He did hear a noise—it was the footstep
of Alfonzo, who, finding that he
could learn nothing more, and that Genilla
was asleep and in safety, recollecting
his engagement with Senor Velez,
retired from the corridor, but not without
striking a loose brick of the paved floor.
He rapidly sealed the wall, and lighted
undiscovered in the street, along which
he moved rapidly, to hasten back to the
merchant's house. He had made happy
discoveries during the two hours' absence
of Senor Velez:—he had found where
Xariffa was imprisoned, and that she rather
loved her cage than desired to be
stolen from it!—he had found Genilla,
and learned not only her safety, but that
she had now claims to his regard more
sacred and stronger than ever.

He took his way with a light tread
along the street, and so wholly wrapped
in the sweet thoughts of Genilla that he
came unexpectedly upon two men at the
corner of a street into which he was
turning. He stepped back and drew his
scymetar—the foremost stranger did the
same.

They confronted each other for a momeat
in hostile attitude, the third standing
a little behind the second, when Alfonzo
thought he recognised the height
and air of the latter.

`Art thou not Senor Velez?' he said.

`Yes; and thou?'

`Alfonzo!'

`Rash young man! How is it that I
find you in the street?'

`I was weary remaining at home,
Senor, and invited by the moonlight I
rambled forth. I have met with no
mishap and have found all quiet!'

`That was not your fault, my friend.
Come we will hasten homeward.'

`Is not this the way?'

`Not as you were going. You see
how imprudent you are, my noble friend.
You might have been lost; and as guards
of horsemen patrol the street every hour
you would certainly have been arrested
and discovered. I am glad I met with
thee! Let us hasten homeward.'

`Have you brought good tidings,
Senor?' asked Alfonzo, suddenly forgetting
Genilla, Xariffa and every thing
but Spain and her wrongs!

`Yes! I have given the news to ten
brave and true men. Ere this they have
conveyed it to ten more. By sun-rise a
thousand Christian slaves in Cordova
will know that Alfonzo the Destroyer
has resolved to lift the standard of the
Cross on the eve of San Diego upon the
rock of St. Paul. The news will go
from lip to lip till a fire shall run through
all the veins of the bondmen of our blood
in the city. They will keep the secret
and await the signal to srike for Spain
and liberty!'

Thanks, thanks, noble Velez! I am
already inspired by thy tidings,' answered
Alfonzo, as he walked homeward
with him, the Nubian slave following
close behind him with his no longer
needful lantern in his hand.

Upen entering the house, and once
more being seated, Senor Velez gave a
minute relation of what he had done
which convinced Alfonzo that he should
receive the co-operation of almost as
many strong arms within the walls of the
Moors as without. He then related to
the Senor his own adventures and even
unfolded to him his love for Genilla now
that he could speak of her as the daughter
of Christian parents. The merchant
heard him with profound surprise. He
said, after some reflection,

`What you have told me amazes me—
all of it! But I trust that your sister
does not feel as kindly towards Abdelasis
as you suspect. Doubtless she consulted
more your safety than her own in
refusing to permit you to risk your life
in trying to save her! And if you had

[figure description] Page 076.[end figure description]

done so where could you have taken her?
If you had brought her here she would
have been discovered by the emissaries
of the Caliph. If you had escaped from
the city with her in disguise it would
have been to desert a cause which calls
for all your energies and devotion.'

`True!'

`Forget her and give your thoughts
to your country, Alfonzo!'

`I will do so!'

`Yet one word touching this daughter
of Ben Osmin! Said you that the father
Godfrey did not know her parentage?
'

`He did not name it to Ben Osmin.
Doubtless he was informed by Paulus!'

`I knew this priest Paulus well. He
was confessor to the late Duke de Cordova
brother to our good King Amalarie,
whose memory Heaven bless forever.
Paulus was a faithful adherent of the
House of Amalarie and for years after
the slaughter of the king and his household
by the order of the Emir Taric I
supposed he had shared their fate. But
seven years ago I met him as I was
travelling up the valley near the Pass of
Roncesvar.'

`He was habited as a recluse. He
told me he lived in the mountains, and
devoted his life to the returning glory of
Spain. Since then I have heard nothing
of him till now. And now I hear that
he died a few days ago, leaving behind,
in the ears of father Godfrey, this singular
revelation. Do you know, Alfonzo,
that I have my suspicions!' said Senor
Velez, with a significant look and an
animated air.

`And I mine!'

`What are they?'

`That Genilla may belong to some one
of the noble houses connected with the
Duke de Cordova!'

`More than this. I believe, from her
age and your description of her, that she
is the daughter of the Duke himself,
saved by Paulus from death, at the risk
of his own life, and placed with a Moor
for preservation, as once a dying mother
laid her infant in the midst of a litter of
lion's whelps!'

`Had the Duke a daughter who was
then an infant?'

`Yes; I was at its christening. It was
believed to have perished.'

`Genilla must be that infant, I feel
persuaded!'

`So also do I. I will draw the whole
matter from father Godfrey. If it be
true, then Spain has a Princess at least,
and may hold up her head!'

`And I droop mine own. For how
will a princess look upon a peasant's love?'

`Thy union may yet be ordered by
Heaven as the salvation of the realm. If
she be a princess, indeed, she can have no
kindom, save by thy prowess. But let
these matters rest till we see father Godfrey.
He will doubtless unfold all to me!'

At this moment was heard a tapping
upon the outside of the street-gate. As
it was some time past midnight, Senor
Velez looked surprised, and rose himself
to go to the gate before ordering his slave
to open it.

`Open, my good lord,' said the visitor.

`It is Athir!' exclaimed Alfonzo, who
had gone to the wicket with him.

The gate was then unbarred and the
youthful Moor admitted. He wore the
dress of a royal page, a very elegant and
graceful costume, which set his figure off
to the best advantage. His turban was
of pink silk entwined with a scarf of
spangled muslin; his bernish was of
bright yellow satin, bound with a gold
border; and his vest was blue velvet,
spangled with stars. He wore full muslin
drawers, that nearly hid in the ample
volume his red morocco gilt slippers.
About his waist was bound a green sash,
in which was stuck a silver-hilted yataghan
and a jewelled dagger.

`How is this fine display, Athir? You
have made your two pieces of gold go a
great ways,—your costume is worth a
hundred bezets!' exclaimed Alfonzo, surveying
him.

`I bought a coarser garb at the bazaar,
my lord,' answered Athir, who seemed to
be conscious how well he looked with his
fine face and manly figure, to set off his
rich costume; `but not liking it well, I
went into the pages' bed-chamber, and
while the idle rogues slept, I helped myself
to the best suit among them that I
could find; and donning it, I felt much
more at my ease.'

`Then you went into the palace of the
Caliph?'

`All over it, my lord, wheresoever a
page's slipper is permitted to echo. I

[figure description] Page 077.[end figure description]

talked with many, and especially had a
social talk with old Belzar, the chief
eunuch, who was as communicative as I
could desire;—and the result is, I am
satisfied that Xariffa is not in the harem
of the Seraglio.'

`You have performed your duty well
and faithfully, Athir: Xariffa is found—
she is in the private palace of Abdelasis,
which is not far distant on the next
street.'