ed me more
than his base life could pay. Long have I toiled to bring about a day of
retribution, and now my hopes are suddenly crushed, and my vengeance
wrested from my hand."

"What means this, Alagraf?" inquired Caneri, surprised at such uncommon
demonstrations.

"Is this thy acute perception!" cried Bermudo, "that thou canst not
divine the motive that alone brings joy or pain to this blighted heart?
Dost thou forget that there is only one solitary feeling that can affect
it?"

"Yes, revenge!" replied Caneri, "but then this Christian! this Gomez
Arias--"

"Is my accursed enemy," thundered the renegade; "my foul wronger; once
my lord and master; and this captive, this weeping beauty, is perchance
his affianced bride, the proud daughter of our bitterest, our
redoubtable foe. Yes, she must be the daughter of Alonso de Aguilar.
And yet," he added, pondering, "how came she there?"

"What sayest thou?" exclaimed Caneri, with strong marks of pleasure.
"Can it be possible? Thanks, thanks to the holy prophet that vouchsafes
such reward to the faithful. This is indeed a most precious gage, as it
may perhaps be the means of curbing the overbearing insolence of
Aguilar; for, destitute as he is of all sympathy towards the Moors, he
may yet feel the anxiety of parental love when he learns the situation
of his child. Dispatch, quick; Malique, bring forth thy captive, and ask
a meed--'tis granted."

Malique withdrew, leaving the chief reveling in delight at the
unexpected tidings; and the renegade, with a countenance expressive of
deep regret at an occurrence which deprived him of the enjoyment of the
one dark passion that actuated his every feeling, and engrossed every
thought.

Meantime, the unfortunate Theodora was conducted by Malique before the
chief, like a trembling victim for the sacrifice.

"Behold my prize," said the obsequious Moor, pointing to the helpless
girl. "I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Caneri."

The gratified Moor made a slight inclination with his head in token of
approval, and then in the most scrutinizing manner proceeded to scan the
beauties of the afflicted fair, who hung down her head in sorrow and
confusion. The renegade made a movement of disappointment, when he
perceived that the captive was not, as he had surmised, the daughter of
Aguilar.

"What!" said Caneri, observing his surprise, "does she not merit thy
approbation? Methinks, Alagraf, thou hast no soul for bea