ing you again. The felicity of this
moment is more to me than any blessing that life or death could bring
me, that of eternity alone excepted. My master, the cadi, into whose
hands I have fallen by as strange a series of adventures as your own, is
just in the same disposition towards you as Halima is towards me, and
has deputed me to be the interpreter of his feelings. I accepted the
office, not with the intention of serving his wishes, but my own in
obtaining opportunities to speak with you. Only see, Leonisa, to what a
pass our misfortunes have brought us; you to ask from me what you know
to be impossible; and me to propose to you what I would give my life not
to obtain, dear as that life is to me now, since I have the happiness to
behold you."

"I know not what to say to you, Ricardo," replied Leonisa, "nor what
issue we can find from the labyrinth in which we are involved. I can
only say that we must practise, what would not be expected from us,
dissimulation and deceit. I will repeat to Halima some phrases on your
part which will rather encourage than make her despair; and you may tell
the cadi whatever you think may serve, with safety to my honour, to keep
him in his delusion. And since I place my honour in your hands, you may
be assured that I have preserved it intact, in spite of all the perils
and trials I have undergone. Opportunity to converse together will be
easily afforded us, and to me this will be most pleasing, provided you
never address me on the subject of your suit; from the moment you do so,
I shall cease to see you; for I would not have you suppose that my
spirit is so weak as to be swayed by captivity. With the favour of
heaven, I hope to prove like gold which becomes the purer the more it is
passed through the furnace. Be content with the assurance I have given
you, that I shall no longer look upon you with repugnance, as I used to
do; for I must tell you, Ricardo, that I always found you somewhat more
arrogant and presumptuous than became you. I confess, also, that I was
deceived, and that my eyes being now opened, if the experiment were to
be made over again, perhaps I should be more humane to you, within the
bounds of honour. Go now, and God be with you; for I am afraid lest
Halima may have been listening to us, and she understands something of
our language."

"I fully acknowledge the propriety of all you have said, lady," replied
Ricardo. "I am infinitely obliged for the explanation you have