nand; and, in yielding the possessions he held,
had been rewarded with a barren and dependent principality. His defeat,
far from benefiting Boabdil, had exasperated the Moors against their
king. "For," said they, almost with one voice, "the brave El Zagal never
would have succumbed had Boabdil properly supported his arms." And
it was the popular discontent and rage at El Zagal's defeat which had
indeed served Boabdil with a reasonable excuse for shutting himself
in the strong fortress of the Alhambra. It now happened that El Zagal,
whose dominant passion was hatred of his nephew, and whose fierce nature
chafed at its present cage, resolved in his old age to blast all his
former fame by a signal treason to his country. Forgetting everything
but revenge against his nephew, who he was resolved should share his own
ruin, he armed his subjects, crossed the country, and appeared at the
head of a gallant troop in the Spanish camp, an ally with Ferdinand
against Granada. When this was heard by the Moors, it is impossible
to conceive their indignant wrath: the crime of El Zagal produced an
instantaneous reaction in favour of Boabdil; the crowd surrounded the
Alhambra and with prayers and tears entreated the forgiveness of
the king. This event completed the conquest of Boabdil over his own
irresolution. He ordained an assembly of the whole army in the broad
space of the Vivarrambla: and when at break of day he appeared in full
armour in the square, with Muza at his right hand, himself in the flower
of youthful beauty, and proud to feel once more a hero and a king, the
joy of the people knew no limit; the air was rent with cries of "Long
live Boabdil el Chico!" and the young monarch, turning to Muza, with
his soul upon his brow exclaimed, "The hour has come--I am no longer El
Zogoybi!"

CHAPTER V. LEILA.--HER NEW LOVER.--PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST INQUISITOR OF SPAIN.--THE
CHALICE RETURNED TO THE LIPS OF ALMAMEN.

While thus the state of events within Granada, the course of our story
transports us back to the Christian camp. It was in one of a long line
of tents that skirted the pavilion of Isabel, and was appropriated to
the ladies attendant on the royal presence, that a young female sat
alone. The dusk of evening already gathered around, and only the
outline of her form and features was visible. But even that, imperfectly
seen,--the dejected attitude of the form, the drooping head, the hands
clasped upon the knees,--might have