, interposing; "will that be an obstacle
to our agreement?"

Gomez Arias remained a few minutes in silence; he felt an inward
disquiet he could not well explain; the name of Caneri had awakened a
new and painful sensation; it recalled to his mind the edicts of the
queen, which he was on the point of violating by holding intercourse
with the rebel; but again he thought that the elevated situation to
which he would be shortly exalted might sufficiently secure him against
any danger, should even this transaction ever come to light, of which he
could not foresee the slightest probability.

Meantime, poor Roque, who perceived the hesitation of his master,
ventured to approach him, and with a voice agitated with fear,--

"Oh, my dear master," he said, "if it is not too late, let us retreat
from this dreaded spot; do not conclude this hellish treaty, for be
assured it will prove the destruction of your fortunes, if there is an
omnipotence above or justice amongst men."

It was too late; the heart that could not yield to the voice of its own
conscience, was not easily to be moved by the expostulation of a
dependant. Gomez Arias had now advanced too far to retrace his steps; it
was a fearful deed, but he relied with implicit confidence on its being
for ever buried in silence. Then, without further delay, he made a sign
to the renegade in token of agreement, and turned towards Granada.

Theodora became frantic; with a desperate effort she flew to her lover;
a dismal, harrowing shriek quivered through the inmost fibres of her
heart; and then she spoke not, but clung to Gomez Arias with the fearful
might arising from despair. Her face was hidden in his bosom, her pulse
beat not, and the spark of life seemed extinct. Gomez Arias gently
endeavoured to extricate himself from her firm embrace; she again became
conscious of his intention, and in the paroxysm of agony she exclaimed--

"Barbarian! have I deserved this from you?"

Roque now sobbed aloud like a child, and Gomez Arias himself was moved;
but the renegade, fearful of the results of the scene, advanced to claim
his victim.

"Oh, my honored master!" cried Roque, "does not this harrowing picture
of despair move the kinder feelings of your heart?--you once loved her
tenderly, and were it only for the remembrance of what she was, spare
her now."

Gomez Arias felt the rebuke; it soured his temper and confirmed him in
his purpose. He was indignant at the freedom of his depe