t, she fell at his feet.

"Rise, lady, rise," vehemently cried the renegade, "that posture ill
becomes you. I cannot sustain the sight. Poor, helpless, innocent
sufferer," he then said in a pathetic tone, which in spite of his
sternness, he could not suppress. "Poor, poor, forlorn girl--it was thus
she begged and supplicated, but he denied her." He suddenly recollected
himself, and with an abrupt motion he raised the weeping Theodora from
the ground.

"Rise; for by all the powers of darkness, to see you thus more fiercely
burns my brain, and my frenzied madness becomes more ungovernable.
Woman, I am not generous, I am only just, though some cold mortals might
denominate my justice selfish cruelty. But I care not for man or his
opinions."

He paused for a moment, and then proceeded in a calmer tone:--

"Theodora, you are now acquainted with my intentions. I only grieve they
cannot be put in execution with the promptitude that I desire.--But I
must go hence immediately--I must keep up the hellish character which I
have assumed, and I am sent to act in conjunction with El Feri; my
absence shall be as short as I can make it, and in the mean time fear
not any violence from Caneri. In that quarter you are secure; for the
petty despot knows that his death would be the consequence of such a
step. And now, lady, keep strict silence on my important disclosures.
Roque is faithfully devoted to your service, but much is to be
apprehended from his imprudent loquacity, should he be made acquainted
with the secret before the time of action. He and any other you wish to
point out shall be our attendants. Remember my injunctions. Be
comforted, but do not exhibit symptoms of sudden and extraordinary joy,
lest you awaken the suspicions of Caneri; for he is possessed of all the
cunning and mistrust which generally fall to the share of a coward heart
blended with a despotic mind. Till we meet--adieu! I call for no
blessing on your head,--for I can only curse."

He said, and suddenly withdrew.

Theodora for some time was scarcely able to collect her thoughts; the
renegade had again revived her drooping spirits, and she ventured to
hope once more. She resolved implicitly to follow his instructions, in
the anxious expectation of a speedy deliverance from her present
miserable and perilous condition.

CHAPTER V.

Un farouche silence, enfant de la fureur,
A ces bruyants eclats succede avec horreur.
D'un bras determine