ning the fair Christian to
be fulfilled?"

"Fear not, Caneri," answered the renegade; "I have promised you that
Theodora will be yours to-night or never."

"Or never!" re-echoed Caneri, dismally shaping his face into most
unwarrantable elongation: "Or never! We have yet some time to remain,
and I would gladly wait for such a prize."

"It wants," observed the renegade, "but an hour to midnight,--the time
approaches,--my heart feels confident Theodora, will soon be in your
power, and I shall then have the means of accomplishing my revenge."

CHAPTER XIV.

Si! m'ingannai: scerner dovea, che in petto
Di un traditor mai solo un tradimento
Non entra.

_Alfieri._

Le cruel, helas! il me quitte,
Il me laisse sans nul appui!

_Berquin._

"In the name of Heaven, Don Lope," said Roque; "let me again conjure you
to pause before you finally resolve upon this undertaking: my heart
misgives me strangely."

"Thy heart," replied Gomez Arias, "is a most impertinent monitor. Simple
man! what other course is left me to pursue?--Is it thy wish that I
should relinquish the most glorious prize, at the very moment of its
attainment, from a pusillanimous fear of consequences? Already so far
advanced, must I shrink from an honorable alliance with Leonor? By
heaven! I cannot; I will not. Prudence, consistency, honor, forbid!

"But, saving your displeasure," interposed Roque, "methinks that same
honor of which you appear so tenacious, cannot urge you to betray an
unfortunate girl into the hands of infidel Moors. And although your
present situation is certainly fraught with difficulties, there may yet
be found some other way of proceeding with regard to Theodora, not
altogether so frightful."

"No, Roque, none. We have now no longer time to think; we must act, and
act without wasting a single precious moment.--Go, dispatch, deliver
this letter to Theodora, and conduct her to the place that I have
already pointed out. The night is fast advancing; dispatch; and be
faithful in the discharge of my orders. This step is unavoidable, and to
its necessity even thou thyself wilt be reconciled, though at present it
may awaken in thy bosom a foolish sentiment of pity, or fear, I know not
which."

Roque attempted no farther expostulation, but heaving a sigh, and
casting his eyes to heaven, proceeded to the discharge of his
commission, whilst his maste