now, gentle Lisarda," she said "tell me what has happened? No disaster +to the family; I hope?"</p> + +<p>"Alas!" screamed out Lisarda, perfectly recovered from her exhaustion, +"your hopes, lady, unhappily, cannot prevent the disaster, for truly a +most terrible disaster it is,—fraud and insolence, and most abominable +perjury is in the case, I am sure. Yes, the family has been treated this +morning with the most untimely and vexatious incivility. Such a breach +of delicacy and decorum never did I witness before. <i>Virgen Santa!</i> how +will this end? The Lord knows that I, for my part, never felt tranquil +on the score of the gallant.—No, no; I always said Don Rodrigo for my +money—but that is neither here nor there; the evil is done, and we must +stand the results. Really it is provoking—such a beautiful dress I had +prepared, and now to defer the ceremony!"</p> + +<p>"Defer what ceremony?" eagerly inquired Theodora.</p> + +<p>"The wedding to be sure," responded Lisarda. "What, did I not tell you +before?"</p> + +<p>"In sooth you did not."</p> + +<p>"Really? God defend us! I am a most thoughtless silly girl, that is +certain. Why, my good lady, what should be deferred but the wedding?"</p> + +<p>"And that is the misfortune, then, which has occasioned such uncommon +signs of regret?" demanded Theodora, scarcely able to conceal her inward +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"To be sure, lady; and by my troth, it strikes me that the subject is +well worthy the mortification it has caused us all. Good heavens! had +the accident happened to you, my sweet lady, perchance you might not be +inclined to endure it so philosophically. But the Lord save me! if you +do not appear to rejoice in this calamity!"</p> + +<p>"Rejoice! heavens! what do you mean?" cried Theodora, blushing deeply, +and striving to conceal her emotion. "What can induce you to suppose I +could have so perverse a disposition, as to rejoice at an event that is +evidently annoying and distressing to my kind and generous benefactor?"</p> + +<p>"Dear lady, take not amiss my observation, but as sure as I am a +Christian, and hope for salvation, you are much altered for the better +since yesterday."</p> + +<p>Having communicated the news of the palace to her fair charge, the good +Lisarda bustled away to learn further particulars. Theodora soon after +received a visit from the noble Don Alonso, on whose countenance were +strongly depicted the signs of displeasure. Theodora easily divined the +cause, and though she rejoiced in the termination of an event, in which +her happiness was so deeply interested, she could not suppress a +sensation of generous pity, at the idea that she was the immediate, +though innocent, cause of her benefactor's disappointment.</p> + +<p>With the simplicity congenial to her nature, she more than once during +this interview felt a strong desire to throw herself at the feet of +Aguilar, and frankly to avow the whole of her melancholy tale; yet she +was restrained from following the genuine impulse of her heart, when +she recollected her lover's absolute command. Thus, although her +delicacy and frankness were hurt at the duplicity she was compelled to +use towards one by whom she had been rescued from the most appalling +fate, she stifled the suggestions of sincerity, to observe implicitly +the wishes of a man who was even then planning her future misery and +misfortune. Nor was this the only trial that Theodora had to sustain. +She had been obliged to resist the invitation of Aguilar, who repeatedly +pressed her to make her appearance in the grand saloon, and she had the +mortification of suspecting, that an unfavorable construction was put +upon her denial. They might attribute to female caprice, or a want of +proper feelings for a generous benefactor, that which in reality was the +mere effect of a sensitive mind and a devoted heart.</p> + +<p>Theodora underwent all these trials with patient resignation, in the +fond expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present irksome +situation. In this uninterrupted succession of doubt and fear she spent +the long and tedious day, and hailed with transport the arrival of +night, which was now enveloping in her sable mantle the proud turrets +and lofty buildings of Granada.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIIIb" id="CHAPTER_XIIIb"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Per gli antri, e per le selve ognun traea</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Allor la vita, nè fra setà, o lane</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Le sue ruvide membra ravvolgea.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Metastasio.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>At a short distance from Granada there is a place called <i>El cerro de +los Martires</i>,<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 42.">[42]</a> which traditionary lore had invested with most +appalling histories. This place abounded in deep caverns and +subterranean vaults, in which it was a received tradition that the Moors +used in former times to shut their Christian captives, and make them +undergo dreadful torments. By the vicissitudes of fortune, however, +these dungeons were now converted into secure retreats by the fallen +and dispersed Moors. Several of these lurking places had already been +traced out by the unwearied perseverance of the Spaniards, or betrayed +through the treachery of mercenary Moors, but there still were some +remaining which baffled every research, and whose existence known only +to some of the principal and most faithful Moors, were in no danger at +least of immediate discovery.</p> + +<p>To these subterraneous habitations a considerable portion of the +shattered forces of Cañeri had repaired, whilst some of the bolder party +of El Feri de Benastepar had fearlessly sought refuge in Granada, where, +in despite of the severe decrees promulgated by the queen, and the +examples made of those who had infringed them, the rebels nevertheless +found shelter and protection from their fellow-countrymen. Thus while +the rebellion seemed quelled to all appearance, it was not entirely +extinguished. A secret fire still slumbered under the ashes, ready to +burst forth when a master hand could be found to raise the flame. But +the want of unity amongst the Moors, and the general dispersion which +had ensued after the destruction of their last town, seemed to offer an +insurmountable bar to the organization of a second revolt. Besides, the +death of El Feri had struck the hearts of his followers with dismay, and +there was no Moor of sufficient talent or enterprize to supply his +place.</p> + +<p>Things were in this state, when at the close of a sultry day three men +were seen cautiously traversing the path which led towards <i>El cerro de +los Martires</i>. The foremost, who appeared to act as guide, from his +robust and athletic make, and the lowering expression of his +countenance, might be easily recognized as Bermudo, the renegade; the +others were strangers, and apparently disguised. They proceeded onwards, +slowly, and with care, until at length they stopped at a sequestered +spot, overgrown with brambles, and surrounded with high and widely +spreading trees, whose sombre foliage offered an impenetrable barrier to +the light of day. They plunged into the midst of this wilderness, and +presently the renegade blew a soft and hollow blast, when the thicket +suddenly seemed to move, and discovered an aperture which had hitherto +been concealed. The two Moors, for such they were, and their guide, then +descended through the opening into a deep and winding subterraneous +passage. After a descent of a few minutes, they found themselves in a +spacious vault hewn out of the solid rock and illumined by a solitary +lamp, which afforded only light sufficient to render the darkness more +dismal, and to give an indistinct view of forms and countenances +naturally repulsive, rendered still more so by apparent want and +exhaustion. About a dozen men and two or three women were reposing at +length in different parts of the cave, without any other covering than +their tattered dresses, and bearing on their features an expression of +resolute despair.</p> + +<p>At the further extremity of the cavern, which was somewhat elevated, and +rendered more tenantable by several pieces of an old carpet, reclined a +man of better appearance, whose apparel had evidently not undergone +such severe service as those of his companions. This personage it might +easily be supposed was the chief of those who, from their exterior, +might, without any great deviation from the rules of inferences, be +denominated a gang of desperate robbers. But it seldom happens that +robbers in the vicinity of a rich and populous city are to be found in a +state of such utter destitution; and if such were really the case, it +might puzzle the beholder to discover what possible inducement they +could have to continue in so unprofitable a profession.</p> + +<p>As soon as the renegade and his two companions entered that cheerless +and uncomfortable dwelling, all those woe-begone and lugubrious +countenances suddenly acquired a degree of animation. It was not without +reason; for the renegade and one of his companions laid down some +provisions, whilst the other stood with his arms folded, a calm +spectator of these proceedings, contemplating with deep attention the +group before him.</p> + +<p>"Alagraf! Malique!" cried the seated personage above designated: "Who +is that stranger?"</p> + +<p>"Fear not, Cañeri," whispered the renegade, "this is a friend—nay, +perhaps the sincerest adherent and the bravest supporter of the Moors in +their present condition."</p> + +<p>"Certainly from his proud bearing in our presence," replied Cañeri, with +offended dignity, "one might, indeed, be led to suppose him a person of +consequence, did not those unseemly habiliments contradict such a +conclusion."</p> + +<p>The stranger answered not, but contented himself with casting a look of +mingled pity and scorn on the mighty potentate of the cavern. The chief, +however, was prevented from inquiring more minutely into the pretensions +of one who appeared little disposed to pay him unqualified deference, by +the shrill and croaking voice of Marien Rufa, who at that moment was +actively engaged in heaping a redundance of abuse on the devoted head of +her husband Aboukar. The squabble, as far as it could be ascertained +amidst the confused din, originated in some provisions which the +provident Aboukar, in his capacity of ex-master of the household, +judiciously concluded ought to come by right under his control; +accordingly, <i>secundum artem</i>, he had entered on his official duties by +secreting a portion of the said provisions for his own private use, +before they were either served up to Cañeri, or finally distributed +amongst his hungry and rapacious band. Marien Rufa had observed the sly +larceny, but what in the name of conjugal regard could have induced the +crone to so unkind and unmatrimonial an action as the exposure of her +own husband, is not easily to be determined. An upright and indulgent +person might be tempted to believe it was a proper regard and tenderness +for the purity of his character; but others, not quite so considerate, +would suspect, and perhaps with a nearer semblance of truth, that the +unamiable spouse was instigated by a less honorable motive. It was a +fact, not to be contradicted, that Marien Rufa and her once beloved +Aboukar, at present detested as cordially as they had formerly loved +each other; which curious phenomenon in the condition of matrimony is +not of such rare occurrence as to need any particular investigation into +its nature or origin.</p> + +<p>As soon as Cañeri observed the disturbance, conjecturing from the +character of the belligerents that the commotion was likely to increase +apace, he rose suddenly from his seat, an action which clearly indicated +the extent of his indignation, and with vehemence exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Silence! What means this disturbance? Slaves, is this your respect for +your chief? Explain; what is the cause of this unwarrantable breach of +decorum?"</p> + +<p>No sooner had Cañeri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa, +conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tone +began:—</p> + +<p>"Please your Mightiness, the cause of——"</p> + +<p>"Stop, stop," cried Cañeri; "I do not wish <i>thee</i> to explain." Then, +turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words, +corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick of +which Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Cañeri, after pondering some +time, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminous +idea,—</p> + +<p>"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention."</p> + +<p>The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapient +chief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceeded +to give his judgment.</p> + +<p>"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except the +convicted culprit and his accuser."</p> + +<p>This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party, +whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of their +chief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have, +indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation. +The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, but +they could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for the +degraded state of their companions, and the foolish importance with +which the vain-glorious Cañeri comported himself.</p> + +<p>Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,—</p> + +<p>"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada? +Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success? +What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?"</p> + +<p>"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade.</p> + +<p>"And yet," returned Cañeri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopes +will be disappointed."</p> + +<p>"Not so, Cañeri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter upon +that subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim to +our notice."</p> + +<p>"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Cañeri, with displeasure, "I should +imagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself, +sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he added +impatiently, "that which concerns me most."</p> + +<p>"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that I +am not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these matters +until I think the time befitting."</p> + +<p>Cañeri was thunderstruck at this open act of insubordination; he rolled +his eyes in choler, and looked on his band as if appealing to them to +chastise the insolence of the renegade. But though those bold words had +thrown the Moors into some consternation, yet no one dared to move a +step, so much were they awed by the composed demeanor with which the +renegade gazed upon them.</p> + +<p>"Alagraf," said Cañeri, disguising his indignation, "are then my +injunctions openly to be disregarded before my people?"</p> + +<p>"Cañeri," answered the renegade resolutely, "you urge me too far, and +you ought to know me better."</p> + +<p>A murmur of discontent prevailed among the band, which was about to +break forth against the renegade, when, suddenly, their movement was +checked by the stranger Moor, who advanced towards them in a threatening +attitude.</p> + +<p>"Peace!" he exclaimed; "peace! ye abject, paltry slaves!"</p> + +<p>"And who art thou," demanded Cañeri, trembling with rage, "that darest +thus arrogate to thyself the power of dictating in my presence?"</p> + +<p>"I am, Cañeri," answered the stranger haughtily, "thy superior in all, +except in vice."</p> + +<p>"Seize him!" roared out Cañeri. "Seize the wretch!"</p> + +<p>"Stay!" cried Malique, interposing; "lay not your hands upon that +man.—Most mighty Cañeri," he then added, addressing the indignant +chief, "Mohabed Alhamdem, our opulent brother at Granada, has intrusted +that Moor to our care, commanding us to lead him hither; he has most +important matters to communicate, and, if the word of Mohabed is to be +credited, it is from this stranger alone that the Moors may expect their +salvation."</p> + +<p>"Who, then, is this mighty personage?" demanded Cañeri, with a scornful +sneer.</p> + +<p>"He will himself inform you," replied the renegade. "Cañeri, you know +how firmly I am devoted to the Moorish cause; why then was I insulted +when it was only to advance the interests of that cause I spoke? But let +that pass; I am no pettish boy to quarrel with my associates for a word +uttered intemperately in an unguarded moment."</p> + +<p>He held his hand in token of reconciliation, and then +continued:—"Theodora, if appearances amounting almost to certainty +deceive me not, will be yours, ere long."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible?" exclaimed Cañeri. "When?"</p> + +<p>"To-night or never," replied Bermudo. "Shortly I shall disclose to you +all the particulars of my transaction; and now let us examine on what +resources we can depend for a renewal of the insurrection."</p> + +<p>"Resources! None," said Cañeri, "Our surviving men are dispersed and +worn out by repeated misfortunes; most of our chiefs are dead, or have +passed over to Africa, and the only man who had the power of rallying +the straggling Moors, he who alone succeeded in imparting confidence to +his followers, El Feri de Benastepar, is now no more: fallen by the arm +of Aguilar, he shared the fate of those brave men who mingled their own +ashes with those of Alhacen."</p> + +<p>"El Feri de Benastepar is not dead," cried the renegade.</p> + +<p>Cañeri and his men started from the ground with an instinctive impulse +of returning courage, and all, with one accord, sent up an exclamation +of joyful surprise.</p> + +<p>"But where is the chief, then?" demanded Cañeri.</p> + +<p>"There!" replied Bermudo, pointing to the stranger.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said he, throwing aside his disguise; "yes, Cañeri, in this +humble garb, which necessity has compelled me to adopt, do you again +behold El Feri; conquered by Alonso de Aguilar, but miraculously rescued +from the grasp of death to redeem the tarnished glories of the Moorish +name; to close again in combat with the proud Christian chief, and, with +the assistance of the holy Prophet, to doom him to that untimely death +which he vainly imagines he has inflicted on me."</p> + +<p>A simultaneous murmur of approbation ran through the surrounding party; +even Cañeri, jealous as he was of the superior power and glory of El +Feri, hailed with real satisfaction his unexpected appearance amongst +them; for in the imagination of Cañeri were revived those hopes of +asserting the station of fancied dignity from which he had been hurled +by the late overthrow of the Moors. He again clung to the fond idea that +the Moslem cause would ultimately triumph, and then he of necessity must +succeed to a conspicuous share of power, to which he conceived himself +entitled by his distinguished birth.</p> + +<p>Thus the Moors, whom, but a moment before, we have seen in the lowest +state of dejection, now flew to the opposite extreme: they pictured to +their fancy the wonderful powers of El Feri, and the magic influence +which his name would possess in calling again his countrymen to arms, +while the desperate nature of such an undertaking, and the obstacles +with which it was on every side beset, vanished altogether before their +sanguine expectations.</p> + +<p>The renegade beheld this general emotion with more signs of discontent +than satisfaction; he argued little advantage to be derived from men, +who could so easily pass from the depths of despondence to the summit of +hope; for to a man like himself, endowed with strong passions, but +accustomed to watch progressively their workings, such sudden +transitions betrayed a weakness utterly incompatible with desperate +enterprises.</p> + +<p>"But how," now inquired Cañeri, addressing El Feri, "has thy precious +life been preserved?"</p> + +<p>"When I fell by the arm of Aguilar," returned El Feri, "it was more from +the excessive fatigue which I had for several days endured, than from +the nature of the wounds inflicted—they were not mortal; and as I lay +extended and helpless on the ground, I thought upon my country, and my +heart sunk within me when I considered that my life, which might still +have been preserved to her service, would soon, alas! be lost in a fiery +grave. The town was deserted—nought was heard but the crackling of the +flames, and the groans of those that were dying around me. Our enemies +were gone, and I, collecting my small remaining strength, with much +difficulty contrived to drag myself from that place of desolation. At +length, exhausted, I sunk under a tree, and there, for want of timely +assistance, I might have breathed my last, when, to my joy, I observed +two or three of our party, who had escaped in the general confusion, +advancing towards me, and the hopes which had almost abandoned me again +began to revive. My preservers removed me immediately to a place of +security, and administered all the remedies that their limited means +could afford. When I had sufficiently recovered my strength, in various +disguises we arrived at Granada, and made ourselves known to Mohabed +Alhamdem: at his dwelling the plan of a second rising has been +concerted, and I am come here to ask your support to the undertaking."</p> + +<p>"Noble and beloved companion," replied Cañeri, "next to the pleasure of +seeing thee alive, comes, certainly, that of hearing thy proposal. I +rejoice that, notwithstanding our little trivial disagreements, thou +hast thought of me in the hour of an important crisis: command me +freely, and command all mine."</p> + +<p>As he delivered these words with his habitual affectation of dignity, he +looked around upon his reduced followers, who all inclined their heads +in token of blind acquiescence.</p> + +<p>"And is this all thou canst command, Cañeri?" asked El Feri.</p> + +<p>"No, not all; for at a moment's notice, I can assemble a considerable +number, now prudently scattered in little parties, the better to avoid +observation. They lie concealed in some neighbouring caves, and will at +the first summons readily obey my orders. But what are thy designs, my +noble friend? Dost thou contemplate the surprise of some fort? or hast +thou in meditation a second expedition to the <i>Sierra Nevada</i>?</p> + +<p>"Neither;" replied El Feri: "my plans of operation are now widely +different; I mean to strike the blow far from the city of Granada: more +I will impart to thee at a future period. Art thou well determined to +second my exertions?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Cañeri, bowing his head. "In the name of the holy +Prophet, I swear to follow thy instructions."</p> + +<p>"Well then," returned El Feri, satisfied, "this very night I set out for +the <i>Sierra Bermeja</i>, attended only by Mohabed and a servant: that +opulent Moor has enthusiastically joined our cause, and several of his +friends, slow to contribute with their persons towards the result, have +at least liberally assisted us with their gold. Thou, Cañeri, must not +tarry here, but with the utmost expedition march to Alhaurin, a town +neglected by the Christians, which thou wilt easily surprise; this is to +serve as a rallying place for all those who may flock to our standard. I +am assured that the mountain inhabitants of the <i>Sierra Bermeja</i> are +prepared to join me,—thus, while the proud Spaniard triumphs in +security, and rejoices at the supposed death of El Feri, he will +suddenly dissolve the charm, and summon his enemies again to encounter +the effects of his wrath and vengeance. And now, Cañeri, remember that +Alagraf and Malique are the only persons through whom we are to +communicate: so to your post, and there await my further instructions. +Farewell! and when we meet again, may victory have rewarded our +exertions!"</p> + +<p>He said; and the two chiefs taking friendly leave of each other, El +Feri, without delay, returned to Granada. Cañeri, scarcely able to +contain his joy, rose and paced around the cave as if he were already +dictating from his palace at Alhacen.</p> + +<p>"Now, my brave followers!" he cried, suddenly halting, "be prepared to +march at a moment's notice."</p> + +<p>Such an injunction was perfectly useless; for it so happened that his +gallant followers had no other preparation to make than to rise and +march, having no baggage to encumber their operations beyond the very +slender equipments which they carried on their persons.</p> + +<p>"But!" exclaimed Cañeri, in the midst of his exultation, "Alagraf, if we +depart immediately, how is thy promise concerning the fair Christian to +be fulfilled?"</p> + +<p>"Fear not, Cañeri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you that +Theodora will be yours to-night or never."</p> + +<p>"Or never!" re-echoed Cañeri, dismally shaping his face into most +unwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain, +and I would gladly wait for such a prize."</p> + +<p>"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,—the time +approaches,—my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in your +power, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge."</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIVb" id="CHAPTER_XIVb"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Si! m'ingannai: scerner dovea, che in petto</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Di un traditor mai solo un tradimento</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Non entra.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Alfieri.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Le cruel, hélas! il me quitte,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Il me laisse sans nul appui!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Berquin.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>"In the name of Heaven, Don Lope," said Roque; "let me again conjure you +to pause before you finally resolve upon this undertaking: my heart +misgives me strangely."</p> + +<p>"Thy heart," replied Gomez Arias, "is a most impertinent monitor. Simple +man! what other course is left me to pursue?—Is it thy wish that I +should relinquish the most glorious prize, at the very moment of its +attainment, from a pusillanimous fear of consequences? Already so far +advanced, must I shrink from an honorable alliance with Leonor? By +heaven! I cannot; I will not. Prudence, consistency, honor, forbid!</p> + +<p>"But, saving your displeasure," interposed Roque, "methinks that same +honor of which you appear so tenacious, cannot urge you to betray an +unfortunate girl into the hands of infidel Moors. And although your +present situation is certainly fraught with difficulties, there may yet +be found some other way of proceeding with regard to Theodora, not +altogether so frightful."</p> + +<p>"No, Roque, none. We have now no longer time to think; we must act, and +act without wasting a single precious moment.—Go, dispatch, deliver +this letter to Theodora, and conduct her to the place that I have +already pointed out. The night is fast advancing; dispatch; and be +faithful in the discharge of my orders. This step is unavoidable, and to +its necessity even thou thyself wilt be reconciled, though at present it +may awaken in thy bosom a foolish sentiment of pity, or fear, I know not +which."</p> + +<p>Roque attempted no farther expostulation, but heaving a sigh, and +casting his eyes to heaven, proceeded to the discharge of his +commission, whilst his master hurried to the solitary spot where he had +decided they should meet. Roque, in that wavering mood so natural to his +character, alike unfit for good or evil, made his way to Don Alonso's +garden, deliberating within himself on the course he ought to follow. +Pity and remorse, at intervals, made him shrink with dismay from the +picture of wretchedness which the unfortunate Theodora presented to his +view. There was something so iniquitous and unmanly in betraying the +unsuspecting and lovely victim, that the feelings of the valet, though +far from being refined, revolted from the participation: once or twice +he had even resolved to acquaint Theodora with the premeditated plot, +but these momentary impulses of his better feelings were soon checked +for want of strength to follow up the generous suggestion. The awe with +which Roque beheld his master, and the dread of the results which his +disclosure might produce in the mind of the victim, powerfully +contributed to silence the voice of conscience. Then he hoped that the +marriage once over, measures might be taken for the security and comfort +of Theodora; and finally he fondly admitted the hope, or rather forced +his rebellious mind to encourage it, that Gomez Arias would relent at +the sight of the unhappy girl, and that he would then fix upon some +other expedient less distressing and criminal.</p> + +<p>In this conflict, he arrived at the palace, and entering by a private +gate into the garden, he approached the window of Theodora's apartment. +The anxious girl, who had been all the day on the alert, immediately +descended, and stood by the side of Roque.</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" she eagerly cried, upon meeting the valet.</p> + +<p>"Prudence," replied Roque, "has obliged him, much against his +inclination, to keep aloof; but here is a letter which will explain his +motives, and the course that you are immediately to adopt."</p> + +<p>Theodora ran over the contents of the letter in a trepidation of +anxiety, and closed the perusal of it by imprinting the fervent kisses +of love and devotion on the vile instrument of treachery.</p> + +<p>"Let us make haste," she then said, and without waiting for Roque to +lead the way, she hurried through the garden upon the wings of +affection. The valet's heart misgave him, when he beheld her speeding +with such haste to her destruction. He contrasted the devoted confidence +of Theodora, hurrying to the fatal spot, with the duplicity and +heartlessness of Gomez Arias tranquilly awaiting her arrival. Roque led +her towards the place appointed; nor could he suppress a tear, as he +listened to the artless language in which her full heart indulged during +the way, in the fond expectation of being again united to her lover, and +obtaining the forgiveness of her beloved parent. They arrived at length +at the place. It was a beautiful night, unsullied by a breath of wind. +The eager eyes of Theodora were strained to catch as soon as possible a +sight of the dear object of her solicitude. She perceived at the further +extremity a man enveloped in a cloak, and standing beside three horses. +She gazed intensely; her bosom throbbed with emotion,—forward she +hurried—she flew; and in a moment, with all the enthusiasm of her fond +nature, threw herself into the arms of her lover.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias received the tender pressure with feelings hard to be +defined. Distracted with conflicting passions, he appeared unable to act +the part which he had judged necessary in this critical moment, while +the loving Theodora, despite of her infatuation, could not but observe +the coldness and restraint evident in his manner.</p> + +<p>"What ails you, Lope?" she said, soothingly "are you not happy?"</p> + +<p>"Happy! yes, Theodora, I am happy; but be not astonished at my +disquietude: for alas! in my distracting situation I can feel no +otherwise; the step which I am about to take——"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I am sensible!" cried Theodora, earnestly, "of the extent of the +sacrifice; I know the glorious prospects you relinquish by renouncing +the hand of Leonor. Yes, I am indeed, aware of all the distressing +circumstances that may ensue from the resolution you have taken. But, +oh, Lope! will not the unutterable love, the fervid devotion of your +poor Theodora, afford you some requital for the advantages which your +honor obliges you to abandon?"</p> + +<p>She looked fondly in his countenance. A tear stood trembling upon her +eye, but in her lover's she beheld no sign of mutual tenderness. He +coldly assisted her to mount, and bidding Roque follow, for some time +they continued their route in silence. Theodora, however, in the +gentleness of her nature, was disposed to deceive herself, and without +hesitation attributed her lover's strange behaviour to the difficult +situation in which he was placed. Nor could she feel hurt when she +considered that it was for her sake that Gomez Arias exhibited this +disquietude. She had secured the most important object of her life, and +was not so selfish or unfeeling as to reproach him with a conduct which +she hoped would soon be changed. But the arguments of reason are not +always in accordance with the suggestions of feeling. Her mind +commanded her to be satisfied, but her heart, in acquiescing with those +dictates, was not entirely at ease, though she sedulously endeavoured to +conceal her emotion from Gomez Arias. Her efforts, however, were not +always successful, and the deep sighs that escaped her bosom, naturally +attracted the notice of her lover. He, therefore, artfully strove, by +bestowing some passing tokens of affection, to reassure the victim he +was leading to the sacrifice. But the art of man, though it may succeed +in imitating the various passions which agitate the human breast, is +rarely successful when he attempts to feign the more tender sentiments +of the heart; for cold must always be the language addressed to one, who +has been the object of a fervid passion, when that passion is unhappily +extinct. No powers of art—not all the force of imagination can call +into life fresh flowers on the barren waste of a heart that no longer +loves.</p> + +<p>As they approached <i>El cerro de los Martires</i> Theodora suddenly began to +sob aloud, and Gomez Arias foresaw the dreadful scene he should have to +sustain before he could finally disengage himself from the sorrowing +girl.</p> + +<p>"Theodora, why do you weep?" he asked in a tender tone.</p> + +<p>"Alas! I know not," she answered. "But my heart is heavy—I feel as +though some misfortune were impending. Whither are we going?—surely +this is not the road to my father's mansion? Lope! Lope! whither are you +leading me?" she inquired, in a thrilling voice of distress.</p> + +<p>Steeled as it was against compassion, the heart of Gomez Arias felt +moved at the question. Roque was exceedingly affected, and a groan +escaped him as he piously ejaculated—"Heaven protect her!"</p> + +<p>Theodora heard the exclamation; for nothing that bodes ill can evade the +acute sense of misery.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, good Roque," she said, mournfully. "But why call on the +protection of heaven? My own Lope, are we in danger?"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias did not answer; for a feeling akin to remorse arose within +him, as he thought on the treacherous duplicity he was about to practice +against one whose very existence seemed to depend upon his love. They +had now crossed <i>El cerro de los Martires</i>, and were ascending a little +slope, when suddenly three or four persons sprung from their +concealment, and checked their further advance. The moon shone +brilliantly, so that every object could be plainly distinguished, and +Theodora saw with dismay the forms that were moving towards them, as if +with the express determination of intercepting their passage.</p> + +<p>"They are Moors!" she exclaimed. "Oh, heavens! what can they want in +this solitary place at the dead of night? Surely they must be some of +those desperate people, who have been left houseless and forlorn in the +late rebellion. Alas! they will retaliate on us all the horrors which +they have suffered. My dear Lope, if we must die, it will be at least +some consolation to meet death with thee."</p> + +<p>She looked earnestly on her lover, but could trace no emotion in his +features; they were composed. The present feelings of Gomez Arias +partook of no alarm, and the unfortunate Theodora felt a fearful +presentiment, as she perceived the unmoved expression of his +countenance; for though the bravery of her lover might not allow him to +dread the approach of death, for his own sake, yet, surely, her own +danger ought to create in his mind some sensation of anxiety. In this +frightful agony of thought, Theodora remained until they came up with +the individuals who had awakened her fears. One of them now detached +himself from the group, and advanced to address Gomez Arias, who had +checked his horse to await his coming. What was the horror of Theodora +when she recognized in the person that stood before them, the dreaded +form of the renegade! She uttered a faint scream; and had not Gomez +Arias prevented her, she would have fallen to the ground.</p> + +<p>"So, Don Lope," said the renegade, "you have kept your word: I could +expect no less from the noble Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"And who are thy companions?" inquired Don Lope.</p> + +<p>"There stands," replied Bermudo, pointing to Cañeri, "the illustrious +Moor of whom I spoke—so the sooner we proceed to our arrangements, the +better."</p> + +<p>The mutual understanding which appeared to subsist between Gomez Arias +and the renegade, and the heartless manner in which the last words were +delivered, left not a doubt in the mind of Theodora, that some +treacherous design was in contemplation. Her fears were soon confirmed; +for Gomez Arias, turning to her, in a tone of pity, began——</p> + +<p>"Theodora, I will not attempt to palliate the conduct which necessity +obliges me to pursue; but the circumstances in which I am placed admit +of no alternative. We must part for ever—nor can I for a moment prolong +a scene, which must be so distressing to your feelings. It consoles me, +however, to think that I can place you in the care of those who have +pledged themselves to treat you with every consideration."</p> + +<p>Saying this, he threw himself from his horse, and found no difficulty in +bearing to the ground the yielding form of Theodora. She could not +speak; amazement had absorbed all the powers of her mind, and benumbed +the principle of will and action. She stood wildly gazing on vacancy, +like one conscious of labouring under a dreadful dream, and striving to +awake from the painful illusion. But when Cañeri advanced, when she +actually saw his hated figure standing before her with a smile of +exulting joy, she seemed suddenly to regain all her powers of +recollection.</p> + +<p>"'Tis he!" she cried franticly, "'tis he. Oh! horror!"—She ran wildly +towards her lover.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lope, deliver me from him."</p> + +<p>"No, young lady," returned the Moor, "you must now come with me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, heaven!" she shrieked, "no, no, he cannot—he will not thus abandon +me!—Oh, Lope!—my dear—my own beloved!—undeceive this barbarous, +this abhorred Moor."</p> + +<p>She appealed to her lover in the fervour of deep anguish,—he turned +from her to depart; the moment was bitter; he felt the rankling pangs of +remorse. The wretched girl clung to him,—he made one desperate struggle +to disengage himself.</p> + +<p>"Moor, take her," he cried with throbbing emotion, "but oh! deal thou +more kindly by her than I have done. Here," he continued, "receive this, +and see that she is treated with the regard which her beauty merits, and +her misfortunes deserve. Act faithfully to thy pledge, or dread the +worst effects of my vengeance."</p> + +<p>He threw a large purse of gold upon the ground, which Malique lost no +time in securing, whilst Cañeri, addressing Gomez Arias,—</p> + +<p>"Christian," he said, "I fear not thy vengeance, and I value not thy +gifts; the word of a Moor is plighted; I love the beauteous female, and +these considerations will afford the best security for my conduct."</p> + +<p>He then advanced to take the hand of Theodora, but she flew from him +with a look of wildness that might have moved the very stones to pity.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, no, never! Gomez Arias, you may be cruel, but cannot be +infamous.—Oh, do not, do not deliver me into the hands of the detested +enemy of our country—the ferocious, the false Cañeri."</p> + +<p>"What!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, surprised, "is this, then, Cañeri, the +rebel chief?"</p> + +<p>"The same," replied the renegade, interposing; "will that be an obstacle +to our agreement?"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias remained a few minutes in silence; he felt an inward +disquiet he could not well explain; the name of Cañeri had awakened a +new and painful sensation; it recalled to his mind the edicts of the +queen, which he was on the point of violating by holding intercourse +with the rebel; but again he thought that the elevated situation to +which he would be shortly exalted might sufficiently secure him against +any danger, should even this transaction ever come to light, of which he +could not foresee the slightest probability.</p> + +<p>Meantime, poor Roque, who perceived the hesitation of his master, +ventured to approach him, and with a voice agitated with fear,—</p> + +<p>"Oh, my dear master," he said, "if it is not too late, let us retreat +from this dreaded spot; do not conclude this hellish treaty, for be +assured it will prove the destruction of your fortunes, if there is an +omnipotence above or justice amongst men."</p> + +<p>It was too late; the heart that could not yield to the voice of its own +conscience, was not easily to be moved by the expostulation of a +dependant. Gomez Arias had now advanced too far to retrace his steps; it +was a fearful deed, but he relied with implicit confidence on its being +for ever buried in silence. Then, without further delay, he made a sign +to the renegade in token of agreement, and turned towards Granada.</p> + +<p>Theodora became frantic; with a desperate effort she flew to her lover; +a dismal, harrowing shriek quivered through the inmost fibres of her +heart; and then she spoke not, but clung to Gomez Arias with the fearful +might arising from despair. Her face was hidden in his bosom, her pulse +beat not, and the spark of life seemed extinct. Gomez Arias gently +endeavoured to extricate himself from her firm embrace; she again became +conscious of his intention, and in the paroxysm of agony she exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Barbarian! have I deserved this from you?"</p> + +<p>Roque now sobbed aloud like a child, and Gomez Arias himself was moved; +but the renegade, fearful of the results of the scene, advanced to claim +his victim.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my honored master!" cried Roque, "does not this harrowing picture +of despair move the kinder feelings of your heart?—you once loved her +tenderly, and were it only for the remembrance of what she was, spare +her now."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias felt the rebuke; it soured his temper and confirmed him in +his purpose. He was indignant at the freedom of his dependant, and +darted on him a withering look of displeasure. But Roque, who had now +acquired a strength of mind and courage, of which his nature till then +had seemed wholly destitute, in a bold tone began—</p> + +<p>"Shame to the man who calls himself noble, and can behave in this manner +towards a helpless woman! Don Lope, this is a fearful deed, and, mark me +well, the time will come at last, the time of terrible retribution."</p> + +<p>The brow of Gomez Arias grew black as a storm, and every suggestion of +pity at once vanished.</p> + +<p>"Villain!" he cried, in a voice choaked with rage, "is it a base born +varlet like thee, that dare utter such threats to me! Moor—" he added, +turning to the renegade, "take this fellow into your charge, and see +that he does not return to Granada; I will reward thee well."</p> + +<p>The renegade gave a token of assent, and made a sign to his companions +to secure him.</p> + +<p>"And what right," said Roque, indignantly, "have you to sell me thus? I +am a free born man, and a true Christian."</p> + +<p>"Roque," replied Gomez Arias, somewhat more composedly, "I have often +warned thee that thy indiscretion would at length bring thee into +trouble and disgrace. Thy offence merits even a more exemplary +punishment, which I will spare in consideration of thy former services. +Away with him, Moors," he added, "and take him to the distant country +whither you are going, for here he may prove dangerous to me."</p> + +<p>"Aye," returned Bermudo, in a voice of import, "we will take him in +charge, for as you say, Don Lope, he may indeed be dangerous to you."</p> + +<p>These words, though nothing in themselves, were uttered with a +mysterious meaning that sounded ominous to Gomez Arias. He felt as +though a cloud was darkening over the ambitious prospects which had +seduced his mind and perverted his heart; the voice that spoke rung in +his ear like an awful warning of which he had some strange +recollection. Again he attempted to escape from the scene. One sudden +powerful effort, and he loosened himself from the grasp of Theodora: the +despairing girl fell to the ground, and raved aloud, and pronounced a +curse on her betrayer. Then in the furious impulse of madness, she +snatched at the dagger that glittered in the girdle of Cañeri, with the +determination of closing her wretched existence; but her deadly +intention was thwarted by the renegade, who arrested her arm in time to +prevent the fatal deed.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias now sprung upon his horse, and Cañeri took the hand of +Theodora; but she furiously darted from him, and sought to fly after her +lover, who was speeding fast away.</p> + +<p>"Oh stay!" she continued, crying in a tone of agony; "Oh stay, Lope! +complete your work—in pity kill me. One crime more will not make you +unacceptable to her you love. Return! return! oh Lope, in the name of +heaven!—Not for me, but for the love of Leonor, do not leave me thus! +Oh Lope, do not leave me thus!"</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias, as he sped away, heard the piteous appeal dying faintly on +the wind, and he plunged the rowels into his courser's sides, to escape +the harrowing sensation which such accents produced. Soon the mournful +cries were lost in the distance, and the wretched Theodora, at length +exhausted and overpowered, fell senseless on the ground. The Moors +easily succeeded in bearing her away, while poor Roque, who followed +close, seemed, out of pity for her, to be reconciled to his own fate.</p> + + +<p class="c top15">END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.</p> + +<hr class="full" /> + +<h1>GOMEZ ARIAS;</h1> + +<p class="c"><b>OR,</b></p> + +<h2 class="top5">THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS.</h2> + +<p class="c"><b>A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE.</b></p> + +<p class="c">BY</p> + +<h2 class="top5">DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSÍO.</h2> + + +<p class="c"><b>IN THREE VOLUMES.</b></p> + +<h2 class="top5">VOL. III.</h2> + +<p class="c"><b><i>LONDON:</i><br /> +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO.<br /> +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD.<br /> +1828.</b></p> + + +<hr class="double" /> + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Ic" id="CHAPTER_Ic"></a>CHAPTER I.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nul ne sut mieux que lui le grand art de séduire;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Nul sur ses passions n'eut jamais plus d'empire,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Et ne sut mieux cacher, sous des dehors trompeurs,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Des plus vastes desseins les sombres profondeurs.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Voltaire.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The pathetic and heart-rending lamentations of Theodora rung ominous in +the ears of Gomez Arias long after he had ceased to hear them; but as he +drew near Granada, and beheld its stately edifices, ambition again +dazzled his imagination, and he welcomed the bright images which rose +before his view to dispel the gloomy tendency of his present thoughts. +The stately turrets of the Alhambra enlarging upon his sight, awakened +the most flattering ideas in his ardent mind. Proud of the regard with +which he was honored by his gracious sovereign, and truly estimating the +high connexion he was about to form, he naturally anticipated the most +brilliant and honorable career. The last lingering suggestion of +remorse, which told him of the cruelty and ingratitude by which he had +paved the way to his advancement, now grew less powerful, and +conscience, that terrible monitor of the human heart, hushed her +enfeebled voice, bribed by the rich prize offered for future silence.</p> + +<p>Don Lope secretly applauded the dexterity with which he had extricated +himself from all his dilemmas, and rejoiced at having parted with Roque, +who now could only be considered as a witness of his crime. By handing +him over to the custody of the Moors, he was safely rid of a troublesome +servant, whose frowardness in future he must have tolerated as the +reward of secrecy. Besides, there was a further probability that the +loquacious disposition and impertinent sallies of the valet, would +ultimately draw upon him the ill-humour of some sullen Moor, who, not +inclined to relish his jests, might pay with a few inches of a poniard +the freedom of his tongue. With regard to Theodora, Don Lope could +entertain no fear of her escape, being under the guardianship of one who +appeared to be a captive to her charms. Meantime his wedding with Leonor +would be celebrated, all his views accomplished, and then if a decree of +wayward fate interfered with his flourishing honors, he would already +have power to set aside the past, and to make his way clear for the +future.</p> + +<p>In this pleasing anticipation, Gomez Arias arrived at Granada, and +awaited impatiently for the auspicious morning that was to terminate his +fears, and crown his fondest desires. Early in the morning, therefore, +he flew to the mansion of the Aguilars without changing his dress, and +bearing in his appearance all the hurry and derangement of a hasty +journey. He found Don Alonso in the apartment of Leonor; but the welcome +he received from the object of his attachment was certainly not given +with the warmth of an affianced bride; nor did the countenance of +Aguilar betoken any very friendly reception. Don Lope felt this +coldness, but he perceived the urgency of sustaining his equality of +character, whatever might be the nature of the peril with which he was +threatened. Affecting, therefore, not to notice the unsocial cast of +their meeting, in a gay and lively tone addressed himself to Leonor—</p> + +<p>"My dear Leonor," he said, "in my impatience to greet you, I may appear +guilty of a little indecorum," looking upon his dress; "but you will, +perhaps, on that plea pardon my presenting myself before you in a manner +so irregular."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Don Lope," answered Leonor with a sarcastic smile, "I can forgive +you any thing, for my nature has become of late so indulgent, that I +find I could pardon offences much graver than a mere breach of manners."</p> + +<p>"Your goodness I never doubted," replied Gomez Arias; "but methinks you +look rather uneasy; surely you are not indisposed?—the noble Don +Alonso too! Nay, has any thing occurred during my short absence to cause +your disquietude?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly," returned Leonor coldly, "nothing has happened that <i>ought</i> +to cause disquietude. But, surely, Don Lope," she added sarcastically, +"your sudden departure, and the summons of our mutual friend Count de +Ureña, might have held us in some little anxiety. Moreover, other small +circumstances have contributed to cause a transient uneasiness."</p> + +<p>"But you must not," interposed Don Lope, "suffer yourselves to be +discomposed on account of our friend Ureña, for I am happy to say he was +considerably better when I left him."</p> + +<p>"Then," cried Aguilar, "it is as I suspected."</p> + +<p>And rising from his seat with an expression of dark displeasure, without +further ceremony he quitted the apartment. Gomez Arias was struck at +such strange behaviour; but soon recovering his surprise,—</p> + +<p>"What means this, Leonor?" he said in an angry tone: "Why am I treated +thus?"</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," returned Leonor, "surely the malady of your friend has +somewhat affected your understanding. We can have no right to interfere +with the actions of my father, particularly as I have already told you +some accidents have occurred lately to ruffle his temper."</p> + +<p>"And what accidents are those, in the name of heaven?"</p> + +<p>"Are you really, then, so ignorant of the events which have taken place +since you were imperiously summoned to attend your friend?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly ignorant," replied Don Lope.</p> + +<p>Leonor looked steadily in his face, and making a sign of impatience +which she was unable to restrain, proceeded—</p> + +<p>"It is surprising that the Count has not informed you."</p> + +<p>"Of what?" interrupted Gomez Arias, astonished. "In the name of heaven, +explain yourself, Leonor."</p> + +<p>"Now, do you not think," continued she, in an affected banter, "it was +highly ridiculous in a man of so grave a deportment as the Count to play +such boyish tricks? Can you really believe that, shortly after your +departure, a message came from him, to announce his intention of +surprising you by his attendance at your wedding."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied Gomez Arias with visible marks of emotion, "the +Count's conduct is strange; what his intention has been I really cannot +conceive: but at all events, it ought in no manner to entail on me your +noble father's displeasure."</p> + +<p>"Why, Don Lope," said Leonor significantly, "you are not such a novice +in knowledge of the world, as to expect that a man's displeasure should +be strictly confined to the object by which it has been caused. Besides, +Don Alonzo has other reasons: our fair guest, who was so sacredly +beholden to him, is gone."</p> + +<p>"What fair guest?" demanded Gomez Arias, with feigned curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Did you never hear me speak of her?"</p> + +<p>"If I did, I really do not remember."</p> + +<p>"And what is become of Roque?" abruptly demanded Leonor: "he did not +attend you upon your departure yesterday, and search has been made after +him without effect. Is he ill?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to say the truth, his health is rather precarious," answered Don +Lope, "and he has so repeatedly been entreating me to allow him to +retire to Toledo, where I believe he has a brother or sister, that I was +at length obliged to consent to his wishes; which, in sooth, I did the +more willingly, as he was growing of late so careless and impertinent, +that his attendance became more troublesome than serviceable to me."</p> + +<p>"Why, Don Lope," returned Leonor, "you must have been strangely +surprised that he should wish to quit your service precisely on the eve +of your wedding day. Moreover, you will be still more amazed when I +inform you that it was this identical Roque that eloped with our guest +Theodora de Monteblanco."</p> + +<p>"Impossible!" exclaimed Don Lope, affecting to be thunderstruck.</p> + +<p>"Repollo, our old gardener," continued Leonor, "saw them leave the +palace, and instigated by a feeling of curiosity, followed them at a +distance, as well as the speed of their pace would permit. He saw them +at length halt at the public walks, where another person awaited with +horses. But this is the most extraordinary part of the tale, for the +gardener said that the person who was so complaisantly attending upon +the fugitives, appeared so exactly to resemble you, Don Lope, that he +would swear to the identity, were he not certain that you set out in the +morning for the seat of Count de Ureña."</p> + +<p>Great as was at all times Don Lope's presence of mind, and prepared as +he seemed for all contingencies, this last intelligence somewhat +deranged his composure; a circumstance which did not escape the keen and +scrutinizing eyes of Leonor.</p> + +<p>"The insolent rascal," cried Gomez Arias after a pause: "It was for this +then that he appeared so anxious to quit my service; but I told you that +his behaviour had become of late most impertinent, and even arrogant. +The reason is now plainly discovered. But after all, your fair guest, as +you are pleased to call the lady-love of this unseemly knight, is most +to blame. What, in the name of Lucifer, could possess a woman of noble +family to elope with a base menial? Was she devoid of all shame?</p> + +<p>"I suppose so," replied Leonor: then, in an expressive tone, she added, +"But shame has been completely set aside in all the turnings of this +iniquitous affair."</p> + +<p>She fixed a significant look on Gomez Arias, whilst the astounded +cavalier, aware of the perilous nature of his situation, merely assented +to the truth of her observation. Leonor, eager to pursue her clue in +ascertaining how far Don Lope was implicated in the transaction, +continued,—</p> + +<p>"But is it not surprising, Don Lope, that this groom of Roque should in +every respect so much resemble you?"</p> + +<p>"My dear Leonor," replied Gomez Arias, laughing loudly, and affecting +good humour, "it is certainly a sad misfortune to have so +unprepossessing a likeness, but we must submit with a good grace to that +which is out of our power to remedy. But I dare say the rascally groom +is not after all so perfect a resemblance of your devoted admirer as the +besotted gardener would make us believe; how could the old dotard +distinguish objects so well, at the distance he confesses, and at night? +It would seem more probable, by his prowling abroad at such an hour, +that a free potation of wine had so far acted upon his senses, that he +saw the marvellous story he has related, in a reverie whilst sleeping +under the friendly shelter of a ditch."</p> + +<p>"Nay, Sir," replied Leonor, "we have no reason to doubt the testimony of +an honest and faithful servant, who has no interest in the invention of +a tale to deceive his benefactor."</p> + +<p>"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "I will prolong the discussion no further +than to express my concern that you should bestow your affections on one +who has the ill-fortune to resemble a vulgar groom. But I hope this +circumstance will not abate the tender regard with which you have +condescended to honour one who lives but in your smiles."</p> + +<p>Here Gomez Arias attempted to pour forth the most ardent protestations +of unalterable attachment; but he was shortly interrupted by Leonor,—</p> + +<p>"Nay, Don Lope," she cried, "spare yourself the trouble of uttering a +single word more, either to convince me of the sincerity of your love, +or in extenuation of your conduct, for I can very well imagine +before-hand what you would say."</p> + +<p>"That is no miracle," replied Gomez Arias, "your discernment is not too +hardly taxed to perceive the emotion which I scarcely wish to conceal, +and must of necessity easily imagine the expressions that such feelings +must dictate. But pardon, if in a day like the present, my passion +oversteps the bounds of common love; for the delirium of bliss that +possesses me cannot be manifested by the usual demonstrations of +cold-hearted mortals. A day that unites me to the most exalted, as well +as the most lovely, of her sex, is surely—"</p> + +<p>"Hold, Don Lope," gravely interrupted Leonor; "I will not now dwell upon +the respective merits of your passion—for I have a favor to ask, and it +is your time to grant a request which, perchance, may sound strangely to +your ear."</p> + +<p>"I need not say that the wishes of my charming Leonor can meet with no +opposition from me," politely answered Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Yesterday," continued Leonor, "notwithstanding the fervour of your +love, you requested that the wedding should be deferred one day. Now, +you cannot deny me a similar favor, and I have particular reasons for +desiring that it may be further postponed for a month."</p> + +<p>"Heavens! what say you? A month! a whole month!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sir," cried Leonor with emotion, "a month—a year, if +circumstances require a further delay—'tis alike indifferent to me."</p> + +<p>Saying this she abruptly left the apartment, leaving Gomez Arias in +indescribable consternation.</p> + +<p>"I am ruined!" he cried after a pause: "the forced indifference which +Leonor has imposed upon herself during this interview, and the burst of +feeling that marked her departure, leave me no room to doubt that her +suspicions are excited. But shall I tamely submit to this reverse of +fortune, after the many and cruel measures I have been impelled to adopt +for the success of my designs? No, by heaven! I will not."</p> + +<p>He then remained sometime buried in a musing attitude, balancing in his +mind the most prudent course to pursue in so difficult a situation.</p> + +<p>"Boldness and indifference," he said at length, "alone can insure +safety. From Theodora and Roque, I have nothing to apprehend. I will +forthwith send instructions to Count de Ureña; nay, I will partially +open my heart to him, since his co-operation is now become indispensable +to the furtherance of my plans."</p> + +<p>After this, Gomez Arias sought another interview with Leonor, and with a +proud and offended demeanor, informed her that he was perfectly willing +to concede her request. Then, without waiting for an answer, he abruptly +left her presence. He next repaired to Aguilar, and bitterly complained +of the material change he had observed in him as well as in his daughter +Leonor.</p> + +<p>"If," he added, "you have reasons to impeach my integrity, speak aloud, +Don Alonso, and give me an opportunity of removing the foul slander. But +if it is a caprice, or a late repentance in her choice, that induces +your daughter to adopt this strange behaviour, let her speak +frankly—Gomez Arias is above the thought of constraining a woman's +inclinations—and she shall be at once released from all engagements."</p> + +<p>Don Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the generosity and manliness of +Gomez Arias, and gave credit to the apparent sincerity of his words. +The noble mind of Don Alonso could not conceive it possible that guilt +should assume so perfect a resemblance of candour. The disappearance of +Theodora, and the events which had attended her departure, were +certainly well calculated to awake a suspicion that Gomez Arias was +implicated in that affair; but as nothing positive could be adduced to +prove his participation, Aguilar did not feel inclined to proceed with +inconsiderate hastiness in an affair calculated materially to injure +Gomez Arias in the estimation of the world. Leonor was naturally more +irritated than her father at the least shadow of duplicity in the +conduct of her lover. Thus she had requested the wedding to be deferred +for a month, during which interval a proper investigation might be made.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias did not lose time in calling all his abilities into +requisition, for his case was desperate, and it was necessary that the +remedies should partake of the same character. He continued his visits +to the Aguilars, but not with the same confidence as heretofore; and as +he witnessed the high degree of esteem in which Don Antonio de Leyva was +held, both by Don Alonso and his daughter, he affected to look on Leonor +with offended pride, while he bitterly insinuated that it was a growing +attachment for young de Leyva that had induced her to consider with +suspicion, and treat with coldness, the conduct of a sincere lover.</p> + +<p>Leonor, however, continued in the same frame of mind, insensible alike +to his expostulations and bitter sarcasms. Deeply had her pride been +offended, and deeply she had determined to resent the affront; nor could +her sagacity and penetration permit her incautiously to trust the soft +words and blandishments of a man whose notoriety in gallantry, she began +to suspect, did not originate in idle rumour.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the irritated Don Lope spared no efforts to place his own +conduct in a favorable light, and endeavoured to cast the imputation of +caprice on that of the Aguilars. He complained constantly in terms of +acrimony of the ungrateful manner in which his affection had been +requited, and vowed vengeance against de Leyva, whom he accused of most +criminal and ungentlemanly duplicity.</p> + +<p>Contending feelings kept him in a continual turmoil, and he earnestly +wished for an opportunity that might divert both the court and himself +from a subject of which he was so disagreeably the hero.</p> + +<p>Fortune again favoured his desires, by bringing about an event as +terrible as it was altogether unexpected.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIc" id="CHAPTER_IIc"></a>CHAPTER II.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The battle is their pastime; they go forth</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Gay in the morn as to the summer's sport:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">When evening comes, the glory of the morn,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The youthful warrior, is a clod of clay.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Home.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The streets and squares of Granada were thronged with a bustling and +confused crowd. Here groups were assembled talking earnestly, and +evincing all the signs of surprise and terror—there others were running +about as if the dreaded event was actually come to pass. A continual hum +was heard in every corner of the city; every tongue was eloquent in +telling, and happy was he who could obtain an attentive listener, where +all were eager to assume the part of orators. Indeed the cause of these +demonstrations was important: several expresses had arrived, announcing +the insurrection of the Sierra Bermeja, with the additional calamity +that the terrible El Feri de Benastepar, whom they all supposed to have +been slain, was not only safe and alive, but with the means of renewing +a desperate warfare, and actually possessed of a force sufficiently +strong to enable him to march upon Granada.</p> + +<p>The town of Alhaurin, and several villages in the vicinity of the Sierra +Bermeja were likewise in arms, and the rebellion seemed rapidly to +extend throughout the whole of the surrounding country.</p> + +<p>The rage of the Christians on receiving this intelligence was greatly +increased by the insolent carriage of their fellow-citizens of the +Mahomedan creed. Indeed, they evinced, in the triumph of their demeanor, +the workings of smothered hatred, that only waited an opportunity to +explode. Granada itself would have become a scene of tumult and +bloodshed, had not Count de Tendilla speedily resorted to measures of +precaution to insure public tranquillity. Various bands of veteran +soldiers patrolled the streets, where the confused murmur of discontent, +or the whispering group of sedition, was heard on all sides.</p> + +<p>The queen was highly incensed at this fresh instance of the refractory +and turbulent disposition of her new subjects. Her former edicts were +again proclaimed through the city, not only against the aiders and +abettors of the rebels, but even against such as should hold communion +with them, howsoever slight or incidental.</p> + +<p>The indignation of Alonso de Aguilar was strongly depicted on his noble +and manly features, when in the presence of the assembled court he +grasped the standard of the cross, and in a tone of resolution and +enthusiasm—</p> + +<p>"By the holy sign on this banner," he cried, "and by all the honors of +my house, I swear not to return to Granada until this accursed rebellion +is rooted out, and the promoters brought to punishment. Ere this month +be past, El Feri de Benastepar, or Don Alonso de Aguilar, shall be +numbered with the dead."</p> + +<p>A shout of enthusiasm answered the noble sentiments of the warrior, +whilst the queen issued orders that the next day all disposable forces +should depart for the Sierra Bermeja, under the command of Aguilar, his +son, Count de Ureña and Don Antonio de Leyva. The troops of Jaen and all +Castile were likewise ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march +under the Alcayde de los Donceles and Count de Cifuentes.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias seized with avidity the opportunity which fortune thus +offered him to signalize himself, and found stronger claims to the +esteem and regard of his sovereign, on whose features he had lately +observed a degree of coldness which little accorded with her former +cordiality. He did not regret his being excluded from the number of +chiefs under Aguilar, though his pride might feel a temporary wound. For +he considered that his reputation would not be materially increased +whilst acting in subordination to such a chief as Aguilar. His gigantic +fame would engross almost all the glory, and its splendour would +naturally throw into shade the lesser stars of his unequal rivals. He +rejoiced, therefore, that his exertions were unfettered by a superior, +and his ardent and ambitious mind soon worked out a plan of operations +against a quarter of the revolted territory which had been neglected in +the hasty dispositions already made.</p> + +<p>He now boldly sought the presence of the queen, and requested her +authority to embody a division to act under his command, a boon which +his reputation as a soldier fully justified him in demanding. Isabella, +to whom Don Lope's courtly manners and gallant bearing had always been +pleasing, was happy to afford him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, and the cloud that obscured her brow was soon dispelled by a +gracious smile as she wished him success in his expedition. Indeed, +justice required that the request of Gomez Arias should not be denied, +for while most of the Spanish chiefs, his brothers in arms, were about +to share the dangers and glory of so honorable a war, it would have been +utterly inconsistent that Don Lope, who ranked amongst the foremost in +courage, should remain in obscurity.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias immediately made his arrangements with the usual ardour of +his character, stimulated by ambition and the desire of forcing upon +Leonor a conviction of his superior merits, by adding to his fame +without being indebted to the proud family of the Aguilars. He summoned +to his ranks all the friends over whom he possessed power, and the +retainers of various noble families with whom he was in alliance. But +these being volunteers, whom their zeal or hatred to the Moors had +instigated to take up arms, could not be put in a state to depart from +Granada with the regular army of Don Alonso de Aguilar.</p> + +<p>The troops of this noble veteran were prepared to march. Previously, +however, to their departure from the city, they piously bent their +steps towards the cathedral, where divine service was performed with +great pomp, to propitiate heaven in favour of its servants. The +archbishop delivered an eloquent oration inculcating on the Christians +their duty, and the glory of their enterprize; pointing out fame and +honour to the survivors—an eternal crown to those who should fall in +defence of their country and religion. The banners of the army were then +blessed, and the various divisions directed their march towards the +gates of Elvira, by which they were to leave the city.</p> + +<p>It was a clear and beautiful morning; no lowering cloud defaced the +serene brilliancy of the sky, and the sunbeams sporting on the polished +helmets and glittering trappings of the army, were reflected in a +thousand curious rays.</p> + +<p>The trumpets, clarions, and other martial instruments, poured their +brazen voices in wild and animating strains, while the shouts of the +multitude, assembled to behold the departure of the Christian soldiers, +floated promiscuously along the air. The walls of the city were +thronged with spectators, whilst others, more active or more interested, +followed the army down the Vega. It was a scene at once splendid and +interesting, to behold the army marching gallantly to the field, +followed by a multitude all unanimous in imploring the benedictions of +heaven on their brave countrymen.</p> + +<p>Amongst the dense crowd that gazed upon that martial array, what +passions were called forth—how many latent affections kindled—and what +sentiments of glory displayed! The magnificent pomp and the +spirit-stirring dignity of war, at the same time that it elevates the +soul to deeds of heroism, fails not to awaken in the breast a +corresponding sentiment of awe.—Alas! while the warrior, in all the +enthusiasm of courage and self-devotion, marches with eager strides to +the paths of victory, perhaps of death, how many tender hearts swell +high and beat fearfully for the dangers which they themselves cannot +perceive!</p> + +<p>Amongst that overpowering multitude might be discerned the venerable +father, a lingering spark of noble fire still lurking in his dim eyes, +and his withering frame receiving new energies as he gazed on the +military display. A sigh of regret escapes him, for the perilous and +glorious scenes in which his age forbids him to bear a part. His +out-stretched palms are clasped in fervent orisons to heaven, not for +the safety of his child, but that his conduct in the field may be worthy +of a man and a Spaniard.</p> + +<p>There was also the affectionate spouse contemplating the marching army +in silent sorrow; her eyes swimming in tears are intensely fixed on that +numerous mass of warlike spirits, where <i>one</i>, to her dearer than all +the world, was speeding from her side. On one arm some innocent, +perhaps, lay in sweet slumber, whilst another urchin, with years enough +to gaze with delight upon the glorious scene, evinces his pleasure at +the animating prospect, and with infantine exultation looks upwards to +his mother, wondering to see her bathed in sorrow, for to his +unconscious heart no cause is there for grief; and yet his tears flow +because his mother weeps.</p> + +<p>Farther, perhaps, more lonely, on some high turret, on some distant +eminence, striving to hide her sorrows from the eye of the world, is +seen the trembling virgin, whose pure heart has received the first +impression of love, and whose charmed ear has listened with fondness to +the soft tale of promised bliss. Now, with restless and agitated glance, +she surveys the numerous host in the vain hope of distinguishing the +dear object of all her tenderest affections, torn from her arms to +exchange her smile for scenes of bloodshed and desolation. Alas! how +numerous and various are the fears that agitate her gentle breast! She +may never more see him: he may sleep his last sleep on the field of +horror; or he may return triumphant but false to his vows, with a proud +heart, to scorn the love of her who mourned for his absence.</p> + +<p>But women, likewise, there might be seen more high-minded and more +heroic in their thoughts and feelings; some who, like Leonor de Aguilar, +offered their tears at the shrine of glory and patriotism, and who, +while they trembled for the life of the object of their affections, were +still more anxious for his honor; some, whose passion received a spark +of heavenly fire that elevated them above their kind, and who gloried in +the sight as they beheld their lovers marching onwards to fame and +victory.</p> + +<p>Such scenes, such sensations, with others which as powerfully affect the +heart, but which the pen would vainly attempt to portray, are generally +attendant on a departing army. Fear, perhaps, holds its dominion in the +breasts of the many and interesting beings who are left behind; but hope +steals gently forward, and gilds with its bright illusion the most +fearful anticipations.</p> + +<p>Meantime the soldier marches on gaily and reckless, and with a light +heart he takes his farewell of those whom he is, perhaps, doomed never +more to behold; and the tears that accompany his departure, tears of +sympathy and affection, will soon, alas! be changed for the bitter drops +of grief and despair.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IIIc" id="CHAPTER_IIIc"></a>CHAPTER III.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Mer.</i> Ce sont là de mes moindres coups,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">De petits souflets ordinaires.</span></p> + +<p class="poem25"><span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Sos.</i> Si j'étois aussi prompt que vous,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4.5em;">Nous ferions de belles affaires.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Molière.</i></span></p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">No nos rompas la cabeza</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Hombre——Pero Ay Dios mio!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Pored un freno a mi lengua;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Y ojala que esta no fuese</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">La menor de mis flaquezas.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Cruz.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>"<i>Valga me el cielo!</i>" exclaimed Roque, "Oh Maria, oh Rufa! Oh Rufa, oh +Maria! nearly a week have I been with you, and yet I cannot, for the +soul of me, believe what I see. There must be witchcraft in this; to +find the old crony of my late mother, <i>que en paz descanse</i>!<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 43.">[43]</a> to find +Maria Rufa, whom I had supposed dead, and her soul dwelling with the +saints, amongst the rebels—amongst the Moors I mean, and herself a +Moor: well, nothing shall make me wonder for the future."</p> + +<p>Such were the words that our reader's friend Roque addressed to dame +Aboukar, as they were advancing toward the town of Alhaurin in a +cavalcade, of which they made a part. The venerable and sour spouse of +the ex-master of the household, was rather nettled at the valet's +impertinent freedom: he had been during the way most assiduous in +favouring her with the benefit of his remarks, which he happened to +convey with such an extraordinary licence of tongue, that the dame's +patience, which it is believed was not of the most enduring kind, at +last became completely exhausted. With much tartness and asperity, +therefore, in a discordant voice, she exclaimed, "Out upon thee, most +saucy and ungracious varlet; curb that licence of tongue, and learn to +behave in a proper manner to thy elders and betters."</p> + +<p>"Sweet dame," quoth the valet, "I do not by any means desire to dispute +that first quality; you are certainly my elder by some good thirty +years; but at the same time, most matronly and venerable Marien, I beg +leave to differ in opinion on the second part of your assertion."</p> + +<p>Then, as if afraid of being overheard, he muttered, in an under tone, "I +am a good Christian and ever was."</p> + +<p>This observation did not escape Marien Rufa, who heaved a deep sigh, and +cast on Roque a look of mingled shame and resentment. She felt sorely +the rebuke, but notwithstanding the valet's impertinence, the friendship +she had entertained for his mother induced her to consider him with some +degree of interest, and prevented her from discharging on him the whole +weight of her indignation.</p> + +<p>"Roque, Roque," she observed with sourness of aspect, "methinks you +ought not to be so enamoured of the sound of your own voice, for that +most unfortunate propensity to prating has brought you to the present +pass: remember that it was on account of your growing sententious, that +your master so unceremoniously dispensed with your services."</p> + +<p>"Well," pertly cried Roque, "I suffer for having spoken truth, and I +glory in what I have done. By all the saints, since I reflect on the +flagrant injustice of Don Lope's conduct, and am become a martyr to my +rectitude and compassion, I find that I am endowed with a degree of +courage and resolution of which I was far from imagining that I was +possessed. And now," he added, drawing near the dame, "now will you +condescend to favour me with the particulars of your apostacy from our +holy religion. What, in the name of infatuation, could entice you to +take a step so detrimental to the interests of your soul? <i>Virgen +Santa!</i> once no one was to be found more assiduous at the ceremonies of +our religion; you were in very troth the most devout <i>beata</i><a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 44.">[44]</a> of the +whole parish, and now here's a change, in the name of <i>Satanas</i>! Oh, +Maria Rufa, you have surely been bewitched."</p> + +<p>"Alas!" cried the crone, ludicrously rolling her eyes in attempting the +pathetic, "you say right, Roque; I was verily bewitched."</p> + +<p>"<i>Santa Barbara!</i>" exclaimed Roque crossing himself, "and by whom were +you bewitched?"</p> + +<p>"By that most powerful tyrant."</p> + +<p>"What tyrant?" demanded Roque, drawing closer, and casting a suspicious +glance around. "What tyrant, Rufa?"</p> + +<p>"Guess, Roque, and spare my confusion."</p> + +<p>"Spare my guessing," returned the valet, "and with respect to your +confusion, I dare say it will not overwhelm you. Now, tell me the name +of the terrible tyrant."</p> + +<p>"Love," replied Marien Rufa, affecting much disorder.</p> + +<p>Roque forthwith burst into an immoderate fit of laughter that startled +the cavalcade.</p> + +<p>"Love! the Lord defend us!—how could such a guest enter so homely an +habitation! Love! here's a pretty object for Cupid to exercise his +pranks upon. Now, I do verily believe there is witchcraft in the tender +passion. <i>Miserere! Miserere!</i> and who was the happy mortal attracted by +your matured charms?—whence came the man blessed with the good taste +necessary to set a just value on your miraculous attractions? That most +beautiful elongated chin—that capacious mouth—those lack-lustre eyes, +and shrivelled complexion—that most polite and well-educated nose, +which is continually bowing to the neighbouring chin; in fine, those +long shaggy tresses of hair, which, if we must judge by their +consistency, bespeak thee endowed with the strength of Sampson."</p> + +<p>Scarcely had Roque made a stop in his harangue, in order to take breath, +than Marien Rufa, exasperated beyond bearing at the caricature he was +drawing, with a wonderful alacrity lifted her clenched hand, and dealt +the facetious valet such a tremendous blow on the ear, that he fell +stunned from the donkey which he bestrode, and lighted on the ground +with such violence that the whole place rung with the noise.</p> + +<p>"There," cried the hag, "there's a convincing proof that my hair has not +imposed on your credulity with regard to my strength."</p> + +<p>Roque was completely reclaimed from his waggishness by the unexpected +visitation of the Sampsonic fist, and for some time utterly forgot the +use of his tongue. The notice of the whole cavalcade was attracted by +the mishap of the luckless valet, and the energetic exclamation of dame +Aboukar. The Moors that served as escort were seized with a fit of +wondering mirth, and even the renegade, who was the chief of the party, +spite of his habitual sternness, relaxed his rigid features into +something like a smile. The tenant of a litter that was carried in +advance likewise stopped to inquire into the reason of the commotion.</p> + +<p>"Roque, what is the matter," demanded Theodora (for she was indeed that +lady), when she perceived the valet rising from the ground in the +greatest confusion.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, my lady:" answered Roque, wofully; "the Lord defend us, but +we have in our party a devil incarnate, under the semblance of a woman. +Good heavens! here's such a concert ringing in the side of my head—such +a hissing and whizzing never did I hear. O, Maria Rufa!" he then +proceeded, in a humble tone, "what a flame you have imparted to my poor +face! If it is a sample of your amorous fires, I am amazed you are not +actually reduced to cinders!"</p> + +<p>"That will teach you," said Maria Rufa, pacified, "to put a proper +restraint on your froward tongue."</p> + +<p>Roque for some time after kept a profound silence, for though he +affected to treat the matter with jocose indifference, yet he was in no +manner satisfied with the mirth and merry sayings which his adventure +had occasioned. At length, however, his curiosity prevailed, and almost +forgetting his recent disgrace, he again in a friendly manner accosted +the Amazon.</p> + +<p>"Now, Rufa," he said, "I hope you entertain no rancour against me for +what has passed?"</p> + +<p>"By no means, good Roque," answered the hag grinning, "I am perfectly +satisfied, and I hope you are the same."</p> + +<p>"Quite," returned the valet, "quite; so let us say no more about it, but +rather tell me, if no ways disagreeable, the origin, progress, and final +results of your passion."</p> + +<p>"Alas! Roque," replied the old sybil, "it was unfortunate in its +results."</p> + +<p>And she heaved a profound sigh, whilst Roque, in most sympathetic +unison, uttered a dismal groan.</p> + +<p>"Console yourself," he said, "with the reflection that your case is +pretty general in this sinful world. But what is the name of the amiable +barbarian, the sweet monster, the bewitching, yet cruel oppressor, that +excited the tender sentiments of your virgin heart, and turned you from +the true faith."</p> + +<p>"What! you are yet unacquainted with my husband?"</p> + +<p>"Husband!" ejaculated Roque, "so there was a husband in the case! Oh, +then I am not surprised."</p> + +<p>"He treats me like a brute, as he is."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! that is astonishing," cried Roque, "wonderfully astonishing, +considering the means you have in your power of enforcing proper +behaviour on the unruly. And pray what is the name of your brute?"</p> + +<p>"You might have perceived it before: it is Aboukar."</p> + +<p>"Aboukar!" exclaimed Roque; "Now, indeed, my wonder ceases—Aboukar! Oh +the sweet creature! with his pretty lobster eyes, and most awful and +portentous proboscis, which seems for all the world like a fine ripe +tomato displayed on a copper platter."</p> + +<p>But here Roque thought it prudent to make a retrograde motion, as he +looked at the masculine arm of the dame, and remembered the little +relish she had evinced for his talent of drawing portraits, and the +manner in which she remunerated the artist.</p> + +<p>"So Aboukar is your husband!"</p> + +<p>"Alas! yes," answered the ancient, "we have been married now these five +years."</p> + +<p>"<i>Valgame San Roque!</i>" cried his namesake. "What a dull dog have I +been!—five years married—certainly I ought to have discovered that +long ago by his treatment."</p> + +<p>"Treatment!" re-echoed Marien Rufa, a little incensed, "What treatment?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I mean no harm," replied Roque, "conjugal treatment, that is all."</p> + +<p>"Roque," resumed the crone, modulating her croaking voice to something +like a human sound, "Roque!" and she suddenly stopt, and looked the +valet steadfastly in the face. "Well?" said Roque, surprised at the +pomposity of her manner.</p> + +<p>"Roque, my child, are you a kind and compassionate soul—a thorough good +Christian?"</p> + +<p>"A very good Christian," responded Roque, "though a humble sinner. But +methinks such a question comes with ill grace from the mouth of a +renegade."</p> + +<p>"I will confide in thee, Roque," returned Marien Rufa, "I am an +unfortunate woman, and alas! might I hope that my repentance were not +too late? Roque, thinkest thou that there is truly a hell as terrible as +it is depicted?"</p> + +<p>"Worse, worse, a thousand times worse," replied Roque. "All the torments +which you may have suffered in the company of—— But do you allow me to +abuse your husband safely?"</p> + +<p>"As much as you please," answered the gentle spouse.</p> + +<p>"Well," resumed Roque, "all the torments which that most abominable, +ugly scarecrow of a rascally unbeliever has made you endure, are nothing +in comparison to the tortures you are doomed to suffer when you are +compelled to leave that miserable carcase, and that time you must be +aware cannot be far off. Then consider what a life you will lead in +those dark regions, where, by the bye, you will be eternally tormented +with the sight and company of your ungracious consort."</p> + +<p>"I am sensible of my errors, but if I have sought your confidence, it +was with the view of exciting your compassion, not your reproaches."</p> + +<p>But Roque had insensibly got into a very oratorical mood, and, without +heeding the hag's remonstrances, proceeded:—</p> + +<p>"Now, Rufa, consider for a moment, who but the devil could tempt a +matron full half a century old, without a sound tooth in her head, the +head itself being unsound, to look kindly on the most perfect sample of +ugliness, and a ruffian Moor to boot: this is enough to make you despair +of salvation—But no, the blessed Virgin forbid! I think, and charitably +hope, that by a vigorous course of penance, and wholesome castigation, +properly and soundly administered, by a frequent use of discipline, +constant fasts, devout prayer, donations to the poor, of whom I am one, +and the like pious exercises, I really think your sinful soul may be +snatched from the perdition to which it has been brought by that +infernal Aboukar, your most confounded lord and master; therefore—"</p> + +<p>"Roque," interrupted ruefully Marien Rufa, "whether you are in right +earnest or only playing the fool with me, I cannot determine; but my +situation is such as to deserve the pity of every good Christian."</p> + +<p>Roque had, indeed, a peculiar inclination to a ludicrous banter, even +when dwelling on the gravest subjects, which might put on his guard a +person of quicker intellects than the dame of Aboukar.</p> + +<p>"Rufa," he said, "pardon me if, in my admonitions, I cannot impart to +your troubled spirit that unction which becomes the important subject +that dictates them. Now, provided you will tell me the manner in which +you intend to proceed, perhaps I may be able to help you with my good +advice."</p> + +<p>"Well, child," replied Marien Rufa, "I wish heartily to be reconciled to +the church, and for this purpose we must contrive to fly from these +accursed Moors."</p> + +<p>"Very well," replied Roque, "so, you are resolved to abandon your +matrimonial misery?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Roque," retorted Rufa, "my conversion is very sincere; I have +so many motives to quit the wretch. Oh, he is indeed a barbarian! +Think, Roque, such a sweet partner as I have been to him, and now to +neglect me for a little Moorish hussey not worth a <i>maravedi</i>. Oh, the +faithless Aboukar—the wicked man! Yes, Roque, I wish as soon as +possible to be reconciled to the church."</p> + +<p>Roque, though far from being a deep divine, could not but significantly +shake his head, when he perceived the motives that brought about the +conversion of the apostate love-smitten dame. However, the idea of +flying from the Moors very much tickled his fancy, and he was determined +to adopt the step, provided it could be carried into effect without any +great risk to his precious person, and that his mistress Theodora should +be a partner in the flight.</p> + +<p>Thus he was indulging in the most agreeable reverie, when his fair +penitent disturbed him by uttering a most discordant sound, which the +valet soon perceived to be a failure in the imitation of a groan. The +eyes of the hag exhibited terrible signs of displeasure, as she turned +round to some object that called her attention, while writhing her +uncouth features into a most diabolical grimace. She thundered out an +oath which made Roque invoke <i>Santa Maria</i>; but he was not a little +scandalized when he discovered that the occasion of the hag's +indignation was her frolicsome husband, who, without the least regard to +her presence, was carrying on, in the presence of his wife, a little +coquetry with a Moorish girl.</p> + +<p>"There," cried the ill-treated spouse, "there is a traitor—how I could +belabour the barbarian, and pluck that vile creature's eyes out! Oh, +Roque! I have been a sad sinner, and I fervently desire to be reconciled +to the church."</p> + +<p>"Well, well," said Roque, "but first tell me on what foundation do you +build hopes of an escape. We are, that is my mistress and myself, so +narrowly watched, that it will be no easy task to evade the vigilance of +our guards. It is true that by the interference of the renegade I am +allowed a free access to Theodora, and the lady herself is treated with +much courtesy; but at the same time I have observed that some cursed +Moor or other is constantly watching our motions. Moreover, good dame, I +must undeceive you, should you have relied on my courage for some +desperate plan. I will not fight a single Moor. My humility will not +permit me to exercise a business for which I consider myself utterly +unfit, both for want of practice and natural inclination."</p> + +<p>"No, child," replied the crone with a sneer, "I was never foolish enough +to place any great hopes on your bravery; but I trust we shall find +means to forward our plans without such assistance. To me," she then +added, "all the secrets of the Moors are known, for they consider me too +much interested in their cause to doubt my fidelity. Don Alonso de +Aguilar is rapidly advancing against El Feri and should he succeed in +his expedition against <i>Sierra Bermeja</i>, as it is more than probable he +will, Cañeri, Mohabed, and the other chiefs will not be able to +withstand the forces which are already sent against them. We must take +advantage of the confusion to escape, lest they should carry us with +them to Africa."</p> + +<p>"<i>Cuerpo de Cristo!</i>" cried Roque, "and is that all your wise head can +devise? Well, I hope you are not overpowered after such an effort of +imagination; but really I cannot give you credit for the contrivance."</p> + +<p>They were now entering Alhaurin, where Cañeri had preceded them two or +three days before, and they halted at the entrance of a large mansion, +which appeared, by the guards patrolling in front, to be the abode of +the chief. Meantime the renegade helped Theodora out of her conveyance, +and led her to the apartments allotted to her use. She was no longer a +prey to the frenzied passions that had so long stormed her breast. The +keen intensity of affliction, insulted and indignant pride, were now +lost in the gloomy resignation and cold apathy to which they had given +place. The severe trials she had undergone had impaired the beauties of +her person, and poisoned her warm and generous feelings, but still +Theodora was lovely and interesting. She had lost the brilliant beauty +of a girl blooming with youth and happiness, but she had acquired the +chaste graces and loveliness of sorrow. Alas! even in those sad +memorials of fading beauty, enough yet remained to make her an object of +interest, and keep alive the passion which Cañeri had conceived. The +load of grief and despair which had weighed her down at the last proof +of her lover's treachery, was succeeded by a mood of deadened +resignation. This calm, however, appeared presageful of some dire +intent, and accordingly, for the first two or three days, she had not +been left a moment alone, and every instrument of death had been +carefully removed from her reach. The attentive services of Roque partly +reconciled her to her dreadful situation; for it is consoling, even in +the lowest depths of affliction, to meet with <i>one</i> sympathising being, +however humble his station, however weak and limited his means to +afford comfort and redress. In the midst of her barbarous enemies, she +was permitted the attendance of a Christian, and this circumstance, +trifling as it was, imparted some solace to her oppressed spirit. +Besides, Cañeri had abstained from importuning her with his loathsome +protestations of love. This forbearance of the Moor arose from the +renegade having stipulated, that in engaging the affections of Theodora, +he should resort to no violence in her present sorrowful condition.</p> + +<p>Thus Cañeri had limited his addresses to a bare manifestation of +respectful regard, foreign indeed to his nature, and borrowed only from +the necessity of acquiescing with the wishes of the renegade, who had +boldly declared he would oppose any violence employed against Theodora. +This favorable disposition of the renegade was a source of astonishment +to the object of his solicitude, for she could not forget that he had +been the principal agent in the completion of her misery. Did Bermudo +intend by these seeming kind offices to secure the prey to himself? or +was it really a sentiment of pity that impelled him to the +manifestation of this solicitude? Could heavenly pity dwell in that +darksome abode, where the most fiendish passions kept a constant +habitation? How were such opposite guests to be reconciled?</p> + +<p>These surmises kept the mind of Theodora in a state of continual +excitement, but as day after day passed, and the renegade, instead of +exhibiting the least mark of enamoured sentiments, seemed to grow more +respectful in his attention, those doubts began to wear away, and +Theodora concluded that some mystery enveloped his proceedings, which +she was unable to unravel, and which time alone could clear up.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of the injunctions of El Feri, his brother chief, Cañeri, +had established his head quarters at Alhaurin, where his party was daily +increasing by the Moors who came to join his standard. Cañeri himself +had arrived three days before, having left to the renegade the charge of +Theodora, who could not be supposed to travel with equal expedition.</p> + +<p>Bermudo, therefore, with a few resolute Moors of his band, and the other +personages of whom mention has been made in the former part of this +chapter, constituted the cavalcade that now entered the busy and +thronged streets of Alhaurin, where the ferment occasioned by fresh and +numerous arrivals, plainly manifested the rapid progress of the +insurrection.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IVc" id="CHAPTER_IVc"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Some good I mean to do,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Despight of my own nature.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Shakespeare</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Ser.</i> No hay quien socorra, quien valga</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.9em;">A una muger infelice?</span></p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Fel.</i> Si, que decir muger basta,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3.9em;">Quando infeliz no dixera.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Calderon</i>.</span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The air of dignity and importance which Cañeri had resumed with his +change of fortune, was displayed to an extent that might render him +extravagantly ridiculous in the judgment of any sober individual. He +already considered himself a sovereign firmly established on his throne, +and he took no precaution to disguise the impulses of his over-bearing +vanity and despotic character. Thus, while he was apparently serving +the cause of independence, he afforded an opportunity to his enemies of +truly estimating the purity of his intentions.</p> + +<p>Cañeri paid a visit to Theodora immediately upon her arrival; but, +according to the agreement with the renegade, he limited his attentions +to the mere phrases of gallantry and courtly good nature. This +ostentatious shew of civility, however, did not arise from a generous +disposition, but merely constrained necessity. The renegade was +continually present to his thoughts, and though his superior in command +he was forced involuntarily to yield that tribute of respect, which +resolution and courage are sure to exact from the feeble, however humble +the situation in which their possessor may be placed. Besides this, +though his passion for the fair Christian had not abated, his heart was +now too much engrossed with objects highly gratifying to his vanity and +pride, to suffer the charms of a captive to rule there with undisputed +and despotic sway. His visits, therefore, were short, and he soon left +Theodora to the undisturbed possession of her own thoughts. She no +longer exhibited those signs of exquisite anguish or passionate +delirium. Keen and protracted suffering had rendered her in some measure +callous to the stings of sorrow. Musing melancholy and listlessness as +to her fate disputed alternately the possession of that heart, once so +fruitful in every tender feeling, in all the genuine virtues of female +loveliness and merit. But, alas! the situation of the unhappy Theodora +was, indeed, more distressing than heretofore. Hope now no longer +illumined her heart; amidst the darkness which had over-clouded her +imagination, no cheering light shone upon her path to lead her from +misery. But the dereliction of hope is not the worst enemy of virtuous +woman. No, it is the loss of salutary fear, and Theodora was nearly +sinking into that lamentable state of indifference which generally +succeeds the extinction of youthful hope and affection. Every thing +seemed to conspire against Theodora. The secluded and retired nature of +her education, and the tenderness of her age deprived her of those +auxiliaries to combat her present state, which a woman of greater +knowledge of the world, and more advanced in years, would gather from +these very circumstances.</p> + +<p>Roque had, by order of Cañeri, a free access to Theodora, and he took +special care frequently to profit by the permission granted. This was +some solace for the unfortunate girl; the interviews with the valet +diverted her thoughts by the lively, though ludicrous, pictures which he +drew of their future release from their present thraldom. The very night +of their arrival at Alhaurin, Roque was giving to his mistress a +circumstantial account of his conversation with Marien Rufa, when the +door of the apartment swung open, and the renegade boldly entered +without any previous announcement. His sudden appearance caused the +greatest perturbation and alarm, both to Roque and his mistress. The +unseasonable hour of the visit, and the interest evinced by the renegade +towards Theodora, were naturally indicative of some sinister intention. +Theodora, however, recovering from her first surprise, involuntarily +drew back as Bermudo advanced. Meanwhile Roque was at a loss what to +think or to do; the flutter of his whole person plainly indicated how +ill at ease he was with himself. He looked at his mistress, and +perceiving her emotion, felt more afraid, though on what account he was +perfectly unconscious. But Roque was not long suffered to remain in +uncertainty with respect to his own feelings. Bermudo, with a most +haughty demeanor, made a sign to the valet to quit the place, and as +Roque deliberated between regard for his mistress and dread for his own +dear self, the renegade, to bring about a final determination, laid his +hand on his weapon, an argument which completely set at rest the valet's +doubts, and convinced him of the necessity of a speedy retreat.</p> + +<p>Theodora perceiving how easily Bermudo had succeeded in convincing +Roque, and knowing the obsequious manner in which the valet acted when +such sort of conviction was forced upon him, deeply felt the danger of +her situation, if abandoned by the only being who might interest himself +in her fate.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Roque, do not leave me," she pathetically exclaimed; "stay—I +cannot remain alone with this dark, this terrible man."</p> + +<p>Roque cast a melancholy look on his mistress; her piteous appeal went to +his heart, but a terrible glance from the renegade seemed to make still +stronger impression, for he quickly resumed his retrograde motion.</p> + +<p>"He must be gone," said Bermudo resolutely, waving his hand in a most +expressive manner, which considerably tended to expedite the valet's +exit.</p> + +<p>He retired, therefore, and Theodora no sooner found herself deprived of +this last frail protection, than with an assumption of fierce dignity:—</p> + +<p>"Renegade!" she cried, "what means this intrusion? Were then all thy +former marks of regard but the insidious means to cover the real +intentions of a miscreant heart? Away!—begone!—I will alarm the +place,—yes, I will call on the protection of Cañeri himself, for odious +as he is to my eyes, I can never look upon him with the same degree of +abhorrence and contempt as I do on a renegade to his faith, a traitor to +his country, and the vile minister to a despot's pleasures."</p> + +<p>Bermudo heard these bold and severe rebukes without attempting an +interruption. Calm and unmoved he suffered the first ebullition of +resentment to evaporate, and for some time deigned to make no other +reply than a bitter smile of disdain.</p> + +<p>At length he broke that dismal pause, and in a slow and deep toned +voice:—</p> + +<p>"Woman," he said, "thy taunts I will not resent, for partly they are +just, and the rest I excuse in consideration of thy forlorn state, and +the many sufferings thou hast undergone."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Theodora, with a sad smile, "It well becomes you to condole +for misfortunes to which you have so largely contributed;—approach me +not—begone—I cannot trust a traitor; there is guile and malice in the +very proffer of thy kindness;—hence,—or——"</p> + +<p>"Hush, lady," interposed the renegade, with indignant pride, "you surely +mistake my character. Threats and fears are strangers to this heart. +Nay, when it is in some weak moments attuned to virtue, a threat, a +solitary threat would banish hence the heavenly inspiration, and the +fiend again triumph in its natural dwelling. Therefore, lady, threat me +not, for the man is inaccessible to fear, who, like myself, is a beggar +in happiness. Rest, lady, rest, and do not by an imprudent act, neglect +the opportunity which fortune affords you of escaping the fate with +which you are threatened."</p> + +<p>There was an air of sullen yet dignified composure on the renegade, as +he delivered these words, and Theodora, in spite of her apprehension, +was for some time rivetted to the spot, waiting the disclosures of the +fearful man.</p> + +<p>"I do not pretend," he proceeded, "to command your implicit confidence; +I only counsel you to rely on your own judgment and discretion. My +character you have drawn in colours dark and glowing, but, perhaps, too +true. Yet I must correct an erroneous impression under which you labour; +'tis true I am an apostate—a traitor—and if in the catalogue of +accursed crimes, there is a name still more horrid and abhorred, I claim +it; but to be subservient to the pleasure of a despot—no, no, you must +know me better. No," he added with warmth, "my deeds have been dark, but +not dastardly or contemptible; I have drunk deep the cup of crime—yes, +I have quaffed it with avidity, but my palate has always been nice +enough to scorn the dregs. Had any other than a woman dared to give +utterance to the base thought, ere this he would have added one more to +the list of those who have fallen by this arm. You are a woman, and a +woman in distress; the only consideration that could have restrained my +indignation for such an insult."</p> + +<p>"What then wouldst thou with me?" demanded Theodora, somewhat reassured +by his words and manner.</p> + +<p>"To befriend you, not to harm you, for I war not with women; the +solitary being that showed the feelings of humanity towards Bermudo +belonged to womankind, and the recollection of her virtues and her love +for me, would secure her whole sex from the effects of my wrath."</p> + +<p>Theodora was struck with this asseveration. She could not reconcile +these symptoms of feeling with his previous acts, and his acknowledged +character for crime.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," resumed the renegade, and his austerity of tone and manner +seemed momentarily to acquire a tint of softness uncongenial with his +habitual nature; "Theodora, I am a man of guilt; yea, one who plays his +part in this detested world without a feeling of remorse—but I cannot +harm a woman—and you less than any other of your sex. <i>She</i>, like you, +was innocent and beautiful—like you, unfortunate—like <i>you</i>," he +added, with agitation, "like you, the victim of Gomez Arias."</p> + +<p>"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "what mystery is this? Oh, speak! I am +already but too low sunk in misery, and yet I fain would learn the full +measure of the crimes of him who has undone me."</p> + +<p>"It would be a difficult," replied the renegade, "an endless task, to +satisfy your desire; but you may, perhaps, from your own experience, +draw a just inference of his conduct to others. Beauty, innocence, and +youth, and unlimited affection, could not save you from his barbarous +acts; the rule has been the same for those who like you had charms to +captivate his attention, and an unsuspicious, a genuine heart to inhale +the poison of his persuasive tongue. But still the fate of poor Anselma +surpassed in horror her many rivals in misfortune."</p> + +<p>"He loved her once," said Theodora despondingly, "and then forsook her, +like me."</p> + +<p>"He loved her," darkly returned Bermudo, "with the affection of one, who +centres his whole bliss only in the enjoyment of his selfish and +degenerate passion. But she spurned him; stratagem and force prevailed. +Madness—despair—must I say it? death ensued. Enough—the circumstances +of the horrid tale 'tis needless to relate: I have said thus much to +convince you of the impossibility of my harming a woman whose fate bears +so strong a resemblance to that of my own unfortunate Anselma. Dispel +then your apprehensions, and look upon me <i>now</i> not as a foe, but as +your sole friend and protector."</p> + +<p>Theodora gazed on the renegade with mute amazement; the professions of +her lover, and his base desertion, had taught her mistrust: her heart +was no longer ready to believe any pleasing tale, to welcome every +protestation of regard. It was by trusting too implicitly to her +feelings that her ruin had been accomplished, and even in her present +abandonment she considered those feelings as premeditating another +treason. Yet, when she beheld the composure of the renegade, when she +recalled to mind that not even a word had escaped him that could be +distrusted, she was persuaded to listen to his proposals, if not totally +to abide their results. The renegade perceived the state of her mind, +and hastened to hush the whispers of suspicion.</p> + +<p>"Think you," said he with firmness, "think you that I deceive +you?—abandon such a thought; for learn that should I be tempted to harm +you, the only object of my life would be blasted; trust then my +interest, if you cannot trust my honor. I came to render you a service, +which must be reciprocal. Nay, start not; you may well marvel what +affinity there can be between an unfortunate and helpless female, and an +outcast like myself; yet this seeming anomaly exists—we are drawn +together by the most powerful ties that can bind one fellow-creature to +another: for we are linked by those of misfortune, and misfortune +wrought by the same individual."</p> + +<p>"And yet," cried Theodora, "despite of your enmity to the barbarous, +unfeeling man, you strenuously seconded his plans; had you not aided +him, I should not have been here."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not," replied the renegade, preserving an unalterable +composure; "but where would you have been? Have you reflected well on +your helpless situation, and the character of the foul betrayer. Ah! +call to your memory the last scene of his desertion, and judge by his +behaviour then, of what he might have been capable, in order to remove +from his path the unfortunate obstacle that impeded his ambitious and +criminal career."</p> + +<p>"The monster was capable of all!" exclaimed Theodora, with dreadful +agitation; for the recital of her lover's perfidy rudely awoke all the +dormant feelings of the heart.</p> + +<p>"I have saved you from his infernal machinations;" said the renegade. +"My conduct to you then appeared barbarous, but my subsequent behaviour +must have effaced from your mind those unfavorable impressions. If not, +the time is come for you to learn, and me to disclose, the motives by +which all my words and actions have been directed. Theodora," he then +added, in a firm but soothing tone, "my proceedings have been to you +mysterious; the mystery here ends—I have procured liberty, home, +happiness for you—revenge for myself."</p> + +<p>"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "explain, what mean you?"</p> + +<p>"I mean the truth. Be cautious and confident, and not many days shall +pass ere you flee from the company of men whom you abhor, and I despise. +Ere long you shall return to your deserted home, and enjoy the +consolation which a father can confer—a happiness which they say is +great.—I never knew it."</p> + +<p>"Can this be real?" exclaimed Theodora, with a scream of surprise and +joy. "Oh, Alagraf, are you then so generous?" and unable to restrain the +swelling emotion of her grateful heart, she fell at his feet.</p> + +<p>"Rise, lady, rise," vehemently cried the renegade, "that posture ill +becomes you. I cannot sustain the sight. Poor, helpless, innocent +sufferer," he then said in a pathetic tone, which in spite of his +sternness, he could not suppress. "Poor, poor, forlorn girl—it was thus +she begged and supplicated, but he denied her." He suddenly recollected +himself, and with an abrupt motion he raised the weeping Theodora from +the ground.</p> + +<p>"Rise; for by all the powers of darkness, to see you thus more fiercely +burns my brain, and my frenzied madness becomes more ungovernable. +Woman, I am not generous, I am only just, though some cold mortals might +denominate my justice selfish cruelty. But I care not for man or his +opinions."</p> + +<p>He paused for a moment, and then proceeded in a calmer tone:—</p> + +<p>"Theodora, you are now acquainted with my intentions. I only grieve they +cannot be put in execution with the promptitude that I desire.—But I +must go hence immediately—I must keep up the hellish character which I +have assumed, and I am sent to act in conjunction with El Feri; my +absence shall be as short as I can make it, and in the mean time fear +not any violence from Cañeri. In that quarter you are secure; for the +petty despot knows that his death would be the consequence of such a +step. And now, lady, keep strict silence on my important disclosures. +Roque is faithfully devoted to your service, but much is to be +apprehended from his imprudent loquacity, should he be made acquainted +with the secret before the time of action. He and any other you wish to +point out shall be our attendants. Remember my injunctions. Be +comforted, but do not exhibit symptoms of sudden and extraordinary joy, +lest you awaken the suspicions of Cañeri; for he is possessed of all the +cunning and mistrust which generally fall to the share of a coward heart +blended with a despotic mind. Till we meet—adieu! I call for no +blessing on your head,—for I can only curse."</p> + +<p>He said, and suddenly withdrew.</p> + +<p>Theodora for some time was scarcely able to collect her thoughts; the +renegade had again revived her drooping spirits, and she ventured to +hope once more. She resolved implicitly to follow his instructions, in +the anxious expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present +miserable and perilous condition.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Vc" id="CHAPTER_Vc"></a>CHAPTER V.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Un farouche silence, enfant de la fureur,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A ces bruyants éclats succède avec horreur.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">D'un bras déterminé, d'un œil brulant de rage,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Parmi ses ennemis chacun s'ouvre un passage.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>La Henriade.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Now yield thee, or by him who made</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The world! thy heart-blood dyes my blade.—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Thy threats, thy mercy I despise,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Let recreant yield, who fears to die.—</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Sir Walter Scott.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The shadows of evening were falling round when Alonso de Aguilar and his +gallant army arrived at the plain that skirts the mountain of the Sierra +Bermeja. The rebels, with El Feri de Benastepar at their head, who had +already been worsted in the plain, had resolved not to hazard another +battle, but to keep possession of the mountains, confident of the +advantages of their position. El Feri, therefore, having secured all the +heights and passes of the Sierra, beheld with inward satisfaction the +approach of the enemy; indeed, his situation could not be improved; +nature had fashioned an impregnable fortress in the whole circumference +of that huge mountain; large masses of rock frowned at intervals around +the summit and extended down the sides, and the hollows were filled up +with large clumps of trees, the growth of ages. There was only one path +by which an ascent appeared practicable, narrow, steep and tortuous, and +this perilous pass from the nature of its position might be defended by +a handful of brave men; numerous small ravines were likewise observable, +by which a laborious and difficult ascent might be attempted, although +they were almost choaked with different impediments, being the beds of +the torrents which at times poured their headlong course down the sides +of the mountain.</p> + +<p>The Christians beheld with dread the formidable array which the Sierra +presented. The Moors from the adjacent country had flocked to the +standard of El Feri, confiding in the prosperous turn which their +enterprise was likely to take; they manifested both their hopes and +defiance by a prolonged succession of shouts and barbaric yells, which, +in lengthened and fearful clamour, were reverberated through the rocky +passes and solitary caverns of those mountains.</p> + +<p>Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the advantages which the rebels +derived from their position, and the attempt to ascend the mountain, +crowned as it was with desperate men, might be considered more a deed of +madness than an act of true courage; but again he thought of the evil +which procrastinated measures often produce in a war of this nature—the +longer he delayed the attack the greater the number of enemies he should +have to encounter, and if the spark of revolt were not immediately +extinguished, the whole province would soon blaze out in open rebellion. +Most alarming symptoms of the refractory spirit of the inhabitants had +already been manifested during the progress of the army from Granada, +and Aguilar well knew that the difficulties he had now to surmount, +would increase tenfold each day that he suffered to pass without risking +a battle.</p> + +<p>Thus, although aware of the desperate character of his undertaking, he +nevertheless resolved to engage the Moors in defiance of their superior +advantages, relying with the most unlimited confidence on the +enthusiastic valour of his veteran troops, whose hatred to the Moors was +proverbial, and whose bravery and military conduct he had tried on many +a well-fought field.</p> + +<p>Under this impression, Don Alonso had summoned Count Ureña, and other +principal chiefs, to communicate to them his determination.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you will think," he said, "that the resolution I have formed is +desperate, but there is no middle course to choose; we must either +return inglorious to our homes, or attack the rebels in their strong +hold. An assault must be immediately attempted. Our soldiers burn with +impatience to meet those rebellious and ungrateful Moors. It is on the +confidence of their love to their country, and hatred to their foes, +that I found my expectations. However, we will wait until night has +closed; darkness will be more favorable to us in the passive warfare +which for some time we shall be obliged to carry on. The shafts of our +enemies cannot thus be aimed with such fatal certainty. And now, my +brave companions, to your posts, and I hope that when next we meet it +will be amidst the shouts of victory."</p> + +<p>Aguilar divided his army into three parts, the right wing of which he +entrusted to the command of Count de Ureña, the left to Don de Antonio +Leyva, whilst he, with his gallant son Don Pedro, determined to lead on +the centre to the charge by the more direct ascent, where the chief +force of the Moors was judiciously placed.</p> + +<p>These three bodies were again sub-divided, as a large mass would afford +a conspicuous object against which the efforts of the enemy might be +more successfully directed. Thus the different commanders having +received their instructions, and the signal being given, various +columns advanced towards the mountains from their several points of +attack, whilst the war-cry, <i>Santiago y Cierra España</i>, was echoed from +one to another with inspiring courage and animated enthusiasm. The Moors +answered the challenge with wild acclamations, looking on the advancing +foe as a devoted prey on which they were shortly to glut their +long-desired vengeance. The Christians were, therefore, suffered to +proceed unmolested in their course lest, by a premature disclosure of +the resources of their enemies, they might be induced to retreat, and +thus prevent the Moors from obtaining a complete victory. Slowly, then, +the Christians began to ascend the rugged and difficult paths of the +mountain. The deafening shouts had for some time ceased, and were +succeeded by a dismal and deadly silence. The Christians, therefore, +continued to ascend in noiseless progression, until El Feri de +Benastepar, judging that the enemy was sufficiently drawn into his toils +to ensure success for the artful manœuvres which he had planned, now +gave the signal of command, and again the whole mountain rung with an +overpowering tumult of cries and yells.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the rocks above seemed to be alive, broken into numberless +fragments. With dreadful and overwhelming violence their huge disjointed +masses rolled from their elevated summits, and gathering a new impetus +in their headlong course, rushed down the sides of the mountain, and +bounding from point to point with an appalling crash, heaped destruction +on the advancing enemy. The ominous and redoubled cries from the summit +of the Sierra, rose above the terrific sound of the deadly fragments, +and were sufficient to strike dismay into the most daring. Astonishment +for a moment paralyzed the Spaniards; yet their intrepidity did not +quail in the hazardous moment, though they perceived a heap of mangled +corpses swept before them with fearful rapidity. Aguilar could not +behold unmoved the destruction wrought amongst his brave followers; and +fearing that a second discharge of those terrible missiles might +succeed in disheartening them, in a voice of enthusiasm——</p> + +<p>"Forward, my brave comrades!" he cried: "those rebels will find that +they will sooner tire of hurling rocks than we shall of withstanding +them. By suffering we will triumph. On, brave companions, on!"</p> + +<p>Aguilar succeeded by his example in instilling into the hearts of his +men a degree of maddened courage, which alone could carry them through +the obstacles that impeded their course. They accordingly continued +fearlessly to advance.</p> + +<p>Night had now closed in the most dense and impenetrable darkness. The +moon seemed unsuccessfully struggling through a pile of massy clouds, +and the scanty light afforded by the dim stars was insufficient to +illumine any distant object. Thus the Christians had no means of warding +off the dreadful fate which threatened them. They heard, without the +power of resistance, the low rumbling sound of the huge rocks that were +loosened from their beds, and the crash that followed their ponderous +course, as they tore down every object which came before them, mingling +all in one vast and promiscuous ruin.</p> + +<p>The voice of Aguilar and other chiefs, in hoarse tones, was heard at +intervals encouraging and animating their troops, who, wrought up to +madness by their loss, had now no other feeling than an ardent desire of +attaining the summit, where their enemies lay in security, and quenching +their rage in their detested blood. Indeed, the terrors of this dismal +and appalling conflict, instead of damping the courage of the soldiers, +served only to brace them with redoubled force. Dauntless, therefore, +they continued to ascend, unmindful of the cries and groans that rent +the air, and although they were sensible that a similar fate might the +next moment await themselves. On they proceeded, in the full confidence +that some amongst them would ultimately reach the summit, and take ample +vengeance for the death of those whom they left behind. Nor did the +Moors consider this stubborn constancy and self-devotion without +amazement and dread; but El Feri, who read their thoughts, immediately +took measures to prevent the consequences with which they might be +attended, if he allowed his men to indulge their fears; aware that the +best means of keeping up the mettle and ardour of his men was to employ +them actively, he ordered a considerable portion of them to descend and +meet the enemy boldly in the path. This order was joyfully obeyed, and +the Moors rushed impetuously to the attack. Aguilar, who hailed this +movement of the enemy as favorable to his troops, by affording them an +opportunity of profiting by their superiority, now rushed forward to +encounter the charge with increased energy, whilst Don Pedro, with a +chosen party, led the van.</p> + +<p>The young warrior continued gaining ground; the Moors retreated; and the +Spaniards considering this movement as the forerunner of success, boldly +pushed on, reckless of the thousand shafts which assailed them on every +side. Fresh men supplied, according to instruction, the place of the +Moors who retreated; and the wearied Christians had nothing to carry +them through the unequal contest but the undaunted courage which had +supported them in so many battles. Still they advanced, although the +enemy, in spite of the numbers that fell, preserved a fresh and unbroken +front, disputing every inch of ground apparently with undiminished +numbers.</p> + +<p>In the midst of his gallant achievements Don Pedro fell from the blow of +a stone, which disabled him from proceeding. His absence soon became +apparent; but Alonso de Aguilar pressing forwards to the front, by a +desperate effort soon compelled the rebels to abandon their defence, and +retreat precipitately to their stations. The Spaniards here halted for a +few moments and rallied their forces, on which dismal inroads had been +made by the late conflict. Again they advanced in silence and without +impediment. Their gallant leader, however, looked on this change with +the most gloomy apprehensions; for he conjectured that the Moors were +about to renew that system of defence which had been so destructive at +the first onset. His suspicions were well grounded. Incontinently +another ominous shout rent the air, and the tremendous fragments again +rolled down, spreading devastation wherever they passed.</p> + +<p>And now, to render the unequal strife more terrific, there fell some +broad and scattered drops of rain, announcing the storm which had been +gathering in the dark bosom of the swollen and shapeless clouds. Hollow +gusts of wind swept through the passes of the mountains, mingling their +gloomy cadences with the loud cries of the Moors and the wild +lamentations of their victims. And now the pregnant clouds discharged +their contents, which poured like an impetuous cataract down the +channels of the mountain, whilst from those dark and impenetrable masses +fitfully glimmered the livid streaks of lightning, followed by the +hollow muttering of the distant thunder. This approaching conflict of +the elements Don Alonso beheld undismayed. Boldly he urged on his men, +whilst the power of the storm increasing apace, presented additional +obstacles to their progress. Nearer the tempest advanced, and the +flickering sudden gleams of lightning were succeeded by closely repeated +sheets of sulphurous and liquid fire, which in serpentine corruscations +illumined those scenes of carnage and devastation, while loud and +prolonged peals sounded like the ominous voice of the spirit of +destruction riding on the storm, and exulting over the scene of death. +But the Spaniards, though moved by the sight of their companions falling +around, could not be subdued by the gloomy prospect before them, for it +is the attribute of noble courage, while it sympathises with the brave, +to continue in the path of honor and duty undaunted and undismayed.</p> + +<p>Flash now followed upon flash, and by their livid and unearthly +reflection appeared the gallant leader and his band, more resolute in +proportion to the fury of the warring elements. The caves and wild +recesses echoed with the hollow moaning of the blast, mingled with the +shouts of the combatants. Chilling was the scene; more chilling still +when the pause made by the raging storm was filled up with the more +terrific noise of the falling rocks and stones which came thundering +down. Aghast the Christians beheld, by the vivid flashes, the descending +destruction; now a block rolled along dyed in the blood of their gallant +companions, and again some uncouth and unfashioned fragment had gathered +in its career a broken limb, a nerveless arm, or a bleeding leg. The +channels were now filled with the water that rushed down the sides of +the mountain, forming gurgling eddies around the crushed bodies of the +fallen, and mingling their blood with the turbid waters in their descent +below.</p> + +<p>Such an accumulation of misfortunes began to dishearten the Christians, +whose forces were reduced to half their number. Don Pedro, Count de +Ureña, and other principal chiefs were wounded, others dead; and an +horrific shout on the left, commanded by Don Antonio de Leyva, announced +some dreadful catastrophe in that direction.</p> + +<p>The renegade, with a valiant reinforcement, had by a dexterous +manœuvre cut off the retreat of the Christians in that quarter; and, +though they had fought with the most desperate courage, they were +completely routed, and the greater number slaughtered on the spot. +Savagely Bermudo dealt his blows on his own countrymen, and vented his +diabolical feelings on many brave and innocent men to take vengeance for +the wrongs he had sustained from one. But few men escaped from this +promiscuous carnage, and those few cut their way with frenzied courage +through the ranks of the enemy, bearing the bleeding body of their +chief, Don Antonio de Leyva.</p> + +<p>The rage of the storm had by this time abated, and Alonso de Aguilar, +auguring favorably of men who had withstood, undaunted, such an +accumulation of terrors, had pushed forward, and was now midway on the +mountain. The rebels beheld his progress with conscious alarm, for +though his numbers were considerably reduced and weakened by fatigue, +yet Don Alonso was about to reach a space of even ground, in which +should he succeed, it would render more doubtful the victory which they +had till now considered as certain. Still they continued to roll down +their destructive missiles, but these had lost their former power; for +though some visited the enemy, yet the greater part stopt in their +career, impeded by the trunks of trees torn up by the tempest, or stuck +in the spots of marshy ground caused by the descending torrents. The +Moors, therefore, abandoned this system of aggression, and perceiving +that the gallant band of Don Alonso de Aguilar was extremely small, and +that it could not receive assistance from the Spanish forces below, they +collected a great body, and determined to oppose the further progress of +Aguilar, before he could succeed in reaching the little plain. A +desperate contest ensued, in which every Christian exerted his remaining +strength, and their present position was so far favorable, that the +Moors were not able to overwhelm them with numbers. Thus Aguilar, +encouraging his men with the better aspect of their fortune, continued +fighting desperately, and gaining ground, whilst the affrighted Moors +retreated before his amazing efforts.</p> + +<p>But the most exalted courage cannot support the body under the +accumulated sufferings of wounds and exhaustion, and Don Alonso at +length beheld with a look of melancholy resignation, blended with manly +fortitude, the diminution of his numbers, and the state of depression +under which they laboured. He could no longer hope to accomplish his +daring enterprise, nor effect an honorable retreat. The day, which had +now shed its first glimmering light, revealed the forlorn condition of +his men: he beheld his once gallant army stretched along the path, which +was so completely covered with the dead, that it seemed to be paved with +human victims. The Spaniards fought still, but their foes were +continually supplied with fresh men, and Aguilar foresaw with a pang of +distress that the Moors would ultimately triumph. In this emergency he +cast a desponding look on his troops below, who would in vain have +attempted to assist him, on account of the distance which separated +them.</p> + +<p>The followers of Don Alonso were now reduced to a very limited number, +but he perceived on their countenances the noble expression of resigned +courage and high-minded patriotism. A sad smile of satisfaction was on +his lip, as with a firm voice, he exclaimed:—</p> + +<p>"Christians, this standard must be planted on the highest point we can +attain." Then after a pause he added, pointing to the little plain; +"Behold your grave!—-- advance boldly—there is the last stage of our +existence—and if any one returns to Granada, he may tell the queen that +Alonso de Aguilar has redeemed his pledge."</p> + +<p>These words were electric—the countenances of his companions +brightened, and they seemed to acquire new vigour from the example of +their noble leader. They dealt their blows with increased energy, and +after a terrific struggle, they at length reached the fatal plain. +There they halted at the goal of their glorious career, and Alonso de +Aguilar planting the standard of the cross firmly on the ground, placed +himself near a rock which he caused to be surrounded by his men. There +the devoted warriors resolved to await their fate.</p> + +<p>The Moors now rushed on them from all parts with a ferocious joy. But +many were those who fell before they could succeed in mastering the +brave and infuriated Christians. Man to man they fought, and round the +rock the gallant soldiers gradually fell. The heroism of the Spaniards +might protract, but could not avert their fall. Aguilar at length beheld +himself alone amongst a heap of his fallen men; his armour was broken in +many places, and stained with the life-blood which flowed through the +crevices; with his left hand he grasped the remains of a banner, and +supported himself against the rock, while his right still continued to +wield his ponderous sword. The numerous assailants looked with dread +and awe on the redoubtable champion, and for some time seemed to be +rivetted to the place. But a host was gathering around to rush at once +upon the formidable foe, when a giant figure made his way through the +crowd, crying aloud—</p> + +<p>"Yield thee, Christian, for the Moors know how to respect courage like +thine."</p> + +<p>"Yield! Never will I yield to a rebel. I am Alonso de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>"Thanks to the prophet!" cried the Moor; "look then on thy +irreconcileable foe!—I am El Feri de Benastepar."</p> + +<p>Aguilar saw the Moor-chief with the fortitude of a noble heart, and +rising superior to his adverse fortune, although covered with wounds, +and fainting from exhaustion, he sprung forward to meet the advance of +his terrible adversary, whilst the Moors awed by the meeting of such +warriors, stood around in breathless silence.</p> + +<p>The mighty foes closed in desperate combat. But soon Aguilar conscious +of his weakness, retired to his original position against the rock, and +in that posture sustained the attack. The fresh and unabated force of +El Feri became too powerful for the Christian chief, worn out as he was +with the loss of blood, and the fatigue of many hours of battle. Aguilar +now perceived that to die nobly was the only alternative he could +embrace, and accordingly grasping firmly the banner, he continued a +resolute but unequal combat. His exhaustion, however, increased, and as +he perceived his end approach, he sprang forward, and with one desperate +blow, in which he collected his remaining energies, endeavoured to crush +his enemy. But the exertion far exceeded his strength, and the same blow +that an hour before would have cloven through buckler and hauberk, now +fell almost harmless upon the shield of El Feri. The Moor availed +himself of the moment, and before Aguilar had time to recover, the +scymitar of his foe had cleft through the helmet of Don Alonso, and sunk +deep into the brain. The hero fell; with one deep sigh his noble spirit +parted from its clay, and the brave, the generous, the heroic Don Alonso +de Aguilar was no more!<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 45.">[45]</a></p> + +<p>A tremendous shout from the exulting Moors announced the catastrophe to +the Christians below: it sounded through the mountain like the ferocious +yell of demons revelling over their victim. El Feri stood silent for a +moment gazing on his prostrate enemy, and he could not but contemplate +with veneration and awe that form which even in death preserved the +nobleness and dignity which had distinguished it through life. His +helmet had given way, and rolled to some distance on the plain. His +black hair silvered with age, and now dripping with his blood, +overshaded part of his noble countenance. Shorn of its proud device, his +broken shield lay on his left arm, as well as the remains of the banner +which he had sworn to defend with his life, whilst his right arm still +retained that sword once the terror of the Moors, now lying harmless on +the ground. Thus fell Aguilar, and the exulting Moors flocked round his +corpse, led by an instinctive curiosity to behold the prostrate warrior +so long the object of their dread.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIc" id="CHAPTER_VIc"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h3> + +<p class="c sml"> +Inter their bodies as becomes their births:<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Shakespeare.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Few, few shall part where many meet,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span style="letter-spacing:20px;line-height:2em;">* * * * *</span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And every turf beneath their feet</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shall be a soldier's sepulchre.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>T. Campbell.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The victory of the Moors was complete; and as they had been long +accustomed to reverses, so unusual a success elated them beyond all +bounds of moderation. They considered their independence as now firmly +established, and could scarcely be restrained from rushing, like a +disorderly horde of conquering barbarians, on their enemies below, and +ravaging the country round. But fortunately El Feri joined to great +courage and activity the rare endowments of a prudent and sagacious +chief. He foresaw that the present success, if not followed up +judiciously, would prove more prejudicial than favorable to their cause. +It was not by a confused depredatory system that this first victory +should be followed up; for their cause could only be ultimately +benefited by improving their present advantages. Besides, the fierce +courage of his followers, arising rather from a sense of injuries and +revenge, than real military bravery, was ill calculated to sustain the +superior numbers and better disciplined bands of the Christians. Nor +could El Feri be so far dazzled by one solitary success as to attribute +solely to their conduct and courage that result which was chiefly to be +ascribed to the advantages of their position, combined with a series of +fortunate circumstances that had assisted them against the Christians. +He knew that the intelligence of this victory would excite those of his +countrymen who were as yet lukewarm in the cause, to take up arms and +repair to that mountain which was now the cradle in which their infant +liberty was to be rocked. He wished to preserve and improve this +situation without risking the danger of another action, until he +possessed ample means of insuring success. A precipitate movement now +might involve the Moors in difficulties capable not only of retarding +their triumph, but even of rendering fruitless the effects of a first +victory: Gomez Arias was likewise marching with a powerful army, and it +would be madness to abandon the strong hold of the Sierra for the sake +of hazarding an encounter, when as yet they were in all respects +inferior to their enemies.</p> + +<p>El Feri, therefore, strongly deprecated the design formed by Mohabed of +advancing at present against the Spaniards. But Mohabed, flushed with +pride and little conversant with military affairs, could only be +prevailed upon to defer his sally from the mountain for two days; and El +Feri, considering the baneful effects which any disagreement amongst the +chief leaders might produce, prudently acquiesced in his decision. He +hoped that in the meantime he should have an opportunity either of +dissuading his brother chief, or at least of organising a more +systematic and powerful invasion.</p> + +<p>Whilst the best warrior in the Moorish ranks was deeply interested in +forwarding their views, his disorderly and savage followers were +affording proofs of their wanton cruelty and insubordination. El Feri +saw with disgust and sorrow, that the men he led to the field adhered +not to the principles which they pretended to profess. He perceived that +his army more resembled a horde of undisciplined barbarians than true +and sincere patriots; that the gratification of private animosity and +revenge had a far greater preponderance in directing their exertions, +than the heroic impulses of noble enthusiasm and public spirit. He had +been himself stimulated to take up arms solely by pure and patriotic +sentiments, without the least alloy of personal interest, or the +indulgence of a revengeful disposition. He, therefore, bitterly +lamented, for the sake of his country, when a secret voice whispered to +him, that he was less the leader of independent men, panting for +liberty, than of a lawless discontented rabble, better deserving the +name of rebels than that of liberators. Alas! how often is the lustre of +a good cause darkened by the private interests and vices of its agents!</p> + +<p>The attention of El Feri was however diverted towards a tumult in that +part of the mountain where the mighty Aguilar had fallen: he hurried to +the spot to inquire into the cause of the commotion, when he saw the +noble form of his redoubtable foe ignominiously placed on an eminence, +round which men, women, and children were crowding, to glut their eyes +with the bleeding spectacle. While their savage disposition was +gladdened with the sight, they heaped maledictions on the dead. This +dastardly ebullition of revenge was more particularly displayed by the +weaker portion of men, and by the refuse of women. Women, fashioned by +nature to indulge every kindly feeling, and tender sentiment of +compassion for the fallen—women, when they have overstepped the +barriers of their natural delicacy, become more lawless and cruel than +the most hardened of men. An old hag was, with wanton mockery, striving +to close the eyes of the warrior; another was trampling under her foot +the cross which she had wrenched from his breast; and a dirty urchin was +rending his venerable locks, whilst some miscreants, not satisfied with +these profanations, in base revenge plunged their weapons into the +lifeless clay. But still there were some whom the great Aguilar inspired +with terrors even in death, and they shrunk from the inanimate corpse, +as if it were ready to start into life, and wreak vengeance for the +outrages sustained. Flushed with indignation at the sight, El Feri soon +dispersed the vile and motley crowd.</p> + +<p>"Base, pitiful wretches," he cried in anger, "it well becomes your +cowardly nature thus to insult in death, the man you dared not look on +in life. Aye, quench your valour on that unconscious body, for those +weapons are unworthy of warring against the living, which cannot +respect the dead. Avaunt, miscreants! tempt no further my just anger."</p> + +<p>The affrighted crew shrunk back in confusion, but one more daring than +the rest ventured to exclaim—</p> + +<p>"He was the mortal foe of the Moors, and of El Feri de Benastepar——"</p> + +<p>"In life he was," sternly replied El Feri; "but death reconciles the +bitterest enemy—for enmity must lose its fire in the cold precincts of +the grave."</p> + +<p>"The Moor and the Christian," retorted gruffly the other, "even in +death, must be irreconcileable; even in the frost of the sepulchre, the +hate of such foes must not be extinguished.</p> + +<p>"Cease, miscreant!" fiercely returned El Feri, "or by the mighty Allah, +a single word more, and a blow from the scymitar of El Feri shall be thy +only answer."</p> + +<p>In speechless terror they all retreated, when El Feri turning to one of +his followers—</p> + +<p>"Do you, Moraz," said he, "and some of your brave companions, pay the +last honors to the noble Don Alonso de Aguilar."</p> + +<p>The Moors obeyed the orders of their chief, and forthwith a grave was +dug at the foot of the rock. No funeral pomp—no military honors graced +the obsequies of the great Aguilar—no chaunting priest was there to +rehearse the service of the dead—no friend to weep over his loss—no +grateful dependant to raise the closed hands in prayer to heaven; but in +silence his enemies laid him in his humble grave, and strewed the earth +over his warlike form. What, though no sculptured marble was there to +point out the noble dust that lay beneath; the name of the warrior will +live in the hearts of his countrymen, and will be handed to posterity as +long as the records of Spain shall exist. But, in the absence of the +pomp which marks the burial of the illustrious, Don Alonso received the +most honorable tribute that can adorn a warrior's grave—the manly and +venerating tear of his mortal foe; for, as the earth covered for ever +the remains of Aguilar, the silent tear of noble feeling fell on it +from the eye of El Feri de Benastepar.</p> + +<p>Meantime the Christians at the foot of the mountain were making a +precipitate retreat, carrying with them a number of their wounded +companions, and leaving behind a terrible monument of their bravery and +misfortune.</p> + +<p>How imposing is the calm, when the warm activity of action gives place +to the desolate repose of death! Now, the din of strife is over; no +longer the brazen notes of the trumpet swell in the wind—no longer the +echoes of the mountain rehearse and fling back the warlike sounds. +Hushed is the voice of command and animation—mute the cries of victory +or defeat. Even the howling blast, which lately, with its fitful voice, +increased the terrors of the scene, is now softened into a low and +mournful murmur, emblematical of the dismal tranquillity that reigns +around. The smiling face of nature is bloted and defaced by the +truculent works of men. The rich and reviving green that carpeted the +ground, now presents to the view an ensanguined plain, and the smiling +flowers, emblems of innocence and peace, bear no longer in their calice +the pearly moisture of the morn, but display the crimson evidence of +man's hatred to his kind. The soft grass is not now ruffled by the +welcome pressure of living individuals, happy in the joyous dance, or +gently reclining under the sweet influence of slumber, but by the weight +of ghastly corpses.</p> + +<p>It was a sight fearful to behold! not a sound was heard; an unnatural +sadness prevailed over the scene; a thousand warriors lay there in the +silence of the grave, but in those colourless features still lingered a +tinge of the last feeling by which they were animated—the last passion +that raged within; the brow stiffened into gloomy fierceness—the eye +intensely fixed with bold resolve—the firmly clenched hand—bespoke the +various sensations in which they were surprised by death. Tranquil and +extended lay some who had received the summons without a throb; surely +the blow was struck, and swiftly fled the spark of life, whilst others, +in the violent contraction of the muscles, and the writhing expression +of pain, indicated how fearfully the rebellious soul had grappled with +the destroyer, before she could be dislodged from her tenement. Death +levels all distinction, and here were seen men of various ages and +ranks, so widely separated in life, promiscuously mingled in the last +repose. Youth and age alike indifferently strewed the plain, and the +silvered locks lay beside the flowing tresses; the pale hue of +protracted life, with the rosy healthful tints of commencing and hopeful +existence. Spring had mixed its blossoms with the falling leaves of +autumn. No distinction of rank was here; by the noble chief lay the +humble soldier—their attire alone could distinguish one from the other; +and even this external ornament would soon be destroyed, and all, all +would be amalgamated in one general indiscriminate dust.</p> + +<p>But still that period was not arrived, and the encampment of corpses, +fresh in death, appeared most like an army of sleeping warriors; but for +the bloody tokens and fearful disorder which drove away every image of +natural repose, it seemed as if their departed spirits still hovered +within the bodies which they had lately abandoned. But alas! too soon +the harbinger of fading and helpless mortality would speed to dispel the +melancholy charm. The carrion birds were now hurrying to claim the +undisputed inheritance of that prey which a short time since had been +the receptacle of so many feelings and affections, while a thousand +hearts were doomed to weep for the occasion that afforded joy to the +gloomy and filthy revellers.</p> + +<p>The routed Christians, meantime, were fast retreating, whilst the news +of their defeat and the fate of Aguilar spreading swiftly around, soon +reached the stately city of Granada, for misfortune is a most +expeditious traveller. The heroic Isabella felt an indescribable shock +at these unwelcome tidings; even victory, if purchased with the death of +Don Alonso, she would consider a reverse, but attended, as it was, with +complete overthrow, it created the most lively sensations of indignation +and sorrow. She made a solemn vow in the presence of the archbishop her +confessor, and her nobles, that she would neither wear linen nor sleep +on her royal couch until that daring rebellion had been annihilated, and +its agitators brought to retribution. She next gave orders that all her +troops should march against the rebels, and a numerous army was soon +collected, both of veterans and volunteers.</p> + +<p>Meantime the grief of Leonor for the death of her father was exhibited +in a striking manner, but still in a manner worthy a branch of that +noble tree. She found a generous consolation in the name bequeathed to +her by her departed parent, and she fondly cherished the halo of glory +that surrounded her father's life, and now must adhere for ever to his +memory. The queen, anxious to contribute to the mitigation of her +sorrow, had kindly invited her to the palace, that by a temporary +absence from her own dwelling she might be relieved from the sight of +objects, which continually brought to her mind a train of painful +associations.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIc" id="CHAPTER_VIIc"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h3> + +<p class="poem35"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Padre mio, caro padre,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">E tu ancor m'abbandoni!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Guarini.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 5.5em;">I know not how to tell thee;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Shame rises in my face and interrupts</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The story of my tongue.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Otway.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Bermudo, the renegade, having received instructions from El Feri soon +after the affair of the Sierra Bermeja, returned to Alhaurin, where he +found Cañeri in an extacy of uncontrollable joy. His late extravagance +had of course been considerably augmented by the news of the recent +success. So elated were his spirits, and so confident did he feel of the +happy results which would attend all the future operations of the Moors, +that, forgetting a secret dislike he always entertained to actual +strife, he talked of heading a body, and meeting the Christians, who +were rapidly advancing upon Alhaurin: but the renegade brought +different injunctions from El Feri, who was now looked upon, by common +consent, as the supreme arbitrator of the Moorish cause. Cañeri was +ordered, unfortunately for the display of his present ebullition of +valour, to fortify himself in Alhaurin, and prepare a retreat for +Mohabed, in case the rash expedition of that chief against Gomez Arias +should prove unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>All El Feri's persuasions had been thrown away upon Mohabed, who, quite +inexperienced in war, and highly flushed by their recent victory, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with a strong division to offer battle to +the Spaniards. Cañeri submissively followed the orders of his brother in +command. Indeed in his present exhilaration of spirits, he would submit +almost to any thing, except to renounce the outward show of dignity, for +Cañeri was one of those good-natured soldiers, who can be satisfied with +the shadow, whilst other leaders possessed the substance of power.</p> + +<p>In every age and country, there needs must be warriors of all +descriptions; some are designed by nature to encounter perils, and +acquire a name to be enrolled in the temple of immortality, and there +are others whose noble achievements entitle them to the same honor, +though traced in different characters; there is also a third class of +military men, who, being neither sanguinary nor heroic, are yet intended +to shine in a more peaceful warfare,—generals of undoubted military +capacity, of extraordinary genius for the enactment of regulations and +orders, with a clear judgment for the various qualifications of staff +officers, and bearing an exceedingly martial and appropriate carriage in +courts, reviews, and parades. Now, to this last class Cañeri most +assuredly belonged: his talents for military parade and shew no one +could dispute. He now approached the renegade, and in as affable a +manner as his arrogant dictatorial manner would permit:—</p> + +<p>"Alagraf," he said, "these are joyful times for the Moors."</p> + +<p>"Provided they last," coldly returned the renegade.</p> + +<p>"Last," rejoined the Moor, with indignant surprise. "Behold!" and he +pointed to his men, all arrayed and equipped in a martial style, as they +were standing in review, "those men are not likely to tarnish the +laurels already culled by their companions of the Sierra Bermeja. But +you are ever sullen, Alagraf; no victory, no fortune can efface the +gloom which pervades every action of your life."</p> + +<p>"Yours, at all events, Cañeri," replied the renegade, sneeringly, "is +excessively gay; the love of your country must certainly be great, since +it can occasion such extraordinary marks of satisfaction for a temporary +success."</p> + +<p>"My country and religion are dear to me," returned Cañeri, with dignity, +"very dear, and sacred. But then," he added, relaxing, "my heart is not +wholly absorbed in the love of my country."</p> + +<p>"That I believe," replied Bermudo, significantly. "It will easily admit +of division, and in the distribution of your lore, I dare swear you have +reserved a considerable share for yourself."</p> + +<p>Cañeri laughed affectedly, then drawing nearer to the renegade, and +taking him gently by the hand—</p> + +<p>"My friend," he said, "much as I love myself, still have I a store left +for such as love me well, and when a lady fair——"</p> + +<p>"Eh!" exclaimed the renegade, "what lady fair is this?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Alagraf," returned Cañeri, unable any longer to contain himself, "I +am the happiest of men—Theodora—the beautiful Theodora has at length +yielded to the soft persuasions of love, and it is to you, my good +Alagraf, that I stand chiefly indebted for such favorable results."</p> + +<p>The renegade started back in visible consternation. Cañeri's words sent +daggers to his heart. Could it be possible? the amiable and elevated +Theodora, sunk to the base minion of so worthless a character! and all +his plans overturned for ever! It appeared unaccountable—impossible. +Theodora could not look kindly upon the object of her late mortal +abhorrence.—Such a transition was abrupt—unnatural—unless, indeed, +her reason had fallen a sacrifice to her accumulated distress.</p> + +<p>Terrible thoughts coursed over the troubled and darkened brow of the +renegade, whilst his whole person manifested strong marks of the passion +that agitated his bosom.</p> + +<p>"Alagraf, what means this emotion? why, you appear thunderstruck."</p> + +<p>"Yes;" replied the renegade, assuming his composure, "with surprise. But +you said it was to my good offices you stood indebted for your success. +Now would you favour me with the particulars of such an extraordinary +conquest?"—</p> + +<p>"Aye, my friend," returned vauntingly Cañeri; "Fortune is very +capricious. She never works progressively, but by starts, and then +according to the mood she is in, a man is either overpowered with misery +or with bliss. Some time since both the affairs of my country and those +of my heart went on desperately; the scales are now turned, and I am +blessed in a double triumph.</p> + +<p>"But," cried the renegade, "the nature of your triumph I would fain +learn."</p> + +<p>"It is complete," replied Cañeri with complacency.</p> + +<p>"Complete!" re-echoed the renegade with emotion—"complete! how?"</p> + +<p>"At least by anticipation," returned the Moor. "Complete by +anticipation. Nothing is yet concluded."</p> + +<p>The renegade recovered from the suspense of agony.</p> + +<p>"The triumph of which I speak," continued Cañeri, "is yet to come, +though it is already beyond a doubt. Theodora, until now so resolutely +bent against me—Theodora, who at the very sight of me shrunk back with +horror and abhorrence—Theodora at last receives me not only without +reluctance, but even with kindness. My visits no longer create disgust +and dread, and every symptom foretels a speedy and grateful termination +to my fondest hopes." He then added with conceited vanity,—"And I +marvel how else an affair of this nature could terminate? Theodora was a +lovely woman, a woman in affliction; but she was a woman still, and +could not be expected to continue eternally in the same mind. Constancy +in any thing is against the very nature of woman; perseverance is a foe +she could never successfully withstand."</p> + +<p>To this sapient observation the renegade made no reply. A glance of +scorn was the only sign by which he evinced his value of the chiefs +opinion. He allowed him a free range to his hopes, and when the vain +Moor had satisfied himself with aerial happiness, the renegade in a +bitter bantering tone wished him joy of his conquest, and hurried away +to certify upon what basis were founded the expectations of the Moor.</p> + +<p>Cañeri retired to his couch, when to his waking dreams succeeded those +of night, which though not wilder in their nature, were still by their +flattering prospects the source of unspeakable satisfaction. He rose, +therefore, the next morning if possible in greater exhilaration of +spirits than before, and immediately sent for his confidant the +renegade; but his confidant came not, and Cañeri was in absolute +necessity of a person to whom he might communicate his hopes and his +plans. Malique was accordingly ordered into his presence.</p> + +<p>"Malique, where is Alagraf?" inquired the chief.</p> + +<p>"Alagraf!" exclaimed the astonished Malique; and he remained for some +time as if struck by a thunderbolt.</p> + +<p>"Alagraf!"</p> + +<p>"Alagraf! yes Alagraf," repeated impatiently Cañeri. "What means this +confusion? speak. Where is the renegade?"</p> + +<p>"The renegade is gone," answered the trembling Malique.</p> + +<p>"Gone!" echoed Cañeri with superadded agitation.—"Gone! where? when? to +what purpose?—gone! without my knowledge!"</p> + +<p>"The purport of his mission," replied Malique, "I know not; nor was I +made acquainted with his departure until this morning. The guards of the +night allowed him to pass. Possessed as Alagraf was of your secrets and +unbounded confidence, it was naturally supposed that he acted under your +instructions: his egress from the town therefore caused neither surprise +nor alarm."</p> + +<p>"My instructions!" cried fiercely the chief; "I gave him no +instructions; it is an act of insubordination. That man was ever too +proud; his accursed Christian blood still remained in his veins, when +his mouth pronounced a recantation of his creed. He renounced his +country; but could not renounce his character. By the mighty Allah! he +shall severely suffer for this breach of discipline if Cañeri has power +amongst the Moors. Yes, he shall feel the bitter consequences of his +imprudence upon his return."</p> + +<p>"Return!" cried Malique, despondingly, "If he acted not according to +your orders, I much apprehend he will never return; for his companions +in flight leave no doubt as to the motives that have directed him."</p> + +<p>"Companions!" exclaimed Cañeri, in breathless anxiety. "What +companions?"</p> + +<p>"Even the fair captive, and the menial Roque," replied Malique, after +some hesitation.</p> + +<p>"What! Theodora gone! gone with the renegade!—hell! furies!—unsay +those words, Malique! tremble for the villains that allowed him to leave +the town—nay, tremble for your own life!"</p> + +<p>The fury of Cañeri knew no bounds, upon the confirmation of Malique's +intelligence. He stamped and raved like a madman, and plucked his beard +in very ire: then, in the summary way of distributing Moorish justice, +he caused the chief and two or three of the guards of the night to be +slaughtered in his presence. Indeed, Malique himself would have shared +the same fate, had not the private interest of the Moor superseded his +frenzied revenge. But Cañeri considered Malique as totally devoted to +his person, and he was loath to part with a man of whose aid and +counsel he stood in greater need than ever. Thus the life of Malique was +spared by the despot, as those of many other humble slaves had before +been and will again, by their despotic masters, not for the services +which they have already rendered, but in consideration of those which +they might still afford.</p> + +<p>"Malique, quick," cried Cañeri, "take the best of my troops, the +fleetest of my horses, and speed after that accursed renegade; bring +him, dead or alive;—alive, if possible; and ask for any recompence, +any, how great soever, which I can grant.—Begone!—fly!"</p> + +<p>In a moment the faithful Malique with a chosen band was mounted, and in +a moment they started rapidly with the velocity that a hope of +recompence or a dread of punishment inspires. They sped in the direction +reported to be taken by the fugitives, but it was too late; the renegade +had devised the necessary precautions to insure success in his +undertaking. He had the advantage of a whole night's journey, and had +besides prudently changed his route as soon as he found himself out of +sight.</p> + +<p>Thus the efforts of Malique proved as abortive as the ravings of his +master. After a day spent in fruitless pursuit, the party was compelled +to retreat before an advancing band of Christians, and returned to +Alhaurin, to witness the extravagant rage of Cañeri, who was alternately +the prey of shame, disappointment, and vexation. Indeed, all the Moors +evinced signs of discontent at the disappearance of the renegade. Some, +because his presence animated their courage, and others because they +dreaded the despotic temper of Cañeri, now rendered doubly formidable by +this untoward event. All the Moors were, therefore, in dismay at the +flight of the renegade, all but one, and that was Aboukar, who found +with no less surprise than joy, that amongst the companions of the +runaway was included his spouse, Marien Rufa.</p> + +<p>Meantime, the fugitives were rapidly approaching the town of Guadix, +the native place of Theodora. But with what throbbing hearts the +travellers proceeded on their journey, and how different were the +feelings that gave expression to their features! A thousand sensations +agitated the bosom of Theodora; fear, hope, and filial love, alternately +disputed the mastery, whilst the countenance of the renegade evinced +nought but a dreary isolation of feeling; revenge alone reigned in his +heart uncontrolled, and undisputed. The two inferior personages were +likewise indulging in reflections consonant to their nature and habits. +A vacant joy, a happy riddance from a state of fear and thraldom, +predominated in the heart of Roque, whilst a curious amalgamation of +gratified spite and returning superstition claimed that of Marien Rufa. +But, however different the sentiments by which they were actuated, the +travellers evinced an equal joy when their anxious look caught the first +glimpse of Guadix, which now stood before them softly enveloped in the +twilight shadows.</p> + +<p>"Welcome! dear lady," cried Roque, joyfully, "once more behold your +home."</p> + +<p>Home, delightful thrilling word! It went to the heart of Theodora in a +tumultuous flow of pleasing, yet painful sensations. She now returned to +the scenes of her innocence and happiness, but it was also the theatre +of her disgrace and sorrow. What agitation did she feel as every well +known object presented itself with powerful associations to her mind. +Already she descried the stately appearance of her father's mansion, +rising majestically in the shades of approaching night. Though distant +she clearly perceived every object, every feature of the surrounding +scene.</p> + +<p>Tranquil and quiet the country and the city lay in religious silence, +and the gentle hum of humanity that softly stole upon the ear, and the +tinkling of a bell, or the social bark of a dog, every well-known sound +struck with a congeniality of feeling on the trembling heart of +Theodora. She returned to her home like the happy traveller after a +lapse of many years, to whose memory charged with numberless objects +that have intervened since his departure, these infant scenes must +return in a confused, fading, yet pleasing sensation of delight. +Theodora came; she drew near the place of her birth with anxiety and +dread. Around she beheld every object as she had left it. Nature had +proceeded undisturbed in her accustomed rotation. Green were the fields, +and the boundless heavens still displayed their majestic grandeur. Yet, +all around, to the eyes of Theodora, bore a tint of strangeness she +could not well define. Alas! the change was not in those places, but in +the tone of mind with which she considered them. Guadix and its gardens, +and its groves, and its fountains, were still the same, but Theodora was +changed. She had left those happy scenes in all the glory of youth and +beauty. She returned experienced in grief in the beginning of life, and +bearing in those heavenly features the iron stamp of premature decay. +She had left them in the wild delirium of love,—in the intoxicating +bliss of a first all-powerful affection, lavishly bestowed, and +abundantly requited. She returned with a heart desolate and forlorn, +the pure springs of which were envenomed by the baneful effects of +passion, and embittered with shame and grief. She had left them in the +happy society of a fond lover, full of present joy and glowing hopes of +future happiness. She returned full of disappointment and remorse, under +the protection of an apostate, the dark enemy of her country. These sad +images obtruded upon her mind, and to such dismal thoughts was +superadded the load of fear and anxiety arising from the uncertainty of +her offended parent's reception. She was his only child, tenderly loved +and cherished; but yet, would not this very love offer obstacles to a +reconciliation? Would not her father's unbounded kindness serve to set +off in blacker colours her own cruel ingratitude?</p> + +<p>With these gloomy ideas she at length reached the threshold of the +paternal dwelling. There was a melancholy calm that smote her heart—the +ponderous casements were closed—a dismal silence prevailed, and as they +entered the <i>Zaguan</i>, the echo of their steps was sent back in a +mournful sound that seemed to rebuke the intruders. The old favorite dog +of Don Manuel lay in a corner dozing a dull slumber, and Theodora, as +she fondly called him by his name, received no sign of pleased +recognition. The animal slowly raised his head, and mechanically fixed +his heavy eyes on the speaker, but he neither leaped briskly to hail an +old friend, nor resented the approach of an unwelcome stranger. The +servants, too, were long in making their appearance, and when at last +Pedro, the old major-domo, advanced to meet the party, he bore on his +countenance deep lines of affliction: for some time he gazed vacantly on +the strangers, and then in a harsh, inhospitable tone, inquired their +business.</p> + +<p>"Pedro!" said Theodora, with faultering emotion; "Pedro, don't you know +me?"</p> + +<p>At the sound of that voice Pedro started, and made the sign of the +cross—he gazed in astonishment, applied his hand to his dim eyes, and +then in a sort of wild stupor—</p> + +<p>"<i>Santo cielo!</i>" he exclaimed, "Is this a dream, or a miracle? Surely +it must be an apparition!—My lady Theodora, here!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, good Pedro," mournfully replied Theodora, "this is no delusion. I +am, in truth, Theodora, thy young mistress. But the announcement shocks +you! What means this confusion?" Her emotion redoubled—she trembled and +had scarcely strength to cry—"My father!—where is my father?"</p> + +<p>Pedro heaved a sigh, and shook his head despondingly—"Alas! your +father!"</p> + +<p>"What! speak!" shrieked Theodora, struck with horror—"He is not +dead!—Speak!"</p> + +<p>"No, not dead," replied the old man, "but it seems that heaven sends you +to close his eyes, and witness his departure from this world.—Oh!" he +added, sobbing violently, "sorrow hath bowed down his venerable head: +since his daughter fled from him, this has been the home of grief and +desolation."</p> + +<p>Theodora covered her face with her hands; the consciousness of her guilt +came with additional force to pierce her heart, as the melancholy +results of her dereliction were revealed to her. Roque and Marien Rufa +were much affected, and even the stern features of the renegade seemed +to be softened by a tinge of pity.</p> + +<p>Theodora now could be detained by no consideration. The powerful impulse +of nature rose superior to the suggestions of fear. She hurried to her +father's chamber—she crossed the long corridor and reached her own +saloon without opposition. There she threw a melancholy glance on the +objects around, and heaved a bitter sigh when she beheld every thing in +which she formerly took delight remaining in the same situation as when +she had left them. Her books were scattered about, and her guitar was +thrown carelessly upon the sofa where she had last sung a mournful +romance previously to her meeting her lover in the garden. It was a +rapid glance Theodora cast, and yet, alas! what a world of keen +sensations did it produce. Every thing around bespoke the disconsolate +tranquillity of a deserted home. Theodora at length gained her father's +apartment; the door was closed, but she listened, and distinctly heard +the murmur of disease. She gently knocked; an old female attendant +opened the door—Theodora rushed in, and threw herself at the feet of +Monteblanco's couch.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my father!" she cried, and her agony denying her the powers of +utterance, silent she sank by the bedside; yet the violent respiration +and the smothered groaning which escaped from her bosom but too plainly +told the full measure of her sorrow.</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" feebly inquired the old man, as those sounds of distress +snatched him from the feverish and troubled slumber of disease.</p> + +<p>"Your daughter! your guilty, your unfortunate Theodora! Oh, my father, I +come but to crave your forgiveness and die."</p> + +<p>Prostrate and weakened as Don Manuel was, the sound of his daughter's +voice, and her pathetic appeal, awakened all his latent feelings, and +gave a new impulse to his decaying frame.</p> + +<p>"Theodora! my child! my child!" he cried, raising himself on the couch; +and as the sombre reflection of a dim lamp fell on the form before him, +he was chilled with horror and amazement. He saw his Theodora; for the +eyes of a father will always recognise his child, spite of the blasting +influence of misfortune in disguising the features. He recognised his +daughter, but alas! how changed was that model of female loveliness and +beauty. Sunk was that eye, and quenched its pure and brilliant fire; the +smile of innocence had fled from those lips, and the soft delicate tint +of her countenance was chased away by a deadly paleness. But still +Theodora was interesting and lovely; still Monteblanco gazed on her with +the tender fondness of a parent. He rose superior to the malady which +confined his withered frame to the couch of sickness; the film of +decaying nature was upon his eyes; but yet he fixed them intensely on +that fading form that bore the resemblance of his once-beloved child. He +could not speak, nor did his daughter attempt to break this pause of +dreadful solemnity. Her overpowering grief burst with impetuous +effusion; in briny showers the tears fell, and her bosom seemed ready +to break under the pressure of heavy and tumultuous groans. Monteblanco +was moved to tears; his parched eyelids, which appeared unused to these +testimonies of sympathy, were bathed in moisture. He wept, while in +soothing accents he endeavoured to raise his daughter from the ground. +But she struggled to preserve her humble position.</p> + +<p>"Oh, my father!" she cried in an agonizing tone, "your kindness will +kill me more than cruelty. I am unworthy of so much tenderness; +forgiveness, only forgiveness, is the melancholy boon that the wretched, +the guilty Theodora craves from her venerable and injured parent."</p> + +<p>The recollection of some dark dream seemed now to absorb the senses of +the old man. The debility to which sickness had reduced his mental and +physical powers, and the overpowering efficacy of a first impression of +pleasure and surprise, had entirely banished from his mind the dreadful +image of a parent's just indignation. At first he only saw his lost +child returned to his arms, nor in that moment of agitation did he +recur to the cause of her absconding, to the state in which she +returned. All the sensations which might naturally spring in the bosom +of an injured cavalier were deadened by the more powerful feelings of a +father's love.</p> + +<p>But now that the first emotion had subsided, and that the voice of the +guilty Theodora sounded distinctly in his ear, the attention of Don +Manuel was promptly recalled to images of a painful nature. His +daughter's desertion and the misery consequent on this first act of +guilt, rushed upon his mind in deepened and aggravated colours. He +rudely drew back the hand which the unfortunate Theodora was bathing +with her tears, and in a tone of indignant feeling—</p> + +<p>"Say," he cried, "art thou come to hasten my departure from a wretched +state of existence?—Speak, guilty as thou art; unfold the horrid tale; +and when I am doubly cursed, when I have seen thee thus forlorn and +blasted by guilt and misfortune, then let me die!"</p> + +<p>"Oh my father," she exclaimed with heart-rending emotion, "I am a +criminal daughter—a wretch unworthy of the name I bear—yes, I amply +merit your wrath and malediction. But oh! in pity do not deny me your +forgiveness, for I have drunk deep of sorrow; if my guilt has been +great, so have likewise been the tortures that have rent the heart of +your child, since the moment of her first transgression."</p> + +<p>"Unfold to me those horrors," exclaimed the desolate father, in a +frantic tone; "perhaps their disclosure may break my heart, and bestow +on me the only comfort I can now expect—yes, speak, and let the last +words I hear from my daughter be my passport to the tomb!"</p> + +<p>"Father, speak not thus—on me alone let the vengeance of the offended +heavens fall—I alone must expiate the guilt, for shame cannot be joined +with the name of Monteblanco; but you, oh! father, live—live to support +the dignity of that name."</p> + +<p>"You have disgraced it," interrupted Don Manuel, "but I will hear +tranquilly—ere I deeply curse, I will deliberately examine the extent +of your guilt."</p> + +<p>He seemed suddenly to acquire a dreadful composure, and Theodora, as +soon as her emotion would permit, told in the strains of deepest woe the +particulars of her sorrowful history. It was interrupted repeatedly by +her disconsolate father: rage, pride, pity, and resentment, by turns +swelled his breast, according as the circumstances related excited those +different feelings. But when the harrowing recital was finished, his +character seemed to assume a tone of energy uncongenial with his present +state of malady. Family pride, a sense of degradation and of injury +unrevenged, rose paramount in his mind, and stifling for the moment all +the pleadings of pity and parental tenderness, he felt an equal degree +of horror and resentment against the betrayer and his unfortunate +victim.</p> + +<p>In the first impulse, therefore, of his rage, Monteblanco fixed his +despairing eyes on his daughter, and in a tone of bitterness, enough to +break the fibres of her heart, he cried out imperiously—</p> + +<p>"Begone from my sight for ever—begone, and let me die in peace—let me +descend to my grave without the additional pang which the presence of an +ungrateful child inflicts upon me—rise and begone; and may the stings +you have planted in this withered heart, and the shame you have heaped +on my head, be your companion to the latest moment of your ignominious +life."</p> + +<p>"Oh horror! horror!" shrieked Theodora: "Father! father, you do not—you +cannot curse your hapless child. Oh! my expiation has been +boundless—the justice of Heaven itself must be satisfied, and the heart +of a father cannot deny forgiveness to the poor wretch whose miseries +are far—far superior to her guilt. Oh pity me!—grant me your +pardon—repulse me not thus from your heart, and I will immediately +speed to bury my sufferings and my shame amidst the gloom of a +cloister."</p> + +<p>She ceased, and the wildness of her manner, a fitful tremor that shook +her frame, and the unearthly hue that overspread her already pallid +countenance, exhibited in glowing tints the havoc that such deep anguish +had made. Her trembling arms were extended, and the thin cold fingers +clasped in agony; loosely her dishevelled tresses fell on her father's +couch, as in the earnestness of grief she appealed to him for mercy.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco looked on her, intensely looked on that harrowing picture of +distress, and felt the burning tears that descended in copious streams +from their swollen springs. The vivid signs of her repentance, and the +excess of her affliction were inconsistent with depravity. Error more +than guilt was there, and Don Manuel could not behold unmoved his once +beloved daughter, the pride and solace of his declining years, reduced +to her present state of utter wretchedness. Dreadful was the conflict +which the noble and high-minded cavalier had to sustain between the +stern dictates of worldly prejudice, and the tender pleadings of nature. +But happily to the father's honour, nature at length prevailed. He was +softened, and in an extacy of mingled grief and affection, he clasped +his sorrowing child in his trembling arms.</p> + +<p>Monteblanco appeared now partially relieved from a load of anguish. He +consoled the poor forlorn culprit that pathetically clung to his +protection, and his fondness for the once beautiful and accomplished +Theodora, seemed to return with additional force for the unfortunate +being that stood before him.</p> + +<p>But now new feelings took possession of his breast. As he gazed with a +melancholy joy on his restored child—as he considered with the smile of +sadness the mournful devastation which one man's treachery had wrought +there, all his thoughts were forcibly drawn into one predominant idea, +whilst the decaying energies of his frame received a new impulse to +second the resolutions of his working mind. The cold and unnatural +atrocity of Gomez Arias burned in his brain; he felt the agonized throb +of his injury run corrosive through his veins, and impart an +uncontrollable desire of revenge; the fever of excitement rose superior +to that which had laid him prostrate, and he seemed impatient at the +weakness that confined him to his couch.</p> + +<p>"Before I die, poor suffering mourner," he said, turning soothingly to +his daughter, "I shall see your wrongs redressed, and my insulted honor +amply revenged; this sacred duty links me yet to life, and I hope +fervently in God that my existence may be protracted until that period."</p> + +<p>The renegade was there; for when revenge was the word, how could Bermudo +be absent from the essence of his life? Theodora, overpowered with the +emotion which her meeting with her father had produced, retired to +compose her disordered spirits, and in the mean time, Don Manuel had a +short but terrible explanation with the renegade: in few words this man +of darkness unfolded his powers of seconding Monteblanco's plans of +vengeance.</p> + +<p>The heated mind of the old cavalier, though in need of no stimulus, +nevertheless gathered fuel from the insinuating eloquence of the +renegade. A plan was concerted, and an immediate appeal to the queen +resolved upon; but the state of Monteblanco's health did not allow him +to put in execution his determination with a promptitude consonant with +his feelings. The renegade was therefore prudently concealed for the +present, to avoid the danger of inquisitive curiosity, whilst the only +obstacle that retarded the departure of Monteblanco for Granada, was the +sickness which still confined him to his couch.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIIIc" id="CHAPTER_VIIIc"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Crece el tumulto, y el espanto crece:</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Y todos le abandonan—uno solo</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fiel se presenta, y con valor perece.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Anon.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Don Manuel de Monteblanco has already been described as a man weighed +down by years and the iron pressure of infirmities and sorrows. The +disappearance of his daughter, in whom all his thoughts, all the +affections of his heart were solely centred, tended to fill the measure +of his misery and reduce him to that gloomy state of despondency with +which his lost energies and increasing age in vain attempted to +struggle. Totally unsuccessful in his endeavours to discover the retreat +of Theodora, time at length reconciled him to his state of desolation, +but it was the resignation of despair; that feeling which makes man +acquiesce with gloomy calmness in the decrees of fate, and look with +tranquillity on the approach of death as the happy termination of his +sufferings.</p> + +<p>Don Manuel had sent despatches, and made diligent inquiries to recover +his daughter, but in vain. Martha, the old duenna, from whom he might +have obtained a knowledge of the truth, had successfully baffled his +pursuit, the sanctimonious hag having embarked at Barcelona, for Italy. +The vessel was wrecked, and it was supposed she perished, as no +information of her could be afterwards obtained. Don Lope Gomez Arias +had all the time kept up a correspondence with the deluded and ill-fated +father, who, far from harbouring the least suspicion against the +betrayer of his daughter, considered him as one in whose advice and +services he could implicitly confide. Thus in proportion as the +intelligence from Gomez Arias grew more cold and less frequent, the +hopes of the old cavalier decreased, until he was at last reduced to a +state bordering upon distraction. He lay prostrate on the couch of +sickness; it was presaged he was doomed never more to rise. Slowly death +was stealing over him, and all his friends and dependants bitterly +deplored the causes which contributed to render so miserable the last +days of the good old cavalier. Indeed, it appeared as if the angel of +death hovered round his fated mansion, and awed all its inmates into a +melancholy tranquillity. At this time the sudden and unexpected +appearance of Theodora worked a powerful revolution in the feelings of +the family, whilst the frame of Don Manuel, instead of sinking under the +weight of the impression which it produced, seemed to revive. His latent +feelings were roused from their gloomy torpor, the slumbering energies +were called into action by the powerful excitement of new ideas, and the +mind rendered buoyant in proportion as new projects called for the +exertion of its faculties. The unparalleled effrontery and cruelty of +Gomez Arias formed the source from which the drooping frame of +Monteblanco gathered life. His wrongs, instead of accelerating the +progress of death, seemed instantly to check its strides, while the +desire of revenge so powerfully operated on his mind, that it warmed the +torpid energies of decaying mortality.</p> + +<p>Three days had scarcely elapsed since the arrival of Theodora, when Don +Manuel already considered himself equal to the exertion of a journey to +Granada. The distance was short, and his feelings would not allow him a +longer delay; for he conceived every dilatory suggestion to be as +detrimental to the success of his design. The renegade, instead of +checking Monteblanco's views, contributed to encourage them by his +instigations.</p> + +<p>Early, therefore, on the fourth day, every thing was prepared for their +departure. Theodora habited herself in robes of deep mourning, and +departed from Guadix with her father and her former companions in +flight. The presence of Roque was indispensable, and Marien Rufa went +with the pious intention of being reconciled as soon as possible to the +church, by the Archbishop of Granada.</p> + +<p>Whilst our travellers are journeying towards that city, let me entreat +you, kind or unkind reader, to suffer them to go in peace, and accompany +me in another direction. We must now revert to the Moors, whom we left +in high excitement at Alhaurin, though the rage of Cañeri at the flight +of his captive had considerably damped the joy produced by their +victory.</p> + +<p>The disappointed Moor roamed about like a discontented mastiff, growling +and casting around his revengeful glances; whilst his dependants, awed +by his ferocity, cared not to encounter the ebullition of his wrath, but +timidly skulked away: strange phenomenon of human nature! Amongst those +Moors there was not one who did not inwardly despise the petty despot; +not one that was not endowed with a greater share of personal courage, +and yet they all trembled before the man they contemned, and shrank +from an object invested with no other terrors than those which they had +voluntarily conferred upon it. Where lies the spell of a tyrant that +enables him <i>alone</i>, hated and contemned, to tyrannize over his fellow +creatures! However, the Moors had now a respite from their fears, for +the approach of the Christians compelled Cañeri to forsake the +gratification of his petty malice, and direct his thoughts to the public +danger. The town of Alhaurin, which he commanded, was well garrisoned, +and had a plentiful store of provisions; and yet the mind of the chief +sadly misgave him. Every moment straggling Moors arrived, who depicted, +in the most lively colours, the terrible appearance of the Christians. +These reports, and the names of the gallant chiefs who headed the enemy, +failed not to depress the hearts of those who a week before had looked +upon their triumph as certain, imagining that the lustre of their glory +was beyond the possibility of a blemish.</p> + +<p>In the mean time Mohabed, contrary to the advice of El Feri, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with the Moors under his command. El Feri +had expostulated with his brother chief, but could not persuade him to +postpone an attempt which, planned with haste, and executed with +rashness, could only be attended with disaster. The Moors, though +possessed of courage, were unskilled in the discipline of war, and +better calculated, therefore, to harrass the Spaniards by detached +bodies, in petty skirmishes, than to oppose them in the open field. +Mohabed was callous to all remonstrances; and this want of unity in the +chiefs, proved a mortal blow to the Moorish cause. El Feri saw with +grief his companions descending that mountain which, to them, had +afforded a strong hold, and a secure home, to risk, by an act of +imprudence, the advantages which they had already gained.</p> + +<p>Mohabed boldly directed his course towards Granada, in which direction +Gomez Arias was said to be advancing. The enemies shortly came in sight; +but no sooner did they come within hearing, than the Moors sent forth a +wild shout of exultation, which was answered by the war-cry of the +Christians, who were burning to revenge the defeat of their countrymen +in the Sierra Bermeja.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias beheld the advance of the enemy with transports of joy. He +hailed an opportunity of avenging the death of Aguilar, and of +acquiring, by a brilliant act, fresh laurels to sanction his ambitious +and enterprizing schemes. Besides the many deceitful stratagems to which +he had resorted on account of Theodora, his unsatisfactory conduct on +the day of his intended wedding, and a degree of mystery that remained +over that affair, had combined to throw a shade over his character which +he was anxious to remove by the <i>eclat</i> of a military exploit. The hope +of victory, the desire of retrieving the late disgrace of the +Christians, and the sweet whispers of ambition, produced a state of wild +excitation he could scarcely restrain. His soldiers were equally +impatient to signalize themselves, and every one awaited the moment of +action in a ferment of expectation.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias made choice of an advantageous position near <i>Rio Gordo</i>, +and there resolved to receive the attack of the enemy. Meantime Mohabed, +as if to forward the wishes of the Spaniards, hurried on without +considering the fatigue and exhaustion to which his men were reduced by +a forced march. The Christians, in their turn, beheld the approach of +the rebels, as an approaching holocaust to the spirits of those who fell +in the Sierra Bermeja with the gallant Aguilar. Don Lope commanded his +men to sustain the first attack without moving, and then, taking +advantage of the confusion excited by a repulse, suddenly to charge +their enemies with the united advantages of discipline and courage. His +wishes succeeded to their utmost extent. The Moors rushed on to the +charge in a blind and disorderly manner, totally heedless of the +consequences of their want of organization. The Spaniards suffered the +attack with the greatest coolness and intrepidity; when their fiery +courage, acquiring additional stimulus from having been compressed, now +spurred them on, and, with their entire force, they fell on the +confused and crowded masses of the enemy with an overwhelming shock.</p> + +<p>A dreadful carnage ensued. Terror had succeeded the first ebullition of +courage, and the Moors perceived their own rout and confusion only when +it was too late. Mohabed exerted all his powers to rally his +panic-stricken followers, but it was in vain. Disorder and dismay every +where prevailed, and the Christians obtained a victory as easy as it was +complete. The greater part of the Moors were slain in the field; a few +only escaped to carry the disheartening tale to their companions. The +rest, with their chief, Mohabed, fell into the hands of the enemy.</p> + +<p>The news of this disaster caused the wildest consternation amongst the +rebels at Alhaurin and the Sierra Bermeja. El Feri de Benastepar, +grieved but not surprised at the unfortunate results of Mohabed's +rashness, was active in repairing the loss, but his numbers being so +much reduced, he was now more fully confirmed in his design of confining +their warfare against the Christians to the Sierra Bermeja. With the +vigour of a superior character, he did not feel dejected by this +overthrow, as he had not been wildly elated by his previous success. Not +so with Cañeri: the total rout of Mohabed, described in the darkest +colours by those who had succeeded in effecting their escape, began to +awaken apprehensions for his own safety. His fear was considerably +aggravated by the arrival of the Alcayde de los Donceles, who, by forced +marches, had suddenly made his appearance before Alhaurin, to which he +immediately laid siege. The disorder and discontent of the Moors hourly +increased, and the absence of the renegade was severely felt.</p> + +<p>At this moment the Alcayde de los Donceles sent a herald to summon the +rebels to surrender, promising a full pardon should they be willing to +lay down their arms and deliver up their chiefs. But in case they +neglected to adopt in time this conciliatory measure, it was threatened +that they should all be put to the sword, and the town reduced to +ashes. Discontent and insubordination now prevailed amongst the rebels. +The sense of their danger—the formidable array of the enemy—and above +all, the unpopularity of their chief, Cañeri, conspired to render a +great portion of the troops willing to accede to the proposals of the +Alcayde.</p> + +<p>Soon a numerous and powerful cabal was formed, and the malcontents, +deciding that their cause was desperate, agreed to surrender. In a large +body they proceeded to the palace, and insolently demanded that the +gates of the town should be opened to the Christians. Cañeri, and some +of his adherents, aware that they were made an exception to the amnesty, +were naturally anxious to defend the city, as the only means of averting +their fate.</p> + +<p>Cañeri, no longer an unruly despot, now crouched to the danger like an +abject slave, and in a piteous tone began to expostulate with the +mutineers. It was a striking contrast to see the man, who lately was the +terror of all, converted into so gentle an animal as to astonish even +the Moors when they contemplated the cowardly being who had held them +so long in dread. They were not moved by his entreaties; for the +supplications of a despot, instead of awakening sympathy, serve only to +augment the rage of mankind, by placing in a more striking light his +pusillanimity and unworthiness, and the shame of having suffered so +despicable a thing to tyrannize over and oppress them.</p> + +<p>The uproar and insubordination increased as the term allowed by the +Alcayde to effect a surrender was drawing near. All obedience was now +disregarded, and a party of the most turbulent resolved to put their +chief to death, and, by this means, propitiate the favor of their +enemies. Accordingly, with wild exclamations and terrific yells, they +surrounded the mansion of Cañeri, and insolently summoned the few Moors +who still adhered to him to give up the despot, or that they would +immediately commit the palace to the flames. Cañeri, pale, haggard, and +trembling, stood like a convicted culprit in the scene of his former +brief authority, bewildered with fear, and without knowing what course +to pursue. To escape was utterly impossible, the palace being surrounded +by the infuriate Moors, and the town beleaguered by the Spaniards. In +this emergency he cast an imploring look on his followers, and saw with +despair the limited number of his adherents. In vain he attempted to +harangue the infuriated throng from the window; he was driven back by a +shower of stones and other missiles. In this suspense and agony he +remained some time, during which he had the mortification to behold his +few remaining friends gradually deserting his side in proportion as the +danger became more imminent. All was tumult and anarchy, and the cries +which proceeded from without, predicted to Cañeri's ears his approaching +and terrible fate. To the curses heaped on his devoted and abhorred +person, succeeded the appalling threats and the wild savage laugh of +exultation over his near downfall. Those who were formerly the most +abject of his slaves, were now more particularly conspicuous in +manifesting their revengeful disposition.</p> + +<p>The outward gates had now given way to the ponderous hammers with a +terrible crash, and the frenzied mutineers rushing impetuously in, +traversed the hall and gallery without opposition, and directed their +course to the apartment of the chief.</p> + +<p>The wretched Cañeri, alike unable to meet his death like a man, by +opposing his rebellious soldiers, or to prevent by his own hand the +ignominy which threatened him, awaited in stupor the crisis of the +bursting storm. Aghast he rolled his starting eyes, glazed with agonized +terror; and he saw himself deserted in that dreadful moment by all his +dependants. All had forsaken him—all but one man; he alone, in spite of +the fate which inevitably awaited his adherence to the fallen chief, +still remained faithful to his side: it was Malique. There is an +instinctive fidelity, existing sometimes in the most unrefined and +barbarous minds, honorable to human nature,—the uncouth Malique was of +this stamp; he had received no favors from his master when in +prosperity, yet he now scorned to abandon him in adversity.</p> + +<p>Cañeri looked at him, and in spite of his forlorn and perilous +situation, could not but be moved at the sight of the faithful Malique. +The noble minded Moor stood by his side, his scymitar drawn, and +evincing on his countenance no signs of terror or dismay. Cañeri, frail +as was the protection that could be derived from a single man, still +fondly clung to hope with the sordidness of a cowardly mind.</p> + +<p>"My faithful Malique," he cried in a tone of agony; "Is there no hope?"</p> + +<p>"None," replied Malique, sadly, but resolutely: "none, but to die like +brave Moors; draw your weapon, noble Cañeri, and perish as becomes your +race." The trembling chief answered with a groan, for the mutinous +soldiers had succeeded in bursting the door of the apartment, and now +with a dreadful clamour poured in, eager to strike the first blow at +their wretched and defenceless chief. Their very impatience retarded the +accomplishment of their fell desire, for as they thronged the narrow +passages, some were thrown down, the impatience of the one impeding the +progress of the other.</p> + +<p>His suspense between life and death was protracted by the confusion; and +the miserable Cañeri suffered the additional torture of hearing for some +time the appalling heralds of his fate, before the blow was struck. The +door burst open, and the savage eyes of his enemies glared upon their +victim, and the glitter of their weapons struck fearfully on his +sickening sight. He stood gazing with the petrified look of despair; +Malique boldly advanced and placed himself before his master, with the +resolute courage of one who has determined upon his part.</p> + +<p>"Malique," cried the foremost of the conspirators, who happened to be +one whom Cañeri had favored; "Sheath thy weapon; we seek not for thy +life." Malique made no reply, but with a single blow he levelled the +traitor with the ground; he then sprung fearlessly amongst the +rebellious crowd, and after having laid prostrate two or three of the +most infuriated, he was himself struck down, and met his death with the +courage of a soldier, and the coolness of a man, who dies in the +discharge of his duty.</p> + +<p>Grown desperate by the very impulse of terror, and moved by the sight of +Malique bleeding at his feet, Cañeri assumed a courage arising from +desperation, and as the mutineers closed round him, he dealt several +blows with a stubborn resistance that might have done him honour in the +field. He was, however, soon overpowered, and fell covered with +innumerable wounds. His head was immediately severed from the body, and +being affixed to a long pole, the disorderly and motley crowd now +proceeded to the camp of the Spaniards, bearing before them the bleeding +and ghastly token of their surrender.</p> + +<p>The whole town now became the scene of indiscriminate riot; men and +women, old and young, ran about in a tumult of hope and fear, whilst the +discordant shouts of the soldiery, and the appalling sight of the +procession, bearing the ensanguined trophy, greatly contributed to +increase the confusion.</p> + +<p>El Alcayde de los Donceles having taken the necessary precautions to +insure the safety of his men, in case of treason, now entered the town +of Alhaurin amidst the acclamations of his late foes; the chiefs of the +rebels had already been secured, and the disorderly multitude taking +advantage of the proffered pardon, soon evacuated the place, and +dispersed in every direction.</p> + +<p>Meantime the Alcayde, having left a garrison in the town to prevent any +further trouble, proceeded towards the Sierra Bermeja, the last and only +refuge of the Moors; for the little villages where the fire of sedition +yet burned, were too insignificant to engross his attention. The +Christians therefore continued their march towards the dreadful spot, +where the spirit of the noble Aguilar seemed to hover, in expectation of +redress, and where the terrible El Feri, the most valiant of the Moors, +still kept his ground.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IXc" id="CHAPTER_IXc"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +Cuan breve y cuan caduca resplandece<br /> +Nuestra gloria! Cuan subito, en el punto<br /> +Que deleita a los ojos, desparece!<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Herrera.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem30"> +Che piu si apera, o che s'attende omai?<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Dopo trionfo e palma</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;"><span style="letter-spacing:20px;line-height:2em;">* * * * *</span></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Luto e lamenti, e lagrimosi lai;</span><br /> + +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Tasso.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Granada, lately the seat of mourning, was again converted into a scene +of indiscriminate joy. The recent victory obtained by Gomez Arias, and +the defeat of Cañeri which had so closely followed that advantage, awoke +the most pleasing sentiments in the minds of the inhabitants. They +almost considered the rebellion as at an end, assured by the late +successes, and awaited with impatience the triumphant entry of Gomez +Arias and his conquering band, now rapidly approaching towards the city. +The court was assembled, and displayed the heroic Isabella in all the +insignia of royalty. Surrounded by all the principal personages in +Spain, she awaited the arrival of the victor, anxious to offer him her +congratulations and to bestow upon him adequate marks of her royal +favor.</p> + +<p>The grand saloon of the Alhambra, where formerly the Moorish sovereigns +dictated their laws, now afforded a different, though no less striking +display. The dazzling glitter of armour and the sumptuousness of +official dresses, blended with the gay and richly ornamented attires of +the ladies of the court, presented a picture at once beautiful and +imposing.</p> + +<p>At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall. It +proceeded from the guards, who appeared anxious to deny admittance to +some person who, with a feeble though piercing voice, was heard +continually to exclaim—</p> + +<p>"Justice! I come to the Queen! Justice! She cannot deny it to an +unfortunate noble!"</p> + +<p>The queen was moved by the appeal, and ordered that the supplicant +should be admitted without delay. Scarcely were her commands obeyed, +when a venerable old man, in sable robes, and bearing on his countenance +deep traces of grief, slowly and solemnly advanced towards the throne of +the queen. He supported, or rather was supported, by a young female, +likewise in mourning, and wearing a veil, which reached almost to the +ground, thus concealing her beauties and her sorrows from the curious +gaze of the spectators. Two other figures followed closely, a man of +strong athletic proportions in a Moorish garb, and a thin +curious-looking individual, apparently of inferior station.</p> + +<p>Solemn silence prevailed, and every one seemed anxious to learn the +cause of this extraordinary appeal. But when the stranger reached the +throne he was immediately recognised by the queen and several of the +nobles, who could not conceal their astonishment at the sight. +"Monteblanco!" involuntarily and simultaneously escaped from several +voices in the some breath.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied he, kneeling with his daughter at the foot of the throne; +"the wretched Monteblanco comes humbly to crave justice from his +sovereign. Before his grey hairs descend with sorrow into the tomb, he +collects his weak remaining strength to seek redress from the powerful, +and to interest in his behalf the feelings of all the noble and +generous. Pardon, most noble and gracious Queen—" he then added, +addressing Isabella, "Pardon, if I come in a day of glory and jubilee, +to damp with the tale of woe the joy that reigns around. But behold the +picture of an aged father, wounded and insulted in his best +affections—a noble family dishonoured—the only scion of that family +reduced to the lowest state of obloquy and shame. Such a picture may +well call the attention of the just, even from objects of dazzling +interest. Yes, I may be pardoned for intruding my misfortunes on my +Queen—my generous Queen, from whom alone I can expect redress."</p> + +<p>"You shall not demand it in vain," replied the queen; "all times are +sacred to the solemn appeal of justice, and in the court of Isabella, +every other consideration shall be postponed to satisfy its demands. +Monteblanco, you have been guilty of no intrusion; speak +confidently—unfold the particulars of your grievances, and trust that +nought on earth shall induce the Queen to deviate a single step from the +sacred path of justice."</p> + +<p>"Gracious Queen!" cried Monteblanco, "that hope has been my sole +inducement to prolong my miserable existence. I am injured deeply; +injured in the dearest feeling of a nobleman and a Spaniard. The honors +of my family, gained by a long line of illustrious ancestors, have been +foully tarnished by one who calls himself noble and a Spaniard, but who +is alike unworthy to rank as either. I will not enumerate the services +of the Monteblancos to interest our Queen in behalf of their affronted +house; still, whilst the lustre of their name is on the point of being +extinguished, it may be permitted to the last remaining but withered +branch of that noble tree, once again to speak of those who are alas! +now no more. Oh, Isabella, I had five sons; all—all deserving of the +name they bore. Bravely they fought against the Moors, and gloriously +they fell before the walls of this city, in the sacred cause of their +religion and country. I was left desolate with this only frail but dear +support of my declining age."</p> + +<p>He cast a piteous look on Theodora, and then continued. "The fate of my +sons might draw tears from the eyes of a father; but those tears were +unmingled with the bitterness of shame. With pride I remembered that my +boys died for their country. Heaven! could I then surmise that in my +unfortunate daughter all the former glory so dearly earned should be +degraded! Could I ever anticipate that the day should come when the +noble fate of my sons would be to me a subject of regret! I am now +reduced to envy my country those lives which might now stand forward to +avenge the honor of their house. My daughter, blessed with innocence and +beauty, gentle and kind in her nature, was the only solace of my +declining years—the only sweet and blooming flower that still grew +smiling beside the parent stem. Yet of this, my only remaining comfort, +I was treacherously and cruelly deprived. A ruffian, honored far beyond +his deserts, and rich in the plenitude of power, envied me this solitary +consolation. My unfortunate daughter was seduced from her home! Oh +heaven! that a Monteblanco should be reduced to confess his shame! She +was seduced from the fond arms of her parent under the most sacred +promises, and then, in violation of his plighted honor, the miscreant +cast her aside to wither in neglect and obscurity. But it was necessary +that the most atrocious example of barbarity should accompany his base +desertion. In the arms of sleep, the hapless victim was abandoned amidst +the wilderness of the Alpujarras. She fell into the power of the Moors, +from whom she experienced all the terrors which her forlorn situation +was naturally calculated to produce. Fortune threw her again in contact +with her betrayer, when the cold heartless ruffian, under the most +insidious promises of false repentance, drew her from the house of her +protector, that she might be no obstruction to his ambitious career. He +again delivered her to the power of the Moors, the rebels whose heads +were proscribed, and with whom the guilty man scrupled not to hold +communion, in open defiance of the repeated and solemnly promulgated +decree of your highness."</p> + +<p>Here Monteblanco stopped, and a suppressed murmur of indignation ran +through the whole assembly.</p> + +<p>"Such an example of depravity," continued the old man, "astonishes you, +but your wonder will be increased when you learn that the man who has so +disgracefully added treason to his crimes is one high in rank, great in +military renown, and honored by the favour of his sovereign."</p> + +<p>"Those circumstances," cried the queen, "render his conduct doubly +criminal. Monteblanco, your wrongs shall be redressed. Let the guilt be +firmly established, and then, were the culprit the first man in the +kingdom, the support of my throne—nay," she added, rising in her +anger, "were he even of my own blood, he shall not be screened from the +rigour of the law." As she delivered these words a cloud of indignation +mantled on her brow, and her eyes shot the fire of insulted majesty as +she looked proudly on the surrounding nobles and warriors.</p> + +<p>A pause ensued, and the splendid train that had assembled to celebrate a +victory, now gazed on each other in blank dismay, expecting to hear in +the name of the criminal one of their own friends or relatives.</p> + +<p>"Pronounce the name of the traitor," cried the queen, "and if he be not +here already, he shall be summoned this very moment into our presence, +to answer these charges."</p> + +<p>"His name is powerful," replied Monteblanco.</p> + +<p>"Not more so than my will," nobly retorted Isabella.</p> + +<p>At this moment a burst of popular applause announced the triumphant +entry of the victorious Spaniard, and the name of Gomez Arias, in the +wild strains of a grateful multitude, was repeated by a thousand voices.</p> + +<p>"His name?" impatiently demanded the Queen.</p> + +<p><i>Viva!</i> Gomez Arias, <i>Viva!</i> again burst on the ears of the Court, and +Monteblanco, with bitter emphasis, exclaimed:—</p> + +<p>"Hear! hear his name honored with the strains of triumph: hear the name +which causes my misery and dishonor, now receiving the glorious reward +of the hero! Oh, shame on my withered arm; where is the strength of my +youth; and where the sons of my name?"</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias!" cried the queen and the courtiers with one simultaneous +cry of amazement—"Gomez Arias!"</p> + +<p>"'Tis he!" replied Monteblanco, firmly and indignantly.</p> + +<p>A dismal silence then succeeded, and the emotion of the queen became +strongly apparent. She felt that, in the person of a triumphant +conqueror, she was about to receive a criminal, and that the reward due +to his services could not avert the punishment incurred by his guilt. +The surrounding courtiers stood aghast, gazing in wonder on the queen. +They were well assured of the rigid impartiality which had swayed her +conducts through life; and aware that not even all the powerful voices +in the country could successfully plead against the claims of the +unprotected, or stay the decree of justice upon the oppressor and the +criminal.</p> + +<p>Meantime Gomez Arias, with all the exultation of a conquering warrior, +entered the hall, attended by his principal adherents, and preceded by +Mohabed and other captive chiefs. He advanced in joyful expectation +towards the throne, when suddenly his course was arrested by a dreadful +vision.</p> + +<p>Fixed in mute astonishment, he stood, as he gazed upon the group, at the +foot of the throne; an ashy paleness succeeded the glowing tints of joy +yet visible on his countenance. His confusion became apparent, and was +productive of the most injurious surmises in the minds of all around. +Yet Gomez Arias raised his eyes towards his sovereign, but from her +features he could augur nothing favorable; no encouragement could be +traced in their calm and distant expression.</p> + +<p>A consciousness of guilt now mastered all his powers of dissimulation, +and the nature of Gomez Arias seemed, in a few moments, to have +undergone a total and inexplicable revolution. His joyous attendants +were surprised at these unwonted signs of consternation; and the sounds +of pleasure and triumph suddenly ceased. A deadly spell seemed to have +been suddenly cast over the scene, and every one remained in a state of +terrible suspense. At length Gomez Arias, striving to conceal his +agitation with an assumption of boldness and ease that ill consorted +with his manner—"Most gracious Isabella," he cried, "behold the +rebellious Mohabed at your royal feet, and accept the humble +congratulations and devout attachment of your faithful servant."</p> + +<p>"Don Lope Gomez Arias," answered the queen, with stern dignity of tone +and demeanor, "before we receive your congratulations, and acknowledge +your services—before we can consider you with the regard due to the +glorious character of a victorious soldier, you must remove certain +accusations which have this day been averred against you by the noble +and respected individual now before the throne. Answer these serious +charges before you claim a title to our gratitude and favor; for not all +the splendor of conquest shall throw a veil over flagrant guilt. +Approach, and behold those whom you have wronged—mark well the +situation to which you have reduced a noble family, and say, what you +can plead in justification."</p> + +<p>Don Lope cast a glance on the group; but when he perceived his man, +Roque, whose presence deprived him of the little opportunity left for +prevarication, hope forsook him, and the presence of mind which had +served him on so many occasions proved utterly insufficient at this +critical moment. He foresaw that any attempt at exculpation would be as +fruitless as dangerous. He therefore continued in mute silence, and +appeared to plead guilty to the accusation. His countenance, however, +gradually cleared, as though a cheering ray had suddenly beamed upon +him. He seemed to adopt some resolution so imperiously demanded by +circumstances—he regained his composure; but a deep sigh escaped him; +it was the last testimony of regret that announced the disappointment of +his hopes. No alternative was left; he must relinquish all thoughts of +Leonor; and he accordingly attuned his mind to receive with deference +the commands which he awaited from the queen.</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias," said Isabella after a lapse of time, "that silence +clearly bespeaks thy conviction; the honor of a noble family has been +stained. It now remains for you to make all the reparation in your +power; and that must be done immediately; for I will not leave this +place, nor shall you leave my presence, till I see the victim of your +wantonness and cruelty restored to that honor and happiness of which she +has been deprived."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias heard these words with apparent respect and humility. Foiled +completely in his former hopes, he yet was willing to preserve the +favor of the queen, and to effect this it was necessary to deprecate the +indignation which his conduct had excited. He therefore assumed all the +symptoms of repentance, without any alloy of fear or servility, and +casting himself at the foot of the throne, "It would never," said he, +"be worthy of Gomez Arias to resist in any instance the will of his +sovereign; much less on an occasion when honor induces him to follow her +dictates."</p> + +<p>"Pity," answered Isabella sarcastically, "that this consideration did +not sooner induce you to adopt such a course, for much misery had by +these means been prevented. But the evil is already done, and must be +instantly repaired.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope Gomez Arias," she then proceeded, "This very moment you must +plight your hand and faith to Theodora de Monteblanco. You appear fully +sensible of the justice of such a measure, and therefore in my presence +let the ceremony be performed."</p> + +<p>One of the chaplains of the queen was immediately summoned, and before +the assembled court, whose looks bespoke their astonishment at this +extraordinary scene, the unfortunate Theodora became the wife of Gomez +Arias. With trembling steps, and supported by her father, she advanced +to the foot of the throne. Don Lope approached her, not only without +symptoms of dislike, but even with some appearance of a kindly feeling, +the sincerity of which was however of a doubtful nature, as little trust +could be placed in a conversion so suddenly effected. Nor did Theodora, +blinded as she was by her infatuation, confide entirely in his specious +address; but yet the thought of restoring peace of mind to her father, +and honor to herself, rose paramount to every other consideration. +Amidst the tears that dimmed her eyes, and the lines of sorrow that +marked her countenance, some grateful signs of happiness were +discernible, like the cheering rays of the sun struggling through the +gloom of the clouds.</p> + +<p>She received the hand of Gomez Arias tremblingly, with a mixed sensation +of joy and dread. Alas! when she took that hand, once so dear, it +seemed deadly cold, and the touch imparted to her heart a chill she +could not define.</p> + +<p>As soon as the ceremony was performed, the queen arose, and with a +stateliness of manner that struck with awe the surrounding train—</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," she said, "You have, as far as it lay in your power, +repaired the injury you have done to the daughter of Monteblanco; you +must now answer your Queen, for treason to your country."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias was struck with astonishment, not so much from the +consciousness of guilt, as from the suddenness of such an unexpected +charge. As soon, therefore, as he recovered from his surprise, with +indignant pride he exclaimed: "What! Gomez Arias charged with treason, +when he comes to afford the most incontestable proofs of his love and +devotion to his country? Where—where is the villain who dares affix so +foul a stigma to the name of Gomez Arias? Where is he?—let him appear, +that I may confound and chastise the miscreant;" then looking round with +haughtiness, he added, "who dares charge <i>me</i> with treason?"</p> + +<p>"I dare," cried a voice; and presently the renegade, who, till then, had +been concealed from Don Lope, came forward with boldness, and fixing his +eyes steadfastly on Gomez Arias—</p> + +<p>"I dare," he repeated, "in the face of Spain, and I will make good my +charge."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias staggered at the sight; the apparition had burst upon him so +unexpectedly, that, unable to contain his emotion,—</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he cried, faultering; "what! the Moor here!"</p> + +<p>"The Moor!" echoed the queen; "then you know the Moor?"</p> + +<p>"I have seen the wretch before," replied Gomez Arias; "but how dares he +throw on me so dark an imputation?"</p> + +<p>He cast a look of darkening anger on the renegade, but Bermudo returned +the haughty glance with a cold sneer.</p> + +<p>"Proud man," he exclaimed, "your wrath affrights not me, and humility +becomes you better than arrogance. You can as little intimidate me, as +you can effectually contradict the veracity of my accusation. Queen of +Spain," he then cried in a tone of fearless intrepidity, "and you, ye +nobles of Granada, behold in me one of the rebels who has laid down his +arms and accepted the amnesty. An eager desire to unmask that haughty +man, has obliged me to abandon my companions, and appear within the +walls of a Christian city. My motives for proceeding against Don Lope +will shortly come to light; but first his guilt shall be established. +His conviction and punishment will necessarily follow, if the court of +Isabella can boast real claims to that impartial justice, for which the +world gives it credit."</p> + +<p>These words were delivered with such firmness of tone and manner, that +the friends of Gomez Arias began to look on him with mingled pity and +amazement. He, however, cast around a glance of indignant contempt; +then he preserved a sullen silence, attempting not to contradict the +statement of his accuser.</p> + +<p>"What answer make you to this charge?" demanded the queen, observing the +pertinacity of his silence.</p> + +<p>"Answer!" replied Don Lope, with overpowering indignation; "none! Gomez +Arias will not deign to answer the accusations of a vile rebel, nor will +he afford his Queen and brethren in arms the satisfaction of seeing the +established character of a noble Christian put in competition with the +base assertions of a villain."</p> + +<p>Hurt as the queen felt at the arrogance and insolence couched in these +words, she forbore manifesting her displeasure.</p> + +<p>"No, Don Lope," she said, "your Queen is grateful, but not more than she +is just. You stand accused of treason, but the mere word of that Moor +will not be sufficient in itself to induce your Queen, or your brethren +in arms, to convict of treason one of the first knights in Spain. We +must have proof—evident, irrefragable proofs of the crime alleged +against you, before a decision is pronounced."</p> + +<p>"Proofs!" exclaimed the renegade, with a sarcastic sneer—"such a demand +is too just to be denied; and who would be the presumptuous madman, that +dare impeach Gomez Arias without proofs? In the first place, therefore, +the Queen will perhaps not question the validity of this." And saying +this, he took a ring from his finger, and approaching the throne, +added:—</p> + +<p>"Your Highness cannot have forgotten this pledge of your regard for +Gomez Arias, though that nobleman seems totally to have overlooked such +a gift, when he speaks in dubious terms of your Highness's gratitude."</p> + +<p>A gloomy joy animated the features of the renegade, as he pronounced +these words; a demoniac triumph was visible on his countenance.</p> + +<p>The queen felt an involuntary shudder as she received the ring, whilst +Gomez Arias stood in speechless suspense, a transitory, but deadly +paleness driving the flush of anger from his countenance.</p> + +<p>"Moor—how camest thou by this ring?" asked the queen.</p> + +<p>"It was," answered Bermudo, "a recompence for the services I rendered +Don Lope Gomez Arias. When this gallant knight wished to part with yon +noble lady, I was the agent in the transaction; I procured him the +interview with Cañeri."</p> + +<p>"Cañeri!" exclaimed several voices in consternation.</p> + +<p>"Cañeri, aye, Cañeri," repeated the renegade, unmoved. "Could the noble +Gomez Arias enter into a treaty with a rebel less than a chief. I was +the individual who introduced these personages to each other, and surely +for so considerable a service could I expect less than a ring—a ring +valuable indeed in itself—more valuable from the illustrious personage +to whom it had belonged—more precious still, as I have it in my power +to return it to that elevated owner."</p> + +<p>The solemn mockery of this speech was suddenly interrupted by the queen, +while, with looks of anger and displeasure—</p> + +<p>"Peace!" she cried. "You came here to make good an accusation, not to +intrude upon our patience with these remarks." Then turning to Gomez +Arias, she continued in a tone of mingled sternness and compassion—</p> + +<p>"Don Lope, you gave this ring to the Moor?"</p> + +<p>"I did," replied Gomez Arias, gloomily, but dauntless.</p> + +<p>"An oath," resumed the renegade, "will surely be held sacred with a +Christian. Let one be taken by that man," he added, pointing to Roque, +who was now endeavouring to effect his escape, as he beheld, with +dismay, the unexpected and serious turn the affair was taking, and felt +repugnant to criminate his former master, for whom he still preserved a +feeling of respect.</p> + +<p>"Secure the man," continued Bermudo, "and we will then see how far I am +justified in my assertions."</p> + +<p>"Silence!" again exclaimed the queen, inwardly grieved at the evidence +that was pressing against Don Lope. "Silence, Moor: we need not thy +instructions."</p> + +<p>A mixture of pity and amazement prevailed throughout the assembly. They +met to congratulate a victor, and they were now to consider him as one +who had not scrupled to outrage the laws of his country, and for the +purpose of accomplishing a detestable crime. So extraordinary and +contradictory a situation appeared to some impossible; yet nothing is +beyond the compass of the passions when unrestrained in their headlong +career.</p> + +<p>The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggar +description. There she was obliged to stand and witness the accusation +of her husband, brought by her means into this dreadful situation. But +her dismay was doubly augmented when she observed the queen rise, and in +a solemn manner, address the surrounding train.</p> + +<p>"Christians," she said, "I bitterly deplore this melancholy event, which +changes a day of triumph into one of sorrow. Governor of Granada," she +then added, turning to Count de Tendilla, "to you I commit the person of +Don Lope Gomez Arias, accused of treason to the state. See that he be +safely guarded, though respectfully treated—and you, Don Lope, prepare +to stand a trial for your life."</p> + +<p>"For his life!" exclaimed Theodora with horror; and she fixed her +imploring eyes on the queen.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias heard the decision of his sovereign with more indignation +than fear, and in the bitterness of his soul, he said, turning to his +adherents—</p> + +<p>"My friends, be zealous to serve your country, for you perceive the +recompense and encouragement which await you in a day of triumph."</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," cried the queen with warmth, "charge not to your country +what has been the effect of your unrestrained passions and imprudence; +nor carry your insolence so far as to imagine and insinuate that I can +wantonly sport with the life of the meanest of my subjects, much less +with yours. You shall be judged by your peers, who will not neglect any +extenuation in your favor, and it shall be only on irresistible evidence +that the decree of justice shall be pronounced."</p> + +<p>She then made a signal for the assembly to disperse, and every one +retired in deep consternation. A deadly silence prevailed as they slowly +left the hall, and to the joyful sounds of popular feeling which had +lately been heard, now succeeded the murmurs of grief and astonishment.</p> + +<p>As it was feared that the friends of Gomez Arias might be tempted to +some rash act, proper precautions were taken, that the public +tranquillity should not be disturbed. Mohabed and the other prisoners +were confined in dungeons, and Monteblanco and his wretched daughter, by +the desire of the queen, remained at the palace until the fate of Gomez +Arias should be decided.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_Xc" id="CHAPTER_Xc"></a>CHAPTER X.</h3> + +<p class="poem30"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A do el favor antiguo? a do la gloria</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">De mi pasado tiempo y venturoso?</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">A do tantos despojos y vitoria!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Herrera.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="c sml"> +I am merrier to die, than thou art to live.<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Shakespeare.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>The fatal day of the trial arrived; the evidence was heard, the facts +fully substantiated. Gomez Arias convicted of treason and condemned to +lose his head on a scaffold! This sentence filled the inhabitants of +Granada with indescribable horror. The man, who a few days before had +been the theme of general admiration; he, who came victorious, borne on +the wings of fortune to the highest pinnacle of honor, was now, by the +same capricious turn of fate, shorn of all his dignity and splendor, +and condemned to the horrors of an ignominious death. He, who had so +long awakened the jealousy of the great, was now the object of general +compassion.</p> + +<p>Theodora had been schooled in affliction, and familiarized with +suffering, yet when she was apprised of the result of the trial, many +circumstances conspired to add to the intensity of her grief. She +considered herself as the primary, though innocent cause of her +husband's untimely fate; all his ingratitude and cruelty; all the +treachery of which he had been guilty towards her, were now forgotten, +and her vivid fancy, excited by the extent of the danger, now saw +nothing but his brilliant qualities, and his untimely fate. Doubly dear +was Gomez Arias to Theodora, when she perceived him on the brink of +destruction. Hope, however, did not entirely forsake her, though the +boding voice of grief, which floated on the air, soon dissolved so +enchanting an illusion. If expectation had been great, the +disappointment was now doubly terrible; the sentence had been +pronounced, and the queen alone could mitigate its rigour by virtue of +the royal prerogative. To this last hope Theodora clung with fond +expectation; Isabella was humane and a woman; she had, it was true, +acquired celebrity by the rigid and unimpeachable justice of her +decisions, but could she send to the scaffold, a young and gallant +nobleman, to whom she stood indebted for a brilliant victory, without +infringing the sacred principles of that justice. She was a woman, and +though heroic and high-minded, still nature must have planted in her +bosom the genuine attributes of her sex. Pity, humanity, generosity, +would stifle the sterner voice of duty, and she could not repel from her +throne, the humble, yet noble supplicants for mercy; she would be deeply +moved by the tears of one, whom but lately she had made a bride, and +whom another word would make a widow. Besides, the application of many +intimate friends, and many of the first families in the kingdom, could +not be utterly disregarded by the queen, to whom their services had been +so important.</p> + +<p>These soothing ideas in some measure lulled Theodora's apprehensions, +and she successfully combated the idea of losing him for ever. +Unfortunate woman! soon she was doomed to learn the fallacy of her +expectations! Several strong appeals had already been made to the queen; +the first families of Granada had deeply interested themselves in favor +of Gomez Arias, but all applications had met with a disheartening and +absolute repulse. Nor indeed could the queen be taxed with ingratitude +and cruelty, for she adduced powerful reasons in her answer to the +supplicants, to prove her inability to comply with their request, +without at the same time giving her subjects an example of unjustifiable +partiality. A week had not elapsed, since six men had been executed in +the <i>Plaza de Bivarrambla</i>, on account of the same offence for which Don +Lope stood condemned. With this melancholy precedent, even the most +sanguine in their expectations began to droop, and the death of Gomez +Arias was looked upon as an inevitable misfortune.</p> + +<p>Theodora heard the opinion generally entertained with a feeling of +horror. In vain she cast herself at the feet of the queen, and there +implored the royal clemency with all the fervid eloquence of grief; +Isabella received her with tenderness, but allowed the wretched girl no +room for hope: Theodora's feelings were wrought to the wildest paroxysm +of anguish. She flung herself violently on the ground, and in all the +poignancy of her affliction, prayed, fervently prayed for the life of +her husband, the mere life, though by incurring banishment, she might be +doomed to see him no more; the tears of the unfortunate bride fell +profusely; her hands were franticly clasped, and trembled in the +intensity of her emotion. It was a picture of distress unutterable. The +queen beheld it with compassion—she was astonished at the sight of such +affliction in one so injured as Theodora, but she could not remove her +sorrows without a partiality in the administration of justice, which it +had been the pride of her life to avoid.</p> + +<p>Evidently distressed, she kindly bade Theodora rise, but with noble +dignity she pronounced those memorable words:—</p> + +<p>"As a woman, I might forgive a treason against love; as a queen, I can +never forget one committed against my country."</p> + +<p>The wretched Theodora was then ordered to retire, but she was unable to +obey the mandate. She clung earnestly to the foot of the throne, fondly +imagining that as long as she retained sight of Isabella, she could not +lose every hope. Again she was invited to withdraw, the queen humanely +wishing to spare her feelings another unnecessary shock, but the object +of her solicitude was not conscious of the kindness of her motive. An +officer of the governor now entering, proceeded to deliver a roll of +paper into the hands of the queen. Isabella appeared suddenly agitated +as she received the scroll, whilst a ray of horrible light glancing +across the mind of the wretched supplicant—</p> + +<p>"Oh, in mercy do not sign"—she franticly exclaimed. "In the name of +heaven! not yet—do not sign!"</p> + +<p>It was too late—the decree which condemned Gomez Arias was signed, and +his unfortunate wife fell senseless to the ground.</p> + +<p>In this melancholy state she was carried to her father, who, far from +being able to afford consolation, was himself a prey to the bitterest +woe.</p> + +<p>Gloomily the day wore away, and the inhabitants of Granada beheld with +horror the high scaffold which was already prepared at the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. An universal mourning seemed to prevail throughout the +city. Every one felt interested and shocked at the approaching +execution, though no one dared to impugn the justice of the sentence, by +virtue of which the noble culprit was about to suffer.</p> + +<p>After the condemnation of Gomez Arias, a strong guard was placed at the +mansion of Count de Tendilla, where he had been confined. He was treated +with the utmost deference and regard, the queen having particularly +commanded that every attention should be lavished on him; and indeed, +until his death warrant was signed, the prisoner had been permitted a +free intercourse with his friends and relatives. Thus his prison bore +rather the resemblance of a levee of a person in power, than the visits +of despairing friends to one in the last stage of mortality. All his +friends and companions in arms had been assiduous in these mournful +visits, and he appeared greatly pleased with this testimony of their +regard. Indeed it was his pride which had brought Gomez Arias into this +dreadful predicament, and he was thus highly gratified at the very +general interest exhibited in his behalf.</p> + +<p>It might be easily seen that he had not yet lost every hope; for to him +it seemed impossible that the queen could ever be prevailed on to give +her sanction to the sentence. He fondly recalled to his mind the high +favor in which he had hitherto been held by Isabella—the different +tokens of regard received from her royal hand—the many interviews and +even familiar conversations with which he had been honored. To these +pleasing recollections he added the intercessions of so many powerful +advocates, all eager to solicit the royal clemency in his behalf. Thus, +every thing conspired to buoy up the spirits of the prisoner, and to +prolong an illusion from which he was soon to be rudely awakened. He was +conversing in a tranquil, nay, lively manner, with two or three friends, +when Count de Tendilla, followed by the official attendants, entered, +and in a sad melancholy tone—</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," he said, "I deeply lament the necessity to which I am +reduced, of being the messenger of woeful tidings; but part of the pain +I feel in such a disagreeable duty, is removed when I have to +communicate it to such as Gomez Arias, who have fortitude and courage to +know how to sustain misfortune."</p> + +<p>"Proceed, Count," answered Don Lope, with a bitter smile, "let me know +the worst, and I dare say I shall have that fortitude which you kindly +suppose me—"</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," solemnly said the Count, "your sentence is confirmed, and +you must prepare for death."</p> + +<p>"Death!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, with emotion, "death!" Then suddenly +composing himself, he continued in an indignant tone:—"Well, I must +confess that I am somewhat struck with your information, Count. +Certainly, I was not prepared for so much—banishment and confiscation, +I could have expected, but I see that I have most erroneously calculated +on the favor of our Queen—her generosity, indeed, surpasses my most +sanguine ideas."</p> + +<p>Count de Tendilla, without seeming to understand this innuendo, +proceeded—</p> + +<p>"In consideration of your services, Don Lope, the Queen is willing to +grant any request you may wish to make. It shall be most religiously +observed."</p> + +<p>"I am greatly beholden to the Queen," replied Gomez Arias, in the same +bitter manner, "but upon my honor, I am already too much indebted to her +Highness, and I should be loath to trespass on her indulgence."</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," cried Tendilla, with warmth, "you wrong the Queen. At this +very moment she deplores the necessity which compels her to sign your +death warrant. Had there been any means, any honorable method to save +you from your fate, she would eagerly have seized the opportunity. She +would willingly forfeit the greatest treasure of her kingdom to save +your life.—Yes, for your existence she would sacrifice all—all but her +duty."</p> + +<p>"And when," demanded Gomez Arias, "is this sentence to be carried into +effect?"</p> + +<p>"To-morrow;" replied the governor, "but should you like to profit by the +favor, a respite of two days is granted."</p> + +<p>"No," proudly returned Gomez Arias, "I should feel exceedingly mortified +to disappoint the expectations of the public, who, no doubt, are by this +time anxiously looking for the preparations of the approaching +spectacle: no, let the ceremony take place to-morrow; I am ready." Then, +turning to young Garcilaso, who had been his companion in the expedition +against Mohabed—</p> + +<p>"My young friend," he said, "you are a gallant and most promising +soldier, but be careful how you use the favors of the ladies; for not +all your services rendered to a queen will compensate the most trivial +disregard offered to the woman; and above all, be cautious how you +meddle with rings."</p> + +<p>Count de Tendilla did not think proper to resent these remarks, for the +present situation of Gomez Arias precluded the propriety of replying to +the imprudent effusion of his irritated feelings.</p> + +<p>"Don Lope," resumed the governor, "I will place your person under no +unnecessary restraint, but you must pardon the disagreeable necessity to +which my responsibility reduces me of stationing a guard within your +apartment."</p> + +<p>"The presence of soldiers, Count," replied Don Lope, "was never +unpleasant to Gomez Arias; on the contrary, I shall feel particularly +gratified; they will, perhaps, tend to dispel the cloud that hangs over +my mind by recalling to memory my former glory; besides, they will +acquire a new stimulus to serve their Queen by witnessing the +encouraging reward she has in store for her servants."</p> + +<p>He now folded his arms and began to pace the room with an affected +indifference, but his inward feelings baffled even the powers of his +superior mind. No man can feel calm and indifferent under such +circumstances; it is against the principles of his nature; pride and a +due sense of honorable feeling may help him to assume a dignified +composure, or ferocity and callousness may adopt an insolent demeanor or +a gloomy tranquillity; but real philosophic evenness of mind exists more +in theory than in practice. Nevertheless Gomez Arias manifested no +symptoms of weak regret, and his exclamations bespoke more his +resentment against the queen than the dread of relinquishing life in the +midst of a brilliant career. He now seemed to be absorbed in thought and +the governor prepared to take his leave, when—</p> + +<p>"Stay," he cried, "upon better reflection, perhaps it will be more +respectful not to refuse the kind offer of my sovereign; I shall +therefore make one request."</p> + +<p>"Name it," said Tendilla, kindly; "it shall be granted."</p> + +<p>"It is," resumed Don Lope, "that upon my way to the scaffold I may be +allowed to head a party of my own gallant soldiers, mounted on my +charger and attended with all military honors."</p> + +<p>Count de Tendilla gave an involuntary start at so strange a demand, and +looked steadfastly on Gomez Arias, as if doubting whether compliance +might not be attended with danger. The request might involve the secret +of some desperate act, or perhaps only bespoke the workings of a noble +pride. However, the governor considered himself justified in granting +the favor.</p> + +<p>"Your wish shall be fulfilled," he said. "Whatever may be the feeling +that prompts you, Don Lope, to make such a request, I and my <i>own</i> guard +will likewise accompany you."</p> + +<p>He delivered these words with great significancy of tone and manner, +that Gomez Arias might be sure the governor was prepared, should there +be aught in contemplation that might affect the public tranquillity.</p> + +<p>"And now," resumed Tendilla, "I must bring you a visitor, Don Lope; one +who earnestly wishes to take a last farewell."</p> + +<p>"And who is that charitable being?" inquired Gomez Arias, carelessly; +"for if I mistake not, all my friends and relatives have already +fulfilled that duty."</p> + +<p>"It is your lady," replied Tendilla, "the lovely and unfortunate +Theodora."</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias made a sign of impatient displeasure, and then, in a cold +and constrained manner—</p> + +<p>"I am sensible," he said, "of her kindness and self-devotion, but I +cannot consent; no, I cannot, I will not see her; and I earnestly pray +and hope she may no longer require an interview to which I have already +given an absolute denial."</p> + +<p>This was true. Gomez Arias had obstinately refused to see his once +idolized Theodora, nor could all her prayers and entreaties, backed by +the remonstrances of friends, prevail on him to alter so unkind a +resolution. This determination might have sprung from a feeling of +horror for the cause of his death, or of pity for the poignancy of her +anguish: perhaps he wished to avoid a scene which was capable of +producing nothing but terrible or melancholy recollections.</p> + +<p>He evinced, however, no reluctance to see his man, Roque. The poor +faithful creature anxiously desired to be admitted; for though the +claims of his master to his gratitude were feeble, yet a lively +sentiment of affliction and a degree of horror for having been, though +unwillingly, one of the instruments to forward the catastrophe, made him +desirous of throwing himself at the feet of Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>Tremblingly the poor valet entered, and as he beheld the noble figure of +Don Lope standing composedly in the middle of the apartment, he could +not refrain from tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Don Lope," he cried, despondingly, "my dear and honored master, +that it should come to this! That ever I should live to see the most +gallant cavalier in Granada undergo such a sentence!"</p> + +<p>He then threw himself at the feet of Gomez Arias, and clasping firmly +both his knees, in a tone of keen anguish continued—</p> + +<p>"Alas! my unfortunate master, I will not rise from the ground until you +grant me full pardon for the share I have in your death. Heaven knows +how unwillingly I have acted, and how sadly I repent the untoward +circumstances which reduced me to that fearful alternative."</p> + +<p>"Rise, my good Roque," said Gomez Arias. "I freely forgive thee, not +only the melancholy necessity to which thou hast been compelled, but +even all the other transgressions of which thou hast been guilty in my +service, and I dare say they are not a few; however, as I am to +undertake to-morrow so long a journey in which, I suppose, thou hast no +inclination to bear me company——"</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgen de las Angustias</i>," interrupted Roque, "how can you, Señor, +speak of such dreadful things in so light a manner?"</p> + +<p>"Now, Roque," replied Don Lope, "thou must be silent, at least at +present, and allow me thy privilege for a time; listen with attention. +It is high time to settle my accounts. I am thy debtor, Roque."</p> + +<p>"<i>Valgame Dios</i>!" exclaimed the valet. "Señor Don Lope, why think of +these matters at such a time?"</p> + +<p>"The best of times," returned his master, "or you run a fair chance of +not being paid at all."</p> + +<p>"But I do not want to be paid," cried Roque, sobbing aloud. "I am sure +you think too meanly of me, if you suppose I came here with such on +intention."</p> + +<p>"No, Roque, I well know thy fidelity, and I mean not to offend thee; but +thou must not refuse the last bequest of thy master: here, take this," +he said, delivering a large purse, which the valet could scarcely be +prevailed upon to accept. "And here," he continued, taking a ring from +his finger, "receive this as a token of remembrance," and as Roque +hesitated to take it, he added, smiling, "Take it, for I can now give +rings away without danger."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my good master, but have you no pledge of affection, no last +remembrance for <i>her</i>?"</p> + +<p>"Why," answered Gomez Arias, with affected levity, "she will never +forget me. Besides I have nothing worthy of her acceptance—give her my +best wishes, and beseech her to pardon me as freely as I forgive her."</p> + +<p>Having said this, he wished to turn away, but Roque again interposed, +and in a most doleful tone—</p> + +<p>"Alack! Don Lope," he said, "remember what I told you at Guadix; my +forebodings did not deceive me, for my prognostication has, +unfortunately, been but too truly accomplished. Now, had you then—"</p> + +<p>"Gently, my good fellow," interrupted Gomez Arias, "gently; this will +never do; thou camest here in the humble mood of a sinner, to crave my +forgiveness, and now thou hast relapsed into thy former calling by +assuming the preacher. In goodness forbear, and leave that task to those +who claim it in virtue of their office. And now, my faithful Roque, +begone, for I feel drowsy, and an hour's sleep would not come amiss."</p> + +<p>Saying this, he bade his servant kindly adieu, and retired to his +closet, followed by two guards.</p> + +<p>Roque was bewildered, for though he had already had several occasions of +forming a just estimation of the character and temper of Gomez Arias, +yet he could not comprehend how a man on the eve of death could resign +himself to sleep with the ease and composure which his master evinced.</p> + +<p>"<i>Virgen Santa!</i>" he ejaculated, "did ever man think of sleep at such a +time? Why <i>los siete durmientes</i><a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor" title="Go to footnote 46.">[46]</a> would have been at fault at such a +pinch. He is going to sleep; the Lord help him! I am sure I cannot +sleep; nay, I don't know whether I shall ever sleep again."</p> + +<p>Saying this, poor Roque withdrew, weeping and wondering, and imploring +the protection of all the saints in the calendar, for his unfortunate +master.</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIc" id="CHAPTER_XIc"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Voilà le précipice où l'ont enfin jeté</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Les attraits enchanteurs de la prospérité.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>La Fontaine.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">Oh di destino avverso</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Fatal possanza! a mie tante sventure</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ciò sol mancava.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Alfieri.</i></span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Forget! forgive!—I must indeed forget</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">When I forgive.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Southern.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Every hope was now extinct—the fatal morning arrived. Theodora, the +hapless Theodora, against whom fate seemed to have exhausted all her +malice, after a night of restless grief, had left her couch betimes, and +in a gloomy reverie was sitting by the casement, her hands clasped +together, and her eyes vacantly fixed on the moving groups below.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and her father entered—the wretched man was in a most +pitiable state.</p> + +<p>"My child," he said, tenderly, "my dear child, you must leave this +place."</p> + +<p>"Never," cried the melancholy Theodora, "unless it is to be carried to +the grave. Oh! my poor, my dear father, you will soon have to fulfil +that last mournful duty towards your hapless child."</p> + +<p>"Theodora, speak not thus; your words are daggers. We must submit to the +will of Providence—raise your streaming eyes to that heaven, my +beloved, and cherish the fond hope that this life of sorrow is to +purchase an eternity of pure uninterrupted bliss. Throw yourself into +the arms of religion, and your evils will appear lighter to bear."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my father, now my only friend," replied Theodora, in a tumult of +agony, "I will consider my misfortunes as a just atonement to offended +heaven, for the ingratitude of which I have been guilty towards the +best of parents."</p> + +<p>"Heaven bless thee, Theodora," returned the affectionate father, "and +restore to thee peace and tranquillity; and now grant me a request—you +must away with me."</p> + +<p>"But whither are we going?" demanded Theodora, "I cannot—I will not +quit Granada until I see <i>him</i> laid in the ground. I am now his wife, +and I shall religiously fulfil the duties of such a character, for cruel +as he was," she added, mournfully, "to refuse me permission to see him +when alive, he cannot prevent me from showing my attachment when he is +dead."</p> + +<p>"Theodora," said Monteblanco, "it is not my intention to take you away +from Granada. I merely wish you to accompany me to the dwelling of our +kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva. He has repeatedly demanded to see you, +but you have always denied his request. You surely cannot dislike him?"</p> + +<p>"Father! father!" cried Theodora, in a tone of reproach and sadness; +"why this eagerness to renew an intimacy with a man whom I have +wronged? Think you that Theodora will be able to sustain his reproach?"</p> + +<p>"No, Theodora, such thoughts are far from the minds of Don Antonio and +your father. But the gallant young man lies prostrate on the bed of +sickness. The wounds he received at the disastrous affair of the Sierra +Bermeja, have reduced him to the last stage of debility. He has this +very instant earnestly requested to see you; for he has something to +announce which may affect the fate of us all."</p> + +<p>Theodora answered not, but rising immediately, signified her readiness +to obey, and supported by her father, she proceeded towards the +residence of Don Antonio. Dismay and confusion reigned throughout the +city. At every step Theodora met with some object to impress her +forcibly with the dreariness of the fate which was at hand. Busily the +moving groups were talking of the melancholy event. She beheld the +troops that were collecting and marching about to insure the public +tranquillity, and this testimony of the hopeless situation of her +husband filled her bursting heart with new terrors. How dismally sounded +the trumpets and clarions! And now the ponderous bell of the cathedral +sent forth its reverberating tones, and it sounded like the summons of +death to Theodora. It struck eight, and in two hours Gomez Arias would +cease to exist. A chill seized on the very soul of Theodora, at each +stroke of the dreadful monitor, and as if its terrors had not been +sufficiently multiplied, a hundred different clocks, with their boding +voices, repeated the same sad tale to the agonizing heart of the +wretched girl.</p> + +<p>Next came the sight of the ministers of religion hurrying about; sad +heralds of mortality, in Christian charity, earnestly wishing to offer +their prayers for the departing soul, or holding out the example of the +approaching execution to the young and inexperienced.</p> + +<p>Theodora shuddered at every object she saw—at every sound that struck +her ear, and in this state she reached the mansion of Don Antonio de +Leyva, which happily was situated at a short distance. She trembled with +emotion as she found herself before young De Leyva, nor was her +appearance productive of less astonishment to Don Antonio. They were +both much altered—she by intense suffering—he by his wounds and +lingering sickness. Don Antonio, extremely faint, was reclining on a +couch, from which he attempted to rise when he saw his kinsman enter, +but was prevented by Monteblanco. The countenance of the gallant young +man seemed suddenly to brighten up.</p> + +<p>"Theodora," he kindly said, "tremble not thus, for you are in the +presence of a friend, a sincere friend; one who bitterly laments having, +though unconsciously, been instrumental in your misfortunes. Alas! dear +lady, had you placed more confidence in me, perchance so much misery had +been prevented. However, this is no time for reproach; the moments speed +swiftly away, and we have none to spare. Had you not at this moment +arrived, weak and wounded as I am, I was about to be carried to your +habitation, though the exertion had proved fatal to my recovery. +Theodora, look upon me as a friend—as a dear valued friend, and receive +the greatest proof a man can give of pure disinterested regard. Here," +he then added, presenting a little casket to Theodora, "take this +precious gage; look, it is the portrait of our Queen, given by her own +royal hands, when fortune favoured my exertions in the last tournament. +The bearer of this gift is entitled to claim any boon from Isabella. +Dispatch—present her with this beauteous copy of herself. Reclaim the +promise—demand the life of Gomez Arias—it will be granted."</p> + +<p>"Merciful heavens!" cried Theodora, overpowered with emotion, "Can it be +possible!" Then falling at the feet of young de +Leyva—"Generous—generous Don Antonio; is this the way that you repay +an injury?"</p> + +<p>"I might," replied Don Antonio nobly, "satisfy the cravings of a paltry +revenge, by leaving my rival to perish ignominiously, when I have it in +my power to save him. But no; my heart shudders at such reprisals, and +finds joy in contributing to the happiness of Theodora."</p> + +<p>Struck with admiration at such noble and manly conduct, Theodora seized +the hand of the high-minded Don Antonio, and would have imprinted on it +a thousand kisses of gratitude, but he modestly prevented her, urging +her to depart.</p> + +<p>"My dear Theodora, begone; you have no time to lose. Think that the +least delay may perhaps prove fatal."</p> + +<p>These words acted like magic on the mind of Theodora. The thought of her +husband's danger absorbed every other consideration. She rushed with +impetuous alacrity towards the palace, pressing with convulsive firmness +the valuable pledge on which all her hopes depended. Upon her arrival at +the entrance, the guards, struck with the wildness of her manner, and +sympathising with her misfortunes, expeditiously opened a passage, as +she exclaimed almost incoherently, that she must see the queen.</p> + +<p>Meantime the Plaza de Bivarrambla was thronged with a vast multitude, +for the novelty and exemplary justice of such an execution had thrown +the people into a ferment. It was long since a nobleman had suffered +thus, and no instance occurred to their recollection of a conqueror +stepping from the car of victory to the platform of a scaffold.</p> + +<p>All lamented the fate of Gomez Arias, and yet most of the lower classes, +amidst the feelings of pity, experienced a kind of satisfaction at the +idea that so great a personage was doomed to suffer, as well as the +meanest of their own class. In the middle of the Plaza rose a high +scaffold, covered with costly black velvet, and most of the houses +around were likewise draperied with mourning symbols of the sorrow of +their owners. A strong body of veterans lined the square, whilst other +detached parties of horse patrolled the neighbouring places to prevent +any obstruction from the multitude. The hurry and agitation of the +people now became extreme; but when at last the tremendous knell from +the cathedral gave the mournful signal for Gomez Arias to set out for +the goal of his mortal career, a simultaneous murmur of horror rose from +the surrounding crowd. The dismal tolling of bells, accompanied at +intervals by the sad and hollow strains of trumpets, announced that the +procession was ready to move.</p> + +<p>Gomez Arias had descended from his apartment perfectly composed. Indeed, +no other feeling could be descried in his features but stern pride and +resentment. He walked with a firm step towards the melancholy train that +awaited him. But when about to mount his horse, he perceived the +Countess de Tendilla bathed in tears, approaching to bid him farewell. +He kindly thanked this lady for all the attentions he had experienced at +her house during the time he had remained there, and having bidden her a +last adieu, he bounded on his favorite charger. The spirited animal +began to curvet and rear, as if proud of his burthen.</p> + +<p>"Gently, gently, Babieca," said his master, caressing the noble steed: +"be not impatient, for this is the last time thou wilt carry thy +master."</p> + +<p>He then looked around, and as he saw a party of his victorious troops, +chosen for his escort according to his desire, all plunged in the +deepest grief, in a soothing tone he bade them be of good cheer.</p> + +<p>Don Lope being determined to set at defiance every appearance of +despondency, had assumed an air of martial and dignified composure. His +handsome figure never looked to greater advantage than at this +disastrous moment; he was attired in a most sumptuous suit, while all +the friends and relatives who accompanied him were habited in deep +mourning. The procession moved slowly on amidst the confused murmur of +the multitude, deeply lamenting the fate, and admiring the firmness of +the hero of the dismal tragedy. He was attended by a crowd of the +ministers of religion; but two friars of the order of St. Francis +attached themselves more particularly to his person. The whole presented +a most singularly contrasted scene; for in the same view appeared +mingled all the panoplies of war, stirring the soul to martial deeds, +and the solemn emblems of religion inviting the mind to abandon the pomp +of the world, and turn its thoughts towards eternity. Warriors and +priests, banners and crosses, moved promiscuously along, while the +subdued blast of clarions united their strains to the deep-toned and +gloomy cadences of the chaunting monks.</p> + +<p>In this manner the procession reached at length the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. At the sight of the scaffold, Gomez Arias gave an +involuntary start, for he was unable to stifle the impression which the +first view of that dreadful spot made on his mind. He soon, however, +recovered his usual composure, and cast an inquiring and intense look on +the assembled multitude. Sorrow and consternation were every where +visible, but all was tranquil and quiet. The last lingering hope now +vanished from the breast of Gomez Arias, and he seemed resigned to the +fate that awaited him. The murmur of the multitude was hushed into a +deadly silence. Don Lope dismounted, ascended the scaffold, and turning +to his soldiers, he said—</p> + +<p>"Farewell, my brave companions; this is the last expedition in which we +shall meet; but in this, as well as in all the former, Gomez Arias will +display the coolness and courage which becomes a soldier." He then with +equal resolution was about to bare his neck for the fatal stroke, when a +piercing scream was heard at a distance in the crowd. Presently a female +form was seen flying towards the scaffold—</p> + +<p>"A pardon! a pardon!" shouted various voices; and the multitude joyfully +opened a passage to the unfortunate. She ran with frantic speed, until +she arrived at length, exhausted, at the foot of the scaffold, +exhibiting in the disorder of her person and the wild expression of her +features, all the workings of terror, anxiety, and joy. Every one stood +mute with astonishment when they beheld in this apparition the wretched +Theodora, who flew up the steps of the scaffold, holding aloft in her +trembling hand a paper; then throwing herself into the arms of her +husband—</p> + +<p>"Oh it is not too late," she cried eagerly; "I have brought your pardon. +Here! here! You are safe—it is the Queen's signet."</p> + +<p>Count de Tendilla took the paper from her hand, and read joyfully aloud +the pardon of Gomez Arias. Theodora looked wildly around, her large +beautiful eyes fraught with terror: she gazed upon the appalling scene, +as though still fearful that the execution would not be suspended.</p> + +<p>"Read! read!" she cried vehemently to Count de Tendilla: "it is the +Queen's order. A messenger will soon arrive; but I am here first. I came +to save my husband."</p> + +<p>These few electric words were followed by a shout of tumultuous applause +from the assembled throng.</p> + +<p>The messenger indeed arrived. Theodora uttered a wild scream of joy, and +her feelings, unable any longer to support the efforts she had made, +overpowered her, and she fainted in the arms of Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>Even Gomez Arias, that man so hardened to all the tender pleadings of +gratitude, was at length overcome. As he beheld her who had returned +his coldness with affection, and repaid his cruelty with kindness—as he +considered that miracle of love and goodness lying lifeless in his arms, +a tear stood trembling in his eye—one solitary tear; but that +testimonial of feeling in Gomez Arias was equivalent to years of sorrow +in other men. He tenderly pressed Theodora to his heart, and the fond +embrace seemed to recall her suspended animation. She opened her languid +eyes and was happy; for she saw the object of all her care and affection +now watching with tender solicitude her returning life.</p> + +<p>"Oh Theodora," cried Don Lope, in a voice almost inarticulate with +emotion, "I am unworthy of you. How can I ever atone for so many wrongs? +This is indeed a noble vengeance."</p> + +<p>The queen had ordered that Gomez Arias should be conducted to her +presence, and accordingly, accompanied by the happy Theodora, he +proceeded towards the palace, followed by the immense crowd, who rent +the air with joyful acclamations.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the palace, they found the gracious Isabella seated +in the large public hall, ready to receive them. Her countenance was +radiant with delight in the consciousness of having been able to save +Don Lope from an untimely end.</p> + +<p>"Gomez Arias," she said, "your life is saved by the most fortunate, as +it was the most unexpected of incidents. Nobles of Granada," she then +added, turning to the surrounding court, "you cannot accuse your Queen +of partiality in the distribution of justice. At the moment when Don +Lope was approaching the end of his mortal career, this gage was brought +to me and the guerdon claimed. It was a pledge of regard given to Don +Antonio de Leyva for his conduct at the tournament, with my sacred +promise that any boon should be granted to the bearer. Theodora produced +it, and I could not resist her just appeal—my royal word had passed. +Gomez Arias, you owe your life to the generous Don Antonio de Leyva and +your wife. Let then your future life show that you are not insensible of +the magnitude of the obligation. To yourself you owe nothing; for had +it not been for this happy circumstance, by this time you would have +been numbered with the dead. Go, and rejoice with your friends over your +fortunate deliverance, and then I will receive you as becomes a victor."</p> + +<p>A shout of unfeigned approbation burst from every one. Theodora seemed +intoxicated with happiness. She looked on Gomez Arias, and in those +features which had so successfully enraptured her young heart, again saw +a display of tenderness to recompense her affection. All her sufferings +were forgotten; the cup of misery had been drained, and happiness, +boundless, uninterrupted happiness, was to be hers for ever. Gomez +Arias, moved with kindly and generous feelings which had long been +dormant in his heart, had as yet been unable to give utterance to his +demonstrations of gratitude. He now disengaged himself from the hands of +Theodora, moved forwards, and threw himself at the feet of the queen. +Every eye was joyfully turned on him, when suddenly one of the friars, +who had attended him at the scaffold, broke from the surrounding group. +In his hand gleamed a poniard, and before any arm could arrest the blow, +he buried the fatal weapon in the breast of Gomez Arias, who started on +his feet, reeled, and fell at the foot of the throne. In an instant +every thing was wild confusion. Theodora, with a piercing scream, threw +herself beside her murdered husband, while several leaches hastened to +the assistance of the fallen knight.</p> + +<p>The queen alone seemed to preserve her presence of mind amidst the +uproar that prevailed.</p> + +<p>"Seize the assassin!" she exclaimed, and the guards immediately secured +his person. He was one of the Franciscans who had accompanied Gomez +Arias to the scaffold. He still held in his sinewy hand the ensanguined +poniard, and with the savage laugh of a fiend exulted over his deed.</p> + +<p>"Now, God be thanked!" exclaimed the leach who had examined the wound of +Gomez Arias, "if my skill fail me not, the knight may yet live."</p> + +<p>"Never!" cried the friar, in a voice that chilled the reviving hopes of +every one; "Never! your skill is vain—the dagger is poisoned."</p> + +<p>A shudder of horror ran through the court.</p> + +<p>"Man of darkness," exclaimed Count de Tendilla, "fiend under the holy +garb of religion, what could prompt thee to such a crime? But a short +time since I saw thee attend thy victim to administer to him hope and +consolation."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied the friar, grimly, "yes, I did accompany him to the stage +of his despair and my glory: yes, I was beside my victim, like the +vulture watching for the moment to lacerate his heart. But I went not to +whisper hope into his dying ear, or to bid him rely on the mercies of +Heaven; no, it was to speak the words of horror; to bid him despair, and +point the way to that hell whither soon I was to follow him. My soul was +drunk with joy; my heart was wild with happiness: gladly would I +purchase with a whole existence of misery and crime those few rapturous +moments when I could watch the dreadful workings of his mind, as the +last peal of my ominous voice rung in his ear, ere his soul took its +flight from this world."</p> + +<p>"Peace, wretch!" exclaimed the queen. "Leave thy blasphemy; tremble for +the profanation of thy sacred calling; tremble for the punishment which +awaits thy crime."</p> + +<p>"I tremble at nought," sternly replied the assassin. "No canting friar +am I; no preaching monk; but a man deeply wronged, and now amply +revenged. Look on me," he continued in a wild tone, throwing off his +disguise, "I am Bermudo, the renegade!"</p> + +<p>Every one shrunk back with instinctive horror at the well known name; +but the consternation increased, when in the person of the apostate was +recognised the Moor who had played so principal a part in the +condemnation of Gomez Arias.</p> + +<p>"Look on me," proceeded the renegade; "look on me, Gomez Arias; behold +the man by you condemned to misery and shame—I am Bermudo the outcast, +the maddened lover of the unfortunate Anselma. Call back, Don Lope, the +powers of thy fleeting soul, and fix its fading recollection on thy +crimes and my misfortunes: remember Anselma—remember her frightful +fate—your wrongs to me—the despair to which I was driven. But for +thee, proud man, I might have been a hero, and for thee I am a traitor +and a renegade. But, oh! now thou art laid low—no, not even princely +fortune and favour could save thee from the hand of a desperate man. +Die, then, die in despair: it is in the hour of rapturous happiness that +the blow is struck, and think with agony that it is struck by +Bermudo.—Anselma, thou art revenged!"</p> + +<p>A wild and savage laugh closed this apostrophe, and the renegade stood +calmly gazing on his victim with an expression of ferocious joy: his +dark features seemed to brighten in the glare of infernal revenge, and +his strong frame shook with the rapture of the fiend that inspired him.</p> + +<p>Meantime, Gomez Arias was rapidly approaching his end; the blood flowed +thick and heavy through his veins, and the film of death was fast +dimming his sight: still his noble features shewed no symptoms of +unmanly emotion; but fixing his dying eyes upon the renegade, in a firm +tone he said—</p> + +<p>"Bermudo, thy hellish desire is but partially fulfilled; I die not in +despair; despair is the attribute of cowards, not of Gomez Arias: I feel +thy poison burning in my veins, yet my soul takes its flight with +calmness. Wretched man," he then added, "may God forgive thee as I do: +and thou, dear and last object of my solicitude," he said, faintly +addressing himself to the disconsolate Theodora, who, in a paroxysm of +agony, was kneeling beside him, "Theodora, injured and unfortunate girl, +too late I appreciate thy value; too late I deplore my fault. Oh! if I +regret existence, it is because I cannot live to prove my love and +gratitude. Forgive me, Theodora! forgive the repentant Gomez Arias!"</p> + +<p>His dim eyes were cast tenderly on her despairing countenance, and +pressing gently her clammy hand, he breathed his last.</p> + +<p>The piercing cries and lamentations of Theodora deeply affected the +spectators of this tragic scene: she tore her flowing tresses, and +falling on the bleeding corpse, in a wild incoherent tone poured forth +her anguish. The renegade himself appeared somewhat moved at the +exhibition of her frantic sorrow. The darksome deed was done; his enemy +was dead, and Bermudo seemed no longer to live in this world; stupor and +apathy were overshadowing his countenance, for the principle that fed +his life was now no more.</p> + +<p>The soldiers were about to move away with the prisoner, when a minister +of religion addressed him:—</p> + +<p>"Sinner," he cried, "behold your deadly crime and repent; repent ere +'tis too late; thy mortal career is short; employ it, then, in calming +the offended justice of heaven."</p> + +<p>"Friar," said firmly the renegade, "my conscience is seared; my soul has +no longer sympathy with human feelings; I cannot, will not now repent me +of a deed which has been the sole object of my existence. Lead me to +torture, and when ye tear this flesh, and suffering nature is unable to +sustain the racking pangs, then, even then, my eyes, faithful +interpreters of my soul, will tell you I shrink not from my fate; the +poniard that struck my foe I might have plunged in this breast, but I +disdained to evade the recompense of my deed. Lead me to torture, but +mock me not with words of penitence."</p> + +<p>"Oh horror! art thou a man and speakest thus!" exclaimed the priest.</p> + +<p>"I was a man; I know not what I am; let me return to my kindred clay, +and hide from the face of the earth the monster at which ye shudder."</p> + +<p>He ceased, and his features stiffened into a horrid tranquillity more +appalling to behold than his wildest ebullition of passion. One last +savage look he cast on his prostrate enemy, and then, with a firm step, +he walked away to meet the punishment due to his crimes.</p> + +<p>The wretched Theodora could not be torn from the mortal bleeding remains +of her adored Gomez Arias, until the paroxysm of her grief was +succeeded by insensibility. In this melancholy state she was borne from +the fatal spot, while sorrow and compassion swelled the hearts of every +one who had witnessed the events of that disastrous day!</p> + + + +<h3><a name="CONCLUSION" id="CONCLUSION"></a>CONCLUSION.</h3> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">La douleur lentement m'entr'ouve le tombeau,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Salut mon dernier jour! sois mon jour le plus beau!</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16em;"><i>Lamartine.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p>Three months had now elapsed since the death of Gomez Arias, and the +people of Granada were again rejoicing in the success of the Christian +arms. The insurrection of the Moors was now completely quelled; the wise +and prudent conduct of the queen had saved the country from the horrors +attendant on a fanatical war. The individuals admitted to the counsels +of Isabella were in general men of enlightened understanding and +philanthropic dispositions, and though some few voices, swayed by +fanatical zeal and religious intolerance, opposed themselves to liberal +measures, yet, happily for Spain and honorably for her ministers, their +objections were over-ruled, and the more beneficial and milder course +adopted. A full pardon was proclaimed to the rebels. Moreover it was +promised that they should enjoy the same privileges as the Spaniards, +and that no compulsory measures should be adopted to make them embrace +the tenets of the Christian religion. Free permission was given to every +Moor who should prefer passing over to Africa, to remove unmolested, and +with full security to his family and property.</p> + +<p>These judicious resolutions answered the desired effect. The Moors +joyfully accepted the offers of the queen, and the greatest part of them +came immediately to lay down their arms at the feet of the Alcayde de +los Donceles, and other chiefs who still were carrying on the war. +However, some Moors of the higher rank, who refused to subject +themselves to the Christian government, retired into Africa, and amongst +this number we must count the magnanimous El Feri de Benastepar; for, +as no account was received of his death, it was supposed he had +abandoned the country.</p> + +<p>Thus peace was at length restored, and the city of Granada became again +the center of gaiety and happiness, and this was not a little enhanced +by the anticipation of the union of Leonor de Aguilar with the gallant +Don Antonio de Leyva: the nuptials being only delayed until a due +allowance of time had been devoted to the memory of the noble Don Alonso +de Aguilar.</p> + +<p>Meantime Don Manuel de Monteblanco and his unfortunate daughter had +retired to their mansion at Guadix. Shortly after the mortal remains of +Gomez Arias had been consigned to the earth, Don Manuel prevailed on his +unhappy daughter to abandon a city fraught with such dreadful +associations. Theodora submissively obeyed the desires of her solicitous +and kind parent, but alas! the sorrow that slowly consumed her heart was +not to be removed by change of place: the lovely victim carried within +her the deadly poison that was to consign her to an early grave. +Theodora became the prey of a deep-rooted melancholy. The kind attention +of friends, the tender expostulation of her father, might momentarily +withdraw her mind from the subject of her constant meditations; tokens +of regard, and the soft caresses of pity might elicit a transient smile; +but soon, alas! her mind would revert to its mournful occupation; soon +her smile would give way to sadness.</p> + +<p>During the day, she wandered about the large mansion like a restless +spirit whose duties in life are fulfilled, and who longs to take its +flight. Sometimes she took her lute, and in wild and plaintive voice she +would sing those romances which Gomez Arias had loved to hear. Then she +would ramble through the garden, and visit those spots endeared by the +recollection of her love. Sometimes, too, in the stillness of night, a +most piercing scream would issue from her chamber, and arouse the +unfortunate Monteblanco from his couch, to hush the fevered imagination +of his daughter, continually haunted by the image of the murdered Gomez +Arias.</p> + +<p>Day after day the disconsolate father watched the progress of the +malady. Gradually Theodora was wasting in form, and her intellectual +powers seemed to share in the wreck of her outward appearance. Nothing +could disturb the gloomy monotony of her thoughts. Musing tranquilly, +she would pass the hour, and oft in the night when the moon beams fell +on the garden, she would be seen gliding along its paths like some +fleeting phantom.</p> + +<p>In this melancholy state Theodora had continued during some time, when +one morning Monteblanco was agreeably surprised to see his child in +unusually good spirits. The gloom which sat habitually on her brow had +vanished, and a placid smile played upon her lips. Joyfully the +venerable parent beheld the welcome change, and anxiously he wished to +improve those favorable symptoms of returning health. Theodora told her +father that she had dreamed in the night an awful dream. She had seen +her husband, not as heretofore, in the fearful scenes of his desertion +and death, but his eyes beaming with a heavenly light, bidding her be +happy, as he was happy and blessed.</p> + +<p>It was the anniversary of the day on which Theodora had left her home. +Night came, and Monteblanco saw not his daughter by his side. He waited +impatiently for some time, and then repaired to the garden, for he knew +Theodora delighted in rambling there.</p> + +<p>The faithful Roque, who since the death of his master had attached +himself to the service of Monteblanco, took a torch, and accompanied the +old cavalier to the garden. Don Manuel called aloud upon his daughter, +but his voice was only answered by the sad echoes of the place. He +became alarmed, and hastily proceeded to the bower: there he descried +Theodora lying on the marble seat, apparently asleep. He approached her, +and affectionately chid her for her absence.</p> + +<p>"Awake, child, awake," he cried; "surely your delicate health will be +injured by the chilling air of night."</p> + +<p>He gently raised her arm.</p> + +<p>"Roque, bring closer that torch."</p> + +<p>Roque obeyed—Theodora indeed slept, but it was the sleep of death.</p> + +<p>Struck with consternation, the wretched old man clasped the lifeless +body in his arms, and called eagerly on his child by the most endearing +of names. Alas! it was too late: the spark of life had fled for ever, +and the dull glare of the torch that fell upon her countenance soon +confirmed the mournful truth. Pale and bloodless was her cheek, and cold +were those beauteous limbs. The angel of death had spread his sable +pinions over her dewy brow, and closed her eyes in eternal sleep. The +despairing father now strove to raise his daughter in his arms, when +something fell from her nerveless grasp. Roque immediately took it +up—he gave a start, and uttered a most piteous moan, as he presented +the object to Don Manuel. It was the portrait of Gomez Arias. That +melancholy testimonial told that the heavenly spirit had lately taken +its flight, for it was yet moist with <i>her</i> tears, the last effort of +her departing soul—the last sad evidence of a <i>woman's love</i>.</p> + +<p class="poem25"> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Non come fiamma, che per forza è spenta,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Ma che per se medesma si consuma,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Se n'andò in pace l'anima contenta.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 15em;"><i>Petrarca.</i></span><br /> +</p> + + +<p class="c top15"><b>THE END.</b></p> + +<p class="gunnell">GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"> +<h3><a name="NOTES" id="NOTES"></a>NOTES:</h3> +<ol> +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The unfortunate passion of Don Rodrigo, the last of the +Goths, for Florinda, surnamed La Cava, was the primary cause of the +Moorish invasion, and the disastrous wars which followed. Count Julian, +father of the frail fair one, highly indignant at the affront he had +received, resolved to take the most signal vengeance. His views were +warmly espoused by Don Oppas, Archbishop of Toledo, who was the most +influential man in the kingdom. These two noblemen betrayed their +country to the Moors, who, invited by them, landed in Spain, under the +command of Tarik and Muza.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The Black.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Champion of the Lists.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> For this and for my King.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> A kind of small mantle.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> I am like my name.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> +I will bear him to the skies,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">That he may have the greater fall.</span></p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Know him by his deeds.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> The game of the Ring.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> The <i>Chirimia</i> was a musical instrument made of wood, +resembling somewhat a wooden flageolet, though much longer: it contained +ten holes; the wind pipe was thin, and made of reed. <i>Præcentoria tuba, +fistula musica.</i> The <i>Dulzaina</i> was an instrument like the <i>Chirimia</i>, +only upon a smaller scale, and capable of producing sounds more acute +and sharp.—<i>Tibia.</i></p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Gallants.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Pera. The military term is <i>imperial</i>; a small tuft of +hair.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Jester.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> <i>Reja</i>, a small grated window.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> <i>Anglice</i>, a beldam.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> I am an old Christian.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> A porch,—the entrance of a building.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> From a poor sinner like myself.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Jew.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> St. James of Compostela, patron of Spain.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Girl.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> God forgive me.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Sluggard.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> The <i>Adarga</i> was a peculiar sort of shield or short +buckler used by the Spaniards in those times. The presentation of the +<i>adarga</i> was equivalent to an offer of peace. It was a practice often +resorted to by the persons entrusted with a mission to the enemy.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Thieves.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> A <i>Maravedi</i> was a coin of such diminutive value as to +answer to the one-third of an English farthing.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> The square.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> The Persians, and even the Turks, when speaking of a brave +man, generally compare him to a lion;—their poetry is full of this +simile, and there is nothing more common than to hear them say <i>aslan</i>, +lion, or <i>caplan</i>, tiger.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The brave man who protects the helpless is a Lion.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> New Square.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> At the period in which my Romance takes place, the revival +of the art of painting was in its infancy. I am aware, therefore, that +some scrupulous folks will be apt to find fault with me for having +introduced a gallery of pictures with the same confidence as if I were +writing a novel of the present day. Yet this seeming anachronism does +not exist. The Moors, though they certainly could not boast of a Rafael +or a Titian, had exercised themselves in the art, and, according to some +authorities, even excelled in portrait painting. I do not intend to +maintain that either the Moorish or Christian artists of the period had +arrived at any eminence: for my purpose, it is enough that they <i>did</i> +exist at the time: let imagination do the rest.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Our lady protect us.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> In those times, when war was the only meritorious +occupation of the <i>gentle</i> blood, the Jews, though despised and +persecuted, were in some respects men of great consequence in a state. +They were not only, as in the present day, the most expert and assiduous +in money transactions, but cultivated the science of medicine with much +success; when no other career was deemed compatible with honor and glory +but the profession of arms or the church.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Samaritan—term of reproach.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> God defend us.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> God bless me.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Satan.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Old Christian.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Accursed.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> A kind of ruffle or frill, worn formerly round the neck—a +collar.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> The Hill of the Martyrs.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> On the hill of the Martyrs, so called from the supposed +cruelties that the Moors had exercised against the Christian prisoners +who fell into their hands, Queen Isabella caused a chapel to be erected, +which became the object of many a pious pilgrimage.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> May she rest in peace.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> A devotee.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> History describes Don Alonso de Aguilar as one of the most +valiant and renowned amongst the celebrated warriors of that period. His +death has been the subject of many and some very good ballads or +romances, but it is better known and appreciated among the reading +portion of the Spaniards by the description given by Hurtado de Mendoza +in his work entitled, "<i>Guerra de Granada</i>." It is a masterly +composition. Indeed the whole work passes amongst the <i>literati</i> as the +most elegant and classic piece of Spanish history.</p></li> + +<li class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a title="Return to text." href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> The seven Sleepers.</p></li> +</ol> +</div> +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Gomez Arias, by Joaquín Telesforo de Trueba y Cosío + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + +***** This file should be named 29916-h.htm or 29916-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/9/1/29916/ + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Gomez Arias + The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance. + +Author: Joaquin Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio + +Release Date: September 5, 2009 [EBook #29916] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + + + + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + +[The spelling (sometimes archaic: shew, extacy, stopt, etc.) of the +original book has been retained. (Note of transcriber)] + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSIO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. I. + +PREFACE. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., + XII., XIII., XIV. + +VOL. II. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI., + XII., XIII., XIV. + +VOL. III. +CHAPTER I., II., III., IV., V., VI., VII., VIII., IX., X., XI. + CONCLUSION. + +NOTES. + +_LONDON:_ +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. +1828. + +GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE. + + + +VOL. I. + + + + +TO THE +RIGHT HONORABLE LORD HOLLAND. + +_My Lord_, + +_It is with pleasure I avail myself of your permission to dedicate the +following Work to your name, as a small mark of my respect for your +Lordship's character._ + +_As a Spaniard, I find an additional motive for addressing it to one who +has uniformly shewn the interest he feels in the prosperity and +literature of my country._ + +_I have the honor to be_, + +_My Lord_, + +_Your Lordship's_ + +_Most obedient and obliged Servant_, + +TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSIO. + +_London, March 1, 1828._ + + + + +PREFACE. + + +Let me intreat the reader not to be alarmed at the hacknied word, which +generally augurs that a person is going to be very egotistical and +prosy. This, at least, it will be my ambition to avoid. Nor is it my +intention to assume its literary prerogatives in any way as a mask for a +sort of mock humility, endeavouring to impose upon good-natured persons +by protestations of demerits, want of experience and talent, with that +long series of et ceteras with which a writer generally opens his first +campaign. + +The public has nothing to do with an exculpatory doctrine, which carries +with it the aggravating circumstance of not being sincere; for I am sure +that no man, with a moderate share of common sense, will suppose that an +author really believes the accusation he so humbly utters against +himself. Could he indeed persuade himself that his book was so very +indifferent a performance, he might assuredly more justly accuse himself +of acting the part of an unnatural parent in thus gratuitously exposing +his intellectual offspring to the neglect and compassion of the world. + +Besides, when an author presents his readers with this stultifying +catalogue of demerits, he supplies them with the very best reasons to +retort upon him:--"Good heavens; if the man has neither talents nor +information, why does he write at all?" Having thus waved my claims to +any similar indulgence, it only remains for me to say a few words +respecting the origin and the object of the following Romance. + +As an enthusiastic admirer of the lofty genius, the delightful and vivid +creations of that great founder of English historical fiction, Sir +Walter Scott, it often struck me, while reading his enchanting novels, +as rather singular that he had never availed himself of the beautiful +and inexhaustible materials for works upon a similar plan to be met +with in Spain. It has, indeed, been generally admitted that Spain was +the classic ground of chivalry and romance. The long dominion of the +Moors--the striking contrast between their religion, their customs and +manners, and those of their Christian enemy--the different petty +kingdoms into which Spain was divided, with the consequent feuds, +intrigues and battles,--all concurred to produce a succession of +extraordinary incidents and character, highly adapted for romantic and +dramatic illustration. Yet, while the less abundant chronicles and +traditions of England, Scotland, Ireland and France, were successively +ransacked by the great magician and his most successful imitators, they +seem almost studiously to have avoided dwelling upon those glowing, +luxuriant productions, replete with such variety of incident and +character, which form the national treasures of Spain. + +Conceiving, then, that I had the same right as any one else to spoil, if +I failed to give attraction to a fine subject, I found that my ideas +were further confirmed by the encouragement of some of the most eminent +amongst my fellow-countrymen. I accordingly engaged in the undertaking, +the result of which is the following Romance. + +With regard to the hero, I cannot well determine whether he ever existed +or not. In spite of my researches, I have no other authority for his +reality than the well known comedy of the celebrated Calderon de la +Barca, entitled "_La nina de Gomez Arias_." The probability is, that +Calderon took the hint of this comedy, according to a generally +prevailing custom in his time, from some legend or tradition now lost. +Be this as it may, it is enough that such characters as Gomez Arias are +unfortunately within the pale of human nature. I have endeavoured, +however, to soften the character, as it is depicted, from that of an +utterly abandoned libertine into a man of extraordinary ambition; for +great passions, though they cannot palliate crime, are nevertheless not +inconsistent with a dereliction of moral and legal ties. + +To conclude my prefatory reasons for not writing a long preface, there +is one point on which I am anxious to appeal to the indulgence of my +readers. It is obvious that the work being written in English by a +Spaniard, must bear some traces of its foreign descent. In extenuation +of these unavoidable faults of style and language, I can only entreat +that the English public will extend the same generous sympathy and +benevolence to the errors of the author, which it has already evinced, +in far more important matters, on behalf of his unfortunate +fellow-countrymen. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +INTRODUCTORY. + + +The ancient city of Granada has ever proved a source of gratification to +those who have occupied themselves with the investigation of its earlier +history. It abounds with objects curious and interesting; and is no less +celebrated for the conspicuous place which it holds in the page of +Spanish history, than for the more pleasing associations of chivalry +and romance. Situated at the base of the snow-capt mountains of the +_Sierra Nevada_, and extending into the luxuriant plain of the _Vega_, +it seems placed by nature as a barrier between an eternal winter and a +constant spring-- + + "Not as elsewhere with fervours frosts severe, + Or clouds with calms divide the happy hours, + But heaven than whitest crystal e'en more clear, + A flood of sunshine in all seasons showers; + Nursing to fields their herbs, to herbs their flowers, + To flowers their smell, leaves to th' immortal trees: + Here by its lake the splendid palace towers, + On marble columns rich with golden frieze, + For leagues and leagues around, o'erhanging hills and seas." + + _Wiffen's Tasso._ + +Amongst the many architectural remains which adorn the city, the palace +of the Alhambra is perhaps the most conspicuous. It was originally +founded by one of the Moorish kings, after the conquest of the kingdom +of Granada, and became, in process of time, the favorite residence of a +long line of princes, by whom it was enriched with the spoils of +conquest, and all the embellishments which wealth could supply. Nothing, +indeed, that imagination could devise, or human industry effect, was +omitted, to render it a retreat worthy of the Moorish sovereigns of +Granada. + +Ages have gone by since its foundation, kingdoms have been overthrown, +and whole generations have passed away, but the Alhambra still remains a +proud record of the Moslem's power. It is the last monument of their +glory, amidst the changes that have long since taken place, and that +still proclaim their fall. + +The city commands an extensive view of the surrounding country, and the +eye wanders with delight over the picturesque and varied scenery which +opens on every side. Far as the eye can reach, a fertile plain teeming +with life exhibits nature in her most lovely and fascinating forms; +large flocks and herds are seen browzing and disporting amongst the +luxuriant herbage, while the distant quiet villages interspersed +throughout the landscape, are thrown out in bold relief by the dark +green foliage in which they are embosomed. Here the orange-flower and +the jasmin of the gardens, decked in all the pride of cultivation, load +the air with their grateful perfume; and sparkling jets of limpid water, +thrown aloft from fountains of alabaster, impart a continual freshness +and beauty to the scene, whilst they contribute to dissipate the languor +which in this luxurious climate softly steals over the senses. + +After dwelling with delight upon this living landscape of happiness and +tranquillity, the feelings of the beholder are aroused by the imposing +aspect of the _Sierra Nevada_. The never-varying hue, the sameness of +desolation exhibited by these gigantic mountains, offer a striking +contrast to the glowing and lively tints of the surrounding country. On +their lofty summits the clouds appear to have fixed their abode; and in +their inhospitable regions no living thing can dwell.--Still barren and +dreary they remain, in the very bosom of luxuriance and cheerfulness; +throughout the vicissitudes of climate and season they are for ever the +same. + +Granada was the last strong hold of the Moors in Spain. They had for +seven centuries defied the power of different Christian sovereigns, who +by unremitted efforts slowly and progressively regained those +territories which had been suddenly wrested from their ancestors. +Indeed, it required the lapse of ages and a series of successes, wrought +by the exertions of many a distinguished warrior, to recover those +possessions which had been thus lost by the weakness of a king, and the +treason of a prelate.[1] + +Ferdinand and Isabella, happily uniting by marriage the crowns of +Arragon and Castile, consolidated the power and gave a new impulse to +the energies of the Christians. After a variety of minor advantages, +they resolved to lay siege to Granada, fortunately at a time when that +city was a prey to civil dissentions, occasioned by the rival families +of the Zegris and Abencerrages. The Moors, gradually weakened by their +domestic broils, offered but an inadequate opposition to the enemy, who +pressed them, on this account, with increasing ardour. After a +protracted siege of eight months, in which a host of warriors +distinguished themselves, Granada, the royal residence of the Moslems +for seven hundred years, surrendered, and the banner of the Cross +streamed triumphantly over the turrets of the Alhambra. + +The Moors seemed satisfied with their new masters, and the partial +change of government which ensued; so that King Ferdinand returned to +Seville, leaving the subdued city in apparent tranquillity. This calm +was, however, but of short duration. Strong symptoms of disaffection +were soon observable in the conduct of the vanquished Moors, and the +murmurs of discontent which prevailed in every quarter, shortly +terminated in open revolt. + +The Archbishop of Toledo, in his intemperate zeal for the conversion of +the infidels, had adopted measures which tended rather to increase their +natural aversion to the Christian religion, than to wean them from a +creed, the mandates of which were in greater harmony with their habits +and inclination. The prelate seeing his designs thwarted by the +inhabitants of the Albaycin, commissioned one of his officers to arrest +those whom he suspected of promoting the opposition. This last +ill-advised and imprudent step so greatly exasperated the malcontents, +that no sooner did the alguazil proceed to the discharge of his duty, +than he became a victim to their fury. Imprecations were first heaped +upon him; menaces succeeded; and finally a large stone, hurled from a +window, stretched the unfortunate officer lifeless an the ground. + +This murder was the signal for open rebellion. The Moors were aware that +so flagrant an act could not escape an adequate punishment, and they +accordingly prepared themselves for a vigorous resistance. Some of the +most daring hurried from street to street, summoning their +fellow-countrymen to arms, and exclaiming that the articles of the +treaty, in virtue of which they had surrendered, were violated, since +they could not continue unmolested in the exercise of their religious +duties. + +This untoward event was the occasion of great anxiety to the Count de +Tendilla, who had been entrusted with the government of the city by the +queen. He took active measures to subdue the increasing fury of the +malcontents. But desirous of trying the effect of negociation before he +had recourse to extremes, he set forth to the rebels, in the strongest +light, the criminality and madness of the enterprise in which they had +embarked, and the little probability of their ever again struggling with +success against the Christian power. All his efforts to restore order +proved for some time ineffectual. But the promise of amnesty and redress +of their grievances, the well known integrity of the count, and his +generosity in sending his lady and son as hostages for the fulfilment of +the treaty, induced at length the majority of the rebels to lay down +their arms and accept the proffered pardon. + +The forty chiefs, however, who had been chosen by the insurgents, +considered this conduct as pusillanimous, and despised it accordingly. +Dazzled by dreams of ambition, fired with hopes of asserting their +independence, and aware that the wild recesses of the mountains afforded +facilities for conducting the war with greater security and success; +they fled from Granada in the night, and succeeded in instilling their +sentiments into the minds of the Moors who inhabited the adjacent +country. The towns of Guejar, Lanjaron and Andarax soon rose up in arms; +all the mountaineers of the Alpujarras followed the example, and the +Christians were threatened with the loss of those acquisitions, which +their valour and perseverance had so nobly won. + +It is at this interesting period that the following romance takes place; +and some of the subsequent events of the rebellion form the historical +portion of its subject. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + We are up in arms, + If not to fight with foreign enemies, + Yet to beat down these rebels here at home. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +Alarming accounts of the resolution taken by the insurgents being +communicated to the queen, she lost no time in adopting measures for the +preservation of her power. She summoned around her all those counsellors +in whose judgment she had ever confided, and those champions on whose +valour, in the hour of danger, she firmly relied. + +At the upper end of the hall of audience in which they were now +assembled, was seen the queen seated on a magnificent throne, over +which was suspended a rich canopy of crimson velvet. Isabella could +scarcely be considered at first sight as one born to command; her +stature was not above the middle size; but there was a certain air of +dignity which pervaded her every action. The mildness which beamed in +her bright blue eye seemed rather to act as a persuasive to the +observance of her mandates, than as a command, and her displeasure was +manifested more by reproaches than by threats. Few women could boast of +greater personal attractions--none a better regulated mind; if fault +there were, it might be traced in the cloud which darkened her brow, +when a consciousness of what was due to religion stood most prominently +forward. At such times she became severe and abstracted; and yet her +occasional austerity could hardly be condemned by her subjects, when it +led to that firmness and courage, and that inflexibility in the decrees +of justice, for which she was so remarkable. If the grave historian has +stamped her character with these attributes of heroism, what scope may +not be allowed to the writer of historical fiction? Distinguished by his +noble bearing and his honorable station, on the right hand of the queen +stood the renowned Alonso de Aguilar, the terror of the Moorish name. He +had, like his brother, the heroic Gonzalo de Cordova, particularly +distinguished himself in the wars against Granada, and was honored with +the regard and unlimited confidence of Isabella. Of a lofty and imposing +stature, he united with gigantic strength an air of dignity which well +became the most accomplished warrior of the age. His noble countenance +wore an expression of resolution and intrepidity, blended with openness +and candour, that inspired the beholder with sentiments of awe and +admiration. His fine athletic form was rendered more interesting from +its still retaining the elasticity of ardent youth, unsubdued by the +chill of fifty winters, which he had chiefly spent in the toils of the +camp. His character bore out the impression thus formed in his favor. +The active courage of his earlier days was chastened, not subdued, by +the experience of a more mature age; whilst the furrows on his manly +brow, and the few gray locks that slightly silvered his raven hair, +heightened the feeling of respect and veneration which his many virtues +were so well calculated to inspire. + +On the opposite side stood Don Inigo Mendoza, Count de Tendilla, +Governor of Granada, a man who had numerous claims to the gratitude of +Spain.--Nor was it the least, that of being father of a son, who +afterwards served his country in the triple capacities of a valiant +soldier, an enlightened statesman, and a profound scholar. + +Near these warriors were seen the Master of the Order of Calatrava, the +Aleayde de los Donceles, Count Urena, and other renowned chiefs. The +rest of the nobles, taking precedence, according to their rank, +completed this imposing assembly. + +An universal silence prevailed, and every one seemed impatient to +ascertain the object of the council to which they had been so hastily +summoned, the nature of which they could only conjecture. + +But from these noble ranks, a gallant knight was absent--one who, though +young in years, was already a veteran in military achievements, and +whose brilliant abilities had won him the right of sharing with these +distinguished personages the marked favor of his sovereign.--Gomez Arias +was not there, and Alonso de Aguilar, who considered him already as his +son, felt chagrined at his unavoidable absence. + +This young nobleman was now a voluntary exile from court, and nowise +anxious to appear at Granada, where his presence would be attended with +danger. Neither his own merits, nor the influence of Aguilar, could +induce Isabella to deviate from the path of justice, loudly demanded by +the family and friends of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who, at that time, +was stretched on a bed of sickness, in consequence of a dangerous wound +inflicted by Gomez Arias, his fortunate rival in the affections of +Leonor de Aguilar. + +The members of the council, with this solitary exception, being +assembled, the queen rose to address them.--"Noble Christians," she +said, "my friends and brave defenders! You are no doubt already aware of +the important motive which summons you to our presence. Unless a speedy +remedy be applied, we are threatened with the loss of those territories +for which we have so long toiled, and which have been purchased with the +dearest blood in Spain. Again the noble patriotic fire which animates +you must be called forth, and the redoubled strength of your arms be +displayed against the enemies of our faith and native land. Scarcely had +you, by courage and perseverance, reduced this last strong hold of +Granada, and compelled the Moors to surrender the inheritance of our +forefathers, when the seeds of discontent were sown, and sprung into +open rebellion. Whatever may have been the complaints of the inhabitants +of the Albaycin, it was by calm remonstrance, and by applications to +our throne of justice, that they ought to have sought redress; not by +the force of arms, in which they have had but too many occasions to +acknowledge our superiority.--Our officers of justice have been +insulted, and one of them has been murdered in the discharge of his +duty. The prudent and active conduct of the Count de Tendilla succeeded +in putting down the first commotion, but the leaders of the outrage have +sought, in the wild passes of the Alpujarras, to conduct by stratagem a +war which they are not able to sustain against us in the field. Let us +then hasten to chastise their insolence before the evil gain ground. Not +that I entertain any doubts of success, but for the purpose of saving +the valuable lives which such procrastination might endanger. Amongst +the rebel chiefs, who appear to possess in the greatest degree the +confidence of their comrades, and most resolutely to defy our power, are +el Negro,[2] of Lanjaron, and el Feri de Benastepar. The former, +blockaded in the Castle of Lanjaron, will not long brave a siege; but +the latter is a more formidable enemy, and being well acquainted with +the innermost passes of those wild mountains, will offer a greater +resistance. Against this man, therefore, our chief efforts must be +directed." + +She then took a banner, on which was splendidly emblazoned the arms of +Castile and Arragon.--"To thee, Don Alonso de Aguilar," she said, "do we +intrust the chief command in this expedition, and to thy care and +keeping do we commit this precious gage, which thou must fix on the +summit of the Alpujarras." + +Saying this, she delivered the standard to the veteran warrior. He bowed +on receiving it, and the fire of enthusiasm kindled in his dark eyes as +he knelt, and kissed the hand of the donor; then waving the banner on +high, he exclaimed--"All that human efforts can achieve, will I do. My +Liege, from your hands Alonso de Aguilar receives this pledge of royal +favor, and he will not prove ungrateful for the noble distinction. Yes, +I will punish these accursed infidels, and this sacred standard shall +not be separated from me till it streams in triumph on the summit of the +mountain. Noble warriors," he continued with a burst of exultation--"if +this banner be lost, search for it in the midst of slaughtered +Moors--there you will find it, dyed in the blood, but still in the grasp +of Alonso de Aguilar." + +As he uttered these words, he again raised the banner on high, and the +surrounding chiefs sent forth, simultaneously, a shout of approbation. +Isabella then motioning with her hand to command attention, again +addressed the council.--"Listen further to our sovereign decree. From +this time let no one of our subjects hold communion or any intercourse +whatever with the rebels. The least infringement of this order shall be +accounted treason, and the transgressor shall be dealt with according to +the law. Let an edict be proclaimed, that no one may plead ignorance of +its purport." + +The chiefs now gradually withdrew; and Don Alonso having made his +obeisance, was likewise about to retire, when his royal mistress +detained him.--"Stay, Aguilar. It grieves me much that the marriage of +thy daughter should be thus deferred, nay, perhaps set aside, by the +unfortunate adventure of her lover with Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. How is +the wounded man?" + +"Most gracious Queen"--replied Don Alonso, "I have received intelligence +that he is even now considered almost out of danger. The issue of a few +days will determine, and then if the result be favorable, I may safely +welcome the return of Don Lope Gomez Arias." + +"As good a knight as Spain can boast"--returned the queen--"and +possessed of those accomplishments which insure the favor of our sex. +But I hear he has a failing, which, as a woman, I ought rather to call a +grievous fault. I am told he is of a very fickle character. Is not your +Leonor alarmed at the reported inconstancy of her future husband?" + +"Is she not the child of Aguilar?"--proudly cried the warrior--"And +where is the man that dared wrong one of that name?" + +"Nay," replied Isabella, in the most condescending tone and manner, "I +do not mean that Leonor will repent her choice when once made; she has +attractions to fix the most volatile and inconstant of men; and I +sincerely hope that Gomez Arias will have discernment sufficient to +appreciate them." + +"Don Lope is not so fickle as some have wished your Highness to +believe," observed Don Alonso. "Moreover, I use no compulsion; they love +each other well, and I only am concerned that their marriage should not +be celebrated before I march against el Feri de Benastepar. In the face +of danger I would then feel tranquil, from the consciousness that there +was one to protect my child, should aught happen to her father in this +hazardous expedition." + +"The daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar"--replied the queen--"can never +need one to supply her father's place whilst Isabella lives. She shall +remain constantly with me, and I shall be gratified to manifest by my +attention and kindness to Leonor, the high estimation in which I hold +her father. But how does it happen that you are not the _Mantenedor_ of +the lists in the games of to-morrow?" + +"One more capable than myself has already assumed the charge. Besides, I +can feel little interested with the display of a tournament, when we are +shortly to meet the enemy in mortal encounter. These sports suit well +with gay young cavaliers, but not with veterans like myself. Those +gallant knights have admiring ladies to look upon their prowess, and +reward their success. But my only ambition is to sustain the laurels +earned in bloody fray against the enemy of my country,--to gain the +approbation of that country, and the favor of its greatest ornament,--my +noble sovereign." + +The resolute and manly tone in which Don Alonso spoke, perfectly +accorded with the frankness and generosity of his character. He bent his +knee as he pressed to his lips the extended hand of his queen. + +"And well hast thou deserved that favor," she exclaimed, "my best, and +most faithful friend: thy country will pay with gratitude thy long +proved services. Go; prosper in thy brilliant career!" + +The remainder of the day was passed in preparations for the games of the +morrow. Gallant knights were busily engaged in preparing their +accoutrements, and examining their armour, whilst many a fair hand was +as anxiously occupied in ornamenting the devices, and arranging the +colours of the favored knight. The city was thronged with visitors, the +inhabitants of the adjacent country having been attracted by the fame of +the reported games, insomuch that Granada could not hold her numerous +guests. For more accommodation, numerous temporary tents had been +pitched along the smiling plain of the Vega. The voices of vacant joy +and revelry were heard on all sides, and the warriors and irregular +groups, moving along in all the recklessness of anticipated pleasure, +presented a gay and lively picture. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Cada uno dellos mientes tiene al so, + Abrazan los escudos delant los corazones: + Abaxan las lauzas abueltas con los pendones; + Enclinaban las caras sobre los arzones: + Batien los cavallos con los espolones, + Tembrar quierie la tierra dod eran movedores. + + _Poema del Cid._ + + +The morning arrived, and the entrances to the lists were thronged by the +inhabitants of Granada and their visitors; all anxious to witness a +display which it was expected would surpass in magnificence any thing of +the kind they had ever seen. A large piece of ground, perfectly level +and free from impediment, had been appropriately chosen without the +walls of the city, for the exhibition of the games of strength, valour, +and skill, and a temporary gallery had been constructed, extending on +either side to the extremity of the lists. At the end nearest the city, +was erected a temporary wooden fortress, painted in imitation of +stone-work, curiously fabricated, covered over with canvas, and capable +of containing a number of men-at-arms. On the front turret of this +castle streamed a large banner, on which was emblazoned a red cross +decorated with gold, being the arms of the order of Calatrava, of which +the _Mantenedor_[3] was the grand master. Other smaller banners were +placed around it, and they appertained to the four knights, who had +volunteered to support the _Mantenedor_, and who, in conjunction with +him, were bound to accept the challenge of all knights adventurers +disposed to encounter them. On each side of the castle were two tents, +before which were placed the pennon and shield of the knights to whom +they belonged, and at the entrance stood a squire, ready to meet the +demands of all comers. + +Directly facing the castle, at the other extremity of the lists, was +pitched a large and magnificent pavilion, ornamented with little +pennons, and numberless armorial devices curiously interwoven with gold +and silver thread on green silk brocade. Before it were artificially +grouped swords, lances, shields, and every description of armour, +emblematical of the intent to which the pavilion was appropriated, it +being set apart for the use of those knights who were willing to enter +the lists against the _Mantenedor_ and his assistants. About the middle +of the gallery on the right of the castle, a platform had been erected +for the accommodation of the queen and her retinue. It was covered with +scarlet cloth, and shaded by a rich canopy of purple brocade, on the top +of which were seen the royal and united arms of Arragon and Castile +shining in burnished gold. The whole of this platform was occupied by +the maids of honour, and other principal ladies, as well as the +noblemen and gentlemen of the court. In front of the place occupied by +the queen, were stationed the umpires of the tournament, whose duty it +was to decide the merits of the candidates, and award the prizes. Other +places on either side of the throne were allotted to the various +nobility and gentry of Granada, whilst the two extremities of this +gallery and the whole of the other were assigned to the public, without +any claim to precedence, but that of a priority of occupation. + +And now the ponderous bells of the cathedral filled the air with their +tolling; and immediately the bands of martial instruments within the +lists, struck up a glorious and enlivening strain, in signal of the +queen's approach. + +At length she made her appearance, surrounded by a numerous suite, and +heartily was she welcomed by the multitude, whose joy at the sight of +their beloved sovereign was equal to the anticipated pleasure of the +tournament. + +Isabella was sumptuously attired in a rich dress of crimson velvet, +ornamented with pearls. A delicate and costly scarf, of the finest lace, +was attached to the back part of her head, and covered with its graceful +folds her beautiful neck and shoulders. On this splendid scarf were +wrought in gold thread, lions and castles, and other insignia of the +arms of Spain. The queen wore likewise the crosses of the orders of +Santiago and Calatrava, richly studded with diamonds and precious gems +of immense value. + +The lists now offered a most dazzling and noble spectacle. On one side +was displayed all the splendour of the court, and the sparkling +jewellery, the costly attire, and the waving plumes indicated the spot +where the rank and beauty of Spain was assembled in all its glory and +magnificence. Indeed towards this part of the lists the attention was +more particularly directed, as in all courteous exhibitions of martial +prowess, the interest is chiefly centered in those objects, to win whose +smile lances are broken and helmets shivered.--Nor was the feeling of +enthusiasm on beholding this scene lessened by the appearance of the +opposite gallery, which, though more humble, nevertheless contributed, +by the variety and gaiety of their costume, together with the cheerful +animation expressed in their countenances, to the general effect of the +picture. Then the proud display of all the panoplies of the court; the +rich waving plumage of the crests; the lustre of the burnished shields +and polished armour, together with the neighing of the spirited charger +that caracolled the lists, and the warlike strains that at intervals +floated on the air, powerfully tended to strike the imagination and +inspire the heart to deeds of chivalry and arms. + +A flourish of trumpets and clarions now indicated that the tournament +was about to commence. In a few moments therefore the lists were +cleared, with the exception of the heralds, who, gorgeously equipped in +suits of crimson and gold, and attended by trumpeters, advanced to the +four corners of the lists to proclaim the challenge. It was couched in +the formula of chivalric language, which it would be superfluous here to +transcribe. The meaning, however, was, that the _Mantenedor_ and his +supporters, Don Manuel Ponce de Leon, the Alcayde de los Donceles, Count +Cifuentes, and Don Antonio de Leyva, invited all knights adventurers to +break lances, if they were hardy enough to dispute their right to the +lists. As soon as the challenge had been pronounced, the heralds retired +to their posts; when the trumpets sounded again, the gates of the castle +were thrown open, and the five challengers came forward. + +Nothing could surpass the richness of their harness, the splendour of +their armour, and the gallantry of their bearing. The grand master was +attired in a costly suit of steel, the corslet of which was entirely +burnished with silver, and the ornaments chased with the same precious +metal. Over this he wore a short mantle of white velvet, which was the +colour he had adopted. On his shield, upon a field argent, was portrayed +the red cross of Calatrava, which he also bore on his breast, and which +was surrounded with the following device--"_Por esta y por mi Rey._"[4] + +Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next fixed the attention of the spectators; his +armour was the same as the _Mantenedor_'s, excepting that the _ropa_[5] +which hung from his shoulder was crimson. On his ample buckler were +emblazoned the bars of the arms of Arragon, granted to his warlike +ancestors by the kings of that country; and likewise quartered thereon, +was a lion rampant, in field argent, a device which, tradition says, was +adopted by the famous Trojan, Hector, from whom the old French +chroniclers assert the Ponces de Leon to be descended. Beneath the arms +was legible in red letters the motto--"_Soy como mi nombre._"[6] + +The armour of the other knights was made to correspond with that of the +_Mantenedor_, the only distinguishing mark being the colour of the +_ropas_, and the different device which each bore upon his shield, +either as indicative of his feelings, or from the armorial bearings of +his family. The colour of the spirited chargers of these challengers was +snow white. Nothing could exceed the beauty of their proportions and the +splendour of their trappings. They beat the ground with short quick +tramp, and shook the white foam from their mouths, as they fretted at +the discipline by which their fiery ardour was restrained. They were +caparisoned with long housings of costly brocade, and ornamented with +gold or silver, according to the colour of the rider's dress, and their +manes and tails were decorated with knots of gay ribbons. + +The five challengers now advanced at a stately pace, till they arrived +before the queen, when, with a graceful and simultaneous motion, they +made their horses kneel down; and after saluting the courtly retinue +with their lances, they caracolled round the lists, as if to reconnoitre +their dominions. At last, after various martial evolutions, in which +they were accompanied by the animating strains of the music, they +proceeded to the middle of the lists--there they halted, and, throwing +down their gauntlets, retreated to the castle in the same order in which +they had advanced. The trumpets then sounded, and immediately there was +a rush of gallant knights, who pricked into the lists, all eager to take +up these tokens of defiance. So upon retiring, five of their number, who +had succeeded in securing the gage, came forward from the pavilion. The +champions wore fine Spanish shirts of mail, with a polished breast-plate +inlaid with gold, and their pliant barbs of raven black, seemed to have +been chosen to contrast with those of the challengers. The helmets of +the knights were almost hidden in a shadowing plumage of white and red +feathers. The chief of this gallant band declined giving his name, +though he was known to his four companions, who pledged themselves for +him. However, from the superior courage and address which the strange +knight afterwards displayed, it was generally believed that he could be +no other than the renowned Gonzalo de Cordova, who, from a pique in a +momentary fit of passion, had withdrawn from court, and lost the +friendship of the queen. The other four knights were easily +distinguished by their devices and colours. Amongst them, the most +conspicuous, appeared the young Don Pedro, son of Don Alonso de Aguilar. +He carried himself with a bearing far superior to his years, and +inspired a general interest, both on his own account and for that of his +illustrious sire. On his shield he bore a golden eagle, emblematical of +his name, flying towards heaven, and carrying in his claws a bleeding +Moor. Underneath was the motto-- + + "Le subire hasta el cielo, + Porque de mayor caida."[7] + +This shield belonged to Alonso de Aguilar himself, who was no less +pleased than surprised that his son should have chosen such a device for +the occasion. But every one applauded the young Don Pedro for that +unconquerable hatred towards the enemies of his country, which he had +inherited from his ancestors, and which engrossed their thoughts even in +pastimes and games. By the side of Don Pedro, rode Garcilaso de la Vega, +who was proud to bear the brazen shield which he had inherited from his +father, and upon which was displayed the bleeding head of a Moor, +hanging on a black charger's tail, and round which were the words--"_Ave +Maria_"--a device which the Garcilasos wore in commemoration of the +famous single combat which one of their house had sustained against the +fierce Moor Audala, who, with impious insolence, had interwoven the +sacred salutation to the virgin, in token of derision, in his horse's +tail. The two other champions were the Count de Urena and young +Sayavedra, both equally renowned in that age of chivalry, brave and +gallant knights. + +They now proceeded to the castle, and after the ceremony of striking +twice the gong which was placed beside it, and selecting their tents, +they again retreated. The five challengers next presented themselves, +and a desperate encounter was anticipated. Indeed ten more valiant +knights were scarcely to be found in all Spain, and their acknowledged +skill promised a display of more than usual interest for the beholders. + +At the signal given, they rushed impetuously forward, yet such was their +perfection in horsemanship, and so well trained and disciplined were +their chargers, that they all arrived at the middle of the lists at the +same time, meeting in a shock, the abrupt and fearful clash of which +seemed as if it had been the effect of a single but awful concussion. +The lances were splintered to the very hilts, but the knights resumed +their places amidst the loud applause of the multitude. Again they +darted with the velocity of the wind, and again they met with the same +precision, but not with the same success; for in this encounter the +challengers were considered the victors--the two chiefs alone having +sustained no injury--their lances broke as before, but they remained +firm and erect in their saddle. Not so with the rest--for young Don +Pedro was not able to withstand the superior force of Ponce de Leon's +more manly age. Garcilaso was unhorsed by Don Antonio de Leyva, and the +two others sustained great inconvenience from the Alcayde and Count +Cifuentes. + +The shouts of the spectators, and the flourish of instruments, +proclaimed the victory of the _Mantenedor_ and his supporters, who +retired to the castle with their good fortune, ready to meet the demands +of all other adventurers. The chief of the vanquished party who had so +handsomely maintained his ground against the Maestre, now signified his +intention of encountering that champion singly; but in this he was +opposed by the marshals of the games, who declared that after the demand +of his challenge had been acceded to, he could not, according to the +rules, encounter again the same knight on that day. The matter was +referred to the judges, who decided against the stranger chief, and he +was accordingly obliged to desist from his purpose. + +Great was the joy of the _Mantenedor_ and his associates, who, having +vanquished the most formidable knights, proudly imagined that all who +might now appear, would afford an easy victory. Indeed this opinion +seemed generally to prevail, as for some time no one shewed himself in +the lists to dispute their supremacy. + +Don Pedro, vexed at heart, now mounted a strong charger--rode up to the +castle, and challenged the _Mantenedor_ himself. Don Alonso de Aguilar +saw the noble daring of his son at once with pleasure and dismay; for +although he was overjoyed to perceive him possessed of such undaunted +courage, he yet trembled for the consequences of his temerity. + +The gong sounded twice--the Maestre appeared, and was struck at the +presumption of the young adventurer.--They took their places--the +trumpets gave the signal--forward the champions started, and at the +first meeting displayed such an equality that the whole place rung with +acclamations. Indeed this was the most important encounter, and every +one waited its issue in breathless expectation--the ladies in +particular, always interested where youth dares against manhood, waved +their kerchiefs and scarfs to animate the young knight, whose heart in +sooth needed no such stimulus. In the second encounter, however, he was +not equally fortunate; for the _Mantenedor_, jealous of his fame, now +risked against a youth, stood more on his guard, and summoned all his +might and skill to his assistance.--Don Pedro was unable to withstand +the shock; the lance flew unharmed from his grasp, and he was compelled +to leave the field honorably, but still in possession of the +challengers. + +The castle now sent forth a blast of clarions, in sign of triumph and +defiance, whilst at the pavilion, no knight evinced any desire of +renewing the engagement. In this state of suspense, some time elapsed, +and the heralds, according to form, proceeded to summon the knights +adventurers, but no one appeared--again ten minutes elapsed, and a +second summons was pronounced, but again it met with no answer. The +triumph of the _Mantenedor_ now seemed certain, and the heralds were +about to utter the third and last proclamation, when, lo! a knight was +seen riding at full speed towards the lists, and, after thundering at +the barrier for admittance, without further ceremony, was directing his +course to the castle, when his career was arrested by the marshals, as +no one could pretend to enter the lists against the challengers, without +previously delivering his name and titles, or at least presenting a +known friend to vouch for his being a true and loyal knight. + +The incognito knight was accordingly obliged to give way; but making a +sign to the herald not to proceed to the third summons, he rode up to +Don Pedro and, taking him aside, conferred with him in secret. Young +Aguilar immediately advanced with visible surprise and pleasure, and +pledged himself for his new companion. This circumstance, no less than +the general appearance of the champion in question, commanded universal +interest and attention. He was completely accoutred in a blue steel +armour, over which he wore a short mantle of black velvet, sumptuously +adorned with gold. On his burnished helmet he wore a profusion of white +and sable feathers, and on his lance streamed a pennon of the same +colours. His breast was covered with a ponderous shield, bearing no +device, but the solitary motto--"_Conocelle por sus fechos._"[8] The +incognito knight brought with him neither squire nor page, and there was +an air of mystery about his person that tended considerably to heighten +the interest which his sudden appearance had already excited. + +He now rushed impetuously towards the castle, when the charger seemed to +be under no command, and the knight was apparently in peril of being +dashed to pieces;--a simultaneous cry of terror burst from the +surrounding multitude, when the incognito knight on the point of being +hurled against the wall of the castle, and at the distance of scarcely +two feet, suddenly reined up, and both he and his charger appeared +rooted to the ground. A burst of admiration now superseded the terror +which his precipitous career had occasioned, and every one was lost in +conjectures relating to the incognito knight. The noble arrogance of the +motto--"_Conocelle por sus fechos_," made them better appreciate the +feat he had just performed. He advanced to the gong, and sounded a +redoubled and protracted peal, and flourishing his lance in the face of +the castle and tents, indicated his willingness to do battle with all. +This daring act excited a second burst of applause, and the astonished +challengers appeared at the castle in a mood of mixed perplexity and +indignant pride. The incognito knight, however, vaulted on his charger, +and then retreated to await the pleasure of the _Mantenedor_; who, +according to rank, was the first to engage. The flourish of trumpets +acted as a signal, and the champions rushed against each other at full +speed; the shock was tremendous--the lances were shivered, and the +powerful chargers staggered with the violent concussion. The champions +taking new lances, prepared for a second encounter, when the horse of +the _Mantenedor_, either from sudden fright or other cause, swerved in +the middle of its career, and its master, being obliged to deviate from +his intended aim, would have offered an easy victory to his antagonist. +The knight, however, generously refused to take advantage of this +accident, and, making a demi-volte, returned to await the _Mantenedor_'s +leisure. But the latter, overcome by the courteous behaviour of his +adversary, declined a second encounter, and retired to the castle. + +Don Manuel Ponce de Leon next advanced, happy in the opportunity which +chance offered him of gathering the laurels, which his principal had +forgone. This knight, in the opinion of many, was the most formidable of +the five challengers--the repeated single combats in which he had +engaged against the Moors, and other feats of arms, having won for him +very great reputation. He came therefore into the lists, as if conscious +of his powers, and fully confident of success. In the first shock, +there was a slight advantage on his part, having succeeded in striking +his lance so forcibly, and directly on the breast-plate of his +adversary, that the incognito knight was observed somewhat to stagger; +while Don Manuel remained immoveable as a rock--however, as no decided +advantage could be claimed, the two champions prepared to renew the +engagement. Again the swift-footed steeds fly over the lists, and again +the combatants meet with a terrific clash. It proved unfortunate for +Ponce de Leon, who was dealt such a severe blow, that had it not been +for the extreme goodness of his armour, the queen would have lost one of +her most gallant warriors. As it was, the saddle girths broke, and the +horse, unable to withstand the shock, staggered backward--tottered, and +rolled over, throwing his rider, with a tremendous fall, into the middle +of the lists. Ponce de Leon with difficulty arose, having received a +sore contusion, and was assisted back to the castle, from whence the +Alcayde de los Donceles soon issued forth, intent upon revenging the +disgrace of his companion. He offered, however, a faint resistance; for +the incognito knight, at every encounter, appeared to acquire new +strength. The opposition afforded by Count de Cifuentes was still +weaker; the unfortunate knight being fairly unhorsed in such a manner, +that he seemed for a moment to be carried on the point of his +antagonist's lance to the ground. The shouts of the spectators, and the +peal of instruments redoubled at every new proof of strength and skill +thus manifested, and the triumph of the incognito knight was hailed as +certain. He had now only to meet the youngest; and, to the opinion of +all, the least renowned of the challengers. Young Don Antonio de Leyva, +however, by the martial and undaunted manner in which he came forward, +showed that he was in no ways intimidated by the repeated and +extraordinary good fortune of the doughty champion. + +The trumpets sounded--the lances are couched--the horses started--the +silence is intense--when, with one fearful resounding clash, the +knights meet--the charm is broken, and all is converted into an uproar +of wonder and delight.--The champions, though so unequal in all +appearances, now proved to be fairly matched--both lances descended from +the air in splinters, and the tremendous shock which the combatants had +sustained, appeared to produce no other effect than to check their +steeds in their impetuous course. The knights soon recovered and +regained their stations.--Again the signal is heard--and again they +speed with the swiftness of the arrow--the lances break, and both the +horses recede with the violent shock.--Surprise and delight agitate the +bosom of the spectators.--Hope inspires the drooping spirits of the +_Mantenedor_ and those of the castle.--Disappointment and vexation rage +in the heart of the incognito knight. He made a movement of impatient +anger, as he grasped firmly the lance which was now presented to him, +and poised it as if to ascertain its consistency; then, making a circuit +with his steed, he appeared resolved to put a termination to the hopes +of his adversary in the present encounter.--With a desperate start he +rushed headlong against his opponent, who, aware of the furious attack +he was about to sustain, collected all his might to meet it with a +suitable resistance.--The incognito knight inclined himself more forward +on his horse, and turned his aim full at the breast of his antagonist, +while Don Antonio, who perceived his intention, resolved to direct his +lance towards his adversary's head, which, though a difficult +manoeuvre, would, if successful, insure the advantage.--The incognito +knight, however, broke the tendency of the blow by suddenly inclining +his head forward, while the anger that boiled within his bosom, so +powerfully seconded his efforts, that the gallant Don Antonio fell, +bearing, however, his adversary backwards on his seat, and carrying +away, on the point of his lance, the plumage that adorned his casque. + +The victory was now completed, and the whole place resounded with shouts +of admiration. The incognito knight having thus vanquished the +champions, for some time gallantly paraded the lists, making his +obedient and tutored steed perform several graceful evolutions. Then +suddenly advancing before the throne of the queen, he lowered the point +of his lance and made his charger to kneel. Passing onwards to Leonor de +Aguilar, he again made the graceful salute, whilst a shower of +many-colored ribbons, white and highly-scented gloves, flowers, and +other favors, fell profusely from fair hands--a due tribute to bravery +and skill. Having performed this mark of courtesy, without waiting to +receive the guerdon he had so well merited, he applied spurs to his +horse and was soon lost to the sight of the delighted and admiring +multitude. + +The incognito knight became the subject of general speculation--he had +overcome five champions to whom the court of Isabella could afford no +equals--only one man perhaps might be capable of such valorous +achievements, but he was now an exile whom the law pursued, and whose +appearance in the lists would be attended with danger. Still the +extraordinary prowess of the knight, and the circumstance of Don Pedro +coming forward to answer for him when he entered the lists, left no room +to doubt that he was that illustrious exile. Indeed the significant +smile which the queen directed to Alonso de Aguilar, when the champion +saluted his daughter, and the blush that mantled on the cheek of that +lady implied a perfect recognition of her lover. + +His absence from the lists gave the judges an opportunity of awarding +the principal prize to Don Antonio de Leyva, by whom, according to their +own, as well as the general opinion, it was more justly merited. The +different bands now struck up a martial air; the queen departed with her +numerous and splendid train, and every one retired from the lists, +perfectly satisfied with the sports of the day, to spend the remainder +of it in feasting and discussing the various merits of the knights who +had afforded them so much pleasure. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Poi la Vittoria da quel canto stia, + Che vorra la divina providenza: + Il cavalier non havra colpa alcuna, + Ma il tutto impulterassi a la fortuna. + + _Ariosto._ + + +The following morning shone equally bright as the preceding, and the +expectations of the public were equally sanguine. The same pomp and +ceremony presided in the court; the same precision and gallant +deportment was observable in the knights, the heralds, and all other +persons connected with the sports. + +As these, however, as far as concerned the tournament, were but a +repetition of the antecedent day, and more to be enjoyed by being an +active witness than a passive reader of them, we will not dwell on the +subject further than to observe, that those of the castle sustained the +challenge most gallantly. Although many were the fresh arrivals of +adventurers who fearlessly advanced to engage the _Mantenedor_ and his +comrades, none were sufficiently accomplished to bear away the palm. +Indeed, the incognito knight, the most redoubtable of all the +combatants, either from fear of discovery, or from some secret +injunction, had abstained from making a second appearance in the lists. + +The signal was now given, and the heralds proclaimed that the games of +valour and strength were ended, and those of skill about to commence. + +An interval of two hours was employed in clearing the lists, and +preparing the ground for the _juego de la sortija_,[9] which was +peculiarly gratifying to the queen. This intermediate time was devoted +by the assembled and motley crowd, to the rational, and provident +purpose of a substantial repast. + +A tall and slight pine tree, beautifully decorated with ribbons, was +placed in the ground, and a gold ring of proportion suitable to the +occasion, suspended on one of the projecting branches, under which the +candidates were to pass at full career. The queen herself resolved to +reward the victor with her own royal hand. Her portrait, superbly set in +sparkling jewellery, and hanging on a ponderous gold chain of curious +workmanship, was suspended by her side--a meet reward for the successful +competitor. The nature of the guerdon, the quality of the bestower, and +the circumstance that there was but one prize to be obtained, greatly +stimulated the emulation of every knight to deserve an honor the more +desirable from its admitting of no participation. + +_Chirimias_, _dulzainas_,[10] and other musical instruments which are +now grown obsolete, but which in those days were in high request, now +filled the air with harmony, while the attention of the gay and motley +concourse was arrested by the sudden arrival of heralds on horseback, +gorgeously apparelled, and preceded by black slaves playing on the +cymbals. These paraded the lists for a short time, and then retiring to +their posts, gave way to beautiful pages, mounted on elegant palfreys, +and attired in costly silken dresses of light blue, bedizened with +ribbons, and bearing a turban of crimson velvet with white feathers. +These pages carried before them the light and slender lances +appropriated for the games, and having deposited them near the queen, +they retired and took their stations opposite to the troop of heralds +and black musicians. + +The attention of the public was then simultaneously attracted to the +four corners of the lists, from whence four quadrilles of equestrians +proceeded, all vieing with each other in the richness of their dresses, +the splendor of ornaments, and the gaiety of their bearing. These +quadrilles were distinguished by the different colours which they wore, +and out of each were selected three champions to dispute the prize. At +the signal given, they started severally according to the order of +precedence, which had been obtained by casting lots, and in the first +course seven candidates passed their lances clearly through the ring, +carrying it along in their headlong career. + +The music sounded a flourish, and the seven competitors underwent +another trial, in which only two were successful--young Garcilaso, and +Antonio de Leyva. The contest was now to be divided by the two, and pink +and green were the colours that contended for the victory; accordingly +their quadrilles, as well as the spectators of both sexes who had +adopted those colours, awaited the result of the contest, with anxious +suspense. Garcilaso now made a graceful curvet, and spring at once with +the celerity of an arrow, in the middle of his precipitous career he +extended his lance with perfect ease and dexterity, and again carried +away the ring. Don Antonio next advanced; and having indulged for a +short space in several feats of horsemanship, he sped towards the +honored tree on which was suspended victory or defeat. His horsemanship +was so perfect that, excepting the feather on his head which streamed +before the wind, all appeared like the figure of a centaur, flying +meteor-like along the plain. His lance, however, missed the middle of +the ring, and touching one of its edges, such was the rapidity of Don +Antonio's motion that the ring sprung high in the air, when the +dexterous cavalier, to the admiration of the surrounding multitude, +turned short, and before the ring had time to fall, he caught it fairly +with his lance. This extraordinary feat excited universal applause, and +some even vociferated that Don Antonio was deservedly entitled to the +prize. However, as Garcilaso had likewise succeeded in carrying away the +ring, the candidates were obliged to refer to another trial, which was +decided in favor of young de Leyva, who was immediately escorted by the +triumphant party to receive the reward amidst the exhilarating strains +of the music, and the acclamation of the vast concourse. + +As soon as the victorious cavalcade arrived near the queen, Don Antonio +and the chief of the quadrille vaulted nimbly from their horses, when +the conqueror knelt at the feet of his gracious sovereign, who, with a +condescending smile, threw the portrait round his neck. + +"Wear this," she then said, "in commemoration of thy skill, and the +regard of Isabella. Remember that this gift is a gage of my royal word +to accord to the bearer any boon he may have to demand. Upon the +presentation of this token it shall be granted. My royal word is +passed." + +Don Antonio humbly kissed the hand of his queen, and mingling again with +his party, they paraded the place in ceremonial triumph, previous to +their departure. The feats of De Leyva, both in the tourney and the game +of the ring, had secured for him the admiration of all the spectators, +and more particularly amongst the fairer part. Many were the glances +bestowed upon him by sparkling eyes and many a gentle bosom beat high +with emotion as he inclined towards them his handsome figure in graceful +salutations.--Even the proud Leonor could not entirely conceal the +inward satisfaction she felt at the triumph of the young Don Antonio; +for, notwithstanding her efforts, she could but ill disguise a latent +feeling of interest and delight. Certainly it was not love; for, +according to general opinion, she had irretrievably fixed her affections +on another object. But yet she was in that state of mind which is more +easily felt than described; a state too glowing to be called mere +friendship--too cold to be denominated love; it was something between +both--a tender sentiment of regard towards one whom she was taught to +consider her inferior in point of rank and fortune. + +Leonor de Aguilar had inherited from her warlike father that pride and +loftiness of spirit which in some measure spurned the softer sensations +of the heart. She scarcely believed in the existence of unbounded, +unconquerable passion; her ideas were too much engrossed in the dazzling +visions of glory and fame to descend to a minute analysis of the various +gradations of tenderness, and the progressive workings of love.--She +seemed to sympathize more with the lofty feelings of her father, than +with those of her woman's heart. She had implicitly trusted to him the +care of her happiness, and upon his slightest intimation she had +consented to receive Gomez Arias as her future husband, and he had too +many brilliant qualities not to meet with her approbation. + +Gomez Arias possessed in an eminent degree great military talents, and +an unbounded desire of glory and renown,--qualities which, in the +opinion of Leonor, were paramount to every other consideration. +Accordingly, she loved him, as she thought, in a manner worthy of the +daughter of Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +In this state of mind she awaited the marriage, which had only been +retarded by the untoward accident which had unhappily brought the life +of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes into mortal jeopardy. + +Meantime the extraordinary valour and address which Gomez Arias had +displayed in the tournament (for Leonor felt conscious that the +incognito knight could be no other), tended considerably to increase her +admiration for him, and to enhance her desire of uniting her fortunes to +those of a man so well calculated to merit by his services the +approbation of his country. + +The games being over, various chiefs, such as the Alcayde de los +Donceles, Count Cifuentes, and others of equal merit, departed with the +forces under their command, to act against the rebels, now daily +increasing both in number and strength. + +Meantime Don Alonso de Aguilar, on whom devolved the most dangerous part +of the enterprize, that of penetrating into the heart of those terrible +mountains of the Alpujarras, felt scarcely satisfied with his detention +at Granada, as he considered every moment spent in inactivity as lost to +glory and renown. + +Great, therefore, was his satisfaction when he communicated to his +daughter the perfect recovery of Don Rodrigo de Cespedes. Nothing now +could prevent the immediate appearance of Gomez Arias at Granada, for +the celebration of the nuptials, or throw any impediment on Don Alonso's +departure against the rebel Moors. Intelligence, therefore, was sent to +Don Lope, who lay concealed at Guadix, that he might repair with the +utmost expedition to Granada,--an invitation which Aguilar entertained +no doubt would be most anxiously welcomed by that cavalier. Under this +impression Don Alonso now turned his thoughts solely to the object that +was ever in his mind, and engrossed his every sentiment. Two or three +days more and he would be marching against the enemies of his country, +and adding new laurels to the flourishing branches that already graced +his glorious name. + +Meantime his daughter Leonor evinced an equal anxiety for the return of +her lover, not so much for any selfish gratification of feeling as for +the more noble ambition of claiming the prerogative to call by the +endearing names of father and husband, the two first warriors of the +land. + +Thus impressed, both father and daughter awaited with impatience the +following day, which, beyond the possibility of doubt, was to bring +Gomez Arias to the city. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + _Sterling._ True, True; and since you only transfer from one + girl to another, it is no more than transferring so much stock, + you know. + + _Sir John._ The very thing. + + _Sterling._ Odso! I had quite forgot. We are reckoning + without our host here. + + _Clandestine Marriage._ + + +"What is to be the wonder now?" asked Gomez Arias, as he observed his +valet and confidant, Roque, approaching, with an unusual expression of +gravity upon his countenance, such indeed as was seldom discernible in +the features of the merry buffoon. + +"What is it you want?" + +"I wish to leave your service, Senor." + +"Leave my service! Surely, Roque, you are not tired of so indulgent a +master?" + +"Yes, Sir," answered Roque, "I am; and what is more, I have been so +these three years--may I speak out?" + +"Why," said Don Lope, "you never till now asked leave to be +impertinent--but let me hear your complaints." + +"In the first place you are not rich--a grievous fault." + +"How can I help that?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Senor, you could have helped it once; but that is passed. Then you +play----" + +"Here's the devil preaching morality," exclaimed his master, with a +laugh. "Oh! most conscientious Roque, what are thine objections to this +amusement?" + +"To the amusement in itself, none; I am only discontented with the +consequences. If you gain, you very composedly enjoy the whole fruits of +your success; if, on the contrary, you lose, I get more than a +reasonable share of your ill-humours, with which you most liberally +indulge me. Now, Don Lope, I should like fair play, if play you will; +to feel a little more the effect of the first, and not quite so much of +the second." + +"Thou art a pleasant sort of a fool, Roque," said Gomez Arias, as he +leisurely twirled round his curling jet-black mustachios, and with much +complacency eyed his fine figure in a mirror. + +"Thank you, Sir," replied the valet, with a low bow; "but be pleased to +consider, that the good opinion you entertain of my talents is +unfortunately no adequate compensation for the privations and numberless +perils which I undergo in your service. To continue, then, the list +of----" + +"My faults!" interrupted his master. + +"I only say of my complaints," returned the valet: "next to your being a +gamester, what I most deprecate is, your military profession, and the +fame which you have acquired by your bravery." + +"Good heavens!" cried Gomez Arias, "why thou art precisely complaining +of the qualities that most become a gentleman." + +"But I am no gentleman," pertinently observed Roque; "and I cannot +imagine why I should be exposed to the dangers attendant on heroes, +without likewise reaping their rewards." + +"I glory in being a soldier," exclaimed Don Lope, a sudden burst of +martial enthusiasm glowing on his manly countenance.--"Yes, I have laid +low many of the enemies of my country; and before I die I hope often to +try my good sword against those accursed and rebellious Moors of the +Alpujarras." + +"All that is very fine, certainly," said Roque; "but do you know, Senor, +that I do not consider the country so much indebted to you, as no doubt +you most complacently imagine." + +"What!" cried the cavalier, with looks of displeasure. + +"Pray be temperate, Don Lope; I do not mean to offend. You have +unquestionably done great services to Spain, by ridding her of many an +unbelieving Moor; but reflect, Sir, that your sword has not been less +fatal to Christian blood. In battle you hew down infidels to your +soul's content, and in the intervals of peace, to keep you in practice, +I suppose, you take no less care to send the bravest of her majesty's +warriors to the grave. Now put this in the balance, and let us consider +whether the country does not suffer more by your duels in peace, than +she actually gains by your courage in war. But now comes the most +terrible of all your peccadilloes--of all my complaints, I mean." + +"And which is that, pray?" + +"The invincible propensity you have for intrigue, and the no less +unfortunate attendant upon it--inconstancy." + +"Inconstancy!" exclaimed Gomez Arias. "How should it be otherwise? +Inconstancy is the very soul of love." + +"I will not attempt to argue that point with so great an adept; my +remonstrances are merely limited to the results, and I can truly aver +that my life in time of peace is, if possible, more miserable than in +war; for what with carrying love-letters, bribing servants, attending +serenades, watching the movements of venerable fathers, morose duennas, +and fierce-looking brothers, I cannot enjoy a moment's rest." + +"Why, 'tis true," said Don Lope, "my life is solely devoted to love and +war." + +"I rather think it a continual war," retorted the valet. "It may be much +to your taste, Sir, but I, that am neither of so amorous a temperament, +nor of so warlike a disposition, cannot enjoy the amusement so well. +Instead of passing the nights quietly in bed, as good Christians should +do, we employ them in parading the silent streets, putting in +requisition all the established signals of love, and singing amorous +songs to the tender cadences of the love-inspiring guitar. Even this I +might endure with Christian resignation, were it not for the +disagreeable results which generally terminate our laudable occupations. +It often happens that whilst you are dying with love, and I with fear +and apprehension, we meet with persons who unfortunately are not such +decided amateurs of music. Some surly ill-disposed brother, or +unsuccessful lover of the beauty, is invariably sure to come and +disturb our harmony; then discord begins--swords are drawn--women +scream--alguazils pounce upon us, and thus the sport goes on, till one +of the _galanes_[11] is dead or wounded, or till the alguazils are so +strong as to render a prudent retreat advisable. Then by some ill +fortune I am sure to be collared by the brother or the alguazils in +question, and without further ceremony, by way of remunerating merit and +encouraging a servant for faithfully serving his master, I am +entertained with sundry hearty cudgellings, liberally bestowed on my +miserable hide. When they have not left a single sound bone in my skin, +they kindly permit me to go, telling me, for consolation, to thank my +stars, and that another time I shall not escape so easily. With this +pleasing assurance, I creep home as well as I can, and then my humane +and grateful master, by way of sympathising with the misfortunes I +suffer on his account, fiercely demands--'Roque! where have you been +loitering, Sir?' Calls me a most negligent rascal, and other names +equally gratifying, and upon the recital of my tragical adventure, very +coolly, and as he thinks very justly, observes--'It serves you +right--'tis all your fault--why did you not watch better?'" + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "you have told me the same story over and +over again, and I do not see the necessity of your repeating it now." + +"I beg your pardon, Don Lope Gomez Arias," responded the valet, with +most ludicrous solemnity, "but I am firmly resolved to quit your service +in good earnest; for I perceive you are bent on getting into new +difficulties, and I feel no inclination to go in search of fresh +adventures. Lately you suddenly disappeared on some mysterious +expedition, and I am sure you have been to Granada, to be a candidate in +the tournament, notwithstanding the perilous nature of such an +undertaking; for had you been discovered!----" + +"Enough, Roque--that danger is past." + +"Very well, Sir; but there are a thousand others that are not. Will you +be pleased to reply to a few questions?" + +Gomez Arias, to spare any superfluous expenditure of words, nodded +assent. + +"How long is it since we left Granada?"--asked the valet. + +"Two months or so," replied his master. + +"We quitted that city," proceeded Roque, "in consequence of the mortal +wounds you inflicted on Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, your rival in the +affections of Leonor de Aguilar." + +"True." + +"We sought a refuge here in Guadix, to lie concealed until the storm +blow over." + +"Right." + +"And you are now creditably employed in gaining the affections of a +young and innocent girl, who knows no more of you than she does of his +holiness the pope." + +"Well?" + +"I don't suppose you intend to marry both these ladies?" + +"Certainly not." + +"Then it puzzles me to decide how you can reconcile these matters; and +as I foresee that mischief is likely to ensue, you must excuse me if I +prudently think of withdrawing before the evil is unavoidable. If +fortunately both or even one of your mistresses were a plebeian beauty, +I might be persuaded to hush my apprehensions, but as it is I cannot; +two ladies of rank are concerned." + +Thus far had Roque proceeded in his eloquent and moral remonstrance, +when Gomez Arias turned round, took up a cane that lay near him, and +walking very deliberately to his valet with the most perfect +composure--"Now, Roque," he said, "you must allow I have listened very +attentively to your prosing. I have had quite enough of your nonsense +for this morning, so I beg you to close your arguments, unless you +really wish that I should honor them with a most unanswerable reply." + +Here to illustrate his meaning, he very expressively shook the cane, and +Roque as prudently retreated; for he knew his master strictly adhered to +his word on occasions of this nature. + +"With respect to your quitting my service," continued Don Lope, "I have +no sort of objection, provided that when you part with me, you are +likewise disposed to part with your ears, for I have taken such a fancy +to you, my dear Roque, that I cannot possibly allow you to quit me, +without leaving me behind a token of remembrance. And now," he added in +a more serious tone, "withdraw immediately, and mind your business." + +Roque made an humble bow and retired. Gomez Arias in this instance, as +well as in many others, took advantage of that uncontrollable authority +which strong minds generally assume over their inferiors. The valet had +indeed resolved several times to leave his master, for it happened that +this same Roque had no particular relish for canings, and other favors +of the kind which were liberally administered to him, as a remuneration +for his master's achievements. Moreover, he had the nicest sense of +justice, and he could not but feel the shocking impropriety of accepting +a reward that was unquestionably due to his superiors. Indeed, it is but +fair to add, he never acquiesced in the obligation, until it was +actually forced upon him. + +Roque was moreover blessed with a conscience--that sort of prudential +conscience which must be considered as a most valuable acquisition. He +certainly was not so unreasonable as to expect a spirited nobleman to +lead the life of a sequestered monk, nor could he object to his master's +intrigues, but he nevertheless found it extremely objectionable that +these should not be kept within the bounds of common prudence. Now, +could Gomez Arias have limited his gallantries to the seduction of +farmers' daughters, or debauching trademen's wives, Roque would most +implicitly have approved of the practice, inasmuch as in this case, his +master would only be asserting a sort of hereditary right attached to +those of his class. But to be deceiving two ladies of distinction was +really too much for the delicate feelings of the conscientious menial. + +Again, Roque could not urge anything against the courage of his master; +he only objected to the effects of its superabundance; for this +superabundance, together with Don Lope's unusually amorous disposition, +were constantly in opposition with the nicety of Roque's conscience, by +reason of the difficulties they gave rise to, in the fulfilment of the +natural law of self-preservation. + +It is an averred fact that Roque never wilfully put himself in the way +of infringing so rational a precept, and most fortunately he was endowed +with a quality highly favorable to the observance thereof. A quality +which other individuals not blessed with the same scruples, would +denominate cowardice. + +This is not all: the valet was far from being of a romantic turn of +mind; he evinced no taste whatever for moonlit scenery, and nocturnal +adventure; and he was vulgar enough to prefer the gross advantages of a +sound slumber to all the sentimental beauties of the silvered moon and +its appendages. + +These considerations dwelt strongly on the mind of Roque, and he had +accordingly several times resolved to quit his master, but such was the +dominion which Gomez Arias held over him, that the valet's resolutions +fell to the ground, whenever he attempted to put them in practice. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Ma chi'l vede e non l'ama? + Ardito umano cor, nobil fierezza, + Sublime ingegno--Ah! perche tal ti fero + Natura e il cielo? + + _Alfieri._ + + The bloom of op'ning flowers, unsullied beauty, + Softness and sweetest innocence she wears, + And looks like nature in the world's first spring. + + _Rowe._ + + +Don Lope Gomez Arias was a man whose will had seldom been checked, and +he placed the most unbounded confidence in the magnitude of his +resources, physical and intellectual. Nature had indeed been lavished in +conferring on this individual her choicest favors. To the most undaunted +courage and quickness of resolve, he united the greatest powers of mind, +and brilliancy of talent, but he was unfortunately divested of those +genuine feelings of the heart, which alone can render these qualities +desirable. + +His courage, talents, and abilities, had rendered him an object of +dread, not only to the enemies of his country, but to the rivals of his +love or ambition. By the men he was generally disliked, feared or +envied. Unfortunately the softer sex entertained for him far different +sentiments.--Alas! they could not discover the void within his heart, +through the dazzling splendour of his outward form, and habitual +allurements of manner. Many had already been the victims of his seducing +arts; were they to blame?--perhaps they were only to be pitied. He +possessed every resource that professed libertines employ, to inveigle +the affections of the innocent maiden, or attract the admiration of the +more experienced woman. Besides his courage and resolution--qualities as +much more prized by females, as they seldom fall to their share, Gomez +Arias was engaging in his deportment and without any alloy of servility +in his address; indeed he seemed rather to command attention, than to +court it, and the general expression of his features was that of pride, +tempered with the polish of gentlemanly bearing. + +In his personal appearance he was remarkably handsome, being of tall and +majestic stature, to which his finely turned limbs were in strict +proportion. There was an intelligence in the piercing glance of his dark +eye, and a smile of mixed gaiety and satire sat habitually upon his lip. +To his other attractions he added a set of regular though somewhat large +features, which were shaded by a profusion of black glossy curls, and +the superb mustachios and _pera_[12] that clothed his upper lip and +chin. + +Such was the principal hero of this tale. Spite of all the resources of +his mind, Gomez Arias found himself at the present moment involved in +deep perplexity, and much at a loss how to extricate himself therefrom. +He had received a letter from Don Alonso de Aguilar, father of his +future bride, announcing the perfect recovery of his rival, Don Rodrigo, +and urging a speedy return to Granada. But, unluckily, Gomez Arias felt +in no hurry to return. Certainly, Granada was at the time particularly +interesting, and far preferable to Guadix. Again, the beauty of Leonor +was unrivalled at court--a great consideration to Don Lope. She was rich +and of the first rank--greater consideration still; and bearing in mind +the influence that her father, the celebrated Aguilar, enjoyed with the +queen, a marriage with his daughter would open the road to the highest +preferment, and yet our hero felt loath to return to Granada. The +blooming Theodora de Monteblanco was then the reigning idol of the +moment. She had fixed for a time his errant heart, and it was now that +Don Lope perceived the great inconveniency of the unity of man; and +certainly a lover of his description ought to be duplex for the +opportunity of satisfying both duty and inclination. + +In this state of irresolution Gomez Arias remained for some time. His +sacred engagement to Leonor, and the brilliant dreams of ambition that +sported before his fancy, could not all chase away the image of +Theodora; for in this lovely girl he found all the perfections of his +former mistresses, with an absolute exemption from their foibles. + +Theodora, at the tender age of seventeen, exhibited already the matured +charms of a form voluptuously beautiful, blended with the delightful +innocence of manner characteristic of that early stage of life, when the +heart is yet unacquainted with guile, and unpractised in the deceits of +the world. Her complexion was of a delicate white, without any other +colour than that which occasionally mantled upon her cheek when called +forth by the sensibility of her feelings, or diffused by the influence +of some passing emotion. So lovely and yet so pensive was her +countenance that but for the rapturous expression of her large dark +eyes, partially revealed through their long silken fringes, and the +profusion of sable ringlets which floated with unrestrained luxuriance +over her exquisitely turned neck and shoulders, you might have thought +that she had been a master-piece of some divine sculptor, who had +successfully imitated, in the purest alabaster, the fairest work of +nature. + +Theodora loved Gomez Arias with all the enthusiasm of a romantic girl's +first love. She felt the most ardent attachment, and could not,--would +not conceal it from the object of her adoration. She loved him with the +genuine simplicity of a heart incapable of deceit; and, unpractised in +the school of worldly prudence, unacquainted with the arts to which more +experienced women resort for the purpose of enhancing their own charms, +or fixing more firmly the affections of men, she had surrendered her +whole soul to her lover with the most confiding innocence, and an +implicit reliance on his unbounded return to her tenderness. + +This complete devotedness flattered the vanity of Gomez Arias. He beheld +an angelic girl who centered all her happiness in his love, and in the +ardour of her feelings was incapable of admitting the least alloy of +cold calculating precaution. He was charmed with a character cast in the +mould of nature, untutored yet by art, and, as amongst his former +mistresses he had never met with one so entirely devoted, he returned +her love with the warmest admiration. + +Gomez Arias was fondly indulging in these pleasing reveries, when his +man, Roque, suddenly burst upon him with a look full of information. + +"Well, Sirrah!" cried Don Lope, "what means this intrusion?--Do you +still stick to the wise determination of quitting my service? Are you +willing to comply with the conditions?" + +"No, Senor," answered Roque, with conscious importance; "I come loaded +with fresh proofs of my inclination to serve you." + +"Upon my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "thou art marvellously +complaisant, friend--thou hast seen the duenna, I suppose?" + +"Yes, Sir, and I have seen some one else, besides." + +"Let us hear first of the duenna." + +"We must go to night--her master is engaged with a guest from Granada. I +saw them leave the house myself." + +Gomez Arias lost no time in preparing for the interview; and as night +was now coming on, he girded on his sword, and, flinging his cloak +carelessly round him, sallied out accompanied by his valet, on his +nocturnal expedition. + +"Art thou sure, good Roque," he demanded, "that you really saw the old +gentleman leave his mansion?" + +"Quite sure, Don Lope--my eyes seldom deceive me; indeed I feel +perfectly satisfied with their capability. Never was there a more trusty +pair, in descrying afar off a father, or brother, or any other kind of +unwelcome intruder upon moonlight meetings. Argus, they say, had a +hundred eyes, and yet was found at fault, whereas I have only two +and----" + +"They are sometimes as watchful," interrupted Don Lope. + +"Seldom," replied Roque--"and when they unfortunately deceive me, I +sorely feel for the deception. I am a man of very tender feelings." + +"Argus," observed his master, "was punished for his negligence, and it +is meet thou shouldst experience the same treatment, under similar +circumstances." + +"Aye," quoth Roque, "he was changed into a peacock--I wonder into what +animal I shall be changed, since this sort of transformation is the +retribution attendant on negligent scouts--I think the character of a +jackal would suit me best, for I certainly lead the lion to his prey. +But now, Sir, leaving jesting aside, I have a little piece of serious +information for your ear. Do you know whom I saw in close converse with +Don Manuel de Monteblanco when he left his house?" + +"No, nor do I care." + +"Don't you, indeed?--Well, it is very fortunate, for it happened to be +no other than your rival, Don Rodrigo." + +"Now, Roque," cried his master jocosely, "here's a convincing proof of +the failure of thy boasted eye-sight." + +"Why I really thought so at first myself, and I made the sign of the +cross accordingly, but I soon perceived it was no delusion. Now it would +be pleasant, should this same Don Rodrigo come upon an expedition +similar to yours--it would seem as tho' the man was born on purpose to +thwart you." + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, with a smile--"and it would seem also that +I am born to chastise his insolence." + +To this, Roque made some foolish reply; for in his capacity of +_gracioso_,[13] he freely availed himself of the privilege allowed him +of giving utterance to every thing that came into his head, whether to +the purpose or not. + +They proceeded with hasty steps towards the mansion of +Monteblanco;--already they reach the spot, and the moon that sheds a +partial gleam over yonder _reja_,[14] developes to the sight the outline +of a female form. Gomez Arias approaches, and his penetrating glance +discerns through the darkness the figure of his Theodora--her face is +decked in placid smiles, and her frame evinces the soft flutterings of +an anxious heart. The bolt of the entrance gently creeks, and the harsh +sound thrills like the strain of heavenly music to the lover's throbbing +breast--the door opens at length, and a comely matron far stricken in +years welcomes the cavalier. Don Lope is not backward in his advances; a +smile of grateful recognition plays upon his lip. He then seizes the +good duenna's hand, and presses it in kind acknowledgment. + +The trusty Martha showed in her dress and manner, all the outward signs +of her state and condition. An imperturbable gravity sat upon those +harsh features which were never known to relax into a smile, and in +whose expression predominated a mixture of religious asperity and pride, +vainly disguised under the cloak of humility. However, Martha was far +from practising the rigid austerities her whole appearance seemed to +indicate. She only assumed this outward demeanor, in the same manner +that a dastard mimics courage, the better to conceal his cowardice. + +Martha was dressed in an ample habit of black woollen cloth, girded her +waist with the band of a monkish order, to which was suspended a rosary +of huge black counters. A cap of the whitest linen adorned her head, and +in all the rigour of female modesty, every part of her neck up to the +chin was carefully concealed by a kerchief of the same material. + +Gomez Arias rushes forwards, and the next moment finds him at the feet +of his mistress. Theodora is happy in the Elysium of love; a thousand +tender emotions swell that fond bosom, where an ardent flame burns under +the cover of pure snow.--As she gazes on Gomez Arias her melting eye is +lighted up with unusual fire, and her whole frame appears gently +agitated with a delicious tremor. The smile that quivers on her lip +feelingly responds to the ardent glance of her passionate admirer, and +the sudden rush of crimson that overspreads her lily cheek bespeaks the +thrilling transports of genuine love in the first stages of youthful +innocence and delight. Don Lope takes her soft yielding hand, and +tenderly presses it to his bosom, he gazes fervently on her countenance; +in sweet intoxication he inhales her youthful breath. Caressingly his +arm encircles her sylphic waist. She gently inclines her head towards +him, and both seemed overshadowed by the long beautiful tresses which +float in wild luxuriance. From Don Lope's flashing eye the innocent +Theodora drinks large draughts of sweet but deadly poison; a tear of +tenderness starts to overwhelm her eye and falls on the lover's hand; a +deep sigh escapes her bosom, and they meet in a fervent embrace. +Happy!--thrice happy moments!--dear to the genuine sensibility of +humanity, dearly cherished and oft alas! but too dearly purchased! Few +words the lovers spoke, for when the heart is replete with rapture, +there is an eloquence in silence far above the cold trammels of +language. Gomez Arias forgot the dream of future ambition in the reality +of present bliss. He was loved, loved passionately by one who was the +most perfect pattern of innocence and beauty; loved more than he thought +it was in the nature of woman to love. Hope assured its brightest +colours, and Don Lope anticipated all the transports of delight possible +for man to enjoy. He was supremely happy in expectation; for the +expectation of bliss is perhaps even more gratifying than the reality. +Thus the rose in its opening bloom, is sweeter than when its charms are +expanded to the sight, for the hour of maturity is but the signal of +decay. Alas! we eagerly follow the sparkling joy, snatch it with +enthusiasm, and it withers in the grasp! + +Time sped; yet the lovers still remained as if entranced in a +delightful reverie of love, in the mutual interchange of soft sighs and +eloquent glances, when suddenly the door burst open, and Roque rushed in +with visible emotion. The faithful Argus came to announce the near +approach of Monteblanco and his guest, Don Rodrigo. Gomez Arias, +however, could not believe the danger to be so imminent, making due +allowance for the valet's timorous disposition; but the good duenna, who +had been unpleasantly disturbed at her devotions, now came forward to +confirm the fearful intelligence. + +Though these unpleasant interruptions are far from being of novel +occurrence in the annals of love, and though Gomez Arias was +familiarized with their danger, yet when he looked on the duenna's +countenance, that faithful thermometer of intrigue, he could not but +perceive the impending storm to be more than usually alarming. Deeper +wrinkles furrowed her sallow visage; her eye was haggard, and the rosary +shook in her withered hand. + +"Holy Virgin! I am lost," exclaimed the affrighted dame. "Ah! Don Lope, +this comes of my tender-hearted, complying disposition; there's my +reputation sullied with a stain that not all the holy water in Spain +will be able to wash away!" + +"But, surely," observed Gomez Arias, "the danger is not so imminent as +to preclude my escape." + +"Escape!" quoth the duenna; "it is impossible; they are at this moment +on the stairs." + +"Villain!" cried Don Lope, turning fiercely to Roque, "is this the way +you do your duty?" + +Roque very prudently kept aloof from the contact of his master's hand; +and, as if anticipating an explosion, began to stammer forth his +excuses. Theodora's countenance was suddenly overspread with a deadly +paleness, and the timid girl wrung her hands in an attitude of despair. +Her critical situation, and the duenna's alarm, at first staggered Gomez +Arias, but with the start of resolution which immediate danger inspires, +he assumed a mastery over his emotion, and instantly bethought himself +of an expedient to ward off the threatened discovery. + +"If Don Rodrigo arrives with Monteblanco," said he, "we are safe; we +shall have nothing to fear." + +"Nothing to fear!" echoed Roque. "Methinks the danger is doubled when a +man has two enemies to encounter, instead of one." + +"Silence, fool!" cried his master. "Martha, be calm; affect not to know +me; make free use of the organ with which nature has so liberally +endowed you, and do not spare your reproaches and abuse. Theodora, keep +up your spirits. Roque, be silent, you rascal." + +The door opens--Monteblanco and Don Rodrigo enter, but are fixed to the +ground in mute amazement at the group that presents itself to their +view. The duenna had summoned the courage of despair, and was +overwhelming Gomez Arias with a torrent of abuse. Theodora had receded +from the light to hide her emotion from her father's sight, which +fortunately was so impaired with age, as not to afford any material +impediment to her concealment. Roque assumed an air of saucy assurance, +and his master appeared leaning against the wall with the most perfect +coolness and self-possession. Don Manuel and his guest stared at the +intruders for some time, before either attempted to speak, till at +length Don Rodrigo broke silence, with an ejaculation of surprise. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the astonished cavalier. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias!" re-echoed Monteblanco. "It is your rival, +then.--What is the meaning of this, Martha?" + +"Your honor may ask the gentleman himself," responded the duenna; "I +know nothing of him, but that he is the most daring and impertinent +man"--(Martha indulged in the privilege granted her by Don Lope); "the +most unceremonious, head-strong, self-sufficient cavalier I ever met +with--Virgen Santa!--What a disturbance he has raised in the house. Then +there's that most impudent rascal of a valet; he is the principal cause +of the commotion, and I humbly crave and hope your honor will give him +ample reason to repent his impudence." + +"Repent my impudence!" quoth Roque, "thou accursed _bruja_;[15] it would +be more meritorious to chop off thy slanderous tongue!" + +Here the duenna proceeded to pour forth a fresh volley of words, without +any positive explanation, as is generally the practice when people are +anxious to gain time, and collect their senses. + +"Peace, woman!" interrupted Gomez Arias, in the middle of her harangue; +"this disturbance, as you term it, is of your own doing; had you behaved +with more courtesy to a stranger, you might have saved the impropriety +my valet has been guilty of towards you; an impropriety for which he +shall most assuredly suffer in due time."--Here he cast a terrible look +on the astonished Roque, who perfectly well knew he was doomed to suffer +for his master's vagaries; and that the failure of his adventures must +recoil invariably on his unfortunate head. Yet he looked sorely puzzled +how to find out the nature of the impropriety he had committed against +the superannuated dame who dealt him such abundance of vilipendiary +epithets. + +All this time the good Don Manuel was patiently waiting for an +explanation, and the more the duenna explained the more perplexed he +found himself. + +Gomez Arias at last, after several fruitless endeavours to stop Martha's +tongue, availed himself of a momentary pause she made to take +breath.--"Don Manuel de Monteblanco," said he, "is undoubtedly anxious +to learn the object of my visit to his house." + +"Visit!" exclaimed the duenna. "Intrusion--a downright taking by +storm.--God bless me! a visit you call it--- a visit!" + +"Silence, Martha, silence; let the gentleman proceed," cried Don Manuel, +a little more composed, and feeling an inward dread at the matron's +explanatory talents. + +"Don Manuel," continued Gomez Arias, "I am exceedingly concerned for +the confusion created in the mansion of so honorable a cavalier; but +certainly I am not so greatly to blame as that good woman wishes to +imply." + +"Good woman, indeed!" ejaculated the duenna. "_Jesus me valga!_ that I +should live to be so called--_soy Cristiana vieja_[16]--and of as good a +family as needs be.--No Jewish puddle in my veins.--Good woman, +forsooth! My dear master, am I to be called a good woman?" + +Don Manuel looked very grave, not so much perhaps at the difficulty of +resolving the question, as at the probability of never obtaining a +knowledge of the business so long as the duenna had the free use of her +tongue; to quiet therefore her anger, the complaisant old cavalier +kindly soothed her apparently wounded feelings, by allowing that she by +no means deserved the appellation. + +Silence being thus restored, Gomez Arias continued: "The cause of my +apparent intrusion is simply this:--informed by my servant that Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes was in active search after me, and not wishing to +be backward in acknowledging the favor, I thought it incumbent on my +honor to facilitate a meeting with the utmost expedition. I repaired to +this house, from whence my servant had seen that gentleman issue, but +before the nature of my business could be disclosed, that rigid dame +assailed me with a tremendous storm of abuse, when my valet, in his zeal +to serve me, or rather indulging in a propensity to retaliate, retorted +the lady's freedom of tongue with rather too much acrimony." + +"Now," thought Roque, "it is really too bad to accuse me of acrimony +when I have not opened my lips." + +"I attempted an explanation," continued Gomez Arias, "in the hopes of +meeting with a more courteous reception, when this young lady made her +appearance (turning to Theodora). I was then about to acquaint her with +my intention, when fortunately the object of my search presents himself +in person, a circumstance which I hail with the more pleasure, as I am +assured that Don Rodrigo is particularly anxious we should renew an old +interchange of tokens of our mutual regard." + +"Senor Don Lope Gomez Arias," replied Don Rodrigo, sorely incensed at +the tone of levity in which he was addressed by his rival, "I likewise +congratulate myself in thus accidentally meeting with Don Lope sooner +than I was led to expect, and though the mock courtesy of his style +plainly indicates the reliance he places on the constant good fortune +that protects him, yet he shall find me more solicitous than ever for +the immediate interchange of the tokens to which he so facetiously +alludes." + +"Senor Don Rodrigo de Cespedes," returned Gomez Arias, "I cannot but +greatly admire that laudable ambition which stimulates you to deeds of +noble daring, and an unworthy individual like myself cannot feel +sufficiently grateful for the honor you wish to confer upon him." + +These words and the sarcastic sneer that accompanied them, exasperated +Don Rodrigo to such a degree, that turning to his rival, he pointed to +the door, and without further reply intimated to him to follow. Gomez +Arias was about to comply, when Monteblanco interposing, exclaimed, + +"Forbear, _caballeros_, forbear; this is my house, and though I am far +from desiring to withhold any gentlemen from the calls of honor, yet let +it not be said that my mansion was made a scene of violence and +bloodshed." + +"_Valgame Dios!_" cried Roque, "Don Manuel speaks like an oracle. Nor do +I think myself, this hour of night the most fit to decide such important +matters. Broad day-light is certainly preferable to the glimmer of the +moon and stars, for business like this." + +Theodora was ready to sink with emotion and fear, but the very imminence +of the danger inspired her with a sort of desperate tranquillity. She +knew that her interposition would only increase the perplexities of her +situation, without preventing the accomplishment of their design. +Besides, she placed much confidence in her lover's courage and superior +skill in the management of arms, and ultimately she possessed that +nobleness of mind that shrinks from the imputation of cowardice in the +object of its admiration. + +Monteblanco's remonstrances were vain. Don Rodrigo rushed to the door +with desperate haste, and Gomez Arias followed with the coolness of one +to whom such scenes were familiar. + +"Follow me," cried Don Rodrigo, as he bounded down the stairs with +fearful alacrity. + +"Stay, Don Rodrigo," said Gomez Arias, sarcastically, "not such +precipitation, or you may perchance fall before your time." + +This provoking sarcasm entirely overthrew the little remaining temper +which Don Rodrigo possessed. His eyes flashed fire, his whole frame +shook, and unable to restrain himself any longer, he furiously drew his +sword, and fixed on the _Zaguan_[17] for the field of action. + +"Defend yourself, Don Lope," exclaimed he, with frenzied rage. + +"Look to yourself, fair Sir," returned Don Lope, as, unsheathing his +rapier, he calmly placed himself in a posture of defence. + +With impetuous fury Don Rodrigo darted on his antagonist, and commenced +an assault with all the courage and address of a practised swordsman. +Thrust succeeded thrust with mortal rapidity, but the active eye of +Gomez Arias foiled their deadly aim with consummate skill and dexterity. +A demoniac spirit seemed to agitate Don Rodrigo, and he continued for +some minutes wasting his strength in the fruitless attack, and impairing +his own means of resistance. The combat was too fierce to be of long +duration, and a few moments would have brought it to a mortal issue (for +Don Lope was now in his turn about to press hard his weakened +adversary), had not Roque, in that tenderness of conscience for which he +was so noted, very adroitly extinguished the light that hung in the +_Zaguan_, as the most effectual way of suspending hostilities. + +The place was thus plunged in utter darkness, and Don Rodrigo, afraid of +being disappointed in his revenge, called out to Gomez Arias. + +"I am here," replied Don Lope; "I am here, Don Rodrigo; the light is +superfluous; we shall do perfectly well without it, for a mutual +sympathy will lead our weapons aright." + +The swords again met, and short, quick sparks of light, like the +fugitive flash of a summer's exhalation, gave a momentary glimpse of the +combatants' fearful countenances--then a dismal groan is heard, a body +falls heavily on the ground, and a shriek of horror burst from the +household, who had crowded round the entrance of the _Zaguan_. + +"He is dead," muttered Don Rodrigo to himself, and sought for safety +with the swiftness of lightning. + +"Bring torches," cried Monteblanco; "let us afford the fallen +_caballero_ all the assistance in our power." + +The state of Theodora baffles all description. Ignorant as yet who was +the victim, her soul was harrowed up with the most fearful +apprehensions, the reality of which would dash the cup of happiness from +her lips, and embitter her future existence. This petrifying, this +heart-rending suspense was happily but of short continuance. Theodora +herself, with breathless anxiety, was the first to bring a torch, that +might perhaps illume the pale ghastly features of him on whom she had +centered all her felicity. The moment was awful, when the torch throwing +a broad glare around the _Zaguan_, discovered Gomez Arias, tranquil and +erect, in all the assurance of perfect safety. A faint scream escaped +from the bosom of his mistress, for all the feelings which horrifying +suspense had held imprisoned there, now sought relief in a tumult of +sighs and tears. Her emotion, however, was scarcely noticed by her +father, too much occupied at the time in ascertaining which was the +fallen cavalier. + +"Don Rodrigo is then the victim," sorrowfully exclaimed the old +cavalier, casting his eyes around; for at this moment he spied a human +body, lying in a dark corner of the _Zaguan_. + +"It moves--it moves!" cried Martha, crossing herself. + +"Then he is yet alive," returned Don Manuel; "let us hasten to succour +the unfortunate young man; look to his wounds!" + +"Aye," responded the duenna; "let us rather attend to his soul, and +behave like true charitable Christians; run, Cacho, run, and call Fray +Bernardo, or Fray Benito--no matter whom--any friar will do at such a +moment." + +Monteblanco and all his attendants hurried to the spot in their +eagerness to render assistance to the fallen Don Rodrigo, when, lo! the +body with a sudden spring bounds on its legs, and to the astonished eyes +of every one discovers the person of Roque. + +"What's this? Where is Don Rodrigo?" interrogated Monteblanco. + +"Why," answered Roque, very unconcernedly; "some fifty leagues from +hence, I should imagine, by his hurry to get away." + +"Then he is not dead?" + +"Not that I know of." + +"Whence came that groan?" + +"_De este humilde pecador._"[18] + +"_Jesus Maria_," ejaculated the duenna; "how dare this _judio_[19] throw +a noble family into consternation?" + +"Now, Senora duenna," quoth the valet, "I rather think I have been +instrumental in preventing the noble family from being thrown into that +consternation." + +"Roque," interposed here Gomez Arias, "thou art not wounded I perceive." + +"No, thank God!" replied Roque. + +"Then thou art a rascal." + +"A rascal because I am not wounded! Good Heaven! here's a consequence +with a vengeance!" + +"This is an impudent interference," continued Don Lope, "and dearly +shalt thou rue it." + +"An impudent interference do you call it? A marvellous good one, in +sooth, for I have saved the fruitless effusion of noble Christian blood, +and I have separated two enraged combatants better than a whole posse of +alguazils: and now, all the reward I am likely to obtain for such an +important service, is threats and abuse. Here is my dear master sorely +exasperated, because I have a greater regard for his safety than he has +himself, and quite disappointed at not being run through the body by +that sanguinary Don Rodrigo." + +"Basta, basta," said angrily Don Lope;--then in a gentler tone he +continued, "I am really concerned for Don Rodrigo,--full of anxiety for +my supposed death, I venture to say he is now flying from the abode of +man, to seek a shelter in the wilderness of the Alpujarras. + +"It is very Christian-like in you, Senor," interposed Roque, "to show so +much solicitude for the fate of Don Rodrigo. Well, the ways of honorable +gentlemen are to me unaccountable. Here was my honorable master, but a +short while since, eagerly seeking the life of Don Rodrigo at the point +of his rapier, and now he is equally anxious that his adversary should +not be exposed to the inconvenience of a nocturnal ramble into the +mountains of Alpujarras." + +Monteblanco could not but inwardly congratulate himself upon the +fortunate termination of an adventure which threatened such serious +results; for he by no means liked the idea of having a corpse in his +house, with all the unpleasant appendages necessarily attendant on such +an inmate. He certainly felt concerned for the safety and comfort of Don +Rodrigo, but he very judiciously opined it was better his dear friend +should suffer the inconvenience of passing a night in the mountains, +than that he himself should be exposed to the unpleasant consequences +which would inevitably attend a fatal result to either party, especially +had the event occurred in his own _Zaguan_; for he would be thus +compelled to take a part in the drama, with which he would very +willingly dispense--that of explaining the catastrophe to the officers +of justice. This consideration induced him to approve in his own mind +the stratagem of Roque, although he would by no means audibly testify +his approbation, thinking very properly that the conduct of inferiors +and dependants should never be lauded, even when they are most +successful in their services. + +Acting upon this charitable principle, he would on no account interfere +to prevent the taunts and abuse with which the luckless valet was +assailed on all sides. Thus poor Roque had a fresh opportunity of +discovering the little a man is likely to gain by following the impulse +of a good heart, and the very extraordinary way men have of +acknowledging a service, even when they are internally well pleased +therewith. + +"Begone, thou graceless dog!" exclaimed Don Manuel. "Thy impertinence +justly deserves most exemplary punishment from thy master." + +Saying this, he took his daughter by the hand, made a slight bow to +Gomez Arias, and was about to retire, when Don Lope stept forward as +though he wished to detain him. + +"Stay, Don Manuel," said he; "I cannot leave your house, without again +expressing my regret for the disturbance I have caused. I sincerely +offer you my apologies as an honorable cavalier, and as such I am +confident Don Manuel de Monteblanco will accept them. Moreover, I shall +make all the atonement in my power; and as it is obvious that my servant +is the primary cause of all the mischief, you may rest assured, Sir, the +culprit shall not escape without condign and adequate punishment." + +Don Manuel expressed himself perfectly satisfied with the apology of +Gomez Arias, and most graciously accepted the atonement proposed; then +making another bow, not quite so slight as the former, left the _Zaguan_ +accompanied by his beautiful daughter, who had already caught the +eloquent parting look of her lover, and treasured in her bosom all the +tender sentiments it conveyed. + +Meantime, Don Lope, well contented with himself, haughtily called to +poor Roque--the faithful valet was in a moment ready to lead the way. +His master then very composedly returned to his apartments to muse over +the adventures of the evening, and form plans for the successful +accomplishment of his ulterior projects. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Pariome a drede mi Madre + Oxala no me pariera!-- + + _Quevedo._ + + No ill luck stirring, but what lights on my shoulders. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +"_Better be born fortunate than rich_," says an old proverb, and the +correctness of this saying was fully exemplified in the life of Don +Rodrigo de Cespedes. Indeed, his whole existence had been a series of +mischances and unfortunate results; and he appeared especially reserved +as a proper subject on whom the fickle goddess might exercise her +caprice at leisure. + +Why Don Rodrigo should belong to this class, is more than can well be +resolved, for he was possessed of all those qualifications which are +calculated to render a man brilliant in society, and amiable in private +life. He enjoyed the advantages of birth and wealth; handsome in his +person, and elegant in his address. A brave soldier in war, and a +courteous cavalier in peace, it appeared natural that his fortune should +be prosperous, and yet all those endowments availed him not. On the +contrary, they only served to render the ill success of his undertakings +the more remarkable. + +These anomalies cannot be accounted for on any rational principle; but +may perhaps be attributed to the absence of that requisite +qualification, which sometimes serves a man in lieu of birth or fortune, +and not unfrequently goes further than both these advantages;--it is +that most enviable requisite, known under the appropriate, though +somewhat vulgar, denomination of good-luck. + +Don Rodrigo had paid his addresses to three different ladies, with the +moral and highly creditable intention of entering the holy state of +matrimony. Perhaps in strict justice it must be confessed, this idea +crossed his mind after having completely failed in his attempts to +signalize himself as _un homme a bonnes fortunes_, a sort of ambition +which, if not praise-worthy in itself, is nevertheless, when +successfully pursued, conducive to the eclat of a man of rank, as well +as gratifying to his vanity. Indeed it may be rather suspected, without +any great affectation of discernment, that the unlucky Don Rodrigo +bethought himself of marriage as a last resource, when ultimately +convinced of his inability to succeed in his career of gallantry. But +even in this instance, that unrelenting fatality which constantly +followed him, could not be persuaded to spare him even in consideration +of hymen. + +Don Rodrigo had first for a rival a man whose stature was rather under +than over four feet, whose features were of the most forbidding kind; +his person distorted, and his fortune by no means superior to that of +the Don; yet with all these disadvantages, this little monster, to the +astonishment of every one, carried off the fair prize. + +He next placed his affections on a lady of more humble pretensions, his +inferior both in birth and fortune, and by no means remarkable for +beauty. Don Rodrigo fondly imagined that his rank and affluence would +insure him success; nor did he overlook the advantages nature had given +him in a pair of fine eyes, an aquiline nose, well proportioned limbs, a +carriage that shewed off these qualifications to advantage, and a degree +of personal courage that even his rivals and enemies respected; but his +Angelica must have been an admirer of the opposite qualities, as she +chose for her husband an obscure plebeian, whom the very sight of a +Toledo steel threw into an ague. Disgusted with the bad taste and +vulgarity of those he had already courted, he boldly resolved to prefer +his suit to the very first lady in the land. He accordingly laid siege +to the heart of Leonor, but here his pretensions met with as decided a +repulse as before, and though his vanity could not have been wounded by +having Gomez Arias for his fortunate rival, yet, soured by his repeated +crosses, he determined, if he could not by gentle means succeed in his +object, to kill his rival or fall in the attempt: his success in this +last exploit the reader will perhaps remember. + +Nor was the ill-luck of Don Rodrigo confined to his amours; it extended +to all his affairs. If he engaged in a duel, a wound was generally the +result; or if he escaped unhurt, though he might have been the injured +party, yet by some fatality he was sure to be accounted the aggressor. +If he happened to say a good thing, it was invariably attributed to +another person, while, if a piece of scurrility or a foolish remark +circulated, he never failed to have the whole merit to himself. + +We need not, however, go further for instances to exemplify the ill-luck +that constantly attended Don Rodrigo. We see him at present a prey to +his evil genius. He left the _Zaguan_ of Monteblanco's dwelling with the +utmost precipitation. Impressed with the idea that he had killed his +rival; and, fully sensible of the necessity of speedy flight, he +hurried to the inn for his horse and valet, anxious to put in practice +his prudential resolution, before any impediment could be thrown in his +way. On his arrival he asked for his man Peregil; but Peregil, as if on +purpose to perplex him, was gone to evening prayers, which Don Rodrigo +very naturally interpreted, to the tavern. So he sent a boy there, with +instructions where he was to meet him out of the town. He then hastened +to the stable, but found, to his unspeakable mortification, that +Peregil, in his abundant care, had taken the key. Time being precious, +Don Rodrigo, afraid of causing a disturbance, was fain to avail himself +of the benefit of an ill-favoured looking mule that stood ready saddled +in an outhouse. He doubted not that Peregil would bring his horse after +him, and render compensation for the mule, which indeed, from the +miserable appearance of the beast, would be no difficult matter. + +Accordingly, after making his way to the place appointed, he waited two +whole hours in a state of extreme anxiety and suspense, alarmed at +every noise lest it should be a pursuit, and only consoling himself with +the idea, that when his horse should arrive he could soon place himself +out of the reach of danger. + +At length he descried his valet advancing at a most leisurely pace, not +mounted on his own strong horse, and leading a beautiful Arabian, but +bestriding a miserable jackass, which required constant application of +the whip. Of this Peregil was by no means sparing, to induce him to move +at even the slowest pace a jackass is capable of travelling. + +"Peregil, thou imp of Satan, where is my horse?" impatiently demanded +Don Rodrigo. + +"At the inn," sullenly answered the valet. + +"At the inn, thou rascal! why didst thou not bring it, knowing, as you +ought, that my life is in jeopardy?" + +"For a very good reason," replied Peregil, "because they would not let +me. You need only blame yourself, Senor, for since your honor scruples +not to make free with the reverend friar's mule, you ought not to be +surprised if his reverence takes the same liberty with your horse." + +"By _Santiago de Compostela_,[20] this is past bearing," cried Don +Rodrigo. "How can the rogue of a friar conscientiously take my beautiful +Arabian for this worthless mule? What! has the man of God no +conscience?" + +"I did not inquire that, Senor, but I rather think he is not +overburthened by the manner he has dealt with me.--Oh! if I could catch +his reverence by himself, I would so belabour his shaven skull, as not +to leave it in want of razors for the future." + +"Well, but how comest thou by that contemptible jackass?" demanded Don +Rodrigo, angrily. + +"Gently, Senor, gently; since the master shows such a predilection for +mules, it is not to be wondered if the valet evinces a similar taste for +jackasses." + +"Villain! darest thou jest at this time and on such a subject?" + +"Aye, 'tis no laughing matter, sure enough," quoth Peregil; "and in +sooth I cannot perceive why I should be facetious on the occasion, for +after all I am the greater loser of the two. Look for a moment at this +vile beast! May the lightning of heaven and the curses of all the saints +fall on him and his former master too;" and so saying he again +belaboured the sides of the unfortunate jackass, regretting that its +former master was not near enough to benefit by the energetic blows he +so liberally dealt out. + +"A truce, fellow, with thy profane foolery," said Don Rodrigo; "it is +not seemly when the life of thy master is at stake. Prepare to give me a +full and circumstantial account of this iniquitous business, or by my +sword thou shalt severely rue the day thy master first bestrode a mule." + +"Alack a-day," submissively rejoined the valet.--"You must know, Don +Rodrigo, that the mule is the cause of all this. When I returned from +church I was startled to see the inn thrown into the greatest +confusion. The reverend fat friar was running round the place bellowing +like a bull, calling for his noble mule, and vowing vengeance on the +profane thief, which unseemly appellation he was pleased to bestow upon +your honor." + +"The friar must have been drunk," said Don Rodrigo, sneeringly; "why! +did he not perceive that I had left my steed in the stable, which I +think was sufficient security, till you could pay him the value of his +beggarly mule!" + +"Sure enough he did perceive it, but when I proposed to pay him for his +loss, he demanded such an exorbitant price that it was out of my power +to comply therewith. In his opinion, the steed was no adequate +compensation for his mule; so to make matters even, and adjust the +affair amicably, he proposed that I should give up my horse into the +bargain, and then take this abominable ass as a present." + +Peregil accompanied the epithet with another donation of his wonted +favors. + +"Thou miserable sinner," said Don Rodrigo, "how couldst thou consent to +this nefarious arrangement?" + +"Because I could not help it. Think you, Senor mio, I would have agreed +to such an extortion had it been in my power to avoid it? But your +precipitate flight gave me to understand that you had killed your +adversary. Any delay in the town might have been attended with danger, +backed as his reverence was by all the rabble of the inn." + +Don Rodrigo was sensible of the force of this argument, and after +bestowing sundry anathemas on the cheating friar and the inn, in which +he was zealously joined by Peregil, he said in a melancholy tone, "Well, +as there is no remedy, we must put up with this misfortune as well as we +can." + +"So we must, Senor," replied Peregil; "and at least there is some +consolation in the reflection that we are already on such familiar terms +with dame Fortune, that this new instance of her good-will ought by no +means to take us by surprise.--But may I ask whither we are going?" + +"To seek refuge in the mountains," gloomily answered Don Rodrigo. + +"Well, may the help of God be with us!" ejaculated Peregil, "for we +stand marvellously in need of it." + +Saying this, they bent their course to the Alpujarras, as melancholy and +slowly as suited the condition and convenience of the animals that bore +them. Indeed, from time to time, the reverend mule actually stood still, +as if pondering what he should do, and it required all Don Rodrigo's +caresses (for he dared employ no other means) to induce her to proceed. + +Thus the distressed master and his humble valet continued their march, +for the space of three hours, in a most gloomy night. Observing at +length that his servant made a dead stop, Don Rodrigo determined to +assist him, and accordingly indicated his intention to the mule; but to +his utter dismay he found that she had profited by the good example set +by her companion the ass, and stood stone still. This obstinacy of their +animals proved more than equal to the powers of Don Rodrigo and his +man, who, after exhausting their strength in fruitless chastisement, +prudently resolved to wait the leisure of their more determined +companions. They took shelter, therefore, under the spreading branches +of a large tree, and there they remained in anxious expectation of +day-break, passing the tedious hours in silent and profound reflections +on their miserable condition. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + O gran contrasto in giovenil pensiero, + Desir di laude ed impeto d'Amore; + Ne chi piu vaglia ancor si trova il vero, + Che resta or questo, or quello superiore. + + _Ariosto._ + + At first a vague suspicion, a blind dread, + Then a quick feeling of the fatal truth + Instinctive flashed across her mind. + + _Wiffin's Tasso._ + + +The first rosy tints of morning at length began to appear, and the heavy +clouds of night were gradually rolling away before the splendour of the +approaching sun, when Don Manuel de Monteblanco, who was already on the +alert, received information that a party of horsemen were rapidly +approaching the mansion. The old cavalier hastened to a spot whence he +could descry his visitors, and form a judgment of their quality. The +party consisted of an armed knight, and about half a dozen men-at-arms, +bounding over the elastic turf, with the greatest buoyancy of spirits. +Don Manuel, who stood watching their advance, was soon able to +recognize, in the martial figure and gallant carriage of the knight, his +young friend and kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva, of whose arrival he had +been in daily expectation. The youthful warrior was clad in a suit of +polished steel armour, inlaid with silver; a quantity of massy and +waving red plumage almost overshaded his shining helmet, and threw a +crimson flush over his manly countenance, in which an expression of +resolute courage was blended with an air of gaiety and frankness. The +colour of his cheek was heightened by exercise, and the brilliancy of +his dark blue eyes expressed an unusual degree of animation, whilst his +blooming age and the gracefulness of his carriage tended to increase the +interest of his commanding appearance. He was mounted on a fiery and +slender barb, decorated with the most costly trappings, which appeared +to participate in the buoyancy of the rider; for he champed the bit and +shook off the white foam, requiring all the dexterity of his master to +restrain the impetuosity of his nature. + +The small party which accompanied the youthful warrior were arrayed in +the military costume of the period. They served Don Antonio as an +escort, and belonged to the body of which he was the leader. Upon their +arrival the massy doors of the mansion were thrown open, and the +venerable Monteblanco stood at the entrance ready to receive his noble +visitor. The next moment Don Antonio, springing from his steed, threw +himself into the arms that hospitably invited him to their embrace. + +"Welcome, Don Antonio, thrice welcome to the abode of your old friend +and kinsman." + +"Save you, noble Don Manuel; it rejoices me to see that the hand of time +has made so little impression upon you; your spirits are still young and +ardent. How does the fair Theodora?" + +"Blooming as the rose of summer, fair as the lily of the valley, and +blithesome as the free tenant of the air," replied the fond father; "but +come in," he continued, with joyful accents; "come and refresh yourself. +Pedro," he then added, turning to his major-domo, a long, thin, grave +looking personage, "mind that these cavaliers," pointing to Don +Antonio's attendants, "are well entertained." + +Then taking his relative by the hand, he led him into the mansion. + +"Theodora," he then resumed, "is as yet at her morning orisons, in the +company of good Martha, but on an occasion like the present, there would +be no great sin in shortening her devotions." + +"By no means," replied Don Antonio, smiling; "it is not my maxim to +disturb fair ladies when so laudably occupied." + +"Well, my young friend, as you please; but, good heavens!" continued he, +surveying his guest from head to foot, with much complacency, "how you +are altered! It is a goodly and consoling sight to see the improvement +a few years bestow on a young man. You have distinguished yourself at +the games," said Don Manuel; "this is a source of unspeakable joy to me, +the more so, as it appears that the queen has been pleased to reward +your merit. I have heard that you are entrusted with the command of a +party of those gallant men, that are destined to chastise the rebellious +Moors of the Alpujarras." + +"In truth," modestly answered Don Antonio, "our great queen has +condescended to honor me far above my deserts; but I trust that my +future conduct will make me worthy of the confidence she has reposed in +me." + +"I suppose, then," said Don Manuel, "that your stay at Guadix will be +but short?" + +"Very short; as I am only allowed to wait the arrival of my party, and +must then set off immediately to join the army under the command of the +noble Aguilar." + +"Then, my dear kinsman," observed Monteblanco, smiling, "the object of +your visit must be accomplished without further delay." + +"I shall never complain of too much expedition when the happiness of my +life is so intimately concerned." + +At this moment the door of the saloon was thrown open, and Theodora was +ceremoniously ushered in by the stately duenna, who, after making a +stiff and formal courtsey, sunk back, and kept a respectful distance. + +"Dear child," said Don Manuel, "here is your kinsman, Don Antonio de +Leyva, with whom you are already acquainted. He appears in our house as +best becomes a gallant knight; his brow adorned with the wreath of +triumph for the skill and prowess he has displayed in the games, a sure +omen of his future glory in the field." + +Theodora offered her hand to the salutation of her kinsman, with an +attempt at cordiality; but it was evidently an effort to hide the real +coldness she felt; for an involuntary tremor crept gradually over her, +and her countenance betrayed strong symptoms of emotion, as she began +to suspect the object of Don Antonio's visit. Indeed, the tone of ease +and affection, in which her father and young de Leyva conversed, tended +to confirm those suspicions, the truth of which she so much dreaded to +learn. + +As soon as Don Antonio withdrew, Monteblanco requested to speak with his +daughter in his apartment. The trembling girl obeyed with a faltering +step, looking like a criminal about to receive the sentence that is to +seal her fate. The duenna remained somewhat surprised at this mysterious +transaction, in which her family counsel and approbation had been so +unceremoniously dispensed with. Her pride was mortified; in high +dudgeon, she crossed herself with fervour; and then departed, muttering +something between a prayer and a malediction. + +A short time after, the conference broke up, and Theodora came forth, +her eyes swimming in tears, and evincing the most lively emotion. She +hied to her own chamber, and fastening the door, she gave a free vent to +her grief. + +"Alas!" she exclaimed, "the dreadful suspicion is confirmed, and the +resolute manner in which my father has enforced his commands, affords me +no room to hope for any alteration--any delay. Not a month--not even a +week is allowed me to prepare--the measure of my misfortune is +full--Lost! lost!--Oh! Lope! Lope!----" + +She could proceed no further; the tumult of sorrow impeded her +utterance, and she gave loose to her feelings in sighs and tears. + +Presently, however, a comforter came to proffer advice and +assistance--in the shape of the duenna. As we have already seen, she was +ruffled by Don Manuel's want of confidence, and proper regard for her +judgment; and she had resolved to tender her assistance to another +quarter. It is to be observed the duenna was of a most obliging +disposition. She bestowed her good advice most liberally, and she had an +inexhaustible fund of pious exclamations and admonitions at the service +of her friends. She could not forego the idea of being serviceable, and +therefore very properly desired to be consulted on all occasions. Yet +with all these amiable qualities, the duenna, in the opinion of most +people, would be entitled to no better appellation for her pains than +that of a busy body. + +"_Nina_,[21] how's this?" she cried--"What mean these tears?--Aye! aye! +I see that your father has been guilty of some preposterous and +tyrannical measure; I suspected as much from his carefulness in keeping +the secret from me.--God bless the man!--what is the matter with +him?--he will never be advised, and really I cannot imagine why I remain +in his house. Well, child, unfold your sorrows and grievances to your +kindest friend; you know nothing delights me so much as consoling the +afflicted, and offering service to the unprotected." + +"Yes, good Martha," replied the sorrowing girl; "I am fully sensible of +your goodness, and I do trust you will not deny me your compassion. +Alas! without your valuable advice and assistance, I shall never +surmount the difficulties with which I am surrounded. I must see him--I +must see Don Lope this very night!" + +She then explained to Martha the nature of her distress, and the duenna, +glad to find an opportunity of being serviceable, readily promised her +co-operation in the accomplishment of her charge's wishes. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Ye fair! + Be greatly cautious of your sliding hearts! + Dare not the infectious sigh; nor in the bower + Where woodbines flaunt, and roses shed a couch, + While evening draws her crimson curtain round, + Trust your soft minutes with betraying man. + + _Thomson._ + + +In the most retired part of Monteblanco's garden, reclining on a rustic +seat, under the fragrant canopy of the myrtle and arbutus, sat a female +form enveloped in a loosely flowing dress of virgin whiteness. The air +was cool and serene, and except the rustling of the surrounding foliage, +when agitated by the breeze, or the soft plaintive voice of the +nightingale, no obtrusive sound disturbed the solemn silence. The blue +vault of heaven, glittering with countless stars, the rich perfume +flung around by the orange flower and jasmine, and a stilly languor that +pervaded the spot, all disposed the mind to gentle and loving thoughts. + +Theodora, however, sat absorbed in silent sorrow and abstraction: her +long clustering tresses fell in luxuriance over her white and polished +neck, almost concealing in their profusion the traits of a countenance +overcast with grief and despondency. + +But a figure appears on the garden wall, and the sound as of some one +falling is heard on the soft turf. Theodora starts, yet a sudden +recollection seems to check her momentary fear. The nocturnal visitor +was Gomez Arias, who had received a hasty summons from Theodora, and +surmising that some unpleasant intelligence awaited him, he hurried in +breathless expectation to the place of appointment. + +What was his amazement, upon his arrival!--He beheld his Theodora, not +in the joyful eagerness of affection springing forward to meet his +embrace, but silent and dejected. Her intelligent countenance no longer +beamed with that charming smile which his appearance never failed to +create. Motionless and unmoved she appeared, amongst the flowery shrubs +and verdant foliage of the garden, like some statue of chaste and +classical beauty, placed to embellish and diversify the sylvan spot. + +Gomez Arias is before her, and yet she seems hardly conscious of his +presence. He gazes on her with surprise, and then gently whispers her +dear name. The well known voice recalls her scattered ideas, and its +magic sound awakens her benumbed sensations to fresh warmth and life. +She raised her head, threw aside the rich clusters of her hair, and a +stream of moonlight falling on her countenance revealed to Gomez Arias a +picture of sorrowing love. + +Her eye was swollen with grief, and the big tears in quick succession +chased each other down her pallid cheek. + +Don Lope approached her tenderly, and folding her in his arms, +endeavoured to calm her emotion, by the most soothing and endearing +expressions. + +"Theodora, what means this sorrow? Whatever be the misfortune which +threatens us, do not vainly yield yourself a prey to terror, before you +know the means I may have of averting it." Then, as if struck by a +passing thought, he added--"You surely cannot entertain a distant doubt +of the singleness--the devotedness of my affection?" + +"Doubt of your affection! Oh, heavens! do not even mention the appalling +word; there is something more terrible than death in the very idea. No, +no," she continued, with vivid earnestness; "I do not; I cannot; I will +not doubt of your affection. If ever such agonizing----" + +She could not proceed, for her imagination was so powerfully acted upon, +even with the remote image of such a misfortune, that she was obliged to +remain some time silent before she could control her emotions. + +"No," she resumed; "I cannot doubt your affection. But there is another +calamity in store for me that will assuredly render wretched the rest of +my existence." + +She again stopped, and her tears flowed more abundantly than ever. + +Gomez Arias felt relieved from a heavy foreboding; for the idea that his +engagement with Leonor de Aguilar had come to the knowledge of Theodora, +had at first filled his mind with apprehensions. He was accordingly more +at ease, feeling an inward conviction that however distressing the +dreaded intelligence might prove, he should still find resources within +himself to avert its dangers. + +"Speak, my Theodora; unfold the cause of your extraordinary sorrow, and +do not weep and tremble thus." + +"Oh, Lope!" she despondingly cried, "I must renounce you for ever." + +"For heaven's sake, calm this agitation, Theodora, and let me know the +worst. But yesterday you were as happy as a heart teeming with genuine +affection, and blessed with a most unbounded return, can make a mortal, +and now----" + +"He is come," she fearfully interrupted him; "my destined husband is +come." + +Gomez Arias appeared staggered at this unexpected information, but +immediately recovering himself in apparent calmness, demanded the name +of his rival. "Who is it," he cried, "that boldly claims the hand of my +Theodora?--No doubt some noble and distinguished cavalier." + +"Alas! your supposition is but too just," replied the weeping girl; "and +it is that circumstance which adds to the poignancy of my grief: were he +a less estimable character, were he divested of those amiable qualities +that render man dear to the eyes of woman, my reasons for refusing his +addresses would be unanswerable. In that case, if I were made a victim +to parental authority, some consolation might be found in the conviction +that the inextinguishable hatred which I bore him was grounded on +justice. But the man that seeks an alliance with our house is one whose +choice would confer the greatest honor on the most exalted of the land. +Brave, generous, of noble birth, and alike distinguished for the +superiority of his mind and person, he is in the highest favor with the +queen, who has intrusted him with the command of one of the divisions +which are now marching against the rebel Moors." + +Theodora made these observations in the perfect simplicity of her heart, +but she unconsciously excited an idea of the most galling nature in the +mind of her lover. Not that he felt the pangs of jealousy, for he was +too confident both in his own merit, and the unparalleled affection of +his beloved; but yet he was inwardly mortified at the encomiums bestowed +on another, inasmuch as they gave rise to a comparison which he could +not easily brook. He, therefore, with some asperity of tone, inquired +the name of this accomplished knight; and Theodora, who perceived the +inward workings of his soul, with a faultering voice pronounced the name +of Don Antonio de Leyva. The sound operated like an electric shock on +the mind of Gomez Arias, and despite of his habitual self-command, signs +of uncommon perturbation were discernible in his countenance. + +"What!" he cried, "Don Antonio de Leyva,--that presumptuous, that +detested youth!" + +Here he checked his emotion; pride resumed the mastery over his +irritated feelings, and with a forced gaiety of manner, he continued,-- + +"Certainly Don Antonio is a gallant cavalier, and well calculated to +captivate a woman's affections." + +He stopped; for his surprise had been too abrupt, and his manner too ill +disguised to continue long in this constrained suppression of his real +feelings. Gomez Arias hated Don Antonio on no other plea, than the fame +he was daily acquiring for his valour and brilliant qualities. Besides, +he could not forget his adventure in the tournament, when Don Antonio +crossed him in his career, and well nigh endangered the reputation he +had that day acquired. He looked on him, therefore, as a dangerous +rival, and felt chagrined at the command with which the queen had +invested him, as it would afford him opportunities of grounding his +claims to her royal favor on the firmest foundation. + +Theodora was far from suspecting the cause of her lover's agitation. She +naturally attributed to a feeling of jealousy, what was in fact the +effect of restless emulation. A long pause ensued, during which the +state of Theodora became more distressing, as she perceived her lover's +countenance gradually assuming an unusual expression of sternness. +Various passions seemed to be contending for mastery in his bosom, but +the feeling of wounded pride soon appeared to predominate. His eyes +glistened with indignant fire, his lip curled with a bitter smile, and +the flush of anger mantled on his brow. + +"Theodora!" he said, fixing earnestly his eyes on the trembling girl; +"Theodora, you have deceived me!" + +"Deceive you, Gomez Arias!" She looked petrified at the bare +supposition. "Deceived you! And can you for a moment harbour such a +cruel, such a degrading suspicion? Oh! Lope, is it possible you can +think thus basely of your Theodora?" + +"Why was not I made acquainted with this engagement before?" + +"I was ignorant of it myself; the marriage had been settled between my +father and Don Antonio, without consulting my inclination. Alas! the +first intelligence I received, was to bid me prepare for the ceremony, +which is to take place immediately.--My dearest Lope," she added with +tenderness; "Oh! never again harrow up my feelings, with doubts unworthy +of our mutual passion." + +She clung to Don Lope's neck, and pressing him with the earnestness of +unbounded confidence and love--"Never," she continued, "had Theodora a +single thought concealed from you; you, the absolute master of my heart, +and the most secret wishes of my soul." + +Then in a more composed manner, she proceeded; "It was but this morning +that Don Antonio arrived, when my father immediately proceeded to +announce the purport of his visit. My amazement at first knew no bounds; +I remonstrated on the abruptness of the proposal, and endeavoured, by +gentle expostulation, to ward off the threatening blow. But my +entreaties, and my tears were in vain. My father, strenuously bent on +the accomplishment of his wishes, left me the only option of yielding +implicit obedience to his mandates, or passing the rest of my existence +in the solitary gloom of a convent. My choice is made; I lose you, +Lope;"--and here her anguish almost overpowered her utterance; "I lose +you for ever, but your dear image shall be constantly before me in those +dark abodes of penitence and woe. Thither must I go, and leave all these +dear scenes, and the dearer sight of you, consigned to unrelenting +misery. Not humbly, alas! to pray; not to abjure the world; for ah! I +cannot abjure that world which contains the fondest object that links me +to life. I go not in the humble mood of a repentant sinner, to weep over +a guilty life, but in the desponding resolution of a fond woman, eager +to keep her faith unbroken to him of her heart's first and only +attachment. For you, oh Lope, my tears will flow; you alone will be the +theme of my constant meditations--my fervent prayers. In my hopeless +solitude, I may perhaps feel one glimpse of consolation;--the idea that +you may be happy, and that even in the glittering scenes of ambition, +you will sometimes revert to the cheerless abode of Theodora. This will +afford me some solace in my affliction. And when the hand of death +releases me from my odious chains, your tears will tenderly fall on the +grave of her, whose greatest crime was that of loving you too well." + +"Theodora!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, moved by the picture she had drawn; +"and is this then the only remedy you can devise?" + +"What!" cried she eagerly, "is there any other to be found?" + +She paused, and gazed on Gomez Arias, with anxious expectation, +breathless with hope. + +Don Lope, after a momentary lapse, with a chilling coldness, +observed--"You do not love me, Theodora!" + +"Oh Heavens!" she cried in the hurried accents of terror--"Never, Lope, +never utter those killing words;--what do you require of me?--Speak, +Gomez Arias, speak: I will do all, to convince you of the sincerity of +my affection, and the cruel injustice of your words." + +"You must fly then from the abode of parental oppression," calmly +replied Don Lope; "and in your lover you shall find that tenderness, +which a father denies; nay, start not, these words may perhaps alarm +you, yet consider it is our only resource, and that imperious necessity +is a law to which we must all submit. In a short time you shall be mine +in the face of heaven, and now, you must resolve to follow me." + +Theodora started at the proposition. She fixed her eyes on Gomez Arias, +and with a deep but tranquil anguish exclaimed--"Alas, Don Lope! Is +this the remedy you propose? Can you indeed tempt me to abandon my +father in his declining years, to regret and shame?" + +"You had already determined to abandon him," observed Gomez Arias. + +"No, Lope," she replied; "by that step, I should only disappoint him in +his expectations--not incur his merited hatred and malediction;--his +grief would be tempered by resignation, not corroded with the sting of +shame." "Don Lope," she then continued with dignity, "command my life; +but oh! never, never require of me the commission of a crime, as the +proof of my love." + +"Stay, Theodora," interrupted Gomez Arias, with a composure that ill +agreed with the terrific cloud gathering on his brow; "stay, you are +right, and I must retract my words: the offer was dictated in the +transports of sincere and ardent love, and as the only means left us in +the hour of danger. But I perceive that I have mistaken your +sentiments; such actions were only made for souls capable of feeling +and appreciating the extent of a true passion; not for cold and timorous +beings like yourself. I flattered my fond pride, that in you I had met +with a miracle of deep and all-absorbing affection, but I am deceived, +and sorely shall I repent my delusion; I now see you in your true +colours; you are like the rest of your feeble sex, pleased with the +gratification of their vanity, but incapable of a bold and generous +resolution in favor of the man they pretend to love. I will not upbraid +you; but from this moment cast you from me as a piece of inanimate clay, +a painted thing, alike incapable of estimating and sharing my regard." + +Saying this he rudely disengaged himself from her arms, whilst the +unfortunate Theodora, affrighted at the violence of his manner, fixed on +him a wild and vacant stare, the intensity of her grief depriving her of +the power of reflection. But when she saw her lover actually receding +from the place, her mind started from its abstraction, and her thoughts +were fixed upon the dreadful desertion that now threatened her. She gave +a frantic shriek, and fell lifeless on the ground. + +Alarmed at the effect produced by his passionate and cruel proceeding, +Gomez Arias hurried back to the spot, and raising the lovely victim from +the ground, gazed on her with all the anxiety of returning affection. +Theodora was in his arms, but, alas! her beautiful eyes were closed, her +cheek was colourless, and a cold suffusion bathed her stiffened limbs. +The vital spark had apparently deserted its frail tenement, for no sign +of conscious life was there. Don Lope's angry feelings had given way to +his fears for her safety, and as he wiped the cold dew from her face, he +perceived blood trickling slowly down her marble brow. In the violence +of her fall upon the gravelled walk, a flint had wounded her forehead, +and the crimson drops that issued from it contrasted mournfully with the +frozen paleness of her countenance. + +Gomez Arias was moved as he gazed intensely on the angelic creature now +before him. This was no artful fiction, no solemn mockery of woe: a few +words had worked that dreadful revolution in her mind. Perhaps there is +at times an indescribable cruelty in love that prompts a man, in a +certain degree, to enjoy the misery which is wrought by an excess of +affection towards him, and triumph now mingled with compassion in the +abandoned lover's heart. He was, however, soon called to more generous +sentiments. Anxiety and regret took place of vanity, while his passion +for Theodora acquired new intensity as he scanned her beauteous figure +and contemplated the distress he had occasioned. With the most endearing +efforts he endeavoured to reanimate the lifeless form of Theodora. He +ardently pressed the yielding burthen to his heart, placed his glowing +cheek by the cold one of his mistress, fervently kissed the crimson +stain upon her forehead, and then bound it with a scarf. + +Theodora, however, for some time gave no sign of life. Don Lope called +her by the most tender names, sprinkled her face with the water of a +neighbouring fountain, and exhausted himself in efforts to revive her. +At last she gently opened her eyes, a scarce perceptible motion shook +her frame, and shortly after she raised her white fingers to her +forehead, as if conscious of sensation. She heaved a deep sigh, and +Gomez Arias watching with anxious gaze the progress of her reviving +senses, strove with soothing fondness to hasten their return. Her eyes +gently opened, and a sad smile played upon her lip, as she acknowledged +the tender solicitude of her lover, unable as yet to express herself by +words. + +"Theodora, my dearest, don't you know me?" + +Her abstracted senses awoke as if from a horrid dream, and with fearful +and convulsive clasp she hung to Don Lope's neck. + +"He is not gone--no, no, I have him here--" The rest of her sentence was +lost in a hysteric laugh. + +"No, my love," tenderly said Gomez Arias, "I am not gone, nor ever will. +I am a barbarian to treat you thus. I do not merit such excellence as +thine, and, I crave thy forgiveness for the misery I have inflicted." + +Theodora, now perfectly restored, saw the stain of blood on her lover's +lip, then she felt the bandage on her forehead, and when Gomez Arias +explained the nature of her wound, the fond girl rejoiced at a cause +that had called forth her lover's anxiety and caresses. + +They remained in profound silence, which they were both afraid to break, +for they trembled to renew a subject which had produced such melancholy +effects. + +But time was swiftly flying, and Gomez Arias again urged the necessity +of adopting some resolution. + +"Theodora," he said, "the night is wearing fast away, her friendly shade +will but for a short time longer favor us, and the morning must, alas! +throw still darker shadows over our brightest hopes." + +Theodora sighed deeply, but was unable to reply. + +"What is to be done?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it your wish that we should +part for ever?" + +"Part for ever!" cried Theodora; "Oh Heavens! the idea is more than I +can endure." + +"There is no other alternative left us," said Gomez Arias, "unless you +feel yourself courageous enough to--" and here he cast an inquiring +glance, and waited her reply; for though the purport of his meaning was +obvious, he felt almost afraid to convey it by language. + +Theodora's distress increased, and her fond arms that had till now +encircled her lover's neck, loosened their hold, whilst her head drooped +despondingly upon her bosom. + +After a short pause--"My love," continued Gomez Arias, "you must decide, +and instantly, we have but a short time more to remain." + +"Don Lope," exclaimed the afflicted girl, with impassioned eagerness, +"pity! oh pity my horrible situation, and do not tempt me with a crime, +to which my own fond woman's heart urges me but too strongly. No, do not +exert that uncontrollable power which you possess over my very soul, to +sink me deeper into the abyss of misery, that must embitter my future +existence. Do not force me to destroy the tranquillity and comfort of a +venerable parent--of that parent, whose greatest fault is his excessive +fondness and solicitude for his child. Though by his last determination +he has completed my misery, he is nevertheless more deserving of pity +than reproach. Alas! while he destroys my felicity and repose, he +cherishes the idea, that he is laying the foundation of the future +happiness of his child." + +"Yes!" cried Gomez Arias, smiling bitterly, "by forcing her to waste her +life in a cloister." + +"No," exclaimed Theodora, "he does not suppose me capable of such a +terrible resolution; he is ignorant that my affections are +irretrievably bestowed on another, fondly imagining that I shall not +long be insensible to the merits of the husband he has chosen." + +She fell on the ground, and clasping the knees of her lover, proceeded +with redoubled emotion--"Oh, Lope, I know but too well my own weakness! +Take, therefore, compassion on my distress, urge me no further, and do +not avail yourself of the tenderness and self-devotion of one who adores +you, to render her a cruel and delinquent daughter." + +Gomez Arias was powerfully struck with the earnestness of her manner; he +never imagined he should meet with such opposition from a heart so +enthusiastically devoted. He could not but admire the generosity and +nobleness of feeling which thus voluntarily condemned itself to a life +of solitude and despair, rather than deviate in the smallest degree from +moral rectitude. Yet he was inwardly mortified at her superiority, and +would fain have persuaded himself that her scruples proceeded rather +from a deficiency of passion than from a sense of honor and filial +duty. He looked on her with a mixture of compassion and disappointment +as he endeavoured to raise her from the ground. + +"No, never," she cried, "never will I rise till you grant my request." + +"Rise, rise, Theodora," said he gloomily, "and listen to me for the last +time.--Since it is your desire, I will no longer, press a sacrifice I +was naturally bound to expect from your repeated, and apparently +sincere, protestations of regard. Since you will have it so, I must +yield. I will begone immediately; but if you are to be for ever lost to +me, think not I will tamely submit to my wrongs. I will seek out the +cause of our misfortunes, and if he is the valiant knight report speaks +him, I shall then find the only solace left me in my desolation, that of +taking ample vengeance or falling nobly by his weapon. And now," he +added after a short pause, "farewell Theodora! Farewell, for we part for +ever!" + +"No, you cannot," franticly cried Theodora, "you must not leave me +thus. Oh Lope! you were always tender, and generous, and kind.--Never +did you in the slightest manner wound my heart till this dreadful +night." + +"True," replied Don Lope, "and never till the present moment could I +doubt your love." + +"Oh Lope! Lope! and is it to your Theodora you speak thus! In pity +recall those dreadful words." + +"Silly girl," vehemently exclaimed Gomez Arias, "what do you require of +me? Or what is it that you wish? You have chosen your path, let me now +take mine, unless you force me in my anguish to curse the hour when I +first beheld you." + +"Curse the day you saw me!" As she uttered this exclamation an +involuntary chill crept over her, which seemed to have frozen the +springs of her heart. + +"Theodora," he now said in a tone of sad reproach, "dry your tears--you +will soon have bitter occasion for them. May you enjoy that repose +which you have for ever destroyed in my heart--Farewell! Farewell!" + +As he said this he gently strove to disengage himself from her hold. The +struggle was too powerful for her nature, and like the poor bird when +under the magic influence of the serpent, yields itself to the +destructive charm, Theodora, unable any longer to combat with her +overpowering feelings, threw herself into her lover's arms, and +exclaimed passionately upon his bosom--"No, no, dear Lope, we will not +part. Let it be as you will." She paused, and then added with +solemnity--"It is decreed that I must be wretched, but you at least +shall never have reason to reproach me." + +Gomez Arias clasped her fondly to his breast, and in the transports of +his joy, endeavoured to draw a glowing picture of their future +happiness. + +"My dearest Theodora, hush your apprehensions and unreasonable fears. At +the first opportunity we marry. Your father will at last relent, and +even if he should prove deaf to the appeal of nature, the love and +gratitude of Gomez Arias will supply the loss." + +"Oh that is my only consolation," she interrupted with eagerness. "Love +me, Lope, love me even as I love you. No, no, that is not possible. But, +oh, if thy love should ever decrease--deceive me! in pity deceive me! Do +not let me suspect the dreadful truth--No, let death first conceal from +me so terrible a secret." + +Gomez Arias again tenderly essayed to calm her agitation, and then urged +the necessity of quitting the place with the utmost expedition. She made +no longer any resistance, for she had advanced too far now to recede, +and leaning on her lover she was almost carried along the garden. + +Gomez Arias quickly made a signal, and a ladder of ropes was thrown from +the other side. At the sight Theodora could scarcely restrain the agony +of her feelings. A crowd of thoughts distracted her mind--a load of +anguish was upon her breast, and had it not been for the support of her +lover, she would have fallen. Gomez Arias bore the trembling girl +across the wall, but as she stood for an instant on the summit, she cast +a long melancholy look on the home of her innocence and childhood--the +now deserted abode, of a venerable parent, and with a heart throbbing +with anguish, she intrusted herself to the protection of her lover. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Where is she? + I wish to see my daughter, shew her me; + + * * * * + + You have betrayed me; y' have let loose + The jewel of my life: Go, bring her me, + And set her here before me.-- + + _Beaumont and Fletcher._ + + +The next day arrived--a day of sorrow for the unfortunate Monteblanco. +Seated on a ponderous chair of rude workmanship, the old _caballero_ +waited for the appearance of his darling daughter, to pay her morning +devoirs, and receive his blessing. He waited patiently for some time, +but his mind becoming fraught with more than usual anxiety, he called +lustily to the duenna,--he called again, and again, but to no purpose. +The pious old dame was deeply engaged in her orisons, and her mind +occupied with other affairs than appertain to this sinful world. She +appeared at last, her eyes half closed, her lips moving fast in the +fervour of her devotions, and her long skinny fingers employed in a +manner equally devout, as with the most exemplary industry, and solemn +sedateness, she let fall in measured intervals, one by one, the large +black counters of her rosary. + +"The Lord be with you!" ejaculated piously the duenna. + +"Save you, good Martha," responded Don Manuel. + +"And may the blessed Virgin forgive you Senor, for thus disturbing an +humble sinner at her prayers." + +"Amen!" answered Don Manuel; "and now Martha tell me where is my +daughter." + +"_Ave Maria!_" continued the duenna, as another counter fell. + +Monteblanco, who expected quite a different answer, was however kind +enough to give the customary response to the salutation. + +"_Santa Maria!_" muttered he with a movement of impatience, raising +nevertheless his eyes to heaven. But it so happened that the devotion of +the old cavalier was obliged to give way to his paternal solicitude. + +"Martha," he therefore cried, "put aside your beads, and tell me, in +goodness tell me, if my child is indisposed." + +"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the duenna, "what brings that into your head, +Don Manuel?" + +"If not," demanded the father, "how does it happen she has not yet +appeared?--Where is she?" + +"In bed, God help her," replied Martha, "for she very naturally +concluded, that a lady who had spent the night in an amorous colloquy, +could not be expected to rise over early the next morning." + +"In bed!" echoed Monteblanco, "in bed! shame, why it is past seven," he +added, somewhat ruffled at the idea. "What! has she passed an +indifferent night?" + +"Not that I know of, unless indeed that she may have been a little too +zealous in her midnight devotions: the grace of the Lord be upon her for +a sweet, innocent child. Bless her soul, she could not be otherwise +after the holy counsel which I, a miserable sinner, have endeavoured to +instill into her tender mind." + +"Martha, Martha," seriously observed Don Manuel, "I do not entirely +approve of this excess of devotion." + +"Ah!" ejaculated the duenna. "That is exactly what I say to her, but she +is very scrupulous in her religious exercises." + +"Well Martha, you must moderate her zeal, and make her understand that +the views of heaven will be much better realized, by yielding implicit +obedience to the dictates of a father; and now," he added in a more +familiar tone, "go, and bid her come, for I expect Don Antonio de Leyva +every minute." + +The duenna went out muttering a _Gloria Patri_, which was exactly +finished by the time she got at the other side of the door. She then +hastened to the chamber of her charge, by no means pleased with a +somnolency that exposed her to any rebuke, however trifling. + +"Oh you sluggish girl," she began. "_Dios me perdone_,[22] what means +this? Are you not ashamed to be in bed at this time in the morning, and +allow a christian matron like me to be disturbed at her prayers on your +account? This comes of your nocturnal meetings; I must put a stop to +them; they may be very refreshing to the heart, but cannot contribute to +the health, nor to the good keeping of the soul; up, up _perezosa_,[23] +and never more expose a kind duenna to your father's rebukes; up, +immediately, Don Manuel is waiting." Receiving no answer, she took it +for granted, being not a little deaf, that Theodora was replying with +the various excuses which were naturally to be expected, under similar +circumstances. She continued, therefore, without troubling herself as to +their import. "Nay, nay, attempt not to exculpate yourself, for it is +very wrong to expose me thus, because I am so amiably inclined as to +overlook your frailties with christian charity. Holy Virgin! I shudder +when I think to what perilous compromises my unsullied reputation is +daily exposed by the tenderness of my disposition. What is it you +say?--Eh?--What?--you are silent then, well child, after all that is the +wisest thing you can do; it pleaseth me to see you thus humble, for +humility, like charity, covereth a multitude of sins." The good duenna +proceeded in this strain for some time, without receiving any check to +her eloquence, till at length, surprised at such an excess of +contrition, she grew impatient, flung the windows wide open, pulled the +bed hangings aside, when to her utter consternation she found the object +of her intended visitation vanished. The surprise of the duenna was +strongly pictured on her shrivelled visage, as the dismal truth obtruded +itself upon her mind. The wrath of Monteblanco, and the blot upon her +own dear reputation, as the natural consequences of this disaster, took +possession of her mind. She first uttered something between a whine and +a discordant cry, meaning thereby to indicate at once her emotions of +anger and sorrow. Then she began busily to invoke the protection of all +the saints in the calendar. But the saints, though very holy personages +in their way, are by no means the proper persons to consult respecting +the discovery of stray damsels. She appeared to place more confidence in +her own exertions than in their assistance. She commenced a scrupulous +search in every part of the chamber, under and round about the bed, and +waddling out of the apartment, she left no corner in the house +unsearched. + +Astonished at the duenna's activity, and puzzled to discover the cause, +the servants flocked around her, but to all their inquiries she gave no +other answer but interjections and exclamations, and such harsh guttural +sounds, that they began to suspect that the good dame had fairly lost +her wits. + +The garden was now explored, but alas! with no better success, and the +perturbation of poor Martha's mind baffled all description. + +It was some time before she could determine what course to pursue, +balancing in her mind whether it would be more prudent to avoid the +impending storm by flight, or boldly and confidently to encounter her +master's ire. Flight certainly is the method preferred on similar +occasions; but then by adopting it she would tacitly confess herself +guilty, and her tender reputation would be sullied with an indelible +stain; by bravely encountering, on the other hand, the irritated father, +she could stoutly deny all cognizance of the affair, and boldly call on +all the saints of Heaven to assert her innocence, witnesses to whose +testimony Martha always confidently appealed, being satisfied they would +have no inclination to contradict her. + +Acting upon this idea, she left the garden, instilling into her +parchment features all the surprise and grief that she could muster up +at so short a notice. + +In the meantime Monteblanco, heartily tired of sending message after +message, resolved to seek himself the cause of the duenna's protracted +absence. + +"Martha--Martha," he cried, as soon as he saw her--"In the name of the +devil, what means this?" + +"Hush, Don Manuel!" replied the duenna, with great solemnity of +manner--"Hush, venerated Senor; for sure enough the evil one has been at +work." + +"What!" exclaimed the astonished Don Manuel, "explain yourself, and +quickly." + +"Holy Virgin!" proceeded the dame, "that such a thing should happen in +my time!" + +"In the name of God--Martha," cried again the father, in agony, "tell me +what misfortune has happened." + +"Oh!" whined the duenna, struggling hard to force from her old eyes a +couple of rebellious tears, "ask me not, for shame and sorrow will choke +my utterance." + +"May all the curses of Heaven choke you! Woman, what have you done with +my daughter? Speak--speak, or by _Santiago de Compostela_, I will so +belabour thy shrivelled form, as to reduce it to atoms in less time +than you can say your _credo_." + +The duenna had never before seen her master in so terrible a passion, +and she almost repented not having followed her first impulse to fly. +She inwardly cursed that tenderness for her reputation, which had +brought the more substantial part of her person into the present +quandary. A vigorous defence was the only alternative now left her. + +"What have I done with your daughter!" she exclaimed, with a look which +she meant to be expressive of indignant surprise.--"May the Lord help +you!--what should I have done with your daughter?" + +"Where is she then?" + +A pause ensued. + +"Where is she?" demanded again the agitated father, with redoubled +emotion. + +"Alas! I know not--she is gone to all appearance--May the light of +Heaven, and her guardian angel conduct her steps!" + +"Gone!--my Theodora gone!" cried Don Manuel in the height of +affliction. + +"I conclude that to be the case," added the duenna, with assurance, "for +she is nowhere to be found." + +The desolate father appeared thunderstruck at this intelligence. He +smote his venerable forehead, and plucked his grey beard in the anguish +of despair. Then he vented the most bitter reproaches against the +ingratitude of his daughter, and cursed the day that gave her birth. + +Whilst he was thus vainly indulging in the paroxysm of grief, the duenna +kept crossing herself with such active fervour, that the repeated and +rapid motion of her hand at last caught the attention of the sorrowing +and abstracted father. + +"Oh, thou vile hypocrite!" he exclaimed, darting a furious look--"Thou +beldame!--Is this the way thou hast answered the confidence reposed in +thee?--I have nurtured a serpent in my house--I have set the ravenous +wolf to guard the lamb! Accursed beldame! Thou art an accomplice in my +daughter's flight." + +"Holy Virgin of the Conception!" ejaculated the offended Martha, "that +such foul aspersions should be thrown on my character, after sixty +years of rigid penitence! May the Lord forgive you, Senor, as I do"--and +she crossed herself with redoubled zeal. + +"Forgive me, thou imp of the devil!" thundered Don Manuel, astonished at +her assurance.--"Forgive me!" + +"I an imp of the devil!--I, who had an aunt who died in odour of +sanctity, in the convent of Santa Clara--I, who am second cousin to Fray +Domingo, one of the most religious as well as most celebrated preachers +of the day!" + +"May the curse of Heaven fall on thee, and him, and all thy race." + +"Do not swear," interrupted Martha; "Oh! do not swear--you fright me--I +shall faint." + +"Avaunt, thou detested hag!" continued Don Manuel. + +"_San Pedro y san Pablo!_" cried the duenna. + +"Thou poisonous crocodile!" replied Don Manuel. + +"_San Jose bendito!_" responded the duenna. + +"Abominable fiend!" returned Don Manuel. + +"_Animas benditas!_" answered the duenna. + +This extraordinary litany, however, was at length cut short by the +arrival of Don Antonio de Leyva. He was not a little surprised at the +scene which presented itself, and was for some time unable to obtain an +explanation. When he at length arrived at a knowledge of the affair, his +astonishment and sorrow were exhibited in the most lively manner. + +"Alas!" he cried, "I could not but suspect from my first interview with +Theodora, that her affections were fixed on another object." + +"Oh, no, no," eagerly replied Don Manuel--"you are far from the +mark--she cannot love any one--how could she form an attachment without +my knowledge?" + +"Then," said Don Antonio, sighing, "it was to avoid my addresses that +she has sought a refuge in flight." + +"_Jesus Maria!_" interposed the duenna--"Do not say so, Don Antonio--how +could she possibly object to so accomplished a cavalier?" + +"Good dame," answered he, "it is not difficult to account for her +dislike; and I must acknowledge with painful sensations, that I am +chiefly to blame for this unfortunate occurrence." + +"No, no," cried Monteblanco, pointing to Martha; "the person chiefly to +blame in this affair, is that detestable hag.--See how she crosses +herself, and rolls her eyes to impose upon our credulity; but it is all +over--I have been too long the dupe of her affected piety, and seeming +austerity of manners; my eyes are at length open to conviction, and I +see the despicable creature in her true colours." + +"What reason," observed de Leyva, "can you assign for Theodora's strange +resolution, unless it be dislike to me, or love for another." + +"Alas! I know not what to think," answered Don Manuel; "my mind is +bewildered, and all my conjectures may prove wrong. Perhaps some +hastiness in my way of proceeding may have influenced her +determination. But I do not despair; she may yet be brought to a sense +of her duty; if not," he added despondingly, "the happiness of my +declining age is blasted, and heartily shall I wish to be numbered with +the dead." + +Monteblanco by these means sought a medium between accusing his daughter +of downright criminality, and confessing to young de Leyva that his +suspicions concerning Theodora's aversion to the intended wedding were +not entirely groundless. + +He was unwilling also to relinquish the thought of having so excellent a +son-in-law, and he believed Don Antonio to be possessed of all those +qualities which are capable of enslaving the affections of women, even +the most fastidious. He, therefore, prudently resolved, in case of his +child's return, to allow her due time to consider the proposal, which he +had been so anxious to carry by parental authority, hoping that she +would at last be brought to acquiesce in his wishes, by the constant +assiduity and numberless accomplishments of her suitor. + +Under this impression, he readily accepted the services proffered by Don +Antonio, for the recovery of Theodora, and for speedily concerting the +means. + +"Don Manuel," exclaimed the gallant de Leyva, "spite of your kind and +courteous asseverations, I cannot but consider myself the cause of your +daughter's leaving her home. This reflection and that tender sentiment +which Theodora was as capable of inspiring as I am susceptible of +feeling, makes me perhaps a principal in this melancholy event. It is +with heartfelt sincerity, therefore, that I offer my assistance. Let us +first endeavour to restore the lovely fugitive to her deserted home, and +then let not the shadow of compulsion actuate her future determination." + +"I shall be happy," replied Don Manuel, "to profit by advice dictated at +once by affection and prudence. Theodora," he added after a short pause, +"cannot have departed from this city, and we shall probably find her +either in a convent, or at the abode of one of her relatives. However, +to insure all precaution, I shall forthwith send despatches to Granada, +and the neighbouring towns." + +Saying this, Monteblanco made a movement to retire with his young +friend, and casting a look of anger on the duenna, he said as he +passed--"Thou mayest well tremble, miserable sinner that thou art!" + +"Tremble, forsooth!" returned the stately dame, with great dignity of +manner. "Innocence has no occasion to tremble; and now it only remains +for me to quit a place where my virtue and honesty have so unwarrantably +been called in question." + +"When thou dost quit my house," said Don Manuel, "it will be to be shut +up for life in a convent, there to do penance for thy sins, and to +profit by the holy example of that good aunt that died in odour of +sanctity." + +Left to herself, Martha began seriously to reflect on the unpleasantness +of her situation; the threat of a conventual seclusion sounded harshly +to her ear. She fancied it would be more advantageous to society that +her good offices should continue in requisition, than that they should +be for ever lost by an untimely adoption of a contemplative life. + +"Oh, that ungracious Gomez Arias!" she exclaimed, in her perplexity. + +"What wouldst thou with Gomez Arias?" said a well known voice. + +She turned, and saw before her the object of her exclamation. + +"Blessed be the Virgin! It is he, sure enough. What brings you here, +Sir? Where is my young lady?" + +"Where is she?" inquired Gomez Arias, with feigned anxiety. + +"Nay, nay, your arts are thrown away on me; I know that Theodora, poor +silly thing, has eloped with you. She loves you, in very truth, she +does; and when a woman really loves, it is unaccountable what a number +of fooleries she will be tempted to commit." + +"Well," returned Don Lope, "supposing she has intrusted herself to my +protection, she only followed the dictates of pure affection; surely +there could be no harm in so doing." + +"Under favour, Don Lope," observed the duenna, "but there is. Not +forsooth in loving you; but yet, there is a crying injustice, an +unpardonable cruelty, in leaving me to suffer for it without a----" + +"Reward, wouldst thou say?" interrupted Don Lope. + +"_Valgame San Juan!_ But you misapprehend me strangely. I am not +mercenary; heaven knows my only concern is for my safety, threatened as +I am." + +"Threatened! in what possible manner?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"With nothing less than a convent." + +"A convent," repeated Don Lope, smiling, "to so devout a dame, methinks, +can have no terrors." + +"Aye in troth, I am devout," replied the duenna, "and yet I feel nowise +inclined to be immured between four walls. What merit would there be in +the sacrifice of an old, poor, decrepid piece of mortality such as I. +No, it is the voluntary seclusion of young, rich and beautiful virgins +that delights the divinity." + +"Most prudent Martha," gaily replied Gomez Arias, "I greatly admire and +applaud your discretion. Never ought so worthy, so valuable a matron to +be lost to the world. No, thou wert born to be the consolation of +gallant knights and amorous damsels; it would be really unpardonable to +permit thy seclusion, whilst thou mayest yet tend thy services to +lovers. No, no, God forbid thou shouldst go to a nunnery." + +"The Lord bless you, good Senor," returned Martha with humility; "but +you over-rate my poor deserts." + +"By my sword! that modesty becomes thee mightily. But we must lose no +time. Attend vespers this afternoon, there thou shalt find my +conscientious valet, who will give thee proper directions and assistance +to effect thy escape, and ample means to pass the remainder of thy +precious life in some distant city of Spain, free from the blessed idea +of conventual retirement." + +"That will I do, most generous Don Lope, and be thankful withal." + +"But stay," added Gomez Arias with mock gravity; "there is one objection +to this arrangement." + +"_Virgen de las Angustias!_--What is it, Senor?" demanded the duenna, in +visible alarm. + +"Why!" answered Gomez Arias, "only that thou must sacrifice somewhat of +that dear, unsullied reputation by following such a course." + +"Alas, Senor!" exclaimed she of the nice reputation--"That is too true; +willingly would I preserve it entire, but feeble mortals are not bound +to do more than their strength can compass." + +"True," rejoined Gomez Arias; "thine argument, most venerable Martha, is +a very plausible argument, and very consoling withal." + +At this moment a noise was heard. The duenna started. "It is my master, +and Don Antonio," cried she. "Hence! begone, Don Lope, they must not see +us together." + +"Fear not, most respected dame," said Gomez Arias; "I am no college +gallant, no unskilful tyro in the affairs of love; I depart but to +return in due time." + +"Return!" echoed Martha; "to what purpose?" + +"To cover thy threadbare reputation," said he laughing; "it appears of +so tender a texture, that it is likely to be torn piece-meal, if not +remedied in time. Besides, I must protect my own, should it be +necessary: a good pilot, even in a calm, must prepare against foul +weather." + +"Our Lady's blessing be upon your head!" said Martha, "for a right +prudent _caballero_." + +"Well, mind to give thy assistance at vespers." + +"Ah, my good Senor; my devotion requires no stimulus." + +Gomez Arias made his exit, just in time to prevent a meeting with the +aforesaid gentlemen. They had been busily occupied in devising the most +efficacious means to insure success in their researches. Don Manuel +appeared more composed in his demeanor, for he placed much confidence +in the influence and abilities of his ally. Hope, that with its cheering +ray lights us even on the gloomy borders of the tomb, now in part +dispelled the heavy cloud that overshadowed the deserted father's heart. + +Don Antonio took an affectionate leave, and after repeating his cordial +offers of assistance, departed. + +Monteblanco, when left by himself, felt his wrath again revived, at the +sight of the duenna; he therefore renewed his threats of a convent. + +"Don Manuel!" said the duenna, with a most sanctimonious look, "I am +innocent--innocent, as the child unborn: yet if it so pleaseth Heaven, +that I should be immured in a cloister, the Lord's will be done; a +convent has no terrors for me; alas! a poor humble sinner can desire no +better abode; but think, Senor, how galling it is to be forced by +compulsion to embrace a state, that ought to be embraced out of +spontaneous inclination; allow me at least a few hours to arrange my +worldly concerns, and I shall be ready to obey your commands." + +Saying this, the female _tartuffe_ retired to her chamber, to prepare +for her secret departure. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Tu puoi pensar, se'l padre addolorato + Riman quand'accusar sente la figlia, + Si perche ode di lei quel, che pensato + Mai non avrebbe, e n'ha gran maraviglia. + + _Ariosto._ + + Ben se'crudel, se tu gia non ti duoli + Pensando cio ch'al mio cor s'annunziava: + E se non piangi di che pianger suoli? + + _Dante._ + + +Whilst the unhappy father was absorbed in his recent misfortune, and +endeavouring to beguile the tedious hours, by directing researches in +all quarters of the town, where there was any possibility of his +daughter having taken refuge, he was surprised with a visit from Gomez +Arias. + +"Pardon my intrusion, Senor," he said with much courtesy; "my anxiety +for the fate of an honorable gentleman, though a rival, will perhaps +hold me excused in the eyes of Don Manuel de Monteblanco." + +"Sir," returned Don Manuel, "your visits do much honor to my humble +dwelling, and stand in no need of an apology." + +After the long vocabulary of compliments had been exhausted, Gomez Arias +reverted to the adventure in the _Zaguan_, and with apparent anxiety +demanded news of Don Rodrigo. + +"I have none, Senor," said Monteblanco; "and alas! I am not likely to +feel much concerned for the inconvenience of another, at a time when I +am myself plunged in deep affliction." + +"Perhaps," resumed Gomez Arias, "it may not be altogether right in a +stranger to pry into the secret motives of your sorrows; but if I can by +any means in my power alleviate them, I should esteem myself +particularly honored in meriting your confidence. I but now perceived +signs of alarm in the countenances of your servants, apparently not +without foundation, and it grieves my very soul to see so honorable a +personage in distress. What has happened, noble Senor?" + +"Alas! My child--my child!" cried the afflicted father. + +"She is not ill?" inquired Don Lope. + +"Oh! worse!--worse," replied Don Manuel with emotion. + +"Ah!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, feigning surprise. "What?--no--it is not +possible--and yet it may be so." + +"Eh?" cried Monteblanco, in an inquiring tone of voice, and opening wide +his eyes in the eagerness of anticipation. + +"My valet," continued Don Lope, "brought me information that there was a +rumour circulating about the town, relating to the elopement of a noble +lady. As I am a perfect stranger in the place, I felt no curiosity to +inquire further into the affair, but I could not then imagine that you, +Sir, were the victim of this misfortune." + +"Alas! Don Lope! it is but too true!" + +Gomez Arias had learnt so well the part he had to perform, that he found +not the slightest difficulty in going through it with the most perfect +ease, and by this means he insensibly won the confidence of the deluded +Don Manuel, who, like many others under similar circumstances, felt a +relief in confiding his sorrows to one, who appeared to sympathise with +him so sincerely. + +"For surely," continued Don Lope, "some one must have been acquainted +with this flight. Have you well examined your servants? Depend upon it, +Senor, they are generally the instruments and abettors in the rebellion +of children against their parents." + +"You are right, my honored Sir," replied Don Manuel. "Servants are the +sworn enemies of those who give them bread; but though I am disposed to +suspect every one of my dependants of being accessary to this treason, I +am yet at a loss on whom to fix my suspicions with justice. I am +assured, however, that the duenna must have had an active part in +conducting this abominable transaction." + +"The duenna!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, darting a look full of wonder and +well feigned surprise--"The duenna! By my sword, that must be our +clue--I had almost forgotten that you had a duenna in your house, +otherwise my astonishment would not have been so lively. Duennas are the +soul of every intrigue, and you may indeed affirm, with a safe +conscience, that yours has not only connived at, but even facilitated +your daughter's escape." + +"Of that, alas! I am but too confident," replied the father, +"notwithstanding her solemn asseverations and canting hypocrisy." + +"Ah! the cunning beldame," quoth Don Lope sarcastically. "She has all +the arts of her kind, I perceive; but I hope, Senor Don Manuel, that you +are not to be imposed upon by such shallow artifices. We must secure the +duenna, and examine her well; perchance a few threats will not be +altogether unavailing." + +"That is precisely the method I have adopted," said Don Manuel. + +"And where is the old hag, now?" inquired Don Lope. + +"Packing up her trumpery, to depart for the convent." + +"Pedro"--then called Don Manuel. + +"Your pleasure?" demanded the valet, as he entered. + +"Send Martha to me." + +Pedro obeyed, but shortly after returned with a most dismal and +elongated visage. + +"Well, what is the old dotard staring at?" impatiently cried his master. + +"Senor, Martha is flown," replied the dependant. + +"Flown!" re-echoed Monteblanco, in consternation; "Flown! And how came +you not to prevent her departure?" + +"Save your honor," returned the terrified Pedro, "we all thought she was +quietly shut up in her chamber. She has contrived to escape, the Lord +only knows how--she must have vanished through the chimney, or a key +hole, like a witch that she is, _Jesus me valga_!" + +"That she is a witch I am fully aware, and you are all her familiars," +cried Don Manuel with violence. "But you shall rue the moment the hag +foiled your vigilance." + +Gomez Arias, who had observed a perfect silence, now ventured to +remark-- + +"We need go no further for a positive proof of the duenna's culpability, +since her guilt is rendered sufficiently evident by her flight." + +"Yes," observed Don Manuel, "but that circumstance affords me little +consolation. The means of ascertaining the truth are now lost, by the +disappearance of the principal accomplice." + +The afflicted old man again gave way to his exasperated feelings; this +last stroke quite overpowered him. His pride was sorely wounded, for he +was one of those old Spanish cavaliers, who, when deprived of every +other satisfaction, took a melancholy pleasure in inflicting his +vengeance on the object of his wrath. But even this solitary consolation +was now denied him, and the idea that he had been so grossly imposed +upon by an old beldame, added to the galling reflections which his +misfortune had inflicted. + +Gomez Arias exerted his utmost endeavours to sooth his emotion, +employing for this purpose all the established maxims resorted to under +similar circumstances--maxims profoundly wise no doubt, but which +unluckily are often lost upon their object. + +"In order then," said Gomez Arias, "to unravel this mystery, it is of +the first importance to set about the inquiry from the commencement, in +order to discover the authors. We have now the agent of this nefarious +enterprise, but we must seek for the actual culprit. There can be no +doubt that when a young girl is induced to elope from her home, there is +generally a lover who prompts her to so objectionable a measure. Now, +Don Manuel, is there no person on whom suspicion may attach with any +probability?" + +Monteblanco pondered for a while, and then replied--"Really, Don Lope, +if there exists such a man, I am totally unacquainted with his person." + +"What, are you unable to hazard even a conjecture?" + +"I am, Don Lope," sorrowfully answered the father. + +"Indeed! this is surprising;--look, Senor, around the circle of your +acquaintance, and perchance you may find a clue to guide your +investigation." + +Don Manuel mechanically looked around, and then shook his head +despondingly. + +"I would not willingly," continued Gomez Arias, "throw an aspersion on +the reputation of any one, but what are we to surmise from the visit of +Don Rodrigo de Cespedes? Certainly, there was something unaccountable in +his chivalric expedition against me. Besides, why require the assistance +of an aged cavalier, when he might have commanded that of more suitable +agents for that description of undertaking?" + +Gomez Arias met with no great difficulty in deceiving the man he had +injured; for one under Don Manuel's distressing situation, is of all +others the most easy to be imposed upon. His own wounded feelings, in +some measure, paved the way to the deception;--as a man who has lost his +purse, is apt to throw the charge on the very first individual who +unfortunately happens to attract his notice. + +"In addition to this," proceeded Gomez Arias, "we may remark the visible +alarm which was stamped on the countenance of the young lady, when our +quarrel took place--her anxiety to bring the light--the shriek she +uttered on imagining that my antagonist had fallen;--these, Don Manuel, +are strong indications, which may have escaped your observation in +moments of anger and grief, but which to a cooler judgment amount almost +to certainty. However, it is not my intention to prejudice your mind +against Don Rodrigo; my only desire is to warn you." + +By such subtle means, Gomez Arias confirmed Monteblanco's suspicions; +for when once started, nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen them +than a sort of recantation in their author. Accordingly, Don Manuel +felt almost convinced of the treachery of his friend. Certainly there +was ample room to doubt the justice of such an imputation, if he had +chosen to reflect coolly on the subject; but in cases like the present, +the best reasons are unfortunately most unceremoniously set aside. + +Thus Don Manuel was at once deceiving himself, and casting a reflection +on the character of a man who had not the remotest connection with the +event, and whose integrity in this instance could still less be +impeached than in the case of his having feloniously taken the old mule +of the friar, instead of his own beautiful horse, for the purpose of +gaining by the exchange. + +Monteblanco, after a moment's thought, suddenly grasping the hand of +Gomez Arias--"I owe you much, Don Lope," he said, "and I pray you to be +convinced of the sincerity of my gratitude." + +"Nay, honored Sir," replied Gomez Arias, "you labour under a +delusion--you owe me nothing--at least you owe me no favor, and I +solemnly disclaim any title to your acknowledgments." + +Many and reciprocal were the compliments that passed from this time +between the two cavaliers; they mutually offered their services to each +other, and Don Lope very prudently afforded to his new friend all the +instructions which might tend to render abortive the pursuit and +recovery of the fugitive. Shortly after he took leave of the unfortunate +cavalier, who was even troublesome in the expression of his gratitude, +and whose hopes now began to assume a brighter hue. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + The intent, and not the deed, + Is in our power; and therefore, who dares greatly + Does greatly. + + _Browne's Barbarossa._ + + E ben degg'io, di libertade amico, + Meno la morte odiar di quella vita, + Che ricever dovrei dal mio nemico. + + _Metastasio._ + + +We must now recall the reader's attention to that portion of the history +of the rebellious Moors, which is in some measure connected with our +tale. The forty chiefs, who had been elected in the revolt of the +Albaycin, succeeded, as we have already seen, in disseminating their +sentiments through many towns and villages in the jurisdiction of the +Alpujarras: their efforts, however, were almost invariably unsuccessful. +In most of their encounters, the Moors were either entirely worsted, or +compelled to seek for safety in flight; yet they persevered in their +designs. Defeats and repeated crosses, instead of subduing, tended only +to increase their courage, by adding to the desire of vengeance. + +The rebels had already sustained some severe reverses; amongst which the +most prominent was the loss of the town of Guejar, which, after a +protracted and desperate resistance, had been taken by storm by the +combined forces of Count de Tendilla and the famous Gonzalo de Cordova. +Most of the Moors either perished in the defence, or were put to the +sword by the conquerors; whilst the Castle itself was given up to the +flames. + +The Count de Lerin next possessed himself of the fortress and town of +Andarax; and, exasperated at the resistance of the inhabitants, who +continued to protract the defence, although without any chance of +success, he at length blew up the Mosque, where a considerable number +had fled for shelter, along with the women and children. + +Thus of the three strong holds of the rebels, Lanjaron was the only one +that now remained unconquered, and this indeed appeared to offer a more +formidable resistance, chiefly on account of the garrison having el +Negro for a leader--a man of mean origin, but extraordinary courage and +resolution. These qualities, together with the services which he had +already rendered to the Moorish cause in the wars of Granada, had +acquired for him the confidence of his countrymen, who had accordingly +intrusted him with the command of this important post. He was a man of +severe habits, with a natural ferocity of character, which, although not +calculated to conciliate, nevertheless succeeded in commanding the +respect and obedience of his troops. + +The castle of Lanjaron, situated in the vale of Lecrin, was considered a +post of the utmost consequence, not only from the strength of its +defences, but from the circumstance of being a place of secure retreat +to the Moors of the surrounding country. At this moment the fortress +was closely beleaguered by the troops under the command of the Alcayde +de los Donceles and other chiefs, who deprived the rebels of the +smallest communication with their friends of the mountains, and had thus +reduced them to an utter state of destitution. + +Under these distressing circumstances, el Negro assembled his men, and +in a short but animated speech endeavoured to make them sensible of the +importance of keeping possession of Lanjaron, till the other leaders had +gained time to organise their means of defence in the Alpujarras. The +words of el Negro were received with a burst of enthusiasm, and for some +time the Moors vied with each other in giving the most heroic proofs of +courage and perseverance. As the fortress, however, was completely +surrounded, and the means of subsistence began to fail them, as a last +hope, they made a desperate sally during the night, but were driven back +with considerable loss. The failure of this attempt damped their +resolution, and some of the less courageous even murmured against an +exploit beset with difficulties, which it appeared next to an +impossibility to surmount. + +El Negro beheld these symptoms of discontent with heartfelt sorrow, but +at the same time with a countenance expressive of coolness and undaunted +fortitude. He exerted his utmost endeavour to quell the rising storm, +soothing some with pleasing hopes and promises, and thundering horrible +threats on the most refractory. The following morning three grisly +heads, dripping blood, appeared affixed to poles upon the battlements; +but this salutary punishment did not produce the expected effect, for +though it appalled the discontented, it inspired not a single spark of +valour in their hearts; whilst the Christians, who beheld the ghastly +spectacle, augured favorably from this bloody proof of disaffection. + +The numbers of the besieged were daily decreasing, until at length they +came to an open resolution of surrendering at discretion. The principal +men of the garrison, without the knowledge of their chief, had already +sent privately a messenger into the camp of the Spaniards to treat about +the surrender, and the conspirators had assembled in a clandestine +meeting, when el Negro, whom they supposed to be reposing from his +fatigue, suddenly came, and threw them into consternation. + +"Traitors! what means this?" he cried, with a voice of thunder; "what +are your intents?" + +"To capitulate," answered one more hardy than the rest, "and save our +lives by a timely submission." + +"Villain!" exclaimed el Negro, fiercely, "thou at least shall not enjoy +the reward of thy cowardice!" And raising his arm, with a ponderous blow +of his scymitar, he cleaved the head of the traitor down to the very +shoulder, and the body rolled heavily on the ground. His companions +stood aghast in speechless horror, whilst el Negro, his lips curling +with ire, and casting around a glance of defiance and contempt--"Go," he +exclaimed, "go, unworthy Moors, and abandon a cause which you have not +the courage to sustain. Go, and live like slaves, since ye know not how +to die like men. Senseless, pitiful cowards! Was it for this then that +you forced me to be your leader? Was it for this that I abandoned +Granada, leaving there, at the mercy of the Christians, all my dearest +friends, and severing the tenderest ties that bind man to existence? Go, +and accept the proffered pardon. I will remain alone, to shew our +countrymen of the Alpujarras, that at Lanjaron there was at least _one_ +true man--one who knew how to die in the execution of his duty." + +He said, and snatching the sacred standard, ascended rapidly to the +summit of the battlements, and placed himself by the three heads, which, +from their exposure to the sun and wind, had already begun to decay, and +presented a most ghastly and loathsome spectacle. The revolted garrison +threw open the gates of the castle to their enemies, whilst el Negro, +abandoned by all his companions, continued gloomily pacing the +battlements. The Christians, respecting his resolute conduct, and +willing to save his life, sent a herald to invite him once more to +surrender, declaring he had done his duty, and death alone would be the +consequence of his further resistance. He received the message with a +sneer, in which contempt was blended with sadness and despair; then +taking the presented _adarga_,[24] the acceptation of which was a +signification of peace, he threw it disdainfully on the ground, and +trampled it under his feet. + +"Carry this answer to him who sent thee!" and folding his arms, he +resumed his melancholy walk. + +The Christians now took possession of the castle, and el Negro +tranquilly beheld their approach. El Alcayde de los Donceles, willing to +make a last effort to save him, cried out as he advanced--"Yield thee, +Moor--yield--and accept thy pardon." + +"Never!" exclaimed fiercely el Negro; "the Moor will accept no boon from +his enemies. Death is now my only resource; but, Christians, do not +rejoice; I have been subdued by treachery, not by arms. Do not rejoice, +for our resources are still great, and while el Feri de Benastepar and +Caneri live, your oppression shall not be complete." + +He said, and with a sudden spring he hurled himself from the summit of +the tower. His body falling on a rock below, was dashed to pieces. + +The surrender of Lanjaron, and the tragical end of el Negro, were an +irretrievable loss to the Moors. They now found it utterly impossible to +oppose the superior and better disciplined troops of the Christians with +any chance of success, either in open battle or in regular sieges. They +therefore resolved to limit their whole means of defence to the +mountains, a description of warfare more suitable to their wandering +habits, and far better calculated to harrass the enemy, without +sustaining risk. Accordingly, el Feri de Benastepar, Andalla, Caneri, +and other chiefs, collected their forces, and assigned to each other a +portion of those mountains which they were at once to govern and defend. +By this means the Christians were likewise obliged to divide their army +into many divisions, and to encounter the rebels in partial struggles. +Don Alonso de Aguilar, who had succeeded in compelling el Feri to +retreat before him, now pursued his advantage, and advanced towards +Gergal, where that rebel chief was collecting his adherents. + +In the mean time, Don Antonio de Leyva, whom we have left at Guadix, +condoling with Don Manuel at the flight of his daughter, was compelled +to forego his wishes to serve the afflicted father. His duty now called +him to join the army of Aguilar, and act in conjunction with him against +Caneri and el Feri de Benastepar. + +Don Antonio's party had already arrived at Guadix, and the gallant young +knight, unwilling to procrastinate his departure when the path of honor +was open to him, immediately proceeded to take leave of Monteblanco. He +found the unfortunate father plunged in deeper affliction than before. +In the society of Don Antonio he had found a source of relief, and his +departure was productive of the most melancholy sensations. But Don +Manuel felt the necessity of the separation, and he was too generous and +noble minded to signify his wish to cause any delay. + +"Go, my friend, go, where honor calls you," he said, as he threw his +arms round de Leyva's neck--"Go, and show by your conduct how worthy you +are of the confidence reposed in you.--When the glory of your deeds +shall be blazoned abroad, my ungrateful child will feel a pang of regret +for the loss of a man so deserving of her affection and esteem." + +Here he was overcome with grief, and could proceed no further. + +"Senor," said Don Antonio, "do not yield yourself a prey to despondency; +but a short time has yet elapsed since the melancholy occurrence that +afflicts you, and you have no reason to relinquish your hopes. In all +cases be assured, Don Manuel, that you and those who concern you will +always be next my heart, and that unless death deprive me of the power, +I shall at least see your wrongs redressed, if I can bring no other +consolation." + +Saying this he hastily disengaged himself from the arms of Don Manuel, +and endeavouring to conceal his own emotion, gave the word of command. +He bounded lightly on his spirited barb, and the martial display of his +men, the glitter of armour, and the seductive prospect of future glory +and renown, powerfully contributed to dispel the cloud that hung over +him. Yet it was a sad parting, for there was something peculiarly +affecting in the sight of a father who, like Monteblanco, found himself +in old age isolated in the midst of the world, and bereft of the last +dear comfort that still bound him to life. Besides, in the short +interviews between Theodora and Don Antonio, both in the last visit and +at former periods, she had left a pleasing recollection in his mind. +Already the cries of those who bade the party of de Leyva farewell were +diminishing on the ear, and the turrets and steeples of Guadix became +more obscurely perceptible in the distance. The warriors began now to +assume a mastery over their feelings, and the tear of sympathy was +brightened in the glow of expectation. Courage and renown took entire +possession of those hearts which but too lately had sympathized with the +weaker and more tender sentiments of humanity. + +The absence of Don Antonio was like a death-blow to the hopes of +Monteblanco. Often did he regret the infirmities of age, which now +prevented him from grasping his sword; but his arm was grown nerveless, +and for the first time in his life the helpless cavalier felt bitterly +the recollection that all his brave sons had sacrificed their lives in +the defence of their country, not one now remaining to prop the honor of +his falling house. Don Manuel was a man, and this transitory feeling of +regret was natural to a father under his affliction, who knew not to +whom to turn for consolation and advice. + +Gomez Arias, who had insensibly won his favor, departed the next day +for Granada, in which quarter he had no longer any danger to apprehend. +He was anxious to assume his station in the war against the rebel Moors. +Monteblanco considered his intention not only just, but highly +commendable, and a tear coursed down the old man's cheek, as he took +leave of the seducer of his child, and the cause of his present +misfortunes. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + D'une secrete horreur je me sens frissoner; + Je crains, malgre moi-meme, un malheur que j'ignore. + + _Racine._ + + Senor Gomez Arias + Duelete de mi + Que soy nina y sola + Nunca en tal me vi. + + _Calderon._ + + +It was a rich and splendid summer evening. The sun was slowly sinking +behind the giant mountains of the Alpujarras, whose dark fantastic +shadows were gradually lengthening along the plains below. No intruding +sound broke upon the soft stillness of the scene, save when the +feathered tenants of the forest warbled their evening song, or the +tolling of a distant convent bell reverberated through the sombre +recesses of the mountains. A soft languor prevailed over the sylvan +scenery. The fancifully wreathing clouds, streaked with the red and +gold of the lingering sun--the variegated tints of those quiet +solitudes--the warm, chequered streams of light that glanced on the +broad-leafed tree, or fitfully quivered over the straggling +streamlet--the calm repose which reigned over that wide extending +landscape, all tended to raise the mind to contemplation, and to +interest the heart. + +At this tranquil hour, a group, consisting of three persons, were seen +slowly ascending a green sloping height, which seemed designed by nature +as a first resting place in the severe ascent of the gigantic mountain. +The first of the party was a knight of most gallant bearing, and mounted +on a shining black steed. Close by his side rode a beautiful damsel, +whose long redundant tresses were with difficulty restrained in a fillet +of silver lace. She wore a long riding habit; a Spanish hat, ornamented +with a plume of black feathers, was hanging gracefully on one side of +her head. Having thrown aside the thick veil which had protected her +from the scorching influence of the sun, she discovered a fair +countenance, to whose delicate cheek the heat and exercise had lent a +gentle tinge of the rose. Yet an expression of pensive sadness pervaded +the features of the lovely traveller. + +At a short distance behind these two personages, rode a man who appeared +by his dress and deportment to be their attendant. He sat with perfect +nonchalance on a stout Andalusian horse, but by the looks of suspicious +alertness, which he now and then cast around, it might be inferred that +this apparent ease was not in strict unison with his inward feelings. At +the moment of which we speak, he was singing in a _mezzo tuono_ the +romance of the Marriage of the Cid-- + + A Ximena y a Rodrigo + Prendio el rey palabraymano + De juntarlos para en uno + En presencia de Layn Calvo. + +"Cease thy confounded noise, Roque," cried angrily the knight, who, as +the reader may suppose, was no other than Gomez Arias. "What in the +name of Satan can induce thee to sing, when thou hast neither voice nor +ear? Give over, for thy confounded harmony is anything but pleasing." + +"Senor," observed the attendant; "what if I only sing to please myself?" + +"Silence, buffoon; or I shall presently raise a discord about thee, by +which all thy future powers of hearing shall be ruefully endangered." + +"Pray, Senor, do not deny me this only comfort; I wish particularly to +sing at this moment." + +"Thy reasons?" + +"Because I always sing when I am afraid; there is nothing so efficacious +as a song to drive away fear." + +"In sooth, such singing as thine would drive away the very devil. But +why shouldst thou fear?" + +"Under favor, Don Lope," replied the valet, "methinks fear ought to be +the most natural sensation at the present moment." + +"Darest thou talk of fear, poltroon!" said Gomez Arias. + +"By our Lady of the Pillar," ejaculated Roque, "such talk befits both +time and place. Are we not in hourly danger of encountering a set of +most fierce murderous-looking _ladrones_?"[25] + +"Well, and if that were really the case, we have but to defend ourselves +manfully. By the soul of the Cid, I would make very light work of a host +of such ruffians." + +"Well, my honored master," returned the valet, "but be pleased to +consider that this is not our only danger, for I trow we are now in the +mountains of Alpujarras, where those accursed and rebellious Moors hold +dominion. A plague on the infidel dogs! Are they not continually on the +watch to spring upon straggling and unwary Christians, and when they do +surprise them--" + +"Peace, fool, peace!" impatiently interrupted Gomez Arias, "This is not +the Alpujarras. Forgettest thou that when we left Guadix two days +since, we pursued quite a different route?" + +"That I know, Don Lope, but I likewise know that during the night, +either by chance or on purpose, we lost our way. Besides I am not so +ignorant of the country as to mistake these places, and I would wager my +head against two _maravedis_[26] that we are actually ascending the +Alpujarras." + +The young lady, who had till now observed a profound silence, with a +faultering voice exclaimed--"Oh, heavens! are we really in those +terrible mountains, and are we indeed in danger?" + +"No, my love," answered Gomez Arias; "the danger is not so great as this +fool would make us believe." + +"No, my lady," retorted Roque; "the danger is not so great, for after +all, the worst that can befall us is but to be hung upon a tree, there +to dance to the tune of the whistling midnight wind, and to afford a +luscious repast to the ravens, and other carnivorous gentry that hold +tenantry in these wild passes." + +"Heavens!" cried Theodora alarmed. + +"Nay, gentle lady," interposed Roque, "the hanging system will only be +followed up with respect to my valiant master and his humble servant. As +for yourself, the Moors are men celebrated for their gallantry, and +would place too great a value on your beauty, to subject it to such +rough treatment." + +Gomez Arias, greatly exasperated at Roque's insinuations, suddenly +turned, and, riding up to him, interrupted the course of his oratory +with a smart blow.--"Now, rascal," he said, "if thou darest again to +give utterance to any of those ridiculous fears, by _Santiago_, the +Moors shall not be put to the trouble of hanging thee--So be cautious +what thou sayest." + +"Say!" humbly muttered the valet, "Blessed Virgin! I have nothing else +to say; your arguments, Don Lope, are unanswerable. But I hope, my good +Senor, I may be allowed to recite my prayers, since singing and rational +conversation are interdicted." + +"Pray as much as thou pleasest, sinner, provided thy orisons are +inaudible to us." + +Gomez Arias now endeavoured to calm the fears of Theodora, who had been +greatly agitated by the imprudent remarks of Roque, which tended +considerably to increase the depression under which she laboured. + +"My Theodora," he said, "is it possible that I cannot remove the +continued dejection that preys upon you?" + +"Forgive me, Lope," she answered; "the expression of my grief I know is +painful to thee, but a dismal foreboding obtrudes itself upon my mind, +which I strive in vain to banish. Alas! it is fraught with a most +fearful, but indefinite anticipation; a woeful presage that freezes my +very soul." + +"Hush such foolish chimeras," said Gomez Arias; "it is true that, for +greater security of avoiding observation, I have been obliged to seek +studiously the most unfrequented paths, and travel through these wild +and solitary passes; but our journey draws to a conclusion, and all the +appalling images of Moorish ruffians will soon be entirely dispelled." + +"Alas! the dreaded sight of those infidels is not the only cause of my +emotion," sadly replied Theodora. + +"What else can occasion it?" demanded Gomez Arias, with anxiety. +"Surely, my Theodora repents not the hour she intrusted herself to the +protection of Gomez Arias?" + +She spoke not for some time;--a flood of tears relieved her bursting +bosom: then, as if struggling to collect her forces which were almost +overpowered by sad recollections, she exclaimed--"Oh! never mention the +hour of my crime--for crime it was, and a deadly sin, to abandon the +best of parents, in his old age; and yet," she added, sobbing, +"conscious as I am of my guilt, were the sin again to be committed, for +thy sake, Lope, I should again brave the voice of self-reproach.--Gomez +Arias, wert thou to read the hidden pages of my heart, there thou +wouldst find a tale of boundless love and never-ending sorrow, which no +words of mine can describe, but which must embitter the future portion +of my existence, unless we speedily obtain the forgiveness of my injured +parent." + +"Nay, Theodora, this weakness is as unreasonable as it is unjust; nor +can I at all imagine why thy future life should be embittered with +grief, united as it is with the very being of Gomez Arias." + +"I am sensible," cried Theodora, "both of the tenderness and sincerity +of your love, and you know full well with what fervent devotion it is +requited." + +"What, then, can urge your mind to form such desponding anticipations? +Have you seen aught in my conduct,--have you discerned anything in my +words, that can afford even the shadow of justice to your +apprehensions?" + +"No, Gomez Arias," she answered; "your conduct to me has always been +kind; your words breathing the same solicitude for my comfort and +happiness: but you must forgive the weakness and fears of a fond woman's +heart. Forgive me, Lope, if these feelings should sometimes create ideas +galling at once to my peace, and derogatory to thy constancy and love. I +have laboured hard to subdue them, but, alas! the exertion has +constantly proved above my strength; I must give them utterance. Oh, +Lope," she added; mournfully, "I fear you are not the same. Pardon +me,--you are not the same, as when I first surrendered to you all my +affections, fondly imagining you were mine for ever." + +"Not the same!" ejaculated Gomez Arias; "have my attentions been less +constant than from the first rapturous moment when you allowed me to +call you my own?" + +A deep long rending sigh burst from the bosom of Theodora, and her whole +frame seemed to suffer from a painful recollection. + +"No," she said, smiling sadly through her tears, "you watch with +solicitude over me, and you are lavish of endearments; but, alas! the +pure and soul-warm part of your affection I fear is flown." + +"By my honor," said Gomez Arias, "I could never have expected these +unkind expressions from you." + +"Oh! Lope," cried the affrighted girl; "do not heed me; think not of the +remarks to which my foolish fears give rise; I am ashamed of them +myself. I will no more disturb your mind; no, never more shall the +voice of complaint sound in your ears, and call forth the resentment of +your wounded feelings.--Ah! Gomez Arias, compose yourself, and be not +angry with your poor--your helpless Theodora." + +As she uttered this affectionate appeal, her beautiful eyes were fixed +on Don Lope, with an expression in which all the tender, all the genuine +feelings of her heart seemed to be collected. Gomez Arias was softened; +his features relaxed from that sudden asperity which had for a moment +usurped the more habitual complacency of his countenance, and he +endeavoured to dispel from the mind of Theodora the impression which +such unkindness might produce. + +They had now arrived at the summit of the little hill. It was a most +delightful spot. A sward of short pliant grass carpeted a romantic +little plain, skirted on one side by a portion of a forest, through +which the sun cast short and interrupted glances of his parting +splendour. Above the heads of the travellers, rose in dark grandeur the +majestic form of the Alpujarras; and beneath them, as far as the eye +could reach, was spread an extensive range of sylvan scenery, +intermingled with the habitations of men. Farther, the little quiet +villages lay slumbering in the soft blue shadows. The whole of the scene +was wrapped in an indescribable charm, that well accorded with the +tranquillity of the hour. + +Here they halted, and Gomez Arias turning to Theodora said in an +affectionate tone, "My love, your tender frame has already endured a +greater share of fatigue than becomes your strength. Let us then, in +this delightful and sequestered spot, indulge an hour in refreshing and +invigorating repose." + +Theodora assented in silence. + +"Nay," continued Don Lope, "consult your inclination. I will not press +you to rest, unless you feel its necessity." + +"I have no wish but your own," cheerfully answered Theodora; "you appear +inclined to stay in this place--let us tarry then." + +Gomez Arias sprung lightly from his steed, and aided his fair companion +to dismount. She threw herself into his arms, but as her feet touched +the ground, she heaved a sigh, and cast a melancholy look around her. + +"How you tremble, my love," said Don Lope; "this is the consequence of +that rascally Roque's foolery. I have a good mind to chastise the fellow +for the fears he has conjured in your breast." + +Roque, who had followed at some distance in silent mood, no sooner heard +his name pronounced, than he pricked up his ears like an intelligent dog +on the scent for game, and when he heard his master's kind intentions +towards him, he ventured to observe-- + +"Senor, I would not trespass on your generosity; pray reserve your +intended favor for a future occasion, when I shall have more specially +deserved it." + +"Sirrah! be silent; come down, and tie the horses to yonder trees." + +The valet obeyed briskly; while Gomez Arias conducted his fair companion +to the entrance of the wood; where, arranging a couch under the +spreading arms of a huge oak, he invited her to lie down and rest. She +was about to accede to his invitation, when they were startled by a +shrill and discordant sound accompanied with a heavy flapping of wings, +and presently a flight of dull ill-omened ravens issued from their +solitary abodes, and hovered about, as if to dispute the possession of +their ancient homes with the intruders. + +A fitful and involuntary shudder ran cold over the affrighted girl, as +with a wild and appalled look she gazed on the recluse birds, which +their arrival had disturbed; she clung eagerly to Gomez Arias, as they +both sat down on the spot above-mentioned. + +"What ails you, Theodora?" demanded Don Lope. "Is it possible that a few +ravens can inspire with childish terrors a mind like yours?" + +Theodora acknowledged her foolish weakness, but she was far from feeling +tranquil and consoled. Indeed when she perceived Roque, with visible +alarm, cross himself fervently three times, it added to the excitement +of her feverish imagination. + +Owls, ravens and bats, have always had an indisputable privilege to +excite superstitious fears. Whence they derive this particular claim, it +would be difficult to determine, but they are generally considered the +harbingers of some dismal event, which is more properly, after all, the +result of an over-heated fancy. + +Theodora, who since she left the paternal roof had been a prey to that +fixed sorrow which the intoxicating transports of love had not been able +to subdue, now contemplated, in the gloomy croaking of the ravens, the +sad presage of some dire misfortune. She reclined silently with downcast +eyes, while Roque was busy in fastening the horses. + +"Gently, gently, Babieca," said the valet, caressing the spirited steed +of his master; then he muttered to himself--"for we have nothing to fear +if we escape safe and sound from this place--So help me God if I did +not count thirteen ravens, as ill-omened in every respect of size, color +and voice, as a Christian might wish to behold--Well, our _Lady de las +Angustias_ send us her grace and protection!" + +"What art thou muttering there?" asked Gomez Arias. "Thou graceless +varlet, hast thou a wish that I should fulfil the promise I made thee a +short time since?" + +"Senor?" inquired Roque, pretending not to hear. + +"No dissembling, thou dog!--What art thou mumbling to thyself?" + +"Save you, kind master; sure enough I am only praying, and in so doing I +infringe not your commands, since I have your permission to pray to my +soul's content, provided it is in a tacit capuchin-like manner." + +The ravens having practised their cumbrous evolutions, now sought their +rest amidst the deeper gloom of the forest, and all again was hushed, to +the great relief of Roque, who forthwith began to devour alone the +provisions which, like a careful and sagacious forager, he had provided +against the necessities of the journey. + +Theodora had laid aside her hat and veil, to enjoy the luxury of repose +with greater convenience, whilst her lover placing himself near her, and +watching her every movement, diffused by his tender anxiety a transient +joy over her features. She soon insensibly sunk into that sweet state of +languor which precedes sleep--her beautiful eyes by fits now entirely +closing, now gently opening, indicated the gradual absorption of her +senses, till at last she fell into a profound slumber. Gomez Arias, who +as we have observed stood watching her, like the tender mother over her +beloved daughter, now knelt close by her side, and softly pronounced her +name--she answered not--he took her yielding hand, gazed over her +anxiously, till he was perfectly assured that a profound sleep had +completely overpowered her faculties. + +"Senor," quoth Roque, "methinks it would be a pity to disturb the +slumbers of the poor lady after the journey she has undergone." + +"I do not mean to interrupt her rest," said Gomez Arias, in a low voice, +"so we must even retire." + +Then he rose up with cautious silence, and drawing near his valet, he +added-- + +"Rise, rise quickly, and make no noise." + +Roque obeyed, and both having retreated to some distance--"Senor," +observed the valet, who cared not again to disturb the ominous ravens, +for which he felt an instinctive horror--"Senor, no necessity for +retiring further." + +"Yes there is an imperious one," replied Gomez Arias, "I can no longer +remain here." + +"What say you, my honored master!" demanded Roque, alarmed; "surely you +are not afraid of the Moors? By my conscience, we should come to a +pretty pass if such were really the case." + +"Peace, thou wretch!" said Don Lope; "speak not a word, but immediately +untie my horse, and as you expect to live, mind you make not noise +enough to disturb even the leaf of the tree." + +"Senor, I do not understand," quoth the bewildered Roque. + +"I must begone," impatiently replied his master. + +"Gone, Sir! Why I understood you had determined not to break our young +lady's repose." + +"Nor is that my intention. She must remain here with thee, till I am out +of sight." + +"_Cuerpo de Christo!_ What ails you my dear Senor; what ails you, in the +name of _San Jose bendito_?" exclaimed the astounded Roque, who really +imagined his master was beside himself. + +"Listen, Roque," said Gomez Arias, "and mind thou religiously observest +my instructions. Unavoidable circumstances require that I and Theodora +should part; I have been seeking an opportunity of so doing, and +assuredly I shall not find a better than the present. It is necessary I +should return to Granada immediately, and it would be highly imprudent +to hazard the chance of being seen with Theodora, for reasons of which +thou must be well aware. A separation, therefore, becomes at this +moment indispensable. When I am gone, thou shalt awaken yon sleeping +beauty, and accompany her thyself to the said city, where I shall +precede you in order to make arrangements for her reception. There is a +nunnery, of which my cousin Ursula is the Lady Abbess, where she shall +for the present find an asylum. Thou hast only to inform Theodora, that +I thought it most advisable to ride in advance to prepare our retreat. +Upon thy arrival at the _Torre del Aceytuno_ a man will join thee, to +whom thou must look for further instruction, and whose direction thou +art to follow with confidence. Thy reward shall be proportioned to the +magnitude of the service; so now get me my horse, and let me begone ere +she awake." + +Roque remained thunderstruck as his master revealed to him his cruel +intentions; the poor fellow drew his hand across his eyes, as if to +ascertain whether or no he was under the delusion of a dream; but as his +master in a more imperative voice repeated his injunctions, the reality +of his barbarous purpose burst upon his mind. + +"No, no, Don Lope," he said in a supplicating tone, "such surely cannot +be your intentions; abandon the poor girl! no, you only wish to trifle +with my credulity." + +"I must begone," resolutely retorted Gomez Arias. + +"Why, Sir, assuredly you loved her?" + +"I loved her once, but that is passed." + +"_Holy Virgin del tremedal!_ What say you, Senor? What has the poor lady +done? How has she offended you, unless it be in loving you too well?" + +"Aye, Roque, thou art a shrewd fellow; she has indeed loved me too +well." + +"But consider, my honored master, she is more like an angel than a +woman; never before did I see a being so kind, so tender and devoted." + +"Roque, Roque, be not sententious; I have no time to listen to thy +sentimental cant; the qualities which thou praisest in Theodora are +precisely those that withdraw me from her.--Haste thee, I say--What is +the fool staring at?" + +"But, Senor Don Lope Gomez Arias," solemnly said Roque, "consider that +common humanity----" + +"Humanity!" interrupted his master, "how am I deficient in humanity, +when I place her in the only situation that becomes her, since a +marriage between us is utterly impossible. But enough; a truce with your +remarks; prepare to obey my orders, and take care thou art strict in +their observance as thou valuest my regard, or tremblest at the effects +of my wrath and indignation. However, to remove thy ridiculous and +ill-timed scruples, I must recall to thy mind that I cannot pursue +another course, for thou art aware that I am betrothed to Leonor; I must +not violate the sanctity of my promise, and thereby lose the favor of +the Queen, and incur the resentment of the justly offended Don Alonso de +Aguilar." + +This last observation somewhat reconciled Roque to the necessity of the +measure, the more so as he hoped that, when at Granada, another plan +might be devised for Theodora, besides that of conventual reclusion; and +finally, as he knew that all further expostulation would be thrown away +upon his master, he prudently contented himself with shrugging up his +shoulders, and holding the stirrup for Don Lope to mount. + +Gomez Arias briskly leaped upon his horse, and was about to depart, when +casting a last look on the victim he was deserting, the better feelings +of his heart seemed for a moment to struggle for predominance. + +There is something peculiarly interesting in the sleep of a young and +beautiful woman; the features unruffled by anxiety or care, appear more +soft and attractive. The mind of the gazer scans with nicer accuracy her +charms, and dwells with fonder attention on each beauty of the lovely +sleeper. Besides the consciousness of so gentle, so helpless and so +heavenly a form, sleeping in innocent security, confiding in the +protection of man, and that very helplessness of her nature, awakens a +sentiment of sympathy and tenderness, as undefinable as it is thrilling +and transporting. And such was the sleep of Theodora: she was young and +replete with charms, and, alas! but too helpless and in need of +protection. Her beauteous form was displayed to the greatest advantage; +the sportive breeze now playing amidst her luxuriant hair, which +occasionally concealed a countenance beaming in loveliness, and hushed +in soft repose, imparted a degree of fairy grace and delicate freshness +to her charms. One of her arms was carelessly thrown over her, and with +the other she supported her head, while, unconscious of the fate with +which she was threatened, she slept on in security. And now a tinge of +animation illumined her countenance, or a fascinating smile played upon +her lips, as she dreamed perhaps, like the fond deserted Ariadne, that +her godlike lover was still watching over the slumbers of his beloved. + +Gomez Arias still gazed on her--he heard his name in smothered accents +escape her tender bosom, but it awakened in him no feeling of delight, +for his heart had now resumed its cold calculations of worldly pursuits; +perhaps the predominant sentiment of his mind at this moment, was the +necessity of immediate departure, lest the imagination of the +unconscious victim should master the deluded senses, and call them back +to life, before he had time to remove from the spot. + +"Lope! my love!" murmured Theodora, and a gentle thrill seemed to +agitate her, as she extended her arm, as though she would assure him +that whether sleeping or awake, Gomez Arias was the object that +predominated over all her thoughts and affections. Yet Gomez Arias stood +calmly for a moment by the victim he was deserting, and bidding her a +long farewell, rode slowly and silently on his way. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + El honor + Es un fantasma aparante, + Que no esta' en que yo lo tenga, + Sino en que el otro lo piense. + + _Calderon._ + + Honor's a fine imaginary notion. + + _Addison._ + + +Honor! thou dazzling and wayward deity, how boundless is thy dominion! +How widely different the nature and pretensions of thy worshippers! All +do thee homage; all gladly and proudly profess themselves thy votaries; +all would resent the supposition of being heretical to thy creed, and +yet how few truly adhere to the purity of thy precepts! How few are +sincere in the expression of their adoration!--nay, how limited the +number of those who really understand the essence of thy doctrine! The +sanguinary ruffian considers himself as zealous in the service of honor, +as the high minded and courageous man who has a sword to avenge the +wrongs of his country, and a heart to sympathise with the picture of +human misery. All are swayed by the magic word, Honor; for even those +who affect to despise virtue, her attractions being of too humble and +plebeian a character, nevertheless pretend to revere the name of +_honor_, as conveying an idea more bright and consonant with worldly +pomp, and at the same time affording a greater latitude for various +interpretations. Alas! this very vagueness has something more flattering +to deluded mortals, than the strict and definite term, the more heroic +nature of virtue. + +Honor was the idol of Gomez Arias, who appeared one of the most +scrupulous in the observance of its tenets; he could not brook a word, a +glance, a smile which might seem derogatory to the essence of its +established maxims. Again, his word was sacred and inviolable. The +least equivocation in his promise to man might sully him with an +indelible stain; but then he would calmly and deliberately, without +transgressing his honor, employ all his guile to deceive a weak and +unprotected female. Honor would compel him to acquit the debt of the +gaming table, even when he was almost justified in impeaching the +integrity of the creditor, but as a counterpoise, that same honor, +without any dereliction of principle, allowed him to turn a deaf ear to +the claims of more humble suitors; claims, certainly more just and +sacred, but far less _honorable_. + +The rigid adherence of Don Lope to his word, was fully exemplified in +the convenient recollection of his engagement to Leonor de Aguilar. He +had pledged his faith to that lady, and had undoubtedly been a little +too remiss in its fulfilment, but now that he had nothing more to hope +from Theodora, he was alive to the sacredness of his promise, and the +almost dishonorable nature of any delay. + +It was by this and the like sophistical reasonings, that he endeavored +to palliate his ingratitude and cruelty towards the hapless victim of +his lawless desires; for hardened as he was in his libertinism, and +unjust as were his sentiments with regard to women, he could not avoid +feeling a pang of conscious remorse at the recollection of Theodora. He +had systematically won the confidence of an unsuspecting girl, and when +she had intrusted him with her heart's best affections, how was the +trust requited? He had despoiled her of her innocence and peace of mind; +seduced her from her home; snatched her from the arms of an indulgent +parent, and now abandoned her, degraded in her own estimation, and a +prey to all the bitterest pangs of shame and remorse, and disappointed +love. He had laid rude hands on the tender flower in its opening bloom, +and prematurely sipped the sweetness from the blossom, and then +unpitying he had cast it by, neglected and forlorn. + +It required all the brilliant anticipations of Don Lope's future career, +to stifle the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon his imagination, +and he endeavoured for some time wholly to dispel such unwelcome ideas, +by courting others of a more agreeable nature. + +The image of Leonor de Aguilar stood before his sight in all the charms +of ripened beauty, surrounded with the dazzling splendors of rank, +fortune, and a glorious name. Gomez Arias perceived the advantages of +his alliance with Leonor, and the wildest dreams of ambition danced in +rapid succession before his mind. He beheld himself the envied possessor +of the first lady of the land, the near relative of its most respected +warrior, and the honorable expectant of the highest preferment. His +pride would be gratified, and his fondest desires realized. He held the +cup of happiness to his lips, filled even to the brim; he was +bewildered, intoxicated with the sweet beverage, and in the flow of +pleasurable expectations, the thought of _her_ whom he had made wretched +for ever, was soon completely lost. + +Alas! the anticipation of the future will always thus overpower the +recollection of the past; beauty, honors, glory, and their sparkling +attendants, were fearful odds against the love, the solitary love, of a +fond and innocent girl--a love which had nothing more to promise, +nothing more to bestow. But to return: + +No sooner had Gomez Arias quitted the place, than Roque, struck by the +decision and promptitude of his master, stood silent and motionless, +gazing on the unfortunate and deserted fair. She was tranquilly +sleeping; dreaming perhaps of love and joy, and Roque hesitated to +shorten the sweet illusion by making known to her the dismal reality. He +felt an unconquerable repugnance to be the messenger of such fearful +intelligence; for though the valet was accustomed to the unprincipled +vagaries of his master, he was not entirely divested of humanity, and he +could not but commiserate the utter wretchedness of Theodora's lot. + +But now the soft rays of evening were deepening into twilight; darker +shadows stole imperceptibly over the various-tinted and drowsy +landscape, till at last all was enveloped in one calm uninterrupted blue +of night. + +The superstitious fears of Roque, as he saw the gloom increasing around, +overcame his feelings of compassion, and he began to think of awakening +Theodora, when the hollow sound of a horn burst suddenly upon his ear, +and momentarily rivetted him to the spot. He looked towards the quarter +from whence the blast proceeded, and with surprise and terror he beheld, +at a short distance above his head, two men, who, as well as he could +distinguish, were arrayed in Moorish attire; presently three or four +others made their appearance, and Roque, now dead to all other +sensations than those of personal danger, sprung eagerly upon his horse, +and fled with the utmost precipitation in the direction that his master +had taken. + +The Moors, for such they were, saw his flight with savage +disappointment; but Roque having the advantage of a horse to facilitate +his escape, they considered that a pursuit would be useless. They left +him, therefore, hoping that his capture would be made by some other of +the straggling parties that patrolled those solitudes. + +"The base Christian escapes," said one, who appeared to be the leader. + +"Yes, Malique," answered another, "but let us look what he leaves +behind." + +"By the Prophet's sacred beard," cried Malique, "it bears very much the +resemblance of a woman. But she moves not.--What, is she dead? The +detested ruffian surely has not murdered her. Let us hasten down and +ascertain the truth." + +They rapidly descended from the height, and surrounded the unhappy +Theodora, who, quite overcome with fatigue, was still sleeping. + +"She is not dead; she is only asleep," quoth one. + +"And a pleasant apartment has she chosen for her chamber," cried +another. + +"She is a lovely lady, and gentle handmaids will she have to awaken her +withal," observed Malique. "Soft and fair as one of the Houris promised +to the faithful in paradise. By the holy sepulchre of Mecca, such a +morsel as this would not be disagreeable even to the fastidious palate +of our chief Caneri." + +He approached, and for a moment stood gazing over the sleeping beauty, +his eyes glistening with savage pleasure; then pulling her gently by the +arm,-- + +"Awake, fair maiden, awake!" he said, in as soothing a tone as the +roughness of his nature would permit. + +With a fitful start Theodora awoke. She opened her eyes. Oh, horror! +horror! Surely she was labouring under the impression of a fearful +delusion. Yes, it must be the wild chimera of her feverish fancy. She +saw herself surrounded by a band of appalling figures, each seeming to +vie with his fellow who should display in his appearance the greatest +terror. + +The pale moon that now slowly arose from behind the clouds, threw +around streams of chilling, unearthly light, which served to illumine +countenances still more chilling and unearthly. Strange black eyes, +wildly rolling under their darksome covering, were all intensely gazing +on her; and horrid grins, which were peculiar to those features, served +to increase the natural ferocity of their ruffian aspect. Poorly attired +they were,--outcast and rebellious spirits, who had the caverns of the +forest for their resting place, and the wild mountain for their country. +The tranquil recklessness of their wandering life was depicted in all +their movements; and the cold expression of their bronzed features +betokened a hardihood in the commission of crime, and in the unwearied +pursuit of vengeance. + +"Fair Christian, be not afraid," said Malique; "we will not harm thee." + +Theodora looked at the speaker and closed her eyes, as if unable to +endure the sight. Words coming from so terrible a source could convey no +confidence; and kindness and assurances of safety, offered by such a +being, seemed a refinement of cruelty, to render dishonor and death +more poignant. A broad face, of swarthy complexion, was rendered +frightful by an enormous mouth, where large white projecting teeth +seemed to be placed more to disfigure than to adorn it. A large scar +extended across the face, dividing the eyebrows, and adding new terrors +to that already repulsive physiognomy. + +When Theodora recovered a little from her first emotion, she became a +prey to the most harrowing recollections. Alas! her reason seemed to +return only to augment the poignancy of her distress. + +"My love! my own Lope!" she franticly cried, "where art thou? Come, come +and protect thy poor Theodora!" + +The hardened Moors raised a laugh at those piteous exclamations, whilst +Malique observed-- + +"Nay, lady, if that same Lope be thy husband, or lover, call him not; +for I presume he is not within ear-shot, and can afford thee no +assistance; so be composed, and yield submissively to thy fate, since +there is no other alternative left thee." + +Theodora heeded him not, for she was absorbed in the ideas that crowded +upon her mind. Terrible was the sight of those mountain ruffians, and +horrid was the anticipation of her destiny, yet only one melancholy, +heart-rending misfortune occupied her every feeling. She was alive to +one only calamity, but in that, alas! all the horrors with which fate +could overwhelm her were at once combined. She saw _him_ not--the man of +her heart--her last protector, and the single link that bound her to +existence. Gomez Arias was not by her side; had he abandoned her? She +could not harbour such a thought in her innocent bosom,--nay, not even +in a transitory flash, was the dreadful truth revealed to her. She was +at least blessed in this ignorance, but yet Gomez Arias was not present. +She thought that her lover had been murdered, but not that he had +abandoned her. + +Malique now made a sign, and one of his companions untied the horse +which had been left behind. + +"Come, fair maiden," he then said, addressing Theodora, "thou must mount +and follow us." + +"Follow you! Oh! heavens, have pity on me!" + +"We do pity thee, lady, for we intend to carry thee to a place of +safety, where, if thou knowest how to use to advantage the attractions +of which nature has been so prodigal to thee, thou mayest perchance +experience a lot far more fortunate than a Christian captive has a right +to expect when in the power of the oppressed and injured Moors." + +"Alas! where do you lead me?" again tremblingly demanded Theodora. + +"Even to our chief Caneri; and we can promise thee that if thy charms +are such as to insure his affections, thou wilt be honored with his +choice, and perhaps rank foremost amongst his wives." + +"Oh! horror," cried the wretched girl, in frantic agony. "Kill me, oh! +in pity kill me, before I am overwhelmed with such degradation." + +She threw herself on the ground, and fearfully clasped the knees of the +ferocious Moor. + +"Kill thee!" re-echoed Malique; "no, no, thou art too beauteous, too +lovely. Thy grief at present for the death of the man thou bewailest, +makes thee call for a fate which some time hence thou wilt thank me to +have spared thee: with Caneri thou wilt learn to forget the lover thou +deplorest, for thou wilt find that a Moor can love even more sincerely +than a Christian." + +Theodora entreated in vain. Deaf to her piercing cries, Malique mounted +her palfrey, and forcibly placed her before him to prevent her falling, +as her frame shook convulsively, and he began to fear he would shortly +have to support a lifeless burthen. + +Night's sable pall had now overspread the drowsy earth. The moon no +longer afforded her light, and thick darkness hung over those mournful +solitudes. The listless silence was only broken by the tramp of one +solitary horse; while the suppressed gaiety of the Moors, and the deep +sighs that oft escaped from a sorrowing heart, but too plainly told the +tale of violence and distress. + +A calm cold tranquillity presided over the place. The screech-owl gave +one gloomy shrill and prolonged note, and all was still again. But that +sound went thrilling to Theodora's heart, like the death-knell on the +mountain blast; while the night wind blew fearfully, and the dismal +howling was rehearsed by the echoes of the wilderness. + +But deserted and lonely as were those dark recesses, more lonely and +deserted still was the heart of Theodora. She was a wretched outcast, a +solitary being in the world, and she lived on memory alone. Alas! it is +in the hour of distress and perilous adventure, that the voice of memory +holds more busy converse with the mind. She then tells a long and varied +tale, in which the fortunate portion of our past existence is powerfully +heightened, whilst the gloomy part is rendered lighter by the weight of +actual endurance. In this hour of terror, the remembrance of the happy +home which she should never see again, and the tranquil pastimes of +innocence which she could never more enjoy, passed in rapid succession +before her mind. The first dawning of genuine love--the fervour of +adoration, all were fled. The image of Don Lope, rendered still more +endearing by his untimely loss, filled up the measure of Theodora's woe, +till her heart could no longer support the pressure of so much distress. +She sobbed aloud; and the tears which fell from her eyes in some measure +relieved her bursting heart. She looked around, and saw nothing but the +undisturbed continuance of wild solitudes, clothed in dark shadows; and +she heard nought but mournful sounds to add to the wretchedness of her +already deplorable lot. The ill-omened bird again shrieked, and the wind +howled fitfully; whilst the moon, issuing from behind a cloud, now threw +a cold comfortless light, which imparted a death-like hue to every +object around. + +While thus overwhelmed with sensations of terror at her forlorn +situation, she perceived some object of dark appearance hanging upon a +tree almost across their path, and waving to and fro at the will of the +blast. A glimpse of moonlight now falling upon the place, discovered a +human figure: it was indeed the body of a murdered man. Theodora +shuddered at the sight: an icy chill crept over her, and she dreaded, +and yet was eager to learn what she, alas! too well anticipated. + +"The sight appears to unnerve you, lady," coolly observed her conductor, +"and I wonder not, for it is a sorry sight for a tender female, and a +Christian withal. Yonder scarecrow was, a short time since, a Christian +knight, and is there placed as a warning to his fellow-countrymen how +they dare provoke the angry lion in his dominions. In each Moor will the +Christian encounter a lion;--nay, something even more terrible than the +king of beasts; for, joined with the mighty strength and fierce +resolution of this animal, we have the reason and wounded feelings of +men." + +"By the prophet," said one of the Moors, "that Christian well deserved +his fate; a more desperate man never did I see!" + +"Aye," continued another, "he fought bravely, and we bought his life at +the dear price of two comrades." + +"I came not till he was dispatched," exclaimed Malique in a haughty +tone, "otherwise the combat would not have been long dubious; but you +are a cowardly set, and had the Christian been seconded, I suspect that +the five who attacked him would have been disgracefully driven back: but +he fought alone, his dastardly servant having fled. Pity we could not +catch the rascal, for he would have made a proper accompaniment to his +master on the next tree." + +Theodora listened in frozen suspense, whilst another of the Moors +observed, in an under-tone,-- + +"'Twas unfortunate though, that love should have brought about his +death: in his last moment he said something concerning love; and who +knows but this young maiden"-- + +Theodora heard no more,--she uttered a faint smothered scream, and fell +lifeless into the arms of Malique. + +"Give help! give help! she faints! poor damsel--Get some water from the +brook." + +They halted a moment, and sprinkling the reviving liquid over Theodora's +face, succeeded in recalling her back to life. Malique then endeavoured +to administer words of comfort to the distressed girl, but he was +utterly unsuccessful; a settled gloom pervaded her soul, and she +discarded the very idea of consolation. Thus they continued to travel +during the night, till the first gleams of the dawning day brought to +their view the outline of a village enveloped in the morning mist.--As +they gently advanced, the scene enlarged, and the shade gradually +rolling off, a little quiet town became at length perceptible, shining +in the first rays of the sun, and fresh with silvery drops of the dew. +The sombre aspect of the Alpujarras began to lose its sterner frown in +the loveliness and animation of the morning hour. But alas! it brought +no comfort to the desponding heart of Theodora. Deep and poignant as her +sorrows were, she felt conscious that a yet more dreadful fate awaited +her; she was about to be offered a victim to the lawless desires of a +ruffian, and an infidel. Death alone could release her from so +degrading a destiny; but even death, that last melancholy consolation, +was denied to her. She prayed fervently to heaven, and her +supplications, pronounced in the sincerity of her heart, served only to +console her. No help came: eagerly she cast her eyes around, and clung +with fond endearment to the wildest hopes that ever fancy created.--She +hailed with a fluttering expectation the least sound, for in it she was +willing to fancy a deliverer. The distant tramp of a horse, or the bark +of a dog, failed not to raise hopes which tended only to render her +distress more poignant by disappointment. + +Her mind, worn out in this conflict, began to lose its powers of +consciousness, and as they approached the town, she gradually fell into +a state of passive despair. She saw without emotion a group of men +standing at the entrance, who, in conjunction with some ragged children, +as soon as she was perceived, raised an exulting shout. + +A Christian captive! a Christian captive!--And presently three or four +armed Moors came forward, to whom Malique related his adventure. They +then proceeded altogether through the principal street of the town of +Alhacen, which was at that time the headquarters of the Moors, who fell +within the jurisdiction of the rebel chief Caneri. The town presented a +most dismal and disconsolate aspect; the inhabitants bearing in their +appearance a proof of their miserable wandering life, and seeming all +prepared to abandon their precarious tenements at the first summons. +Indeed the late losses which they had sustained, and more especially the +surrender of Lanjaron, contributed, to keep them in a state of continual +alarm. This feeling was considerably augmented by the intelligence they +had just now received, that Alonso de Aguilar, the most renowned and the +most redoubtable of their enemies, was rapidly advancing against El Feri +de Benastepar. However, as they had nothing to lose,--no riches to +abandon--no pleasures to relinquish--no comforts to forget, the +expression of their countenances exhibited a cold resignation, blended +with gloomy ferocity. + +The party that conducted Theodora having traversed the town, stopt at +its extremity, before a house which appeared somewhat in better order +than the rest, in front of which several armed Moors were pacing to and +fro. + +Malique demanded an immediate interview with Caneri, which was denied +him on the plea that the chief was at the moment deeply engaged in a +conference with the most important amongst the Moors. Soon after, +however, a short broad-faced ugly fellow made his appearance, and with +demonstrations of joy welcomed Malique, who was his kinsman. + +"By our holy prophet, Malique, I am glad to see thee return with such a +goodly sport:--Caneri is not to be interrupted now, but thou mayest be +sure of a good reward." + +Aboukar, for such was the Moor's name, then ushered in his kinsman. +Every one seemed to pay great respect and deference to the little man; +it was with reason, for he acted in no less a capacity than master of +the household to the mountain sovereign of the place. Meantime Theodora +was intrusted to the care of an old hag, wife to Aboukar, and a renegade +Christian. She conducted her ward to a little narrow apartment, where +having placed some refreshments, she recommended Theodora to partake of +them, and retired. + + +END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSIO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. II. + +LONDON: +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. +65, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. + +1828. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Though I had the form + I had no sympathy with breathing flesh; + Nor, 'midst the creatures of clay that girded me, + Was there but one, who----but of her anon. + I said with men, and with the thoughts of men, + I held but slight communion; but instead + My joy was in the wilderness; to breathe + The difficult air of the iced mountain's top, + Where the birds dare not build. + + _Byron._ + + Some secret venom preys upon his heart; + A stubborn and unconquerable flame + Creeps in his veins, and drinks the stream of life. + + _Rowe._ + + +In the recess of a spacious apartment sat Caneri, indolently reclining +upon a pile of cushions, after the manner of the Moors of distinction. +He was descended from a family related to the old Moorish kings of +Cordova, so that in consequence of his rank, and a certain influence +which it obtained for him, he had been elected by the rebels as one of +the principal leaders chosen to direct their enterprize. Weak, and +vain-glorious, Caneri evinced the utmost solicitude to maintain the +semblance of a splendour which corresponded but indifferently with the +poverty of his present state, and assumed an authority that ill assorted +with the precarious tenure by which he held his power. Anxious to cling +even to the shadow of a Court, he had appointed his officers, and +regulated his household, with all the precision and etiquette of a petty +sovereign. The mansion which he now inhabited had apparently belonged to +some more wealthy person of the town of Alhacen, and had been studiously +decorated with all the tapestry and other ornaments which could be +collected together; but the faded and tattered condition of the +materials, evidently indicated that the days of their splendour had +long since passed. + +Caneri was at this moment exhibiting the capricious disposition of a +vain and would-be despot. Some half dozen miserable looking figures, who +surrounded his couch, constituted his whole retinue, and appeared +completely subservient to the ridiculous fancies of their master. But +amongst these desperate ruffians, there was a man whose countenance and +demeanor were calculated more particularly to attract the notice of a +stranger. He sat at the right of Caneri, and seemed, by the freedom of +his language and manner, to possess the unlimited confidence of that +chief. On what plea he could found his claim to such a distinction, +would have been no easy matter to determine; his countenance being +remarkable only for a larger share of calm resolution, deep malignity, +and ill-boding ferocity, than those of his companions. A broad and +strongly built frame, dark and lowering features, black shaggy beard, +and the savage glitter of an eye that scowled gloomily under its heavy +brow, gave to his whole appearance a most forbidding and sinister +expression. Even when his features occasionally relaxed from their +sternness, they only seemed to writhe into a peculiar sneer, which could +not be contemplated without an involuntary shudder of terror and +repugnance. Yet, even amidst this repulsive exterior, at times there +could be traced a few sad remains of noble lines in that countenance, +which spoke of hateful passions, long cherished within the breast. There +was enough to induce the belief that this man had originally been +capable of better feelings, and worthy a more honorable career. + +This mysterious being, like the rest of Caneri's train, was apparelled +in a Moorish garb, remarkable only for its poverty and simplicity. But, +though his appearance and attire bespoke the Moor, yet the expression of +his features by no means corresponded with his exterior; and a +penetrating eye could easily discover, that whatever might now be his +profession, he had formerly belonged to other creed and nation than +that of the Moslem. + +"Bermudo," said Caneri, addressing himself to the personage in question, +"thou art unusually abstracted to-day, far more than for some time past +I have known thee." + +"Bermudo!" exclaimed the other indignantly; "Bermudo! Call me no more by +a name so hateful;--a name that brings to my recollection my miseries +and my crimes. It is an ominous, a detested sound, that rings in my ear, +to tell me that I was once a Christian--an injured man; and that I am +_now_----" + +"A valiant Moor," interrupted Caneri. + +"A vile renegade!" retorted Bermudo with a sneer. "A renegade; for thou +canst not gild the bitter potion, nor will I attempt to disguise my +character. I am a ruffian; but I have pledged myself to serve the Moors, +and I WILL serve them faithfully, actively, to the last breath of my +loathed existence." + +"Thy services, indeed, have been most valuable," said Caneri, "and +grateful are the Moors for the interest thou evincest in their cause." + +"Tush," cried the renegade; "thank me not. It is not my love for the +Moors that prompts my services, but my hatred to the Christians. No, +Caneri, I will not admit acknowledgments which I little deserve. You say +that I am brave and active--'tis true. I can endure privations, and +encounter dangers; but in so doing, I look not to advance the interests +of the Moorish cause, but to serve that of my revenge. No, I anticipate +no triumphs; I live merely for the gratification of vengeance for wrongs +long past, but too deeply rooted in this heart to be ever forgotten." As +he pronounced these last words his frame shook with agitation. + +"Calm thyself, Alagraf," said Caneri, "since thou hast adopted that +name, and art now----" + +"A traitor!" cried the renegade, interrupting him. "I am a traitor to my +faith and country. Nay, do not attempt to palliate a name in which I +glory. I well know the vile thing that I am considered. My career is a +dark one; and the passion which fires my heart, and nerves my arm, +cannot ennoble my deeds of valour, but may at least satisfy my craving: +and that is enough--I am a villain; but woe to the man who made me what +I am. May the curse of despair, may the venom that festers here (and he +forcibly smote his breast) poison and corrode the life of him who +planted it in a heart kind by nature, and designed for virtue; but by +one bad man driven to revolting crime." + +"Thy wrongs," interposed Caneri, "shall be avenged; and our cause, +desperate as it seems, may still prosper. 'Tis true, we have lately +sustained many reverses; but el Feri de Benastepar yet lives, and even +now may check the proud course of our enemies, and blight the verdant +laurels of the Christian's brow. Even now, perhaps, Alonso de Aguilar +meets the doom to which his hate to the Moorish name so irresistibly +impels him. We have resources left,--our forces may be less; our courage +greater." + +"Hold, Caneri," cried the renegade; "if thou wilt deceive thyself, +deceive not me,--thou canst not. I abhor the Christians, but why should +I deny the melancholy truth that is daily forced upon our conviction? +The Christians are our superiors, and we have to oppose to them, only +the desperate, the frenzied power which springs from a sense of deep +injuries sustained,--of wrongs carefully treasured up for the day of +retribution." + +"Alagraf!" returned Caneri, somewhat hurt at the boldness and freedom of +the renegade, "whatever may be the motives that urge thee to second our +enterprise, forget not that mine and those of my companions originate in +a cause more noble and dignified--It is to assert our rights as a free +and independent nation." + +"That," sneeringly muttered Bermudo, "may be the pretext; but I will +neither discuss the merits of our undertaking, nor the justice of our +cause. To me, at least, they are just and meritorious. I seek by my own +exertions that redress which my humble station could not procure, when +matched against those to whom chance, not superior worth, gave power +over me." + +"Well," returned Caneri; "whatever be thy motives, thy services have +been most acceptable to us, and thy reward shall be proportionate to the +value of thy assistance." + +"Reward!" exclaimed the renegade, "I ask for no reward; thinkest thou, +Moor, I would have been tempted to abandon the most sacred ties of +country and religion for a reward?--Thinkest thou that for a bribe I +could be instigated to become an open villain?--a thing despised? for ye +all despise me, and must despise me,--nor can I feel offended." + +"Despise thee!" cried Caneri. + +"Aye, despise me; for such as I must ever be despised, though their +services may be most welcome. A reward! and what reward? Some paltry +gold, perchance. No, Caneri; I am at least a bold, not a mean ruffian, +and I wish for no other reward save that which I can exact with my own +hands. Ah! let me strew the rankest thorns in the path of my wronger! +Let me throw a deepening cloud over the brilliancy of his hopes, and +envenom all the springs of his affections and happiness! Let me make him +a thing to create abhorrence, and heap upon his head the shame and +degradation that weigh me down; and when he writhes in agony, let me +enjoy his misery and despair, and hear him cry for mercy, and deny it +him, as he denied it _her_! Oh! that I may watch his life as slowly it +ebbs away, and then in that last tumult of anguish,--in that violent +separation of the soul,--let me--let me pour into his afflicted ear my +exulting voice, shrieking aloud _Anselma_!" + +Callous as was the nature of Caneri, he could not suppress an +involuntary shudder, when he beheld the horrid picture which the +renegade now exhibited. It was a fearful sight, for that gust of +frenzied passion gave to his whole person the look of a demon: his frame +shook violently, and as he grasped his weapon with nervous convulsion, +those iron features became fraught with indescribable hatred and +revenge. But the storm passed rapidly away, and after a short struggle, +the renegade again resumed his look of dark, imperturbable calmness, and +relapsing into his wonted mood of gloomy abstraction, he recovered the +cold fixed sneer which habit had rendered natural to his countenance. + +At this time Malique claimed admittance, and advancing slowly towards +the pile of cushions on which the vain-glorious Caneri languidly +reclined, failed not to present all those marks of reverence which so +much delighted the chief, who conceived them indispensable to the +support of his dignity. Malique, therefore, crossed his arms with the +most abject air, inclined his head until it came nearly in contact with +his knees, and with all the outward signs of humility made three times +the Moorish obeisance. These tokens of submission Caneri received with +the haughtiness of manner peculiar to a despot, accustomed to command +respect and adoration from his herd of slavish dependants. + +"Malique," he then cried, "what brings thee here? Why am I disturbed in +my moments of privacy? What can induce thee to commit so daring a +transgression?" + +"Pardon me, most potent Caneri," humbly replied Malique. "Pardon the +good intentions of a faithful slave;--I am the bearer of pleasing +tidings, although in my zeal to serve my master, I may perhaps have been +guilty of indiscretion." + +"Speak," said Caneri, assuming a look of important gravity. "Alagraf, +remain--I may need thy counsel--let the rest withdraw." + +"Most mighty Caneri," continued Malique; "as my party was patrolling the +mountains last night, some of my men surprised a Christian." + +"And of course he met his death?" interrupted the Chief. + +"He did, after a long struggle, for a more desperate man we have seldom +seen! he now dangles on a tree, like many others of his countrymen, a +fit scarecrow to rambling adventurers." + +"Proceed--" said Caneri gravely. + +"A moment after," resumed Malique, "chance led us to the spot where +another Christian slept in fancied security." + +"And didst thou slay the wretch?" inquired the Chief. + +"No, most noble Caneri. It was a female, and therefore I brought her +here, for she is a most bewitching creature--such as seldom meets the +enamoured gaze of an enraptured lover. The rose in its opening bloom +looks not more lovely in the garden of the faithful, than this beauteous +captive. Indeed the fascination of her person is peculiarly striking, +though at present the gloom that preys upon her mind, tends considerably +to diminish the lustre of her charms. Still I thought she might find +favor in the sight of our illustrious Chief, and be honored with his +smile." + +"A young Christian maiden," cried Caneri, "sleeping in the +Alpujarras!--'tis strange!--how came she there? Malique, didst thou +learn? Knowest thou the nature of her sorrows?" + +"Yes," answered Malique,--"she bitterly deplores the fate of him we +slew. Apparently, he was a husband or a lover. At all events the +Christian people cannot boast of a nobler or braver warrior." + +"Knowest thou his name?" demanded Caneri. + +"I learnt it," replied Malique, "from the captive herself;--it is Don +Lope Gomez Arias." + +"Gomez Arias!" exclaimed the renegade; starting back in amazement. +"Gomez Arias! it cannot be!" + +"Such is the name," returned Malique, "that our prisoner gave him, and +there is no reason why she should deceive us. In troth her anguish was +too deep, and her grief but too lively, to leave a doubt of the veracity +of her statement." + +"Gomez Arias!" cried again the renegade, "and is he really dead!--dead! +Malique, art thou sure?--did he not escape?" + +"Escape!" muttered the Moor, "his soul escaped from his body. That is +all the escape that I wot of." + +"Then," continued the renegade, Bermudo, striking his forehead in a +paroxysm of disappointed passion, "my revenge is foiled, my victory +incomplete. I, too, could once have taken his life; but he owed me more +than his base life could pay. Long have I toiled to bring about a day of +retribution, and now my hopes are suddenly crushed, and my vengeance +wrested from my hand." + +"What means this, Alagraf?" inquired Caneri, surprised at such uncommon +demonstrations. + +"Is this thy acute perception!" cried Bermudo, "that thou canst not +divine the motive that alone brings joy or pain to this blighted heart? +Dost thou forget that there is only one solitary feeling that can affect +it?" + +"Yes, revenge!" replied Caneri, "but then this Christian! this Gomez +Arias--" + +"Is my accursed enemy," thundered the renegade; "my foul wronger; once +my lord and master; and this captive, this weeping beauty, is perchance +his affianced bride, the proud daughter of our bitterest, our +redoubtable foe. Yes, she must be the daughter of Alonso de Aguilar. +And yet," he added, pondering, "how came she there?" + +"What sayest thou?" exclaimed Caneri, with strong marks of pleasure. +"Can it be possible? Thanks, thanks to the holy prophet that vouchsafes +such reward to the faithful. This is indeed a most precious gage, as it +may perhaps be the means of curbing the overbearing insolence of +Aguilar; for, destitute as he is of all sympathy towards the Moors, he +may yet feel the anxiety of parental love when he learns the situation +of his child. Dispatch, quick; Malique, bring forth thy captive, and ask +a meed--'tis granted." + +Malique withdrew, leaving the chief reveling in delight at the +unexpected tidings; and the renegade, with a countenance expressive of +deep regret at an occurrence which deprived him of the enjoyment of the +one dark passion that actuated his every feeling, and engrossed every +thought. + +Meantime, the unfortunate Theodora was conducted by Malique before the +chief, like a trembling victim for the sacrifice. + +"Behold my prize," said the obsequious Moor, pointing to the helpless +girl. "I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Caneri." + +The gratified Moor made a slight inclination with his head in token of +approval, and then in the most scrutinizing manner proceeded to scan the +beauties of the afflicted fair, who hung down her head in sorrow and +confusion. The renegade made a movement of disappointment, when he +perceived that the captive was not, as he had surmised, the daughter of +Aguilar. + +"What!" said Caneri, observing his surprise, "does she not merit thy +approbation? Methinks, Alagraf, thou hast no soul for beauty: look, look +at that lovely countenance; it is certainly bathed in grief, and defaced +with weeping; but that does not detract from its charm." + +"Fair Christian," he added, in a condescending tone, "droop not thus +like the humble and neglected flower of the valley, since thou art +called to a brighter destiny; thou shalt flourish like the cultured +lily of the garden, for thou hast found grace in the eyes of Caneri, and +he has the power to render thee happy." + +These words of kindness, far from tranquillizing the mind of Theodora, +served but to increase its agitation. + +She hastily shrunk back as she perceived the Moor make a motion to take +her hand. Malique, in the meantime, exhibited much satisfaction in +having thus rendered himself useful to the pleasures of Caneri, and thus +acquired indisputable claims to his notice and gratitude; for, with the +petty despot, as with the greater tyrants of whom he was the miserable +copy, the base ministrants to his private gratifications were generally +more abundantly remunerated than those who gloriously served their +country. + +"Malique," exclaimed Caneri, his eyes glowing with joy, "I am so well +pleased with thy zeal, that I will assuredly enable thee to hold the +most confidential offices near my person." + +Then, turning to the renegade, who was as stubborn in his silence as the +chief appeared eager in lauding the attractions of the captive, "Curse +upon such apathy, Alagraf," he said with affected glee, "thou art a man +of marble, if such a woman is not capable of moving thee." + +"Yes," sternly responded the renegade, "I am in sooth a man of marble, +and pity there are so few to resemble me: better it were for the +prosperity of our enterprize. What have I to do with the charms of +woman? they have proved the bane of my existence. Once, indeed, I knew +their value, but that is past, and now they are hateful to my sight: +they recall the unfortunate and innocent cause of the horrors which +surround me. Moor," he then added, "abandon not thyself to such +unreasonable joy; for, learn that the hopes which we conceived from the +possession of our captive are already vanished. She is not the woman we +had supposed." + +"What meanest thou?" asked Caneri. + +"She is not the daughter of Aguilar," replied Bermudo. + +"Well," rejoined the Moor, "we must then submit to the disappointment; +but will this circumstance detract from the charms which you see render +her so lovely?" He cast an enamoured glance, as he delivered these +words, on the subject of his present delight; and then, very well +satisfied with his discretion, he continued--"I can justly appreciate +merit wherever I find it; and although certainly the creed and country +of our fair guest are in direct opposition with mine, yet that shall not +prevent me from paying the tribute which her beauty so justly deserves." + +Theodora heard all this with sorrowful resignation; nor was Caneri by +any means satisfied with the success of his eloquence, for he had been +accustomed to meet with a more joyous reception from every female to +whom he had yet condescended to make advances. + +"Malique," he said, turning to the officious menial, "lead this +beauteous damsel to one of our best apartments, and see that she wants +for nothing that I can command." + +He then favored the afflicted Theodora with a peculiar smile, in which, +somewhat of the ludicrous prevailed over the tender, and dismissed her +from his presence, with a gracious promise of a visit as early as the +importance of his affairs would allow. + +While Caneri spoke, Bermudo held his accustomed silence, but he could +not disguise his contempt when he perceived the Moor so completely +engrossed with the pursuit of his selfish gratification, at a time when +affairs of such magnitude were at stake. + +"Caneri," he cried sullenly; "it appears to me that our cause is not +likely to derive any great advantage from the possession of that +Christian." + +"A mind," replied Caneri, with an assumption of gravity, "a mind +harassed with numerous cares, necessarily requires some relaxation.--To +thee alone, as a friend, do I speak in these terms of confidence; to any +other, I would not condescend to afford the shadow of explanation +regarding what may appear strange in my conduct; my actions must not be +subjected to the scrutiny of any one." + +As he said this, he looked around with an air of offended dignity, as +though a signification of his will were sufficient to command respect +and obedience; while the renegade made no other reply than a smile of +derision. + +Caneri now summoned around him his principal officers, and happy in the +beggarly retinue that attended him, he paraded the wretched town of +Alhacen, the capital of his scanty dominions. This was more for idle +display, than for the purpose of taking vigorous and efficient measures +to check the course of the Christians. The garrison was drawn out in the +_Plaza_[27] to be reviewed by their commander. They amounted to about +eight hundred men, but exhibited a miserable appearance, both with +regard to arms and equipment. He harangued them upon the glory of their +cause, and exhorted the chiefs to a rigid observance of their duty. +Having thus terminated this singular exhibition to his entire +satisfaction, he returned with the same parade to his humble mansion, +which, in compliment to its illustrious inhabitant, was now dignified +with the title of the palace. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Mais puisque je naquis, sans doute il falloit naitre; + Si l'on m'eut consulte, j'aurais refuse l'etre. + Vains regrets! Le destin me condamnoit au jour, + Et je viens, o soleil! te maudire a mon tour. + + _Lamartine_. + + I have no dread, + And feel the curse to have no natural fear + Nor fluttering throb, that beats with hopes or wishes + Or lurking love of something on the earth. + + _Lord Byron_. + + +Returned to his dwelling, Caneri seated himself to his repast, which, +though frugal in the extreme, was nevertheless served with all the +etiquette of a sovereign. The taciturnity of the renegade was if +possible more marked than ever, nor could he be prevailed upon to +partake of the food which was before them. Caneri felt an invincible +desire to dive into the mysterious history of his confidant; an attempt +which he had already frequently made, but always unattended with +success. As soon, therefore, as their meal was finished, he dismissed +the attendants, and turning to the renegade in the most friendly +manner-- + +"Alagraf," he said, "cheer up; let not thy noble spirit droop: think on +our cause, and rouse thy energies in proportion to the danger which +surrounds us." + +"Danger!" cried the renegade, "talk not to me of danger--I am reckless +now of consequences;--what is the whole world to me? My hated, my +detested enemy is no more;--the only longing of my life is thwarted, and +I can feel no longer any interest in the pursuits of man." + +"Surely!" exclaimed Caneri, somewhat alarmed, "thou dost not mean to +abandon our cause!" + +"Moor!" replied the renegade, in a voice of thunder, his eyes flashing, +and his brows assuming an additional sternness--"Moor! is it to me thou +darest hold such language? Thinkest thou that being _once_ a traitor, my +whole existence must be made up of treasons? Suspicious man, know me +better; I am a dark and accursed villain; hateful alike to Christian and +Moor, but yet I am no deluded wretch, that will stoop to swerve from the +path he has once resolved to follow." + +"Calm thy temper, Alagraf," said Caneri, interposing; "I meant not to +offend thee, and if I have, I pray thy indulgence: thou art sensible of +the friendship which unites us; it is from the zeal of that friendship, +that I continually urge the questions which thou seemest to avoid. Great +must be the nature of thy sufferings, and powerful the motive which +provokes such unusual signs of emotion; yet surely some consolation +might be found in trusting thy secret to the bosom of a comrade." + +The renegade remained silent for a few minutes; then, as if suddenly +adopting a fresh resolution-- + +"Caneri," he said, "oft has thine officious zeal, or weak curiosity, +fatigued my ears with repeated questions that are daggers to my soul. I +will now satisfy thy craving; yes, I will unravel the mystery that hangs +around my head. By this concession I may perhaps acquire the right to +brood over my wrongs and misfortunes undisturbed and unmolested in +future. + +"Caneri," he continued, "all the calamity which is now the portion of +the man that stands before thee--all the struggles, the racking throes +that torture this seared breast, arise from one solitary cause--the +offspring of one crime, and of that crime the unhappy victim who suffers +by it is innocent. The rites of religion never blessed my mother's +bridal bed, and I was born a thing despised, looked down upon by the +proud ones of the land, pointed at by the urchins, and even taunted by +the beggar as he went his rounds. But nature, that made me a thing to be +contemned, gave me no feelings congenial to such a state. I was endowed +with sentiments more noble, and greater powers of mind than those who +affected to spurn me. I know not my father, nor was I ever anxious to +learn a name to me so full of misery, and which could claim no other +token from his child than a malediction. This much I learnt--that my +parent was a nobleman; but what unnatural cruelty could induce him to +abandon his offspring, I never was able to determine. I was brought up a +retainer in the house of the sire of my bitter foe, Don Lope Gomez +Arias, where I was subjected to indignities at which my proud nature +revolted, whilst the obscurity of my birth powerfully contributed to +exasperate those feelings already too much excited by repeated +contumelies and scorn. Wherever I turned my eyes I discovered a dreary +waste in the midst of society; for I was an outcast, and I felt no +sympathy with the uses of the world. Chance made me a wretch, and nature +unkindly gave me feelings and sentiments to heighten the misery to which +my existence was doomed. Alas! my dark and repulsive exterior gave an +additional motive to justify the dislike with which I was generally +beheld. + +"Such a life," interrupted Caneri, "must have been insupportable." + +"It might," nobly answered the renegade, "to a weak mind--not to mine, +for the very injustice of my fate gave me courage to support it. I rose +superior to my misfortunes, and nourished a sensation of mixed hatred +and contempt towards my kind: I assiduously nurtured sentiments +calculated to make me believe myself independent in the bosom of slavery +and degradation.--Yes, I had a beam of cheering hope, a wild and +romantic emulation, a noble ambition, to acquire by my own deeds, my +daring exertion, that which was denied me by the combined oppositions of +birth and station. My pretensions were supported by my pride, and spread +a solitary but brilliant light amidst the darkness with which my +existence was clouded. In these sentiments I grew, hated and abhorring, +despising and contemned. The springs of my heart, which would have +sympathised with human nature, seemed to have been dried up for ever. I +found myself incapable of any kindly feeling, and my whole being was +wrapped in that dismal and isolated gloom which, like the mephitic +vapour, tended to paralyze the exertions and blight the fair prospects +of life. Alas! I was mistaken; for, to my misfortune, I eventually +discovered that I was a man, subject to the weakness of human nature, +that the depths of my heart, which I had judged impenetrable to the +influence of the softer passions, were soon to be deeply stirred, and +that I was fated to experience those sentiments which I had proudly +imagined to be foreign to my nature. + +"Amongst the numberless beings who conspired to render me +wretched--amongst the many whom I was forced to look upon more as +natural foes than fellow-creatures, there was one who first beheld me +with a genuine and heavenly feeling of compassion, and from that sweet +and pure emanation of sensibility soon sprung the most tender and +devoted attachment. This being, generous and kind, this solitary +exception to the overwhelming mass of hatred that encompassed me, for +whose dear sake alone I might forgive my parents for the miserable life +they bestowed upon me--this being was a woman--a woman, alas! for our +mutual woe! She was as abundant in personal attractions as she was rich +in mental beauty. She loved, aye! she devotedly loved the unhappy +Bermudo, the wretched outcast, from whom every one else recoiled. She +loved him, and she found in that dark form, in that being so degraded +and despised, a heart capable of feeling and estimating a genuine +passion. Yes, in this desolate wilderness of my heart, not all was then +barren, and the kindly feelings sowed by her hand took root and budded +forth; I fostered them, and they flourished as vigorously as if they had +been cast in a more generous mould. I loved her! Oh, Anselma! Five years +have passed since that dreadful moment, but yet the bloody scene is +glowing, burning in my memory. I see thy mangled form, thy beauteous +limbs broken, and thy long dishevelled hair clotted with gore. Anselma! +Anselma! I did not follow thee to thy untimely grave, for I had to plan +and accomplish the deed of vengeance.--I cannot weep: the sad fountains +of these eyes are long since dry, but my scorched heart still weeps with +tears of blood, when the scenes of thy youth, thy love, and thy horrid +fate crowd upon my agonized recollection." + +The renegade could not proceed; his agitation became terrible, and all +the occurrences of his past life were busy in distorting those features +and adding to their natural ferocity. Caneri looked aghast, for his +frivolous soul could not easily comprehend the nature of an attachment +so fervent, so deeply rooted, as to produce the violent effects which he +now witnessed. But his wonder increased as he perceived that gust of +uncontroulable passion gradually subside and give place to a kinder +emotion than he thought congenial to the being that stood before him. +The renegade was again calm. A tear stood trembling in his eye, and +that pitying drop spoke of affections long subdued, but not entirely +extinct in the breast of him who had but few tears to bestow. Soon, +however, his glassy eyes were fixed, and as Bermudo raised mechanically +his long sinewy fingers to his burning forehead, his countenance became +the index of a mind engaged in scenes far away. It was a deep though +momentary abstraction, for as Caneri gazed in amazement, the renegade +awoke from his trance, and became aware of the notice which his emotion +had excited. He felt ashamed that a token of weakness should have +betrayed him before man, and with a strong exertion strove to smother +the commotion which swelled his breast. He dashed away the drop that +fain would soften the lurid expression of his eye. His pride succeeded +in the conflict: soon that lip recovered its sardonic curl, and his +features relapsing into their calm and gloomy ferocity, he then +proceeded-- + +"Gomez Arias, upon whom nature had lavished her choicest gifts, only as +the means of following with greater success his licentious +courses--Gomez Arias saw the beautiful Anselma. Her attractions and +innocence could not escape his observation, and he marked her out for +his prey. Curse the day his wily smile first lighted on the unfortunate +girl!" + +"She did not then," interrupted Caneri, "fall into the snare of the +seducer?" + +"No," firmly replied the renegade, "she did not; but the gentle creature +knew too well how boundless was the power of her persecutor, and +trembled to provoke its influence--not for her own sake, but for mine. +Our mutual inclination was no longer a secret; and my presumption in +crossing the will of my arrogant master, would have been attended with +inevitable ruin. Anselma, sensible of our dangerous position, carefully +endeavoured to avoid the threatened storm. It was all in vain; her tears +fell fast, and her prayers were uttered in all the fervour of desolate +grief; but the barbarian saw those tears unmoved, and heard her piteous +expostulations with the coldness of a villain. Nay, he felt exasperated +at the resistance with which his wishes were opposed by one whom his +pride naturally led him to consider as affording an easy conquest. He +had been accustomed, in his shameful career, to meet with little or no +opposition; he was base enough to doubt the very existence of female +virtue; and was it for a poor humble girl, born his dependant, an orphan +from her childhood, and clinging to no other protection than that which +could be afforded by such a thing as I, to contradict the vile opinion +which the proud patrician entertained? + +"Caneri, I will no longer dwell on this subject. Gomez Arias at length +resolved to accomplish by a vile contrivance, what he could not obtain +by seductive persuasion. I was despatched on a trifling commission to +one of his estates, my presence being an obstacle to his designs; for +poor and despised as I was, Gomez Arias nevertheless looked upon me with +a feeling of dread. He could crush the reptile, but he feared the sting. +I was strong in my very weakness, for as I had but one solitary motive +to link me to life; that being removed, my oppressor felt aware my life +would then only serve as the price by which I was to purchase revenge. + +"I was absent, when one of his miscreants administered some deleterious +beverage to the unsuspecting Anselma, the effects of which answered to +their utmost extent the wishes of the libertine. An irresistible +lethargy oppressed the senses and rendered powerless the limbs of the +helpless victim. In that state she was borne to the couch of her undoer, +and by a stratagem worthy of the monster by whom it was invented, Gomez +Arias triumphed over her passive unconscious form. Happy, happy if the +unnatural slumber in which Anselma was immersed, had subsided into the +sleep of death. But no, she awoke--she returned to life, only to curse +that life which was now covered with degradation. Alas! she had no one +to whom she could fly, and under whose fostering kindness she might hide +her shame; she had no refuge left--none but death, the last shelter of +virtuous woman betrayed. She spurned with indignant pride the glittering +offers of the miscreant who wrought her ruin. She recoiled with +abhorrence from his loathsome caresses; cursed in bitter agony his +unmanly deed, and brooded over her misfortune, until the loss of her +reason followed the profanation of her person." + +Again the renegade stopt in his recital, as if unable to sustain the +painful recollection, and after a pause he continued:-- + +"Evening was falling as I returned from my distant mission. My heart +felt unusually heavy and desponding; as I was passing near a precipice +in these very mountains, my ear was struck with the hum of voices, +mingled with the discordant shrieks of birds of prey which issued from +the abyss below. Presently a flight of those ominous birds came +screaming on high, as if scared by some unwelcome intruders, and the hum +of voices was converted into a long, piercing, and promiscuous +lamentation. With as much activity as the perilous nature of that +precipice would permit, I hastened towards the spot, and soon perceived +the melancholy cause of the wailings that had arrested my course. Some +peasants were with difficulty dragging from that frightful abyss a +burthen, which, as well as I could distinguish from the distance, +appeared a human body. I approached nearer, and found that it was in +reality a human--a mangled corpse!--It was that of my Anselma!" + +"Oh, horror!" exclaimed Caneri, in chilled amazement. + +"It was Anselma," gloomily repeated Bermudo; "my love, my only happiness +in this accursed world. She had already been dead sometime. Her slender +garments were rent, her long tresses torn and stained with blood, and +her delicate limbs broken and mangled with the fall. Alas! her beautiful +features were now scarcely discernible; the raven had plucked at those +eyes that once beamed with affection, and the hungry vulture had +lacerated the pure heart, that hallowed shrine of innocence and love and +virtue. I did not weep, nor did I utter a single groan; no sign of +grief escaped me. No,--the springs of my heart were instantaneously +frozen, and with horrified stupor I gazed on the ghastly spectacle. +Suddenly my whole frame underwent a revolution. I felt a dreadful +pressure on my heart,--a ball of fire seemed rolling in my brain. It was +torture intense; the pangs of frenzied agony came over me, and for a +time I knew not what I did; but the tempest of passion gradually +subsided, and my soul became fixed in that settled and sombre mood, +which has been to me as a second nature since that dreadful event. + +"The sad remains of the lovely Anselma were consigned to the kindred +earth, and I hastened to learn the cause of the appalling fate, which my +boding heart already but too faithfully foretold. I hurried to the +mansion of Gomez Arias; the truth was soon revealed, but I felt no +surprise--I was prepared for the dire intelligence. I reproached Gomez +Arias in the most bitter and provoking terms; he answered me with the +laugh of contempt. I laid my hand on my sword--he smote me on the face. +Furiously I drew the mortal weapon, but was soon overpowered and +disarmed by the numerous attendants of my foe. I applied for +redress--for justice. I denounced my enemy as the murderer of Anselma. +It was all in vain; justice affected to be deaf to my earnest and +reiterated appeal. Alas! what redress could I obtain against so powerful +an enemy? His constant good fortune had raised him in the estimation of +the court; he was brave, victorious in various encounters against the +Moors in the war of Granada. His services were rewarded; his crimes +overlooked; and I with the sting of shame and revenge and disappointment +rankling in my heart, determined to extort with my own hands that +redress which the justice of my country had denied me. I made a world to +myself in the solitude of my now desolate feelings. Severed from every +pursuit, a stranger to every natural tie, I resolved to dedicate all the +resources of my soul to the prosecution of the most exemplary revenge. +Ever since that time, I have, under the cover of various disguises, +hovered about his path, and I had once an opportunity of partly +satiating my thirst of revenge; but I let it pass, because the draught +would not half satisfy my fevered longing for deeper retribution. It was +in the embrace of a deep slumber that I once saw Gomez Arias, and I +hovered over his devoted head with the pleasure of the vulture that sees +beneath him its defenceless prey." + +"And why didst thou not slay him?" inquired Caneri. + +"No!" replied the renegade, "I would not kill him then, for that were no +revenge; his soul would flee from this world without the knowledge that +it was _I_--it was Bermudo that inflicted the wound. I did not kill him; +I reserved his hated life for more exquisite tortures--a more appalling +fate, with all the harrowing attendants of remorse and despair." + +"And what probability was there afterwards," demanded the Moor, "of +prosecuting your intentions with success?" + +"That," returned the renegade, "was the constant object of my +meditation; but alas! the whole study of my existence is now rendered +useless by the unexpected death of my enemy. However, I joined your +cause from hatred to the injustice of my countrymen. That hatred still +burns, and I will yet find means for vengeance in the detested blood of +Christians. Moor," he then added, with sternness, "I am sunk low, low in +the depths of crime, and this is thy best security for my constancy to +the desperate course I have adopted. My life is solitary and +independent, reckless of all results. Lead then to the combat, and where +slaughter stains the way, and where shrieks and groans encumber the air, +where death is busiest, there! thou mayest exultingly cry, there is the +renegade!" + +As Alagraf delivered these words, he suddenly withdrew, leaving the Moor +plunged in astonishment. Caneri, however, was soon aroused from his +train of reflection by a consciousness of the importance of his station. +He prudently judged that too much of his valuable time had already been +devoted to a matter of individual interest. He started therefore from +his couch, summoned his various officers, and inquired with minute +accuracy into the state of every thing in the palace. Satisfactory +answers were returned, and the chief received the communications with a +demeanor appropriately grave and dignified. He next paraded the town +with a display of importance that might well have amused his followers, +if indeed they had been capable of feeling anything but concern in their +destitute situation. + +Again Caneri returned to his dwelling, and a discussion was entered into +with respect to the several articles that composed his dress: his faded +turban was retrimmed; his couch arranged with the greatest care, and +odoriferous shrubs burnt in the apartment which he honoured with his +presence. The duties of the day having been happily completed, the chief +resigned himself to his habitual indolence with all the complacency of +one who considers himself by situation entitled to the contribution of +every one towards his comfort and luxury. + +At the close of evening, however, his repose was disturbed by a +messenger who arrived from El Feri de Benastepar, announcing that the +redoubtable Don Alonso de Aguilar was rapidly advancing, and that they +should shortly be obliged to join in combat. He implored Caneri to be +ready for any disaster that might occur, and to keep his men prepared +for all contingencies. This intelligence, as it may be well conceived, +threw the Moor into some degree of agitation, and being rather late, he +resolved to call into requisition the multifarious powers he possessed +of serving his country. He speedily summoned a cabinet council, whose +opinions he would condescend to hear, and whose understandings he +graciously intended to enlighten. He pompously reclined himself on the +cushions, and assembling his courtly retinue, commenced his harangue +respecting the plans necessary to be adopted under existing +circumstances. His councillors, however, appeared in a very sorry +plight to give advice: they looked at each other with woe-begone +countenances, and their sleepy eyes seemed to concur in one opinion, +though they did not actually venture to give it utterance, that the most +rational course to pursue, after the fatigues of the day, was to indulge +nature with a few hours of refreshing repose. Indeed the judicious and +salutary tendency of this measure appeared to meet with such unanimous +assent, that after sitting half an hour, both the president and the +sapient members of the council very leisurely fell asleep, and thereby +testified their opinion, like sensible men, as to the most rational way +of terminating a council of state. + +The renegade, disturbed in the meditations into which he had fallen +during the empty oration of Caneri, by the sonorous and unequivocal +signs of slumber evinced by his colleagues, saw with surprise the +conclusion to which they had unanimously arrived, and casting a look of +contempt on the sleeping councillors, retired to his quarters. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Ite, caldi sospiri, al freddo core; + Rompete il ghiaccio che pieta contende; + E, se prego mortal al ciel s'intende, + Morte, o merce sia fine al mio dolore. + + _Petrarca._ + + He has I know not what + Of greatness in his looks, and of high fate, + That almost awes me. + + _Dryden._ + + +Meantime the unfortunate Theodora had spent the day in a continual +succession of sorrows. She had been conducted to another apartment, +somewhat in better order, where she had been pressed in vain to partake +of some food which Marien Rufa with friendly officiousness presented to +her. Sad recollections of her past misfortunes left not an interval of +repose, and her interview with Caneri had awakened in her mind a lively +sense of danger and alarm. Slowly, therefore, and painfully the hours +wore away. She had no alleviation to her distress. The words of comfort +which the hag vainly attempted to administer, would have failed to +sooth, even from the lips of sympathising friends, much more when +surrounded by the avowed and ferocious enemies of her country. + +This melancholy day was succeeded by a night still more dreary; for +although worn out with fatigue and suffering, Theodora could find no +respite in the sweet oblivion of sleep. Alas! the feverish slumber that +stole upon her at intervals, was fraught with all the terrors that her +present situation could suggest. The phantoms of night in rapid +succession pressed upon her bewildered imagination: she saw her +venerable father borne down under the pressure of grief, wringing his +withered hands in agony, and pronouncing a direful malediction on his +ungrateful child. She heard that thrilling voice, broken by age, and +quivering with emotion, and on his countenance she beheld the workings +of despair. Fitfully she awoke, and struggled hard to chase away the +heart-rending vision, and then she sunk again to meet another still more +frightful. The wind whistled gloomily through the forest trees; the wild +bird screamed his death song; and a spectre rose with sunken eyes and +squalid cheek, his wounds distilling blood, and his raven locks clotted +with gore. It was her lover--he had left the tree on which he withered +like the seared leaf of autumn, and stalked to her widowed couch smiling +sadly in death,--she shrieked aloud--the phantom fled, and again in +terror she awoke. + +Dreams such as these haunted her imagination during the long night. Nor +could the cheering rays of the morn impart consolation to her desponding +bosom. She heard the mingling voices of nature's simple minstrels hail +in grateful chorus the approach of day, and she listened to the various +sounds of busy humanity, rising from the drowsiness of repose to life +and activity. But her feelings could no longer sympathise with the +pursuits of this world. The appalling images which her feverish fancy +had conjured up still pursued her, and if these unwelcome guests left +her a momentary repose, they were succeeded by others no less chilling +to the soul. The heavy measure of her sorrows was yet to be increased by +the anticipation of future evils--evils worse than the terrors of +slavery or death, for she was in hourly danger of encountering the +bitter pangs of shame and degradation. + +Caneri had been inspired by her beauty with a violent but licentious +passion, which he had it in his power at that moment to gratify, and +this idea agitated the wretched Theodora with the most dismal +apprehensions. While she sat pondering on her disastrous fate, and +vainly devising means to avert its danger, she was surprised by the +entrance of Marien Rufa. + +"A good morrow, sweet lady," said the crone; "well, this is a pretty +comfortable chamber:--you must have slept soundly." + +A deep sigh was the only answer she could elicit from Theodora. + +"At all events," continued Marien Rufa, "you must leave off sighing and +weeping, for sure enough you can derive no good thereby. Besides, it is +meet your countenance should assume a more cheerful expression, since +you are soon to be honored with a visit from the magnificent Caneri. He +has been forcibly struck with your charms, and has signified his +intentions of coming shortly to pay his devoirs in person. So I am here +before-hand to bid you prepare for the illustrious visitor." + +The heart of Theodora died within her, as the hag announced this dreaded +intelligence, for though we may fancy ourselves prepared to meet a +danger with which we are hourly threatened, yet its immediate approach +rarely fails to cause an additional pang. + +Theodora was cruelly alive to the helplessness of her situation. She +cast a hurried glance around, but could find no signs of comfort; yet +she fixed her last hopes on Marien Rufa, this decayed piece of blanched +mortality, like the drowning wretch who snatches at a withered branch, +though conscious of the frail support to which he clings. + +From the little previous intercourse with Marien Rufa, Theodora had +discovered that her disposition was not altogether so inhuman as her +exterior naturally seemed to indicate. Though a renegade, she did not +appear completely divested of compassion towards those to whom she had +once been endeared by the ties of religion and country; a latent feeling +of remorse lurked within her heart, and she did not seem to feel much +interest in the affairs of the Moors. These considerations, together +with the imminency of her danger, led Theodora to throw herself on the +protection of the crone, and beseech her pity and commiseration. But +before she could try the effect of her persuasion, the door suddenly +swung open, and the dreaded figure of Caneri presented itself to her +sight. + +He dismissed his attendants, and waved his hand to Marien Rufa, who +slowly retired muttering some half formed inaudible sentences. The door +closed, and Theodora shuddered as she found herself alone with the +odious and detested Moor. + +He approached her mildly, and endeavoured with soothing words to calm +her apprehensions. + +"Nay, fair Christian," he said, "thou art too much dejected, nor is thy +grief reasonable. The chances of fortune threw thee into my power, and +thou art now my slave: this, as well as the circumstance of thy +belonging to the race of our accursed enemies, might naturally make thee +apprehend but indifferent treatment from the Moor. I might, indeed, have +delivered thee to the brutality of my soldiers; I might have heaped upon +thee all the horrors of such a degradation; but I have taken compassion +upon thy youth and beauty (his eyes glistened with savage joy), and +instead of that, thou shalt have the honor of being the partner of my +own pleasures." + +Theodora covered her face with her hands, and her whole frame shook +violently, whilst Caneri, in an agitated and angry tone, proceeded-- + +"This contempt of my generosity may prove prejudicial to thy future +fortunes. Many, many are the women amongst the faithful who would feel +proud to accept the offers which thou seemest to treat with unbecoming +disregard. But trifle not with the benignity of my disposition; for +Caneri, though an outcast, and a sovereign only of wild mountains and +deserted villages, has yet power enough to enforce his commands, and +inflict a summary vengeance upon those who dare thwart his wishes. +Remember, then, thou art my slave, and deny me not as a lover what I can +easily exact as a master." + +"I am your slave," cried Theodora, tremblingly, "and it is not my +intention either to despise your generosity or dispute your power. I am +sensible of both--command me the most menial services, I will do +all--nay, take my life; but, oh! spare me, in mercy spare me the +degradation which you are meditating." + +"Degradation!" exclaimed Caneri, rising with rage, "degradation! By the +mighty Allah! such temerity is unparalleled! Thy youth and ignorance +alone can excuse the criminality of such an expression." + +Theodora could only answer by tears. But during the pause which ensued, +the mind of Caneri underwent a sudden revolution; from the highest +paroxysm of choler, his features gradually relaxed into complete +serenity. This alteration did not proceed from a sense of generosity +towards his victim, for he was fully determined to carry his designs +into execution; but, like a refined voluptuary, he calculated the +advantages he might derive from a timely forbearance. He was, therefore, +resolved to exhaust every gentle means before he had recourse to the +last extremity. + +He now took the hand of Theodora, which she had not the power to +withhold, and pressing it tenderly between his own, he renewed his suit +with much more suavity of tone and delicacy of manner. Theodora +suffered perhaps more from this unexpected display of kindness, than +from the brutal asperity and violence which the Moor had before evinced. +For in cases of extreme danger, violence will sometimes inspire a degree +of courage, while condescension and urbanity from those who have the +power to command is more distressing, inasmuch as it enervates that +strong principle of resistance and leaves in its place the weaker and +less decisive resource of expostulation. + +But by degrees the patience of the amorous Moor was wearing away with +the ill-success of his suit, and starting up suddenly, and looking +intensely on the afflicted fair, he made a last attempt to conquer her +opposition. + +Theodora threw herself at his feet, and embracing them eagerly strove to +interest his pity by the intensity of her anguish. Her tears fell +copiously and her sobs almost impeded her utterance; but this evidence +of extreme distress, in lieu of subduing, only tended to kindle more +warmly the fierce desires of the Moor. In his hot distempered veins +raged the fever of passion, as he saw that lovely picture of female +helplessness prostrate at his feet; her clustering hair floating in +loose profusion, and her charms acquiring additional interest from the +wild disorder of her situation. + +Caneri glutted his eyes with her beauty, and his whole frame thrilled in +a ferment of anticipated raptures. He snatched the fainting Theodora +from the ground, almost overpowered with the conflict of her +feelings.--As he clasped her in his arms, the unfortunate girl beheld +his savage features glistening with joy. She shuddered at their glowing +expression, and with a sudden and violent effort burst from his hold. + +The heart of the miscreant swelled with indignation and disappointment. +He cast a threatening look on the trembling victim, and no longer +restrained by any consideration, he again violently seized her. + +"Who will protect thee now?" cried the Moor, exultingly. + +"Death!" replied Theodora, with the courage of despair. + +"Death!" retorted Caneri, with a mocking laugh; "Death! Surely thou must +fancy that I am to be intimidated by the ravings of a woman. No, thou +canst not die, even if that were truly thy desire. Thou _shalt_ not die, +at least till I think thee no longer worthy of contributing to my joys." +Theodora clasped her hands in agony; her fate appeared now inevitable. +Her unmanly enemy furiously mastered her remaining efforts; her feeble +struggles were almost overpowered, and as her senses were about to +forsake her, she wildly shrieked aloud for help. At this moment a noise +was heard at the entrance of the room; the door, as if by a tremendous +exertion of strength, was wrenched from its hinges, and a tall +mysterious figure stalked into the apartment and stood motionless with +amazement. Theodora uttered a scream of joy at this timely deliverance, +while the enraged and disappointed Moor turned fiercely round to +ascertain who had the temerity to venture upon such an intrusion. + +The towering figure that stood before him seemed a stranger to his eyes. +He was enveloped in a long and ample Spanish cloak, and his countenance +was almost hidden by a dark clustering feather that fell from his +slouched hat. + +Caneri shook with ire. + +"What treason is this?" he exclaimed. "A cursed Christian in my very +dwelling. Malique! Alagraf! Where are ye, villains? Guards! Seize the +wretch, seize him, and drag him to death!" + +"Stay!" cried the stranger, in a voice of thunder; "stay! ere thou +darest to offer the least violence to me--nay, advance but one foot, and +I'll strike thee to the earth." + +Caneri was awed by the noble and fearless manner of the stranger. + +"A Christian!" he continued, in a more subdued voice, "and darest thou +in my very dominions to utter such vaunting threats? Dost thou forget +that these are the Alpujarras, and that I am Caneri?" + +"I am no Christian," replied the stranger: "a Moor, a true Moor am I, +but one who blushes to count Caneri amongst his associates." + +"Speak!" cried Caneri, bewildered, "Speak! what mystery is this? Who +then art thou?" + +"Know me, then," returned the other, and throwing aside his disguise, +discovered a man of tall stature and athletic proportions. On his dark +bronzed countenance there was an expression of bold defiance and cool +resolution; his eyes were lighted up with the fire of noble courage, and +although no tender feeling could be detected in his stern features, yet +they were not altogether devoid of generosity. He was a model of +mountain beauty, wild, majestic, and free from artful decoration. A +simple Moorish tunic, which the most humble of his followers might wear, +covered his manly figure, and the only mark of distinction by which his +dignity could be recognized was a scarf of green, the sacred colour, and +a large buckler on which was portrayed a noble lion, surmounted by the +Arabic motto,[28] + + _Edem pasban derwish est aslan._[29] + +Caneri gazed in astonishment, and almost bereft of the powers of +utterance could only exclaim---- + +"El Feri!" + +"Yes!" answered he. "El Feri de Benastepar arrives in time to witness +the honorable occupation of his colleague in command, whilst our brave +companions remain unburied and rotting on these wild solitudes, and the +proud Christian pursues us like the hungry tiger, giving us not a +moment's repose; whilst our forces have been routed and slaughtered by +the victorious Alonso de Aguilar, and the few that have escaped his +murderous sword, in conjunction with El Feri, are compelled to seek for +safety in disguise and flight; I thought we should meet with succour and +assistance in the mountain home of Caneri--and how do I meet him? Not +ready in arms to cover our retreat; not laudably occupied in providing +resources for our dispirited soldiers, but meanly courting the +blandishments of a Christian slave. Weak and forlorn and despairing, my +few brave comrades are stretched on yonder street, fainting through +want, and worn out with fatigue. I call upon Caneri for help, and I find +that the power which was intrusted to him for our mutual defence is +basely employed, not against the common enemy, but a feeble defenceless +female! Shame, Moor! shame! But that I reverence the public voice that +named thee chief, and that I desire not to arrogate to myself a +retributive justice, I myself would wrench from thee that command which +thou shamest, and entrust it to the hands of men more worthy." + +Caneri remained some time speechless and abashed. Amazement, confusion +and terror alternately occupied his distracted mind; the taunts and +rebukes which El Feri had so lavishly bestowed, roused his anger almost +to madness. His heart boiled in a frenzied ebullition to which he durst +not give utterance, for he well knew that he himself would be the first +victim of its explosion. Convulsed with rage at the imagined insult, he +seemed ready to dart upon the arrogant censor of his actions, but the +tremendous power of his fellow-chief suddenly paralyzed his arm. It was +the fierce mastiff burning to rush upon the terrible bull, yet +restrained by the conscious superiority of the noble animal. + +Twice the hand of Caneri was involuntarily directed towards his dagger, +and twice some sudden recollection seemed to arrest its progress. And +then he strove to conceal the incautious movement from the eagle eye of +El Feri; but the inward workings of his soul were easily detected by the +keen penetration of that chief. He stood unmoved, and whilst a sardonic +smile curled his lip, he said in a voice of dreadful import---- + +"Caneri, thou darest not. I see thy dastardly intention, but thou hast +not the boldness to practise what thy heart has the baseness to +dictate:--another such a movement, and thou liest a corpse at my feet." + +As he uttered these last words, his brow was darkened, and his eye +flashed with indignation. Caneri, if somewhat deficient in the manly +virtues of a warrior, was amply compensated by the crafty dexterity of a +dissembler, and he now perceived the policy of hailing as a friend the +man whom he dared not defy as an enemy: he therefore with a mighty +exertion stifled his emotion, and his whole appearance became calm and +composed. Indeed an expression of mixed repentance and candour varnished +his wily and tortuous features, as he proceeded to greet El Feri with +words of amity and companionship. + +"Forgive," he said, "the unwary ebullition of transient displeasure. +Thou knowest the sincerity of my sentiments towards El Feri. But, were +these even to be doubted, the welfare of the Moorish cause imperiously +requires the sacrifice of all private resentment amongst its chiefs." + +"Yes," returned El Feri, "the welfare of the Moorish cause requires +union and amity between the chiefs, but these are not the only virtues +necessary to render it successful." + +He uttered these words in a significant tone, which could not be +misconstrued, but to which Caneri pretended not to give any +interpretation. + +"Is then our danger so imminent?" he inquired. + +"This very day," replied El Feri, sadly, "this very day perhaps our fate +will be decided. The victorious army of Aguilar is rapidly advancing +against us. We have been completely routed at Gergal, by forces superior +in number and discipline, and the few who have escaped the slaughter are +indebted for their safety to their knowledge of the mountain passes. We +have no time to spare; our men must be instantly put in a state of +defence or we shall be surprised unprepared: the hidden situation of +this place affords no security, since a traitor Moor is the guide of the +Christians; and to his perfidy is chiefly to be ascribed our late +discomfiture." + +This intelligence threw Caneri into some confusion, but he soon +recovered that coolness and presence of mind which constituted his +resources in cases of emergency, and which made up for his moderate +share of personal courage. + +"Friend," he cried; "it is enough--let us act." + +He was on the point of sallying forth, when he was startled by a +confused murmur from without, and presently a Moor rushed in, with all +the symptoms of fear and alarm. + +"Buzcur, what means this trepidation?" demanded Caneri. + +"The Christians are in sight," replied Buzcur. + +"The Christians! The Christians!" echoed a hundred voices. + +"Let us haste then, and prepare for our defence," exclaimed El Feri; and +he rushed forward without even noticing Theodora, for his thoughts were +too much engrossed by the public weal. + +Caneri saw him depart with visible pleasure; for though the danger +appeared great, yet he did not lose sight of his expected prey, and +casting a fierce look on the affrighted girl, he exclaimed---- + +"The next time we meet, thou shalt not escape me thus." + +Then having with promptness secured all her means of evasion, he +hastened to join El Feri de Benastepar and his companions. + +The feelings of Theodora at this unexpected event were thrown into the +highest excitement. Hope now resumed its sway, though mingled with doubt +and fear, for the sudden transition from a state of hopeless despair to +that of comparative safety, is ever attended with a misgiving of its +reality. Her deliverance from the power of the Moors appeared almost +certain; the name of Aguilar was the harbinger of victory; yet the +anticipation of her rescue caused so powerful a revulsion of feeling, +that Theodora nearly sunk under its pressure. When she had a little +recovered, she perceived, however, more clearly, that her destiny was +still involved in threatening clouds. The Christians came, but they +might be vanquished. The name of Alonso de Aguilar conjured up the +brightest hopes, but that of El Feri gave rise to as many fears. + +Thus the heart of the afflicted girl fluctuated between pain and +pleasure, when the clangor of trumpets, the tramp of horses, and all the +imposing sounds of military preparations, announced to her the speedy +arrival of the eventful crisis. + +In that awful moment her ideas piously reverted to heaven. She fell +prostrate on the ground, and while her countrymen were fast approaching +to join in terrific conflict with their enemies, she prayed fervently +for the assistance of her God in favor of the Christian arms. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Le desordre partout redoublant les alarmes, + + * * * * + + Les cris que les rochers renvoyaient plus affreux, + Enfin toute l'horreur d'un combat tenebreux; + Que pouvait la valeur en ce trouble funeste? + Les uns sont morts, la fuite a sauve tout le reste. + + _Racine._ + + Morir famosos o vencer valientes + Pompa triunfal o decorosa pira + Solo os aguarda. + + _Ercilla._ + + +Great was the confusion into which the Moors were thrown by this sudden +alarm: the appearance of El Feri, however, partially succeeded in +restoring order amongst the panic-stricken inhabitants, and revived the +fainting courage of the soldiers. In a short time, all the Moors capable +of bearing arms were ready for defence, whilst the old and infirm, the +women and children, busied themselves in collecting their scanty goods, +and placing them securely on their beasts of burthen, as they +anticipated the probability of a speedy retreat from their habitations. +They evinced no signs of sorrow or reluctance at the prospect of +abandoning their homes, for they had been too well enured to the +uncertainties of a wandering and predatory life, to betray marks of +impatience or anger at an event which necessity had taught them to look +upon with indifference. + +El Feri, having placed himself at the head of a brave and chosen party, +boldly sallied from the town to meet the Christians, hoping that by a +courageous effort, he might check their course, and afford time to his +associate in command, the better to organise his means of resistance. +The Christians advanced gallantly to the attack, shouting their war cry +of _Santiago y cierra Espana_, which was answered by the Moors with the +sound of Allah! illah! allah! + +Twice the Christians rushed onwards with impetuosity, and twice they +were repulsed with equal fierceness and courage. Again they closed in +the conflict, collecting new energies, and exerting their utmost +strength. Don Alonso de Aguilar now appeared conspicuous amongst his +companions, directing every movement with cool intrepidity, and +animating his followers with the example of valorous achievement; his +ponderous sword, reeking with blood, gleamed on high, a beacon of +victory; and death marked his progress as he waded through the field of +strife. The numbers and better discipline of the Spaniards, at length +began to prevail: the rebels wavered, and terror soon spread through +their ranks. In vain did El Feri exert his utmost powers to rally the +discomfited Moors; in vain did his flashing eye kindle; in vain did he +labour to animate their sinking hearts; fruitless was the strength of +his arm in stemming the torrent that overwhelmed them: his animating +voice, as he called to them the remembrance of their country, was lost +in the wild confusion which prevailed, and the few that adhered faithful +to him, sealed their devotion with their blood. The rest fled for +safety, and El Feri was at length compelled to retreat precipitately +into the town. + +The Christians paused for a moment in their victorious career. They were +about to enter the lion's den; as, from the covert to which the rebels +had betaken themselves, they could spread destruction through the ranks +of their advancing enemies in comparative security. The Christians were +likewise aware that the Moors, although defeated, were not subdued; and +they had more to fear from their treacherous ambuscade, than from their +courage in open fight. + +In the mean time, El Feri succeeded in rallying his scattered forces, +and in conjunction with those of Caneri, prepared for a second +encounter: he had, however, taken care to distribute the most expert of +his adherents in concealed situations, whence they could more +effectually annoy the Christians with their missiles. These hidden foes +proved extremely fatal to the Spaniards; blows dealt with security, and +from invisible hands, laying prostrate many of their gallant soldiers. +Don Antonio de Leyva had penetrated into the town, with the unrestrained +impetuosity of youth, reckless of all danger; but El Feri and Caneri +disputed their ground inch by inch, whilst the renegade, in another +quarter, was making dreadful havoc amongst his former fellow-countrymen. + +Night had now began to lour, but the fury of the combatants, instead of +abating, seemed to acquire additional power, in proportion as death +reduced their numbers. The Moor and the Christian fell, but immediately +their places were supplied by others, equally ready to lay down their +lives at the shrine of victory or revenge. The town of Alhacen was now +become the scene of indiscriminate carnage, and on every side death +appeared busy in counting its victims. The Christians, however, advanced +slowly, in consequence of the destruction dealt amongst them by the +shafts of their concealed adversaries, who had converted every house +into a fortress, whence they could with difficulty be dislodged. In +order, therefore, to foil this deadly warfare, they had recourse to a +still more terrible expedient: they applied the blazing torch to the +inflammable habitations of their enemies; a rising gale seconded their +intentions, and the greedy flames spreading widely round, the town was +soon enveloped in one promiscuous conflagration. Large volumes of red +foggy flame pierced at intervals through the dense columns of smoke that +rose in undulating sweep, flinging around a pestilential suffocation; +whilst the shrill screams of the women, the cries of the wounded, the +despairing shouts of the defenders, the howling of the blast, and the +crackling of the raging blaze, united in one wild reverberation, that +seemed to strike dismay into the heart of the bravest. + +But the frenzied courage of the Moors, instead of yielding, acquired new +impetus when they beheld their dwellings a prey to the ravenous flames. +Furiously they fought by the light of the conflagration, and as the +fitful wind flung high the clouds of smoke, and the unresisting fire +assumed the mastery, you might see by their dark reflection the grim +visages of the infuriate foes distended with rage, and each arm with +fearful grasp raising the deadly weapon, flashing upon his adversary: +then they were all again concealed in the wreathing folds of the +impervious fog which closed upon them. + +The principal street of the town now presented a ruinous and desolate +aspect; both parties were concentrating their efforts in this spot, and +here the combat raged with the greatest violence. Again the blast swept +along, bearing before it the masses of black suffocating vapour, but in +a clearer interval the eagle glance of Alonso de Aguilar had descried +the terrible form of El Feri, now animating his followers, and now +darting amongst the foremost of the assailants. He eagerly rushed +forward to encounter hand to hand the formidable enemy of the +Christians, crying aloud,---- + +"Turn, rebel Moor; turn, traitor, and receive thy reward from the sword +of Alonso de Aguilar." El Feri readily obeyed the summons, and +springing upon his enemy, with his uplifted weapon he dealt a tremendous +blow on the shield of Aguilar and almost clove it asunder. A furious +combat ensued, the results of which were soon lost in a huge mass of +smoke. But now a wild cry rent the air; it was the death knell of the +Moors, that rung prophetic on the blast--hope affrighted fled from their +hearts, for El Feri had fallen. The mighty chief drew his stern features +into a condensed expression of resolute despair; his face assumed an +ashy hue, and his frozen lip curled with an expression of scornful +defiance. Dimly but ferociously his eyes were bent on his conqueror, +whilst his sinewy hand grasped firmly the weapon it could no longer +wield. The gigantic frame of the Moor was convulsed, and his soul +struggled fiercely to recover the lost energies of its frame. El Feri +had fallen, but even prostrate and defenceless, he seemed still +formidable; for even in its ruins, manly strength and noble courage must +ever strike the mind with a sensation of awe. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar gazed intently on the foe now lying at his feet. A +single blow, and his country would be for ever freed from her most +redoubted enemy. But Don Alonso beheld that enemy defenceless, and his +arm refused to strike, for his heart was too generous to admit at that +moment of political considerations: he turned, therefore, and pursued +his victorious course against those who were still able to offer +resistance. + +Meantime Don Antonio de Leyva had succeeded in driving Caneri out of the +town. Before this chief the houseless Moors fled in confusion and +dismay. By the gloomy reflection that reddened the sky, a caravan was +now seen moving in irregular groups towards the thickest recesses of the +mountains. As the fugitives who composed it looked behind, they saw +their late dwellings fast reducing to ashes; but alas! they deplored not +the sight of their flaming homes, for they who had adopted the +wilderness for their country, cared but little on what spot their +habitations were fixed. They left behind pledges far more endearing, in +whom their loss was irremediable, for amongst the flying throng, there +was not one who had not to lament a father, a husband or a son, whose +remains were soon to mingle their ashes with those of their dwellings. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar soon put to flight the few that still remained, +and he pursued his march through streets obstructed at every step with +broken armour, masses of the falling houses, or the more distressing +impediments of mangled and bleeding bodies. The fire lighted his steps +through that scene of horror, and often his unguided tread was answered +by a smothered groan from a dying man, who was still sensible of the +rude pressure. He saw many a Moor, grim in the last writhings of death, +still betraying symptoms of unconquered hatred; and then he stumbled on +the bodies of his valiant comrades, some of whom he recognized,--the +bravest of his band! For many were the victims about to perish in the +flames, and mingle their ashes in that vast ruin, where Moors and +Christians, separated by mutual hate in life, would be finally united +in the embrace of death. + +Some of the unfortunate wounded mournfully supplicated their comrades +that passed over them to terminate their sufferings; and others, who +were already deprived of the powers of speech, sent an imploring look of +sorrowful import. Aguilar saw the helpless victims he could not assist, +and his compassion was strongly excited, as he pressed forward in the +pursuit of the flying enemy. Thus he traversed the deserted and +perishing town, when he was suddenly arrested by the piercing shrieks of +a female in distress. + +He paused, and surveying the place, he perceived that they proceeded +from a large house to which the devouring flames had already +communicated. Don Alonso boldly rushed forward; his pity required no +stimulus, but yet it was considerably heightened, when as he approached +the building, the cries of affliction were clearly distinguishable in +the Spanish tongue. He darted with velocity to the spot, and rushed +through the fiery clouds that enveloped the house. He passed the +entrance--traversed the court--reached the stairs--mounted them with the +eager alacrity of youth, and guided by the distressing sounds, he at +length attained the door of an apartment which was strongly fastened. In +an instant it gave way to his powerful strength, when amidst the obscure +fog that was fast filling the room, Don Alonso perceived a female form +kneeling on the ground, in the attitude of one who had abandoned all +hope from mortal assistance. + +The noise of the bursting door had called the attention of the +unfortunate towards that direction, and when she beheld her deliverer, +she uttered a cry of joy, and sprung eagerly into his arms. But the +sudden transition from a state of anguish and despair, to that of hope +and life, was too much for her to bear. Scarcely had the lovely sufferer +contemplated the prospect of a rescue, than overpowered by tumultuous +feelings, her energies faltered; the blood forsook its channels to +return to its fountain source, and Don Alonso de Aguilar received a +lifeless burthen into his arms. The danger was appalling, for the +flames had already enveloped the house, and the undaunted warrior, more +apprehensive for the safety of his charge than for his own, hastened to +snatch her from the dreadful spot. + +Aguilar supported the unconscious female with one arm, whilst with the +other he gathered together the light and flowing drapery with which she +was attired, lest the inflammable nature of the material might attract +the fire. Thus he reached the summit of the stairs. There for a moment +he stood aghast, for the wooden steps had already become the prey of the +fiery element, and a descent appeared totally impracticable. In this +emergency, Don Alonso firmly grasped his lovely burden, and with a +promptness of decision and rapidity of execution congenial to his +character, he threw himself fearlessly from the place, and clearing the +flaming obstruction, alighted on the floor, without sustaining any +injury. Dauntless he pierced through the rolling mist; he gained the +entrance, crossed it, and arrived safely in the street. + +But now he felt anxious for the beautiful being he had snatched from a +fiery tomb; he tore away part of her garments which had attracted the +consuming flames, and in a short time he recalled her to a consciousness +of life and feeling. It was a lovely girl whom Don Alonso had saved, for +the excessive emotion under which she laboured was not sufficient to +obscure the charms with which nature had so liberally gifted her. + +"Where am I?" she demanded, languidly opening her eyes. + +"Fear nothing, gentle maiden," answered Aguilar, "you are with a +friend." + +"Oh save me! Save me from the Moors," she cried vehemently; not yet +entirely aware into whose power she had fallen. + +"Those rebels cannot harm you," exclaimed her preserver, "they fly like +timorous deer before our triumphant banners, and you are now by the side +of Alonso de Aguilar." + +The welcome sound of this glorious name acted powerfully on the feelings +of Theodora and, perfectly tranquillised, she cried with ardour-- + +"Thanks! thanks! to that God, who will not forsake his creatures in the +hour of peril!" then turning to Don Alonso, she continued,--"The head of +the Aguilars will not forsake an unfortunate child of the house of +Monteblanco?" + +Don Alonso was struck with a well known name; but as Theodora appeared +too much exhausted for an explanation, without inquiring into the cause +of the strange situation in which he found her, he contented himself +with repeating his assurances of protection. + +"Duty," he added, "summons me hence, but you shall find nothing wanting +on my part to insure your safety. In my house at Granada, and from my +daughter Leonor, you will experience all the kindness that may tend to +mitigate your sorrows, until you are restored to the embrace of your +venerable parent." + +He then turned to one of his attendants, and proceeded:-- + +"Ramirez, you will conduct this lady to Granada: to your protection I +commend her, and see that she be treated with all the consideration due +to the charge of Alonso de Aguilar." + +Ramirez bowed, and singling out an escort of a dozen men, prepared to +obey his leader's orders; whilst Don Alonso, taking leave of Theodora, +proceeded with his conquering band to join Don Antonio de Leyva. Each +took a different way, and in a short time left the ill-fated town to the +melancholy possession of the dying and the dead; occupied alone by the +few wretches, to whom a spark of lingering life still adhered, and whose +sufferings were shortly to be terminated in the general conflagration +now fast approaching to its crisis. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + La cosa mas alegre que en la vida, + Permite al ser mortal humana gloria, + Es la patria del hombre tan querida + Despues de alguna prospera victoria. + + _Lope de Vega._ + + Ah! che per tutto io veggo + Qualche oggetto funesto! + + _Metastasio._ + + +Granada now presented a scene of animated confusion. The repeated +successes of the Christians against the rebels, and the intelligence +lately received of the defeat of El Feri de Benastepar, with the total +destruction of his forces, filled the inhabitants of that city with joy. +Various bands of musicians paraded the gay and busy streets, uniting +their harmonious strains with the more solemn sounds of the bells, +whilst the joyous laugh, and other clamorous evidences of pleasure, +filled the air with a confused yet pleasing din. + +It was amidst this tumult of rejoicing, that Theodora entered the city +of Granada. Her party had travelled slowly, so that the intelligence of +the recent victory had reached the place before them, and they were not +surprised at the extraordinary excitement of popular feeling. The +animated scene served, in some degree, to draw her mind from its gloomy +recollections, for during her journey she had again relapsed into her +former state of despondency. She was now traversing the principal +streets of that far-famed and renowned city, so long the grand arena of +the Moslem's greatness, now the undisputed dominion of the victorious +Christian. Every step she advanced exhibited some new object to awaken +her curiosity or excite her feelings, such as a stranger must feel upon +arriving at a city so lately rescued from the possession of an +hereditary enemy. + +Relics of Moorish grandeur were every where discernible; every street, +every building, nay the very pavement on which they trod, teemed with +associations of by-gone glory and departed power. The city was now +chiefly inhabited by Spaniards; yet a considerable portion of its +population consisted of Moors, who scrupulously adhered to their +national costume, strikingly contrasted by its gaiety with the less +fanciful but more manly attire of the Christians. The two people widely +differed in all points, though now enclosed within the same precincts. +Two mortal and implacable enemies, united in apparent friendship, +paraded the streets, or tenanted the dwellings of Granada. + +The high balconies of the city were hung with costly drapery, and the +turrets of the magnificent palaces adorned with a profusion of large +waving banners and gay pennons. Every window was crowded with rank and +beauty, witnessing the gambols of the merry children or the boisterous +recreations of the populace. The streets themselves afforded a quaint +and curious spectacle, for in promiscuous and gay confusion were seen +the splendid apparel of the noble, and the modest garb of the peasant; +the shining armour and waving plumes of the Christian warrior, and the +gaudy fantastic habiliments of the Moslem. With them appeared the solemn +and lugubrious vestments of the ecclesiastical dignitaries, and the +coarse habit and shaven crown of the monk. + +Theodora was lost in wonder, so numerous and so whimsically contrasted +were these various objects. But amongst this motley assemblage there +were some who appeared more capable of interesting her heart and her +fancy. She espied those who were no sincere partakers of the general +joy, and whose sad eye and clouded brow belied the accents of their +tongue. Some, who vainly strove to animate their countenances with a +pleasure that was foreign to their hearts. The dejected and down-fallen +Moors were among these; for though they had submitted to the Christian +government, and admitted to the fullest extent the criminality of their +fellow-countrymen, yet they could not but be sensible that it was the +defeat and annihilation of their friends and former companions that +occasioned these demonstrations of joy. Besides, they felt the pangs of +shame and degradation, rendered still more poignant by a consciousness +of the superior courage of those whose destruction they were now in some +measure compelled to celebrate. To this was added the painful +conviction, that although they might outwardly be treated by the +Spaniards as fellow-subjects, no true sentiment of esteem and friendship +could be awakened in the breasts of those who must always consider them +as vanquished enemies. Besides the hatred which rankled alike in the +hearts of the followers of the Cross and those of the Crescent, a +hatred, which had been hereditary for many ages, was of itself an +insurmountable obstacle to the friendly conjunction of two such +different people. The Moors were therefore a prey to the most galling +reflections, and smarting under the bitterest disappointment, at the +very time that pleasure and contentment alone seemed to hold dominion +in Granada. + +Theodora beheld these unfortunates with a lively sensation of pity, +though they had certainly little claim to it. The image of the odious +Caneri was of itself sufficient to banish any kindly feeling; yet they +were forlorn and wretched, and this was alone a sacred title to the +sympathies of her generous soul. She was, however, soon obliged to +recall her thoughts to a subject of individual interest, for as she was +doubling the _Plaza nueva_,[30] amongst the various Moors that paraded +about, her eyes lighted on one that struck a sensation of dread to her +very heart. It was Bermudo the renegade! She could not be deceived in +his person, though his outward appearance had undergone a material +alteration. The ingenuity which had changed his dress and disguised his +manner, could not however alter the peculiar expression of his eye, and +the chilling tranquil sternness of his features. Theodora trembled, for +she perceived that she had been recognised by the renegade, who +intensely fixed his eyes upon her, as though her person powerfully +arrested his attention. She turned with terror from the dreaded object, +and during the rest of her way, felt an involuntary apprehension at +looking around her. + +The party of Theodora had by this time arrived at the palace of Don +Alonso de Aguilar, but an entrance was not to be effected without +considerable difficulty, all the avenues leading to it being crowded +with the multitude eager to congratulate the daughter of the victorious +warrior. The lady herself appeared for a moment at the balcony, gaily +surrounded by gallant knights and pages, waving her silken scarf in +grateful acknowledgment of these public demonstrations of respect. +Ramirez turned, and conducting his party to the back of the mansion, +sought an easier admission by the garden entrance. Theodora was soon +ushered into a splendid apartment, while her attentive conductor +proceeded alone, to fulfil his instructions to the daughter of Aguilar. + +During the short interval that succeeded the departure of Ramirez, the +mind of Theodora was alternately agitated between hope and fear. Not +that she had any reason to doubt the reception she would experience from +Leonor, but she felt the painful difficulty of affording the explanation +that would naturally be required of her upon the arrival of Aguilar, +whose return was daily expected. These painful reflections, however, +were checked by the return of Ramirez, who taking the trembling hand of +Theodora, led her to Leonor's private apartment. They traversed in +silence the spacious corridors of the palace, and before Theodora had +time to collect her scattered senses, a pair of folding doors were +thrown open, and she found herself in the presence of one whom her +fervid imagination had almost portrayed as something more than mortal. + +Leonor advanced gracefully to meet her guest, and observing her extreme +emotion, endeavoured to sooth it by the most friendly expressions. + +"So lovely a being," she said, as she led the passive Theodora towards +a sofa, "needed not the recommendation of my noble parent, to be +received with cordial hospitality by his daughter;--but rest yourself," +she continued, "for you must be in want of repose, after the journey you +have undergone." + +Theodora, notwithstanding this reassuring tone, was unable to give +utterance to the acknowledgments of her grateful heart. There was +something in the whole appearance of Leonor that contributed to heighten +her natural timidity, and even the kindness and affability of the +daughter of Aguilar could not entirely dissipate an indefinable +sensation of awe, which Theodora felt in her presence. She had been at +first sight struck by the imposing and majestic beauty of Leonor, +together with the dazzling splendour in which she was attired. Her +senses were bewildered in the contemplation of so much grandeur and +magnificence. + +Indeed Leonor de Aguilar was designed by nature to produce those +sensations in minds far more familiar with scenes of greatness and +power than the simple and unsophisticated heart of the guileless +Theodora. Leonor de Aguilar was a model of that peculiar beauty which +partakes at once of the lovely graces of her own sex, with some of the +more decided attributes of man. Her form was largely but most elegantly +framed, and exhibited a classic boldness of contour that perfectly +harmonized with her stateliness of carriage. Her complexion was of a +transparent brown, mellowed by the rich rosy tint that played over it, +and her large brilliant eyes sparkled with dazzling and energetic fire. +Dark glossy tresses overshadowed her oval face, where a beautiful shaped +aquiline nose, and lips of the deepest carnation, contributed to give +her countenance an expression of striking brilliancy. Yet there was +something stern in the resolute flash of her eye, and the bold curl of +her lip. A slight tincture of hauteur was likewise occasionally to be +detected, through the affability of manner by which she was +characterized; and in the very tone of her voice, even when attuned to +the softest expressions of kindness and regard, there was a chord that +vibrated upon the ear, which told of conscious superiority and masculine +genius. Yet these peculiarities were favorable to the commanding style +of her beauty, and served to heighten the impression which her natural +attractions could not fail to produce. + +"But come," said Leonor, after the first salutations, and when Theodora +felt a little reassured; "come, I must introduce you to the grand +saloon, where some of the first nobility of Spain are now assembled: I +am sure," she added with a smile, "those gallant knights will be greatly +beholden to me for bringing so lovely an addition to their society." + +"Your kind flattery," replied Theodora, "would certainly arouse a +feeling of vanity, if any such, alas! still lingered in my heart; but at +present sad recollections too severely oppress me to render society +desirable: besides, I should feel myself lost amidst so brilliant an +assemblage." + +"Well," continued Leonor, "I will not impose any exertion upon my fair +guest that may not accord with the present state of her mind; let us, +however, hope that her sorrows are not so deeply rooted but that, in the +kindness of her friends, she may soon find some alleviation. Yet," she +added, "if you will not join in our festivities, you will at least be +able to witness them, without inconvenience, from your casement. The +grand procession will presently move towards the cathedral, to return a +solemn thanksgiving for the successes of the Christian arms. The queen +will shortly leave her palace, attended with the flower of Spanish +warriors, and all the rank and beauty of Granada. And now, my gentle +friend," she continued in a kind tone, "I shall be obliged for a time to +leave you, as my attendance on the queen is absolutely required." + +She then appointed two of her maids to attend on her guest, and renewing +her assurances of regard and friendship, she retired, leaving the +unfortunate daughter of Monteblanco deeply impressed with gratitude and +admiration. + +Upon the departure of Leonor, Theodora drew near the window, and gazed +on the moving multitude below. The increased clamour of the populace, +and an unusual hurrying to and fro, together with the tolling of the +cathedral bells, now announced that the procession had left the palace, +and was approaching. Soon after, the sumptuous cavalcade came in sight, +slowly moving forwards. A magnificent banner was borne at the head of +the procession, displaying the cross of Santiago, patron of Spain, +gorgeously embroidered thereon, and followed by the knights of that +noble military order, in their grand ceremonial costumes. After them, +came those of the order of Calatrava, with their brave and renowned +maestre at their head. A long train of noblemen and knights, all +martially equipped, and mounted on beautiful steeds, succeeded, bearing +amongst them the spoils taken in the late conflicts. Isabella herself at +last appeared, seated on a superb milk-white charger, with the ease and +elegance of a perfect equestrian. She was immediately attended by the +Count de Tendilla, governor of the city, and the Archbishop of Toledo +and that of Granada, who were to officiate at the cathedral. The +splendor of the cavalcade was diversified by ranks of friars and monks +of various orders, who moved in regular order, mingling the sounds of +solemn anthems to the notes of clarions and other warlike instruments. +Then the incense rose to the sky, flinging around a grateful odour, +whilst the din and confusion of the overwhelming throng that closed the +march, evinced the interest which the scene excited in the minds of the +people. + +Theodora gazed after the procession until it gradually diminished in the +distance, and the clamorous noise was gradually subdued into a tranquil +and pleasing murmur. The pageant moved forward to the cathedral, where a +grand _Te Deum_ was sung, and a thousand voices united in heartfelt +gratitude to that awful power which had been so propitious to the +Christian people. + +Theodora now retired from the casement, and abandoned herself to her +former thoughts. The sumptuous display she had just witnessed forcibly +recalled her mind to the subject of its constant meditations. Alas! +amongst the host of gallant knights that composed the scene, the best +and bravest was not there; and the image of her murdered lover, arrayed +in terror, rose sadly before the imagination of Theodora. Her +attendants, ignorant of the nature of her sorrows, but in the true +spirit of female compassion, endeavoured to divert her thoughts to more +pleasing channels. The mind may be better weaned from scenes of past +distress, by interesting the curiosity, than by a consolation which +often, instead of healing the lacerated heart, serves but to increase +the torture of the wound. + +The kind females, therefore, led Theodora to view the interior of the +palace, which, from its venerable antiquity, and the interesting relics +of Moorish taste and ornament it contained, afforded a subject for +curious investigation. The quaint and fantastic carvings of the cornices +of the grand saloon, together with its Arabic devices and decorations, +and the mosaic pavement, harmonized strangely with the armorial bearings +and heavily grouped emblems of Christian panoplies. + +Theodora gazed on these warlike trophies with a listless indifference, +but when she came to a long gallery hung round with pictures, both of +Christian and Moorish subjects, her feelings were powerfully excited, +and she beheld those living mockeries of departed greatness with a deep +sensation of awe. Many a picture was there which recorded the faded +splendour of the Moslems. Many a scene of the chivalrous tales and +amours of the valiant Gazul and the love-smitten Lindaraxa, and other +characters now highly prized in Moorish legend. These scenes of private +and individual interest were artificially mixed with other +representations of a more general and dignified nature. Battles and +sieges and valorous deeds of Mahomedan warriors were gaudily portrayed +by the Moorish artist, who had taken care to bestow with his pencil a +gratuitous splendor upon the exploits of his countrymen, as they passed +in review under his hand. These works were succeeded by others of a very +different character, in which the Christian artist had ingeniously taken +the hint from his Mahomedan rival, and had fairly outdone the infidel in +the fierce and indomitable expression of his heroes. + +These were followed by a series of portraits, both of living personages +and others who were long since dead. Amongst these, Theodora saw the +mighty form of Alonso de Aguilar, on whose noble countenance was stamped +that commanding expression which brought vividly to her memory the image +of his daughter Leonor. There also stood as in life the renowned and +terrible Ruy Diaz de Vivar, surnamed _El Cid Campeador_,[31] mounted on +his scarcely less celebrated charger Babieca, both actively engaged in +the destruction of their Moorish enemies; for it is a received +tradition that the animal had an instinctive horror and abhorrence of +the infidels, and accordingly never lost an opportunity of exhibiting +towards them his patriotic propensities by the force of his bites and +kicks. There was likewise the awful and sanctified figure of the apostle +_Santiago_, riding like a whirlwind through the air, on his milk-white +horse, and accomplishing in his progress those wonderful and miraculous +deeds which have so much embellished the pages of the old legends, and +from whose rich sources the romancers have derived such heroic spirit +and power. The portraits of the Catholic Ferdinand, and his noble spouse +Isabella, were also there, together with many other Christian sovereigns +and warriors, who had played conspicuous parts in the history of their +country. + +Theodora unconsciously wandered along until she had nearly reached the +extremity of the gallery, when, as she was about to return, her eye +suddenly alighted on a figure that thrilled the inmost fibres of her +frame. It was _him_ she saw, so truly portrayed and so exact in every +lineament, that the painted canvas seemed endowed with life. Gomez Arias +was there; his bold demeanor, his proud smile, the intelligent glance of +his eye--all, all was religiously preserved in that inanimate +counterpart of living reality. Theodora gazed and gazed, until her +dilated eyes seemed ready to start from their orbits. The unfortunate +girl was rivetted to the spot, for she felt a melancholy pleasure in +dwelling on the semblance of those handsome features. She descried all +the graces of her lover in that perfect memorial of him, and her own +vivid imagination imparted to it life and passion. She stood before the +picture, till she fancied her lover present, earnestly gazing on her +immovable form, and she felt a portion of that happiness which he never +failed to create when he whispered the ardent vows of everlasting love. + +Theodora remained some time plunged in a tide of feeling, painful yet +pleasing, and in the recollection of past scenes she almost forgot the +horrid fate of Gomez Arias. She gazed, and in the height of her +enthusiasm she was happy; but, alas! how short, how transient was the +delusion which, when dissolved, would tend to sink her deeper in +affliction! The brazen, heavy voice of the cathedral bell suddenly broke +the magic charm. Theodora started from her reverie, and all again became +a chaos of misery and despondence. + +The pageant was now returning from the Cathedral, and once more the +tolling of bells and the martial strains rung in the air. Theodora, +unwilling to betray her situation to her attendants, returned to her +apartment, where she endeavoured to conceal her emotion as well as the +high excitement of her feelings would permit. + +The generous Leonor soon repaired to her charge. + +"Come," said she, as she entered, "I suppose you will at least grace the +convivial table, since I could not prevail on you to adorn the +procession?" + +"Suffer me," gently answered Theodora, "to trespass so far on your kind +indulgence as to excuse my absence from the feast. My mind, alas! is in +no state to enjoy the revelry, and I should but cast a gloom on the +brilliancy of the scene." + +Leonor had a superior knowledge of human nature, and an unusual +quickness of discernment. She prudently considered that consolation +could much better be promoted by a gentle and timely acquiescence with +the desires of the afflicted, than by an overstrained and ill-timed +attempt to obtrude gaiety on a mind that was not prepared for its +admission. Theodora's request to keep her apartment was accordingly +complied with. There she passed the remainder of the day in busy +communion with her own thoughts, and bewildered in contemplating the +conduct that she ought to adopt in her unfortunate situation. Her +forlorn heart naturally and affectionately turned to the home of her +childhood; her ideas fondly returned to the pure channel from whence +they had too long wandered, and momentarily overpowered the terrors +which a consciousness of guilt presented to her imagination. Her father +would not discard his afflicted, his repentant child. Her offence +towards him had been great, but it could not be greater than the +parental anxiety, the fond, boundless affection he had ever shown to the +only remaining pledge of her mother's love, the sole descendant of his +ancient house. + +These consoling reflections happily soothed the heart of Theodora. She +arose from her despondency with a sudden start of resolution, and +determined that on the moment her generous deliverer should arrive, she +would acquaint him with her wishes, and crave his assistance to conduct +her to the feet of her sorrowing parent. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Cosi gl'interi giorni in lungo incerto + Sonno gemo! ma poi quando la bruna + Notte gli astri nel ciel chiama e la luna + E il freddo aer di mute ombre e coverto; + Dove selvoso e il piano e piu deserto + Allor lento io vagando, ad una ad una + Palpo le piaghe onde la rea fortuna + E amore e il mondo hanno il mio core aperto. + + _Ugo Foscolo._ + + +It was night, gentle and serene, such a night as in the favored clime of +Andalusia is wont to succeed the sultriness of a summer's day. The +bright canopy of heaven shone in passionless serenity, emblazoned with +its countless stars. The moon flung a solemn light on the tall palaces +and stately turrets of Granada, and tinged the citron groves of Don +Alonso's garden with a flood of chaste and silvery splendor. The placid +beams reposed calmly and unbroken on the bosom of the still lake, or +danced fitfully on the bubbling eddies of the limpid water, as it fell +on the marble basin with a refreshing sound. + +How beautiful this calm! In such a spot as this could the wearied mind +taste of the sweet repose of an earthless spirit. But hark! the +breathless silence is violated by a low harsh sound. It is the grating +voice of yonder ponderous Moorish casement. It opens, and a female form +is there wrapped in contemplation; her eye is fixed, her figure +motionless. She now raises the trembling fingers to her white forehead, +and reclines on her arm, as she watches, with the unconscious gaze of an +absent mind, the sportive waters as they played below. She seemed to +delight in the soft stillness, and to gather fresh life amidst the +mysterious shades that reigned around. Spirit-like, she sat in the +frowning window, enrobed in shadow, and the cold whiteness that +pencilled out her form, seemed to array it with the character of a +living statue. + +It was Theodora--the hapless Theodora, who, a prey to the rooted +melancholy that consumed her, had left her couch to enjoy undisturbed +the luxury of grief. The garden soon brought to her fancy recollections +of past scenes, and the source of all her present misfortunes. It was in +a garden, and on such nights as these that her meetings with Gomez Arias +had taken place, as well as the last interview which had decided her +fate, and given birth to all the miseries which followed. Tranquil and +serene was all around; Theodora felt a wild and romantic sensation of +delight, while gazing on objects fraught with associations of past bliss +and present misery. The hallowed placidity of the blue vaulted heavens; +the soft whispering of the foliage that slumbered in the cold moonlight; +the spectre-like appearance of the tall trees, which stood partly +enrobed in shadowy darkness, and partly glowing in serene and chastened +splendor; the gentle murmuring of the sportive breeze--all tended to +lead her senses into a delusive, but pleasing reverie. She listened, and +thought she heard _his_ voice. She looked tremblingly as if in the +expectation of the appearance of her lover. The thicket of myrtle +rustles and shakes, and flings on the air its load of fragrance, when +from its green bosom softly steals forward a tall and majestic figure. + +Could it be possible? Or had her bewildered imagination conjured up the +airy phantom to deceive her? It was _he_--Gomez Arias--and as she gazed +intensely, the shadow moved slowly along, lengthening in the moonlight +as it proceeded. No delusion was here; it was indeed her lover she +beheld, moving with the same graceful manner as when she saw him last in +the garden of her father. The phantom approached, not in the unearthly +sickly semblance of a tenant of the tomb, but radiant with the joy of a +successful lover; his eye beaming with the glow of life. It moved! it +passed! 'tis gone--and Theodora, in the complication of her feelings, +remained with her eyes fixed, looking intently on the space where she +had distinguished the form of her lover. + +During some time she remained plunged in a delightful trance, till the +solemn knell of a neighbouring convent, summoning the cloistered monks +to their orisons, suddenly dissolved the potent charm, and banished the +bright illusion for the reality of sorrow. The dear image of her lover +had departed, and a veil of gloom seemed to fall over the surrounding +scene. An unearthly dullness pervaded the air; the night wind sighed +mournfully through the rustling boughs of the trees; the moon threw a +colourless light from behind a shroud of clouds, and the semblance of +death seemed to reign around. + +Theodora could no longer sustain the dreary scene, and she hurried back +to her couch, to linger through the night in the unavailing attempt to +court repose. Alas! refreshing sleep came not to close her weary +eyelids. At intervals, indeed, a heavy slumber stole over her, but so +oppressive was its influence, that she struggled hard to regain her +senses. The night wore away, and the morning dawned, but it brought no +alleviation to her sorrow. At an early hour she rose from her couch, +and, as if led by an instinctive impulse, she drew near the window that +commanded a view of the garden. There, musing on the vision of her past +night, she was surprised by the entrance of Lisarda, one of her +attendants. She came bustling in with an air of importance, and +apparently with a firm resolution that no opportunity should escape in +the proffer of her good services, and in the exercise of her loquacious +talents. + +"Good day, sweet lady! Save you, my dear lady! How have you passed the +night?--Very composedly I trow, for this is a most quiet and sequestered +apartment: but, our Lady defend us! how pale you look;--surely, you are +not ill?--_La virgen nos valga_.[32] Samuel Mendez shall be commanded +here forthwith; for this same Samuel, you must know, is a very sapient +leech, and well versed in occult medical science, though a very dog of a +cursed unbelieving Jew;[33] he shall be sent for anon; there is no cause +to fear him, for the infidel dare not use any of his poisonous drugs to +such as you, my sweet lady. The _Samaritano_[34] would answer with his +life any mischance to yours; and that is methinks a right way of +effecting cures. So permit me to send for Samuel Mendez." + +"Thank you most kindly," answered Theodora, "but my disease is not to be +removed by the powers of medicine. Alas! it is seated in the mind," she +added, smiling sadly, "and there all the science of Samuel Mendez would +be unavailing." + +"Cheer up, my sweet lady," returned Lisarda, "for this is a time of +rejoicing at Granada, and it would be a pity to have one sorrowful heart +amidst the revelries of this mansion. Good heavens! we are all mad for +joy in the very anticipation of so much feasting and merry-making." + +"I congratulate you sincerely," said Theodora, "though I cannot be a +partaker of the general joy." + +"Oh, but you must," exclaimed Lisarda, "you must be glad, aye, and +rejoice too;--and how can you in troth do otherwise, seeing that our +master, Don Alonso de Aguilar, is hourly expected in the city?" + +"It will indeed," returned Theodora, "throw a beam of comfort into my +poor heart to behold my brave and generous deliverer, and to pour forth +the tribute of my humble gratitude, which he so justly deserves." + +"His arrival," continued Lisarda, with marvellous volubility of tongue, +"is the signal of numberless pleasures; for now, thank God and the +mighty _Santiago_, the Moors have had such a dressing that they will be +in no humour for some time to renew their unruly frolics, and that happy +event which we have so long a time been anxiously awaiting will at last +be accomplished." + +"Yes," said Theodora, mechanically, "peace will be restored." + +"Aye, peace will be restored," quoth she of the expeditious tongue; +"peace will be restored; and in sooth how should it not? But then that +is not the only happiness in store for the friends and retainers of Don +Alonso." + +As she said this, Lisarda looked steadfastly on Theodora, as if +expecting to be questioned about the said happiness, but as she +perceived no symptoms of such an intention, she found the necessity of +affording both questions and answers, lest the dialogue should draw to a +conclusion, a catastrophe much dreaded by the good Lisarda. + +"Now, by _San Jose Bendito_!" she continued in the tone of one that is +most good-naturedly inclined to give unsought-for information; "my +gentle lady, I would venture to assert that you cannot guess the motive +of such happy anticipations." + +"I cannot indeed," answered Theodora, with indifference. + +"Well, I will keep you no longer in suspense, since you evince so +anxious a desire to be acquainted with all the particulars." + +Theodora betrayed some little impatience at the unconscionable chatter +of her attendant; but the giddy maid, heedless of every thing, +continued in a tone of great delight-- + +"So, the Lord save us! but the happiness in question is nothing less +than a wedding." + +"A wedding!" cried Theodora, with some emotion. + +"Aye, a wedding," repeated Lisarda, emphatically, accompanying the +stress she laid on the word with a most appropriate movement of her head +and hands, as the right one struck the palm of its left companion, in +token of asseveration: "A wedding," she continued; "and such a wedding +too, that the like has not been seen at Granada for many, many a year. +Let them boast of their Moorish gallantry and their infidel marriages--a +fig for them! No, no; a Christian for me--a Christian, who will be +satisfied with one woman, and in truth why should he not?" + +"And who is the fortunate bride?" demanded Theodora, not from any motive +of curiosity, but merely to acquiesce in the loquacious humor of her +attendant. + +"The bride!" exclaimed Lisarda, "the bride! why, who should be the +bride?--Have I not already told you?" + +"No, indeed, you have not." + +"Really," resumed Lisarda, conceitedly, "for a thoughtless silly girl, I +am the most unaccountable female in Spain." + +Theodora did not attempt to contradict her, as she was certainly a most +unaccountable girl for a woman of forty. + +"Well," proceeded Lisarda, "before it again slips from my memory, I must +acquaint you that the bride is no other than our beloved and most noble +mistress, the lady Dona Leonor." + +"She well deserves a gentle bridegroom," observed Theodora, with +affability. + +"She does in troth," replied Lisarda; "and how should she not, being as +she is? We have had no lack of suitors--aye, and the noblest. Good +Heavens! what ado there has been about it--gallants we have had, +clustering about us like bees when they flock around their queen. The +bridegroom is indeed a most deserving and accomplished cavalier; and so +he should, to be the favored choice of Dona Leonor. However, he is not +the one I patronized, and who I hoped at one time would marry my +lady--he, alas! was prevented from proceeding in so desirable an +engagement, not from any fault of his or mine either, but from an +unexpected event that presented the most insurmountable impediment to +the marriage." + +"And that was--?" inquired Theodora. + +"Death!" replied Lisarda: "it being rumoured and readily believed, that +the unfortunate caballero was murdered by those blood-thirsty Moors of +the Alpujarras; and indeed his long disappearance from Granada makes the +unwelcome intelligence to rest on no shallow foundation." + +Theodora felt an involuntary chill at this part of her attendant's +narration; for the similarity of fate between Leonor's lover and her own +could not but be productive of a most harrowing sensation. Lisarda, +however, continued, unconscious of the pang she had inflicted. + +"And it was a marvellous pity," said she, "for a more gallant and +generous cavalier was not easily to be met with in all Spain. So gentle, +so brave, so rich, and so generous withal;--now, never did he appear +before me, but he needs must force some present or other upon me; and, +indeed, spite of my shyness, I found the greatest difficulty in +resisting the acceptance of gifts which were offered in so delicate a +manner: peace be to his soul! it was always a ring, a gem, a pair of +pendants, or----" + +"And what is the name of the present bridegroom?" interrupted Theodora. + +"Certainly he is a sweet gallant too, and in great estimation at +court----" + +"And his name is--?" inquired Theodora. + +"Though, to say the truth, there are many others equally meritorious. It +is not the Maestre de Calatrava; oh, no; his attractions are rather too +mature to suit the taste of Dona Leonor." + +"Who is he?" again demanded Theodora "A most handsome man, certainly; +now--but do not suppose it is Don Felix de Almagro, or young Garcilaso, +or Don Juan de---- No,----". + +"Well, but, good Lisarda, what is his name?" + +"Oh, he bears a most glorious name; but now I think on't, what a +thoughtless, silly girl I am; surely I was to bring you a beautiful +dress, that my lady ordered for you: sweet lady, you must forgive me; I +will run forthwith and rectify my fault." + +Then, without waiting for a reply, she flew out of the room. Theodora +felt a strange sensation at the intelligence she had just received. A +wedding was shortly to be solemnized, at which her presence would +naturally be required, and the idea of witnessing a ceremony which would +bring to her mind a train of painful associations, failed not to +increase her agitation. Then she was lost in conjectures respecting the +bridegroom, and she felt impressed with a belief that he could be no +other than Don Antonio de Leyva. She felt a dread at the prospect of +appearing before him, whom her venerable parent had chosen for her +partner in life. + +Theodora strove to drive away such unpleasant images, and to divert her +attention she hurried to the garden. There she walked to the same spot +where the resemblance of her lover had appeared the preceding night; +feeling a strange indefinable delight in visiting a spot endeared by the +awful visitation of her beloved and never to be forgotten Gomez Arias. +In the garden, therefore, she remained some time, now walking amidst +fragrant avenues of orange and citron, now resting on the marble edge of +the fountain, refreshing her hands and face in the transparent liquid, +or gazing on the clear and sparkling pebbles embedded on the golden +sand. Her sighs seemed attuned to the soft but melancholy sound of the +murmuring fountain, and she was insensibly falling into her wonted train +of reverie, when she was startled by the noise of advancing footsteps; +she raised her eyes and perceived a man coming directly across the path +on which she was standing; to her utter amazement, she beheld in the +disturber of her meditations the person, the very person of Roque. The +valet himself was rivetted to the spot at this mutual recognition, and +his features exhibited a curious amalgamation of sensations difficult to +be defined. He crossed himself thrice, uttered a faint ejaculation, and, +with wandering eyes and open mouth, he looked and looked again, as if +doubting the reality of what he saw. Being at length perfectly satisfied +that it was Theodora herself, the unhappy and forsaken victim of his +master, he made a hasty movement to leave the place. + +"Stay, Roque, stay!" eagerly cried Theodora; "thou surely dost not mean +to leave me thus:--What alarms thee? Is it my dejected and forlorn +appearance? Alas! it may well awaken thy surprise; for deep and bitter +anguish has left its sad traces on my features." + +Roque then approached, but not without casting a look around, as if +fearful of being observed. + +"What ails thee, Roque?" demanded Theodora surprised; "thou +tremblest,--wherefore? What mystery is here?" + +"_El cielo, San Pedro y San Pablo me valgan!_" ejaculated Roque, again +crossing himself. + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, clasping her hand in eager supplication--"do not +harrow up my feelings with this suspense:--Speak!--" + +"Good heavens! my lady, how came you here?" + +"Alas!" answered Theodora, "the tale of my sufferings is as tedious in +length as it has been deep in sorrow; rather inform me of matters far +more interesting to my heart: tell me," she then proceeded, with +vehement earnestness, "tell me the circumstances of that horrid event +which has doomed me for ever to despair." + +"That horrid event!" re-echoed Roque, with a look of marvellous +stupidity. + +"Ah! Roque, it was a fearful deed, and not in vain did my heart warn me +with ominous forebodings." + +"Yes, gentle lady," said Roque, in a tone of compunction, "it was a +fearful deed, I confess." + +"And thou, Roque," continued Theodora, "thou hast to answer for a great +share of the misery which ensued." + +"Alas, my dear lady! I know that my courage failed me in that dreadful +moment, but perhaps I am not wholly undeserving of pardon, for what +other course could I then pursue?" + +"To fight," resolutely said Theodora. + +"Fight," returned the valet, "fight! good God! you would not have had me +fight a host of ruffian Moors, would you, lady? A thousand they might +have been, for aught I know. Indeed, at the time, I lost my talent for +calculation, but they looked as many, and as for poor Roque, whom Heaven +has been pleased to endow with a most pacific temperament, thinking of +fighting a thousand Moors, he might as well be expected to engage +against Satan, backed by a whole legion of his infernal subjects." + +"But was it well," rejoined Theodora, "to abandon thy master in the +hour of danger?" + +"Abandon my master!" exclaimed Roque, "_valgame el cielo!_ Under favor, +Senora, it was my master that abandoned me." + +"Out upon thee, fellow! I thought thee possessed of more manly feelings +than to make light with so sad a subject, and introduce an unseemly +jest." + +"By all the saints in the calendar, lady--but I am in no mood for +merriment. I am not in very truth, and may the first jest I attempt to +utter strangulate me outright, before it escapes from my lips. But +really, with respect to abandoning my master, thank the blessed virgin, +that is a crime of which no one can accuse me. A man cannot help feeling +shy at engaging in broils and combats, if his star doth not propel him +thereto,--and that in verity is pretty nearly my case; but if any one is +tempted to question my fidelity, this miserable carcass of mine can bear +witness to the contrary, by displaying the honorable bruises I have +reaped in the service of my master.--Alack! had I been less constant in +following my Senor Gomez Arias, certain cudgellings and beatings without +number would not so continually have fallen to the lot of Roque." + +"Darest thou speak in this strain," interposed Theodora, "when thou +betookest thyself to a shameful flight, at the very first appearance of +the Moors, leaving thy gallant and unfortunate master to be murdered at +their hands?" + +At this unexpected accusation, Roque appeared astounded, and for some +time could collect no adequate term to express his surprise. He cast a +look of mixed amazement and compassion, shrugged up his shoulders, and, +in a scarcely audible tone, muttered to himself:--"Poor thing! may the +Lord preserve her--sorrow hath brought this about." + +Theodora, heedless of his manner, continued;--"Alas! what was the +courage of a single man against the united force of so many enemies?" + +"Aye--aye--nothing," responded Roque, "nothing certainly;--but under +favor, my good lady, though my master's courage stood ever the fairest +test, yet I do not clearly perceive how he is entitled to encomiums for +feats which, though he might, he _did_ not actually achieve." + +"What!" exclaimed Theodora, with warmth, "would you even defraud his +memory of its too-well merited guerdon, the possession of a glorious +name?" + +"Good my lady," humbly replied Roque, "I would not defraud my master of +a single _maravedi_, much less of so valuable a treasure as a glorious +name. But I am strangely puzzled to determine how I can deprive him of a +commodity which in my hands would lose its worth. Nor indeed can I +perceive why you bestow such commendations on the deeds of my master, +since, in the instance to which you allude, I rather suspect he was in +nowise anxious to distinguish himself." + +"Thy speech," said Theodora, "is enigmatical, and wherefore it is so I +cannot surmise. But his very enemies confessed that he fought bravely, +and fell like a hero. Aye, Roque, they further added, that had you not +abandoned him in that critical moment, their victory would not have been +so easily effected." + +"_Santa Barbara!_" cried Roque, more astounded than ever, "the Moors +said that? Well it was very kind of the _malandrines_ to speak in such +good terms of my honored master.--Good God! good God!" he then +continued, in a confused incoherent manner--"My lady, pray forgive my +impertinence, but will you tell me if I am awake?" + +"Awake!" repeated Theodora. + +"Yes, my dear lady, for either I must be now asleep, or you must have +been dreaming when the facetious Moors favored you with such an +extraordinary story." + +"Oh, Roque! cease this ribaldry, so unbecoming in thee when we speak of +_him_ whom thou knowest I so much loved--when we speak of his untimely +death." + +"The death of Gomez Arias, say you!" exclaimed Roque, retreating with +increased amazement. "My master dead?--in the name of Heaven! what say +you lady!"-- + +"The truth;--with these unhappy eyes did I see his murdered body in the +Alpujarras:--art thou then, Roque, so ignorant of his fate?" + +"Oh, quite so," replied Roque; "this is the very first intelligence I +received of such an event;--and I suppose you will tell me next that you +have seen his ghost." + +"Alas!" returned Theodora, "it was but last night that I beheld his +figure as perfectly as when I saw him last in the Alpujarras!" + +Roque assumed as much gravity as he was able, considering the difficulty +he had to restrain his risibility; and, supposing that the intellect of +the poor lady was impaired, in a comic serious tone observed:--"Well, my +master is a most wonderful man, that his murdered body should be food +for the ravens of the Alpujarras, and his troubled spirit be haunting +Don Alonso's garden; when at the same time I saw him myself not long +since, in perfect sanity of body and soul, parading the promenades of +Granada." + +Theodora gasped for breath; she gazed on Roque with astonishment. The +valet was in the greatest perplexity; but thinking that Theodora still +doubted the veracity of his statement, he again, in a serious tone and +asseverating manner, said--"Yes, my lady, you are deceived--my master is +alive." + +"Alive!" screamed aloud Theodora, and her whole frame shook like the +aspen leaf; "alive! where? where is he?" + +"In this city, and will come to the palace presently. More I cannot tell +you, lady;--permit me now to withdraw, and oh! that you might do the +same!" + +Roque, as we have already observed, was far from being of a cruel and +hardened disposition, and his acquiescence in the unprincipled actions +of his master arose more from dread of his character than perversity of +heart. He was now strangely perplexed, anticipating the disastrous +results which might spring from the unlooked-for meeting of Gomez Arias +and the forsaken victim of his satiated passion. He almost regretted +having removed the error under which Theodora laboured with regard to +her lover's death. + +Meantime Theodora, partly recovered from the violent shock which her +feelings had sustained, felt a chill of doubt and a vague apprehension +of evil that deadened the first impression of transporting pleasure +which the certainty of her Lope's existence had produced. She +endeavoured to give a solution to the enigma, but met with none +congenial to her feelings. The circumstance of her lover being in +Granada, and apparently unconcerned for her fate, withered the budding +hopes within her bosom, for she fondly imagined that Gomez Arias could +never be separated from her but by death. This suspense was terrible, +and Roque's demeanor tended to increase her anxiety. She fixed her +starting eyes on him, and holding his hand with a fearful grasp, in a +voice wild with emotion, she exclaimed:--"Roque! Roque! in the name of +Heaven, unravel this mystery." + +She hesitated a moment, but the very poignancy of her anguish gave her +force to demand--"Did Gomez Arias, then, leave me in the power of the +Moors without attempting my defence?" + +Roque made no answer. + +Theodora became intensely excited, and with the piercing voice of +despair:--"Then it is true!" she exclaimed, "your silence confirms my +fears!" + +A ghastly smile was on her lip, and a deadly paleness overspread her +features. + +Roque now perceived the utter impossibility of keeping his master's +cruelty any longer a secret from his victim: yet he dreaded to acquaint +her with the whole extent of her misery; he trembled for the +consequences that such an avowal would produce upon her feelings, and he +knew that with a fond woman of extraordinary sensibility and elevated +sentiments, the death of a lover might be more easily supported than his +dereliction. On the other hand it was imperatively demanded by +circumstances that Gomez Arias and Theodora should never meet again; +for, alas! such a meeting could be productive only of reproach and shame +to the former--anguish, despair, and perhaps death to the latter. + +Theodora, meantime, read in the agitated countenance of the valet a tale +of distress more cruel than any she had yet endured; whilst Roque, who +trembled lest, by an imprudent continuance of his interview with +Theodora, they might be surprised by Gomez Arias, summoned up his +resolution, and determined at once to acquaint her with her lover's +treason:--"Lady!" he exclaimed with emphasis, "in the name of God, +endeavour to brace your nerves against the dreadful intelligence I have +to communicate.--You must forget him for ever;--nay, if you consult the +happiness of all those that are interested in your welfare or in his, +you will decide never to see him more." + +"What mean you?" demanded Theodora, with redoubled agitation. + +"Your lover is false, lady; you must fly to your parent, or encounter +the peril of being immured in the gloomy seclusion of a convent. Such +were my master's intentions towards you, when the arrival of the Moors +happened in time to frustrate them. Should he, however, learn that you +are at Granada, where your presence may throw invincible impediments in +his way, the knowledge would be perhaps attended with disastrous +results. I am a poor man, a butt to sustain my master's ill humors, but +I will not so far dishonor my feelings as to permit the possibility of +your being exposed a second time to the dreaded manoeuvres of Gomez +Arias. Fly, lady, fly to your kind parent." + +Theodora fixed a wild look on Roque, and the horrid nature of his +recital seemed to have frozen the springs of feeling. She did not speak, +nor was any passion, save that of despair, depicted on her countenance; +a settled stupor sat upon her pallid brow, and shone in the cold glance +of her eyes. + +Roque was moved by the picture of loveliness that stood before him, +motionless in the intensity of grief; but he was conscious of the +danger he incurred by protracting his stay. + +"Alas!" he said in a soothing tone, "you are very, very unfortunate; but +consider, lady, the consequences of our being seen together. Allow me to +retire, then, and command my services; but, oh, do not by any means +appear before----" + +He was interrupted by Theodora, who suddenly started before that +dreadful name once so endearing could be pronounced. + +"Roque," she cried, in a tone and manner that bespoke her possessed of +more resolution than could be gathered from the expression of her +countenance, "Roque, I will retire; be silent, and let me see you +again.--Yes," she added with a voice of presageful import, "it is better +I should not see him more!" + +She then hastily retired from the spot, and sought the way to her +apartment. That feeling so deeply rooted in the female heart--the desire +of probing a lover's perfidy to the utmost, determined her to follow +the valet's advice. No, she dreaded not the most disastrous +consequences; for, alas! what has betrayed woman to fear, when she seeks +justice from the man for whom she has sacrificed all! Is it death? Ah! +it is her best refuge and only consolation! + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Sierpes apacienta el pecho + De una muger ofendida. + + _Moreto._ + + Ah taci! ogni parola + Mi drizza i crini; assei dicesti; basta + Basta cosi, non proseguir. + + _Monti_. + + +Roque made a precipitate retreat from the garden; for, anxious as the +poor fellow was to render any service to Theodora, he still felt no +inclination to incur thereby the displeasure of his master, and draw +upon himself the full measure of his indignation. The valet resolved to +keep a strict silence respecting his interview with Theodora, and he +entertained a belief that the fears of the unfortunate girl would induce +her to follow a similar course. Thus he flattered himself there was +nothing to apprehend farther than the danger of an accidental meeting. + +Theodora meantime, a prey to a thousand distracting fears, had locked +herself within her chamber, in a miserable state of hopelessness. +Tormented with various conflicting passions, she now boldly resolved to +meet her perjured lover, and demand an explanation of his cruel and +unnatural conduct; but again she was suddenly checked by an instinctive +dread which seemed to freeze her powers of action. She despondingly +threw herself upon the couch, that gaudy but unconscious witness of her +sorrows, and as the briny drops fell fast from their sad fountains, and +bedewed the rich silken covering, she exclaimed-- + +"Yes, it was he himself that I beheld last night." + +These few words conveyed a portion of that exquisite anguish that gave +them birth. + +It was a fearful idea: she had seen her lover a nocturnal visitor to +that garden, his face decked with smiles, and his eyes replete with +pleasure and hope. He was happy, and thought no more of the lost +Theodora. He had forsaken her--her whom he had vowed for ever to love, +and to whom he had pledged his word to acknowledge her as his own before +the world. This was a masterpiece of ingratitude; and yet Theodora hoped +that ingratitude, that blackest stain of the human heart, might have +prompted the dereliction of Gomez Arias, rather than love for another. +To think that she had entirely lost his love, was a pang more cruel than +all she had hitherto endured; and this alas! was the phantom which she +strove in vain to chase away, and that most obtruded upon her mind. + +The loquacious Lisarda was not tardy in making a second appearance: she +knocked for admittance, and Theodora, who in her present state was but +little predisposed to encourage her unmeaning chatter, felt nevertheless +an inward desire for the presence of her attendant. By her means she +could acquire a solution of the mystery with which she so much dreaded +to be acquainted, and yet was so anxious to learn. She opened the door, +and Lisarda no sooner entered than with her accustomed volubility she +began-- + +"Well, well, my gentle lady, you must forgive me certainly; I have +neglected you too long; but then consider, my good lady, what a day this +is: what with the expectation of my master's arrival, and the +preparations for this wedding, the whole palace is thrown into a +marvellous confusion." + +"Say no more," replied Theodora; "you need not seek to excuse yourself; +I am but a stranger here, and have no right whatever to engross the +attention of any one, much less on such an occasion as the present." + +"Aye, aye," continued Lisarda, "it is indeed a most busy time. Well, the +glorious Don Alonso arrives to-day, and to-morrow his beautiful daughter +will be led to the altar by her gallant bridegroom. Only think, my sweet +lady, what a wedding this will be. The queen and the Maestre de +Calatrava, in the absence of the king, are to be the sponsors." + +"That mark of the royal favor," said Theodora, "speaks highly for the +merits of both the parties; but I am yet to learn the name of the +knight who has rendered himself deserving of such an honor." + +She pronounced these last words in a faltering tone, and Lisarda, though +a thoughtless woman, soon perceived her agitation. + +"_Dios nos defienda_!"[35] she cried, "what ails you, dear lady? you +look so shockingly pale. Well, it is all your fault for being set +against taking counsel; now if you could but be persuaded to admit the +visit of Samuel Mendez, God knows how much you would profit by his +advice; for believe me, lady, the iniquitous Jew cures better than most +of our good Christians." + +"I assure you," interrupted Theodora, "that my unwillingness to +acquiesce with your wishes does not arise from the circumstance of the +doctor being a Jew, but merely because my indisposition can receive no +benefit from medicine, whether it be administered by an infidel or a +true believer.--So, I pray you mention no more this Samuel Mendez, but +rather tell me the name of the future partner of Leonor." + +"Aye, fortunate indeed, Senora, you may well call him fortunate, for +Dona Leonor is a most accomplished lady, a beautiful lady; and were it +not that she is----" + +"She is most accomplished," interrupted Theodora. + +"She is in troth," retorted Lisarda, "and so dutiful a daughter withal. +She is now going to meet her noble father in his triumphant entry into +the city, and she will be accompanied by her future husband, and a +numerous and splendid retinue.--But, hark! hear you not the tramp of +horses, and the sound of trumpets?" + +She flew to the window, and Theodora, in breathless anxiety, followed. + +"There!" cried Lisarda, with glee, "they are about to depart. Now, see, +my lady, Leonor mounts--the bridegroom holds the stirrup." + +Theodora cast a terrified look, which shot a pang to her inmost +heart--It was Gomez Arias who helped Leonor to mount. Theodora saw +enough--but one glance, and all the horrors of her fate were revealed. +The deluding smile which had seduced her heart, the traitor eloquent eye +which wrought her ruin, were now devoted to another. + +Theodora uttered no piercing shriek; neither did sigh or groan escape +her; but she silently sank backwards in the tranquillity of horror. She +had now nothing else to hope or fear; no throbbing anxiety to +forego,--no further perils to dread--the sum of her misery was complete, +and dauntless she might encounter any disaster; for this last blow had +imparted to her the passive courage of indifference and despair. + +Lisarda, occupied with the dazzling objects which moved beneath, did not +perceive Theodora's situation, and without taking her eyes from the +cavalcade pursued her remarks:-- + +"Now they go--the Lord bless them, how handsome they look! Well, I do +not blame my lady's taste, for certainly Don Lope is the most gallant of +cavaliers. What think you, my sweet lady? Well, certainly they do say +he has many a grievous sin to answer for, in the list of innocent girls +he has seduced and undone: the Lord defend them, poor creatures; I pity +them. But it was surely their fault:--more fools they for trusting to +the fair promises of such a man--what think you gentle lady, am I not +right?" + +Happily the cavalcade was now out of sight, and Lisarda's observations +were accordingly cut short. But she immediately turned to Theodora, who +had sat motionless on her couch from the first glance that had +acquainted her with the full extent of her wretchedness. + +"Well," said the loquacious waiting maid, "what shall I do to divert +you, lady? Really I am at a loss. If you are not moved by the splendid +sight you have just now witnessed, I cannot imagine what will affect +you. Mayhap I might afford some consolation, since you are so strongly +bent against the assistance of Samuel Mendez." + +"Thank you," said Theodora, raising her eyes towards the speaker, "thank +you for your kind intentions, but if anything could tend to the +alleviation of my sorrows, it would be perhaps a free and unmolested +indulgence of them." + +"Oh, dear lady, but we must have no sorrowful faces at the wedding. +_Virgen de las Angustias!_ that would be dreadfully ominous. Cheer up, +sweet lady; there is nothing in the world like a good example, and when +you see every one rejoice, I am sure you will not mar the general joy. +Cheer up, good lady--better days will come. To-morrow, at the wedding +festival, your thoughts, I engage, will be fixed on other objects; such +indeed as are interesting to every female who, like ourselves, is yet +blessed in the primeval season of youth. Am I not right?" + +"Happy!" cried Theodora, in a thrilling tone, "happy!" Then as if to +veil the effect which her exclamation might produce, she added, "who +can promise themselves happiness in this world?" + +"Alack, and that is true!" responded Lisarda, "for many, many are the +lovers who are born to be unfortunate and die of broken hearts." She +strove to swell her own with a mighty sigh: "And even those who marry, +how oft do they curse the day that--but this is neither here nor there." + +"To-morrow! and is it really to-morrow, that the ceremony is to take +place?" demanded Theodora. + +"There is no doubt of it. God have mercy, the ceremony has been already +delayed too long. The young lovers would have been united some months +since, had not unavoidable impediments retarded the accomplishment of +their mutual wishes." + +A clamorous shout, and a burst of trumpets now announced the approach of +Aguilar to Granada, and Lisarda with giddy steps sallied out, leaving +Theodora to the undisturbed enjoyment of her gloomy reflections. The +unfortunate child of Monteblanco had now the most unequivocal proof of +her lover's baseness and treachery: Gomez Arias was faithless, but what +an aggravation of guilt attached to his infidelity! His cold, heartless +villainy seemed to surpass all power of conception, and Theodora for +some time remained like one striving to recall the fleeting illusion of +a horrid dream. Then she clasped her hands fearfully over her swollen +eyelids; a few large drops fell on her cold marbled hands, and in those +eyes flashed the wild resolution of despair. + +A bitter smile now gently curled those parched and pallid lips, and she +raised her trembling fingers to her forehead, expressing all the passive +agonies of an absent mind. Then suddenly, as if actuated by a powerful +impulse, she sprung upon her feet: she cautiously drew towards the +casement in a listening attitude, and the names of Aguilar and Gomez +Arias which floated in lengthening sound along the air, threw additional +excitement on her already distracted feelings. But one day more, and she +was to witness the completion of her lover's union with her rival. What +a train of frightful associations this image brought to mind! + +Dreadful was the conflict that Theodora had to sustain, and in that +unequal warfare, her whole frame underwent an appalling change: her eyes +glistened, and her hands shook violently, as she threw back with a +resolute movement the tresses of her redundant hair. Again she stopped +as if brooding over some frightful design; her throat became swollen +with hysteric affection; the blood that hitherto had seemed congealed in +its source, rushed with impetuosity down its wonted channels, and the +blue veins through which the little rivulet of life had gently flowed, +now became dark and turbid as the mountain stream. Her eyes shot the +lurid flashes of madness; a wild laugh broke the harmony of the purest +voice; and a malignant curl usurped the place where heavenly smiles had +habitually sat. + +Theodora, that soft and seraphic being who but a short time since, rich +in the charms of native grace and loveliness, had been the star of a +happy home, and the delight of a fond and admiring parent--that Theodora +was now changed into the fearful semblance of a frantic being. Alas! +such was the effect that a few moments had wrought, that the eyes of a +fond parent would have in vain endeavoured to recognize his darling +child. Feelings utterly foreign to the nature of Theodora, had now taken +possession of the shattered fragments of a broken heart, once the shrine +of hallowed and mental beauty; and those intelligent, soul-stirring +features which nature had bestowed as the interpreters of soft +sentiments and kindly feelings, now faithfully reflected the workings of +impassioned and frenzied woe. + +Alas! it is too often found that the gentle female heart, when rudely +lacerated by the perfidy of man, is capable of being wrought, by a +powerful sense of injury and intense anguish, to the utmost agony which +the darker passions can display. + +With irregular steps, which bespoke the confusion of her thoughts, she +paced the silent chamber that gave back with hollow sound the measure +of her steps, while the vaulted passages of the palace echoed at +intervals the deafening shouts that were heard from without. + +But the fit of frenzied passion under which Theodora laboured was too +violent to last. That fatal crisis was approaching, which generally +terminates in the immediate accomplishment of a mad suggestion, or with +calmness treasures up in silence some direful resolve. The moment had +now arrived when the forces of the suffering victim were exhausted; she +suddenly became composed; her mind appeared irrevocably fixed on some +act of madness, and despair was stamped in the cold and unearthly +expression which at that moment subdued her whole frame, and apparently +subjected her existence to a new dominion. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Aguarda hasta que yo pase + Si ha de caer una teja. + + _Quevedo._ + + Este misterio aparente + Te voy, Senor a explicar. + + _Zarate._ + + +We think it almost time to retrace our steps, and revert to a character +which played a conspicuous part at the beginning of this history. The +reader, if not particularly deficient in memory, will perhaps remember a +certain Don Rodrigo de Cespedes, who bustled not a little in one or two +of the foregoing chapters, though he had the best excuse in the world +for subsequently keeping out of the way. It is to him we must return; +therefore, patient reader, suffer your attention to be diverted for a +few moments from the interest of the present events, and resume your +acquaintance with that most deserving and ill-used cavalier. And here, +by the way, I may perhaps be allowed to indulge my spleen, by +manifesting my extreme dislike to interruptions in general, for there is +nothing so vexatious and mortifying as the unpleasant necessity to which +an author is obliged to submit of breaking the thread of a narration +when it begins to excite some interest. + +It is a subject well worthy of notice, that the generality of readers +should be of so inquisitive a temperament, that they cannot be induced +to take in good part whatever they read, and rely implicitly on the good +faith of the author for the correctness of what he advances. By this +means, much time and paper might be saved, explanations would be +useless, and works would be rendered more compact, and consequently less +tedious, which we cannot but consider an infinite advantage to the +literary world at large. However, we must take matters as we find them, +and as a circumstantial and satisfactory solution is expected by the +reader to every incident enveloped somewhat in mystery, let us hasten to +comply with the established custom: and now to return-- + +We left Don Rodrigo with his man Peregil, patiently waiting the leisure +of their beasts, sighing, and cursing, and complaining by turns, for +want of more suitable recreation. The night was dreary, and the +spreading branches of the tree under which our friends had taken +shelter, afforded but a meagre accommodation. If their lodgings were +comfortless, the supper which they could expect was still more humble +and hermit-like;--the bill of fare consisted of some green grass, which +though abundantly supplied, presented a most provoking and unrelishing +want of variety. We would not venture to determine whether the +refinement of their palate stood in the way of their appetite, but it is +nevertheless a fact that both master and man left the reverend father's +mule and the _mesonero's_ ass undisturbed possessors of the repast. The +comforts of supper and rest being, therefore, denied to our wanderers, +they resigned themselves to their unpleasant situation, and with the +patience that necessity imposed upon them, awaited the approach of +morning. Don Rodrigo in particular, being thoroughly impressed with the +idea that his rival Gomez Arias had fallen in the encounter, was full of +inquietude, and excessively desirous to penetrate further into the +mountains to a place of security, where he might lie concealed until +their safe return to Granada. + +Accordingly, scarcely had the first blush of dawn shed a dubious ray +over the still slumbering earth, than with much impatience Don Rodrigo +hastened to try how far he might rely upon the complaisance of the mule. +Peregil followed the example of his master, and having found that the +temper of their beasts had been considerably improved by the abundance +of their repast, they quickly mounted, and endeavouring to make up for +the loss of time by a tolerably brisk pace, they pursued their route +towards the thickest and darkest part of the wilderness. + +Two whole days did Don Rodrigo and his attendant continue to wander +without making much progress, which may perhaps be chiefly attributed to +the perverse disposition of the mule and her companion. Indeed the +cavalier and his attendant wandered about much in the same manner that a +knight-errant and his worthy squire might be expected to do, with this +difference only, that the knight-errant would be eagerly seeking for +adventures, whereas Don Rodrigo was equally solicitous to avoid them. +The poor cavalier found himself in a most miserable plight; his revenge +had been satisfied, but more generous sentiments now occupied his bosom. +He reflected, with deep-felt remorse, that for the sake of redressing +the fancied wrongs inflicted on him by an individual, he had deprived +his country of one of its bravest defenders; then again, like most +lovers under similar circumstances, he easily conjectured that the +female who had evinced such an unequivocal aversion to his addresses, +would feel yet more repugnant to accept them, when offered by a man +reeking with the blood of her favored lover. + +These and many other reflections of the like nature continued to intrude +upon his mind; for it is really a matter worthy of remark how very +circumspect and thoughtful a man becomes, when by an undue neglect of +those same qualifications he has brought himself into an uncomfortable +and perilous predicament. They had by this time penetrated into those +places which were under the dominion of the rebel Moors. This +circumstance was therefore attended with the greatest danger, and +consequently their anxiety and distrust became proportionably augmented +as they advanced. + +However, Don Rodrigo still bore with manly fortitude the unpleasant and +dangerous turn which their affairs had taken, whilst the valet, since he +could find no other resource, freely gave vent to his complaints. + +"Senor," he cried, turning to his master, "so may the Lord defend us, +but we are every instant getting deeper into difficulties. Here are we +flying from the clutches of alguazils, to fall into the grasp of the +rebel Moors; and after all, unwelcome as the appearance of alguazils may +be, I should feel very well contented at this moment to be under their +special guardianship, rather than sustain the murderous aspect of these +infidels. Nay, would to God that I were safely and comfortably +incarcerated within the walls of the most obscure dungeon in Granada." + +"Let us then look for our way to Granada, and risk the worst from the +friends of Don Lope," said Don Rodrigo, who, though possessed of much +personal courage and resolution, yet was aware these qualities would not +avail him against the enemies which he was likely to encounter by +proceeding. + +"Aye, indeed," replied Peregil, "let us find our way to Granada, and may +the guardian angel conduct us safely thither.--Blessed be the virgin! +for a man like myself, endowed with a lively and poetical imagination, +I may say, these wild places are exceedingly disagreeable, for they +induce me to make strange metamorphoses: my fancy is continually upon +the alert to transform every object into any thing save what it really +is: at day-break I mistook my ass for an officer, and your mule for a +Moor. Alas! we are alike, my honored master; for you, Don Rodrigo, when +in a poetic and loving mood, are ever disposed to convert cheeks into +roses, and lips into coral, and to find pearls where others only see +teeth. Now, Senor, by a similar process, when a fit of poetry and fear +comes upon me, I feel marvellously inclined to convert all objects that +come before my view--let alone my ass and your mule--flocks of sheep, +flights of crows, stray cows, and barking dogs, into so many, +ruffian-looking and hideous Moors; and, moreover, I am fully persuaded +that my poetry is not a whit more extravagant than yours." + +Don Rodrigo, harassed with the combined inconveniences of hunger and +fatigue, paid little attention to the absurdities upon which his +timorous valet was commenting; but Peregil, emboldened by the passive +forbearance of his master, continued in a higher key:-- + +"A plague on all lovers, say I; a plague on lovers who for a woman, one +solitary woman, when there is so abundant a choice of such commodity in +Spain, can be stimulated to cut the throats of each other, risk all +sorts of perils, and undergo all the miseries that can afflict human +nature. Fye! fye----" + +"Peace, thou wretch!" exclaimed Don Rodrigo; "profane not with thy foul +remarks and scurrilous rebukes, that tender sentiment which thine own +gross and brutish disposition is neither competent to appreciate nor +enjoy." + +"And most humbly," returned Peregil, "do I thank providence for having +given me a heart withal so brutish and so gross, since those refined +pleasures and feelings which are likely to lead a man into mischief, are +in direct opposition to my taste. Now tell me, my honored master, is +there any law, either human or divine, which ordains that, because you +most desperately love Leonor de Aguilar, and Leonor de Aguilar as +cordially dislikes you, I, who am by no means a party concerned in this +love or hatred, ought to be exposed to all the united miseries of hunger +and thirst, fatigue, dangers, and even death?" + +Don Rodrigo, occupied with very different subjects, heard not the +flippant observations of his servant, when suddenly, as they were +approaching the skirts of a wood, his reflections and the valet's +impertinent loquacity were cut short by the unwelcome appearance of a +party of the strolling rebels. They sprung eagerly from their +concealment, and in a moment stood before Don Rodrigo and his attendant, +bearing on their countenances the marks of their revengeful disposition, +and the savage pleasure of meeting with a devoted prey. + +"Stand!" fiercely cried one of the ruffians. + +Don Rodrigo made no reply, but gallantly drew his weapon, and prepared +for a resolute defence. + +"What! base Christian! darest thou provoke our anger? Thy life shall pay +for the temerity." + +"The payment," returned Don Rodrigo, "shall not, at least, be easily +extorted." + +At this the Moors rushed upon the unfortunate cavalier, who though aware +of the impossibility of making any successful resistance against so many +enemies, defended himself bravely and undauntedly, while Peregil fled +with equal speed and terror. The combat could not be long protracted. +Don Rodrigo fell covered with wounds and exhausted from the loss of +blood, uttering a faint murmuring complaint on his unlucky fate and +disastrous love. The ferocious Moors raised his body from the ground, +and as it was the custom with those desperate men when a Christian +unfortunately fell into their power, they immediately hung it on a tree. +There they left him, and shortly after chance led them to the spot where +the hapless Theodora slept, forsaken by her unprincipled betrayer. + +The flight of Roque, and the remarks she had heard from the Moors on the +night she was taken, led that unfortunate girl to believe that it was +her lover who had fallen a victim to the cruelty of those barbarians. +Thus she bitterly deplored the supposed death of him who was at the very +moment accomplishing the blackest deed of ingratitude. + +Meanwhile Roque, instigated by fear, and retreating on the scent of +safety, shortly overtook his master, who was not a little surprised and +alarmed at the discomposure of his plans, when he perceived his valet +appear unaccompanied by Theodora. + +"Where is Theodora?" demanded he hastily. + +"I don't know," sullenly responded Roque; "probably in Heaven by this +time." + +"What mean you, villain? didst thou forget my orders?" + +"Certainly not, but when I was about to put them in practice, some +thousands of most desperate Moors came just in time to prevent my +laudable intentions. At first, bearing in mind the gallant master whom I +had the honor to serve, it was my determination to fight the unbelieving +rascals; but upon second thoughts, I discovered it would be more prudent +to yield to necessity, and since it was not in my power to save the +young lady from falling into their hands, I considered it laudable to +disappoint the rebels of one prisoner at least, whom they might perhaps +estimate as the most important of the two; and so, instead of making use +of my arms, I had recourse to my legs, which members, on more than one +occasion, I have found to be the most serviceable part of my poor self." + +Gomez Arias mused for a moment upon the narration of his attendant, as +though calculating the probable consequences of the event. Even in spite +of the uneasiness which he pretended for the fate of Theodora, he could +hardly disguise from himself a species of latent satisfaction. The event +removed from his way the only impediment by which his ambitious designs +could be thwarted. Theodora, in the power of the Moors, would be even +more secure than in a convent, and Gomez Arias, without troubling +himself about the probable fate to which his lovely and too confiding +victim was exposed, continued his journey to Granada, drowning the +recollection of his misconduct in the glittering prospect that was now +opening before him. + +The next day he met with the glorious army of Don Alonso de Aguilar, by +whom he was welcomed with a friendly and parental solicitude. He had the +good fortune to act a conspicuous part in the encounter which El Feri +sustained at Gergal, and which ultimately led to the complete overthrow +of the Moors at Alhacen, and the destruction of that town. Don Lope +proceeded to Granada with the prisoners, and to offer his services to +the queen upon his arrival. He soon found in the resources of his mind +specious pretexts to cover his long absence from Granada, and his +apparent dilatory conduct, notwithstanding the notification of his +safety sent to him by his future bride. But Leonor de Aguilar, though +proud and lofty, was still a woman in her affections, and willingly +received the most feeble excuses, when urged as they now were by the +eloquence of a favored lover. + +Thus Gomez Arias, whilst his victim was abandoned to all the horrors of +her fate, whilst her venerable father drank deep the bitter draught of +affliction--Gomez Arias, the heartless perpetrator of so much misery, +now fondly rioted in the anticipated pleasures of his approaching +nuptials, and the splendid honors that awaited his union with Leonor de +Aguilar. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Ecco l'ora--Nel sonno immerso giace + ----E gli occhi all'alma luce + Non aprira piu mai? Questa mia destra + Per farsi or sta del suo morir ministra?.... + + _Alfieri._ + + Est-ce une illusion soudaine + Qui trompe mes regards surpris? + Est-ce un songe dont l'ombre vaine + Trouble mes timides esprits? + + _J. B. Rousseau._ + + +The night was far advanced, and the numerous guests whom the hospitality +of Don Alonso had summoned together, began to retire from the joyous +scene of revelry and feasting. The noisy pleasure was wearing fast away, +and those antique halls no longer echoed with the boisterous mirth of so +many joyous hearts; for in Aguilar's palace that night every heart was +happy,--every heart save one,--one which, desolate and solitary amidst +this world of rejoicing, was a prey to the canker sorrow that had +fastened upon its core. + +But now the convivial assemblage had retired, and the banqueting hall +was left to the undisputed dominion of silence and lonely repose. No +longer ornamented with all the panoplies of war, and the verdant and +perfumed spoils of the garden, those glittering scenes which dazzled the +eyes and benumbed the senses, were now no longer resplendent, but wore +that chilling aspect which imparts to the mind a painful sensation of +melancholy and regret. Upon the long tables still remained the scattered +fragments, remnants of the banquet. Here the sumptuous display of the +looms of Valencia were stained with the waste of racy and highly +flavoured wines, and there broken goblets and ornaments of curious +workmanship were flung around in the reckless excitement of the +revellers. The lamps were out, and the few that still glimmered in the +sockets served but to heighten with their fitful and scanty light the +deserted and gloomy appearance of the scene. + +Gomez Arias had retired to his chamber in a transport of delight; the +most pleasing reveries thronged upon his mind, and as he paced the +silent apartment, he inwardly congratulated himself on the near +completion of all his hopes--the speedy enjoyment of his fondest wishes. +In this ferment of expectation, not a single thought obtruded to damp +his ardour, or throw a partial shadow over so bright a picture. Every +thing around him contributed to his felicity,--for alas! he did not see +the sorrow that was busily destroying those charms by whose power he had +been once captivated: nor did he hear the wailings of that voice +designed by nature to convey the softest tones of innocence and delight. +No, Gomez Arias had no thought for his unhappy victim--far, far was he +from surmising that she was at that moment beneath the same roof. + +In this delightful mood, Don Lope threw himself upon the superb couch, +to pass the night in the luxurious vision of his approaching happiness. +The silence was awful! the dull bluish glare of a solitary lamp flung +around the dim splendor of the chamber a charm of melancholy +tranquillity; the rich arabesque ornaments, the gorgeous tapestry, on +which the heroes of other times stood frowning in gloomy repose, were +now partially obscured in solemn shadows that might have imparted a +sensation of superstitious awe. More faintly now gleamed the expiring +light of the lamp, which looked a cold unearthly beam, colourless and +fixed, save when the chilling draft of nightly air found its way through +a crevice of the ponderous casement, and animated the languid flame with +a dull and sickly motion. + +Hushed is every sound, when lo! the door gently opens, and a white +figure moves slowly forwards. It is a female form, and the lamp that +still glimmered in the room, and another which the nocturnal visitor +carried in her hand, revealed a picture which might well chill the heart +of the most hardened:--it was a female in the first stage of youth, and +in whose lineaments could yet be traced the fading remains of beauty. +She grasped a dagger, and she came ready steeled for crime. Murder!--the +blackest deed of human depravity, revolting to the senses even when +instigated by the revengeful passions of man, but in a young and tender +female, unnatural, and full of horror. The figure paused, and cast +around a dubious and uncertain glance; her whole frame trembled, and the +weapon in her hand seemed ready to forsake its grasp. Alas! those +irresolute motions, bespoke her nature: it was woman, woman armed for +crime, but woman still. With noiseless step she advanced towards the +couch; she reached the spot, and gazed with fixed earnestness on the +sleeping Gomez Arias; a thousand gloomy thoughts expand on her pallid +brow; her dark eyes gleam with the flame of revenge; her livid lips curl +with the bitter smile of despair! With difficulty she draws the +oppressive breath, and violently shakes the hand that holds the shining +weapon. 'Tis a demon that directs her every motion, and imparts to that +melancholy and fading picture of youth and beauty, the darkest hues of +the fierce and frenzied passions. + +But the gust of rage is passed. She looks again upon the sleeper, and a +deadly calm overspreads those features but lately fraught with +convulsive passion. Fixed to the ground, she now appeared like an +inanimate statue, and apparently forgetful of the dire purpose that had +brought her to the spot. Poor Theodora!--child of misfortune!--victim of +that intensity of feeling which nature seemed to have designed for thy +bane and ruin; thou wert guilty but of a single error, and is then that +error so severely to be visited! That heaven which made thee pure, and +beautiful, and lovely, did it intend that thou shouldst experience all +the horrors of the most malignant fate, as a counterpoise for the +possession of so may attractions; or was it only to be exemplified as a +warning to others, who, like thee, might be rich in beauty and +gracefulness, of the dangers which these gifts bring in their train! + +Theodora had been guilty of one crime; if, alas! that deserves the name +of crime which is the genuine offspring of the sincerest heart. She had +loved, and loved with all the enthusiasm of devoted affection. She had +been generous, and unsuspecting, and for this she was betrayed and +abandoned. Her injuries had so far wrought upon her distempered brain, +that she was now about to commit a crime, for which she would be cursed, +despised, and perhaps brought to an ignominious end. + +Theodora remained a short time in a doubtful mood, and a heavenly spirit +seemed to struggle with the malignant fiend that instigated her. She +held the lamp in her trembling hand over the sleeping form of her lover, +and by the sickly light she discovered his features as if inspired by +some happy dream. His breath came thick upon her face, as she bent over +the couch. Smiles were upon his lips, and a gentle motion shook his +frame. + +"He loves her!" groaned the despairing Theodora,--"he loves her dearly, +and I am come to----" + +At this moment the deep toned bell of the palace sounded the hour, and +interrupted her dreadful sentence. Solemnly the peal rung through the +place like the death-knell of the perjured lover; but he, unconscious of +his impending fate, slept securely and dreamt of love and happiness. For +now his lips move, and in the broken articulation of deep but pleasing +sighs, the name of her who occupied his mind, burst from his swelling +bosom. It was the name of Leonor; the baneful sound went piercing to +Theodora's heart, and roused all the furies that held dominion there. +The kindly feelings which had returned, now withered fast away. She +starts with frenzy; she grows paler, and revenge alone prevails; her +bosom rises and falls with fearful emotion; wildly her eyes roll. She +resolutely grasps the dagger; the moment is arrived; one blow, and the +despoiler of her happiness would cease to exist: she fiercely raised her +arm, but at the instant all her strength withered: nerveless she dropped +the weapon from her powerless hand: no! she could not strike; for she +was a woman maddened by deep injuries, but she still loved her +betrayer, and the fountain of her gentle nature again bedewed her heart. +She could not strike the man who had, without remorse, inflicted on her +the pangs of a thousand deaths: she smiles in bitterness, and hangs over +the couch of her unconscious lover, her clustering hair loosely flowing +over the pillow; a piteous sigh escapes her, and, bending lower, she +kisses the lips that had betrayed her. + +Gomez Arias awakes.--Is this a vision? Surely a phantom mocks his sight; +the spectre of _her_ he had forsaken stands before him: it is indeed the +image of Theodora,--but, alas! how changed! A short time only had flown +since last he saw her, and yet so altered was that form, that were it +not for a consciousness of guilt, with difficulty he would have +recognised her whom he had once idolized. Gomez Arias thrilled as he +gazed on the nocturnal visitor; in her pale features could be traced no +sympathy with life; a clammy dampness bedewed her brows; a chilling +apathy sat upon her countenance. One of her hands now mechanically fell +on the feverish breast of Don Lope, and the cold, cold touch imparted a +thrill of horror. + +In speechless amazement Gomez Arias looked on the mournful figure, and +in her glazed eye he beheld one large tear, that, overwhelming the +eye-lid, dropt heavily on his hand. It was the tear of anguish, and the +drop, as it moistened the hand of Gomez Arias, awakened in his heart a +sad remembrance of violated love and truth. + +The first impression of astonishment had now subsided, and Don Lope, in +a broken voice, exclaimed--"Theodora! Heavens! is it thou?" + +"Yes," she answered, gloomily, "it is the lost, the wretched Theodora, +once the object of thy adoration, and now thy curse. But tremble not; +the dreadful moment is passed, and I cannot harm thee; for though thou +hast cruelly betrayed me, thou art _still_ Gomez Arias." + +"How came you hither?" demanded Don Lope, with emotion: "What was your +intention?" + +"Behold!" she replied, with a bitter smile, pointing to the dagger that +shone on the ground; "I came to kill thee--I came to deal out a reward +but little adequate to the pangs to which thy treachery has eternally +condemned me. Oh! Lope! Lope! why didst thou not take from me this +wretched life when I was no longer dear to thy heart? I should then have +been happy!--Thou didst not--but cruelly left me to the mercy of +strangers, when I had _none_ to look upon in life but thee." + +All the feelings of an injured, yet fond woman now flowed uncontrolled +over that heart where the stormy passions had raged before. She sobbed +convulsively, and a shower of tears relieved her breaking bosom. Her +weeping countenance was upon her lover's breast, and as he contemplated +her deep anguish, and the wreck of those charms which, but for him, had +still shone in their native grace, a ray of pity dawned upon his heart, +callous as he was. There was something so peculiarly distressing in the +situation of the unfortunate girl, that all the glowing considerations +of ambition faded for a moment from his view, and his senses were alive +only to more humane sentiments. + +Gomez Arias no longer loved Theodora; but still when he saw the extent +of her misery, and felt her warm tears inundating his bosom, pity +partially supplied the place of his departed affection. He took the +passive hand of Theodora, and gently pressed it between his own--and +happy--happy was at that moment his innocent victim at this solitary +mark of kindness. It was like a healing balm to her lacerated soul; but +too soon she discovered--for what, alas! can escape the acute +penetration of a loving woman--she soon discovered that pity alone +suggested the consoling token--pity which might alike have been excited +by any other object of distress; and, oh! how little does the sedate +voice of pity satisfy the craving bosom of one who had such claims to +command unbounded love! + +Theodora fixed her eyes on her lover, not in anger but in sorrow, and, +in a thrilling and piteous voice, she exclaimed-- + +"I know you no longer love me; but, Oh! heavens! have I deserved this +from you, Lope? Your vows I will not recall, for who can forget them? +They are deeply engraven in my heart, and I believed them true,--I loved +you, Lope--Oh! I loved you as never woman loved before, and how was such +affection requited? Alas! had I suffered the most terrible of deaths, it +had been kind compared with thy desertion." + +"Yes, Theodora," said Gomez Arias, "your reproaches are just; for well I +deserve the most bitter that language can invent; but I was compelled to +that necessity by obligations so imperative, so sacred, that they may +serve to explain, and perhaps, in some measure, to extenuate the +disgrace, which my heart tells me I have so justly incurred." + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, "could aught in earth oblige you to abandon one +linked to you by the dearest of ties?" + +"It was the consequence of former guilt," replied Don Lope. "Theodora, I +will deal frankly by you,--nay tremble not at the intelligence which I +must disclose, for it is now imperiously required.--Curse me, Theodora," +he then added with emotion, "curse the man who has accomplished your +ruin. When I courted your affections; when I sought your innocent +caresses, then--then, alas! I was the betrayer; for it was then that I +deceived your unsuspecting heart." + +"Oh! Heavens!" shrieked Theodora, "you never loved me then!" + +"Yes, I adored you,--I loved you truly,--passionately, but it was my +very love that wrought this misery. I had no strength to reveal the +terrible secret: I became selfish and ungenerous; for when I breathed to +your innocent ear the vows of everlasting affection, when you repaid my +profession with undisguised, pure, and disinterested love, even at that +time, my hand, my faith, were sacredly pledged to another." + +Theodora hid her face in agony, and wrung her hands in despair, but she +could not speak; her heart was full even to breaking, and it was with a +severe struggle that she faintly pronounced "Leonor!" + +"It is too true," replied Gomez Arias. "Previous to my arrival at +Guadix, and my acquaintance with you, my honor was bound to the daughter +of Aguilar by indissoluble ties; we were betrothed, and on the point of +being united, when an untoward accident drove me from Granada to avoid +the vengeance of the friends of my discarded rival Don Rodrigo de +Cespedes. Misguided by the fever of passion, I forgot my sacred +obligations to Leonor. You have already but too dreadfully suffered, and +a repetition of such scenes must necessarily increase the anguish of +your situation." + +This recital threw the hapless daughter of Monteblanco into that +exquisite agony which falls to the lot of woman alone to feel: for man, +far happier in the diversity of his pursuits; less susceptible in the +refinement of sensibility; more divided in his intercourse with +society, can never experience that poignancy of feeling excited by shame +and disappointed love, which exert their baneful influence over the +heart of forsaken woman! + +Theodora answered not her lover; there was something so atrocious in his +recital, that in spite of the palliation which a fond woman, even when +most injured, is anxious to find for the man who has wronged her, she +could not cast a shade over the glaring colours in which Don Lope's +treachery was depicted: she recoiled from him with a feeling of +apprehension, and her countenance assumed a deadly hue as she fearfully +exclaimed-- + +"And you left me then to perish in the mountains?" + +"No, Theodora," eagerly cried Gomez Arias; "no! such intentions never +entered my mind; of that at least I am innocent: it was my purpose to +have placed you in a convent, and I availed myself of your sleep to +spare you the pangs of a separation. Having instructed Roque how to act, +I proceeded onwards to make the necessary arrangements for your +reception in the religious asylum the Moors surprised you; Roque fled: +of the rest I am ignorant, and how I find you here is more than +imagination can conceive." + +"I came," said Theodora, bitterly--"I came to be a witness of your +joyful wedding: it is to be celebrated to-morrow, and I am yet in time." + +There was something evil-boding in the tone of these words, and an +involuntary chill crept over Gomez Arias as he fixed his eyes on the +sufferer. + +"Yes," she continued, "it is necessary that the ceremony should be +attended at least by one of your victims--the triumph of Leonor will +then be more brilliant; and I," she added in a faltering tone, "I shall +also enjoy one satisfaction----" + +Struck with horror, no less at these words than at the manner in which +they were delivered, Gomez Arias looked wildly on Theodora; but was +unable for some time to give utterance to his thoughts. + +"My poor life," continued Theodora, "must always be an obstacle to your +happiness, and it is meet I should make the sacrifice at the foot of the +altar, at the time of your union with the choice of your heart." + +Don Lope was fixed in deep abstraction; a thousand thoughts rushed +across his fevered brain; he raised himself from the couch; a copious +suffusion bathed his distended brows, and every thing bespoke the +dreadful conflict of his feelings. He saw all his prospects of grandeur +fall like the baseless structure of a dream: on the point of snatching +the golden treasure, he was arrested as effectually as if by the hand of +death. Perplexed with the most distracting thoughts and boisterous +passions, he for a time appeared even unconscious of the form that came +to nip his hopes in their blossom: but soon a light seemed to illumine +his over-clouded imagination, and his brow brightened as if actuated by +a sudden resolution. + +"Theodora," he said, with a solemn and energetic tone--"Theodora, I will +no longer dissemble with you; I have been cruel, barbarous as never man +was before: yes, to-morrow I am to be united to Spain's proudest +daughter, and all that ambition and glory can offer in dazzling +perspective to the ardent imagination of man, all, all is to be +fulfilled. But, alas! Theodora, I cannot endure your distress; your +tears, your anguish rend my heart, and awaken that affection which was +never completely extinguished. Dared I but hope for your forgiveness, +how willingly would I make the sacrifice of these glittering bubbles, +and return to that path where alone I can find peace and happiness. +Theodora!" he continued after a pause, "can you forgive me?" + +This appeal was made in a tone so subdued and pathetic, that a +conviction of its sincerity was readily admitted by the sorrowing +Theodora. + +"Forgive thee!" she exclaimed, in a voice thrilling with emotion, whilst +a rich glow of animation overspread those pale features: "Forgive thee, +Lope! Can Theodora deny you!" + +Earnestly she raised her clasped hands to Heaven, and, in the genuine +abandonment of an enthusiastic heart, + +"Oh God!" she exclaimed, "thy mercies are boundless. Dear Lope!" she +continued, "can I do otherwise than forgive you!" and the tear of joy +glistened in her eye. "Your returning love will repay me for all the +agonies I have undergone. And now you must forgive me--for did I not +even now come armed for your destruction! Oh, horror! I came to murder +thee--in this spot--sleeping as thou wast! But ah! pardon me; I was then +a poor distracted woman, a despairing maniac, and----" + +"Stay, my Theodora; reproach not thyself for an act of which I was the +cause; it was a fate that I too justly merited. But no more of that. +Listen, dear girl, and follow my injunctions, as upon their strict +observance depends our future happiness. To-morrow night I will conduct +you to your poor deserted parent: together at his knees we will implore +forgiveness. He will not be invulnerable to the tears and supplications +of his child; and I will forget the wild dreams that have so long +tyrannised over my kinder feelings, to fix all my thoughts upon love and +Theodora. To the happy termination of these designs, however, you must +be willing to pay attention to my instructions." + +"I will do all!" emphatically cried Theodora. + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "take heed that thou keepest silence with +reference to our meeting and resolves;--closed in thy chamber, thou must +appear an uninterested stranger to whatever may be proceeding without. +It will require the utmost delicacy and ability to disclose my +determination to the proud Aguilars, when the arrangements with them are +so far advanced. It is an insult they will never tamely brook, and all +my policy will be necessary to defer, at least for some time, the +terrible explosion of their indignation." + +"Oh, Lope," exclaimed the fond girl, in a transport of tenderness, "I +will--I will obey you faithfully! Your slightest wish shall be to me a +law." + +The tide of rapturous feeling overflowed her heart. Intoxicated with +happiness, she threw herself beside the couch, fervently clasped the +passive hands of her repentant lover, and tenderly pressed them to her +throbbing bosom. But those transports beat coldly responsive within the +breast of Don Lope; for pity and a sense of duty are but poor and +inadequate substitutes for the glow of passion. Still, however, +recollection brought to his fancy raptures past and endearments since +flown; and memory perhaps made him cherish the present by vividly +recalling the past. But it was like the melancholy regretful pleasure +which is experienced by one who revisits the scenes of his childhood. He +may indulge in the recollection of those departed joys, but his mind is +estranged by other feelings, and can no longer enjoy those pleasures +which formerly constituted his happiness. + +The morning was now fast approaching, and a separation became +indispensable.--Theodora made a hasty recital of her adventures and +withdrew, replete with returning joy; for she had passed a few moments +with greater delight than perhaps she could ever again experience in +this world--those blissful moments when hearts severed by destiny, or +alienated by misfortune, again unite in the genuine bonds of revived +affection. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Oh! what a jewel is a woman excellent! + + _Beaumont._ + + Mais qu'aisement l'amour croit tout ce qu'il souhaite! + + _Racine._ + + I humbly offer my advice (but still + Under correction), I hope I shall not + Incur your high displeasure. + + _Massinger._ + + +Oh, Woman! lovely devoted Woman! Of what mysterious particles could +nature have formed so strange a being--made up, as it were, of +contradictions, and yet deriving from that very inconsistency its +principal attraction. Uncertain and wavering, but amiable in that very +weakness. When impelled by affection or smarting under highly excited +feelings of injury, thou art capable of the most noble enthusiasm, or +the darkest exhibitions of passion. Man, proudly arrogating to himself +a despotic sway over the higher walks of intellect, and the wild and +luxuriant fields of imagination, has left thee undisputed sovereign of +the empire of the heart! He is often happy to avail himself of that more +delicate discrimination, an instinctive feeling with which nature has +gifted thee, though jealous of permitting thee to share in his power. +Woman! thou wert born to grace and smooth the rugged path of life; the +advancement of one endearing sentiment is the prized object of thy +existence, and its successful termination thy reward. Debarred by nature +and education from the glittering pursuits of ambition; incapable by the +delicacy of thy frame, and the softness of thy nature, of following the +rude pastimes, and participating in the laborious and dangerous +avocations of man, thy whole being is wrapt in the charm of that one +feeling--love! A feeling the most congenial to thy nature--blissful in +the possession, and often but too fatal in its effects. Man seeks thee +as a friend, to treat thee like an enemy. Thou lovest--he triumphs! and +then he spurns thee because thou hast been kind. Base and degrading +contradiction of human nature!--that because man is endowed with greater +powers of attack, than woman has strength to resist, in the unequal +strife, odium and shame should attach to the victim, whilst the betrayer +acquires a false lustre from his unmanly triumph! + +But Woman! such is the angelic essence of thy being, that while capable +of feeling with poignancy the shafts of ingratitude and neglect, thou +art still ready to pardon, and ever disposed to forget, when repentance +makes an appeal to thy compassionate and gentle heart. + +Such a woman was Theodora!--After having borne the extremity of sorrows, +which seemed to surpass the strength of human forbearance, instigated by +madness and despair, she had grasped the dagger in that soft hand little +adequate for a deed so dark; like the midnight assassin, she had +entered the chamber of her wronger, bent upon the commission of crime. +But the sight of _him_ who was once so dear disarms her--she cannot +accomplish the deed of guilt, and the sudden repentance of her betrayer, +like a potent charm, soon dispels the evil passions to which she was a +prey. Only a few words of comfort had Gomez Arias spoken before the +voice of sorrow was hushed in her heart. Nay, the man who had wounded +her so deeply, was endeared by his very cruelty; for, alas! Theodora +felt she loved him _now_ more tenderly than ever. + +She had forgotten the former treachery of her lover, and, incapable of +anticipating the possibility of a renewal, she retired to her chamber to +revel in her happiness, and await the coming of the day in anxious +expectation. + +In the meantime, Gomez Arias was pacing his apartment in the utmost +impatience and agitation. Scarcely had Theodora withdrawn and the first +impulse of pity subsided, than the sense of the danger to which his +ambitious projects were exposed, rushed upon his imagination, and +silenced every other consideration, save that of their accomplishment. +Morning came, and still found Don Lope measuring his chamber with an +irregularity of step that well bespoke the disorder of his feelings. +Sometimes he paused and pondered upon an idea which seemed to offer him +security, and then he rejected it as unavailable. Then he muttered half +broken sentences, and then again suddenly composed himself into a +saturnine tranquillity. After this he raved like a madman, and bitterly +cursed the unfortunate Theodora as an insurmountable impediment to his +views; forgetting that it was by the guilty indulgence of his own +unworthy passions that he was now entangled in the intricate +perplexities which surrounded him. The ill-fated victim of his guilt, +fortunately for her short-lived happiness, heard not the ungenerous +reproach. Alas! she was fondly indulging in the supposed kindness of her +lover, and longing to clasp him in her arms; whilst the object of her +endearment was at the same moment ungenerously contriving how to +disengage himself from that embrace. + +His present deceit was the natural consequence of the system he had +adopted. To relinquish the brilliant prospects which presented +themselves to his ambition, merely to listen to the voice of justice, +and give redress to the injured, was too great an effort, encompassed as +he was with the thousand conflicting passions that silenced the murmurs +of neglected duty. His aversion to Theodora now acquired additional +strength from the dilemma in which he was involved. He had never for a +moment contemplated breaking his engagements with Leonor; he was +unwilling even to calculate upon a possibility of such an event, for his +honor and pride were both too deeply interested; yet it was of the most +urgent necessity to delay the ceremony, and how to conciliate these +matters was the source of his present uneasiness. What pretext could he +assign plausible enough to justify so extraordinary a resolution? + +A thousand plans suggested themselves, all of which he discarded as +unavailable: he was apprehensive that night would surprise him before +any arrangements could be entered into with regard to Theodora; and to +attempt any coercive means of conveying her from the palace of Don +Alonso would be madness. At all events he must avoid any interview with +Theodora whilst his conduct might be subjected to observation; for at +such a time the attention of all the household would naturally be +directed towards him. + +In this perplexity he was surprised by his faithful valet, who came in +the morning, according to custom, to receive his orders. Roque entered, +and was not a little surprised to observe his master's abstraction. + +"Good morrow to you, Senor," said he, making an humble bow, and +advancing towards the musing cavalier; but Don Lope made no answer +whatever, nor did he take the slightest notice of his salutation. + +"There!" continued Roque. "_Dios me bendiga!_[36] my precious master is +in a most thoughtful mood. I had always the power of rousing him from +his meditations, but now they appear too powerful for my humble +abilities." "Don Lope," he proceeded in a louder key, "good morning to +your honor," and he accompanied this Christian-like wish with as many +noisy demonstrations as were compatible with good order. + +"Oh!" cried Don Lope, suddenly starting, "is it you, Roque?" + +"The same, Sir, at your service," replied the obsequious valet. + +"Curse thee!" returned his master, "why makest thou that noise?" + +"Thank you, dear master, that is a most amiable morning salutation; it +augurs well too on a wedding-day." + +"Pshaw! my wedding-day!" cried Gomez Arias, impatiently; and he again +relapsed into his train of reflection. + +"Eh?" ejaculated Roque; "I wonder what is in the wind now; all is not +right, I perceive. Senor Don Lope, may I so far intrude on your most +important meditations, as to demand what has sent your wits a +wool-gathering so early in the morning: surely your dreams have not been +unpleasant--for my part I cannot bear terrible dreams; they are ominous, +particularly on the eve of a wedding----" + +"Hold thy foolish chatter," interrupted Gomez Arias; "it is not a dream +that troubles me, but a reality, a most mortifying reality. Roque," he +then added in a more familiar tone, "I am involved in a labyrinth from +which it will be no easy matter to extricate myself." + +"I am very sorry, good Senor; for my part, I can very well conceive that +a prudent man has cogent reasons to ponder and reflect more than a +philosopher, when he is on the point of being entangled in the labyrinth +of matrimony. Yes, Sir, I allow it is a most dangerous experiment: it is +a voyage menaced with all sorts of foul weather, and surrounded with +shoals, quicksands, and rocks, so that----" + +"Roque, a truce with your cursed metaphors," cried Don Lope, "or I'll +blow such a storm about thine ears, as to surpass all description." + +"Sir," replied the valet, "if you dislike storms, I have not the +smallest affection for them, so I'll even hold my tongue." + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias after a moment's silence, "I am threatened +with the loss of the rich treasure which I have so long and so arduously +toiled to obtain." + +"Treasure, Senor!" cried the wondering valet. "_Cuerpo de Cristo!_ +Treasure! Be pleased to explain: I was not aware that you expected a +rich treasure; from what quarter is it to come? My dear, dear master, I +suppose you will then pay me all my vails." + +"Here's an infamous sinner!" exclaimed Gomez Arias; "an unconscionable +dog, to be talking of money and filthy wages when his master is +labouring under the most perplexing dilemma in which ever mortal man was +placed. Roque, I do not see what prevents me from shaking thy rascally +form to atoms." + +Don Lope, in his anger, made a step in advance, while Roque prudently +made one in retrograde. + +"Don Lope," cried the retreating valet, "as I hope for salvation, it is +not my wish to offend: you appear in a terrible passion, and there is +certainly some mystery at the bottom: something preys upon your mind, +and if you would make me acquainted with it, perhaps I might devise a +remedy for the evil." + +"You cannot, Roque," returned his master, somewhat composed; "you cannot +contrive to defer this wedding!" + +"_Virgin del tremedal_," ejaculated Roque, crossing himself, "and is it +come to this at last? So you have discovered some imperfection in the +beauteous bride; some failing of which you were ignorant; better before +the ceremony than after. But it would be a marvellous pity to spoil the +feast, after the splendid preparations made to celebrate it with the +state and decorum to which it is entitled. Lord bless us! a curious +business we should make of it. But never mind; perhaps it is for the +best after all." + +"Now, Roque, hast thou finished? Who in the name of _Satanas_[37] can +hear with patience thy everlasting foolery! I do not intend to postpone +the celebration of the wedding from inclination, but because I am so +compelled by unavoidable circumstances." + +"What say you, dear master? surely nothing has happened." + +"Yes, something, and most extraordinary; thou wilt be astonished at what +I have to relate, Roque." + +"Proceed, Senor; hold me not in suspense, and I can verily assure you, +that nothing is wonderful to me." + +"I have seen," continued Gomez Arias, in a solemn tone,--"I have seen +Theodora!" + +"Theodora!" echoed Roque, affecting surprise. "Seen Theodora! in your +dreams, perchance, my good master." + +"I have seen her," returned Don Lope, "as plainly as I now see thee. +Nay, I have spoken with her." + +"Where, Senor Don Lope?" + +"Here, in this very apartment." + +"You astonish me," proceeded Roque, "and yet I cannot say it is so very +strange, neither; for I, myself, saw her--that is, I dreamt I saw +her--and dreams, you know, my honored master, are often the precursors +of realities." + +"Enough," cried Gomez Arias; "we must now think on the means of averting +the danger." + +"The danger!" quoth Roque; "in the name of _San Pablo_, what danger do +you apprehend?" + +"Oh, Roque! I am threatened with the worst of evils." + +"_Virgen Santa!_ what say you, Senor?" + +"Theodora expects me to relinquish the intended wedding, and depart +hence with her, or she will expose me at the very altar." + +"Indeed!" exclaimed Roque! "what, is not the gentle lady already tired +of rambling? Good God! I should have imagined she had had too many +mountain adventures to be longing to take another trip with you." + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, "we must remove this girl out of our way." + +"Our way!" quoth the man of confidence--"our way, my good Senor? she is +not in my way, by any means." + +"No, buffoonery, Sirrah! you have chosen ill your time for jesting. Now +listen, varlet. This Theodora must be disposed of; the urgency of this +measure is obvious." + +"Very obvious," responded Roque. + +"The sooner the better," continued Don Lope, musing. + +"Exactly," rejoined the valet. + +"And how this is to be accomplished," muttered Gomez Arias, "without +exciting suspicion among the household, I cannot conceive." + +"Nor I," returned Roque. + +"It is really the most distressing circumstance," continued his master. + +"Uncommonly distressing," echoed the confidant. + +"Of course," proceeded Don Lope, "I must employ stratagem; the wedding +must be delayed; I will boldly accost Don Alonso. I shall merely demand +one day, and in that short interval, every thing must be arranged, some +way or other." + +Don Lope uttered this last observation with the most imperturbable _sang +froid_, and the conscientious Roque, wisely reflecting that under the +head of disposing of cumbersome damsels, there were some ways not +altogether in accordance with the dictates of conscience, ventured to +observe---- + +"Pardon me, Don Lope, but I hope that in the premeditated disposal of +this troublesome commodity, you do not mean to use any violence; for the +Lord knows that the poor lady is already but too deserving of +compassion." + +"Thou art an impertinent, officious fool, Roque." + +"That may be," coolly retorted the valet. "But be pleased to observe, +that from the very commencement of this adventure--from the very first +moment that you poured your sweet poison into the ear of this innocent +young creature, I strenuously set my face against such proceeding; +something whispered to me, that it would ultimately be productive of the +most disastrous results; time will show that forebodings are sometimes +to be credited. So be pleased to recollect, Senor, how often I +remonstrated with you about this melancholy business." + +"I do, Roque; and I suppose you likewise recollect what you gained by +your eloquent remonstrances?" + +"Oh, Sir," replied Roque, "favors they were, so deeply engraven, that it +would be difficult to efface them from my remembrance." + +"Well," continued Gomez Arias, "know, Roque, that I am at this time just +in a humor to treat you with a renewal of such like favors, if you do +not immediately put a stop to your droning and most impertinent +reminiscences. I do not ask your condolence and regret for what is past, +for that now cannot be remedied. I want thy shrewdness and invention to +aid me in the present emergency. Violence I will not employ, so let your +scruples be at rest. I must now see Don Alonso, and prepare the way for +ulterior plans. Roque, I recommend thee to preserve a strict silence on +the matter, if thou art not entirely disgusted with life. Now +begone,--and meet me two hours hence at the _Plaza Nueva_." + +Roque made a low bow of assent and withdrew; whilst Gomez Arias, +assuming as much resolution as the importance of the occasion demanded, +left his apartment to meet Don Alonso de Aguilar. Scarcely had he +quitted his chamber than he beheld, with no little emotion, the bustle +and activity which prevailed over the whole palace, on account of the +expected festivities of the day. Here were maids, in fine attire, +tripping gaily along, simpering and smiling, and all good nature and +amiability. There ran servants in gorgeous dresses parading about in +their respective departments, and assuming importance in proportion to +the degree of responsibility which they were to take at the festival; +and handsome pages were seen carrying bridal favors in large and +beautiful silver salvers. Then came a crowd of friends, eagerly making +their way to Gomez Arias, and offering their congratulation to the happy +bridegroom; while the bridegroom, so congratulated, bore on his +countenance an expression of any thing but happiness. Nor were these +tokens of kindness confined alone to friends; for the fame of the +wedding had attracted a proportionate number of hungry bards and +minstrels who came at an early hour to greet the bridegroom with their +songs and rhapsodies, whilst Don Lope, as it may well be supposed, +responded to their love ditties and congratulations with most hearty +curses. + +He traversed the long galleries and spacious halls of the palace, +already besieged with numerous visitors--some attracted by the splendor +of the festival, and others by the odour of savoury and delicious things +that would grace the convivial board--indeed, from the number of +intelligent artists employed in the preparations, the _connoisseurs_ in +culinary science augured favorably of this department of the feast. Don +Lope with difficulty escaped the compliments and embraces of his +_soi-disant_ dear and respected friends, and making his way through this +mighty army of parasites, called to one of the servants, and caused +himself to be announced to Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +He found the warrior already attired for the ceremony, and girding on a +most magnificent sword, which he only used on solemn occasions. After +the first salutations had passed, Gomez Arias remained for a few seconds +pondering within himself the best means of breaking to Aguilar the +disagreeable communication with which he came prepared. A consciousness +of the imposture he was meditating, rendered his situation in the +highest degree embarrassing, and his habitual self-command seemed almost +to have abandoned him at this critical moment. The old warrior perceived +the constraint of his manner, and was struck with the singularity of a +conduct so much at variance with the usual courtly ease and style of +Gomez Arias. + +He waited therefore for some time in expectation that Don Lope had +something to communicate; but as the young cavalier appeared in no haste +to signify his wishes-- + +"Don Lope," at length, said Aguilar, "you are really too thoughtful for +a man on his wedding-day." + +A pause ensued; and the affair becoming more perplexing every minute, +Gomez Arias found the urgency of adopting a decisive step. He summoned, +therefore, all his adroitness, and with much deference and respect he +said to the father of Leonor,-- + +"Don Alonso, an unexpected event has just been imparted to me,--and the +distress which my feelings have sustained, has no doubt excited your +surprise,--but before the ceremony proceeds, however great my +reluctance, it is imperatively required that I should communicate with +you, and solicit your advice in this difficulty." + +"Proceed, Senor," said Don Alonso; "though allow me to observe, that any +communication of importance ought to have been made before this day." + +"Don Alonso," resumed Gomez Arias, with firmness, "there are +circumstances in life which are not controllable by the will of man. +Strange as the request which I am about to make may appear, it is +absolutely necessary. Sir, with all the respect which you are entitled +to command, but with all the firmness which duty requires of me, I must +throw myself on your indulgence, and pray you to defer the wedding until +to-morrow." + +"What!" exclaimed Aguilar, struck with surprise at so extraordinary a +demand; "defer the wedding! Don Lope, what means this?--Surely you do +not intend to affront my house!" + +"The honor of your house, Don Alonso de Aguilar," answered Gomez Arias, +with composure, "is now intimately connected with my own; and it would +be unjustifiable to suppose me guilty of such intentions." + +"What am I then to think of your strange proposal?" demanded +Aguilar--his brow mantling with indignation. + +"It is a request," replied Gomez Arias, "that I would never have +contemplated of my own accord; and you may well imagine what my feelings +must be when I am obliged to postpone my happiness even for one day. +Certainly it is no trivial inducement that could prompt me to such a +measure; I hope this will plead my justification. I have received a +dispatch from my valued friend Count Urena, stating that he is seized +with a mortal distemper, and conjuring me, as I esteem the blessings of +a dying man, to repair to his couch ere it be too late. He has a most +important communication which must be intrusted to no one but Gomez +Arias. The castle of the Count," added Don Lope, "is but six leagues +distant, and I shall be back by to-morrow. Now, Don Alonso, I crave your +advice: shall I disregard the last request of a man to whom my family +are under sacred obligations, or will you allow the ceremony to be +delayed till to-morrow, by which means I shall be enabled at once to +fulfil the dictates of honor and humanity, without trespassing too far +on my own happiness?" + +Don Alonso de Aguilar was in some manner reconciled to the necessity of +the measure proposed by Gomez Arias, though his pride received a severe +check, the effects of which were easily to be discerned in his +features. + +"But," said he with some asperity of tone, "my permission is not the +only one you are to obtain, Don Lope. My daughter must be +consulted--have you received her sanction? The Queen also must be +forthwith apprized of this sudden change, and I know not how her +Highness may be disposed to acquiesce in the alteration." + +Gomez Arias promised easily to remove all difficulties with his bride, +if Don Alonso would immediately use his influence with the Queen, and +urge the necessity of the delay. He was aware that the high spirit of +Leonor would, under any circumstances, deeply resent such a measure; +still he confidently relied on his own abilities and persuasion to +overrule any objection on her part. He hurried therefore to her +apartment, craved admittance, which was granted, and found himself +before his intended bride, rendered still more beautiful by the costly +ornaments with which she was adorned. + +"Well, Don Lope," said she smiling, while surveying herself in the +mirror, "what think you of my appearance?" + +"As of a divinity to whom I bend in adoration," gallantly replied Gomez +Arias, and taking her hand he pressed it to his lips with respectful +tenderness. + +Leonor replied to this mark of her lover's regard with a look of +affection. + +"But," exclaimed she, laughing, "I cannot compliment Senor Don Lope, +upon the taste of his toilet. No doubt he will tell me that his +imagination has been altogether engrossed with my beauty, and that he +has not bestowed a single thought upon himself: however," she continued +in the same strain, "from the respect we owe to the Queen, and the noble +friends who will honor us with their presence, it will be necessary to +recall the attention of the cavalier, even to so unworthy a subject as +himself." + +She was still proceeding, when Gomez Arias, who considered every moment +he lost of vital importance in the arrangement of his plans, resolved at +once to acquaint her with his determination. + +"It seems fated, dear Leonor," he said, "that I am to experience a +greater share of disappointment than usually falls to the lot of man; +scarcely has the late impediment to our union been removed, and I am on +the point of succeeding to my heart's fondest wishes, when----" + +"Surely, Lope," interrupted Leonor, with emotion, "your rashness has not +again placed you in the peril from which you have so lately escaped--and +yet your dress and deportment bespeak something disastrous--Speak--say, +Don Lope--let me know the worst." + +"Calm yourself, dearest Leonor; there is no danger to apprehend." + +He then, in a few words, explained what he had already said to her +father, and in soothing terms solicited her consent to what he proposed. + +"What need is there of my consent," she said, whilst her countenance +betrayed the mortification she experienced, "to a measure that meets the +approval of the Queen and my father! Certainly," she continued, "let us +defer the ceremony." + +There was something in the tone in which these words were delivered, +that thrilled to the heart of Don Lope; for the sarcastic smile and the +forced tranquillity which Leonor had assumed, plainly indicated that her +pride had been deeply wounded, though she affected to treat the affair +with indifference. Gomez Arias had recourse to all his eloquence in +order to smooth the resentment awakened by his proposal, but Leonor +repelled his advances with a resolute dignity of manner. + +"Go, Don Lope," she said, proudly, "you are losing time here--consider +the state of the Count; and unless you make good speed, he may never +know the kind and valuable friend he possesses." + +She then called her attendants, and with the most perfect indifference +began to divest herself of her ornaments, urging all the time to her +future husband the necessity of immediate departure. + +Gomez Arias, though reluctantly, was compelled to leave his bride, and +hurried away further to promote the accomplishment of the plots which +distracted his attention. + +Leonor was soon disrobed of her bridal garments, and the disconcerted +maids were lost in astonishment at the extraordinary change which had +taken place. Nor could they explain the cheerfulness of manner visible +in their mistress, when she announced that the wedding was to be +deferred. But under the apparent indifference of Leonor, rankled a deep +feeling of injury. The same pride that resented her lover's +determination, forbade her to exhibit any degree of concern; but though +the feeling was repressed, its effects would be more lasting than if +expended in reproaches and complaints. + +Don Alonso de Aguilar signified the unexpected delay to all the officers +of the household, and the amazement of every one may easily be +conceived. Every trifling circumstance was discussed, but nothing +satisfactory elucidated, save that every individual, either as his +interest was concerned, or his curiosity unsatisfied, loudly exclaimed +against a change which interfered so much with his profit or pleasure. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Ambition, like a torrent, ne'er looks back; + It is a swelling, and the last affection + A high mind can put off. It is a rebel + Both to the soul and reason, and enforces + All laws, all conscience; treads upon religion, + And offers violence to Nature's self. + + Ben Jonson. + + +Gomez Arias, after his interview with Leonor, repaired to the place +where he had appointed his confidential valet to await his leisure. Upon +his way he met the diligent Roque, and briefly related to him the +success which had hitherto attended his operations. + +"My good Roque," he gaily exclaimed, "our path now seems clear, and we +have nothing to impede our course." + +"Aye, Senor," returned Roque, "so it appears; but God grant that our +course may not yet be obstructed. When he who walketh uprightly must see +that he stumbleth not, what chance have we?" + +"Well," cried his master, laughing, "in such a case mind thou art not in +my way; for assuredly my fall will entail upon thee some sore bruises." + +"Bless me, good Senor," cried the valet, jocosely, "do what I may, I +cannot guard myself from such peril; for, by some unaccountable +mischance, when you _do_ fall, I am sure to reap the disagreeable +results: however, may the saints protect us in all lawful enterprise, +and, certes, there is no stronger law than necessity." + +"Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Don Lope, at this moment, "Roque--look! who is +that cavalier in the distance?" + +Roque looked as he was ordered, but could perceive nothing that might +call for such an exclamation. + +"Senor," said he, surprised, "what causes your alarm?" + +"Is not that _caballero_ going towards our mansion?" + +"He may--but what is there strange in that?" + +"Surely it is the Count Urena!" + +"He looks very much like him." + +"Then I am undone! Run, Roque; dispatch! Detain him." + +And without further ceremony, by the smart application of his hand to +the back of the valet, he gave an additional impetus to the motives for +increased exertion, whilst he himself advanced at a brisk pace towards +the object that had so unseasonably disturbed his interesting +speculations. + +Roque, like a good servant, without losing any time in useless parley, +obeyed his master's commands by making the best of his way to the person +in question, who in reality proved to be the Count. Gomez Arias, feeling +certain that his apprehensions were well founded, suddenly seized him by +the shoulder, at the same time calling on him to stay. + +"What means this?" cried Urena, sharply, turning round, not at all +pleased with the roughness of the salutation: "who is he that dares----" + +"Your friend," answered Gomez Arias, laughing. + +"Don Lope!" cried Count Urena, in amazement. + +"The same--but whither are you going?" + +"To your house, surely: and now you must confess that I am a sincere +friend; for although not entirely recovered from my late indisposition, +I could not resist the desire of being present at your wedding; so I +posted to Granada, and here I am, in time, I suppose?" + +"Oh, quite," replied Don Lope, evidently annoyed. + +"But it seems," continued Count Urena, "that my arrival does not meet +with your approbation?" + +"My dear friend, you must excuse my apparent want of cordiality, but I +have already dispatched an express to your castle to explain matters, +and you must on no account be seen in Granada." + +"But why?" + +"I ask it as a particular favor." + +"I cannot comprehend," said the Count, perplexed: then he turned to +Roque; but Roque, as if aware that he was about to be questioned, and, +conscious of his total inability to satisfy any queries, to save the +Count a fruitless expenditure of words, shrugged up his shoulders, and +rolled his eyes most expressively. + +"My dear Count," cried Gomez Arias, "it is of momentous importance that +you should not be seen in this city by any of our mutual relations and +friends. My peace of mind, my future prospects, nay, my very honor, +require this sacrifice from your friendship. I have no time now to enter +into explanation; but the enigma will be solved upon your perusal of my +dispatch: in the meantime suffice it to say, that your immediate removal +from Granada, and your strictly keeping within your house, will bind me +to you with a powerful and lasting obligation." + +"_By Santiago_, Don Lope," exclaimed the Count, good humoredly, "you +must either be crazy, or wish to pass some merry jest upon me. Well, I +am heartily happy to see a bridegroom in such spirits." + +"No, by my honor," returned Gomez Arias, "I solemnly vow to you, that +this step is demanded by actual and imperious necessity." + +"Well, well," replied the nobleman, acquiescing, "I will, at all events, +comply with your request, whatever may be the motive." + +The friends took leave of each other, and Gomez Arias breathed more +freely, as he again considered himself assured of the success of his +plans. + +"Senor," said Roque, "we were just speaking of impediments, and there +comes the Count. Now, God send that we may meet no more!" + +"Ay, Roque," replied Gomez Arias: "If I think rightly, the most material +part of the business remains yet to be done, and it puzzles me strangely +how to ensure its success." + +"Most prudently said, Senor," returned Roque; "for it is indeed a +ticklish point to dispose of a lady, when it unfortunately happens that +she is not equally desirous to be disposed of;--but whither are we going +now?" + +"To the gardens,--for there we shall be unobserved:" then, after a +pause, he continued; "Roque, thou appearest uneasy; what is the reason +that at every minute thy head is turned backwards, as if in +apprehension?" + +"Oh, nothing, Senor, nothing in the world." + +The valet delivered these words in an irresolute tone, for his master's +observations had been just. Roque had for some time betrayed such +disquietude in his manner, that at length the attention of Don Lope was +directed towards the object of his valet's uneasiness, and he perceived +a stranger following them at some distance. It was a Moor, of dark and +repulsive appearance, who was evidently observing them, although he +affected a total indifference to their movements. + +"Roque," said Gomez Arias, in whom the slightest incident now created +suspicion, "Dost thou know that strange looking man?" + +"Think you, my honored master," returned Roque, "that I am likely to +consort with so villainous looking a Moor? What should I do with such an +acquaintance? I am a _Christiano viejo_,[38] and my conscience would not +allow me to consort with infidels, and particularly when they are so +ill-favored as yonder prowling rascal." + +"Roque, Roque, thou talkest too much, and the very earnestness of thy +manner makes me strongly suspect that thy knowledge of the stranger is +more than thou art willing that I should learn." + +"_San Pedro me valga!_" ejaculated Roque. "My honored master, how can +you thus call in question my integrity? Do you think, Senor, it is +really possible for me to use any mystery with my master?" + +"Avaunt, thou hypocritical dog!" cried Don Lope; "thou canst not deceive +me: however, I am now too deeply engrossed with more important matters; +but mark me--should I find out any double dealing, any imposition on thy +part, thou mayest well tremble!" + +"Tremble!" exclaimed Roque, in a shrill tone, and affecting +indifference. "An honest man has no reason to tremble." + +And he trembled and quivered like the aspen leaf, which doubtless did +not look as if he had yet possessed himself of the attributes of an +honest man. They had by this time arrived at the gardens, and Gomez +Arias was exceedingly surprised when he observed that the strange Moor +had followed them thither, though keeping always the same respectful +distance. + +"By my honor," exclaimed Gomez Arias, "such conduct cannot be merely +accidental. Roque, _maldito_,[39] some mystery lies in this." + +"In what, Senor Don Lope?" demanded the valet, with much simplicity. + +"Attempt not to impose on me, thou base-born and ungracious varlet. Why +does that Moor follow us in this manner?" + +"My dear master," replied Roque, "is it in my power to stop the man? +What dominion have I over him? These places are public, and I suppose +that he, though a Moor, considers that he has the same right to walk +here as we faithful Christians. Now, good Senor, could you prevail upon +the queen to limit the privileges of those infidels, and allot them a +piece of ground for their own use, aloof from all public places, +certainly much abomination and contamination would be spared; and +thus----" + +"Cease, thou graceless dog!" interrupted Don Lope. "Cease, for I can no +longer endure thy interminable prosing; a more talkative varlet never +intruded on the patience of an indulgent master. See! there is the +mysterious Moor again; and if I mistake not, it is the very same who has +followed me already twice before. Yes, surely he is the same, although +he has somewhat altered his attire." + +"What!" cried Roque thrown off his guard; "has he followed you too, +Senor?" + +"Ah!" returned Don Lope, "then you have seen him before. Now, rascal," +he added, grasping roughly the poor valet by the collar--"Leave off this +foolish dissembling, or by _Santiago_, I'll strangle thee on the spot!" + +"Sweet master, you surely don't mean to harm your faithful Roque?" + +"Art thou, then, prepared to confess thy knowledge of the Moor?" +demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Like a good Christian, I am always prepared to confess." + +"Well, then, begin, thou sinner." + +"That is easily said," mumbled out the valet; "but, consider, good Sir, +that my sins cannot find utterance, as long as you obstruct their +natural egress in this most unchristian manner. In pity, gentle Senor, +unloose your grasp a little, or I shall die without confessing at all." + +Indeed, the poor valet's face afforded an incontrovertible proof of the +sincerity of his expostulations; for his master, though perfectly +elegant in all his movements and demeanor, was at no particular pain in +observing the strictest rules of politeness when he chanced to handle +his luckless attendant. Roque's face appeared by this time in its +colour no bad specimen of a well burnished pan--his loquacious tongue +protruded from its natural dwelling, and the little buried eyes started +out with an unusual degree of animation. + +Don Lope, observing his distress, released him with a few hearty +shakings; and Roque, after taking two or three deep and lengthened +respirations, began to examine his person, to assure himself he had +sustained no damage, and then applying his hand to his collar-- + +"_Virgen Santa!_" he cried, "here are fine doings! Oh, my honored +master, what have you done! There is my beautiful--my best +_gorguera_[40] completely destroyed--torn to tatters--absolutely spoilt +for ever--past remedy. Oh Lord! Oh Lord! Such a fine _gorguera_, too, of +the very best lace, and worked by the pretty and dignified fingers of +Lisarda--and what will she say? What will she say when her loquacious +abilities are called into action by no less a subject than the total +destruction of her superb _gorguera_?" + +"By all the powers of darkness, Roque," cried Gomez Arias, "but I would +confidently match thee against all the Lisardas in the world." + +"Senor Don Lope, a fine _gorguera_ is perhaps unworthy of your +eloquence; for, in sooth, you reserve your powers of tongue for more +deserving objects. But consider, Sir----" + +"Sirrah!" interrupted Gomez Arias, "I have no time to waste upon your +foolery. I perceive your drift; you want to elude my examination; but +now, Roque, be explicit or---- how often have you seen that Moor?" + +"Much oftener than I could wish," answered Roque. + +"Then he wished to form an acquaintance with you?" + +"Apparently he did; but you know, Senor, we must not always trust to +appearances." + +"How did you meet his advances?" + +"I did not meet them at all, Don Lope, for I kept advancing myself all +the time, and as it happened that we adhered constantly to the same +regular pace, we had a fair chance of going round Spain without ever +coming into contact." + +"Roque, thou art a shrewd villain," said Gomez Arias, who, perplexed as +he was at the moment, could not help smiling at this conceit of his +valet; and reflecting that, with such a fellow, he was more likely to +succeed by gentle means than by actual force-- + +"Now, Roque," he said, "I am willing to give you credit for what you +say, and you ought to deal frankly with me in return." + +"Aye, Sir," replied Roque, very coolly, "upon the matter of credit we +are even." + +"Even upon credit! how, Sirrah?" + +"For my wages," composedly answered the valet. + +"Roque, you may one day go too far," returned Don Lope; "I may laugh at +your fooleries, but they do not always fall in accordance with my humor. +However, as to the point in question,--it appears that the Moor had +really sought your acquaintance?" + +"Yes, I must allow that," replied Roque; "but with the proviso that I am +in no way accountable for the fancies that either Moor or Christian may +take to me, as long as I do not give any encouragement, which is +precisely the case in the present instance." + +"Well," said Gomez Arias, "this matter shall be investigated at a future +period, for I must attend to more important affairs; and now, Roque, +tell me what your fruitful invention has conjured up to rid me of the +troublesome object of my disquietude." + +"My fruitful invention, Senor, as you are kindly pleased to term that +faculty, which at other times you most unceremoniously treat with +contempt;--my fruitful invention, Don Lope, has conjured up----" + +"What, my good Roque?" eagerly inquired his master. + +"Nothing," drawled out the valet. + +"Provoking idiot," exclaimed Gomez Arias; "I know not what induces me +to retain such a dull brute about me." + +A pause followed, and Don Lope, quite at a loss on what course to +determine, seated himself on one of the stone benches concealed by the +trees that overshadowed the place. There he began to muse, whilst Roque, +unwilling to disturb his reflections, betook himself to examine the +unfortunate _gorguera_, and heave many a ludicrous sigh over its +melancholy fate. + +"Roque," cried Gomez Arias, after a short lapse, "I see no remedy but +placing Theodora in a convent." + +"Aye!" answered Roque, "it will all be right, provided she consents." + +"Consents! By my troth, thinkest thou I shall put myself to the +inconvenience of consulting her inclination?--No, Roque; unless some +better plan be instantly devised, I must even resolve upon the convent; +for the time passes rapidly away, and this girl must be disposed of +to-night." + +"Could you not contrive to send her to her father?" demanded Roque: +"Poor thing, she is so very unhappy that----" + +"Send her to her father!" returned Gomez Arias. "Art thou mad, +Roque?--or is it thy wish that my fortune should be ruined for ever?" + +"Neither one nor the other," rejoined the valet; "but it strikes me as +plainly as day-light, that before we contrive to shut up this bird in +the cage, her continual chirping will call some one to the rescue, and +then I do not see any chance of mending our fortune; but, by-the-bye, +talking of mending, I wonder if I am likely to find any for this most +innocent and ill-treated _gorguera_?" + +"A thousand curses on thee and on thy _gorguera_!" cried Gomez Arias, +impatiently; then, assuming a calmer tone, he continued--"With regard to +thy fears that she may call for rescue, that inconvenience may be easily +obviated." + +"_Santos cielos!_" exclaimed Roque, with visible affright--"You surely +do not mean to cut off her tongue?" + +"No," answered Don Lope, "that fate I reserve for yours, unless you +contrive to keep it under better control."--He then added--"By sending +Theodora to some nunnery in a remote city, such as Barcelona or +Saragossa for example,--the air must be sharp, indeed, that can convey +thus far the sound of her complaints." + +"But, Senor," asked Roque, "is the young lady to be conducted to the +said remote city by magic, or is she merely to be led in the ordinary +way; for if this last be the case, what deception can you use subtle +enough to lure a bird that has already been caught once in your snares?" + +"That is true," replied Gomez Arias, "but I must risk a distant danger, +to ward off a more immediate one. I do not entirely flatter myself that +this unfortunate business will not come to light some time; but if I +cannot avoid the storm, I am anxious that, ere it explode, I should at +least be under good shelter." + +"Well, Senor," said Roque, "it is a very delicate piece of business, +and I really cannot harbour the presumption of offering you my advice. I +shall obey your commands, as in duty bound, provided they are not in too +direct an opposition with my conscience and----" + +"And what?" inquired Don Lope. + +"_Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas_," solemnly chaunted the valet, at +the same time affecting to wash his hands. + +"_Lavabo inter innocentes_, indeed," exclaimed Gomez Arias: "here's a +conscientious sinner with a vengeance! So you cannot light upon some +feasible design?" + +"No, in very truth I cannot." + +"Then who in the name of Satan can extricate me?" cried Gomez Arias, in +despair. + +"I can!" answered a deep and determined voice. + +Gomez Arias started, turned round, and with amazement beheld the +mysterious stranger standing, with folded arms, looking calmly upon him. + +"And who art thou?" demanded Don Lope, "that presumest thus to intrude +upon my privacy?" + +"Good Heavens! who should it be?" said Roque, not allowing time to the +stranger to give an answer; "why, my honored master, you piously invoked +Satan, and his diabolical majesty sends you forthwith one of his +emissaries." + +"Stranger!" proceeded Gomez Arias, not heeding his valet, "what is thy +name?" + +"To know that were superfluous," coldly answered the Moor, "and in +nowise necessary towards the acceptation of my services." + +"And what assistance canst thou afford me? I know thee not--and yet +those features should not be entirely strangers to my eyes." + +"It is possible that they are not," replied the stranger, unmoved, "nor +is your countenance altogether unknown to me." + +"Who then art thou?" demanded Gomez Arias. + +"Surely a Moor--a worthless Moor!" bitterly returned the renegade; for +it was no other that now addressed Don Lope;--nor did he feel +apprehensive of discovery, altered as he was by the conflict of his +passions, continual sufferings, and even by the dress which he had +adopted to baffle the penetration of Gomez Arias. + +"Whoever I may be," continued the renegade, "is of no consequence; I +come to render you service--are you disposed to accept it?" + +"I cannot," firmly replied Don Lope, "from an utter stranger, without +previously knowing the motives by which he is actuated." + +"What!" exclaimed Bermudo, affecting surprise, "cannot you guess my +motives? Certainly, I do not pretend to deny that by assisting you +_now_, I chiefly mean to serve myself. You surely cannot expect more +from a perfect stranger, as you call me. Look at me, Christian!" he +added, stifling the conflict which was working in his bosom at the very +sight of his foe; "behold, I am a Moor--a miserable Moor. And what else +but interest could prompt a destitute, a desperate man to proffer his +services to the proud and rich ones of the land?--Love, or esteem, or +gratitude, think you? No, never! My own interest I consult--consult +yours, and decide." + +"Interest!" cried Gomez Arias; "there is something reassuring in that +word. I like to hear a man talk of his interest, for then I am tempted +to believe in his sincerity. What, then, canst thou do for thy interest, +Moor? Let us hear in what manner thou art able to serve me." + +"I can do much," replied the renegade: "You, Don Lope Gomez Arias, are +at present involved in a most distressing predicament?" + +"I am." + +"And the source of your disquietude is a woman?" + +"Proceed." + +"Her name, Theodora?" + +"Thou art indeed instructed in this affair--how cam'st thou by the +knowledge?"--and he cast a terrible look on the trembling Roque. + +"Senor," cried Roque, "as I hope for salvation, I----" + +"Silence, Sirrah!" exclaimed his master. + +"Nay," observed the renegade, "blame not yon trembler; it is true that I +applied to him before I resolved upon offering you my services +personally; but from fear, or some other reason, he paid no regard to my +proposal. I therefore waved all further ceremony, and knowing the crisis +to be at hand, I have seized this opportunity to address you." + +"And what proposition hast thou to make?" demanded Don Lope. + +"To remove from your path this obstacle to your ambition; to rid you +immediately of Theodora." + +"Fiend!" fiercely cried Gomez Arias, "thou darest not propose murder to +me?" + +"No, Christian," calmly returned Bermudo "dark as my form may be, and +unseemly as my features are, yet I would scorn to imbrue my hands in the +blood of a woman: no, though a ruffian, I am not yet sunk to the +despicable wretch you suppose me. Theodora shall not suffer any +indignity from me, but merely be removed from Granada." + +"And what security wouldst thou afford of thy adherence to this promise, +should I be inclined to enter into arrangements?" + +"Security! the most firm and unbounded--the love which a Moor has +conceived for her charms." + +"What! art thou then the admirer?" sneeringly asked Gomez Arias. + +"No!" indignantly exclaimed the renegade--"see you aught of that in me? +Can the signs of any tender sentiment be traced in my visage?" + +"Well," muttered Roque, "methinks he speaks very sensibly." + +"I cannot love," repeated the renegade; "but a Moor, my superior in +rank, one whom I have bound myself to serve, is powerfully stricken with +the beauty of her you now wish to discard; he will treat her with every +consideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upon +gaining her love." + +The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade made +these overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination. +He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyze +every feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery were +discernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That dark +brow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which he +should be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for an +interview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus, +his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from which +expression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs that +had urged him to proffer his services. + +"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause. + +"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired Don +Lope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all further +communication on the subject would be needless." + +"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though not +far from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you be +disposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as I +shall be obliged to take my measures accordingly." + +He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seeming +indifference.--Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was something +in this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; but +the shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of the +danger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived the +inward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentle +remonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lope +indignantly repulsed the presuming valet. + +"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humility +will not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offer +thy opinion now." + +"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energies +to a firm resolution. + +"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensible +must be commensurate with the importance of my assistance." + +"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider a +just remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion." + +"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place confidence +in the magnitude of my service, I shall leave the reward entirely to +your generosity,--and now listen. At midnight you must be with Theodora +at the extremity of _El cerro de los Martires_;[41] the distance is +short from Granada, and can therefore soon be traversed. There I will +wait for you, and there you may likewise meet the noble Moor that +employs me." + +"I am resolved," cried Gomez Arias. "Yes, I will meet you at midnight +then"--and rising, he was about to withdraw, when the renegade gently +detaining him-- + +"Stay," he said; "I must have a pledge to present to my master." + +"What dost thou demand?" asked Don Lope. + +"That ring," returned Bermudo, pointing to one that sparkled on the hand +of Gomez Arias. + +"I cannot part with this gem; it is a bauble, but one I must preserve; +ask for another boon three times as valuable, and it shall be granted +thee." + +"One does not hinder the other," said the renegade, dissembling. "Think +you, Don Lope, that the difficulty from which I disentangle you merits +no other reward than a paltry ring? I must have it for a pledge, and it +shall be returned in due time for gold." + +Gomez Arias cast a look of contempt on the Moor, who, thoroughly +prepared for his part, most efficaciously assumed the appearance of the +mercenary he was then undertaking to personate. + +"Well, what is it you resolve," he cried, with a malicious smile--"to +part with a ring, or keep the woman you detest?" + +"Take it!" disdainfully replied Gomez Arias, throwing the required +pledge on the ground. + +The renegade humbly inclined himself to take it; but he could not so +completely master his feelings as not to betray some marks of the +pleasure he felt at the possession of so precious a gage. Gomez Arias, +however, erroneously attributed these symptoms to the avaricious +disposition of the wretch who appeared willing to undertake any service +for gold. He again cast a contemptuous glance on the Moor, and making a +sign to Roque, abruptly left the place. The renegade gave a loose to the +joy which swelled tumultuously in his bosom; he kissed the ring with +wild demonstrations of pleasure, and looking in the direction that Gomez +Arias was gone-- + +"Now," he exclaimed, "my time is coming, and soon, proud Spaniard, wilt +thou feel the power of thy bitterest enemy." + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Cielos en que ha se parar + Tan dificultosa empresa? + + _Lope de Vega._ + + Quoi! tant de perfidie avec tant de courage? + De crimes, de vertus, quel horrible assemblage! + + _Voltaire._ + + +After the defeat of his companions at Alhacen, and the total +annihilation of their hopes and resources in that quarter, Bermudo the +renegade had prudently fled to Granada. He knew he should be in greater +security in that city, from the mixed intercourse of Moors and +Christians, than by continuing in the wandering habits of a mountain +life, now circumvented with numberless dangers from the active searches +which the Christians were making to destroy every rebel that might be +surprised lurking in suspicious places. The same course had been pursued +by a considerable number of the dispersed Moors, whilst others, less +enterprising or more cautious, had concealed themselves in obscure +caverns and hiding places. + +The renegade was one of the first that had arrived at Granada; and +prudently mingling with the crowd of joyous Christians, feigned to be +exceedingly interested in the solemnity of the day, when his attention +was forcibly attracted by the appearance of a cavalcade in which he +recognized an object already familiar to his sight. Great as his +surprise was, he could not entertain a doubt that it was Theodora +herself, Caneri's fair captive, who now unexpectedly struck his view. An +impulse of curiosity induced him to follow her, until he perceived that +she was safely lodged in the mansion of Aguilar. From that instant, +Bermudo had unremittingly devoted his time to investigating this +occurrence. He learnt with pleasure that his hated foe was still alive. +Nay, he had actually seen him; and, fervently bent on prosecuting every +scheme that might hold out a probability of forwarding his views of +vengeance, he had succeeded in his first inquiries to the full extent of +his wishes. He had learnt the approaching wedding of Gomez Arias, and, +remembering the circumstance of Theodora's lamentations and despair on +the supposed death of that individual, he naturally concluded that there +was some mystery, which, if discovered, might be easily converted to his +own advantage. + +He had therefore artfully sought an acquaintance with Roque, the +acknowledged servant of Gomez Arias, and partly by insidious questions, +and partly by his own penetration, he had drawn the conclusion that +Theodora was the forsaken mistress of Gomez Arias, brought by chance to +the very scene of his expectations, and who, if apprised of her lover's +treachery, would afford a powerful obstacle to his views. The renegade +therefore seized the favorable opportunity which presented itself, to +accomplish the ruin of his hated foe, and determined to neglect no +means of accomplishing the revenge which had been his solitary pursuit +for many years. But his plan of operations was as deep and intricate as +the motive that directed him was dark and diabolical. Finding that Roque +absolutely refused to open his proposal to his master, he resolved to +break the matter to him in person, and with this intention had proceeded +to the public walks, as already mentioned. His artful and wily behavour, +assisted by the distracting position of Don Lope's affairs, had betrayed +the latter into that snare which the renegade had so cunningly devised, +and which, if followed up with success, would lead the unwary Gomez +Arias towards a labyrinth, in the mazes of which his destruction might +be easily completed. + +Thus Bermudo could not conceal his inward satisfaction when he found +himself possessed of the ring of Gomez Arias--a ring which he well +recollected had been the gift of Queen Isabella,--a precious gage, +which, in the process of his fiendish machinations, might contribute +materially to their successful termination. While on the one hand the +renegade was thus awaiting with anxiety the result of every move in his +diabolical game, and Don Lope on the other was congratulating himself +upon the speedy close of his heartless compact, the lovely but +unfortunate subject of both speculations was happy in comparative +tranquillity at the palace of her preserver. + +In perfect obedience to the urgent and repeated injunctions of her +lover, Theodora kept herself in seclusion in her apartment. Implicitly +confiding in the promises and vows of Don Lope, and fondly indulging in +dreams of future bliss, she nevertheless felt a degree of disquietude, +natural to the high excitement into which her feelings had been thrown. +The morning came--the morning of that eventful day, and the commotion +which prevailed throughout the palace, failed not to interest Theodora, +although the cause admitted of various interpretations. Now she fondly +imagined that Gomez Arias had already sought an interview with Aguilar, +and made the necessary disclosures; and then again she shuddered at the +idea that the fond wishes in which she had indulged might never be +realized. + +This state of anxiety and suspense was fortunately interrupted by +Lisarda, who burst abruptly into the room with looks of visible alarm. +She turned about without ceremony, and before Theodora could collect her +thoughts to inquire into the reason of this perturbation-- + +"_Santos Cielos!_" she exclaimed, "here are fine doings! that it should +come to this! fye--shame! precisely at the very moment that---- well, +before I would consent to be treated in this manner, I'd suffer my eyes +to be plucked out, and my tongue torn from the very root. After so much +preparation! Lord! Lord! to disappoint a whole family and throw so many +honorable people into confusion!" + +Here the good Lisarda was compelled to take breath, of which Theodora +most opportunely availed herself to inquire into the cause of the +disturbance. + +"Now, gentle Lisarda," she said "tell me what has happened? No disaster +to the family; I hope?" + +"Alas!" screamed out Lisarda, perfectly recovered from her exhaustion, +"your hopes, lady, unhappily, cannot prevent the disaster, for truly a +most terrible disaster it is,--fraud and insolence, and most abominable +perjury is in the case, I am sure. Yes, the family has been treated this +morning with the most untimely and vexatious incivility. Such a breach +of delicacy and decorum never did I witness before. _Virgen Santa!_ how +will this end? The Lord knows that I, for my part, never felt tranquil +on the score of the gallant.--No, no; I always said Don Rodrigo for my +money--but that is neither here nor there; the evil is done, and we must +stand the results. Really it is provoking--such a beautiful dress I had +prepared, and now to defer the ceremony!" + +"Defer what ceremony?" eagerly inquired Theodora. + +"The wedding to be sure," responded Lisarda. "What, did I not tell you +before?" + +"In sooth you did not." + +"Really? God defend us! I am a most thoughtless silly girl, that is +certain. Why, my good lady, what should be deferred but the wedding?" + +"And that is the misfortune, then, which has occasioned such uncommon +signs of regret?" demanded Theodora, scarcely able to conceal her inward +satisfaction. + +"To be sure, lady; and by my troth, it strikes me that the subject is +well worthy the mortification it has caused us all. Good heavens! had +the accident happened to you, my sweet lady, perchance you might not be +inclined to endure it so philosophically. But the Lord save me! if you +do not appear to rejoice in this calamity!" + +"Rejoice! heavens! what do you mean?" cried Theodora, blushing deeply, +and striving to conceal her emotion. "What can induce you to suppose I +could have so perverse a disposition, as to rejoice at an event that is +evidently annoying and distressing to my kind and generous benefactor?" + +"Dear lady, take not amiss my observation, but as sure as I am a +Christian, and hope for salvation, you are much altered for the better +since yesterday." + +Having communicated the news of the palace to her fair charge, the good +Lisarda bustled away to learn further particulars. Theodora soon after +received a visit from the noble Don Alonso, on whose countenance were +strongly depicted the signs of displeasure. Theodora easily divined the +cause, and though she rejoiced in the termination of an event, in which +her happiness was so deeply interested, she could not suppress a +sensation of generous pity, at the idea that she was the immediate, +though innocent, cause of her benefactor's disappointment. + +With the simplicity congenial to her nature, she more than once during +this interview felt a strong desire to throw herself at the feet of +Aguilar, and frankly to avow the whole of her melancholy tale; yet she +was restrained from following the genuine impulse of her heart, when +she recollected her lover's absolute command. Thus, although her +delicacy and frankness were hurt at the duplicity she was compelled to +use towards one by whom she had been rescued from the most appalling +fate, she stifled the suggestions of sincerity, to observe implicitly +the wishes of a man who was even then planning her future misery and +misfortune. Nor was this the only trial that Theodora had to sustain. +She had been obliged to resist the invitation of Aguilar, who repeatedly +pressed her to make her appearance in the grand saloon, and she had the +mortification of suspecting, that an unfavorable construction was put +upon her denial. They might attribute to female caprice, or a want of +proper feelings for a generous benefactor, that which in reality was the +mere effect of a sensitive mind and a devoted heart. + +Theodora underwent all these trials with patient resignation, in the +fond expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present irksome +situation. In this uninterrupted succession of doubt and fear she spent +the long and tedious day, and hailed with transport the arrival of +night, which was now enveloping in her sable mantle the proud turrets +and lofty buildings of Granada. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Per gli antri, e per le selve ognun traea + Allor la vita, ne fra seta, o lane + Le sue ruvide membra ravvolgea. + + _Metastasio._ + + +At a short distance from Granada there is a place called _El cerro de +los Martires_,[42] which traditionary lore had invested with most +appalling histories. This place abounded in deep caverns and +subterranean vaults, in which it was a received tradition that the Moors +used in former times to shut their Christian captives, and make them +undergo dreadful torments. By the vicissitudes of fortune, however, +these dungeons were now converted into secure retreats by the fallen +and dispersed Moors. Several of these lurking places had already been +traced out by the unwearied perseverance of the Spaniards, or betrayed +through the treachery of mercenary Moors, but there still were some +remaining which baffled every research, and whose existence known only +to some of the principal and most faithful Moors, were in no danger at +least of immediate discovery. + +To these subterraneous habitations a considerable portion of the +shattered forces of Caneri had repaired, whilst some of the bolder party +of El Feri de Benastepar had fearlessly sought refuge in Granada, where, +in despite of the severe decrees promulgated by the queen, and the +examples made of those who had infringed them, the rebels nevertheless +found shelter and protection from their fellow-countrymen. Thus while +the rebellion seemed quelled to all appearance, it was not entirely +extinguished. A secret fire still slumbered under the ashes, ready to +burst forth when a master hand could be found to raise the flame. But +the want of unity amongst the Moors, and the general dispersion which +had ensued after the destruction of their last town, seemed to offer an +insurmountable bar to the organization of a second revolt. Besides, the +death of El Feri had struck the hearts of his followers with dismay, and +there was no Moor of sufficient talent or enterprize to supply his +place. + +Things were in this state, when at the close of a sultry day three men +were seen cautiously traversing the path which led towards _El cerro de +los Martires_. The foremost, who appeared to act as guide, from his +robust and athletic make, and the lowering expression of his +countenance, might be easily recognized as Bermudo, the renegade; the +others were strangers, and apparently disguised. They proceeded onwards, +slowly, and with care, until at length they stopped at a sequestered +spot, overgrown with brambles, and surrounded with high and widely +spreading trees, whose sombre foliage offered an impenetrable barrier to +the light of day. They plunged into the midst of this wilderness, and +presently the renegade blew a soft and hollow blast, when the thicket +suddenly seemed to move, and discovered an aperture which had hitherto +been concealed. The two Moors, for such they were, and their guide, then +descended through the opening into a deep and winding subterraneous +passage. After a descent of a few minutes, they found themselves in a +spacious vault hewn out of the solid rock and illumined by a solitary +lamp, which afforded only light sufficient to render the darkness more +dismal, and to give an indistinct view of forms and countenances +naturally repulsive, rendered still more so by apparent want and +exhaustion. About a dozen men and two or three women were reposing at +length in different parts of the cave, without any other covering than +their tattered dresses, and bearing on their features an expression of +resolute despair. + +At the further extremity of the cavern, which was somewhat elevated, and +rendered more tenantable by several pieces of an old carpet, reclined a +man of better appearance, whose apparel had evidently not undergone +such severe service as those of his companions. This personage it might +easily be supposed was the chief of those who, from their exterior, +might, without any great deviation from the rules of inferences, be +denominated a gang of desperate robbers. But it seldom happens that +robbers in the vicinity of a rich and populous city are to be found in a +state of such utter destitution; and if such were really the case, it +might puzzle the beholder to discover what possible inducement they +could have to continue in so unprofitable a profession. + +As soon as the renegade and his two companions entered that cheerless +and uncomfortable dwelling, all those woe-begone and lugubrious +countenances suddenly acquired a degree of animation. It was not without +reason; for the renegade and one of his companions laid down some +provisions, whilst the other stood with his arms folded, a calm +spectator of these proceedings, contemplating with deep attention the +group before him. + +"Alagraf! Malique!" cried the seated personage above designated: "Who +is that stranger?" + +"Fear not, Caneri," whispered the renegade, "this is a friend--nay, +perhaps the sincerest adherent and the bravest supporter of the Moors in +their present condition." + +"Certainly from his proud bearing in our presence," replied Caneri, with +offended dignity, "one might, indeed, be led to suppose him a person of +consequence, did not those unseemly habiliments contradict such a +conclusion." + +The stranger answered not, but contented himself with casting a look of +mingled pity and scorn on the mighty potentate of the cavern. The chief, +however, was prevented from inquiring more minutely into the pretensions +of one who appeared little disposed to pay him unqualified deference, by +the shrill and croaking voice of Marien Rufa, who at that moment was +actively engaged in heaping a redundance of abuse on the devoted head of +her husband Aboukar. The squabble, as far as it could be ascertained +amidst the confused din, originated in some provisions which the +provident Aboukar, in his capacity of ex-master of the household, +judiciously concluded ought to come by right under his control; +accordingly, _secundum artem_, he had entered on his official duties by +secreting a portion of the said provisions for his own private use, +before they were either served up to Caneri, or finally distributed +amongst his hungry and rapacious band. Marien Rufa had observed the sly +larceny, but what in the name of conjugal regard could have induced the +crone to so unkind and unmatrimonial an action as the exposure of her +own husband, is not easily to be determined. An upright and indulgent +person might be tempted to believe it was a proper regard and tenderness +for the purity of his character; but others, not quite so considerate, +would suspect, and perhaps with a nearer semblance of truth, that the +unamiable spouse was instigated by a less honorable motive. It was a +fact, not to be contradicted, that Marien Rufa and her once beloved +Aboukar, at present detested as cordially as they had formerly loved +each other; which curious phenomenon in the condition of matrimony is +not of such rare occurrence as to need any particular investigation into +its nature or origin. + +As soon as Caneri observed the disturbance, conjecturing from the +character of the belligerents that the commotion was likely to increase +apace, he rose suddenly from his seat, an action which clearly indicated +the extent of his indignation, and with vehemence exclaimed-- + +"Silence! What means this disturbance? Slaves, is this your respect for +your chief? Explain; what is the cause of this unwarrantable breach of +decorum?" + +No sooner had Caneri uttered the word "explain," than Marien Rufa, +conscious no doubt of her explanatory talents, in a most discordant tone +began:-- + +"Please your Mightiness, the cause of----" + +"Stop, stop," cried Caneri; "I do not wish _thee_ to explain." Then, +turning, he demanded an explanation from Malique, who, in a few words, +corroborated the statement of Marien Rufa respecting the ugly trick of +which Aboukar stood accused. Upon this, Caneri, after pondering some +time, and gently striking his forehead as if to conjure some luminous +idea,-- + +"Malique," he cried, "bring hither the source of contention." + +The provisions were immediately placed before him, and the sapient +chief, after putting aside a portion for his own use, wisely proceeded +to give his judgment. + +"Here, Malique," he said, "distribute these amongst you all, except the +convicted culprit and his accuser." + +This retributive justice was greatly applauded by the surrounding party, +whose looks clearly indicated the high opinion they entertained of their +chief's wise decision; although their ravenous hunger might have, +indeed, contributed somewhat to the enhancement of their approbation. +The renegade and the new comer stood silent spectators of the scene, but +they could not disguise the expression of their contempt both for the +degraded state of their companions, and the foolish importance with +which the vain-glorious Caneri comported himself. + +Peace being thus restored by the chief's sagacious intervention,-- + +"Now, Alagraf," he said, "what tidings dost thou bring from Granada? +Will thy expectations be fulfilled, and my wishes crowned with success? +What further inquiries hast thou made relating to Theodora?" + +"I have not been idle," sullenly answered the renegade. + +"And yet," returned Caneri, "I fear exceedingly that our mutual hopes +will be disappointed." + +"Not so, Caneri," retorted Bermudo; "but this is no time to enter upon +that subject, for another of greater importance has a previous claim to +our notice." + +"By the holy Prophet!" exclaimed Caneri, with displeasure, "I should +imagine that an affair in which I am interested, is, of itself, +sufficient to command immediate attention: Explain, then," he added +impatiently, "that which concerns me most." + +"Moor!" cried the renegade with anger, "thou surely must forget that I +am not thy slave: no, by my sword, I will not speak of these matters +until I think the time befitting." + +Caneri was thunderstruck at this open act of insubordination; he rolled +his eyes in choler, and looked on his band as if appealing to them to +chastise the insolence of the renegade. But though those bold words had +thrown the Moors into some consternation, yet no one dared to move a +step, so much were they awed by the composed demeanor with which the +renegade gazed upon them. + +"Alagraf," said Caneri, disguising his indignation, "are then my +injunctions openly to be disregarded before my people?" + +"Caneri," answered the renegade resolutely, "you urge me too far, and +you ought to know me better." + +A murmur of discontent prevailed among the band, which was about to +break forth against the renegade, when, suddenly, their movement was +checked by the stranger Moor, who advanced towards them in a threatening +attitude. + +"Peace!" he exclaimed; "peace! ye abject, paltry slaves!" + +"And who art thou," demanded Caneri, trembling with rage, "that darest +thus arrogate to thyself the power of dictating in my presence?" + +"I am, Caneri," answered the stranger haughtily, "thy superior in all, +except in vice." + +"Seize him!" roared out Caneri. "Seize the wretch!" + +"Stay!" cried Malique, interposing; "lay not your hands upon that +man.--Most mighty Caneri," he then added, addressing the indignant +chief, "Mohabed Alhamdem, our opulent brother at Granada, has intrusted +that Moor to our care, commanding us to lead him hither; he has most +important matters to communicate, and, if the word of Mohabed is to be +credited, it is from this stranger alone that the Moors may expect their +salvation." + +"Who, then, is this mighty personage?" demanded Caneri, with a scornful +sneer. + +"He will himself inform you," replied the renegade. "Caneri, you know +how firmly I am devoted to the Moorish cause; why then was I insulted +when it was only to advance the interests of that cause I spoke? But let +that pass; I am no pettish boy to quarrel with my associates for a word +uttered intemperately in an unguarded moment." + +He held his hand in token of reconciliation, and then +continued:--"Theodora, if appearances amounting almost to certainty +deceive me not, will be yours, ere long." + +"Is it possible?" exclaimed Caneri. "When?" + +"To-night or never," replied Bermudo. "Shortly I shall disclose to you +all the particulars of my transaction; and now let us examine on what +resources we can depend for a renewal of the insurrection." + +"Resources! None," said Caneri, "Our surviving men are dispersed and +worn out by repeated misfortunes; most of our chiefs are dead, or have +passed over to Africa, and the only man who had the power of rallying +the straggling Moors, he who alone succeeded in imparting confidence to +his followers, El Feri de Benastepar, is now no more: fallen by the arm +of Aguilar, he shared the fate of those brave men who mingled their own +ashes with those of Alhacen." + +"El Feri de Benastepar is not dead," cried the renegade. + +Caneri and his men started from the ground with an instinctive impulse +of returning courage, and all, with one accord, sent up an exclamation +of joyful surprise. + +"But where is the chief, then?" demanded Caneri. + +"There!" replied Bermudo, pointing to the stranger. + +"Yes," said he, throwing aside his disguise; "yes, Caneri, in this +humble garb, which necessity has compelled me to adopt, do you again +behold El Feri; conquered by Alonso de Aguilar, but miraculously rescued +from the grasp of death to redeem the tarnished glories of the Moorish +name; to close again in combat with the proud Christian chief, and, with +the assistance of the holy Prophet, to doom him to that untimely death +which he vainly imagines he has inflicted on me." + +A simultaneous murmur of approbation ran through the surrounding party; +even Caneri, jealous as he was of the superior power and glory of El +Feri, hailed with real satisfaction his unexpected appearance amongst +them; for in the imagination of Caneri were revived those hopes of +asserting the station of fancied dignity from which he had been hurled +by the late overthrow of the Moors. He again clung to the fond idea that +the Moslem cause would ultimately triumph, and then he of necessity must +succeed to a conspicuous share of power, to which he conceived himself +entitled by his distinguished birth. + +Thus the Moors, whom, but a moment before, we have seen in the lowest +state of dejection, now flew to the opposite extreme: they pictured to +their fancy the wonderful powers of El Feri, and the magic influence +which his name would possess in calling again his countrymen to arms, +while the desperate nature of such an undertaking, and the obstacles +with which it was on every side beset, vanished altogether before their +sanguine expectations. + +The renegade beheld this general emotion with more signs of discontent +than satisfaction; he argued little advantage to be derived from men, +who could so easily pass from the depths of despondence to the summit of +hope; for to a man like himself, endowed with strong passions, but +accustomed to watch progressively their workings, such sudden +transitions betrayed a weakness utterly incompatible with desperate +enterprises. + +"But how," now inquired Caneri, addressing El Feri, "has thy precious +life been preserved?" + +"When I fell by the arm of Aguilar," returned El Feri, "it was more from +the excessive fatigue which I had for several days endured, than from +the nature of the wounds inflicted--they were not mortal; and as I lay +extended and helpless on the ground, I thought upon my country, and my +heart sunk within me when I considered that my life, which might still +have been preserved to her service, would soon, alas! be lost in a fiery +grave. The town was deserted--nought was heard but the crackling of the +flames, and the groans of those that were dying around me. Our enemies +were gone, and I, collecting my small remaining strength, with much +difficulty contrived to drag myself from that place of desolation. At +length, exhausted, I sunk under a tree, and there, for want of timely +assistance, I might have breathed my last, when, to my joy, I observed +two or three of our party, who had escaped in the general confusion, +advancing towards me, and the hopes which had almost abandoned me again +began to revive. My preservers removed me immediately to a place of +security, and administered all the remedies that their limited means +could afford. When I had sufficiently recovered my strength, in various +disguises we arrived at Granada, and made ourselves known to Mohabed +Alhamdem: at his dwelling the plan of a second rising has been +concerted, and I am come here to ask your support to the undertaking." + +"Noble and beloved companion," replied Caneri, "next to the pleasure of +seeing thee alive, comes, certainly, that of hearing thy proposal. I +rejoice that, notwithstanding our little trivial disagreements, thou +hast thought of me in the hour of an important crisis: command me +freely, and command all mine." + +As he delivered these words with his habitual affectation of dignity, he +looked around upon his reduced followers, who all inclined their heads +in token of blind acquiescence. + +"And is this all thou canst command, Caneri?" asked El Feri. + +"No, not all; for at a moment's notice, I can assemble a considerable +number, now prudently scattered in little parties, the better to avoid +observation. They lie concealed in some neighbouring caves, and will at +the first summons readily obey my orders. But what are thy designs, my +noble friend? Dost thou contemplate the surprise of some fort? or hast +thou in meditation a second expedition to the _Sierra Nevada_? + +"Neither;" replied El Feri: "my plans of operation are now widely +different; I mean to strike the blow far from the city of Granada: more +I will impart to thee at a future period. Art thou well determined to +second my exertions?" + +"Yes," answered Caneri, bowing his head. "In the name of the holy +Prophet, I swear to follow thy instructions." + +"Well then," returned El Feri, satisfied, "this very night I set out for +the _Sierra Bermeja_, attended only by Mohabed and a servant: that +opulent Moor has enthusiastically joined our cause, and several of his +friends, slow to contribute with their persons towards the result, have +at least liberally assisted us with their gold. Thou, Caneri, must not +tarry here, but with the utmost expedition march to Alhaurin, a town +neglected by the Christians, which thou wilt easily surprise; this is to +serve as a rallying place for all those who may flock to our standard. I +am assured that the mountain inhabitants of the _Sierra Bermeja_ are +prepared to join me,--thus, while the proud Spaniard triumphs in +security, and rejoices at the supposed death of El Feri, he will +suddenly dissolve the charm, and summon his enemies again to encounter +the effects of his wrath and vengeance. And now, Caneri, remember that +Alagraf and Malique are the only persons through whom we are to +communicate: so to your post, and there await my further instructions. +Farewell! and when we meet again, may victory have rewarded our +exertions!" + +He said; and the two chiefs taking friendly leave of each other, El +Feri, without delay, returned to Granada. Caneri, scarcely able to +contain his joy, rose and paced around the cave as if he were already +dictating from his palace at Alhacen. + +"Now, my brave followers!" he cried, suddenly halting, "be prepared to +march at a moment's notice." + +Such an injunction was perfectly useless; for it so happened that his +gallant followers had no other preparation to make than to rise and +march, having no baggage to encumber their operations beyond the very +slender equipments which they carried on their persons. + +"But!" exclaimed Caneri, in the midst of his exultation, "Alagraf, if we +depart immediately, how is thy promise concerning the fair Christian to +be fulfilled?" + +"Fear not, Caneri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you that +Theodora will be yours to-night or never." + +"Or never!" re-echoed Caneri, dismally shaping his face into most +unwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain, +and I would gladly wait for such a prize." + +"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,--the time +approaches,--my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in your +power, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge." + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Si! m'ingannai: scerner dovea, che in petto + Di un traditor mai solo un tradimento + Non entra. + + _Alfieri._ + + Le cruel, helas! il me quitte, + Il me laisse sans nul appui! + + _Berquin._ + + +"In the name of Heaven, Don Lope," said Roque; "let me again conjure you +to pause before you finally resolve upon this undertaking: my heart +misgives me strangely." + +"Thy heart," replied Gomez Arias, "is a most impertinent monitor. Simple +man! what other course is left me to pursue?--Is it thy wish that I +should relinquish the most glorious prize, at the very moment of its +attainment, from a pusillanimous fear of consequences? Already so far +advanced, must I shrink from an honorable alliance with Leonor? By +heaven! I cannot; I will not. Prudence, consistency, honor, forbid! + +"But, saving your displeasure," interposed Roque, "methinks that same +honor of which you appear so tenacious, cannot urge you to betray an +unfortunate girl into the hands of infidel Moors. And although your +present situation is certainly fraught with difficulties, there may yet +be found some other way of proceeding with regard to Theodora, not +altogether so frightful." + +"No, Roque, none. We have now no longer time to think; we must act, and +act without wasting a single precious moment.--Go, dispatch, deliver +this letter to Theodora, and conduct her to the place that I have +already pointed out. The night is fast advancing; dispatch; and be +faithful in the discharge of my orders. This step is unavoidable, and to +its necessity even thou thyself wilt be reconciled, though at present it +may awaken in thy bosom a foolish sentiment of pity, or fear, I know not +which." + +Roque attempted no farther expostulation, but heaving a sigh, and +casting his eyes to heaven, proceeded to the discharge of his +commission, whilst his master hurried to the solitary spot where he had +decided they should meet. Roque, in that wavering mood so natural to his +character, alike unfit for good or evil, made his way to Don Alonso's +garden, deliberating within himself on the course he ought to follow. +Pity and remorse, at intervals, made him shrink with dismay from the +picture of wretchedness which the unfortunate Theodora presented to his +view. There was something so iniquitous and unmanly in betraying the +unsuspecting and lovely victim, that the feelings of the valet, though +far from being refined, revolted from the participation: once or twice +he had even resolved to acquaint Theodora with the premeditated plot, +but these momentary impulses of his better feelings were soon checked +for want of strength to follow up the generous suggestion. The awe with +which Roque beheld his master, and the dread of the results which his +disclosure might produce in the mind of the victim, powerfully +contributed to silence the voice of conscience. Then he hoped that the +marriage once over, measures might be taken for the security and comfort +of Theodora; and finally he fondly admitted the hope, or rather forced +his rebellious mind to encourage it, that Gomez Arias would relent at +the sight of the unhappy girl, and that he would then fix upon some +other expedient less distressing and criminal. + +In this conflict, he arrived at the palace, and entering by a private +gate into the garden, he approached the window of Theodora's apartment. +The anxious girl, who had been all the day on the alert, immediately +descended, and stood by the side of Roque. + +"Where is he?" she eagerly cried, upon meeting the valet. + +"Prudence," replied Roque, "has obliged him, much against his +inclination, to keep aloof; but here is a letter which will explain his +motives, and the course that you are immediately to adopt." + +Theodora ran over the contents of the letter in a trepidation of +anxiety, and closed the perusal of it by imprinting the fervent kisses +of love and devotion on the vile instrument of treachery. + +"Let us make haste," she then said, and without waiting for Roque to +lead the way, she hurried through the garden upon the wings of +affection. The valet's heart misgave him, when he beheld her speeding +with such haste to her destruction. He contrasted the devoted confidence +of Theodora, hurrying to the fatal spot, with the duplicity and +heartlessness of Gomez Arias tranquilly awaiting her arrival. Roque led +her towards the place appointed; nor could he suppress a tear, as he +listened to the artless language in which her full heart indulged during +the way, in the fond expectation of being again united to her lover, and +obtaining the forgiveness of her beloved parent. They arrived at length +at the place. It was a beautiful night, unsullied by a breath of wind. +The eager eyes of Theodora were strained to catch as soon as possible a +sight of the dear object of her solicitude. She perceived at the further +extremity a man enveloped in a cloak, and standing beside three horses. +She gazed intensely; her bosom throbbed with emotion,--forward she +hurried--she flew; and in a moment, with all the enthusiasm of her fond +nature, threw herself into the arms of her lover. + +Gomez Arias received the tender pressure with feelings hard to be +defined. Distracted with conflicting passions, he appeared unable to act +the part which he had judged necessary in this critical moment, while +the loving Theodora, despite of her infatuation, could not but observe +the coldness and restraint evident in his manner. + +"What ails you, Lope?" she said, soothingly "are you not happy?" + +"Happy! yes, Theodora, I am happy; but be not astonished at my +disquietude: for alas! in my distracting situation I can feel no +otherwise; the step which I am about to take----" + +"Oh! I am sensible!" cried Theodora, earnestly, "of the extent of the +sacrifice; I know the glorious prospects you relinquish by renouncing +the hand of Leonor. Yes, I am indeed, aware of all the distressing +circumstances that may ensue from the resolution you have taken. But, +oh, Lope! will not the unutterable love, the fervid devotion of your +poor Theodora, afford you some requital for the advantages which your +honor obliges you to abandon?" + +She looked fondly in his countenance. A tear stood trembling upon her +eye, but in her lover's she beheld no sign of mutual tenderness. He +coldly assisted her to mount, and bidding Roque follow, for some time +they continued their route in silence. Theodora, however, in the +gentleness of her nature, was disposed to deceive herself, and without +hesitation attributed her lover's strange behaviour to the difficult +situation in which he was placed. Nor could she feel hurt when she +considered that it was for her sake that Gomez Arias exhibited this +disquietude. She had secured the most important object of her life, and +was not so selfish or unfeeling as to reproach him with a conduct which +she hoped would soon be changed. But the arguments of reason are not +always in accordance with the suggestions of feeling. Her mind +commanded her to be satisfied, but her heart, in acquiescing with those +dictates, was not entirely at ease, though she sedulously endeavoured to +conceal her emotion from Gomez Arias. Her efforts, however, were not +always successful, and the deep sighs that escaped her bosom, naturally +attracted the notice of her lover. He, therefore, artfully strove, by +bestowing some passing tokens of affection, to reassure the victim he +was leading to the sacrifice. But the art of man, though it may succeed +in imitating the various passions which agitate the human breast, is +rarely successful when he attempts to feign the more tender sentiments +of the heart; for cold must always be the language addressed to one, who +has been the object of a fervid passion, when that passion is unhappily +extinct. No powers of art--not all the force of imagination can call +into life fresh flowers on the barren waste of a heart that no longer +loves. + +As they approached _El cerro de los Martires_ Theodora suddenly began to +sob aloud, and Gomez Arias foresaw the dreadful scene he should have to +sustain before he could finally disengage himself from the sorrowing +girl. + +"Theodora, why do you weep?" he asked in a tender tone. + +"Alas! I know not," she answered. "But my heart is heavy--I feel as +though some misfortune were impending. Whither are we going?--surely +this is not the road to my father's mansion? Lope! Lope! whither are you +leading me?" she inquired, in a thrilling voice of distress. + +Steeled as it was against compassion, the heart of Gomez Arias felt +moved at the question. Roque was exceedingly affected, and a groan +escaped him as he piously ejaculated--"Heaven protect her!" + +Theodora heard the exclamation; for nothing that bodes ill can evade the +acute sense of misery. + +"Thank you, good Roque," she said, mournfully. "But why call on the +protection of heaven? My own Lope, are we in danger?" + +Gomez Arias did not answer; for a feeling akin to remorse arose within +him, as he thought on the treacherous duplicity he was about to practice +against one whose very existence seemed to depend upon his love. They +had now crossed _El cerro de los Martires_, and were ascending a little +slope, when suddenly three or four persons sprung from their +concealment, and checked their further advance. The moon shone +brilliantly, so that every object could be plainly distinguished, and +Theodora saw with dismay the forms that were moving towards them, as if +with the express determination of intercepting their passage. + +"They are Moors!" she exclaimed. "Oh, heavens! what can they want in +this solitary place at the dead of night? Surely they must be some of +those desperate people, who have been left houseless and forlorn in the +late rebellion. Alas! they will retaliate on us all the horrors which +they have suffered. My dear Lope, if we must die, it will be at least +some consolation to meet death with thee." + +She looked earnestly on her lover, but could trace no emotion in his +features; they were composed. The present feelings of Gomez Arias +partook of no alarm, and the unfortunate Theodora felt a fearful +presentiment, as she perceived the unmoved expression of his +countenance; for though the bravery of her lover might not allow him to +dread the approach of death, for his own sake, yet, surely, her own +danger ought to create in his mind some sensation of anxiety. In this +frightful agony of thought, Theodora remained until they came up with +the individuals who had awakened her fears. One of them now detached +himself from the group, and advanced to address Gomez Arias, who had +checked his horse to await his coming. What was the horror of Theodora +when she recognized in the person that stood before them, the dreaded +form of the renegade! She uttered a faint scream; and had not Gomez +Arias prevented her, she would have fallen to the ground. + +"So, Don Lope," said the renegade, "you have kept your word: I could +expect no less from the noble Gomez Arias." + +"And who are thy companions?" inquired Don Lope. + +"There stands," replied Bermudo, pointing to Caneri, "the illustrious +Moor of whom I spoke--so the sooner we proceed to our arrangements, the +better." + +The mutual understanding which appeared to subsist between Gomez Arias +and the renegade, and the heartless manner in which the last words were +delivered, left not a doubt in the mind of Theodora, that some +treacherous design was in contemplation. Her fears were soon confirmed; +for Gomez Arias, turning to her, in a tone of pity, began---- + +"Theodora, I will not attempt to palliate the conduct which necessity +obliges me to pursue; but the circumstances in which I am placed admit +of no alternative. We must part for ever--nor can I for a moment prolong +a scene, which must be so distressing to your feelings. It consoles me, +however, to think that I can place you in the care of those who have +pledged themselves to treat you with every consideration." + +Saying this, he threw himself from his horse, and found no difficulty in +bearing to the ground the yielding form of Theodora. She could not +speak; amazement had absorbed all the powers of her mind, and benumbed +the principle of will and action. She stood wildly gazing on vacancy, +like one conscious of labouring under a dreadful dream, and striving to +awake from the painful illusion. But when Caneri advanced, when she +actually saw his hated figure standing before her with a smile of +exulting joy, she seemed suddenly to regain all her powers of +recollection. + +"'Tis he!" she cried franticly, "'tis he. Oh! horror!"--She ran wildly +towards her lover. + +"Oh, Lope, deliver me from him." + +"No, young lady," returned the Moor, "you must now come with me." + +"Oh, heaven!" she shrieked, "no, no, he cannot--he will not thus abandon +me!--Oh, Lope!--my dear--my own beloved!--undeceive this barbarous, +this abhorred Moor." + +She appealed to her lover in the fervour of deep anguish,--he turned +from her to depart; the moment was bitter; he felt the rankling pangs of +remorse. The wretched girl clung to him,--he made one desperate struggle +to disengage himself. + +"Moor, take her," he cried with throbbing emotion, "but oh! deal thou +more kindly by her than I have done. Here," he continued, "receive this, +and see that she is treated with the regard which her beauty merits, and +her misfortunes deserve. Act faithfully to thy pledge, or dread the +worst effects of my vengeance." + +He threw a large purse of gold upon the ground, which Malique lost no +time in securing, whilst Caneri, addressing Gomez Arias,-- + +"Christian," he said, "I fear not thy vengeance, and I value not thy +gifts; the word of a Moor is plighted; I love the beauteous female, and +these considerations will afford the best security for my conduct." + +He then advanced to take the hand of Theodora, but she flew from him +with a look of wildness that might have moved the very stones to pity. + +"Oh! no, no, never! Gomez Arias, you may be cruel, but cannot be +infamous.--Oh, do not, do not deliver me into the hands of the detested +enemy of our country--the ferocious, the false Caneri." + +"What!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, surprised, "is this, then, Caneri, the +rebel chief?" + +"The same," replied the renegade, interposing; "will that be an obstacle +to our agreement?" + +Gomez Arias remained a few minutes in silence; he felt an inward +disquiet he could not well explain; the name of Caneri had awakened a +new and painful sensation; it recalled to his mind the edicts of the +queen, which he was on the point of violating by holding intercourse +with the rebel; but again he thought that the elevated situation to +which he would be shortly exalted might sufficiently secure him against +any danger, should even this transaction ever come to light, of which he +could not foresee the slightest probability. + +Meantime, poor Roque, who perceived the hesitation of his master, +ventured to approach him, and with a voice agitated with fear,-- + +"Oh, my dear master," he said, "if it is not too late, let us retreat +from this dreaded spot; do not conclude this hellish treaty, for be +assured it will prove the destruction of your fortunes, if there is an +omnipotence above or justice amongst men." + +It was too late; the heart that could not yield to the voice of its own +conscience, was not easily to be moved by the expostulation of a +dependant. Gomez Arias had now advanced too far to retrace his steps; it +was a fearful deed, but he relied with implicit confidence on its being +for ever buried in silence. Then, without further delay, he made a sign +to the renegade in token of agreement, and turned towards Granada. + +Theodora became frantic; with a desperate effort she flew to her lover; +a dismal, harrowing shriek quivered through the inmost fibres of her +heart; and then she spoke not, but clung to Gomez Arias with the fearful +might arising from despair. Her face was hidden in his bosom, her pulse +beat not, and the spark of life seemed extinct. Gomez Arias gently +endeavoured to extricate himself from her firm embrace; she again became +conscious of his intention, and in the paroxysm of agony she exclaimed-- + +"Barbarian! have I deserved this from you?" + +Roque now sobbed aloud like a child, and Gomez Arias himself was moved; +but the renegade, fearful of the results of the scene, advanced to claim +his victim. + +"Oh, my honored master!" cried Roque, "does not this harrowing picture +of despair move the kinder feelings of your heart?--you once loved her +tenderly, and were it only for the remembrance of what she was, spare +her now." + +Gomez Arias felt the rebuke; it soured his temper and confirmed him in +his purpose. He was indignant at the freedom of his dependant, and +darted on him a withering look of displeasure. But Roque, who had now +acquired a strength of mind and courage, of which his nature till then +had seemed wholly destitute, in a bold tone began-- + +"Shame to the man who calls himself noble, and can behave in this manner +towards a helpless woman! Don Lope, this is a fearful deed, and, mark me +well, the time will come at last, the time of terrible retribution." + +The brow of Gomez Arias grew black as a storm, and every suggestion of +pity at once vanished. + +"Villain!" he cried, in a voice choaked with rage, "is it a base born +varlet like thee, that dare utter such threats to me! Moor--" he added, +turning to the renegade, "take this fellow into your charge, and see +that he does not return to Granada; I will reward thee well." + +The renegade gave a token of assent, and made a sign to his companions +to secure him. + +"And what right," said Roque, indignantly, "have you to sell me thus? I +am a free born man, and a true Christian." + +"Roque," replied Gomez Arias, somewhat more composedly, "I have often +warned thee that thy indiscretion would at length bring thee into +trouble and disgrace. Thy offence merits even a more exemplary +punishment, which I will spare in consideration of thy former services. +Away with him, Moors," he added, "and take him to the distant country +whither you are going, for here he may prove dangerous to me." + +"Aye," returned Bermudo, in a voice of import, "we will take him in +charge, for as you say, Don Lope, he may indeed be dangerous to you." + +These words, though nothing in themselves, were uttered with a +mysterious meaning that sounded ominous to Gomez Arias. He felt as +though a cloud was darkening over the ambitious prospects which had +seduced his mind and perverted his heart; the voice that spoke rung in +his ear like an awful warning of which he had some strange +recollection. Again he attempted to escape from the scene. One sudden +powerful effort, and he loosened himself from the grasp of Theodora: the +despairing girl fell to the ground, and raved aloud, and pronounced a +curse on her betrayer. Then in the furious impulse of madness, she +snatched at the dagger that glittered in the girdle of Caneri, with the +determination of closing her wretched existence; but her deadly +intention was thwarted by the renegade, who arrested her arm in time to +prevent the fatal deed. + +Gomez Arias now sprung upon his horse, and Caneri took the hand of +Theodora; but she furiously darted from him, and sought to fly after her +lover, who was speeding fast away. + +"Oh stay!" she continued, crying in a tone of agony; "Oh stay, Lope! +complete your work--in pity kill me. One crime more will not make you +unacceptable to her you love. Return! return! oh Lope, in the name of +heaven!--Not for me, but for the love of Leonor, do not leave me thus! +Oh Lope, do not leave me thus!" + +Gomez Arias, as he sped away, heard the piteous appeal dying faintly on +the wind, and he plunged the rowels into his courser's sides, to escape +the harrowing sensation which such accents produced. Soon the mournful +cries were lost in the distance, and the wretched Theodora, at length +exhausted and overpowered, fell senseless on the ground. The Moors +easily succeeded in bearing her away, while poor Roque, who followed +close, seemed, out of pity for her, to be reconciled to his own fate. + + +END OF THE SECOND VOLUME. + + + + +GOMEZ ARIAS; + +OR, + +THE MOORS OF THE ALPUJARRAS. + +A SPANISH HISTORICAL ROMANCE. + +BY + +DON TELESFORO DE TRUEBA Y COSIO. + +IN THREE VOLUMES. + +VOL. III. + +_LONDON_: + +HURST, CHANCE, AND CO. + +65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. + +1828. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + Nul ne sut mieux que lui le grand art de seduire; + Nul sur ses passions n'eut jamais plus d'empire, + Et ne sut mieux cacher, sous des dehors trompeurs, + Des plus vastes desseins les sombres profondeurs. + + _Voltaire._ + + +The pathetic and heart-rending lamentations of Theodora rung ominous in +the ears of Gomez Arias long after he had ceased to hear them; but as he +drew near Granada, and beheld its stately edifices, ambition again +dazzled his imagination, and he welcomed the bright images which rose +before his view to dispel the gloomy tendency of his present thoughts. +The stately turrets of the Alhambra enlarging upon his sight, awakened +the most flattering ideas in his ardent mind. Proud of the regard with +which he was honored by his gracious sovereign, and truly estimating the +high connexion he was about to form, he naturally anticipated the most +brilliant and honorable career. The last lingering suggestion of +remorse, which told him of the cruelty and ingratitude by which he had +paved the way to his advancement, now grew less powerful, and +conscience, that terrible monitor of the human heart, hushed her +enfeebled voice, bribed by the rich prize offered for future silence. + +Don Lope secretly applauded the dexterity with which he had extricated +himself from all his dilemmas, and rejoiced at having parted with Roque, +who now could only be considered as a witness of his crime. By handing +him over to the custody of the Moors, he was safely rid of a troublesome +servant, whose frowardness in future he must have tolerated as the +reward of secrecy. Besides, there was a further probability that the +loquacious disposition and impertinent sallies of the valet, would +ultimately draw upon him the ill-humour of some sullen Moor, who, not +inclined to relish his jests, might pay with a few inches of a poniard +the freedom of his tongue. With regard to Theodora, Don Lope could +entertain no fear of her escape, being under the guardianship of one who +appeared to be a captive to her charms. Meantime his wedding with Leonor +would be celebrated, all his views accomplished, and then if a decree of +wayward fate interfered with his flourishing honors, he would already +have power to set aside the past, and to make his way clear for the +future. + +In this pleasing anticipation, Gomez Arias arrived at Granada, and +awaited impatiently for the auspicious morning that was to terminate his +fears, and crown his fondest desires. Early in the morning, therefore, +he flew to the mansion of the Aguilars without changing his dress, and +bearing in his appearance all the hurry and derangement of a hasty +journey. He found Don Alonso in the apartment of Leonor; but the welcome +he received from the object of his attachment was certainly not given +with the warmth of an affianced bride; nor did the countenance of +Aguilar betoken any very friendly reception. Don Lope felt this +coldness, but he perceived the urgency of sustaining his equality of +character, whatever might be the nature of the peril with which he was +threatened. Affecting, therefore, not to notice the unsocial cast of +their meeting, in a gay and lively tone addressed himself to Leonor-- + +"My dear Leonor," he said, "in my impatience to greet you, I may appear +guilty of a little indecorum," looking upon his dress; "but you will, +perhaps, on that plea pardon my presenting myself before you in a manner +so irregular." + +"Oh, Don Lope," answered Leonor with a sarcastic smile, "I can forgive +you any thing, for my nature has become of late so indulgent, that I +find I could pardon offences much graver than a mere breach of manners." + +"Your goodness I never doubted," replied Gomez Arias; "but methinks you +look rather uneasy; surely you are not indisposed?--the noble Don +Alonso too! Nay, has any thing occurred during my short absence to cause +your disquietude?" + +"Certainly," returned Leonor coldly, "nothing has happened that _ought_ +to cause disquietude. But, surely, Don Lope," she added sarcastically, +"your sudden departure, and the summons of our mutual friend Count de +Urena, might have held us in some little anxiety. Moreover, other small +circumstances have contributed to cause a transient uneasiness." + +"But you must not," interposed Don Lope, "suffer yourselves to be +discomposed on account of our friend Urena, for I am happy to say he was +considerably better when I left him." + +"Then," cried Aguilar, "it is as I suspected." + +And rising from his seat with an expression of dark displeasure, without +further ceremony he quitted the apartment. Gomez Arias was struck at +such strange behaviour; but soon recovering his surprise,-- + +"What means this, Leonor?" he said in an angry tone: "Why am I treated +thus?" + +"Don Lope," returned Leonor, "surely the malady of your friend has +somewhat affected your understanding. We can have no right to interfere +with the actions of my father, particularly as I have already told you +some accidents have occurred lately to ruffle his temper." + +"And what accidents are those, in the name of heaven?" + +"Are you really, then, so ignorant of the events which have taken place +since you were imperiously summoned to attend your friend?" + +"Perfectly ignorant," replied Don Lope. + +Leonor looked steadily in his face, and making a sign of impatience +which she was unable to restrain, proceeded-- + +"It is surprising that the Count has not informed you." + +"Of what?" interrupted Gomez Arias, astonished. "In the name of heaven, +explain yourself, Leonor." + +"Now, do you not think," continued she, in an affected banter, "it was +highly ridiculous in a man of so grave a deportment as the Count to play +such boyish tricks? Can you really believe that, shortly after your +departure, a message came from him, to announce his intention of +surprising you by his attendance at your wedding." + +"Certainly," replied Gomez Arias with visible marks of emotion, "the +Count's conduct is strange; what his intention has been I really cannot +conceive: but at all events, it ought in no manner to entail on me your +noble father's displeasure." + +"Why, Don Lope," said Leonor significantly, "you are not such a novice +in knowledge of the world, as to expect that a man's displeasure should +be strictly confined to the object by which it has been caused. Besides, +Don Alonzo has other reasons: our fair guest, who was so sacredly +beholden to him, is gone." + +"What fair guest?" demanded Gomez Arias, with feigned curiosity. + +"Did you never hear me speak of her?" + +"If I did, I really do not remember." + +"And what is become of Roque?" abruptly demanded Leonor: "he did not +attend you upon your departure yesterday, and search has been made after +him without effect. Is he ill?" + +"Why, to say the truth, his health is rather precarious," answered Don +Lope, "and he has so repeatedly been entreating me to allow him to +retire to Toledo, where I believe he has a brother or sister, that I was +at length obliged to consent to his wishes; which, in sooth, I did the +more willingly, as he was growing of late so careless and impertinent, +that his attendance became more troublesome than serviceable to me." + +"Why, Don Lope," returned Leonor, "you must have been strangely +surprised that he should wish to quit your service precisely on the eve +of your wedding day. Moreover, you will be still more amazed when I +inform you that it was this identical Roque that eloped with our guest +Theodora de Monteblanco." + +"Impossible!" exclaimed Don Lope, affecting to be thunderstruck. + +"Repollo, our old gardener," continued Leonor, "saw them leave the +palace, and instigated by a feeling of curiosity, followed them at a +distance, as well as the speed of their pace would permit. He saw them +at length halt at the public walks, where another person awaited with +horses. But this is the most extraordinary part of the tale, for the +gardener said that the person who was so complaisantly attending upon +the fugitives, appeared so exactly to resemble you, Don Lope, that he +would swear to the identity, were he not certain that you set out in the +morning for the seat of Count de Urena." + +Great as was at all times Don Lope's presence of mind, and prepared as +he seemed for all contingencies, this last intelligence somewhat +deranged his composure; a circumstance which did not escape the keen and +scrutinizing eyes of Leonor. + +"The insolent rascal," cried Gomez Arias after a pause: "It was for this +then that he appeared so anxious to quit my service; but I told you that +his behaviour had become of late most impertinent, and even arrogant. +The reason is now plainly discovered. But after all, your fair guest, as +you are pleased to call the lady-love of this unseemly knight, is most +to blame. What, in the name of Lucifer, could possess a woman of noble +family to elope with a base menial? Was she devoid of all shame? + +"I suppose so," replied Leonor: then, in an expressive tone, she added, +"But shame has been completely set aside in all the turnings of this +iniquitous affair." + +She fixed a significant look on Gomez Arias, whilst the astounded +cavalier, aware of the perilous nature of his situation, merely assented +to the truth of her observation. Leonor, eager to pursue her clue in +ascertaining how far Don Lope was implicated in the transaction, +continued,-- + +"But is it not surprising, Don Lope, that this groom of Roque should in +every respect so much resemble you?" + +"My dear Leonor," replied Gomez Arias, laughing loudly, and affecting +good humour, "it is certainly a sad misfortune to have so +unprepossessing a likeness, but we must submit with a good grace to that +which is out of our power to remedy. But I dare say the rascally groom +is not after all so perfect a resemblance of your devoted admirer as the +besotted gardener would make us believe; how could the old dotard +distinguish objects so well, at the distance he confesses, and at night? +It would seem more probable, by his prowling abroad at such an hour, +that a free potation of wine had so far acted upon his senses, that he +saw the marvellous story he has related, in a reverie whilst sleeping +under the friendly shelter of a ditch." + +"Nay, Sir," replied Leonor, "we have no reason to doubt the testimony of +an honest and faithful servant, who has no interest in the invention of +a tale to deceive his benefactor." + +"Well," returned Gomez Arias, "I will prolong the discussion no further +than to express my concern that you should bestow your affections on one +who has the ill-fortune to resemble a vulgar groom. But I hope this +circumstance will not abate the tender regard with which you have +condescended to honour one who lives but in your smiles." + +Here Gomez Arias attempted to pour forth the most ardent protestations +of unalterable attachment; but he was shortly interrupted by Leonor,-- + +"Nay, Don Lope," she cried, "spare yourself the trouble of uttering a +single word more, either to convince me of the sincerity of your love, +or in extenuation of your conduct, for I can very well imagine +before-hand what you would say." + +"That is no miracle," replied Gomez Arias, "your discernment is not too +hardly taxed to perceive the emotion which I scarcely wish to conceal, +and must of necessity easily imagine the expressions that such feelings +must dictate. But pardon, if in a day like the present, my passion +oversteps the bounds of common love; for the delirium of bliss that +possesses me cannot be manifested by the usual demonstrations of +cold-hearted mortals. A day that unites me to the most exalted, as well +as the most lovely, of her sex, is surely--" + +"Hold, Don Lope," gravely interrupted Leonor; "I will not now dwell upon +the respective merits of your passion--for I have a favor to ask, and it +is your time to grant a request which, perchance, may sound strangely to +your ear." + +"I need not say that the wishes of my charming Leonor can meet with no +opposition from me," politely answered Gomez Arias. + +"Yesterday," continued Leonor, "notwithstanding the fervour of your +love, you requested that the wedding should be deferred one day. Now, +you cannot deny me a similar favor, and I have particular reasons for +desiring that it may be further postponed for a month." + +"Heavens! what say you? A month! a whole month!" + +"Yes, Sir," cried Leonor with emotion, "a month--a year, if +circumstances require a further delay--'tis alike indifferent to me." + +Saying this she abruptly left the apartment, leaving Gomez Arias in +indescribable consternation. + +"I am ruined!" he cried after a pause: "the forced indifference which +Leonor has imposed upon herself during this interview, and the burst of +feeling that marked her departure, leave me no room to doubt that her +suspicions are excited. But shall I tamely submit to this reverse of +fortune, after the many and cruel measures I have been impelled to adopt +for the success of my designs? No, by heaven! I will not." + +He then remained sometime buried in a musing attitude, balancing in his +mind the most prudent course to pursue in so difficult a situation. + +"Boldness and indifference," he said at length, "alone can insure +safety. From Theodora and Roque, I have nothing to apprehend. I will +forthwith send instructions to Count de Urena; nay, I will partially +open my heart to him, since his co-operation is now become indispensable +to the furtherance of my plans." + +After this, Gomez Arias sought another interview with Leonor, and with a +proud and offended demeanor, informed her that he was perfectly willing +to concede her request. Then, without waiting for an answer, he abruptly +left her presence. He next repaired to Aguilar, and bitterly complained +of the material change he had observed in him as well as in his daughter +Leonor. + +"If," he added, "you have reasons to impeach my integrity, speak aloud, +Don Alonso, and give me an opportunity of removing the foul slander. But +if it is a caprice, or a late repentance in her choice, that induces +your daughter to adopt this strange behaviour, let her speak +frankly--Gomez Arias is above the thought of constraining a woman's +inclinations--and she shall be at once released from all engagements." + +Don Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the generosity and manliness of +Gomez Arias, and gave credit to the apparent sincerity of his words. +The noble mind of Don Alonso could not conceive it possible that guilt +should assume so perfect a resemblance of candour. The disappearance of +Theodora, and the events which had attended her departure, were +certainly well calculated to awake a suspicion that Gomez Arias was +implicated in that affair; but as nothing positive could be adduced to +prove his participation, Aguilar did not feel inclined to proceed with +inconsiderate hastiness in an affair calculated materially to injure +Gomez Arias in the estimation of the world. Leonor was naturally more +irritated than her father at the least shadow of duplicity in the +conduct of her lover. Thus she had requested the wedding to be deferred +for a month, during which interval a proper investigation might be made. + +Gomez Arias did not lose time in calling all his abilities into +requisition, for his case was desperate, and it was necessary that the +remedies should partake of the same character. He continued his visits +to the Aguilars, but not with the same confidence as heretofore; and as +he witnessed the high degree of esteem in which Don Antonio de Leyva was +held, both by Don Alonso and his daughter, he affected to look on Leonor +with offended pride, while he bitterly insinuated that it was a growing +attachment for young de Leyva that had induced her to consider with +suspicion, and treat with coldness, the conduct of a sincere lover. + +Leonor, however, continued in the same frame of mind, insensible alike +to his expostulations and bitter sarcasms. Deeply had her pride been +offended, and deeply she had determined to resent the affront; nor could +her sagacity and penetration permit her incautiously to trust the soft +words and blandishments of a man whose notoriety in gallantry, she began +to suspect, did not originate in idle rumour. + +Meanwhile the irritated Don Lope spared no efforts to place his own +conduct in a favorable light, and endeavoured to cast the imputation of +caprice on that of the Aguilars. He complained constantly in terms of +acrimony of the ungrateful manner in which his affection had been +requited, and vowed vengeance against de Leyva, whom he accused of most +criminal and ungentlemanly duplicity. + +Contending feelings kept him in a continual turmoil, and he earnestly +wished for an opportunity that might divert both the court and himself +from a subject of which he was so disagreeably the hero. + +Fortune again favoured his desires, by bringing about an event as +terrible as it was altogether unexpected. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + The battle is their pastime; they go forth + Gay in the morn as to the summer's sport: + When evening comes, the glory of the morn, + The youthful warrior, is a clod of clay. + + _Home._ + + +The streets and squares of Granada were thronged with a bustling and +confused crowd. Here groups were assembled talking earnestly, and +evincing all the signs of surprise and terror--there others were running +about as if the dreaded event was actually come to pass. A continual hum +was heard in every corner of the city; every tongue was eloquent in +telling, and happy was he who could obtain an attentive listener, where +all were eager to assume the part of orators. Indeed the cause of these +demonstrations was important: several expresses had arrived, announcing +the insurrection of the Sierra Bermeja, with the additional calamity +that the terrible El Feri de Benastepar, whom they all supposed to have +been slain, was not only safe and alive, but with the means of renewing +a desperate warfare, and actually possessed of a force sufficiently +strong to enable him to march upon Granada. + +The town of Alhaurin, and several villages in the vicinity of the Sierra +Bermeja were likewise in arms, and the rebellion seemed rapidly to +extend throughout the whole of the surrounding country. + +The rage of the Christians on receiving this intelligence was greatly +increased by the insolent carriage of their fellow-citizens of the +Mahomedan creed. Indeed, they evinced, in the triumph of their demeanor, +the workings of smothered hatred, that only waited an opportunity to +explode. Granada itself would have become a scene of tumult and +bloodshed, had not Count de Tendilla speedily resorted to measures of +precaution to insure public tranquillity. Various bands of veteran +soldiers patrolled the streets, where the confused murmur of discontent, +or the whispering group of sedition, was heard on all sides. + +The queen was highly incensed at this fresh instance of the refractory +and turbulent disposition of her new subjects. Her former edicts were +again proclaimed through the city, not only against the aiders and +abettors of the rebels, but even against such as should hold communion +with them, howsoever slight or incidental. + +The indignation of Alonso de Aguilar was strongly depicted on his noble +and manly features, when in the presence of the assembled court he +grasped the standard of the cross, and in a tone of resolution and +enthusiasm-- + +"By the holy sign on this banner," he cried, "and by all the honors of +my house, I swear not to return to Granada until this accursed rebellion +is rooted out, and the promoters brought to punishment. Ere this month +be past, El Feri de Benastepar, or Don Alonso de Aguilar, shall be +numbered with the dead." + +A shout of enthusiasm answered the noble sentiments of the warrior, +whilst the queen issued orders that the next day all disposable forces +should depart for the Sierra Bermeja, under the command of Aguilar, his +son, Count de Urena and Don Antonio de Leyva. The troops of Jaen and all +Castile were likewise ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march +under the Alcayde de los Donceles and Count de Cifuentes. + +Gomez Arias seized with avidity the opportunity which fortune thus +offered him to signalize himself, and found stronger claims to the +esteem and regard of his sovereign, on whose features he had lately +observed a degree of coldness which little accorded with her former +cordiality. He did not regret his being excluded from the number of +chiefs under Aguilar, though his pride might feel a temporary wound. For +he considered that his reputation would not be materially increased +whilst acting in subordination to such a chief as Aguilar. His gigantic +fame would engross almost all the glory, and its splendour would +naturally throw into shade the lesser stars of his unequal rivals. He +rejoiced, therefore, that his exertions were unfettered by a superior, +and his ardent and ambitious mind soon worked out a plan of operations +against a quarter of the revolted territory which had been neglected in +the hasty dispositions already made. + +He now boldly sought the presence of the queen, and requested her +authority to embody a division to act under his command, a boon which +his reputation as a soldier fully justified him in demanding. Isabella, +to whom Don Lope's courtly manners and gallant bearing had always been +pleasing, was happy to afford him an opportunity of distinguishing +himself, and the cloud that obscured her brow was soon dispelled by a +gracious smile as she wished him success in his expedition. Indeed, +justice required that the request of Gomez Arias should not be denied, +for while most of the Spanish chiefs, his brothers in arms, were about +to share the dangers and glory of so honorable a war, it would have been +utterly inconsistent that Don Lope, who ranked amongst the foremost in +courage, should remain in obscurity. + +Gomez Arias immediately made his arrangements with the usual ardour of +his character, stimulated by ambition and the desire of forcing upon +Leonor a conviction of his superior merits, by adding to his fame +without being indebted to the proud family of the Aguilars. He summoned +to his ranks all the friends over whom he possessed power, and the +retainers of various noble families with whom he was in alliance. But +these being volunteers, whom their zeal or hatred to the Moors had +instigated to take up arms, could not be put in a state to depart from +Granada with the regular army of Don Alonso de Aguilar. + +The troops of this noble veteran were prepared to march. Previously, +however, to their departure from the city, they piously bent their +steps towards the cathedral, where divine service was performed with +great pomp, to propitiate heaven in favour of its servants. The +archbishop delivered an eloquent oration inculcating on the Christians +their duty, and the glory of their enterprize; pointing out fame and +honour to the survivors--an eternal crown to those who should fall in +defence of their country and religion. The banners of the army were then +blessed, and the various divisions directed their march towards the +gates of Elvira, by which they were to leave the city. + +It was a clear and beautiful morning; no lowering cloud defaced the +serene brilliancy of the sky, and the sunbeams sporting on the polished +helmets and glittering trappings of the army, were reflected in a +thousand curious rays. + +The trumpets, clarions, and other martial instruments, poured their +brazen voices in wild and animating strains, while the shouts of the +multitude, assembled to behold the departure of the Christian soldiers, +floated promiscuously along the air. The walls of the city were +thronged with spectators, whilst others, more active or more interested, +followed the army down the Vega. It was a scene at once splendid and +interesting, to behold the army marching gallantly to the field, +followed by a multitude all unanimous in imploring the benedictions of +heaven on their brave countrymen. + +Amongst the dense crowd that gazed upon that martial array, what +passions were called forth--how many latent affections kindled--and what +sentiments of glory displayed! The magnificent pomp and the +spirit-stirring dignity of war, at the same time that it elevates the +soul to deeds of heroism, fails not to awaken in the breast a +corresponding sentiment of awe.--Alas! while the warrior, in all the +enthusiasm of courage and self-devotion, marches with eager strides to +the paths of victory, perhaps of death, how many tender hearts swell +high and beat fearfully for the dangers which they themselves cannot +perceive! + +Amongst that overpowering multitude might be discerned the venerable +father, a lingering spark of noble fire still lurking in his dim eyes, +and his withering frame receiving new energies as he gazed on the +military display. A sigh of regret escapes him, for the perilous and +glorious scenes in which his age forbids him to bear a part. His +out-stretched palms are clasped in fervent orisons to heaven, not for +the safety of his child, but that his conduct in the field may be worthy +of a man and a Spaniard. + +There was also the affectionate spouse contemplating the marching army +in silent sorrow; her eyes swimming in tears are intensely fixed on that +numerous mass of warlike spirits, where _one_, to her dearer than all +the world, was speeding from her side. On one arm some innocent, +perhaps, lay in sweet slumber, whilst another urchin, with years enough +to gaze with delight upon the glorious scene, evinces his pleasure at +the animating prospect, and with infantine exultation looks upwards to +his mother, wondering to see her bathed in sorrow, for to his +unconscious heart no cause is there for grief; and yet his tears flow +because his mother weeps. + +Farther, perhaps, more lonely, on some high turret, on some distant +eminence, striving to hide her sorrows from the eye of the world, is +seen the trembling virgin, whose pure heart has received the first +impression of love, and whose charmed ear has listened with fondness to +the soft tale of promised bliss. Now, with restless and agitated glance, +she surveys the numerous host in the vain hope of distinguishing the +dear object of all her tenderest affections, torn from her arms to +exchange her smile for scenes of bloodshed and desolation. Alas! how +numerous and various are the fears that agitate her gentle breast! She +may never more see him: he may sleep his last sleep on the field of +horror; or he may return triumphant but false to his vows, with a proud +heart, to scorn the love of her who mourned for his absence. + +But women, likewise, there might be seen more high-minded and more +heroic in their thoughts and feelings; some who, like Leonor de Aguilar, +offered their tears at the shrine of glory and patriotism, and who, +while they trembled for the life of the object of their affections, were +still more anxious for his honor; some, whose passion received a spark +of heavenly fire that elevated them above their kind, and who gloried in +the sight as they beheld their lovers marching onwards to fame and +victory. + +Such scenes, such sensations, with others which as powerfully affect the +heart, but which the pen would vainly attempt to portray, are generally +attendant on a departing army. Fear, perhaps, holds its dominion in the +breasts of the many and interesting beings who are left behind; but hope +steals gently forward, and gilds with its bright illusion the most +fearful anticipations. + +Meantime the soldier marches on gaily and reckless, and with a light +heart he takes his farewell of those whom he is, perhaps, doomed never +more to behold; and the tears that accompany his departure, tears of +sympathy and affection, will soon, alas! be changed for the bitter drops +of grief and despair. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + _Mer._ Ce sont la de mes moindres coups, + De petits souflets ordinaires. + + _Sos._ Si j'etois aussi prompt que vous, + Nous ferions de belles affaires. + + _Moliere._ + + No nos rompas la cabeza + Hombre----Pero Ay Dios mio! + Pored un freno a mi lengua; + Y ojala que esta no fuese + La menor de mis flaquezas. + + _Cruz._ + + +"_Valga me el cielo!_" exclaimed Roque, "Oh Maria, oh Rufa! Oh Rufa, oh +Maria! nearly a week have I been with you, and yet I cannot, for the +soul of me, believe what I see. There must be witchcraft in this; to +find the old crony of my late mother, _que en paz descanse_![43] to find +Maria Rufa, whom I had supposed dead, and her soul dwelling with the +saints, amongst the rebels--amongst the Moors I mean, and herself a +Moor: well, nothing shall make me wonder for the future." + +Such were the words that our reader's friend Roque addressed to dame +Aboukar, as they were advancing toward the town of Alhaurin in a +cavalcade, of which they made a part. The venerable and sour spouse of +the ex-master of the household, was rather nettled at the valet's +impertinent freedom: he had been during the way most assiduous in +favouring her with the benefit of his remarks, which he happened to +convey with such an extraordinary licence of tongue, that the dame's +patience, which it is believed was not of the most enduring kind, at +last became completely exhausted. With much tartness and asperity, +therefore, in a discordant voice, she exclaimed, "Out upon thee, most +saucy and ungracious varlet; curb that licence of tongue, and learn to +behave in a proper manner to thy elders and betters." + +"Sweet dame," quoth the valet, "I do not by any means desire to dispute +that first quality; you are certainly my elder by some good thirty +years; but at the same time, most matronly and venerable Marien, I beg +leave to differ in opinion on the second part of your assertion." + +Then, as if afraid of being overheard, he muttered, in an under tone, "I +am a good Christian and ever was." + +This observation did not escape Marien Rufa, who heaved a deep sigh, and +cast on Roque a look of mingled shame and resentment. She felt sorely +the rebuke, but notwithstanding the valet's impertinence, the friendship +she had entertained for his mother induced her to consider him with some +degree of interest, and prevented her from discharging on him the whole +weight of her indignation. + +"Roque, Roque," she observed with sourness of aspect, "methinks you +ought not to be so enamoured of the sound of your own voice, for that +most unfortunate propensity to prating has brought you to the present +pass: remember that it was on account of your growing sententious, that +your master so unceremoniously dispensed with your services." + +"Well," pertly cried Roque, "I suffer for having spoken truth, and I +glory in what I have done. By all the saints, since I reflect on the +flagrant injustice of Don Lope's conduct, and am become a martyr to my +rectitude and compassion, I find that I am endowed with a degree of +courage and resolution of which I was far from imagining that I was +possessed. And now," he added, drawing near the dame, "now will you +condescend to favour me with the particulars of your apostacy from our +holy religion. What, in the name of infatuation, could entice you to +take a step so detrimental to the interests of your soul? _Virgen +Santa!_ once no one was to be found more assiduous at the ceremonies of +our religion; you were in very troth the most devout _beata_[44] of the +whole parish, and now here's a change, in the name of _Satanas_! Oh, +Maria Rufa, you have surely been bewitched." + +"Alas!" cried the crone, ludicrously rolling her eyes in attempting the +pathetic, "you say right, Roque; I was verily bewitched." + +"_Santa Barbara!_" exclaimed Roque crossing himself, "and by whom were +you bewitched?" + +"By that most powerful tyrant." + +"What tyrant?" demanded Roque, drawing closer, and casting a suspicious +glance around. "What tyrant, Rufa?" + +"Guess, Roque, and spare my confusion." + +"Spare my guessing," returned the valet, "and with respect to your +confusion, I dare say it will not overwhelm you. Now, tell me the name +of the terrible tyrant." + +"Love," replied Marien Rufa, affecting much disorder. + +Roque forthwith burst into an immoderate fit of laughter that startled +the cavalcade. + +"Love! the Lord defend us!--how could such a guest enter so homely an +habitation! Love! here's a pretty object for Cupid to exercise his +pranks upon. Now, I do verily believe there is witchcraft in the tender +passion. _Miserere! Miserere!_ and who was the happy mortal attracted by +your matured charms?--whence came the man blessed with the good taste +necessary to set a just value on your miraculous attractions? That most +beautiful elongated chin--that capacious mouth--those lack-lustre eyes, +and shrivelled complexion--that most polite and well-educated nose, +which is continually bowing to the neighbouring chin; in fine, those +long shaggy tresses of hair, which, if we must judge by their +consistency, bespeak thee endowed with the strength of Sampson." + +Scarcely had Roque made a stop in his harangue, in order to take breath, +than Marien Rufa, exasperated beyond bearing at the caricature he was +drawing, with a wonderful alacrity lifted her clenched hand, and dealt +the facetious valet such a tremendous blow on the ear, that he fell +stunned from the donkey which he bestrode, and lighted on the ground +with such violence that the whole place rung with the noise. + +"There," cried the hag, "there's a convincing proof that my hair has not +imposed on your credulity with regard to my strength." + +Roque was completely reclaimed from his waggishness by the unexpected +visitation of the Sampsonic fist, and for some time utterly forgot the +use of his tongue. The notice of the whole cavalcade was attracted by +the mishap of the luckless valet, and the energetic exclamation of dame +Aboukar. The Moors that served as escort were seized with a fit of +wondering mirth, and even the renegade, who was the chief of the party, +spite of his habitual sternness, relaxed his rigid features into +something like a smile. The tenant of a litter that was carried in +advance likewise stopped to inquire into the reason of the commotion. + +"Roque, what is the matter," demanded Theodora (for she was indeed that +lady), when she perceived the valet rising from the ground in the +greatest confusion. + +"Nothing, my lady:" answered Roque, wofully; "the Lord defend us, but +we have in our party a devil incarnate, under the semblance of a woman. +Good heavens! here's such a concert ringing in the side of my head--such +a hissing and whizzing never did I hear. O, Maria Rufa!" he then +proceeded, in a humble tone, "what a flame you have imparted to my poor +face! If it is a sample of your amorous fires, I am amazed you are not +actually reduced to cinders!" + +"That will teach you," said Maria Rufa, pacified, "to put a proper +restraint on your froward tongue." + +Roque for some time after kept a profound silence, for though he +affected to treat the matter with jocose indifference, yet he was in no +manner satisfied with the mirth and merry sayings which his adventure +had occasioned. At length, however, his curiosity prevailed, and almost +forgetting his recent disgrace, he again in a friendly manner accosted +the Amazon. + +"Now, Rufa," he said, "I hope you entertain no rancour against me for +what has passed?" + +"By no means, good Roque," answered the hag grinning, "I am perfectly +satisfied, and I hope you are the same." + +"Quite," returned the valet, "quite; so let us say no more about it, but +rather tell me, if no ways disagreeable, the origin, progress, and final +results of your passion." + +"Alas! Roque," replied the old sybil, "it was unfortunate in its +results." + +And she heaved a profound sigh, whilst Roque, in most sympathetic +unison, uttered a dismal groan. + +"Console yourself," he said, "with the reflection that your case is +pretty general in this sinful world. But what is the name of the amiable +barbarian, the sweet monster, the bewitching, yet cruel oppressor, that +excited the tender sentiments of your virgin heart, and turned you from +the true faith." + +"What! you are yet unacquainted with my husband?" + +"Husband!" ejaculated Roque, "so there was a husband in the case! Oh, +then I am not surprised." + +"He treats me like a brute, as he is." + +"Indeed! that is astonishing," cried Roque, "wonderfully astonishing, +considering the means you have in your power of enforcing proper +behaviour on the unruly. And pray what is the name of your brute?" + +"You might have perceived it before: it is Aboukar." + +"Aboukar!" exclaimed Roque; "Now, indeed, my wonder ceases--Aboukar! Oh +the sweet creature! with his pretty lobster eyes, and most awful and +portentous proboscis, which seems for all the world like a fine ripe +tomato displayed on a copper platter." + +But here Roque thought it prudent to make a retrograde motion, as he +looked at the masculine arm of the dame, and remembered the little +relish she had evinced for his talent of drawing portraits, and the +manner in which she remunerated the artist. + +"So Aboukar is your husband!" + +"Alas! yes," answered the ancient, "we have been married now these five +years." + +"_Valgame San Roque!_" cried his namesake. "What a dull dog have I +been!--five years married--certainly I ought to have discovered that +long ago by his treatment." + +"Treatment!" re-echoed Marien Rufa, a little incensed, "What treatment?" + +"Oh! I mean no harm," replied Roque, "conjugal treatment, that is all." + +"Roque," resumed the crone, modulating her croaking voice to something +like a human sound, "Roque!" and she suddenly stopt, and looked the +valet steadfastly in the face. "Well?" said Roque, surprised at the +pomposity of her manner. + +"Roque, my child, are you a kind and compassionate soul--a thorough good +Christian?" + +"A very good Christian," responded Roque, "though a humble sinner. But +methinks such a question comes with ill grace from the mouth of a +renegade." + +"I will confide in thee, Roque," returned Marien Rufa, "I am an +unfortunate woman, and alas! might I hope that my repentance were not +too late? Roque, thinkest thou that there is truly a hell as terrible as +it is depicted?" + +"Worse, worse, a thousand times worse," replied Roque. "All the torments +which you may have suffered in the company of---- But do you allow me to +abuse your husband safely?" + +"As much as you please," answered the gentle spouse. + +"Well," resumed Roque, "all the torments which that most abominable, +ugly scarecrow of a rascally unbeliever has made you endure, are nothing +in comparison to the tortures you are doomed to suffer when you are +compelled to leave that miserable carcase, and that time you must be +aware cannot be far off. Then consider what a life you will lead in +those dark regions, where, by the bye, you will be eternally tormented +with the sight and company of your ungracious consort." + +"I am sensible of my errors, but if I have sought your confidence, it +was with the view of exciting your compassion, not your reproaches." + +But Roque had insensibly got into a very oratorical mood, and, without +heeding the hag's remonstrances, proceeded:-- + +"Now, Rufa, consider for a moment, who but the devil could tempt a +matron full half a century old, without a sound tooth in her head, the +head itself being unsound, to look kindly on the most perfect sample of +ugliness, and a ruffian Moor to boot: this is enough to make you despair +of salvation--But no, the blessed Virgin forbid! I think, and charitably +hope, that by a vigorous course of penance, and wholesome castigation, +properly and soundly administered, by a frequent use of discipline, +constant fasts, devout prayer, donations to the poor, of whom I am one, +and the like pious exercises, I really think your sinful soul may be +snatched from the perdition to which it has been brought by that +infernal Aboukar, your most confounded lord and master; therefore--" + +"Roque," interrupted ruefully Marien Rufa, "whether you are in right +earnest or only playing the fool with me, I cannot determine; but my +situation is such as to deserve the pity of every good Christian." + +Roque had, indeed, a peculiar inclination to a ludicrous banter, even +when dwelling on the gravest subjects, which might put on his guard a +person of quicker intellects than the dame of Aboukar. + +"Rufa," he said, "pardon me if, in my admonitions, I cannot impart to +your troubled spirit that unction which becomes the important subject +that dictates them. Now, provided you will tell me the manner in which +you intend to proceed, perhaps I may be able to help you with my good +advice." + +"Well, child," replied Marien Rufa, "I wish heartily to be reconciled to +the church, and for this purpose we must contrive to fly from these +accursed Moors." + +"Very well," replied Roque, "so, you are resolved to abandon your +matrimonial misery?" + +"Oh, yes, Roque," retorted Rufa, "my conversion is very sincere; I have +so many motives to quit the wretch. Oh, he is indeed a barbarian! +Think, Roque, such a sweet partner as I have been to him, and now to +neglect me for a little Moorish hussey not worth a _maravedi_. Oh, the +faithless Aboukar--the wicked man! Yes, Roque, I wish as soon as +possible to be reconciled to the church." + +Roque, though far from being a deep divine, could not but significantly +shake his head, when he perceived the motives that brought about the +conversion of the apostate love-smitten dame. However, the idea of +flying from the Moors very much tickled his fancy, and he was determined +to adopt the step, provided it could be carried into effect without any +great risk to his precious person, and that his mistress Theodora should +be a partner in the flight. + +Thus he was indulging in the most agreeable reverie, when his fair +penitent disturbed him by uttering a most discordant sound, which the +valet soon perceived to be a failure in the imitation of a groan. The +eyes of the hag exhibited terrible signs of displeasure, as she turned +round to some object that called her attention, while writhing her +uncouth features into a most diabolical grimace. She thundered out an +oath which made Roque invoke _Santa Maria_; but he was not a little +scandalized when he discovered that the occasion of the hag's +indignation was her frolicsome husband, who, without the least regard to +her presence, was carrying on, in the presence of his wife, a little +coquetry with a Moorish girl. + +"There," cried the ill-treated spouse, "there is a traitor--how I could +belabour the barbarian, and pluck that vile creature's eyes out! Oh, +Roque! I have been a sad sinner, and I fervently desire to be reconciled +to the church." + +"Well, well," said Roque, "but first tell me on what foundation do you +build hopes of an escape. We are, that is my mistress and myself, so +narrowly watched, that it will be no easy task to evade the vigilance of +our guards. It is true that by the interference of the renegade I am +allowed a free access to Theodora, and the lady herself is treated with +much courtesy; but at the same time I have observed that some cursed +Moor or other is constantly watching our motions. Moreover, good dame, I +must undeceive you, should you have relied on my courage for some +desperate plan. I will not fight a single Moor. My humility will not +permit me to exercise a business for which I consider myself utterly +unfit, both for want of practice and natural inclination." + +"No, child," replied the crone with a sneer, "I was never foolish enough +to place any great hopes on your bravery; but I trust we shall find +means to forward our plans without such assistance. To me," she then +added, "all the secrets of the Moors are known, for they consider me too +much interested in their cause to doubt my fidelity. Don Alonso de +Aguilar is rapidly advancing against El Feri and should he succeed in +his expedition against _Sierra Bermeja_, as it is more than probable he +will, Caneri, Mohabed, and the other chiefs will not be able to +withstand the forces which are already sent against them. We must take +advantage of the confusion to escape, lest they should carry us with +them to Africa." + +"_Cuerpo de Cristo!_" cried Roque, "and is that all your wise head can +devise? Well, I hope you are not overpowered after such an effort of +imagination; but really I cannot give you credit for the contrivance." + +They were now entering Alhaurin, where Caneri had preceded them two or +three days before, and they halted at the entrance of a large mansion, +which appeared, by the guards patrolling in front, to be the abode of +the chief. Meantime the renegade helped Theodora out of her conveyance, +and led her to the apartments allotted to her use. She was no longer a +prey to the frenzied passions that had so long stormed her breast. The +keen intensity of affliction, insulted and indignant pride, were now +lost in the gloomy resignation and cold apathy to which they had given +place. The severe trials she had undergone had impaired the beauties of +her person, and poisoned her warm and generous feelings, but still +Theodora was lovely and interesting. She had lost the brilliant beauty +of a girl blooming with youth and happiness, but she had acquired the +chaste graces and loveliness of sorrow. Alas! even in those sad +memorials of fading beauty, enough yet remained to make her an object of +interest, and keep alive the passion which Caneri had conceived. The +load of grief and despair which had weighed her down at the last proof +of her lover's treachery, was succeeded by a mood of deadened +resignation. This calm, however, appeared presageful of some dire +intent, and accordingly, for the first two or three days, she had not +been left a moment alone, and every instrument of death had been +carefully removed from her reach. The attentive services of Roque partly +reconciled her to her dreadful situation; for it is consoling, even in +the lowest depths of affliction, to meet with _one_ sympathising being, +however humble his station, however weak and limited his means to +afford comfort and redress. In the midst of her barbarous enemies, she +was permitted the attendance of a Christian, and this circumstance, +trifling as it was, imparted some solace to her oppressed spirit. +Besides, Caneri had abstained from importuning her with his loathsome +protestations of love. This forbearance of the Moor arose from the +renegade having stipulated, that in engaging the affections of Theodora, +he should resort to no violence in her present sorrowful condition. + +Thus Caneri had limited his addresses to a bare manifestation of +respectful regard, foreign indeed to his nature, and borrowed only from +the necessity of acquiescing with the wishes of the renegade, who had +boldly declared he would oppose any violence employed against Theodora. +This favorable disposition of the renegade was a source of astonishment +to the object of his solicitude, for she could not forget that he had +been the principal agent in the completion of her misery. Did Bermudo +intend by these seeming kind offices to secure the prey to himself? or +was it really a sentiment of pity that impelled him to the +manifestation of this solicitude? Could heavenly pity dwell in that +darksome abode, where the most fiendish passions kept a constant +habitation? How were such opposite guests to be reconciled? + +These surmises kept the mind of Theodora in a state of continual +excitement, but as day after day passed, and the renegade, instead of +exhibiting the least mark of enamoured sentiments, seemed to grow more +respectful in his attention, those doubts began to wear away, and +Theodora concluded that some mystery enveloped his proceedings, which +she was unable to unravel, and which time alone could clear up. + +In pursuance of the injunctions of El Feri, his brother chief, Caneri, +had established his head quarters at Alhaurin, where his party was daily +increasing by the Moors who came to join his standard. Caneri himself +had arrived three days before, having left to the renegade the charge of +Theodora, who could not be supposed to travel with equal expedition. + +Bermudo, therefore, with a few resolute Moors of his band, and the other +personages of whom mention has been made in the former part of this +chapter, constituted the cavalcade that now entered the busy and +thronged streets of Alhaurin, where the ferment occasioned by fresh and +numerous arrivals, plainly manifested the rapid progress of the +insurrection. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Some good I mean to do, + Despight of my own nature. + + _Shakespeare_. + + _Ser._ No hay quien socorra, quien valga + A una muger infelice? + + _Fel._ Si, que decir muger basta, + Quando infeliz no dixera. + + _Calderon_. + + +The air of dignity and importance which Caneri had resumed with his +change of fortune, was displayed to an extent that might render him +extravagantly ridiculous in the judgment of any sober individual. He +already considered himself a sovereign firmly established on his throne, +and he took no precaution to disguise the impulses of his over-bearing +vanity and despotic character. Thus, while he was apparently serving +the cause of independence, he afforded an opportunity to his enemies of +truly estimating the purity of his intentions. + +Caneri paid a visit to Theodora immediately upon her arrival; but, +according to the agreement with the renegade, he limited his attentions +to the mere phrases of gallantry and courtly good nature. This +ostentatious shew of civility, however, did not arise from a generous +disposition, but merely constrained necessity. The renegade was +continually present to his thoughts, and though his superior in command +he was forced involuntarily to yield that tribute of respect, which +resolution and courage are sure to exact from the feeble, however humble +the situation in which their possessor may be placed. Besides this, +though his passion for the fair Christian had not abated, his heart was +now too much engrossed with objects highly gratifying to his vanity and +pride, to suffer the charms of a captive to rule there with undisputed +and despotic sway. His visits, therefore, were short, and he soon left +Theodora to the undisturbed possession of her own thoughts. She no +longer exhibited those signs of exquisite anguish or passionate +delirium. Keen and protracted suffering had rendered her in some measure +callous to the stings of sorrow. Musing melancholy and listlessness as +to her fate disputed alternately the possession of that heart, once so +fruitful in every tender feeling, in all the genuine virtues of female +loveliness and merit. But, alas! the situation of the unhappy Theodora +was, indeed, more distressing than heretofore. Hope now no longer +illumined her heart; amidst the darkness which had over-clouded her +imagination, no cheering light shone upon her path to lead her from +misery. But the dereliction of hope is not the worst enemy of virtuous +woman. No, it is the loss of salutary fear, and Theodora was nearly +sinking into that lamentable state of indifference which generally +succeeds the extinction of youthful hope and affection. Every thing +seemed to conspire against Theodora. The secluded and retired nature of +her education, and the tenderness of her age deprived her of those +auxiliaries to combat her present state, which a woman of greater +knowledge of the world, and more advanced in years, would gather from +these very circumstances. + +Roque had, by order of Caneri, a free access to Theodora, and he took +special care frequently to profit by the permission granted. This was +some solace for the unfortunate girl; the interviews with the valet +diverted her thoughts by the lively, though ludicrous, pictures which he +drew of their future release from their present thraldom. The very night +of their arrival at Alhaurin, Roque was giving to his mistress a +circumstantial account of his conversation with Marien Rufa, when the +door of the apartment swung open, and the renegade boldly entered +without any previous announcement. His sudden appearance caused the +greatest perturbation and alarm, both to Roque and his mistress. The +unseasonable hour of the visit, and the interest evinced by the renegade +towards Theodora, were naturally indicative of some sinister intention. +Theodora, however, recovering from her first surprise, involuntarily +drew back as Bermudo advanced. Meanwhile Roque was at a loss what to +think or to do; the flutter of his whole person plainly indicated how +ill at ease he was with himself. He looked at his mistress, and +perceiving her emotion, felt more afraid, though on what account he was +perfectly unconscious. But Roque was not long suffered to remain in +uncertainty with respect to his own feelings. Bermudo, with a most +haughty demeanor, made a sign to the valet to quit the place, and as +Roque deliberated between regard for his mistress and dread for his own +dear self, the renegade, to bring about a final determination, laid his +hand on his weapon, an argument which completely set at rest the valet's +doubts, and convinced him of the necessity of a speedy retreat. + +Theodora perceiving how easily Bermudo had succeeded in convincing +Roque, and knowing the obsequious manner in which the valet acted when +such sort of conviction was forced upon him, deeply felt the danger of +her situation, if abandoned by the only being who might interest himself +in her fate. + +"Oh! Roque, do not leave me," she pathetically exclaimed; "stay--I +cannot remain alone with this dark, this terrible man." + +Roque cast a melancholy look on his mistress; her piteous appeal went to +his heart, but a terrible glance from the renegade seemed to make still +stronger impression, for he quickly resumed his retrograde motion. + +"He must be gone," said Bermudo resolutely, waving his hand in a most +expressive manner, which considerably tended to expedite the valet's +exit. + +He retired, therefore, and Theodora no sooner found herself deprived of +this last frail protection, than with an assumption of fierce dignity:-- + +"Renegade!" she cried, "what means this intrusion? Were then all thy +former marks of regard but the insidious means to cover the real +intentions of a miscreant heart? Away!--begone!--I will alarm the +place,--yes, I will call on the protection of Caneri himself, for odious +as he is to my eyes, I can never look upon him with the same degree of +abhorrence and contempt as I do on a renegade to his faith, a traitor to +his country, and the vile minister to a despot's pleasures." + +Bermudo heard these bold and severe rebukes without attempting an +interruption. Calm and unmoved he suffered the first ebullition of +resentment to evaporate, and for some time deigned to make no other +reply than a bitter smile of disdain. + +At length he broke that dismal pause, and in a slow and deep toned +voice:-- + +"Woman," he said, "thy taunts I will not resent, for partly they are +just, and the rest I excuse in consideration of thy forlorn state, and +the many sufferings thou hast undergone." + +"Oh!" cried Theodora, with a sad smile, "It well becomes you to condole +for misfortunes to which you have so largely contributed;--approach me +not--begone--I cannot trust a traitor; there is guile and malice in the +very proffer of thy kindness;--hence,--or----" + +"Hush, lady," interposed the renegade, with indignant pride, "you surely +mistake my character. Threats and fears are strangers to this heart. +Nay, when it is in some weak moments attuned to virtue, a threat, a +solitary threat would banish hence the heavenly inspiration, and the +fiend again triumph in its natural dwelling. Therefore, lady, threat me +not, for the man is inaccessible to fear, who, like myself, is a beggar +in happiness. Rest, lady, rest, and do not by an imprudent act, neglect +the opportunity which fortune affords you of escaping the fate with +which you are threatened." + +There was an air of sullen yet dignified composure on the renegade, as +he delivered these words, and Theodora, in spite of her apprehension, +was for some time rivetted to the spot, waiting the disclosures of the +fearful man. + +"I do not pretend," he proceeded, "to command your implicit confidence; +I only counsel you to rely on your own judgment and discretion. My +character you have drawn in colours dark and glowing, but, perhaps, too +true. Yet I must correct an erroneous impression under which you labour; +'tis true I am an apostate--a traitor--and if in the catalogue of +accursed crimes, there is a name still more horrid and abhorred, I claim +it; but to be subservient to the pleasure of a despot--no, no, you must +know me better. No," he added with warmth, "my deeds have been dark, but +not dastardly or contemptible; I have drunk deep the cup of crime--yes, +I have quaffed it with avidity, but my palate has always been nice +enough to scorn the dregs. Had any other than a woman dared to give +utterance to the base thought, ere this he would have added one more to +the list of those who have fallen by this arm. You are a woman, and a +woman in distress; the only consideration that could have restrained my +indignation for such an insult." + +"What then wouldst thou with me?" demanded Theodora, somewhat reassured +by his words and manner. + +"To befriend you, not to harm you, for I war not with women; the +solitary being that showed the feelings of humanity towards Bermudo +belonged to womankind, and the recollection of her virtues and her love +for me, would secure her whole sex from the effects of my wrath." + +Theodora was struck with this asseveration. She could not reconcile +these symptoms of feeling with his previous acts, and his acknowledged +character for crime. + +"Theodora," resumed the renegade, and his austerity of tone and manner +seemed momentarily to acquire a tint of softness uncongenial with his +habitual nature; "Theodora, I am a man of guilt; yea, one who plays his +part in this detested world without a feeling of remorse--but I cannot +harm a woman--and you less than any other of your sex. _She_, like you, +was innocent and beautiful--like you, unfortunate--like _you_," he +added, with agitation, "like you, the victim of Gomez Arias." + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "what mystery is this? Oh, speak! I am +already but too low sunk in misery, and yet I fain would learn the full +measure of the crimes of him who has undone me." + +"It would be a difficult," replied the renegade, "an endless task, to +satisfy your desire; but you may, perhaps, from your own experience, +draw a just inference of his conduct to others. Beauty, innocence, and +youth, and unlimited affection, could not save you from his barbarous +acts; the rule has been the same for those who like you had charms to +captivate his attention, and an unsuspicious, a genuine heart to inhale +the poison of his persuasive tongue. But still the fate of poor Anselma +surpassed in horror her many rivals in misfortune." + +"He loved her once," said Theodora despondingly, "and then forsook her, +like me." + +"He loved her," darkly returned Bermudo, "with the affection of one, who +centres his whole bliss only in the enjoyment of his selfish and +degenerate passion. But she spurned him; stratagem and force prevailed. +Madness--despair--must I say it? death ensued. Enough--the circumstances +of the horrid tale 'tis needless to relate: I have said thus much to +convince you of the impossibility of my harming a woman whose fate bears +so strong a resemblance to that of my own unfortunate Anselma. Dispel +then your apprehensions, and look upon me _now_ not as a foe, but as +your sole friend and protector." + +Theodora gazed on the renegade with mute amazement; the professions of +her lover, and his base desertion, had taught her mistrust: her heart +was no longer ready to believe any pleasing tale, to welcome every +protestation of regard. It was by trusting too implicitly to her +feelings that her ruin had been accomplished, and even in her present +abandonment she considered those feelings as premeditating another +treason. Yet, when she beheld the composure of the renegade, when she +recalled to mind that not even a word had escaped him that could be +distrusted, she was persuaded to listen to his proposals, if not totally +to abide their results. The renegade perceived the state of her mind, +and hastened to hush the whispers of suspicion. + +"Think you," said he with firmness, "think you that I deceive +you?--abandon such a thought; for learn that should I be tempted to harm +you, the only object of my life would be blasted; trust then my +interest, if you cannot trust my honor. I came to render you a service, +which must be reciprocal. Nay, start not; you may well marvel what +affinity there can be between an unfortunate and helpless female, and an +outcast like myself; yet this seeming anomaly exists--we are drawn +together by the most powerful ties that can bind one fellow-creature to +another: for we are linked by those of misfortune, and misfortune +wrought by the same individual." + +"And yet," cried Theodora, "despite of your enmity to the barbarous, +unfeeling man, you strenuously seconded his plans; had you not aided +him, I should not have been here." + +"Perhaps not," replied the renegade, preserving an unalterable +composure; "but where would you have been? Have you reflected well on +your helpless situation, and the character of the foul betrayer. Ah! +call to your memory the last scene of his desertion, and judge by his +behaviour then, of what he might have been capable, in order to remove +from his path the unfortunate obstacle that impeded his ambitious and +criminal career." + +"The monster was capable of all!" exclaimed Theodora, with dreadful +agitation; for the recital of her lover's perfidy rudely awoke all the +dormant feelings of the heart. + +"I have saved you from his infernal machinations;" said the renegade. +"My conduct to you then appeared barbarous, but my subsequent behaviour +must have effaced from your mind those unfavorable impressions. If not, +the time is come for you to learn, and me to disclose, the motives by +which all my words and actions have been directed. Theodora," he then +added, in a firm but soothing tone, "my proceedings have been to you +mysterious; the mystery here ends--I have procured liberty, home, +happiness for you--revenge for myself." + +"Heavens!" exclaimed Theodora, "explain, what mean you?" + +"I mean the truth. Be cautious and confident, and not many days shall +pass ere you flee from the company of men whom you abhor, and I despise. +Ere long you shall return to your deserted home, and enjoy the +consolation which a father can confer--a happiness which they say is +great.--I never knew it." + +"Can this be real?" exclaimed Theodora, with a scream of surprise and +joy. "Oh, Alagraf, are you then so generous?" and unable to restrain the +swelling emotion of her grateful heart, she fell at his feet. + +"Rise, lady, rise," vehemently cried the renegade, "that posture ill +becomes you. I cannot sustain the sight. Poor, helpless, innocent +sufferer," he then said in a pathetic tone, which in spite of his +sternness, he could not suppress. "Poor, poor, forlorn girl--it was thus +she begged and supplicated, but he denied her." He suddenly recollected +himself, and with an abrupt motion he raised the weeping Theodora from +the ground. + +"Rise; for by all the powers of darkness, to see you thus more fiercely +burns my brain, and my frenzied madness becomes more ungovernable. +Woman, I am not generous, I am only just, though some cold mortals might +denominate my justice selfish cruelty. But I care not for man or his +opinions." + +He paused for a moment, and then proceeded in a calmer tone:-- + +"Theodora, you are now acquainted with my intentions. I only grieve they +cannot be put in execution with the promptitude that I desire.--But I +must go hence immediately--I must keep up the hellish character which I +have assumed, and I am sent to act in conjunction with El Feri; my +absence shall be as short as I can make it, and in the mean time fear +not any violence from Caneri. In that quarter you are secure; for the +petty despot knows that his death would be the consequence of such a +step. And now, lady, keep strict silence on my important disclosures. +Roque is faithfully devoted to your service, but much is to be +apprehended from his imprudent loquacity, should he be made acquainted +with the secret before the time of action. He and any other you wish to +point out shall be our attendants. Remember my injunctions. Be +comforted, but do not exhibit symptoms of sudden and extraordinary joy, +lest you awaken the suspicions of Caneri; for he is possessed of all the +cunning and mistrust which generally fall to the share of a coward heart +blended with a despotic mind. Till we meet--adieu! I call for no +blessing on your head,--for I can only curse." + +He said, and suddenly withdrew. + +Theodora for some time was scarcely able to collect her thoughts; the +renegade had again revived her drooping spirits, and she ventured to +hope once more. She resolved implicitly to follow his instructions, in +the anxious expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present +miserable and perilous condition. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Un farouche silence, enfant de la fureur, + A ces bruyants eclats succede avec horreur. + D'un bras determine, d'un oeil brulant de rage, + Parmi ses ennemis chacun s'ouvre un passage. + + _La Henriade._ + + Now yield thee, or by him who made + The world! thy heart-blood dyes my blade.-- + Thy threats, thy mercy I despise, + Let recreant yield, who fears to die.-- + + _Sir Walter Scott._ + + +The shadows of evening were falling round when Alonso de Aguilar and his +gallant army arrived at the plain that skirts the mountain of the Sierra +Bermeja. The rebels, with El Feri de Benastepar at their head, who had +already been worsted in the plain, had resolved not to hazard another +battle, but to keep possession of the mountains, confident of the +advantages of their position. El Feri, therefore, having secured all the +heights and passes of the Sierra, beheld with inward satisfaction the +approach of the enemy; indeed, his situation could not be improved; +nature had fashioned an impregnable fortress in the whole circumference +of that huge mountain; large masses of rock frowned at intervals around +the summit and extended down the sides, and the hollows were filled up +with large clumps of trees, the growth of ages. There was only one path +by which an ascent appeared practicable, narrow, steep and tortuous, and +this perilous pass from the nature of its position might be defended by +a handful of brave men; numerous small ravines were likewise observable, +by which a laborious and difficult ascent might be attempted, although +they were almost choaked with different impediments, being the beds of +the torrents which at times poured their headlong course down the sides +of the mountain. + +The Christians beheld with dread the formidable array which the Sierra +presented. The Moors from the adjacent country had flocked to the +standard of El Feri, confiding in the prosperous turn which their +enterprise was likely to take; they manifested both their hopes and +defiance by a prolonged succession of shouts and barbaric yells, which, +in lengthened and fearful clamour, were reverberated through the rocky +passes and solitary caverns of those mountains. + +Alonso de Aguilar was struck with the advantages which the rebels +derived from their position, and the attempt to ascend the mountain, +crowned as it was with desperate men, might be considered more a deed of +madness than an act of true courage; but again he thought of the evil +which procrastinated measures often produce in a war of this nature--the +longer he delayed the attack the greater the number of enemies he should +have to encounter, and if the spark of revolt were not immediately +extinguished, the whole province would soon blaze out in open rebellion. +Most alarming symptoms of the refractory spirit of the inhabitants had +already been manifested during the progress of the army from Granada, +and Aguilar well knew that the difficulties he had now to surmount, +would increase tenfold each day that he suffered to pass without risking +a battle. + +Thus, although aware of the desperate character of his undertaking, he +nevertheless resolved to engage the Moors in defiance of their superior +advantages, relying with the most unlimited confidence on the +enthusiastic valour of his veteran troops, whose hatred to the Moors was +proverbial, and whose bravery and military conduct he had tried on many +a well-fought field. + +Under this impression, Don Alonso had summoned Count Urena, and other +principal chiefs, to communicate to them his determination. + +"Perhaps you will think," he said, "that the resolution I have formed is +desperate, but there is no middle course to choose; we must either +return inglorious to our homes, or attack the rebels in their strong +hold. An assault must be immediately attempted. Our soldiers burn with +impatience to meet those rebellious and ungrateful Moors. It is on the +confidence of their love to their country, and hatred to their foes, +that I found my expectations. However, we will wait until night has +closed; darkness will be more favorable to us in the passive warfare +which for some time we shall be obliged to carry on. The shafts of our +enemies cannot thus be aimed with such fatal certainty. And now, my +brave companions, to your posts, and I hope that when next we meet it +will be amidst the shouts of victory." + +Aguilar divided his army into three parts, the right wing of which he +entrusted to the command of Count de Urena, the left to Don de Antonio +Leyva, whilst he, with his gallant son Don Pedro, determined to lead on +the centre to the charge by the more direct ascent, where the chief +force of the Moors was judiciously placed. + +These three bodies were again sub-divided, as a large mass would afford +a conspicuous object against which the efforts of the enemy might be +more successfully directed. Thus the different commanders having +received their instructions, and the signal being given, various +columns advanced towards the mountains from their several points of +attack, whilst the war-cry, _Santiago y Cierra Espana_, was echoed from +one to another with inspiring courage and animated enthusiasm. The Moors +answered the challenge with wild acclamations, looking on the advancing +foe as a devoted prey on which they were shortly to glut their +long-desired vengeance. The Christians were, therefore, suffered to +proceed unmolested in their course lest, by a premature disclosure of +the resources of their enemies, they might be induced to retreat, and +thus prevent the Moors from obtaining a complete victory. Slowly, then, +the Christians began to ascend the rugged and difficult paths of the +mountain. The deafening shouts had for some time ceased, and were +succeeded by a dismal and deadly silence. The Christians, therefore, +continued to ascend in noiseless progression, until El Feri de +Benastepar, judging that the enemy was sufficiently drawn into his toils +to ensure success for the artful manoeuvres which he had planned, now +gave the signal of command, and again the whole mountain rung with an +overpowering tumult of cries and yells. + +Suddenly the rocks above seemed to be alive, broken into numberless +fragments. With dreadful and overwhelming violence their huge disjointed +masses rolled from their elevated summits, and gathering a new impetus +in their headlong course, rushed down the sides of the mountain, and +bounding from point to point with an appalling crash, heaped destruction +on the advancing enemy. The ominous and redoubled cries from the summit +of the Sierra, rose above the terrific sound of the deadly fragments, +and were sufficient to strike dismay into the most daring. Astonishment +for a moment paralyzed the Spaniards; yet their intrepidity did not +quail in the hazardous moment, though they perceived a heap of mangled +corpses swept before them with fearful rapidity. Aguilar could not +behold unmoved the destruction wrought amongst his brave followers; and +fearing that a second discharge of those terrible missiles might +succeed in disheartening them, in a voice of enthusiasm---- + +"Forward, my brave comrades!" he cried: "those rebels will find that +they will sooner tire of hurling rocks than we shall of withstanding +them. By suffering we will triumph. On, brave companions, on!" + +Aguilar succeeded by his example in instilling into the hearts of his +men a degree of maddened courage, which alone could carry them through +the obstacles that impeded their course. They accordingly continued +fearlessly to advance. + +Night had now closed in the most dense and impenetrable darkness. The +moon seemed unsuccessfully struggling through a pile of massy clouds, +and the scanty light afforded by the dim stars was insufficient to +illumine any distant object. Thus the Christians had no means of warding +off the dreadful fate which threatened them. They heard, without the +power of resistance, the low rumbling sound of the huge rocks that were +loosened from their beds, and the crash that followed their ponderous +course, as they tore down every object which came before them, mingling +all in one vast and promiscuous ruin. + +The voice of Aguilar and other chiefs, in hoarse tones, was heard at +intervals encouraging and animating their troops, who, wrought up to +madness by their loss, had now no other feeling than an ardent desire of +attaining the summit, where their enemies lay in security, and quenching +their rage in their detested blood. Indeed, the terrors of this dismal +and appalling conflict, instead of damping the courage of the soldiers, +served only to brace them with redoubled force. Dauntless, therefore, +they continued to ascend, unmindful of the cries and groans that rent +the air, and although they were sensible that a similar fate might the +next moment await themselves. On they proceeded, in the full confidence +that some amongst them would ultimately reach the summit, and take ample +vengeance for the death of those whom they left behind. Nor did the +Moors consider this stubborn constancy and self-devotion without +amazement and dread; but El Feri, who read their thoughts, immediately +took measures to prevent the consequences with which they might be +attended, if he allowed his men to indulge their fears; aware that the +best means of keeping up the mettle and ardour of his men was to employ +them actively, he ordered a considerable portion of them to descend and +meet the enemy boldly in the path. This order was joyfully obeyed, and +the Moors rushed impetuously to the attack. Aguilar, who hailed this +movement of the enemy as favorable to his troops, by affording them an +opportunity of profiting by their superiority, now rushed forward to +encounter the charge with increased energy, whilst Don Pedro, with a +chosen party, led the van. + +The young warrior continued gaining ground; the Moors retreated; and the +Spaniards considering this movement as the forerunner of success, boldly +pushed on, reckless of the thousand shafts which assailed them on every +side. Fresh men supplied, according to instruction, the place of the +Moors who retreated; and the wearied Christians had nothing to carry +them through the unequal contest but the undaunted courage which had +supported them in so many battles. Still they advanced, although the +enemy, in spite of the numbers that fell, preserved a fresh and unbroken +front, disputing every inch of ground apparently with undiminished +numbers. + +In the midst of his gallant achievements Don Pedro fell from the blow of +a stone, which disabled him from proceeding. His absence soon became +apparent; but Alonso de Aguilar pressing forwards to the front, by a +desperate effort soon compelled the rebels to abandon their defence, and +retreat precipitately to their stations. The Spaniards here halted for a +few moments and rallied their forces, on which dismal inroads had been +made by the late conflict. Again they advanced in silence and without +impediment. Their gallant leader, however, looked on this change with +the most gloomy apprehensions; for he conjectured that the Moors were +about to renew that system of defence which had been so destructive at +the first onset. His suspicions were well grounded. Incontinently +another ominous shout rent the air, and the tremendous fragments again +rolled down, spreading devastation wherever they passed. + +And now, to render the unequal strife more terrific, there fell some +broad and scattered drops of rain, announcing the storm which had been +gathering in the dark bosom of the swollen and shapeless clouds. Hollow +gusts of wind swept through the passes of the mountains, mingling their +gloomy cadences with the loud cries of the Moors and the wild +lamentations of their victims. And now the pregnant clouds discharged +their contents, which poured like an impetuous cataract down the +channels of the mountain, whilst from those dark and impenetrable masses +fitfully glimmered the livid streaks of lightning, followed by the +hollow muttering of the distant thunder. This approaching conflict of +the elements Don Alonso beheld undismayed. Boldly he urged on his men, +whilst the power of the storm increasing apace, presented additional +obstacles to their progress. Nearer the tempest advanced, and the +flickering sudden gleams of lightning were succeeded by closely repeated +sheets of sulphurous and liquid fire, which in serpentine corruscations +illumined those scenes of carnage and devastation, while loud and +prolonged peals sounded like the ominous voice of the spirit of +destruction riding on the storm, and exulting over the scene of death. +But the Spaniards, though moved by the sight of their companions falling +around, could not be subdued by the gloomy prospect before them, for it +is the attribute of noble courage, while it sympathises with the brave, +to continue in the path of honor and duty undaunted and undismayed. + +Flash now followed upon flash, and by their livid and unearthly +reflection appeared the gallant leader and his band, more resolute in +proportion to the fury of the warring elements. The caves and wild +recesses echoed with the hollow moaning of the blast, mingled with the +shouts of the combatants. Chilling was the scene; more chilling still +when the pause made by the raging storm was filled up with the more +terrific noise of the falling rocks and stones which came thundering +down. Aghast the Christians beheld, by the vivid flashes, the descending +destruction; now a block rolled along dyed in the blood of their gallant +companions, and again some uncouth and unfashioned fragment had gathered +in its career a broken limb, a nerveless arm, or a bleeding leg. The +channels were now filled with the water that rushed down the sides of +the mountain, forming gurgling eddies around the crushed bodies of the +fallen, and mingling their blood with the turbid waters in their descent +below. + +Such an accumulation of misfortunes began to dishearten the Christians, +whose forces were reduced to half their number. Don Pedro, Count de +Urena, and other principal chiefs were wounded, others dead; and an +horrific shout on the left, commanded by Don Antonio de Leyva, announced +some dreadful catastrophe in that direction. + +The renegade, with a valiant reinforcement, had by a dexterous +manoeuvre cut off the retreat of the Christians in that quarter; and, +though they had fought with the most desperate courage, they were +completely routed, and the greater number slaughtered on the spot. +Savagely Bermudo dealt his blows on his own countrymen, and vented his +diabolical feelings on many brave and innocent men to take vengeance for +the wrongs he had sustained from one. But few men escaped from this +promiscuous carnage, and those few cut their way with frenzied courage +through the ranks of the enemy, bearing the bleeding body of their +chief, Don Antonio de Leyva. + +The rage of the storm had by this time abated, and Alonso de Aguilar, +auguring favorably of men who had withstood, undaunted, such an +accumulation of terrors, had pushed forward, and was now midway on the +mountain. The rebels beheld his progress with conscious alarm, for +though his numbers were considerably reduced and weakened by fatigue, +yet Don Alonso was about to reach a space of even ground, in which +should he succeed, it would render more doubtful the victory which they +had till now considered as certain. Still they continued to roll down +their destructive missiles, but these had lost their former power; for +though some visited the enemy, yet the greater part stopt in their +career, impeded by the trunks of trees torn up by the tempest, or stuck +in the spots of marshy ground caused by the descending torrents. The +Moors, therefore, abandoned this system of aggression, and perceiving +that the gallant band of Don Alonso de Aguilar was extremely small, and +that it could not receive assistance from the Spanish forces below, they +collected a great body, and determined to oppose the further progress of +Aguilar, before he could succeed in reaching the little plain. A +desperate contest ensued, in which every Christian exerted his remaining +strength, and their present position was so far favorable, that the +Moors were not able to overwhelm them with numbers. Thus Aguilar, +encouraging his men with the better aspect of their fortune, continued +fighting desperately, and gaining ground, whilst the affrighted Moors +retreated before his amazing efforts. + +But the most exalted courage cannot support the body under the +accumulated sufferings of wounds and exhaustion, and Don Alonso at +length beheld with a look of melancholy resignation, blended with manly +fortitude, the diminution of his numbers, and the state of depression +under which they laboured. He could no longer hope to accomplish his +daring enterprise, nor effect an honorable retreat. The day, which had +now shed its first glimmering light, revealed the forlorn condition of +his men: he beheld his once gallant army stretched along the path, which +was so completely covered with the dead, that it seemed to be paved with +human victims. The Spaniards fought still, but their foes were +continually supplied with fresh men, and Aguilar foresaw with a pang of +distress that the Moors would ultimately triumph. In this emergency he +cast a desponding look on his troops below, who would in vain have +attempted to assist him, on account of the distance which separated +them. + +The followers of Don Alonso were now reduced to a very limited number, +but he perceived on their countenances the noble expression of resigned +courage and high-minded patriotism. A sad smile of satisfaction was on +his lip, as with a firm voice, he exclaimed:-- + +"Christians, this standard must be planted on the highest point we can +attain." Then after a pause he added, pointing to the little plain; +"Behold your grave!---- advance boldly--there is the last stage of our +existence--and if any one returns to Granada, he may tell the queen that +Alonso de Aguilar has redeemed his pledge." + +These words were electric--the countenances of his companions +brightened, and they seemed to acquire new vigour from the example of +their noble leader. They dealt their blows with increased energy, and +after a terrific struggle, they at length reached the fatal plain. +There they halted at the goal of their glorious career, and Alonso de +Aguilar planting the standard of the cross firmly on the ground, placed +himself near a rock which he caused to be surrounded by his men. There +the devoted warriors resolved to await their fate. + +The Moors now rushed on them from all parts with a ferocious joy. But +many were those who fell before they could succeed in mastering the +brave and infuriated Christians. Man to man they fought, and round the +rock the gallant soldiers gradually fell. The heroism of the Spaniards +might protract, but could not avert their fall. Aguilar at length beheld +himself alone amongst a heap of his fallen men; his armour was broken in +many places, and stained with the life-blood which flowed through the +crevices; with his left hand he grasped the remains of a banner, and +supported himself against the rock, while his right still continued to +wield his ponderous sword. The numerous assailants looked with dread +and awe on the redoubtable champion, and for some time seemed to be +rivetted to the place. But a host was gathering around to rush at once +upon the formidable foe, when a giant figure made his way through the +crowd, crying aloud-- + +"Yield thee, Christian, for the Moors know how to respect courage like +thine." + +"Yield! Never will I yield to a rebel. I am Alonso de Aguilar." + +"Thanks to the prophet!" cried the Moor; "look then on thy +irreconcileable foe!--I am El Feri de Benastepar." + +Aguilar saw the Moor-chief with the fortitude of a noble heart, and +rising superior to his adverse fortune, although covered with wounds, +and fainting from exhaustion, he sprung forward to meet the advance of +his terrible adversary, whilst the Moors awed by the meeting of such +warriors, stood around in breathless silence. + +The mighty foes closed in desperate combat. But soon Aguilar conscious +of his weakness, retired to his original position against the rock, and +in that posture sustained the attack. The fresh and unabated force of +El Feri became too powerful for the Christian chief, worn out as he was +with the loss of blood, and the fatigue of many hours of battle. Aguilar +now perceived that to die nobly was the only alternative he could +embrace, and accordingly grasping firmly the banner, he continued a +resolute but unequal combat. His exhaustion, however, increased, and as +he perceived his end approach, he sprang forward, and with one desperate +blow, in which he collected his remaining energies, endeavoured to crush +his enemy. But the exertion far exceeded his strength, and the same blow +that an hour before would have cloven through buckler and hauberk, now +fell almost harmless upon the shield of El Feri. The Moor availed +himself of the moment, and before Aguilar had time to recover, the +scymitar of his foe had cleft through the helmet of Don Alonso, and sunk +deep into the brain. The hero fell; with one deep sigh his noble spirit +parted from its clay, and the brave, the generous, the heroic Don Alonso +de Aguilar was no more![45] + +A tremendous shout from the exulting Moors announced the catastrophe to +the Christians below: it sounded through the mountain like the ferocious +yell of demons revelling over their victim. El Feri stood silent for a +moment gazing on his prostrate enemy, and he could not but contemplate +with veneration and awe that form which even in death preserved the +nobleness and dignity which had distinguished it through life. His +helmet had given way, and rolled to some distance on the plain. His +black hair silvered with age, and now dripping with his blood, +overshaded part of his noble countenance. Shorn of its proud device, his +broken shield lay on his left arm, as well as the remains of the banner +which he had sworn to defend with his life, whilst his right arm still +retained that sword once the terror of the Moors, now lying harmless on +the ground. Thus fell Aguilar, and the exulting Moors flocked round his +corpse, led by an instinctive curiosity to behold the prostrate warrior +so long the object of their dread. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Inter their bodies as becomes their births: + + _Shakespeare._ + + Few, few shall part where many meet, + + * * * * + + And every turf beneath their feet + Shall be a soldier's sepulchre. + + _T. Campbell._ + + +The victory of the Moors was complete; and as they had been long +accustomed to reverses, so unusual a success elated them beyond all +bounds of moderation. They considered their independence as now firmly +established, and could scarcely be restrained from rushing, like a +disorderly horde of conquering barbarians, on their enemies below, and +ravaging the country round. But fortunately El Feri joined to great +courage and activity the rare endowments of a prudent and sagacious +chief. He foresaw that the present success, if not followed up +judiciously, would prove more prejudicial than favorable to their cause. +It was not by a confused depredatory system that this first victory +should be followed up; for their cause could only be ultimately +benefited by improving their present advantages. Besides, the fierce +courage of his followers, arising rather from a sense of injuries and +revenge, than real military bravery, was ill calculated to sustain the +superior numbers and better disciplined bands of the Christians. Nor +could El Feri be so far dazzled by one solitary success as to attribute +solely to their conduct and courage that result which was chiefly to be +ascribed to the advantages of their position, combined with a series of +fortunate circumstances that had assisted them against the Christians. +He knew that the intelligence of this victory would excite those of his +countrymen who were as yet lukewarm in the cause, to take up arms and +repair to that mountain which was now the cradle in which their infant +liberty was to be rocked. He wished to preserve and improve this +situation without risking the danger of another action, until he +possessed ample means of insuring success. A precipitate movement now +might involve the Moors in difficulties capable not only of retarding +their triumph, but even of rendering fruitless the effects of a first +victory: Gomez Arias was likewise marching with a powerful army, and it +would be madness to abandon the strong hold of the Sierra for the sake +of hazarding an encounter, when as yet they were in all respects +inferior to their enemies. + +El Feri, therefore, strongly deprecated the design formed by Mohabed of +advancing at present against the Spaniards. But Mohabed, flushed with +pride and little conversant with military affairs, could only be +prevailed upon to defer his sally from the mountain for two days; and El +Feri, considering the baneful effects which any disagreement amongst the +chief leaders might produce, prudently acquiesced in his decision. He +hoped that in the meantime he should have an opportunity either of +dissuading his brother chief, or at least of organising a more +systematic and powerful invasion. + +Whilst the best warrior in the Moorish ranks was deeply interested in +forwarding their views, his disorderly and savage followers were +affording proofs of their wanton cruelty and insubordination. El Feri +saw with disgust and sorrow, that the men he led to the field adhered +not to the principles which they pretended to profess. He perceived that +his army more resembled a horde of undisciplined barbarians than true +and sincere patriots; that the gratification of private animosity and +revenge had a far greater preponderance in directing their exertions, +than the heroic impulses of noble enthusiasm and public spirit. He had +been himself stimulated to take up arms solely by pure and patriotic +sentiments, without the least alloy of personal interest, or the +indulgence of a revengeful disposition. He, therefore, bitterly +lamented, for the sake of his country, when a secret voice whispered to +him, that he was less the leader of independent men, panting for +liberty, than of a lawless discontented rabble, better deserving the +name of rebels than that of liberators. Alas! how often is the lustre of +a good cause darkened by the private interests and vices of its agents! + +The attention of El Feri was however diverted towards a tumult in that +part of the mountain where the mighty Aguilar had fallen: he hurried to +the spot to inquire into the cause of the commotion, when he saw the +noble form of his redoubtable foe ignominiously placed on an eminence, +round which men, women, and children were crowding, to glut their eyes +with the bleeding spectacle. While their savage disposition was +gladdened with the sight, they heaped maledictions on the dead. This +dastardly ebullition of revenge was more particularly displayed by the +weaker portion of men, and by the refuse of women. Women, fashioned by +nature to indulge every kindly feeling, and tender sentiment of +compassion for the fallen--women, when they have overstepped the +barriers of their natural delicacy, become more lawless and cruel than +the most hardened of men. An old hag was, with wanton mockery, striving +to close the eyes of the warrior; another was trampling under her foot +the cross which she had wrenched from his breast; and a dirty urchin was +rending his venerable locks, whilst some miscreants, not satisfied with +these profanations, in base revenge plunged their weapons into the +lifeless clay. But still there were some whom the great Aguilar inspired +with terrors even in death, and they shrunk from the inanimate corpse, +as if it were ready to start into life, and wreak vengeance for the +outrages sustained. Flushed with indignation at the sight, El Feri soon +dispersed the vile and motley crowd. + +"Base, pitiful wretches," he cried in anger, "it well becomes your +cowardly nature thus to insult in death, the man you dared not look on +in life. Aye, quench your valour on that unconscious body, for those +weapons are unworthy of warring against the living, which cannot +respect the dead. Avaunt, miscreants! tempt no further my just anger." + +The affrighted crew shrunk back in confusion, but one more daring than +the rest ventured to exclaim-- + +"He was the mortal foe of the Moors, and of El Feri de Benastepar----" + +"In life he was," sternly replied El Feri; "but death reconciles the +bitterest enemy--for enmity must lose its fire in the cold precincts of +the grave." + +"The Moor and the Christian," retorted gruffly the other, "even in +death, must be irreconcileable; even in the frost of the sepulchre, the +hate of such foes must not be extinguished. + +"Cease, miscreant!" fiercely returned El Feri, "or by the mighty Allah, +a single word more, and a blow from the scymitar of El Feri shall be thy +only answer." + +In speechless terror they all retreated, when El Feri turning to one of +his followers-- + +"Do you, Moraz," said he, "and some of your brave companions, pay the +last honors to the noble Don Alonso de Aguilar." + +The Moors obeyed the orders of their chief, and forthwith a grave was +dug at the foot of the rock. No funeral pomp--no military honors graced +the obsequies of the great Aguilar--no chaunting priest was there to +rehearse the service of the dead--no friend to weep over his loss--no +grateful dependant to raise the closed hands in prayer to heaven; but in +silence his enemies laid him in his humble grave, and strewed the earth +over his warlike form. What, though no sculptured marble was there to +point out the noble dust that lay beneath; the name of the warrior will +live in the hearts of his countrymen, and will be handed to posterity as +long as the records of Spain shall exist. But, in the absence of the +pomp which marks the burial of the illustrious, Don Alonso received the +most honorable tribute that can adorn a warrior's grave--the manly and +venerating tear of his mortal foe; for, as the earth covered for ever +the remains of Aguilar, the silent tear of noble feeling fell on it +from the eye of El Feri de Benastepar. + +Meantime the Christians at the foot of the mountain were making a +precipitate retreat, carrying with them a number of their wounded +companions, and leaving behind a terrible monument of their bravery and +misfortune. + +How imposing is the calm, when the warm activity of action gives place +to the desolate repose of death! Now, the din of strife is over; no +longer the brazen notes of the trumpet swell in the wind--no longer the +echoes of the mountain rehearse and fling back the warlike sounds. +Hushed is the voice of command and animation--mute the cries of victory +or defeat. Even the howling blast, which lately, with its fitful voice, +increased the terrors of the scene, is now softened into a low and +mournful murmur, emblematical of the dismal tranquillity that reigns +around. The smiling face of nature is bloted and defaced by the +truculent works of men. The rich and reviving green that carpeted the +ground, now presents to the view an ensanguined plain, and the smiling +flowers, emblems of innocence and peace, bear no longer in their calice +the pearly moisture of the morn, but display the crimson evidence of +man's hatred to his kind. The soft grass is not now ruffled by the +welcome pressure of living individuals, happy in the joyous dance, or +gently reclining under the sweet influence of slumber, but by the weight +of ghastly corpses. + +It was a sight fearful to behold! not a sound was heard; an unnatural +sadness prevailed over the scene; a thousand warriors lay there in the +silence of the grave, but in those colourless features still lingered a +tinge of the last feeling by which they were animated--the last passion +that raged within; the brow stiffened into gloomy fierceness--the eye +intensely fixed with bold resolve--the firmly clenched hand--bespoke the +various sensations in which they were surprised by death. Tranquil and +extended lay some who had received the summons without a throb; surely +the blow was struck, and swiftly fled the spark of life, whilst others, +in the violent contraction of the muscles, and the writhing expression +of pain, indicated how fearfully the rebellious soul had grappled with +the destroyer, before she could be dislodged from her tenement. Death +levels all distinction, and here were seen men of various ages and +ranks, so widely separated in life, promiscuously mingled in the last +repose. Youth and age alike indifferently strewed the plain, and the +silvered locks lay beside the flowing tresses; the pale hue of +protracted life, with the rosy healthful tints of commencing and hopeful +existence. Spring had mixed its blossoms with the falling leaves of +autumn. No distinction of rank was here; by the noble chief lay the +humble soldier--their attire alone could distinguish one from the other; +and even this external ornament would soon be destroyed, and all, all +would be amalgamated in one general indiscriminate dust. + +But still that period was not arrived, and the encampment of corpses, +fresh in death, appeared most like an army of sleeping warriors; but for +the bloody tokens and fearful disorder which drove away every image of +natural repose, it seemed as if their departed spirits still hovered +within the bodies which they had lately abandoned. But alas! too soon +the harbinger of fading and helpless mortality would speed to dispel the +melancholy charm. The carrion birds were now hurrying to claim the +undisputed inheritance of that prey which a short time since had been +the receptacle of so many feelings and affections, while a thousand +hearts were doomed to weep for the occasion that afforded joy to the +gloomy and filthy revellers. + +The routed Christians, meantime, were fast retreating, whilst the news +of their defeat and the fate of Aguilar spreading swiftly around, soon +reached the stately city of Granada, for misfortune is a most +expeditious traveller. The heroic Isabella felt an indescribable shock +at these unwelcome tidings; even victory, if purchased with the death of +Don Alonso, she would consider a reverse, but attended, as it was, with +complete overthrow, it created the most lively sensations of indignation +and sorrow. She made a solemn vow in the presence of the archbishop her +confessor, and her nobles, that she would neither wear linen nor sleep +on her royal couch until that daring rebellion had been annihilated, and +its agitators brought to retribution. She next gave orders that all her +troops should march against the rebels, and a numerous army was soon +collected, both of veterans and volunteers. + +Meantime the grief of Leonor for the death of her father was exhibited +in a striking manner, but still in a manner worthy a branch of that +noble tree. She found a generous consolation in the name bequeathed to +her by her departed parent, and she fondly cherished the halo of glory +that surrounded her father's life, and now must adhere for ever to his +memory. The queen, anxious to contribute to the mitigation of her +sorrow, had kindly invited her to the palace, that by a temporary +absence from her own dwelling she might be relieved from the sight of +objects, which continually brought to her mind a train of painful +associations. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Padre mio, caro padre, + E tu ancor m'abbandoni! + + _Guarini._ + + I know not how to tell thee; + Shame rises in my face and interrupts + The story of my tongue. + + _Otway._ + + +Bermudo, the renegade, having received instructions from El Feri soon +after the affair of the Sierra Bermeja, returned to Alhaurin, where he +found Caneri in an extacy of uncontrollable joy. His late extravagance +had of course been considerably augmented by the news of the recent +success. So elated were his spirits, and so confident did he feel of the +happy results which would attend all the future operations of the Moors, +that, forgetting a secret dislike he always entertained to actual +strife, he talked of heading a body, and meeting the Christians, who +were rapidly advancing upon Alhaurin: but the renegade brought +different injunctions from El Feri, who was now looked upon, by common +consent, as the supreme arbitrator of the Moorish cause. Caneri was +ordered, unfortunately for the display of his present ebullition of +valour, to fortify himself in Alhaurin, and prepare a retreat for +Mohabed, in case the rash expedition of that chief against Gomez Arias +should prove unsuccessful. + +All El Feri's persuasions had been thrown away upon Mohabed, who, quite +inexperienced in war, and highly flushed by their recent victory, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with a strong division to offer battle to +the Spaniards. Caneri submissively followed the orders of his brother in +command. Indeed in his present exhilaration of spirits, he would submit +almost to any thing, except to renounce the outward show of dignity, for +Caneri was one of those good-natured soldiers, who can be satisfied with +the shadow, whilst other leaders possessed the substance of power. + +In every age and country, there needs must be warriors of all +descriptions; some are designed by nature to encounter perils, and +acquire a name to be enrolled in the temple of immortality, and there +are others whose noble achievements entitle them to the same honor, +though traced in different characters; there is also a third class of +military men, who, being neither sanguinary nor heroic, are yet intended +to shine in a more peaceful warfare,--generals of undoubted military +capacity, of extraordinary genius for the enactment of regulations and +orders, with a clear judgment for the various qualifications of staff +officers, and bearing an exceedingly martial and appropriate carriage in +courts, reviews, and parades. Now, to this last class Caneri most +assuredly belonged: his talents for military parade and shew no one +could dispute. He now approached the renegade, and in as affable a +manner as his arrogant dictatorial manner would permit:-- + +"Alagraf," he said, "these are joyful times for the Moors." + +"Provided they last," coldly returned the renegade. + +"Last," rejoined the Moor, with indignant surprise. "Behold!" and he +pointed to his men, all arrayed and equipped in a martial style, as they +were standing in review, "those men are not likely to tarnish the +laurels already culled by their companions of the Sierra Bermeja. But +you are ever sullen, Alagraf; no victory, no fortune can efface the +gloom which pervades every action of your life." + +"Yours, at all events, Caneri," replied the renegade, sneeringly, "is +excessively gay; the love of your country must certainly be great, since +it can occasion such extraordinary marks of satisfaction for a temporary +success." + +"My country and religion are dear to me," returned Caneri, with dignity, +"very dear, and sacred. But then," he added, relaxing, "my heart is not +wholly absorbed in the love of my country." + +"That I believe," replied Bermudo, significantly. "It will easily admit +of division, and in the distribution of your lore, I dare swear you have +reserved a considerable share for yourself." + +Caneri laughed affectedly, then drawing nearer to the renegade, and +taking him gently by the hand-- + +"My friend," he said, "much as I love myself, still have I a store left +for such as love me well, and when a lady fair----" + +"Eh!" exclaimed the renegade, "what lady fair is this?" + +"Oh, Alagraf," returned Caneri, unable any longer to contain himself, "I +am the happiest of men--Theodora--the beautiful Theodora has at length +yielded to the soft persuasions of love, and it is to you, my good +Alagraf, that I stand chiefly indebted for such favorable results." + +The renegade started back in visible consternation. Caneri's words sent +daggers to his heart. Could it be possible? the amiable and elevated +Theodora, sunk to the base minion of so worthless a character! and all +his plans overturned for ever! It appeared unaccountable--impossible. +Theodora could not look kindly upon the object of her late mortal +abhorrence.--Such a transition was abrupt--unnatural--unless, indeed, +her reason had fallen a sacrifice to her accumulated distress. + +Terrible thoughts coursed over the troubled and darkened brow of the +renegade, whilst his whole person manifested strong marks of the passion +that agitated his bosom. + +"Alagraf, what means this emotion? why, you appear thunderstruck." + +"Yes;" replied the renegade, assuming his composure, "with surprise. But +you said it was to my good offices you stood indebted for your success. +Now would you favour me with the particulars of such an extraordinary +conquest?"-- + +"Aye, my friend," returned vauntingly Caneri; "Fortune is very +capricious. She never works progressively, but by starts, and then +according to the mood she is in, a man is either overpowered with misery +or with bliss. Some time since both the affairs of my country and those +of my heart went on desperately; the scales are now turned, and I am +blessed in a double triumph. + +"But," cried the renegade, "the nature of your triumph I would fain +learn." + +"It is complete," replied Caneri with complacency. + +"Complete!" re-echoed the renegade with emotion--"complete! how?" + +"At least by anticipation," returned the Moor. "Complete by +anticipation. Nothing is yet concluded." + +The renegade recovered from the suspense of agony. + +"The triumph of which I speak," continued Caneri, "is yet to come, +though it is already beyond a doubt. Theodora, until now so resolutely +bent against me--Theodora, who at the very sight of me shrunk back with +horror and abhorrence--Theodora at last receives me not only without +reluctance, but even with kindness. My visits no longer create disgust +and dread, and every symptom foretels a speedy and grateful termination +to my fondest hopes." He then added with conceited vanity,--"And I +marvel how else an affair of this nature could terminate? Theodora was a +lovely woman, a woman in affliction; but she was a woman still, and +could not be expected to continue eternally in the same mind. Constancy +in any thing is against the very nature of woman; perseverance is a foe +she could never successfully withstand." + +To this sapient observation the renegade made no reply. A glance of +scorn was the only sign by which he evinced his value of the chiefs +opinion. He allowed him a free range to his hopes, and when the vain +Moor had satisfied himself with aerial happiness, the renegade in a +bitter bantering tone wished him joy of his conquest, and hurried away +to certify upon what basis were founded the expectations of the Moor. + +Caneri retired to his couch, when to his waking dreams succeeded those +of night, which though not wilder in their nature, were still by their +flattering prospects the source of unspeakable satisfaction. He rose, +therefore, the next morning if possible in greater exhilaration of +spirits than before, and immediately sent for his confidant the +renegade; but his confidant came not, and Caneri was in absolute +necessity of a person to whom he might communicate his hopes and his +plans. Malique was accordingly ordered into his presence. + +"Malique, where is Alagraf?" inquired the chief. + +"Alagraf!" exclaimed the astonished Malique; and he remained for some +time as if struck by a thunderbolt. + +"Alagraf!" + +"Alagraf! yes Alagraf," repeated impatiently Caneri. "What means this +confusion? speak. Where is the renegade?" + +"The renegade is gone," answered the trembling Malique. + +"Gone!" echoed Caneri with superadded agitation.--"Gone! where? when? to +what purpose?--gone! without my knowledge!" + +"The purport of his mission," replied Malique, "I know not; nor was I +made acquainted with his departure until this morning. The guards of the +night allowed him to pass. Possessed as Alagraf was of your secrets and +unbounded confidence, it was naturally supposed that he acted under your +instructions: his egress from the town therefore caused neither surprise +nor alarm." + +"My instructions!" cried fiercely the chief; "I gave him no +instructions; it is an act of insubordination. That man was ever too +proud; his accursed Christian blood still remained in his veins, when +his mouth pronounced a recantation of his creed. He renounced his +country; but could not renounce his character. By the mighty Allah! he +shall severely suffer for this breach of discipline if Caneri has power +amongst the Moors. Yes, he shall feel the bitter consequences of his +imprudence upon his return." + +"Return!" cried Malique, despondingly, "If he acted not according to +your orders, I much apprehend he will never return; for his companions +in flight leave no doubt as to the motives that have directed him." + +"Companions!" exclaimed Caneri, in breathless anxiety. "What +companions?" + +"Even the fair captive, and the menial Roque," replied Malique, after +some hesitation. + +"What! Theodora gone! gone with the renegade!--hell! furies!--unsay +those words, Malique! tremble for the villains that allowed him to leave +the town--nay, tremble for your own life!" + +The fury of Caneri knew no bounds, upon the confirmation of Malique's +intelligence. He stamped and raved like a madman, and plucked his beard +in very ire: then, in the summary way of distributing Moorish justice, +he caused the chief and two or three of the guards of the night to be +slaughtered in his presence. Indeed, Malique himself would have shared +the same fate, had not the private interest of the Moor superseded his +frenzied revenge. But Caneri considered Malique as totally devoted to +his person, and he was loath to part with a man of whose aid and +counsel he stood in greater need than ever. Thus the life of Malique was +spared by the despot, as those of many other humble slaves had before +been and will again, by their despotic masters, not for the services +which they have already rendered, but in consideration of those which +they might still afford. + +"Malique, quick," cried Caneri, "take the best of my troops, the +fleetest of my horses, and speed after that accursed renegade; bring +him, dead or alive;--alive, if possible; and ask for any recompence, +any, how great soever, which I can grant.--Begone!--fly!" + +In a moment the faithful Malique with a chosen band was mounted, and in +a moment they started rapidly with the velocity that a hope of +recompence or a dread of punishment inspires. They sped in the direction +reported to be taken by the fugitives, but it was too late; the renegade +had devised the necessary precautions to insure success in his +undertaking. He had the advantage of a whole night's journey, and had +besides prudently changed his route as soon as he found himself out of +sight. + +Thus the efforts of Malique proved as abortive as the ravings of his +master. After a day spent in fruitless pursuit, the party was compelled +to retreat before an advancing band of Christians, and returned to +Alhaurin, to witness the extravagant rage of Caneri, who was alternately +the prey of shame, disappointment, and vexation. Indeed, all the Moors +evinced signs of discontent at the disappearance of the renegade. Some, +because his presence animated their courage, and others because they +dreaded the despotic temper of Caneri, now rendered doubly formidable by +this untoward event. All the Moors were, therefore, in dismay at the +flight of the renegade, all but one, and that was Aboukar, who found +with no less surprise than joy, that amongst the companions of the +runaway was included his spouse, Marien Rufa. + +Meantime, the fugitives were rapidly approaching the town of Guadix, +the native place of Theodora. But with what throbbing hearts the +travellers proceeded on their journey, and how different were the +feelings that gave expression to their features! A thousand sensations +agitated the bosom of Theodora; fear, hope, and filial love, alternately +disputed the mastery, whilst the countenance of the renegade evinced +nought but a dreary isolation of feeling; revenge alone reigned in his +heart uncontrolled, and undisputed. The two inferior personages were +likewise indulging in reflections consonant to their nature and habits. +A vacant joy, a happy riddance from a state of fear and thraldom, +predominated in the heart of Roque, whilst a curious amalgamation of +gratified spite and returning superstition claimed that of Marien Rufa. +But, however different the sentiments by which they were actuated, the +travellers evinced an equal joy when their anxious look caught the first +glimpse of Guadix, which now stood before them softly enveloped in the +twilight shadows. + +"Welcome! dear lady," cried Roque, joyfully, "once more behold your +home." + +Home, delightful thrilling word! It went to the heart of Theodora in a +tumultuous flow of pleasing, yet painful sensations. She now returned to +the scenes of her innocence and happiness, but it was also the theatre +of her disgrace and sorrow. What agitation did she feel as every well +known object presented itself with powerful associations to her mind. +Already she descried the stately appearance of her father's mansion, +rising majestically in the shades of approaching night. Though distant +she clearly perceived every object, every feature of the surrounding +scene. + +Tranquil and quiet the country and the city lay in religious silence, +and the gentle hum of humanity that softly stole upon the ear, and the +tinkling of a bell, or the social bark of a dog, every well-known sound +struck with a congeniality of feeling on the trembling heart of +Theodora. She returned to her home like the happy traveller after a +lapse of many years, to whose memory charged with numberless objects +that have intervened since his departure, these infant scenes must +return in a confused, fading, yet pleasing sensation of delight. +Theodora came; she drew near the place of her birth with anxiety and +dread. Around she beheld every object as she had left it. Nature had +proceeded undisturbed in her accustomed rotation. Green were the fields, +and the boundless heavens still displayed their majestic grandeur. Yet, +all around, to the eyes of Theodora, bore a tint of strangeness she +could not well define. Alas! the change was not in those places, but in +the tone of mind with which she considered them. Guadix and its gardens, +and its groves, and its fountains, were still the same, but Theodora was +changed. She had left those happy scenes in all the glory of youth and +beauty. She returned experienced in grief in the beginning of life, and +bearing in those heavenly features the iron stamp of premature decay. +She had left them in the wild delirium of love,--in the intoxicating +bliss of a first all-powerful affection, lavishly bestowed, and +abundantly requited. She returned with a heart desolate and forlorn, +the pure springs of which were envenomed by the baneful effects of +passion, and embittered with shame and grief. She had left them in the +happy society of a fond lover, full of present joy and glowing hopes of +future happiness. She returned full of disappointment and remorse, under +the protection of an apostate, the dark enemy of her country. These sad +images obtruded upon her mind, and to such dismal thoughts was +superadded the load of fear and anxiety arising from the uncertainty of +her offended parent's reception. She was his only child, tenderly loved +and cherished; but yet, would not this very love offer obstacles to a +reconciliation? Would not her father's unbounded kindness serve to set +off in blacker colours her own cruel ingratitude? + +With these gloomy ideas she at length reached the threshold of the +paternal dwelling. There was a melancholy calm that smote her heart--the +ponderous casements were closed--a dismal silence prevailed, and as they +entered the _Zaguan_, the echo of their steps was sent back in a +mournful sound that seemed to rebuke the intruders. The old favorite dog +of Don Manuel lay in a corner dozing a dull slumber, and Theodora, as +she fondly called him by his name, received no sign of pleased +recognition. The animal slowly raised his head, and mechanically fixed +his heavy eyes on the speaker, but he neither leaped briskly to hail an +old friend, nor resented the approach of an unwelcome stranger. The +servants, too, were long in making their appearance, and when at last +Pedro, the old major-domo, advanced to meet the party, he bore on his +countenance deep lines of affliction: for some time he gazed vacantly on +the strangers, and then in a harsh, inhospitable tone, inquired their +business. + +"Pedro!" said Theodora, with faultering emotion; "Pedro, don't you know +me?" + +At the sound of that voice Pedro started, and made the sign of the +cross--he gazed in astonishment, applied his hand to his dim eyes, and +then in a sort of wild stupor-- + +"_Santo cielo!_" he exclaimed, "Is this a dream, or a miracle? Surely +it must be an apparition!--My lady Theodora, here!" + +"Yes, good Pedro," mournfully replied Theodora, "this is no delusion. I +am, in truth, Theodora, thy young mistress. But the announcement shocks +you! What means this confusion?" Her emotion redoubled--she trembled and +had scarcely strength to cry--"My father!--where is my father?" + +Pedro heaved a sigh, and shook his head despondingly--"Alas! your +father!" + +"What! speak!" shrieked Theodora, struck with horror--"He is not +dead!--Speak!" + +"No, not dead," replied the old man, "but it seems that heaven sends you +to close his eyes, and witness his departure from this world.--Oh!" he +added, sobbing violently, "sorrow hath bowed down his venerable head: +since his daughter fled from him, this has been the home of grief and +desolation." + +Theodora covered her face with her hands; the consciousness of her guilt +came with additional force to pierce her heart, as the melancholy +results of her dereliction were revealed to her. Roque and Marien Rufa +were much affected, and even the stern features of the renegade seemed +to be softened by a tinge of pity. + +Theodora now could be detained by no consideration. The powerful impulse +of nature rose superior to the suggestions of fear. She hurried to her +father's chamber--she crossed the long corridor and reached her own +saloon without opposition. There she threw a melancholy glance on the +objects around, and heaved a bitter sigh when she beheld every thing in +which she formerly took delight remaining in the same situation as when +she had left them. Her books were scattered about, and her guitar was +thrown carelessly upon the sofa where she had last sung a mournful +romance previously to her meeting her lover in the garden. It was a +rapid glance Theodora cast, and yet, alas! what a world of keen +sensations did it produce. Every thing around bespoke the disconsolate +tranquillity of a deserted home. Theodora at length gained her father's +apartment; the door was closed, but she listened, and distinctly heard +the murmur of disease. She gently knocked; an old female attendant +opened the door--Theodora rushed in, and threw herself at the feet of +Monteblanco's couch. + +"Oh! my father!" she cried, and her agony denying her the powers of +utterance, silent she sank by the bedside; yet the violent respiration +and the smothered groaning which escaped from her bosom but too plainly +told the full measure of her sorrow. + +"Who is this?" feebly inquired the old man, as those sounds of distress +snatched him from the feverish and troubled slumber of disease. + +"Your daughter! your guilty, your unfortunate Theodora! Oh, my father, I +come but to crave your forgiveness and die." + +Prostrate and weakened as Don Manuel was, the sound of his daughter's +voice, and her pathetic appeal, awakened all his latent feelings, and +gave a new impulse to his decaying frame. + +"Theodora! my child! my child!" he cried, raising himself on the couch; +and as the sombre reflection of a dim lamp fell on the form before him, +he was chilled with horror and amazement. He saw his Theodora; for the +eyes of a father will always recognise his child, spite of the blasting +influence of misfortune in disguising the features. He recognised his +daughter, but alas! how changed was that model of female loveliness and +beauty. Sunk was that eye, and quenched its pure and brilliant fire; the +smile of innocence had fled from those lips, and the soft delicate tint +of her countenance was chased away by a deadly paleness. But still +Theodora was interesting and lovely; still Monteblanco gazed on her with +the tender fondness of a parent. He rose superior to the malady which +confined his withered frame to the couch of sickness; the film of +decaying nature was upon his eyes; but yet he fixed them intensely on +that fading form that bore the resemblance of his once-beloved child. He +could not speak, nor did his daughter attempt to break this pause of +dreadful solemnity. Her overpowering grief burst with impetuous +effusion; in briny showers the tears fell, and her bosom seemed ready +to break under the pressure of heavy and tumultuous groans. Monteblanco +was moved to tears; his parched eyelids, which appeared unused to these +testimonies of sympathy, were bathed in moisture. He wept, while in +soothing accents he endeavoured to raise his daughter from the ground. +But she struggled to preserve her humble position. + +"Oh, my father!" she cried in an agonizing tone, "your kindness will +kill me more than cruelty. I am unworthy of so much tenderness; +forgiveness, only forgiveness, is the melancholy boon that the wretched, +the guilty Theodora craves from her venerable and injured parent." + +The recollection of some dark dream seemed now to absorb the senses of +the old man. The debility to which sickness had reduced his mental and +physical powers, and the overpowering efficacy of a first impression of +pleasure and surprise, had entirely banished from his mind the dreadful +image of a parent's just indignation. At first he only saw his lost +child returned to his arms, nor in that moment of agitation did he +recur to the cause of her absconding, to the state in which she +returned. All the sensations which might naturally spring in the bosom +of an injured cavalier were deadened by the more powerful feelings of a +father's love. + +But now that the first emotion had subsided, and that the voice of the +guilty Theodora sounded distinctly in his ear, the attention of Don +Manuel was promptly recalled to images of a painful nature. His +daughter's desertion and the misery consequent on this first act of +guilt, rushed upon his mind in deepened and aggravated colours. He +rudely drew back the hand which the unfortunate Theodora was bathing +with her tears, and in a tone of indignant feeling-- + +"Say," he cried, "art thou come to hasten my departure from a wretched +state of existence?--Speak, guilty as thou art; unfold the horrid tale; +and when I am doubly cursed, when I have seen thee thus forlorn and +blasted by guilt and misfortune, then let me die!" + +"Oh my father," she exclaimed with heart-rending emotion, "I am a +criminal daughter--a wretch unworthy of the name I bear--yes, I amply +merit your wrath and malediction. But oh! in pity do not deny me your +forgiveness, for I have drunk deep of sorrow; if my guilt has been +great, so have likewise been the tortures that have rent the heart of +your child, since the moment of her first transgression." + +"Unfold to me those horrors," exclaimed the desolate father, in a +frantic tone; "perhaps their disclosure may break my heart, and bestow +on me the only comfort I can now expect--yes, speak, and let the last +words I hear from my daughter be my passport to the tomb!" + +"Father, speak not thus--on me alone let the vengeance of the offended +heavens fall--I alone must expiate the guilt, for shame cannot be joined +with the name of Monteblanco; but you, oh! father, live--live to support +the dignity of that name." + +"You have disgraced it," interrupted Don Manuel, "but I will hear +tranquilly--ere I deeply curse, I will deliberately examine the extent +of your guilt." + +He seemed suddenly to acquire a dreadful composure, and Theodora, as +soon as her emotion would permit, told in the strains of deepest woe the +particulars of her sorrowful history. It was interrupted repeatedly by +her disconsolate father: rage, pride, pity, and resentment, by turns +swelled his breast, according as the circumstances related excited those +different feelings. But when the harrowing recital was finished, his +character seemed to assume a tone of energy uncongenial with his present +state of malady. Family pride, a sense of degradation and of injury +unrevenged, rose paramount in his mind, and stifling for the moment all +the pleadings of pity and parental tenderness, he felt an equal degree +of horror and resentment against the betrayer and his unfortunate +victim. + +In the first impulse, therefore, of his rage, Monteblanco fixed his +despairing eyes on his daughter, and in a tone of bitterness, enough to +break the fibres of her heart, he cried out imperiously-- + +"Begone from my sight for ever--begone, and let me die in peace--let me +descend to my grave without the additional pang which the presence of an +ungrateful child inflicts upon me--rise and begone; and may the stings +you have planted in this withered heart, and the shame you have heaped +on my head, be your companion to the latest moment of your ignominious +life." + +"Oh horror! horror!" shrieked Theodora: "Father! father, you do not--you +cannot curse your hapless child. Oh! my expiation has been +boundless--the justice of Heaven itself must be satisfied, and the heart +of a father cannot deny forgiveness to the poor wretch whose miseries +are far--far superior to her guilt. Oh pity me!--grant me your +pardon--repulse me not thus from your heart, and I will immediately +speed to bury my sufferings and my shame amidst the gloom of a +cloister." + +She ceased, and the wildness of her manner, a fitful tremor that shook +her frame, and the unearthly hue that overspread her already pallid +countenance, exhibited in glowing tints the havoc that such deep anguish +had made. Her trembling arms were extended, and the thin cold fingers +clasped in agony; loosely her dishevelled tresses fell on her father's +couch, as in the earnestness of grief she appealed to him for mercy. + +Monteblanco looked on her, intensely looked on that harrowing picture of +distress, and felt the burning tears that descended in copious streams +from their swollen springs. The vivid signs of her repentance, and the +excess of her affliction were inconsistent with depravity. Error more +than guilt was there, and Don Manuel could not behold unmoved his once +beloved daughter, the pride and solace of his declining years, reduced +to her present state of utter wretchedness. Dreadful was the conflict +which the noble and high-minded cavalier had to sustain between the +stern dictates of worldly prejudice, and the tender pleadings of nature. +But happily to the father's honour, nature at length prevailed. He was +softened, and in an extacy of mingled grief and affection, he clasped +his sorrowing child in his trembling arms. + +Monteblanco appeared now partially relieved from a load of anguish. He +consoled the poor forlorn culprit that pathetically clung to his +protection, and his fondness for the once beautiful and accomplished +Theodora, seemed to return with additional force for the unfortunate +being that stood before him. + +But now new feelings took possession of his breast. As he gazed with a +melancholy joy on his restored child--as he considered with the smile of +sadness the mournful devastation which one man's treachery had wrought +there, all his thoughts were forcibly drawn into one predominant idea, +whilst the decaying energies of his frame received a new impulse to +second the resolutions of his working mind. The cold and unnatural +atrocity of Gomez Arias burned in his brain; he felt the agonized throb +of his injury run corrosive through his veins, and impart an +uncontrollable desire of revenge; the fever of excitement rose superior +to that which had laid him prostrate, and he seemed impatient at the +weakness that confined him to his couch. + +"Before I die, poor suffering mourner," he said, turning soothingly to +his daughter, "I shall see your wrongs redressed, and my insulted honor +amply revenged; this sacred duty links me yet to life, and I hope +fervently in God that my existence may be protracted until that period." + +The renegade was there; for when revenge was the word, how could Bermudo +be absent from the essence of his life? Theodora, overpowered with the +emotion which her meeting with her father had produced, retired to +compose her disordered spirits, and in the mean time, Don Manuel had a +short but terrible explanation with the renegade: in few words this man +of darkness unfolded his powers of seconding Monteblanco's plans of +vengeance. + +The heated mind of the old cavalier, though in need of no stimulus, +nevertheless gathered fuel from the insinuating eloquence of the +renegade. A plan was concerted, and an immediate appeal to the queen +resolved upon; but the state of Monteblanco's health did not allow him +to put in execution his determination with a promptitude consonant with +his feelings. The renegade was therefore prudently concealed for the +present, to avoid the danger of inquisitive curiosity, whilst the only +obstacle that retarded the departure of Monteblanco for Granada, was the +sickness which still confined him to his couch. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Crece el tumulto, y el espanto crece: + Y todos le abandonan--uno solo + Fiel se presenta, y con valor perece. + + _Anon._ + + +Don Manuel de Monteblanco has already been described as a man weighed +down by years and the iron pressure of infirmities and sorrows. The +disappearance of his daughter, in whom all his thoughts, all the +affections of his heart were solely centred, tended to fill the measure +of his misery and reduce him to that gloomy state of despondency with +which his lost energies and increasing age in vain attempted to +struggle. Totally unsuccessful in his endeavours to discover the retreat +of Theodora, time at length reconciled him to his state of desolation, +but it was the resignation of despair; that feeling which makes man +acquiesce with gloomy calmness in the decrees of fate, and look with +tranquillity on the approach of death as the happy termination of his +sufferings. + +Don Manuel had sent despatches, and made diligent inquiries to recover +his daughter, but in vain. Martha, the old duenna, from whom he might +have obtained a knowledge of the truth, had successfully baffled his +pursuit, the sanctimonious hag having embarked at Barcelona, for Italy. +The vessel was wrecked, and it was supposed she perished, as no +information of her could be afterwards obtained. Don Lope Gomez Arias +had all the time kept up a correspondence with the deluded and ill-fated +father, who, far from harbouring the least suspicion against the +betrayer of his daughter, considered him as one in whose advice and +services he could implicitly confide. Thus in proportion as the +intelligence from Gomez Arias grew more cold and less frequent, the +hopes of the old cavalier decreased, until he was at last reduced to a +state bordering upon distraction. He lay prostrate on the couch of +sickness; it was presaged he was doomed never more to rise. Slowly death +was stealing over him, and all his friends and dependants bitterly +deplored the causes which contributed to render so miserable the last +days of the good old cavalier. Indeed, it appeared as if the angel of +death hovered round his fated mansion, and awed all its inmates into a +melancholy tranquillity. At this time the sudden and unexpected +appearance of Theodora worked a powerful revolution in the feelings of +the family, whilst the frame of Don Manuel, instead of sinking under the +weight of the impression which it produced, seemed to revive. His latent +feelings were roused from their gloomy torpor, the slumbering energies +were called into action by the powerful excitement of new ideas, and the +mind rendered buoyant in proportion as new projects called for the +exertion of its faculties. The unparalleled effrontery and cruelty of +Gomez Arias formed the source from which the drooping frame of +Monteblanco gathered life. His wrongs, instead of accelerating the +progress of death, seemed instantly to check its strides, while the +desire of revenge so powerfully operated on his mind, that it warmed the +torpid energies of decaying mortality. + +Three days had scarcely elapsed since the arrival of Theodora, when Don +Manuel already considered himself equal to the exertion of a journey to +Granada. The distance was short, and his feelings would not allow him a +longer delay; for he conceived every dilatory suggestion to be as +detrimental to the success of his design. The renegade, instead of +checking Monteblanco's views, contributed to encourage them by his +instigations. + +Early, therefore, on the fourth day, every thing was prepared for their +departure. Theodora habited herself in robes of deep mourning, and +departed from Guadix with her father and her former companions in +flight. The presence of Roque was indispensable, and Marien Rufa went +with the pious intention of being reconciled as soon as possible to the +church, by the Archbishop of Granada. + +Whilst our travellers are journeying towards that city, let me entreat +you, kind or unkind reader, to suffer them to go in peace, and accompany +me in another direction. We must now revert to the Moors, whom we left +in high excitement at Alhaurin, though the rage of Caneri at the flight +of his captive had considerably damped the joy produced by their +victory. + +The disappointed Moor roamed about like a discontented mastiff, growling +and casting around his revengeful glances; whilst his dependants, awed +by his ferocity, cared not to encounter the ebullition of his wrath, but +timidly skulked away: strange phenomenon of human nature! Amongst those +Moors there was not one who did not inwardly despise the petty despot; +not one that was not endowed with a greater share of personal courage, +and yet they all trembled before the man they contemned, and shrank +from an object invested with no other terrors than those which they had +voluntarily conferred upon it. Where lies the spell of a tyrant that +enables him _alone_, hated and contemned, to tyrannize over his fellow +creatures! However, the Moors had now a respite from their fears, for +the approach of the Christians compelled Caneri to forsake the +gratification of his petty malice, and direct his thoughts to the public +danger. The town of Alhaurin, which he commanded, was well garrisoned, +and had a plentiful store of provisions; and yet the mind of the chief +sadly misgave him. Every moment straggling Moors arrived, who depicted, +in the most lively colours, the terrible appearance of the Christians. +These reports, and the names of the gallant chiefs who headed the enemy, +failed not to depress the hearts of those who a week before had looked +upon their triumph as certain, imagining that the lustre of their glory +was beyond the possibility of a blemish. + +In the mean time Mohabed, contrary to the advice of El Feri, had +descended the Sierra Bermeja with the Moors under his command. El Feri +had expostulated with his brother chief, but could not persuade him to +postpone an attempt which, planned with haste, and executed with +rashness, could only be attended with disaster. The Moors, though +possessed of courage, were unskilled in the discipline of war, and +better calculated, therefore, to harrass the Spaniards by detached +bodies, in petty skirmishes, than to oppose them in the open field. +Mohabed was callous to all remonstrances; and this want of unity in the +chiefs, proved a mortal blow to the Moorish cause. El Feri saw with +grief his companions descending that mountain which, to them, had +afforded a strong hold, and a secure home, to risk, by an act of +imprudence, the advantages which they had already gained. + +Mohabed boldly directed his course towards Granada, in which direction +Gomez Arias was said to be advancing. The enemies shortly came in sight; +but no sooner did they come within hearing, than the Moors sent forth a +wild shout of exultation, which was answered by the war-cry of the +Christians, who were burning to revenge the defeat of their countrymen +in the Sierra Bermeja. + +Gomez Arias beheld the advance of the enemy with transports of joy. He +hailed an opportunity of avenging the death of Aguilar, and of +acquiring, by a brilliant act, fresh laurels to sanction his ambitious +and enterprizing schemes. Besides the many deceitful stratagems to which +he had resorted on account of Theodora, his unsatisfactory conduct on +the day of his intended wedding, and a degree of mystery that remained +over that affair, had combined to throw a shade over his character which +he was anxious to remove by the _eclat_ of a military exploit. The hope +of victory, the desire of retrieving the late disgrace of the +Christians, and the sweet whispers of ambition, produced a state of wild +excitation he could scarcely restrain. His soldiers were equally +impatient to signalize themselves, and every one awaited the moment of +action in a ferment of expectation. + +Gomez Arias made choice of an advantageous position near _Rio Gordo_, +and there resolved to receive the attack of the enemy. Meantime Mohabed, +as if to forward the wishes of the Spaniards, hurried on without +considering the fatigue and exhaustion to which his men were reduced by +a forced march. The Christians, in their turn, beheld the approach of +the rebels, as an approaching holocaust to the spirits of those who fell +in the Sierra Bermeja with the gallant Aguilar. Don Lope commanded his +men to sustain the first attack without moving, and then, taking +advantage of the confusion excited by a repulse, suddenly to charge +their enemies with the united advantages of discipline and courage. His +wishes succeeded to their utmost extent. The Moors rushed on to the +charge in a blind and disorderly manner, totally heedless of the +consequences of their want of organization. The Spaniards suffered the +attack with the greatest coolness and intrepidity; when their fiery +courage, acquiring additional stimulus from having been compressed, now +spurred them on, and, with their entire force, they fell on the +confused and crowded masses of the enemy with an overwhelming shock. + +A dreadful carnage ensued. Terror had succeeded the first ebullition of +courage, and the Moors perceived their own rout and confusion only when +it was too late. Mohabed exerted all his powers to rally his +panic-stricken followers, but it was in vain. Disorder and dismay every +where prevailed, and the Christians obtained a victory as easy as it was +complete. The greater part of the Moors were slain in the field; a few +only escaped to carry the disheartening tale to their companions. The +rest, with their chief, Mohabed, fell into the hands of the enemy. + +The news of this disaster caused the wildest consternation amongst the +rebels at Alhaurin and the Sierra Bermeja. El Feri de Benastepar, +grieved but not surprised at the unfortunate results of Mohabed's +rashness, was active in repairing the loss, but his numbers being so +much reduced, he was now more fully confirmed in his design of confining +their warfare against the Christians to the Sierra Bermeja. With the +vigour of a superior character, he did not feel dejected by this +overthrow, as he had not been wildly elated by his previous success. Not +so with Caneri: the total rout of Mohabed, described in the darkest +colours by those who had succeeded in effecting their escape, began to +awaken apprehensions for his own safety. His fear was considerably +aggravated by the arrival of the Alcayde de los Donceles, who, by forced +marches, had suddenly made his appearance before Alhaurin, to which he +immediately laid siege. The disorder and discontent of the Moors hourly +increased, and the absence of the renegade was severely felt. + +At this moment the Alcayde de los Donceles sent a herald to summon the +rebels to surrender, promising a full pardon should they be willing to +lay down their arms and deliver up their chiefs. But in case they +neglected to adopt in time this conciliatory measure, it was threatened +that they should all be put to the sword, and the town reduced to +ashes. Discontent and insubordination now prevailed amongst the rebels. +The sense of their danger--the formidable array of the enemy--and above +all, the unpopularity of their chief, Caneri, conspired to render a +great portion of the troops willing to accede to the proposals of the +Alcayde. + +Soon a numerous and powerful cabal was formed, and the malcontents, +deciding that their cause was desperate, agreed to surrender. In a large +body they proceeded to the palace, and insolently demanded that the +gates of the town should be opened to the Christians. Caneri, and some +of his adherents, aware that they were made an exception to the amnesty, +were naturally anxious to defend the city, as the only means of averting +their fate. + +Caneri, no longer an unruly despot, now crouched to the danger like an +abject slave, and in a piteous tone began to expostulate with the +mutineers. It was a striking contrast to see the man, who lately was the +terror of all, converted into so gentle an animal as to astonish even +the Moors when they contemplated the cowardly being who had held them +so long in dread. They were not moved by his entreaties; for the +supplications of a despot, instead of awakening sympathy, serve only to +augment the rage of mankind, by placing in a more striking light his +pusillanimity and unworthiness, and the shame of having suffered so +despicable a thing to tyrannize over and oppress them. + +The uproar and insubordination increased as the term allowed by the +Alcayde to effect a surrender was drawing near. All obedience was now +disregarded, and a party of the most turbulent resolved to put their +chief to death, and, by this means, propitiate the favor of their +enemies. Accordingly, with wild exclamations and terrific yells, they +surrounded the mansion of Caneri, and insolently summoned the few Moors +who still adhered to him to give up the despot, or that they would +immediately commit the palace to the flames. Caneri, pale, haggard, and +trembling, stood like a convicted culprit in the scene of his former +brief authority, bewildered with fear, and without knowing what course +to pursue. To escape was utterly impossible, the palace being surrounded +by the infuriate Moors, and the town beleaguered by the Spaniards. In +this emergency he cast an imploring look on his followers, and saw with +despair the limited number of his adherents. In vain he attempted to +harangue the infuriated throng from the window; he was driven back by a +shower of stones and other missiles. In this suspense and agony he +remained some time, during which he had the mortification to behold his +few remaining friends gradually deserting his side in proportion as the +danger became more imminent. All was tumult and anarchy, and the cries +which proceeded from without, predicted to Caneri's ears his approaching +and terrible fate. To the curses heaped on his devoted and abhorred +person, succeeded the appalling threats and the wild savage laugh of +exultation over his near downfall. Those who were formerly the most +abject of his slaves, were now more particularly conspicuous in +manifesting their revengeful disposition. + +The outward gates had now given way to the ponderous hammers with a +terrible crash, and the frenzied mutineers rushing impetuously in, +traversed the hall and gallery without opposition, and directed their +course to the apartment of the chief. + +The wretched Caneri, alike unable to meet his death like a man, by +opposing his rebellious soldiers, or to prevent by his own hand the +ignominy which threatened him, awaited in stupor the crisis of the +bursting storm. Aghast he rolled his starting eyes, glazed with agonized +terror; and he saw himself deserted in that dreadful moment by all his +dependants. All had forsaken him--all but one man; he alone, in spite of +the fate which inevitably awaited his adherence to the fallen chief, +still remained faithful to his side: it was Malique. There is an +instinctive fidelity, existing sometimes in the most unrefined and +barbarous minds, honorable to human nature,--the uncouth Malique was of +this stamp; he had received no favors from his master when in +prosperity, yet he now scorned to abandon him in adversity. + +Caneri looked at him, and in spite of his forlorn and perilous +situation, could not but be moved at the sight of the faithful Malique. +The noble minded Moor stood by his side, his scymitar drawn, and +evincing on his countenance no signs of terror or dismay. Caneri, frail +as was the protection that could be derived from a single man, still +fondly clung to hope with the sordidness of a cowardly mind. + +"My faithful Malique," he cried in a tone of agony; "Is there no hope?" + +"None," replied Malique, sadly, but resolutely: "none, but to die like +brave Moors; draw your weapon, noble Caneri, and perish as becomes your +race." The trembling chief answered with a groan, for the mutinous +soldiers had succeeded in bursting the door of the apartment, and now +with a dreadful clamour poured in, eager to strike the first blow at +their wretched and defenceless chief. Their very impatience retarded the +accomplishment of their fell desire, for as they thronged the narrow +passages, some were thrown down, the impatience of the one impeding the +progress of the other. + +His suspense between life and death was protracted by the confusion; and +the miserable Caneri suffered the additional torture of hearing for some +time the appalling heralds of his fate, before the blow was struck. The +door burst open, and the savage eyes of his enemies glared upon their +victim, and the glitter of their weapons struck fearfully on his +sickening sight. He stood gazing with the petrified look of despair; +Malique boldly advanced and placed himself before his master, with the +resolute courage of one who has determined upon his part. + +"Malique," cried the foremost of the conspirators, who happened to be +one whom Caneri had favored; "Sheath thy weapon; we seek not for thy +life." Malique made no reply, but with a single blow he levelled the +traitor with the ground; he then sprung fearlessly amongst the +rebellious crowd, and after having laid prostrate two or three of the +most infuriated, he was himself struck down, and met his death with the +courage of a soldier, and the coolness of a man, who dies in the +discharge of his duty. + +Grown desperate by the very impulse of terror, and moved by the sight of +Malique bleeding at his feet, Caneri assumed a courage arising from +desperation, and as the mutineers closed round him, he dealt several +blows with a stubborn resistance that might have done him honour in the +field. He was, however, soon overpowered, and fell covered with +innumerable wounds. His head was immediately severed from the body, and +being affixed to a long pole, the disorderly and motley crowd now +proceeded to the camp of the Spaniards, bearing before them the bleeding +and ghastly token of their surrender. + +The whole town now became the scene of indiscriminate riot; men and +women, old and young, ran about in a tumult of hope and fear, whilst the +discordant shouts of the soldiery, and the appalling sight of the +procession, bearing the ensanguined trophy, greatly contributed to +increase the confusion. + +El Alcayde de los Donceles having taken the necessary precautions to +insure the safety of his men, in case of treason, now entered the town +of Alhaurin amidst the acclamations of his late foes; the chiefs of the +rebels had already been secured, and the disorderly multitude taking +advantage of the proffered pardon, soon evacuated the place, and +dispersed in every direction. + +Meantime the Alcayde, having left a garrison in the town to prevent any +further trouble, proceeded towards the Sierra Bermeja, the last and only +refuge of the Moors; for the little villages where the fire of sedition +yet burned, were too insignificant to engross his attention. The +Christians therefore continued their march towards the dreadful spot, +where the spirit of the noble Aguilar seemed to hover, in expectation of +redress, and where the terrible El Feri, the most valiant of the Moors, +still kept his ground. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Cuan breve y cuan caduca resplandece + Nuestra gloria! Cuan subito, en el punto + Que deleita a los ojos, desparece! + + _Herrera._ + + Che piu si apera, o che s'attende omai? + Dopo trionfo e palma + + * * * * + + Luto e lamenti, e lagrimosi lai; + + _Tasso._ + + +Granada, lately the seat of mourning, was again converted into a scene +of indiscriminate joy. The recent victory obtained by Gomez Arias, and +the defeat of Caneri which had so closely followed that advantage, awoke +the most pleasing sentiments in the minds of the inhabitants. They +almost considered the rebellion as at an end, assured by the late +successes, and awaited with impatience the triumphant entry of Gomez +Arias and his conquering band, now rapidly approaching towards the city. +The court was assembled, and displayed the heroic Isabella in all the +insignia of royalty. Surrounded by all the principal personages in +Spain, she awaited the arrival of the victor, anxious to offer him her +congratulations and to bestow upon him adequate marks of her royal +favor. + +The grand saloon of the Alhambra, where formerly the Moorish sovereigns +dictated their laws, now afforded a different, though no less striking +display. The dazzling glitter of armour and the sumptuousness of +official dresses, blended with the gay and richly ornamented attires of +the ladies of the court, presented a picture at once beautiful and +imposing. + +At this moment a rumour was heard at the extremity of the long hall. It +proceeded from the guards, who appeared anxious to deny admittance to +some person who, with a feeble though piercing voice, was heard +continually to exclaim-- + +"Justice! I come to the Queen! Justice! She cannot deny it to an +unfortunate noble!" + +The queen was moved by the appeal, and ordered that the supplicant +should be admitted without delay. Scarcely were her commands obeyed, +when a venerable old man, in sable robes, and bearing on his countenance +deep traces of grief, slowly and solemnly advanced towards the throne of +the queen. He supported, or rather was supported, by a young female, +likewise in mourning, and wearing a veil, which reached almost to the +ground, thus concealing her beauties and her sorrows from the curious +gaze of the spectators. Two other figures followed closely, a man of +strong athletic proportions in a Moorish garb, and a thin +curious-looking individual, apparently of inferior station. + +Solemn silence prevailed, and every one seemed anxious to learn the +cause of this extraordinary appeal. But when the stranger reached the +throne he was immediately recognised by the queen and several of the +nobles, who could not conceal their astonishment at the sight. +"Monteblanco!" involuntarily and simultaneously escaped from several +voices in the some breath. + +"Yes," replied he, kneeling with his daughter at the foot of the throne; +"the wretched Monteblanco comes humbly to crave justice from his +sovereign. Before his grey hairs descend with sorrow into the tomb, he +collects his weak remaining strength to seek redress from the powerful, +and to interest in his behalf the feelings of all the noble and +generous. Pardon, most noble and gracious Queen--" he then added, +addressing Isabella, "Pardon, if I come in a day of glory and jubilee, +to damp with the tale of woe the joy that reigns around. But behold the +picture of an aged father, wounded and insulted in his best +affections--a noble family dishonoured--the only scion of that family +reduced to the lowest state of obloquy and shame. Such a picture may +well call the attention of the just, even from objects of dazzling +interest. Yes, I may be pardoned for intruding my misfortunes on my +Queen--my generous Queen, from whom alone I can expect redress." + +"You shall not demand it in vain," replied the queen; "all times are +sacred to the solemn appeal of justice, and in the court of Isabella, +every other consideration shall be postponed to satisfy its demands. +Monteblanco, you have been guilty of no intrusion; speak +confidently--unfold the particulars of your grievances, and trust that +nought on earth shall induce the Queen to deviate a single step from the +sacred path of justice." + +"Gracious Queen!" cried Monteblanco, "that hope has been my sole +inducement to prolong my miserable existence. I am injured deeply; +injured in the dearest feeling of a nobleman and a Spaniard. The honors +of my family, gained by a long line of illustrious ancestors, have been +foully tarnished by one who calls himself noble and a Spaniard, but who +is alike unworthy to rank as either. I will not enumerate the services +of the Monteblancos to interest our Queen in behalf of their affronted +house; still, whilst the lustre of their name is on the point of being +extinguished, it may be permitted to the last remaining but withered +branch of that noble tree, once again to speak of those who are alas! +now no more. Oh, Isabella, I had five sons; all--all deserving of the +name they bore. Bravely they fought against the Moors, and gloriously +they fell before the walls of this city, in the sacred cause of their +religion and country. I was left desolate with this only frail but dear +support of my declining age." + +He cast a piteous look on Theodora, and then continued. "The fate of my +sons might draw tears from the eyes of a father; but those tears were +unmingled with the bitterness of shame. With pride I remembered that my +boys died for their country. Heaven! could I then surmise that in my +unfortunate daughter all the former glory so dearly earned should be +degraded! Could I ever anticipate that the day should come when the +noble fate of my sons would be to me a subject of regret! I am now +reduced to envy my country those lives which might now stand forward to +avenge the honor of their house. My daughter, blessed with innocence and +beauty, gentle and kind in her nature, was the only solace of my +declining years--the only sweet and blooming flower that still grew +smiling beside the parent stem. Yet of this, my only remaining comfort, +I was treacherously and cruelly deprived. A ruffian, honored far beyond +his deserts, and rich in the plenitude of power, envied me this solitary +consolation. My unfortunate daughter was seduced from her home! Oh +heaven! that a Monteblanco should be reduced to confess his shame! She +was seduced from the fond arms of her parent under the most sacred +promises, and then, in violation of his plighted honor, the miscreant +cast her aside to wither in neglect and obscurity. But it was necessary +that the most atrocious example of barbarity should accompany his base +desertion. In the arms of sleep, the hapless victim was abandoned amidst +the wilderness of the Alpujarras. She fell into the power of the Moors, +from whom she experienced all the terrors which her forlorn situation +was naturally calculated to produce. Fortune threw her again in contact +with her betrayer, when the cold heartless ruffian, under the most +insidious promises of false repentance, drew her from the house of her +protector, that she might be no obstruction to his ambitious career. He +again delivered her to the power of the Moors, the rebels whose heads +were proscribed, and with whom the guilty man scrupled not to hold +communion, in open defiance of the repeated and solemnly promulgated +decree of your highness." + +Here Monteblanco stopped, and a suppressed murmur of indignation ran +through the whole assembly. + +"Such an example of depravity," continued the old man, "astonishes you, +but your wonder will be increased when you learn that the man who has so +disgracefully added treason to his crimes is one high in rank, great in +military renown, and honored by the favour of his sovereign." + +"Those circumstances," cried the queen, "render his conduct doubly +criminal. Monteblanco, your wrongs shall be redressed. Let the guilt be +firmly established, and then, were the culprit the first man in the +kingdom, the support of my throne--nay," she added, rising in her +anger, "were he even of my own blood, he shall not be screened from the +rigour of the law." As she delivered these words a cloud of indignation +mantled on her brow, and her eyes shot the fire of insulted majesty as +she looked proudly on the surrounding nobles and warriors. + +A pause ensued, and the splendid train that had assembled to celebrate a +victory, now gazed on each other in blank dismay, expecting to hear in +the name of the criminal one of their own friends or relatives. + +"Pronounce the name of the traitor," cried the queen, "and if he be not +here already, he shall be summoned this very moment into our presence, +to answer these charges." + +"His name is powerful," replied Monteblanco. + +"Not more so than my will," nobly retorted Isabella. + +At this moment a burst of popular applause announced the triumphant +entry of the victorious Spaniard, and the name of Gomez Arias, in the +wild strains of a grateful multitude, was repeated by a thousand voices. + +"His name?" impatiently demanded the Queen. + +_Viva!_ Gomez Arias, _Viva!_ again burst on the ears of the Court, and +Monteblanco, with bitter emphasis, exclaimed:-- + +"Hear! hear his name honored with the strains of triumph: hear the name +which causes my misery and dishonor, now receiving the glorious reward +of the hero! Oh, shame on my withered arm; where is the strength of my +youth; and where the sons of my name?" + +"Gomez Arias!" cried the queen and the courtiers with one simultaneous +cry of amazement--"Gomez Arias!" + +"'Tis he!" replied Monteblanco, firmly and indignantly. + +A dismal silence then succeeded, and the emotion of the queen became +strongly apparent. She felt that, in the person of a triumphant +conqueror, she was about to receive a criminal, and that the reward due +to his services could not avert the punishment incurred by his guilt. +The surrounding courtiers stood aghast, gazing in wonder on the queen. +They were well assured of the rigid impartiality which had swayed her +conducts through life; and aware that not even all the powerful voices +in the country could successfully plead against the claims of the +unprotected, or stay the decree of justice upon the oppressor and the +criminal. + +Meantime Gomez Arias, with all the exultation of a conquering warrior, +entered the hall, attended by his principal adherents, and preceded by +Mohabed and other captive chiefs. He advanced in joyful expectation +towards the throne, when suddenly his course was arrested by a dreadful +vision. + +Fixed in mute astonishment, he stood, as he gazed upon the group, at the +foot of the throne; an ashy paleness succeeded the glowing tints of joy +yet visible on his countenance. His confusion became apparent, and was +productive of the most injurious surmises in the minds of all around. +Yet Gomez Arias raised his eyes towards his sovereign, but from her +features he could augur nothing favorable; no encouragement could be +traced in their calm and distant expression. + +A consciousness of guilt now mastered all his powers of dissimulation, +and the nature of Gomez Arias seemed, in a few moments, to have +undergone a total and inexplicable revolution. His joyous attendants +were surprised at these unwonted signs of consternation; and the sounds +of pleasure and triumph suddenly ceased. A deadly spell seemed to have +been suddenly cast over the scene, and every one remained in a state of +terrible suspense. At length Gomez Arias, striving to conceal his +agitation with an assumption of boldness and ease that ill consorted +with his manner--"Most gracious Isabella," he cried, "behold the +rebellious Mohabed at your royal feet, and accept the humble +congratulations and devout attachment of your faithful servant." + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias," answered the queen, with stern dignity of tone +and demeanor, "before we receive your congratulations, and acknowledge +your services--before we can consider you with the regard due to the +glorious character of a victorious soldier, you must remove certain +accusations which have this day been averred against you by the noble +and respected individual now before the throne. Answer these serious +charges before you claim a title to our gratitude and favor; for not all +the splendor of conquest shall throw a veil over flagrant guilt. +Approach, and behold those whom you have wronged--mark well the +situation to which you have reduced a noble family, and say, what you +can plead in justification." + +Don Lope cast a glance on the group; but when he perceived his man, +Roque, whose presence deprived him of the little opportunity left for +prevarication, hope forsook him, and the presence of mind which had +served him on so many occasions proved utterly insufficient at this +critical moment. He foresaw that any attempt at exculpation would be as +fruitless as dangerous. He therefore continued in mute silence, and +appeared to plead guilty to the accusation. His countenance, however, +gradually cleared, as though a cheering ray had suddenly beamed upon +him. He seemed to adopt some resolution so imperiously demanded by +circumstances--he regained his composure; but a deep sigh escaped him; +it was the last testimony of regret that announced the disappointment of +his hopes. No alternative was left; he must relinquish all thoughts of +Leonor; and he accordingly attuned his mind to receive with deference +the commands which he awaited from the queen. + +"Gomez Arias," said Isabella after a lapse of time, "that silence +clearly bespeaks thy conviction; the honor of a noble family has been +stained. It now remains for you to make all the reparation in your +power; and that must be done immediately; for I will not leave this +place, nor shall you leave my presence, till I see the victim of your +wantonness and cruelty restored to that honor and happiness of which she +has been deprived." + +Gomez Arias heard these words with apparent respect and humility. Foiled +completely in his former hopes, he yet was willing to preserve the +favor of the queen, and to effect this it was necessary to deprecate the +indignation which his conduct had excited. He therefore assumed all the +symptoms of repentance, without any alloy of fear or servility, and +casting himself at the foot of the throne, "It would never," said he, +"be worthy of Gomez Arias to resist in any instance the will of his +sovereign; much less on an occasion when honor induces him to follow her +dictates." + +"Pity," answered Isabella sarcastically, "that this consideration did +not sooner induce you to adopt such a course, for much misery had by +these means been prevented. But the evil is already done, and must be +instantly repaired. + +"Don Lope Gomez Arias," she then proceeded, "This very moment you must +plight your hand and faith to Theodora de Monteblanco. You appear fully +sensible of the justice of such a measure, and therefore in my presence +let the ceremony be performed." + +One of the chaplains of the queen was immediately summoned, and before +the assembled court, whose looks bespoke their astonishment at this +extraordinary scene, the unfortunate Theodora became the wife of Gomez +Arias. With trembling steps, and supported by her father, she advanced +to the foot of the throne. Don Lope approached her, not only without +symptoms of dislike, but even with some appearance of a kindly feeling, +the sincerity of which was however of a doubtful nature, as little trust +could be placed in a conversion so suddenly effected. Nor did Theodora, +blinded as she was by her infatuation, confide entirely in his specious +address; but yet the thought of restoring peace of mind to her father, +and honor to herself, rose paramount to every other consideration. +Amidst the tears that dimmed her eyes, and the lines of sorrow that +marked her countenance, some grateful signs of happiness were +discernible, like the cheering rays of the sun struggling through the +gloom of the clouds. + +She received the hand of Gomez Arias tremblingly, with a mixed sensation +of joy and dread. Alas! when she took that hand, once so dear, it +seemed deadly cold, and the touch imparted to her heart a chill she +could not define. + +As soon as the ceremony was performed, the queen arose, and with a +stateliness of manner that struck with awe the surrounding train-- + +"Don Lope," she said, "You have, as far as it lay in your power, +repaired the injury you have done to the daughter of Monteblanco; you +must now answer your Queen, for treason to your country." + +Gomez Arias was struck with astonishment, not so much from the +consciousness of guilt, as from the suddenness of such an unexpected +charge. As soon, therefore, as he recovered from his surprise, with +indignant pride he exclaimed: "What! Gomez Arias charged with treason, +when he comes to afford the most incontestable proofs of his love and +devotion to his country? Where--where is the villain who dares affix so +foul a stigma to the name of Gomez Arias? Where is he?--let him appear, +that I may confound and chastise the miscreant;" then looking round with +haughtiness, he added, "who dares charge _me_ with treason?" + +"I dare," cried a voice; and presently the renegade, who, till then, had +been concealed from Don Lope, came forward with boldness, and fixing his +eyes steadfastly on Gomez Arias-- + +"I dare," he repeated, "in the face of Spain, and I will make good my +charge." + +Gomez Arias staggered at the sight; the apparition had burst upon him so +unexpectedly, that, unable to contain his emotion,-- + +"Ah!" he cried, faultering; "what! the Moor here!" + +"The Moor!" echoed the queen; "then you know the Moor?" + +"I have seen the wretch before," replied Gomez Arias; "but how dares he +throw on me so dark an imputation?" + +He cast a look of darkening anger on the renegade, but Bermudo returned +the haughty glance with a cold sneer. + +"Proud man," he exclaimed, "your wrath affrights not me, and humility +becomes you better than arrogance. You can as little intimidate me, as +you can effectually contradict the veracity of my accusation. Queen of +Spain," he then cried in a tone of fearless intrepidity, "and you, ye +nobles of Granada, behold in me one of the rebels who has laid down his +arms and accepted the amnesty. An eager desire to unmask that haughty +man, has obliged me to abandon my companions, and appear within the +walls of a Christian city. My motives for proceeding against Don Lope +will shortly come to light; but first his guilt shall be established. +His conviction and punishment will necessarily follow, if the court of +Isabella can boast real claims to that impartial justice, for which the +world gives it credit." + +These words were delivered with such firmness of tone and manner, that +the friends of Gomez Arias began to look on him with mingled pity and +amazement. He, however, cast around a glance of indignant contempt; +then he preserved a sullen silence, attempting not to contradict the +statement of his accuser. + +"What answer make you to this charge?" demanded the queen, observing the +pertinacity of his silence. + +"Answer!" replied Don Lope, with overpowering indignation; "none! Gomez +Arias will not deign to answer the accusations of a vile rebel, nor will +he afford his Queen and brethren in arms the satisfaction of seeing the +established character of a noble Christian put in competition with the +base assertions of a villain." + +Hurt as the queen felt at the arrogance and insolence couched in these +words, she forbore manifesting her displeasure. + +"No, Don Lope," she said, "your Queen is grateful, but not more than she +is just. You stand accused of treason, but the mere word of that Moor +will not be sufficient in itself to induce your Queen, or your brethren +in arms, to convict of treason one of the first knights in Spain. We +must have proof--evident, irrefragable proofs of the crime alleged +against you, before a decision is pronounced." + +"Proofs!" exclaimed the renegade, with a sarcastic sneer--"such a demand +is too just to be denied; and who would be the presumptuous madman, that +dare impeach Gomez Arias without proofs? In the first place, therefore, +the Queen will perhaps not question the validity of this." And saying +this, he took a ring from his finger, and approaching the throne, +added:-- + +"Your Highness cannot have forgotten this pledge of your regard for +Gomez Arias, though that nobleman seems totally to have overlooked such +a gift, when he speaks in dubious terms of your Highness's gratitude." + +A gloomy joy animated the features of the renegade, as he pronounced +these words; a demoniac triumph was visible on his countenance. + +The queen felt an involuntary shudder as she received the ring, whilst +Gomez Arias stood in speechless suspense, a transitory, but deadly +paleness driving the flush of anger from his countenance. + +"Moor--how camest thou by this ring?" asked the queen. + +"It was," answered Bermudo, "a recompence for the services I rendered +Don Lope Gomez Arias. When this gallant knight wished to part with yon +noble lady, I was the agent in the transaction; I procured him the +interview with Caneri." + +"Caneri!" exclaimed several voices in consternation. + +"Caneri, aye, Caneri," repeated the renegade, unmoved. "Could the noble +Gomez Arias enter into a treaty with a rebel less than a chief. I was +the individual who introduced these personages to each other, and surely +for so considerable a service could I expect less than a ring--a ring +valuable indeed in itself--more valuable from the illustrious personage +to whom it had belonged--more precious still, as I have it in my power +to return it to that elevated owner." + +The solemn mockery of this speech was suddenly interrupted by the queen, +while, with looks of anger and displeasure-- + +"Peace!" she cried. "You came here to make good an accusation, not to +intrude upon our patience with these remarks." Then turning to Gomez +Arias, she continued in a tone of mingled sternness and compassion-- + +"Don Lope, you gave this ring to the Moor?" + +"I did," replied Gomez Arias, gloomily, but dauntless. + +"An oath," resumed the renegade, "will surely be held sacred with a +Christian. Let one be taken by that man," he added, pointing to Roque, +who was now endeavouring to effect his escape, as he beheld, with +dismay, the unexpected and serious turn the affair was taking, and felt +repugnant to criminate his former master, for whom he still preserved a +feeling of respect. + +"Secure the man," continued Bermudo, "and we will then see how far I am +justified in my assertions." + +"Silence!" again exclaimed the queen, inwardly grieved at the evidence +that was pressing against Don Lope. "Silence, Moor: we need not thy +instructions." + +A mixture of pity and amazement prevailed throughout the assembly. They +met to congratulate a victor, and they were now to consider him as one +who had not scrupled to outrage the laws of his country, and for the +purpose of accomplishing a detestable crime. So extraordinary and +contradictory a situation appeared to some impossible; yet nothing is +beyond the compass of the passions when unrestrained in their headlong +career. + +The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggar +description. There she was obliged to stand and witness the accusation +of her husband, brought by her means into this dreadful situation. But +her dismay was doubly augmented when she observed the queen rise, and in +a solemn manner, address the surrounding train. + +"Christians," she said, "I bitterly deplore this melancholy event, which +changes a day of triumph into one of sorrow. Governor of Granada," she +then added, turning to Count de Tendilla, "to you I commit the person of +Don Lope Gomez Arias, accused of treason to the state. See that he be +safely guarded, though respectfully treated--and you, Don Lope, prepare +to stand a trial for your life." + +"For his life!" exclaimed Theodora with horror; and she fixed her +imploring eyes on the queen. + +Gomez Arias heard the decision of his sovereign with more indignation +than fear, and in the bitterness of his soul, he said, turning to his +adherents-- + +"My friends, be zealous to serve your country, for you perceive the +recompense and encouragement which await you in a day of triumph." + +"Don Lope," cried the queen with warmth, "charge not to your country +what has been the effect of your unrestrained passions and imprudence; +nor carry your insolence so far as to imagine and insinuate that I can +wantonly sport with the life of the meanest of my subjects, much less +with yours. You shall be judged by your peers, who will not neglect any +extenuation in your favor, and it shall be only on irresistible evidence +that the decree of justice shall be pronounced." + +She then made a signal for the assembly to disperse, and every one +retired in deep consternation. A deadly silence prevailed as they slowly +left the hall, and to the joyful sounds of popular feeling which had +lately been heard, now succeeded the murmurs of grief and astonishment. + +As it was feared that the friends of Gomez Arias might be tempted to +some rash act, proper precautions were taken, that the public +tranquillity should not be disturbed. Mohabed and the other prisoners +were confined in dungeons, and Monteblanco and his wretched daughter, by +the desire of the queen, remained at the palace until the fate of Gomez +Arias should be decided. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + A do el favor antiguo? a do la gloria + De mi pasado tiempo y venturoso? + A do tantos despojos y vitoria! + + _Herrera._ + + I am merrier to die, than thou art to live. + + _Shakespeare._ + + +The fatal day of the trial arrived; the evidence was heard, the facts +fully substantiated. Gomez Arias convicted of treason and condemned to +lose his head on a scaffold! This sentence filled the inhabitants of +Granada with indescribable horror. The man, who a few days before had +been the theme of general admiration; he, who came victorious, borne on +the wings of fortune to the highest pinnacle of honor, was now, by the +same capricious turn of fate, shorn of all his dignity and splendor, +and condemned to the horrors of an ignominious death. He, who had so +long awakened the jealousy of the great, was now the object of general +compassion. + +Theodora had been schooled in affliction, and familiarized with +suffering, yet when she was apprised of the result of the trial, many +circumstances conspired to add to the intensity of her grief. She +considered herself as the primary, though innocent cause of her +husband's untimely fate; all his ingratitude and cruelty; all the +treachery of which he had been guilty towards her, were now forgotten, +and her vivid fancy, excited by the extent of the danger, now saw +nothing but his brilliant qualities, and his untimely fate. Doubly dear +was Gomez Arias to Theodora, when she perceived him on the brink of +destruction. Hope, however, did not entirely forsake her, though the +boding voice of grief, which floated on the air, soon dissolved so +enchanting an illusion. If expectation had been great, the +disappointment was now doubly terrible; the sentence had been +pronounced, and the queen alone could mitigate its rigour by virtue of +the royal prerogative. To this last hope Theodora clung with fond +expectation; Isabella was humane and a woman; she had, it was true, +acquired celebrity by the rigid and unimpeachable justice of her +decisions, but could she send to the scaffold, a young and gallant +nobleman, to whom she stood indebted for a brilliant victory, without +infringing the sacred principles of that justice. She was a woman, and +though heroic and high-minded, still nature must have planted in her +bosom the genuine attributes of her sex. Pity, humanity, generosity, +would stifle the sterner voice of duty, and she could not repel from her +throne, the humble, yet noble supplicants for mercy; she would be deeply +moved by the tears of one, whom but lately she had made a bride, and +whom another word would make a widow. Besides, the application of many +intimate friends, and many of the first families in the kingdom, could +not be utterly disregarded by the queen, to whom their services had been +so important. + +These soothing ideas in some measure lulled Theodora's apprehensions, +and she successfully combated the idea of losing him for ever. +Unfortunate woman! soon she was doomed to learn the fallacy of her +expectations! Several strong appeals had already been made to the queen; +the first families of Granada had deeply interested themselves in favor +of Gomez Arias, but all applications had met with a disheartening and +absolute repulse. Nor indeed could the queen be taxed with ingratitude +and cruelty, for she adduced powerful reasons in her answer to the +supplicants, to prove her inability to comply with their request, +without at the same time giving her subjects an example of unjustifiable +partiality. A week had not elapsed, since six men had been executed in +the _Plaza de Bivarrambla_, on account of the same offence for which Don +Lope stood condemned. With this melancholy precedent, even the most +sanguine in their expectations began to droop, and the death of Gomez +Arias was looked upon as an inevitable misfortune. + +Theodora heard the opinion generally entertained with a feeling of +horror. In vain she cast herself at the feet of the queen, and there +implored the royal clemency with all the fervid eloquence of grief; +Isabella received her with tenderness, but allowed the wretched girl no +room for hope: Theodora's feelings were wrought to the wildest paroxysm +of anguish. She flung herself violently on the ground, and in all the +poignancy of her affliction, prayed, fervently prayed for the life of +her husband, the mere life, though by incurring banishment, she might be +doomed to see him no more; the tears of the unfortunate bride fell +profusely; her hands were franticly clasped, and trembled in the +intensity of her emotion. It was a picture of distress unutterable. The +queen beheld it with compassion--she was astonished at the sight of such +affliction in one so injured as Theodora, but she could not remove her +sorrows without a partiality in the administration of justice, which it +had been the pride of her life to avoid. + +Evidently distressed, she kindly bade Theodora rise, but with noble +dignity she pronounced those memorable words:-- + +"As a woman, I might forgive a treason against love; as a queen, I can +never forget one committed against my country." + +The wretched Theodora was then ordered to retire, but she was unable to +obey the mandate. She clung earnestly to the foot of the throne, fondly +imagining that as long as she retained sight of Isabella, she could not +lose every hope. Again she was invited to withdraw, the queen humanely +wishing to spare her feelings another unnecessary shock, but the object +of her solicitude was not conscious of the kindness of her motive. An +officer of the governor now entering, proceeded to deliver a roll of +paper into the hands of the queen. Isabella appeared suddenly agitated +as she received the scroll, whilst a ray of horrible light glancing +across the mind of the wretched supplicant-- + +"Oh, in mercy do not sign"--she franticly exclaimed. "In the name of +heaven! not yet--do not sign!" + +It was too late--the decree which condemned Gomez Arias was signed, and +his unfortunate wife fell senseless to the ground. + +In this melancholy state she was carried to her father, who, far from +being able to afford consolation, was himself a prey to the bitterest +woe. + +Gloomily the day wore away, and the inhabitants of Granada beheld with +horror the high scaffold which was already prepared at the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. An universal mourning seemed to prevail throughout the +city. Every one felt interested and shocked at the approaching +execution, though no one dared to impugn the justice of the sentence, by +virtue of which the noble culprit was about to suffer. + +After the condemnation of Gomez Arias, a strong guard was placed at the +mansion of Count de Tendilla, where he had been confined. He was treated +with the utmost deference and regard, the queen having particularly +commanded that every attention should be lavished on him; and indeed, +until his death warrant was signed, the prisoner had been permitted a +free intercourse with his friends and relatives. Thus his prison bore +rather the resemblance of a levee of a person in power, than the visits +of despairing friends to one in the last stage of mortality. All his +friends and companions in arms had been assiduous in these mournful +visits, and he appeared greatly pleased with this testimony of their +regard. Indeed it was his pride which had brought Gomez Arias into this +dreadful predicament, and he was thus highly gratified at the very +general interest exhibited in his behalf. + +It might be easily seen that he had not yet lost every hope; for to him +it seemed impossible that the queen could ever be prevailed on to give +her sanction to the sentence. He fondly recalled to his mind the high +favor in which he had hitherto been held by Isabella--the different +tokens of regard received from her royal hand--the many interviews and +even familiar conversations with which he had been honored. To these +pleasing recollections he added the intercessions of so many powerful +advocates, all eager to solicit the royal clemency in his behalf. Thus, +every thing conspired to buoy up the spirits of the prisoner, and to +prolong an illusion from which he was soon to be rudely awakened. He was +conversing in a tranquil, nay, lively manner, with two or three friends, +when Count de Tendilla, followed by the official attendants, entered, +and in a sad melancholy tone-- + +"Don Lope," he said, "I deeply lament the necessity to which I am +reduced, of being the messenger of woeful tidings; but part of the pain +I feel in such a disagreeable duty, is removed when I have to +communicate it to such as Gomez Arias, who have fortitude and courage to +know how to sustain misfortune." + +"Proceed, Count," answered Don Lope, with a bitter smile, "let me know +the worst, and I dare say I shall have that fortitude which you kindly +suppose me--" + +"Don Lope," solemnly said the Count, "your sentence is confirmed, and +you must prepare for death." + +"Death!" exclaimed Gomez Arias, with emotion, "death!" Then suddenly +composing himself, he continued in an indignant tone:--"Well, I must +confess that I am somewhat struck with your information, Count. +Certainly, I was not prepared for so much--banishment and confiscation, +I could have expected, but I see that I have most erroneously calculated +on the favor of our Queen--her generosity, indeed, surpasses my most +sanguine ideas." + +Count de Tendilla, without seeming to understand this innuendo, +proceeded-- + +"In consideration of your services, Don Lope, the Queen is willing to +grant any request you may wish to make. It shall be most religiously +observed." + +"I am greatly beholden to the Queen," replied Gomez Arias, in the same +bitter manner, "but upon my honor, I am already too much indebted to her +Highness, and I should be loath to trespass on her indulgence." + +"Don Lope," cried Tendilla, with warmth, "you wrong the Queen. At this +very moment she deplores the necessity which compels her to sign your +death warrant. Had there been any means, any honorable method to save +you from your fate, she would eagerly have seized the opportunity. She +would willingly forfeit the greatest treasure of her kingdom to save +your life.--Yes, for your existence she would sacrifice all--all but her +duty." + +"And when," demanded Gomez Arias, "is this sentence to be carried into +effect?" + +"To-morrow;" replied the governor, "but should you like to profit by the +favor, a respite of two days is granted." + +"No," proudly returned Gomez Arias, "I should feel exceedingly mortified +to disappoint the expectations of the public, who, no doubt, are by this +time anxiously looking for the preparations of the approaching +spectacle: no, let the ceremony take place to-morrow; I am ready." Then, +turning to young Garcilaso, who had been his companion in the expedition +against Mohabed-- + +"My young friend," he said, "you are a gallant and most promising +soldier, but be careful how you use the favors of the ladies; for not +all your services rendered to a queen will compensate the most trivial +disregard offered to the woman; and above all, be cautious how you +meddle with rings." + +Count de Tendilla did not think proper to resent these remarks, for the +present situation of Gomez Arias precluded the propriety of replying to +the imprudent effusion of his irritated feelings. + +"Don Lope," resumed the governor, "I will place your person under no +unnecessary restraint, but you must pardon the disagreeable necessity to +which my responsibility reduces me of stationing a guard within your +apartment." + +"The presence of soldiers, Count," replied Don Lope, "was never +unpleasant to Gomez Arias; on the contrary, I shall feel particularly +gratified; they will, perhaps, tend to dispel the cloud that hangs over +my mind by recalling to memory my former glory; besides, they will +acquire a new stimulus to serve their Queen by witnessing the +encouraging reward she has in store for her servants." + +He now folded his arms and began to pace the room with an affected +indifference, but his inward feelings baffled even the powers of his +superior mind. No man can feel calm and indifferent under such +circumstances; it is against the principles of his nature; pride and a +due sense of honorable feeling may help him to assume a dignified +composure, or ferocity and callousness may adopt an insolent demeanor or +a gloomy tranquillity; but real philosophic evenness of mind exists more +in theory than in practice. Nevertheless Gomez Arias manifested no +symptoms of weak regret, and his exclamations bespoke more his +resentment against the queen than the dread of relinquishing life in the +midst of a brilliant career. He now seemed to be absorbed in thought and +the governor prepared to take his leave, when-- + +"Stay," he cried, "upon better reflection, perhaps it will be more +respectful not to refuse the kind offer of my sovereign; I shall +therefore make one request." + +"Name it," said Tendilla, kindly; "it shall be granted." + +"It is," resumed Don Lope, "that upon my way to the scaffold I may be +allowed to head a party of my own gallant soldiers, mounted on my +charger and attended with all military honors." + +Count de Tendilla gave an involuntary start at so strange a demand, and +looked steadfastly on Gomez Arias, as if doubting whether compliance +might not be attended with danger. The request might involve the secret +of some desperate act, or perhaps only bespoke the workings of a noble +pride. However, the governor considered himself justified in granting +the favor. + +"Your wish shall be fulfilled," he said. "Whatever may be the feeling +that prompts you, Don Lope, to make such a request, I and my _own_ guard +will likewise accompany you." + +He delivered these words with great significancy of tone and manner, +that Gomez Arias might be sure the governor was prepared, should there +be aught in contemplation that might affect the public tranquillity. + +"And now," resumed Tendilla, "I must bring you a visitor, Don Lope; one +who earnestly wishes to take a last farewell." + +"And who is that charitable being?" inquired Gomez Arias, carelessly; +"for if I mistake not, all my friends and relatives have already +fulfilled that duty." + +"It is your lady," replied Tendilla, "the lovely and unfortunate +Theodora." + +Gomez Arias made a sign of impatient displeasure, and then, in a cold +and constrained manner-- + +"I am sensible," he said, "of her kindness and self-devotion, but I +cannot consent; no, I cannot, I will not see her; and I earnestly pray +and hope she may no longer require an interview to which I have already +given an absolute denial." + +This was true. Gomez Arias had obstinately refused to see his once +idolized Theodora, nor could all her prayers and entreaties, backed by +the remonstrances of friends, prevail on him to alter so unkind a +resolution. This determination might have sprung from a feeling of +horror for the cause of his death, or of pity for the poignancy of her +anguish: perhaps he wished to avoid a scene which was capable of +producing nothing but terrible or melancholy recollections. + +He evinced, however, no reluctance to see his man, Roque. The poor +faithful creature anxiously desired to be admitted; for though the +claims of his master to his gratitude were feeble, yet a lively +sentiment of affliction and a degree of horror for having been, though +unwillingly, one of the instruments to forward the catastrophe, made him +desirous of throwing himself at the feet of Gomez Arias. + +Tremblingly the poor valet entered, and as he beheld the noble figure of +Don Lope standing composedly in the middle of the apartment, he could +not refrain from tears. + +"Oh! Don Lope," he cried, despondingly, "my dear and honored master, +that it should come to this! That ever I should live to see the most +gallant cavalier in Granada undergo such a sentence!" + +He then threw himself at the feet of Gomez Arias, and clasping firmly +both his knees, in a tone of keen anguish continued-- + +"Alas! my unfortunate master, I will not rise from the ground until you +grant me full pardon for the share I have in your death. Heaven knows +how unwillingly I have acted, and how sadly I repent the untoward +circumstances which reduced me to that fearful alternative." + +"Rise, my good Roque," said Gomez Arias. "I freely forgive thee, not +only the melancholy necessity to which thou hast been compelled, but +even all the other transgressions of which thou hast been guilty in my +service, and I dare say they are not a few; however, as I am to +undertake to-morrow so long a journey in which, I suppose, thou hast no +inclination to bear me company----" + +"_Virgen de las Angustias_," interrupted Roque, "how can you, Senor, +speak of such dreadful things in so light a manner?" + +"Now, Roque," replied Don Lope, "thou must be silent, at least at +present, and allow me thy privilege for a time; listen with attention. +It is high time to settle my accounts. I am thy debtor, Roque." + +"_Valgame Dios_!" exclaimed the valet. "Senor Don Lope, why think of +these matters at such a time?" + +"The best of times," returned his master, "or you run a fair chance of +not being paid at all." + +"But I do not want to be paid," cried Roque, sobbing aloud. "I am sure +you think too meanly of me, if you suppose I came here with such on +intention." + +"No, Roque, I well know thy fidelity, and I mean not to offend thee; but +thou must not refuse the last bequest of thy master: here, take this," +he said, delivering a large purse, which the valet could scarcely be +prevailed upon to accept. "And here," he continued, taking a ring from +his finger, "receive this as a token of remembrance," and as Roque +hesitated to take it, he added, smiling, "Take it, for I can now give +rings away without danger." + +"Thank you, my good master, but have you no pledge of affection, no last +remembrance for _her_?" + +"Why," answered Gomez Arias, with affected levity, "she will never +forget me. Besides I have nothing worthy of her acceptance--give her my +best wishes, and beseech her to pardon me as freely as I forgive her." + +Having said this, he wished to turn away, but Roque again interposed, +and in a most doleful tone-- + +"Alack! Don Lope," he said, "remember what I told you at Guadix; my +forebodings did not deceive me, for my prognostication has, +unfortunately, been but too truly accomplished. Now, had you then--" + +"Gently, my good fellow," interrupted Gomez Arias, "gently; this will +never do; thou camest here in the humble mood of a sinner, to crave my +forgiveness, and now thou hast relapsed into thy former calling by +assuming the preacher. In goodness forbear, and leave that task to those +who claim it in virtue of their office. And now, my faithful Roque, +begone, for I feel drowsy, and an hour's sleep would not come amiss." + +Saying this, he bade his servant kindly adieu, and retired to his +closet, followed by two guards. + +Roque was bewildered, for though he had already had several occasions of +forming a just estimation of the character and temper of Gomez Arias, +yet he could not comprehend how a man on the eve of death could resign +himself to sleep with the ease and composure which his master evinced. + +"_Virgen Santa!_" he ejaculated, "did ever man think of sleep at such a +time? Why _los siete durmientes_[46] would have been at fault at such a +pinch. He is going to sleep; the Lord help him! I am sure I cannot +sleep; nay, I don't know whether I shall ever sleep again." + +Saying this, poor Roque withdrew, weeping and wondering, and imploring +the protection of all the saints in the calendar, for his unfortunate +master. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Voila le precipice ou l'ont enfin jete + Les attraits enchanteurs de la prosperite. + + _La Fontaine._ + + Oh di destino avverso + Fatal possanza! a mie tante sventure + Cio sol mancava. + + _Alfieri._ + + Forget! forgive!--I must indeed forget + When I forgive. + + _Southern._ + + +Every hope was now extinct--the fatal morning arrived. Theodora, the +hapless Theodora, against whom fate seemed to have exhausted all her +malice, after a night of restless grief, had left her couch betimes, and +in a gloomy reverie was sitting by the casement, her hands clasped +together, and her eyes vacantly fixed on the moving groups below. + +The door opened, and her father entered--the wretched man was in a most +pitiable state. + +"My child," he said, tenderly, "my dear child, you must leave this +place." + +"Never," cried the melancholy Theodora, "unless it is to be carried to +the grave. Oh! my poor, my dear father, you will soon have to fulfil +that last mournful duty towards your hapless child." + +"Theodora, speak not thus; your words are daggers. We must submit to the +will of Providence--raise your streaming eyes to that heaven, my +beloved, and cherish the fond hope that this life of sorrow is to +purchase an eternity of pure uninterrupted bliss. Throw yourself into +the arms of religion, and your evils will appear lighter to bear." + +"Yes, my father, now my only friend," replied Theodora, in a tumult of +agony, "I will consider my misfortunes as a just atonement to offended +heaven, for the ingratitude of which I have been guilty towards the +best of parents." + +"Heaven bless thee, Theodora," returned the affectionate father, "and +restore to thee peace and tranquillity; and now grant me a request--you +must away with me." + +"But whither are we going?" demanded Theodora, "I cannot--I will not +quit Granada until I see _him_ laid in the ground. I am now his wife, +and I shall religiously fulfil the duties of such a character, for cruel +as he was," she added, mournfully, "to refuse me permission to see him +when alive, he cannot prevent me from showing my attachment when he is +dead." + +"Theodora," said Monteblanco, "it is not my intention to take you away +from Granada. I merely wish you to accompany me to the dwelling of our +kinsman, Don Antonio de Leyva. He has repeatedly demanded to see you, +but you have always denied his request. You surely cannot dislike him?" + +"Father! father!" cried Theodora, in a tone of reproach and sadness; +"why this eagerness to renew an intimacy with a man whom I have +wronged? Think you that Theodora will be able to sustain his reproach?" + +"No, Theodora, such thoughts are far from the minds of Don Antonio and +your father. But the gallant young man lies prostrate on the bed of +sickness. The wounds he received at the disastrous affair of the Sierra +Bermeja, have reduced him to the last stage of debility. He has this +very instant earnestly requested to see you; for he has something to +announce which may affect the fate of us all." + +Theodora answered not, but rising immediately, signified her readiness +to obey, and supported by her father, she proceeded towards the +residence of Don Antonio. Dismay and confusion reigned throughout the +city. At every step Theodora met with some object to impress her +forcibly with the dreariness of the fate which was at hand. Busily the +moving groups were talking of the melancholy event. She beheld the +troops that were collecting and marching about to insure the public +tranquillity, and this testimony of the hopeless situation of her +husband filled her bursting heart with new terrors. How dismally sounded +the trumpets and clarions! And now the ponderous bell of the cathedral +sent forth its reverberating tones, and it sounded like the summons of +death to Theodora. It struck eight, and in two hours Gomez Arias would +cease to exist. A chill seized on the very soul of Theodora, at each +stroke of the dreadful monitor, and as if its terrors had not been +sufficiently multiplied, a hundred different clocks, with their boding +voices, repeated the same sad tale to the agonizing heart of the +wretched girl. + +Next came the sight of the ministers of religion hurrying about; sad +heralds of mortality, in Christian charity, earnestly wishing to offer +their prayers for the departing soul, or holding out the example of the +approaching execution to the young and inexperienced. + +Theodora shuddered at every object she saw--at every sound that struck +her ear, and in this state she reached the mansion of Don Antonio de +Leyva, which happily was situated at a short distance. She trembled with +emotion as she found herself before young De Leyva, nor was her +appearance productive of less astonishment to Don Antonio. They were +both much altered--she by intense suffering--he by his wounds and +lingering sickness. Don Antonio, extremely faint, was reclining on a +couch, from which he attempted to rise when he saw his kinsman enter, +but was prevented by Monteblanco. The countenance of the gallant young +man seemed suddenly to brighten up. + +"Theodora," he kindly said, "tremble not thus, for you are in the +presence of a friend, a sincere friend; one who bitterly laments having, +though unconsciously, been instrumental in your misfortunes. Alas! dear +lady, had you placed more confidence in me, perchance so much misery had +been prevented. However, this is no time for reproach; the moments speed +swiftly away, and we have none to spare. Had you not at this moment +arrived, weak and wounded as I am, I was about to be carried to your +habitation, though the exertion had proved fatal to my recovery. +Theodora, look upon me as a friend--as a dear valued friend, and receive +the greatest proof a man can give of pure disinterested regard. Here," +he then added, presenting a little casket to Theodora, "take this +precious gage; look, it is the portrait of our Queen, given by her own +royal hands, when fortune favoured my exertions in the last tournament. +The bearer of this gift is entitled to claim any boon from Isabella. +Dispatch--present her with this beauteous copy of herself. Reclaim the +promise--demand the life of Gomez Arias--it will be granted." + +"Merciful heavens!" cried Theodora, overpowered with emotion, "Can it be +possible!" Then falling at the feet of young de +Leyva--"Generous--generous Don Antonio; is this the way that you repay +an injury?" + +"I might," replied Don Antonio nobly, "satisfy the cravings of a paltry +revenge, by leaving my rival to perish ignominiously, when I have it in +my power to save him. But no; my heart shudders at such reprisals, and +finds joy in contributing to the happiness of Theodora." + +Struck with admiration at such noble and manly conduct, Theodora seized +the hand of the high-minded Don Antonio, and would have imprinted on it +a thousand kisses of gratitude, but he modestly prevented her, urging +her to depart. + +"My dear Theodora, begone; you have no time to lose. Think that the +least delay may perhaps prove fatal." + +These words acted like magic on the mind of Theodora. The thought of her +husband's danger absorbed every other consideration. She rushed with +impetuous alacrity towards the palace, pressing with convulsive firmness +the valuable pledge on which all her hopes depended. Upon her arrival at +the entrance, the guards, struck with the wildness of her manner, and +sympathising with her misfortunes, expeditiously opened a passage, as +she exclaimed almost incoherently, that she must see the queen. + +Meantime the Plaza de Bivarrambla was thronged with a vast multitude, +for the novelty and exemplary justice of such an execution had thrown +the people into a ferment. It was long since a nobleman had suffered +thus, and no instance occurred to their recollection of a conqueror +stepping from the car of victory to the platform of a scaffold. + +All lamented the fate of Gomez Arias, and yet most of the lower classes, +amidst the feelings of pity, experienced a kind of satisfaction at the +idea that so great a personage was doomed to suffer, as well as the +meanest of their own class. In the middle of the Plaza rose a high +scaffold, covered with costly black velvet, and most of the houses +around were likewise draperied with mourning symbols of the sorrow of +their owners. A strong body of veterans lined the square, whilst other +detached parties of horse patrolled the neighbouring places to prevent +any obstruction from the multitude. The hurry and agitation of the +people now became extreme; but when at last the tremendous knell from +the cathedral gave the mournful signal for Gomez Arias to set out for +the goal of his mortal career, a simultaneous murmur of horror rose from +the surrounding crowd. The dismal tolling of bells, accompanied at +intervals by the sad and hollow strains of trumpets, announced that the +procession was ready to move. + +Gomez Arias had descended from his apartment perfectly composed. Indeed, +no other feeling could be descried in his features but stern pride and +resentment. He walked with a firm step towards the melancholy train that +awaited him. But when about to mount his horse, he perceived the +Countess de Tendilla bathed in tears, approaching to bid him farewell. +He kindly thanked this lady for all the attentions he had experienced at +her house during the time he had remained there, and having bidden her a +last adieu, he bounded on his favorite charger. The spirited animal +began to curvet and rear, as if proud of his burthen. + +"Gently, gently, Babieca," said his master, caressing the noble steed: +"be not impatient, for this is the last time thou wilt carry thy +master." + +He then looked around, and as he saw a party of his victorious troops, +chosen for his escort according to his desire, all plunged in the +deepest grief, in a soothing tone he bade them be of good cheer. + +Don Lope being determined to set at defiance every appearance of +despondency, had assumed an air of martial and dignified composure. His +handsome figure never looked to greater advantage than at this +disastrous moment; he was attired in a most sumptuous suit, while all +the friends and relatives who accompanied him were habited in deep +mourning. The procession moved slowly on amidst the confused murmur of +the multitude, deeply lamenting the fate, and admiring the firmness of +the hero of the dismal tragedy. He was attended by a crowd of the +ministers of religion; but two friars of the order of St. Francis +attached themselves more particularly to his person. The whole presented +a most singularly contrasted scene; for in the same view appeared +mingled all the panoplies of war, stirring the soul to martial deeds, +and the solemn emblems of religion inviting the mind to abandon the pomp +of the world, and turn its thoughts towards eternity. Warriors and +priests, banners and crosses, moved promiscuously along, while the +subdued blast of clarions united their strains to the deep-toned and +gloomy cadences of the chaunting monks. + +In this manner the procession reached at length the Plaza de +Bivarrambla. At the sight of the scaffold, Gomez Arias gave an +involuntary start, for he was unable to stifle the impression which the +first view of that dreadful spot made on his mind. He soon, however, +recovered his usual composure, and cast an inquiring and intense look on +the assembled multitude. Sorrow and consternation were every where +visible, but all was tranquil and quiet. The last lingering hope now +vanished from the breast of Gomez Arias, and he seemed resigned to the +fate that awaited him. The murmur of the multitude was hushed into a +deadly silence. Don Lope dismounted, ascended the scaffold, and turning +to his soldiers, he said-- + +"Farewell, my brave companions; this is the last expedition in which we +shall meet; but in this, as well as in all the former, Gomez Arias will +display the coolness and courage which becomes a soldier." He then with +equal resolution was about to bare his neck for the fatal stroke, when a +piercing scream was heard at a distance in the crowd. Presently a female +form was seen flying towards the scaffold-- + +"A pardon! a pardon!" shouted various voices; and the multitude joyfully +opened a passage to the unfortunate. She ran with frantic speed, until +she arrived at length, exhausted, at the foot of the scaffold, +exhibiting in the disorder of her person and the wild expression of her +features, all the workings of terror, anxiety, and joy. Every one stood +mute with astonishment when they beheld in this apparition the wretched +Theodora, who flew up the steps of the scaffold, holding aloft in her +trembling hand a paper; then throwing herself into the arms of her +husband-- + +"Oh it is not too late," she cried eagerly; "I have brought your pardon. +Here! here! You are safe--it is the Queen's signet." + +Count de Tendilla took the paper from her hand, and read joyfully aloud +the pardon of Gomez Arias. Theodora looked wildly around, her large +beautiful eyes fraught with terror: she gazed upon the appalling scene, +as though still fearful that the execution would not be suspended. + +"Read! read!" she cried vehemently to Count de Tendilla: "it is the +Queen's order. A messenger will soon arrive; but I am here first. I came +to save my husband." + +These few electric words were followed by a shout of tumultuous applause +from the assembled throng. + +The messenger indeed arrived. Theodora uttered a wild scream of joy, and +her feelings, unable any longer to support the efforts she had made, +overpowered her, and she fainted in the arms of Gomez Arias. + +Even Gomez Arias, that man so hardened to all the tender pleadings of +gratitude, was at length overcome. As he beheld her who had returned +his coldness with affection, and repaid his cruelty with kindness--as he +considered that miracle of love and goodness lying lifeless in his arms, +a tear stood trembling in his eye--one solitary tear; but that +testimonial of feeling in Gomez Arias was equivalent to years of sorrow +in other men. He tenderly pressed Theodora to his heart, and the fond +embrace seemed to recall her suspended animation. She opened her languid +eyes and was happy; for she saw the object of all her care and affection +now watching with tender solicitude her returning life. + +"Oh Theodora," cried Don Lope, in a voice almost inarticulate with +emotion, "I am unworthy of you. How can I ever atone for so many wrongs? +This is indeed a noble vengeance." + +The queen had ordered that Gomez Arias should be conducted to her +presence, and accordingly, accompanied by the happy Theodora, he +proceeded towards the palace, followed by the immense crowd, who rent +the air with joyful acclamations. + +When they arrived at the palace, they found the gracious Isabella seated +in the large public hall, ready to receive them. Her countenance was +radiant with delight in the consciousness of having been able to save +Don Lope from an untimely end. + +"Gomez Arias," she said, "your life is saved by the most fortunate, as +it was the most unexpected of incidents. Nobles of Granada," she then +added, turning to the surrounding court, "you cannot accuse your Queen +of partiality in the distribution of justice. At the moment when Don +Lope was approaching the end of his mortal career, this gage was brought +to me and the guerdon claimed. It was a pledge of regard given to Don +Antonio de Leyva for his conduct at the tournament, with my sacred +promise that any boon should be granted to the bearer. Theodora produced +it, and I could not resist her just appeal--my royal word had passed. +Gomez Arias, you owe your life to the generous Don Antonio de Leyva and +your wife. Let then your future life show that you are not insensible of +the magnitude of the obligation. To yourself you owe nothing; for had +it not been for this happy circumstance, by this time you would have +been numbered with the dead. Go, and rejoice with your friends over your +fortunate deliverance, and then I will receive you as becomes a victor." + +A shout of unfeigned approbation burst from every one. Theodora seemed +intoxicated with happiness. She looked on Gomez Arias, and in those +features which had so successfully enraptured her young heart, again saw +a display of tenderness to recompense her affection. All her sufferings +were forgotten; the cup of misery had been drained, and happiness, +boundless, uninterrupted happiness, was to be hers for ever. Gomez +Arias, moved with kindly and generous feelings which had long been +dormant in his heart, had as yet been unable to give utterance to his +demonstrations of gratitude. He now disengaged himself from the hands of +Theodora, moved forwards, and threw himself at the feet of the queen. +Every eye was joyfully turned on him, when suddenly one of the friars, +who had attended him at the scaffold, broke from the surrounding group. +In his hand gleamed a poniard, and before any arm could arrest the blow, +he buried the fatal weapon in the breast of Gomez Arias, who started on +his feet, reeled, and fell at the foot of the throne. In an instant +every thing was wild confusion. Theodora, with a piercing scream, threw +herself beside her murdered husband, while several leaches hastened to +the assistance of the fallen knight. + +The queen alone seemed to preserve her presence of mind amidst the +uproar that prevailed. + +"Seize the assassin!" she exclaimed, and the guards immediately secured +his person. He was one of the Franciscans who had accompanied Gomez +Arias to the scaffold. He still held in his sinewy hand the ensanguined +poniard, and with the savage laugh of a fiend exulted over his deed. + +"Now, God be thanked!" exclaimed the leach who had examined the wound of +Gomez Arias, "if my skill fail me not, the knight may yet live." + +"Never!" cried the friar, in a voice that chilled the reviving hopes of +every one; "Never! your skill is vain--the dagger is poisoned." + +A shudder of horror ran through the court. + +"Man of darkness," exclaimed Count de Tendilla, "fiend under the holy +garb of religion, what could prompt thee to such a crime? But a short +time since I saw thee attend thy victim to administer to him hope and +consolation." + +"Yes," replied the friar, grimly, "yes, I did accompany him to the stage +of his despair and my glory: yes, I was beside my victim, like the +vulture watching for the moment to lacerate his heart. But I went not to +whisper hope into his dying ear, or to bid him rely on the mercies of +Heaven; no, it was to speak the words of horror; to bid him despair, and +point the way to that hell whither soon I was to follow him. My soul was +drunk with joy; my heart was wild with happiness: gladly would I +purchase with a whole existence of misery and crime those few rapturous +moments when I could watch the dreadful workings of his mind, as the +last peal of my ominous voice rung in his ear, ere his soul took its +flight from this world." + +"Peace, wretch!" exclaimed the queen. "Leave thy blasphemy; tremble for +the profanation of thy sacred calling; tremble for the punishment which +awaits thy crime." + +"I tremble at nought," sternly replied the assassin. "No canting friar +am I; no preaching monk; but a man deeply wronged, and now amply +revenged. Look on me," he continued in a wild tone, throwing off his +disguise, "I am Bermudo, the renegade!" + +Every one shrunk back with instinctive horror at the well known name; +but the consternation increased, when in the person of the apostate was +recognised the Moor who had played so principal a part in the +condemnation of Gomez Arias. + +"Look on me," proceeded the renegade; "look on me, Gomez Arias; behold +the man by you condemned to misery and shame--I am Bermudo the outcast, +the maddened lover of the unfortunate Anselma. Call back, Don Lope, the +powers of thy fleeting soul, and fix its fading recollection on thy +crimes and my misfortunes: remember Anselma--remember her frightful +fate--your wrongs to me--the despair to which I was driven. But for +thee, proud man, I might have been a hero, and for thee I am a traitor +and a renegade. But, oh! now thou art laid low--no, not even princely +fortune and favour could save thee from the hand of a desperate man. +Die, then, die in despair: it is in the hour of rapturous happiness that +the blow is struck, and think with agony that it is struck by +Bermudo.--Anselma, thou art revenged!" + +A wild and savage laugh closed this apostrophe, and the renegade stood +calmly gazing on his victim with an expression of ferocious joy: his +dark features seemed to brighten in the glare of infernal revenge, and +his strong frame shook with the rapture of the fiend that inspired him. + +Meantime, Gomez Arias was rapidly approaching his end; the blood flowed +thick and heavy through his veins, and the film of death was fast +dimming his sight: still his noble features shewed no symptoms of +unmanly emotion; but fixing his dying eyes upon the renegade, in a firm +tone he said-- + +"Bermudo, thy hellish desire is but partially fulfilled; I die not in +despair; despair is the attribute of cowards, not of Gomez Arias: I feel +thy poison burning in my veins, yet my soul takes its flight with +calmness. Wretched man," he then added, "may God forgive thee as I do: +and thou, dear and last object of my solicitude," he said, faintly +addressing himself to the disconsolate Theodora, who, in a paroxysm of +agony, was kneeling beside him, "Theodora, injured and unfortunate girl, +too late I appreciate thy value; too late I deplore my fault. Oh! if I +regret existence, it is because I cannot live to prove my love and +gratitude. Forgive me, Theodora! forgive the repentant Gomez Arias!" + +His dim eyes were cast tenderly on her despairing countenance, and +pressing gently her clammy hand, he breathed his last. + +The piercing cries and lamentations of Theodora deeply affected the +spectators of this tragic scene: she tore her flowing tresses, and +falling on the bleeding corpse, in a wild incoherent tone poured forth +her anguish. The renegade himself appeared somewhat moved at the +exhibition of her frantic sorrow. The darksome deed was done; his enemy +was dead, and Bermudo seemed no longer to live in this world; stupor and +apathy were overshadowing his countenance, for the principle that fed +his life was now no more. + +The soldiers were about to move away with the prisoner, when a minister +of religion addressed him:-- + +"Sinner," he cried, "behold your deadly crime and repent; repent ere +'tis too late; thy mortal career is short; employ it, then, in calming +the offended justice of heaven." + +"Friar," said firmly the renegade, "my conscience is seared; my soul has +no longer sympathy with human feelings; I cannot, will not now repent me +of a deed which has been the sole object of my existence. Lead me to +torture, and when ye tear this flesh, and suffering nature is unable to +sustain the racking pangs, then, even then, my eyes, faithful +interpreters of my soul, will tell you I shrink not from my fate; the +poniard that struck my foe I might have plunged in this breast, but I +disdained to evade the recompense of my deed. Lead me to torture, but +mock me not with words of penitence." + +"Oh horror! art thou a man and speakest thus!" exclaimed the priest. + +"I was a man; I know not what I am; let me return to my kindred clay, +and hide from the face of the earth the monster at which ye shudder." + +He ceased, and his features stiffened into a horrid tranquillity more +appalling to behold than his wildest ebullition of passion. One last +savage look he cast on his prostrate enemy, and then, with a firm step, +he walked away to meet the punishment due to his crimes. + +The wretched Theodora could not be torn from the mortal bleeding remains +of her adored Gomez Arias, until the paroxysm of her grief was +succeeded by insensibility. In this melancholy state she was borne from +the fatal spot, while sorrow and compassion swelled the hearts of every +one who had witnessed the events of that disastrous day! + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + La douleur lentement m'entr'ouve le tombeau, + Salut mon dernier jour! sois mon jour le plus beau! + + _Lamartine._ + + +Three months had now elapsed since the death of Gomez Arias, and the +people of Granada were again rejoicing in the success of the Christian +arms. The insurrection of the Moors was now completely quelled; the wise +and prudent conduct of the queen had saved the country from the horrors +attendant on a fanatical war. The individuals admitted to the counsels +of Isabella were in general men of enlightened understanding and +philanthropic dispositions, and though some few voices, swayed by +fanatical zeal and religious intolerance, opposed themselves to liberal +measures, yet, happily for Spain and honorably for her ministers, their +objections were over-ruled, and the more beneficial and milder course +adopted. A full pardon was proclaimed to the rebels. Moreover it was +promised that they should enjoy the same privileges as the Spaniards, +and that no compulsory measures should be adopted to make them embrace +the tenets of the Christian religion. Free permission was given to every +Moor who should prefer passing over to Africa, to remove unmolested, and +with full security to his family and property. + +These judicious resolutions answered the desired effect. The Moors +joyfully accepted the offers of the queen, and the greatest part of them +came immediately to lay down their arms at the feet of the Alcayde de +los Donceles, and other chiefs who still were carrying on the war. +However, some Moors of the higher rank, who refused to subject +themselves to the Christian government, retired into Africa, and amongst +this number we must count the magnanimous El Feri de Benastepar; for, +as no account was received of his death, it was supposed he had +abandoned the country. + +Thus peace was at length restored, and the city of Granada became again +the center of gaiety and happiness, and this was not a little enhanced +by the anticipation of the union of Leonor de Aguilar with the gallant +Don Antonio de Leyva: the nuptials being only delayed until a due +allowance of time had been devoted to the memory of the noble Don Alonso +de Aguilar. + +Meantime Don Manuel de Monteblanco and his unfortunate daughter had +retired to their mansion at Guadix. Shortly after the mortal remains of +Gomez Arias had been consigned to the earth, Don Manuel prevailed on his +unhappy daughter to abandon a city fraught with such dreadful +associations. Theodora submissively obeyed the desires of her solicitous +and kind parent, but alas! the sorrow that slowly consumed her heart was +not to be removed by change of place: the lovely victim carried within +her the deadly poison that was to consign her to an early grave. +Theodora became the prey of a deep-rooted melancholy. The kind attention +of friends, the tender expostulation of her father, might momentarily +withdraw her mind from the subject of her constant meditations; tokens +of regard, and the soft caresses of pity might elicit a transient smile; +but soon, alas! her mind would revert to its mournful occupation; soon +her smile would give way to sadness. + +During the day, she wandered about the large mansion like a restless +spirit whose duties in life are fulfilled, and who longs to take its +flight. Sometimes she took her lute, and in wild and plaintive voice she +would sing those romances which Gomez Arias had loved to hear. Then she +would ramble through the garden, and visit those spots endeared by the +recollection of her love. Sometimes, too, in the stillness of night, a +most piercing scream would issue from her chamber, and arouse the +unfortunate Monteblanco from his couch, to hush the fevered imagination +of his daughter, continually haunted by the image of the murdered Gomez +Arias. + +Day after day the disconsolate father watched the progress of the +malady. Gradually Theodora was wasting in form, and her intellectual +powers seemed to share in the wreck of her outward appearance. Nothing +could disturb the gloomy monotony of her thoughts. Musing tranquilly, +she would pass the hour, and oft in the night when the moon beams fell +on the garden, she would be seen gliding along its paths like some +fleeting phantom. + +In this melancholy state Theodora had continued during some time, when +one morning Monteblanco was agreeably surprised to see his child in +unusually good spirits. The gloom which sat habitually on her brow had +vanished, and a placid smile played upon her lips. Joyfully the +venerable parent beheld the welcome change, and anxiously he wished to +improve those favorable symptoms of returning health. Theodora told her +father that she had dreamed in the night an awful dream. She had seen +her husband, not as heretofore, in the fearful scenes of his desertion +and death, but his eyes beaming with a heavenly light, bidding her be +happy, as he was happy and blessed. + +It was the anniversary of the day on which Theodora had left her home. +Night came, and Monteblanco saw not his daughter by his side. He waited +impatiently for some time, and then repaired to the garden, for he knew +Theodora delighted in rambling there. + +The faithful Roque, who since the death of his master had attached +himself to the service of Monteblanco, took a torch, and accompanied the +old cavalier to the garden. Don Manuel called aloud upon his daughter, +but his voice was only answered by the sad echoes of the place. He +became alarmed, and hastily proceeded to the bower: there he descried +Theodora lying on the marble seat, apparently asleep. He approached her, +and affectionately chid her for her absence. + +"Awake, child, awake," he cried; "surely your delicate health will be +injured by the chilling air of night." + +He gently raised her arm. + +"Roque, bring closer that torch." + +Roque obeyed--Theodora indeed slept, but it was the sleep of death. + +Struck with consternation, the wretched old man clasped the lifeless +body in his arms, and called eagerly on his child by the most endearing +of names. Alas! it was too late: the spark of life had fled for ever, +and the dull glare of the torch that fell upon her countenance soon +confirmed the mournful truth. Pale and bloodless was her cheek, and cold +were those beauteous limbs. The angel of death had spread his sable +pinions over her dewy brow, and closed her eyes in eternal sleep. The +despairing father now strove to raise his daughter in his arms, when +something fell from her nerveless grasp. Roque immediately took it +up--he gave a start, and uttered a most piteous moan, as he presented +the object to Don Manuel. It was the portrait of Gomez Arias. That +melancholy testimonial told that the heavenly spirit had lately taken +its flight, for it was yet moist with _her_ tears, the last effort of +her departing soul--the last sad evidence of a _woman's love_. + + Non come fiamma, che per forza e spenta, + Ma che per se medesma si consuma, + Se n'ando in pace l'anima contenta. + + _Petrarca._ + + +THE END. + +GUNNELL AND SHEARMAN, PRINTERS, SALISBURY SQUARE. + + * * * * * + + +NOTES: + +[1] The unfortunate passion of Don Rodrigo, the last of the Goths, for +Florinda, surnamed La Cava, was the primary cause of the Moorish +invasion, and the disastrous wars which followed. Count Julian, father +of the frail fair one, highly indignant at the affront he had received, +resolved to take the most signal vengeance. His views were warmly +espoused by Don Oppas, Archbishop of Toledo, who was the most +influential man in the kingdom. These two noblemen betrayed their +country to the Moors, who, invited by them, landed in Spain, under the +command of Tarik and Muza. + +[2] The Black. + +[3] Champion of the Lists. + +[4] For this and for my King. + +[5] A kind of small mantle. + +[6] I am like my name. + +[7] + + I will bear him to the skies, + That he may have the greater fall. + + + +[8] Know him by his deeds. + +[9] The game of the Ring. + +[10] The _Chirimia_ was a musical instrument made of wood, resembling +somewhat a wooden flageolet, though much longer: it contained ten holes; +the wind pipe was thin, and made of reed. _Praecentoria tuba, fistula +musica._ The _Dulzaina_ was an instrument like the _Chirimia_, only upon +a smaller scale, and capable of producing sounds more acute and +sharp.--_Tibia._ + +[11] Gallants. + +[12] Pera. The military term is _imperial_; a small tuft of hair. + +[13] Jester. + +[14] _Reja_, a small grated window. + +[15] _Anglice_, a beldam. + +[16] I am an old Christian. + +[17] A porch,--the entrance of a building. + +[18] From a poor sinner like myself. + +[19] Jew. + +[20] St. James of Compostela, patron of Spain. + +[21] Girl. + +[22] God forgive me. + +[23] Sluggard. + +[24] The _Adarga_ was a peculiar sort of shield or short buckler used by +the Spaniards in those times. The presentation of the _adarga_ was +equivalent to an offer of peace. It was a practice often resorted to by +the persons entrusted with a mission to the enemy. + +[25] Thieves. + +[26] A _Maravedi_ was a coin of such diminutive value as to answer to +the one-third of an English farthing. + +[27] The square. + +[28] The Persians, and even the Turks, when speaking of a brave man, +generally compare him to a lion;--their poetry is full of this simile, +and there is nothing more common than to hear them say _aslan_, lion, or +_caplan_, tiger. + +[29] The brave man who protects the helpless is a Lion. + +[30] New Square. + +[31] At the period in which my Romance takes place, the revival of the +art of painting was in its infancy. I am aware, therefore, that some +scrupulous folks will be apt to find fault with me for having introduced +a gallery of pictures with the same confidence as if I were writing a +novel of the present day. Yet this seeming anachronism does not exist. +The Moors, though they certainly could not boast of a Rafael or a +Titian, had exercised themselves in the art, and, according to some +authorities, even excelled in portrait painting. I do not intend to +maintain that either the Moorish or Christian artists of the period had +arrived at any eminence: for my purpose, it is enough that they _did_ +exist at the time: let imagination do the rest. + +[32] Our lady protect us. + +[33] In those times, when war was the only meritorious occupation of the +_gentle_ blood, the Jews, though despised and persecuted, were in some +respects men of great consequence in a state. They were not only, as in +the present day, the most expert and assiduous in money transactions, +but cultivated the science of medicine with much success; when no other +career was deemed compatible with honor and glory but the profession of +arms or the church. + +[34] Samaritan--term of reproach. + +[35] God defend us. + +[36] God bless me. + +[37] Satan. + +[38] Old Christian. + +[39] Accursed. + +[40] A kind of ruffle or frill, worn formerly round the neck--a collar. + +[41] The Hill of the Martyrs. + +[42] On the hill of the Martyrs, so called from the supposed cruelties +that the Moors had exercised against the Christian prisoners who fell +into their hands, Queen Isabella caused a chapel to be erected, which +became the object of many a pious pilgrimage. + +[43] May she rest in peace. + +[44] A devotee. + +[45] History describes Don Alonso de Aguilar as one of the most valiant +and renowned amongst the celebrated warriors of that period. His death +has been the subject of many and some very good ballads or romances, but +it is better known and appreciated among the reading portion of the +Spaniards by the description given by Hurtado de Mendoza in his work +entitled, "_Guerra de Granada_." It is a masterly composition. Indeed +the whole work passes amongst the _literati_ as the most elegant and +classic piece of Spanish history. + +[46] The seven Sleepers. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Gomez Arias, by Joaquin Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOMEZ ARIAS *** + +***** This file should be named 29916.txt or 29916.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/9/1/29916/ + +Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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