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The desires of the archbishop were in some measure gratified, though the interview
with Egilona had been productive of but very partial gratification to his personal
feelings. The treasure which he had received from the queen, compensated
in great part for that of which Roderick had despoiled him; and the discovery he
had made, while in attendance, and which abridged the interview, had its advantages,
and furnished the argument which he had long desired by which to move
count Julian to his purpose. To effect this object, what did it matter to him that
the girl was destroyed? What was her virtue, her peace of mind, her happiness
in this life and the next, to his ambition? Had there been thousands, instead of
one, whose sacrifice were essential to his projects, he would not have scrupled to
have required it; though the temporary and uncertain dominion of a few short years
over a vicious and changing people, was the sole reward as it was the sole stimulant
to such a grievous sin.

The shrieks of Cava, her flight and dishevelled appearance, as, rushing from the
brutal embrace of Roderick, she sought the presence and protection of the queen,
revealed the catastrophe to the archbishop. When he reached his own palace, he
proceeded to avail himself of his knowledge. In his private chamber, he prepared
the billet which follows:

“To Julian, Count of Consuegra, in command at Ceuta, etc.

“It is in the mouths of many that Julian left his daughter, Cava, at the court of
king Roderick, as he well knew the surpassing beauty of her charms, and as well
the fierce passion of the king for such loveliness as hers. That he hath not erred
in his expectations, is no less the rumor of the court. Cava, it is said, hath been
distinguished by the king's eye; and the bruit is, that, though she hath lost in virtue,
yet will the gain of Julian in high station be proportionate to her loss and great
beyond his desire. Yet, though this be the speech of many who have integrity and
speak not often idly, there are some who remember of the noble blood and proper
pride of the Julian family, who, though they cannot gainsay the tidings of king
Roderick's favor and of the frailty of the lady Cava, are yet unwilling to yield faith
so readily to that which reports the willing pliance of Julian to his own dishonor.
One of these, in his sorrow and his doubt, hath written these presents. He asks
not for reply, since the deeds of the father, hereafter to be shown, will testify how
far he hath been a party to the ruin of his child.”

This done, he called a trusty courier, to whom he gave instructions to proceed
to the command of count Julian, at Ceuta, to whom he should contrive the delivery
of the letter without being seen to do so. The characters of the writing were disguised,
and there was no signature. He well knew that with a man of the high
spirit and proud sense of honor of count Julian, it needed not a name to prompt him
to action in a matter of such painful moment; yet the courier had his instructions to
wait, observe, and, if need be, to act discretionally upon the movements of Julian,
with authority from the archbishop to declare himself as the bearer of the letter, and
to reveal its author, should events seem favorable to that course

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