CHAPTER III.
_Mer._ Ce sont la de mes moindres coups, De petits souflets ordinaires.
_Sos._ Si j'etois aussi prompt que vous, Nous ferions de belles affaires.
_Moliere._
No nos rompas la cabeza Hombre----Pero Ay Dios mio! Pored un freno a mi lengua; Y ojala que esta no fuese La menor de mis flaquezas.
_Cruz._
"_Valga me el cielo!_" exclaimed Roque, "Oh Maria, oh Rufa! Oh Rufa, ohMaria! nearly a week have I been with you, and yet I cannot, for thesoul of me, believe what I see. There must be witchcraft in this; tofind the old crony of my late mother, _que en paz descanse_![43] to findMaria Rufa, whom I had supposed dead, and her soul dwelling with thesaints, amongst the rebels--amongst the Moors I mean, and herself aMoor: well, nothing shall make me wonder for the future."
Such were the words that our reader's friend Roque addressed to dameAboukar, as they were advancing toward the town of Alhaurin in acavalcade, of which they made a part. The venerable and sour spouse ofthe ex-master of the household, was rather nettled at the valet'simpertinent freedom: he had been during the way most assiduous infavouring her with the benefit of his remarks, which he happened toconvey with such an extraordinary licence of tongue, that the dame'spatience, which it is believed was not of the most enduring kind, atlast became completely exhausted. With much tartness and asperity,therefore, in a discordant voice, she exclaimed, "Out upon thee, mostsaucy and ungracious varlet; curb that licence of tongue, and learn tobehave in a proper manner to thy elders and betters."
"Sweet dame," quoth the valet, "I do not by any means desire to disputethat first quality; you are certainly my elder by some good thirtyyears; but at the same time, most matronly and venerable Marien, I begleave to differ in opinion on the second part of your assertion."
Then, as if afraid of being overheard, he muttered, in an under tone, "Iam a good Christian and ever was."
This observation did not escape Marien Rufa, who heaved a deep sigh, andcast on Roque a look of mingled shame and resentment. She felt sorelythe rebuke, but notwithstanding the valet's impertinence, the friendshipshe had entertained for his mother induced her to consider him with somedegree of interest, and prevented her from discharging on him the wholeweight of her indignation.
"Roque, Roque," she observed with sourness of aspect, "methinks youought not to be so enamoured of the sound of your own voice, for thatmost unfortunate propensity to prating has brought you to the presentpass: remember that it was on account of your growing sententious, thatyour master so unceremoniously dispensed with your services."
"Well," pertly cried Roque, "I suffer for having spoken truth, and Iglory in what I have done. By all the saints, since I reflect on theflagrant injustice of Don Lope's conduct, and am become a martyr to myrectitude and compassion, I find that I am endowed with a degree ofcourage and resolution of which I was far from imagining that I waspossessed. And now," he added, drawing near the dame, "now will youcondescend to favour me with the particulars of your apostacy from ourholy religion. What, in the name of infatuation, could entice you totake a step so detrimental to the interests of your soul? _VirgenSanta!_ once no one was to be found more assiduous at the ceremonies ofour religion; you were in very troth the most devout _beata_[44] of thewhole parish, and now here's a change, in the name of _Satanas_! Oh,Maria Rufa, you have surely been bewitched."
"Alas!" cried the crone, ludicrously rolling her eyes in attempting thepathetic, "you say right, Roque; I was verily bewitched."
"_Santa Barbara!_" exclaimed Roque crossing himself, "and by whom wereyou bewitched?"
"By that most powerful tyrant."
"What tyrant?" demanded Roque, drawing closer, and casting a suspiciousglance around. "What tyrant, Rufa?"
"Guess, Roque, and spare my confusion."
"Spare my guessing," returned the valet, "and with respect to yourconfusion, I dare say it will not overwhelm you. Now, tell me the nameof the terrible tyrant."
"Love," replied Marien Rufa, affecting much disorder.
Roque forthwith burst into an immoderate fit of laughter that startledthe cavalcade.
"Love! the Lord defend us!--how could such a guest enter so homely anhabitation! Love! here's a pretty object for Cupid to exercise hispranks upon. Now, I do verily believe there is witchcraft in the tenderpassion. _Miserere! Miserere!_ and who was the happy mortal attracted byyour matured charms?--whence came the man blessed with the good tastenecessary to set a just value on your miraculous attractions? That mostbeautiful elongated chin--that capacious mouth--those lack-lustre eyes,and shrivelled complexion--that most polite and well-educated nose,which is continually bowing to the neighbouring chin; in fine, thoselong shaggy tresses of hair, which, if we must judge by theirconsistency, bespeak thee endowed with the strength of Sampson."
Scarcely had Roque made a stop in his harangue, in order to take breath,than Marien Rufa, exasperated beyond bearing at the caricature he wasdrawing, with a wonderful alacrity lifted her clenched hand, and dealtthe facetious valet such a tremendous blow on the ear, that he fellstunned from the donkey which he bestrode, and lighted on the groundwith such violence that the whole place rung with the noise.
"There," cried the hag, "there's a convincing proof that my hair has notimposed on your credulity with regard to my strength."
Roque was completely reclaimed from his waggishness by the unexpectedvisitation of the Sampsonic fist, and for some time utterly forgot theuse of his tongue. The notice of the whole cavalcade was attracted bythe mishap of the luckless valet, and the energetic exclamation of dameAboukar. The Moors that served as escort were seized with a fit ofwondering mirth, and even the renegade, who was the chief of the party,spite of his habitual sternness, relaxed his rigid features intosomething like a smile. The tenant of a litter that was carried inadvance likewise stopped to inquire into the reason of the commotion.
"Roque, what is the matter," demanded Theodora (for she was indeed thatlady), when she perceived the valet rising from the ground in thegreatest confusion.
"Nothing, my lady:" answered Roque, wofully; "the Lord defend us, butwe have in our party a devil incarnate, under the semblance of a woman.Good heavens! here's such a concert ringing in the side of my head--sucha hissing and whizzing never did I hear. O, Maria Rufa!" he thenproceeded, in a humble tone, "what a flame you have imparted to my poorface! If it is a sample of your amorous fires, I am amazed you are notactually reduced to cinders!"
"That will teach you," said Maria Rufa, pacified, "to put a properrestraint on your froward tongue."
Roque for some time after kept a profound silence, for though heaffected to treat the matter with jocose indifference, yet he was in nomanner satisfied with the mirth and merry sayings which his adventurehad occasioned. At length, however, his curiosity prevailed, and almostforgetting his recent disgrace, he again in a friendly manner accostedthe Amazon.
"Now, Rufa," he said, "I hope you entertain no rancour against me forwhat has passed?"
"By no means, good Roque," answered the hag grinning, "I am perfectlysatisfied, and I hope you are the same."
"Quite," returned the valet, "quite; so let us say no more about it, butrather tell me, if no ways disagreeable, the origin, progress, and finalresults of your passion."
"Alas! Roque," replied the old sybil, "it was unfortunate in itsresults."
And she heaved a profound sigh, whilst Roque, in most sympatheticunison, uttered a dismal groan.
"Console yourself," he said, "with the reflection that your case ispretty general in this sinful world. But what is the name of the amiablebarbarian, the sweet monster, the bewitching, yet cruel oppressor, thatexcited the tender sentiments of your virgin heart, and turned you fromthe true faith."
"What! you are yet unacquainted with my husband?"
"Husband!" ejaculated Roque, "so there was a husband in the case! Oh,then I am not surprised."
&
nbsp; "He treats me like a brute, as he is."
"Indeed! that is astonishing," cried Roque, "wonderfully astonishing,considering the means you have in your power of enforcing properbehaviour on the unruly. And pray what is the name of your brute?"
"You might have perceived it before: it is Aboukar."
"Aboukar!" exclaimed Roque; "Now, indeed, my wonder ceases--Aboukar! Ohthe sweet creature! with his pretty lobster eyes, and most awful andportentous proboscis, which seems for all the world like a fine ripetomato displayed on a copper platter."
But here Roque thought it prudent to make a retrograde motion, as helooked at the masculine arm of the dame, and remembered the littlerelish she had evinced for his talent of drawing portraits, and themanner in which she remunerated the artist.
"So Aboukar is your husband!"
"Alas! yes," answered the ancient, "we have been married now these fiveyears."
"_Valgame San Roque!_" cried his namesake. "What a dull dog have Ibeen!--five years married--certainly I ought to have discovered thatlong ago by his treatment."
"Treatment!" re-echoed Marien Rufa, a little incensed, "What treatment?"
"Oh! I mean no harm," replied Roque, "conjugal treatment, that is all."
"Roque," resumed the crone, modulating her croaking voice to somethinglike a human sound, "Roque!" and she suddenly stopt, and looked thevalet steadfastly in the face. "Well?" said Roque, surprised at thepomposity of her manner.
"Roque, my child, are you a kind and compassionate soul--a thorough goodChristian?"
"A very good Christian," responded Roque, "though a humble sinner. Butmethinks such a question comes with ill grace from the mouth of arenegade."
"I will confide in thee, Roque," returned Marien Rufa, "I am anunfortunate woman, and alas! might I hope that my repentance were nottoo late? Roque, thinkest thou that there is truly a hell as terrible asit is depicted?"
"Worse, worse, a thousand times worse," replied Roque. "All the tormentswhich you may have suffered in the company of---- But do you allow me toabuse your husband safely?"
"As much as you please," answered the gentle spouse.
"Well," resumed Roque, "all the torments which that most abominable,ugly scarecrow of a rascally unbeliever has made you endure, are nothingin comparison to the tortures you are doomed to suffer when you arecompelled to leave that miserable carcase, and that time you must beaware cannot be far off. Then consider what a life you will lead inthose dark regions, where, by the bye, you will be eternally tormentedwith the sight and company of your ungracious consort."
"I am sensible of my errors, but if I have sought your confidence, itwas with the view of exciting your compassion, not your reproaches."
But Roque had insensibly got into a very oratorical mood, and, withoutheeding the hag's remonstrances, proceeded:--
"Now, Rufa, consider for a moment, who but the devil could tempt amatron full half a century old, without a sound tooth in her head, thehead itself being unsound, to look kindly on the most perfect sample ofugliness, and a ruffian Moor to boot: this is enough to make you despairof salvation--But no, the blessed Virgin forbid! I think, and charitablyhope, that by a vigorous course of penance, and wholesome castigation,properly and soundly administered, by a frequent use of discipline,constant fasts, devout prayer, donations to the poor, of whom I am one,and the like pious exercises, I really think your sinful soul may besnatched from the perdition to which it has been brought by thatinfernal Aboukar, your most confounded lord and master; therefore--"
"Roque," interrupted ruefully Marien Rufa, "whether you are in rightearnest or only playing the fool with me, I cannot determine; but mysituation is such as to deserve the pity of every good Christian."
Roque had, indeed, a peculiar inclination to a ludicrous banter, evenwhen dwelling on the gravest subjects, which might put on his guard aperson of quicker intellects than the dame of Aboukar.
"Rufa," he said, "pardon me if, in my admonitions, I cannot impart toyour troubled spirit that unction which becomes the important subjectthat dictates them. Now, provided you will tell me the manner in whichyou intend to proceed, perhaps I may be able to help you with my goodadvice."
"Well, child," replied Marien Rufa, "I wish heartily to be reconciled tothe church, and for this purpose we must contrive to fly from theseaccursed Moors."
"Very well," replied Roque, "so, you are resolved to abandon yourmatrimonial misery?"
"Oh, yes, Roque," retorted Rufa, "my conversion is very sincere; I haveso many motives to quit the wretch. Oh, he is indeed a barbarian!Think, Roque, such a sweet partner as I have been to him, and now toneglect me for a little Moorish hussey not worth a _maravedi_. Oh, thefaithless Aboukar--the wicked man! Yes, Roque, I wish as soon aspossible to be reconciled to the church."
Roque, though far from being a deep divine, could not but significantlyshake his head, when he perceived the motives that brought about theconversion of the apostate love-smitten dame. However, the idea offlying from the Moors very much tickled his fancy, and he was determinedto adopt the step, provided it could be carried into effect without anygreat risk to his precious person, and that his mistress Theodora shouldbe a partner in the flight.
Thus he was indulging in the most agreeable reverie, when his fairpenitent disturbed him by uttering a most discordant sound, which thevalet soon perceived to be a failure in the imitation of a groan. Theeyes of the hag exhibited terrible signs of displeasure, as she turnedround to some object that called her attention, while writhing heruncouth features into a most diabolical grimace. She thundered out anoath which made Roque invoke _Santa Maria_; but he was not a littlescandalized when he discovered that the occasion of the hag'sindignation was her frolicsome husband, who, without the least regard toher presence, was carrying on, in the presence of his wife, a littlecoquetry with a Moorish girl.
"There," cried the ill-treated spouse, "there is a traitor--how I couldbelabour the barbarian, and pluck that vile creature's eyes out! Oh,Roque! I have been a sad sinner, and I fervently desire to be reconciledto the church."
"Well, well," said Roque, "but first tell me on what foundation do youbuild hopes of an escape. We are, that is my mistress and myself, sonarrowly watched, that it will be no easy task to evade the vigilance ofour guards. It is true that by the interference of the renegade I amallowed a free access to Theodora, and the lady herself is treated withmuch courtesy; but at the same time I have observed that some cursedMoor or other is constantly watching our motions. Moreover, good dame, Imust undeceive you, should you have relied on my courage for somedesperate plan. I will not fight a single Moor. My humility will notpermit me to exercise a business for which I consider myself utterlyunfit, both for want of practice and natural inclination."
"No, child," replied the crone with a sneer, "I was never foolish enoughto place any great hopes on your bravery; but I trust we shall findmeans to forward our plans without such assistance. To me," she thenadded, "all the secrets of the Moors are known, for they consider me toomuch interested in their cause to doubt my fidelity. Don Alonso deAguilar is rapidly advancing against El Feri and should he succeed inhis expedition against _Sierra Bermeja_, as it is more than probable hewill, Caneri, Mohabed, and the other chiefs will not be able towithstand the forces which are already sent against them. We must takeadvantage of the confusion to escape, lest they should carry us withthem to Africa."
"_Cuerpo de Cristo!_" cried Roque, "and is that all your wise head candevise? Well, I hope you are not overpowered after such an effort ofimagination; but really I cannot give you credit for the contrivance."
They were now entering Alhaurin, where Caneri had preceded them two orthree days before, and they halted at the entrance of a large mansion,which appeared, by the guards patrolling in front, to be the abode ofthe chief. Meantime the renegade helped Theodora out of her conveyance,and led her to the apartments allotted to her use. She was no longer aprey to the frenzied passions that had so long stormed her breast. Thekeen intensity of affliction, ins
ulted and indignant pride, were nowlost in the gloomy resignation and cold apathy to which they had givenplace. The severe trials she had undergone had impaired the beauties ofher person, and poisoned her warm and generous feelings, but stillTheodora was lovely and interesting. She had lost the brilliant beautyof a girl blooming with youth and happiness, but she had acquired thechaste graces and loveliness of sorrow. Alas! even in those sadmemorials of fading beauty, enough yet remained to make her an object ofinterest, and keep alive the passion which Caneri had conceived. Theload of grief and despair which had weighed her down at the last proofof her lover's treachery, was succeeded by a mood of deadenedresignation. This calm, however, appeared presageful of some direintent, and accordingly, for the first two or three days, she had notbeen left a moment alone, and every instrument of death had beencarefully removed from her reach. The attentive services of Roque partlyreconciled her to her dreadful situation; for it is consoling, even inthe lowest depths of affliction, to meet with _one_ sympathising being,however humble his station, however weak and limited his means toafford comfort and redress. In the midst of her barbarous enemies, shewas permitted the attendance of a Christian, and this circumstance,trifling as it was, imparted some solace to her oppressed spirit.Besides, Caneri had abstained from importuning her with his loathsomeprotestations of love. This forbearance of the Moor arose from therenegade having stipulated, that in engaging the affections of Theodora,he should resort to no violence in her present sorrowful condition.
Thus Caneri had limited his addresses to a bare manifestation ofrespectful regard, foreign indeed to his nature, and borrowed only fromthe necessity of acquiescing with the wishes of the renegade, who hadboldly declared he would oppose any violence employed against Theodora.This favorable disposition of the renegade was a source of astonishmentto the object of his solicitude, for she could not forget that he hadbeen the principal agent in the completion of her misery. Did Bermudointend by these seeming kind offices to secure the prey to himself? orwas it really a sentiment of pity that impelled him to themanifestation of this solicitude? Could heavenly pity dwell in thatdarksome abode, where the most fiendish passions kept a constanthabitation? How were such opposite guests to be reconciled?
These surmises kept the mind of Theodora in a state of continualexcitement, but as day after day passed, and the renegade, instead ofexhibiting the least mark of enamoured sentiments, seemed to grow morerespectful in his attention, those doubts began to wear away, andTheodora concluded that some mystery enveloped his proceedings, whichshe was unable to unravel, and which time alone could clear up.
In pursuance of the injunctions of El Feri, his brother chief, Caneri,had established his head quarters at Alhaurin, where his party was dailyincreasing by the Moors who came to join his standard. Caneri himselfhad arrived three days before, having left to the renegade the charge ofTheodora, who could not be supposed to travel with equal expedition.
Bermudo, therefore, with a few resolute Moors of his band, and the otherpersonages of whom mention has been made in the former part of thischapter, constituted the cavalcade that now entered the busy andthronged streets of Alhaurin, where the ferment occasioned by fresh andnumerous arrivals, plainly manifested the rapid progress of theinsurrection.