must contrive to fly from these
accursed Moors."

"Very well," replied Roque, "so, you are resolved to abandon your
matrimonial misery?"

"Oh, yes, Roque," retorted Rufa, "my conversion is very sincere; I have
so many motives to quit the wretch. Oh, he is indeed a barbarian!
Think, Roque, such a sweet partner as I have been to him, and now to
neglect me for a little Moorish hussey not worth a _maravedi_. Oh, the
faithless Aboukar--the wicked man! Yes, Roque, I wish as soon as
possible to be reconciled to the church."

Roque, though far from being a deep divine, could not but significantly
shake his head, when he perceived the motives that brought about the
conversion of the apostate love-smitten dame. However, the idea of
flying from the Moors very much tickled his fancy, and he was determined
to adopt the step, provided it could be carried into effect without any
great risk to his precious person, and that his mistress Theodora should
be a partner in the flight.

Thus he was indulging in the most agreeable reverie, when his fair
penitent disturbed him by uttering a most discordant sound, which the
valet soon perceived to be a failure in the imitation of a groan. The
eyes of the hag exhibited terrible signs of displeasure, as she turned
round to some object that called her attention, while writhing her
uncouth features into a most diabolical grimace. She thundered out an
oath which made Roque invoke _Santa Maria_; but he was not a little
scandalized when he discovered that the occasion of the hag's
indignation was her frolicsome husband, who, without the least regard to
her presence, was carrying on, in the presence of his wife, a little
coquetry with a Moorish girl.

"There," cried the ill-treated spouse, "there is a traitor--how I could
belabour the barbarian, and pluck that vile creature's eyes out! Oh,
Roque! I have been a sad sinner, and I fervently desire to be reconciled
to the church."

"Well, well," said Roque, "but first tell me on what foundation do you
build hopes of an escape. We are, that is my mistress and myself, so
narrowly watched, that it will be no easy task to evade the vigilance of
our guards. It is true that by the interference of the renegade I am
allowed a free access to Theodora, and the lady herself is treated with
much courtesy; but at the same time I have observed that some cursed
Moor or other is constantly watching our motions. Moreover, good dame, I
must undeceive you, should you