d
give her up to his lady, Halema, with directions to keep her as a slave
of the Grand Signor. Mahmoud obeyed and left Ricardo alone, following
with his eyes the star of his soul, until it disappeared behind the
walls of Nicosia. He then went up to the Jew, and asked him where he had
bought that Christian slave, or how he had become possessed of her. The
Jew replied that he had bought her in the island of Pantanalea, of some
Turks who had been shipwrecked there. Ricardo would have pursued his
inquiries, but the Jew was called away to give the pashas the very same
information which Ricardo so much longed to obtain.

During the long walk from the tents to the city Mahmoud conversed with
Leonisa in Italian, and asked her whence she came. She replied that she
belonged to the illustrious city of Trapani, and that her parents were
noble and wealthy, though as for herself she was utterly unfortunate.
Mahmoud then asked her if she knew a gentleman of birth and fortune in
that city, named Ricardo. On hearing that name a sigh escaped her that
seemed to come from the bottom of her heart. "I know him," she replied,
"to my sorrow."

"Why to your sorrow?"

"Because it was to his sorrow that he knew me, and for my misfortune."

"Perhaps," said Mahmoud, "you may also know in the same city another
gentleman of very amiable disposition, the son of very wealthy parents,
and himself a person of great spirit, liberality, and discretion. His
name is Cornelio."

"Him too I know, and of him still more than Ricardo I may say that I
know him to my sorrow. But who are you, sir, who know these gentlemen
and inquire of me respecting them? Doubtless, Heaven, in compassion for
the trouble and mischances I have undergone, has sent me to a place
where, if they do not cease, at least I may find a person to console me
for them."

"I am a native of Palermo," said Mahmoud, "brought by various chances to
wear this garb, and to be in appearance so different from what I am in
my secret soul. I know the gentlemen in question, because not many days
ago they were with me. Cornelio was captured by some Moors of Tripoli,
and sold by them to a Turk who brought him to this island, whither he
came to trade, for he is a merchant of Rhodes, and so highly satisfied
was he with Cornelio, and such was the confidence he reposed in his
truth and integrity, that he entrusted him with his whole property."

"He will be sure to take care of it," said Leonisa, "for he ta