rsonages to each other, and surely
for so considerable a service could I expect less than a ring--a ring
valuable indeed in itself--more valuable from the illustrious personage
to whom it had belonged--more precious still, as I have it in my power
to return it to that elevated owner."

The solemn mockery of this speech was suddenly interrupted by the queen,
while, with looks of anger and displeasure--

"Peace!" she cried. "You came here to make good an accusation, not to
intrude upon our patience with these remarks." Then turning to Gomez
Arias, she continued in a tone of mingled sternness and compassion--

"Don Lope, you gave this ring to the Moor?"

"I did," replied Gomez Arias, gloomily, but dauntless.

"An oath," resumed the renegade, "will surely be held sacred with a
Christian. Let one be taken by that man," he added, pointing to Roque,
who was now endeavouring to effect his escape, as he beheld, with
dismay, the unexpected and serious turn the affair was taking, and felt
repugnant to criminate his former master, for whom he still preserved a
feeling of respect.

"Secure the man," continued Bermudo, "and we will then see how far I am
justified in my assertions."

"Silence!" again exclaimed the queen, inwardly grieved at the evidence
that was pressing against Don Lope. "Silence, Moor: we need not thy
instructions."

A mixture of pity and amazement prevailed throughout the assembly. They
met to congratulate a victor, and they were now to consider him as one
who had not scrupled to outrage the laws of his country, and for the
purpose of accomplishing a detestable crime. So extraordinary and
contradictory a situation appeared to some impossible; yet nothing is
beyond the compass of the passions when unrestrained in their headlong
career.

The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggar
description. There she was obliged to stand and witness the accusation
of her husband, brought by her means into this dreadful situation. But
her dismay was doubly augmented when she observed the queen rise, and in
a solemn manner, address the surrounding train.

"Christians," she said, "I bitterly deplore this melancholy event, which
changes a day of triumph into one of sorrow. Governor of Granada," she
then added, turning to Count de Tendilla, "to you I commit the person of
Don Lope Gomez Arias, accused of treason to the state. See that he be
safely guarded, though respectfully treated--and you, Don Lope, p