resolute Moors of his band, and the other
personages of whom mention has been made in the former part of this
chapter, constituted the cavalcade that now entered the busy and
thronged streets of Alhaurin, where the ferment occasioned by fresh and
numerous arrivals, plainly manifested the rapid progress of the
insurrection.

CHAPTER IV.

Some good I mean to do,
Despight of my own nature.

_Shakespeare_.

_Ser._ No hay quien socorra, quien valga
A una muger infelice?

_Fel._ Si, que decir muger basta,
Quando infeliz no dixera.

_Calderon_.

The air of dignity and importance which Caneri had resumed with his
change of fortune, was displayed to an extent that might render him
extravagantly ridiculous in the judgment of any sober individual. He
already considered himself a sovereign firmly established on his throne,
and he took no precaution to disguise the impulses of his over-bearing
vanity and despotic character. Thus, while he was apparently serving
the cause of independence, he afforded an opportunity to his enemies of
truly estimating the purity of his intentions.

Caneri paid a visit to Theodora immediately upon her arrival; but,
according to the agreement with the renegade, he limited his attentions
to the mere phrases of gallantry and courtly good nature. This
ostentatious shew of civility, however, did not arise from a generous
disposition, but merely constrained necessity. The renegade was
continually present to his thoughts, and though his superior in command
he was forced involuntarily to yield that tribute of respect, which
resolution and courage are sure to exact from the feeble, however humble
the situation in which their possessor may be placed. Besides this,
though his passion for the fair Christian had not abated, his heart was
now too much engrossed with objects highly gratifying to his vanity and
pride, to suffer the charms of a captive to rule there with undisputed
and despotic sway. His visits, therefore, were short, and he soon left
Theodora to the undisturbed possession of her own thoughts. She no
longer exhibited those signs of exquisite anguish or passionate
delirium. Keen and protracted suffering had rendered her in some measure
callous to the stings of sorrow. Musing melancholy and listlessness as
to her fate disputed alternately the possession of that hear