as he delivered these
words, on the subject of his present delight; and then, very well
satisfied with his discretion, he continued--"I can justly appreciate
merit wherever I find it; and although certainly the creed and country
of our fair guest are in direct opposition with mine, yet that shall not
prevent me from paying the tribute which her beauty so justly deserves."

Theodora heard all this with sorrowful resignation; nor was Caneri by
any means satisfied with the success of his eloquence, for he had been
accustomed to meet with a more joyous reception from every female to
whom he had yet condescended to make advances.

"Malique," he said, turning to the officious menial, "lead this
beauteous damsel to one of our best apartments, and see that she wants
for nothing that I can command."

He then favored the afflicted Theodora with a peculiar smile, in which,
somewhat of the ludicrous prevailed over the tender, and dismissed her
from his presence, with a gracious promise of a visit as early as the
importance of his affairs would allow.

While Caneri spoke, Bermudo held his accustomed silence, but he could
not disguise his contempt when he perceived the Moor so completely
engrossed with the pursuit of his selfish gratification, at a time when
affairs of such magnitude were at stake.

"Caneri," he cried sullenly; "it appears to me that our cause is not
likely to derive any great advantage from the possession of that
Christian."

"A mind," replied Caneri, with an assumption of gravity, "a mind
harassed with numerous cares, necessarily requires some relaxation.--To
thee alone, as a friend, do I speak in these terms of confidence; to any
other, I would not condescend to afford the shadow of explanation
regarding what may appear strange in my conduct; my actions must not be
subjected to the scrutiny of any one."

As he said this, he looked around with an air of offended dignity, as
though a signification of his will were sufficient to command respect
and obedience; while the renegade made no other reply than a smile of
derision.

Caneri now summoned around him his principal officers, and happy in the
beggarly retinue that attended him, he paraded the wretched town of
Alhacen, the capital of his scanty dominions. This was more for idle
display, than for the purpose of taking vigorous and efficient measures
to check the course of the Christians. The garrison was drawn out in the
_Plaza_[27] to be reviewed by their