the hand which vainly struggled against
his clasp. "Nay, why so coy? what can female heart desire that my love
cannot shower upon thine? Speak but the word, enchanting maiden, and I
will bear thee from these scenes unseemly to thy gentle eyes. Amidst
the pavilions of princes shalt thou repose; and, amidst gardens of the
orange and the rose, shalt thou listen to the vows of thine adorer.
Surely, in these arms thou wilt not pine for a barbarous home and a
fated city. And if thy pride, sweet maiden, deafen thee to the voice of
nature, learn that the haughtiest dames of Spain would bend, in envious
court, to the beloved of their future king. This night--listen to me--I
say, listen--this night I will bear thee hence! Be but mine, and no
matter, whether heretic or infidel, or whatever the priests style thee,
neither Church nor king shall tear thee from the bosom of thy lover."

"It is well spoken, son of the most Christian monarch!" said a deep
voice; and the Dominican, Tomas de Torquemada, stood before the prince.

Juan, as if struck by a thunderbolt, released his hold, and, staggering
back a few paces, seemed to cower, abashed and humbled, before the eye
of the priest, as it glared upon him through the gathering darkness.

"Prince," said the friar, after a pause, "not to thee will our holy
Church attribute this crime; thy pious heart hath been betrayed by
sorcery. Retire!"

"Father," said the prince,--in a tone into which, despite his awe of
that terrible man, THE FIRST GRAND INQUISITOR OF SPAIN, his libertine
spirit involuntarily forced itself, in a half latent raillery,--"sorcery
of eyes like those bewitched the wise son of a more pious sire than even
Ferdinand of Arragon."

"He blasphemes!" muttered the monk. "Prince, beware! you know not what
you do."

The prince lingered, and then, as if aware that he must yield, gathered
his cloak round him, and left the tent without reply.

Pale and trembling,--with fears no less felt, perhaps, though more vague
and perplexed, than those from which she had just been delivered,--Leila
stood before the monk.

"Be seated, daughter of the faithless," said Torquemada, "we would
converse with thee: and, as thou valuest--I say not thy soul, for, alas!
of that precious treasure thou art not conscious--but mark me, woman! as
thou prizest the safety of those delicate limbs, and that wanton beauty,
answer truly what I shall ask thee. The man who brought thee hither--is
he, in truth, th