have relied on my courage for some
desperate plan. I will not fight a single Moor. My humility will not
permit me to exercise a business for which I consider myself utterly
unfit, both for want of practice and natural inclination."

"No, child," replied the crone with a sneer, "I was never foolish enough
to place any great hopes on your bravery; but I trust we shall find
means to forward our plans without such assistance. To me," she then
added, "all the secrets of the Moors are known, for they consider me too
much interested in their cause to doubt my fidelity. Don Alonso de
Aguilar is rapidly advancing against El Feri and should he succeed in
his expedition against _Sierra Bermeja_, as it is more than probable he
will, Caneri, Mohabed, and the other chiefs will not be able to
withstand the forces which are already sent against them. We must take
advantage of the confusion to escape, lest they should carry us with
them to Africa."

"_Cuerpo de Cristo!_" cried Roque, "and is that all your wise head can
devise? Well, I hope you are not overpowered after such an effort of
imagination; but really I cannot give you credit for the contrivance."

They were now entering Alhaurin, where Caneri had preceded them two or
three days before, and they halted at the entrance of a large mansion,
which appeared, by the guards patrolling in front, to be the abode of
the chief. Meantime the renegade helped Theodora out of her conveyance,
and led her to the apartments allotted to her use. She was no longer a
prey to the frenzied passions that had so long stormed her breast. The
keen intensity of affliction, insulted and indignant pride, were now
lost in the gloomy resignation and cold apathy to which they had given
place. The severe trials she had undergone had impaired the beauties of
her person, and poisoned her warm and generous feelings, but still
Theodora was lovely and interesting. She had lost the brilliant beauty
of a girl blooming with youth and happiness, but she had acquired the
chaste graces and loveliness of sorrow. Alas! even in those sad
memorials of fading beauty, enough yet remained to make her an object of
interest, and keep alive the passion which Caneri had conceived. The
load of grief and despair which had weighed her down at the last proof
of her lover's treachery, was succeeded by a mood of deadened
resignation. This calm, however, appeared presageful of some dire
intent, and accordingly, for the first two or three