pointment, at the
very time that pleasure and contentment alone seemed to hold dominion
in Granada.

Theodora beheld these unfortunates with a lively sensation of pity,
though they had certainly little claim to it. The image of the odious
Caneri was of itself sufficient to banish any kindly feeling; yet they
were forlorn and wretched, and this was alone a sacred title to the
sympathies of her generous soul. She was, however, soon obliged to
recall her thoughts to a subject of individual interest, for as she was
doubling the _Plaza nueva_,[30] amongst the various Moors that paraded
about, her eyes lighted on one that struck a sensation of dread to her
very heart. It was Bermudo the renegade! She could not be deceived in
his person, though his outward appearance had undergone a material
alteration. The ingenuity which had changed his dress and disguised his
manner, could not however alter the peculiar expression of his eye, and
the chilling tranquil sternness of his features. Theodora trembled, for
she perceived that she had been recognised by the renegade, who
intensely fixed his eyes upon her, as though her person powerfully
arrested his attention. She turned with terror from the dreaded object,
and during the rest of her way, felt an involuntary apprehension at
looking around her.

The party of Theodora had by this time arrived at the palace of Don
Alonso de Aguilar, but an entrance was not to be effected without
considerable difficulty, all the avenues leading to it being crowded
with the multitude eager to congratulate the daughter of the victorious
warrior. The lady herself appeared for a moment at the balcony, gaily
surrounded by gallant knights and pages, waving her silken scarf in
grateful acknowledgment of these public demonstrations of respect.
Ramirez turned, and conducting his party to the back of the mansion,
sought an easier admission by the garden entrance. Theodora was soon
ushered into a splendid apartment, while her attentive conductor
proceeded alone, to fulfil his instructions to the daughter of Aguilar.

During the short interval that succeeded the departure of Ramirez, the
mind of Theodora was alternately agitated between hope and fear. Not
that she had any reason to doubt the reception she would experience from
Leonor, but she felt the painful difficulty of affording the explanation
that would naturally be required of her upon the arrival of Aguilar,
whose return was daily expected. These painfu