torn
by wild beasts, and see no more the light of day; thou shalt lie,
perishing with hunger, and lamenting the rigor of my anger and
indignation, for thou hast provoked the wrath of the Prophet and
slighted his laws."

"I will submit tranquilly," replied Sol, "to the weight of your chains;
I will allow my limbs to be torn asunder by wild beasts; I will renounce
for ever the light of day; I will die of hunger; and when every torture
you can command has been endured, I will scorn your anger and the wrath
of the Prophet, since they are unable to conquer even a weak woman, and
do but show your impotence in the sight of Heaven, whose strength you
boast, to gain one proselyte to your creed."

"Atrocious blasphemy!" exclaimed the enraged governor; "thus dost thou
profane the most sacred names, thus dost thou reject all consideration?
I will bury thee in dark dungeons, where thou shalt drink the cup of
bitterness. Take this Hebrew," continued the governor, "to prison; let
her suffer in the most loathsome dungeon--let her there feel the effect
of my displeasure." Then turning his back upon her, his eyes flashing
with ire, he abandoned the victim, who was immediately conducted to the
prison.

The Alcazaba is a castle situate on a little eminence at the extremity
of the town, where prisoners are confined. Thither was the beautiful
Jewess conducted, in the first instance, though the soldiers
subsequently removed her to a place destined for the female prisoners
only, where was a small cell, dirty and fetid, with one narrow window
looking into the street. In this dungeon, where she was unable to stand
erect, was the young Hebrew confined. During the three days that she had
remained in the governor's palace, her parents had not failed to inform
themselves of every thing that befell her--even to her removal to the
Alcazaba, and subsequent confinement in this dungeon. It was night
before Haim Hachuel and Simla his wife directed their anxious steps
towards the prison. Haim's searching eye ran over the whole edifice at a
glance, and soon discovered the beloved object of their attachment.
There was the beautiful Sol, in truth, holding the iron bars that
secured the small window, her snow-white hands shining amid the gloom,
whiter than the pure linen on the dusky skin of the African. All around
reigned the silence of the grave, save when at intervals it was
interrupted by the sound of oppressed sighs, as of one who could scarce
breath