r with every
consideration, and, in defiance of all disadvantages, is bent upon
gaining her love."

The eyes of Gomez Arias glistened with satisfaction as the renegade made
these overtures, but still he paused before he came to a determination.
He eyed the stranger with the scrutiny of a man resolved to analyze
every feature, endeavouring to trace if any line of treachery were
discernible; but he beheld nothing to awaken his suspicions. That dark
brow was smooth and calm: for well aware of the examination to which he
should be subjected by Gomez Arias, Bermudo had prepared himself for an
interview on which the success of his plans intimately depended. Thus,
his countenance evinced nothing but a gloomy composure, from which
expression Gomez Arias could gather no trace of the deeper designs that
had urged him to proffer his services.

"Are you resolved?" inquired the renegade, after a pause.

"Where lives the Moor to whom Theodora must be committed?" inquired Don
Lope. "Does he inhabit this city? For in this case all further
communication on the subject would be needless."

"No," answered the renegade, "he does not dwell in Granada, though not
far from it at present: more you shall learn this night, should you be
disposed to admit my proposals: but you must decide forthwith, as I
shall be obliged to take my measures accordingly."

He folded his arms and gazed on Gomez Arias with seeming
indifference.--Don Lope felt a moment's hesitation: there was something
in this mysterious transaction that imparted misgiving to his mind; but
the shortness of the time at his disposal, and the imminency of the
danger, quickly silenced his rising doubts. Roque, who perceived the
inward conflict sustained by his master, attempted, by a gentle
remonstrance, to persuade him to discard the Moor's offer, but Don Lope
indignantly repulsed the presuming valet.

"Sirrah!" he said, "I need not thy counsel; if, when asked, thy humility
will not permit thee to give it, I marvel at thy presumption to offer
thy opinion now."

"Moor, what are thy conditions?" he continued, bracing all his energies
to a firm resolution.

"The price I shall expect," replied the renegade, "you are sensible
must be commensurate with the importance of my assistance."

"Certainly," exclaimed Gomez Arias, with a sneer: "what you consider a
just remuneration will no doubt be some exorbitant extortion."

"Christian!" retorted the renegade, "to show you that I place