Don Rafaele led him through a long and rather narrow passage till they
came to a closed door, which was opened on Don Rafaele's knocking.

How amazed was Edgar to find himself in a spacious vaulted chamber
brilliantly lighted, in which there was a numerous assemblage of
persons for the most part of wild, dirty, sullen appearance. In the
middle stood a man who, though dressed like the commonest peasant, with
wild hair and all the marks of a homeless, nomadic life, had in all his
bearing something of the dauntless and the awe-aspiring. The features
of his face were noble, and from his eyes flashed a warlike fire which
bespoke the hero. To him Don Rafaele conducted his friend, announcing
him as the brave young German whom he had rescued from the enemy, and
who was prepared to take part in the grand contest for the freedom of
Spain. Then Don Rafaele, turning to Edgar, said, "You are here in the
heart of Valenzia, which is besieged by our enemies--the hearth on
which burns for ever that fire whose unquenchable flame, ever blazing
up with renewed vigour, is destined to destroy our accursed foe when
the moment comes when, misled by his fallacious successes, he shall
surpass himself in defiant arrogance. You are here in the subterranean
vaults of the Franciscan Monastery. Along a hundred bye-paths unknown
to betrayers the chiefs of the brave make their way to this spot, and
hence, as from a focus, they dart in all directions rays which carry
death and destruction to foreigners. Don Edgar, we look upon you as one
of ourselves. Take your part in the glory of our undertakings."

Empecinado (for the man dressed as a peasant was none other than the
renowned Guerilla chieftain)--Empecinado, whose fearless daring formed
the theme of many a popular tale amounting to the miraculous--who set
at defiance all the efforts of the enemy, like some incarnation of the
spirit of vengeance, who when he had vanished without a trace would
suddenly burst forth with redoubled force--who at the very moment when
the enemy announced the utter annihilation of his bands would suddenly
appear at the very gates of Madrid, placing the Pretender's life in
danger--this Empecinado took Edgar by the hand, addressing him in
enthusiastic words.

At this point in the proceedings a young man was brought in bound. His
face, of deathly pallor, wore all the signs of hopeless despair; he was
trembling, and appeared to find it difficult to stand upright when
placed in