er, she listened
with downcast looks and kindling blushes, but with an air of resignation.

One obstacle remained to the complete fruition of the monarch's wishes,
and this was the religion of the princess. Roderick forthwith employed the
Archbishop of Toledo to instruct the beautiful Elyata in the mysteries of
the Christian faith. The female intellect is quick in perceiving the
merits of new doctrines: the archbishop, therefore, soon succeeded in
converting, not merely the princess, but most of her attendants; and a day
was appointed for their public baptism. The ceremony was performed with
great pomp and solemnity, in the presence of all the nobility and chivalry
of the court. The princess and her damsels, clad in white, walked on foot
to the cathedral, while numerous beautiful children, arrayed as angels,
strewed the path with flowers; and the archbishop, meeting them at the
portal, received them, as it were, into the bosom of the church. The
princess abandoned her Moorish appellation of Elyata, and was baptised by
the name of Exilona, by which she was thenceforth called, and has
generally been known in history.

The nuptials of Roderick and the beautiful convert took place shortly
afterward, and were celebrated with great magnificence. There were jousts,
and tourneys, and banquets, and other rejoicings, which lasted twenty
days, and were attended by the principle nobles from all parts of Spain.
After these were over, such of the attendants of the princess as refused
to embrace Christianity, and desired to return to Africa, were dismissed
with munificent presents; and an embassy was sent to the King of Algiers,
to inform him of the nuptials of his daughter, and to proffer him the
friendship of King Roderick.

For a time Don Roderick lived happily with his young and beautiful queen,
and Toledo was the seat of festivity and splendor. The principal nobles
throughout the kingdom repaired to his court to pay him homage, and to
receive his commands; and none were more devoted in their reverence than
those who were obnoxious to suspicion, from their connection with the late
king.

Among the foremost of these was Count Julian, a man destined to be
infamously renowned in the dark story of his country's woes. He was of one
of the proudest Gothic families, lord of Consuegra and Algeziras, and
connected by marriage with Witizia and the Bishop Oppas; his wife, the
Countess Frandina, being their sister. In consequence of this c