pect. Poorly attired
they were,--outcast and rebellious spirits, who had the caverns of the
forest for their resting place, and the wild mountain for their country.
The tranquil recklessness of their wandering life was depicted in all
their movements; and the cold expression of their bronzed features
betokened a hardihood in the commission of crime, and in the unwearied
pursuit of vengeance.

"Fair Christian, be not afraid," said Malique; "we will not harm thee."

Theodora looked at the speaker and closed her eyes, as if unable to
endure the sight. Words coming from so terrible a source could convey no
confidence; and kindness and assurances of safety, offered by such a
being, seemed a refinement of cruelty, to render dishonor and death
more poignant. A broad face, of swarthy complexion, was rendered
frightful by an enormous mouth, where large white projecting teeth
seemed to be placed more to disfigure than to adorn it. A large scar
extended across the face, dividing the eyebrows, and adding new terrors
to that already repulsive physiognomy.

When Theodora recovered a little from her first emotion, she became a
prey to the most harrowing recollections. Alas! her reason seemed to
return only to augment the poignancy of her distress.

"My love! my own Lope!" she franticly cried, "where art thou? Come, come
and protect thy poor Theodora!"

The hardened Moors raised a laugh at those piteous exclamations, whilst
Malique observed--

"Nay, lady, if that same Lope be thy husband, or lover, call him not;
for I presume he is not within ear-shot, and can afford thee no
assistance; so be composed, and yield submissively to thy fate, since
there is no other alternative left thee."

Theodora heeded him not, for she was absorbed in the ideas that crowded
upon her mind. Terrible was the sight of those mountain ruffians, and
horrid was the anticipation of her destiny, yet only one melancholy,
heart-rending misfortune occupied her every feeling. She was alive to
one only calamity, but in that, alas! all the horrors with which fate
could overwhelm her were at once combined. She saw _him_ not--the man of
her heart--her last protector, and the single link that bound her to
existence. Gomez Arias was not by her side; had he abandoned her? She
could not harbour such a thought in her innocent bosom,--nay, not even
in a transitory flash, was the dreadful truth revealed to her. She was
at least blessed in this ignorance, but yet Gomez A