had passed many happy days in this quiet spot, unvisited by either fay or spirit; our books, our music, our embroidery were there.

"One morning, unattended by my friend, who had been indisposed, I walked hither. The night had been stormy and boisterous; and, though midsummer, the paths were strewed with leaves and blossoms that had been whirled from their stems by the fury of the wind. The air was sultry and unrefreshing, and still foreboded thunder and tempest.

"I had despatched my attendants to the sea-side, to look for shells and sea-weed, which the last night's storm might have cast on shore; and taking the small basket of fruit from one of them, which contained my breakfast, determined to seek the coolness of the Peri's grot, to relieve the langour which pervaded my limbs, arising from the oppression of the atmosphere. I entered carelessly, and had just deposited my little load; when a deep sigh roused my attention, and my eyes rested on a young man, sleeping upon the piled cushions. Though alone, I felt not fear: accustomed to security and protection, I dream't not of violence or wrong. Alas! these fears have been acquired by an acquaintance with the polished part of mankind."Here the narrative of Zulema was interrupted by some sad, bitter reflections, which stole tears from her eyes, and caused her head to droop yet more forlornly on her throbbing bosom.

Alvarez, much interested in her story, would have attempted to soothe her, had he not known that such

a passion of grief was likely the sooner to abate from being uncontrouled,

And in a few moments the sorrowing-one, suppressing her emotion, resumed. "I will endeavour,' said she, "to check these bursts of sorrow, which remembrance calls from me, and to relate my story without comment or apology; though according to the refined opinions of your nation, the latter may be considered necessary. My youth, simplicity, and romantic notions are my only excuse. But to continue-I drew

nearer the sleeper: his face and form were of the finest order, and I beheld realized the phantom of my ima ginings; he, who had so often filled my waking and sleeping thoughts. I gazed with an intentness, with a mixture of anxiety and pleasure, until the loud beatings of my heart were audible-I wondered if this were real, or only the workings of my fancy; and in my strong excitement, knelt by his side and laid my hand on his.

"He awoke surprise and pleasure were in his first look, and when he found that I neither fled nor was alarmed, he threw himself at my feet, and conjured me to protect him from my countrymen; who, should they discover him, would seize and sell him for a slave, or put him to a cruel death. He informed me, that he had been wrecked on the preceeding night, and with difficulty saved himself from the fury of the waves by swimming to shore; that, nearly exhausted, he had reached the place where I now found him, and though dreading to be discovered, had fallen asleep,

"While he was still speaking, as though to heighten the interest of his narrative, a deadly paleness overspread his cheek; and either overcome for want of food or doubt of assistance, he swooned at my feet. I raised his head, and gently laid it on the cushions; then sprinkling his face and hands with water from the fountain, knelt by his side, and with the fruit moistened his parched and fevered mouth. He recovered slowly, but seemed unable to speak or exert himself.

"I endeavoured to comfort him with assurances that he was in perfect safety, as the slaves seldom entered the pavilion without orders. I then pressed him to eat of the fruit; and having disposed of the cushions in the most commodious manner for his repose; left him, in order to advise with Olinda of this strange adventure, and how we best might succour and relieve our unhappy guest, She seemed at first alarmed, knowing the cruelty of the Moors, in case of a discovery; but recollecting the almost deserted situation of the pavilion, hardly discernible from the thickness of the surrounding trees, she could not refuse to aid and comfort one so forlorn. She accompanied me to visit him, bearing with us some linen and provisions. But here another surprise was reserved for me; Olinda no sooner saw the stranger, than she recognised him to be her brother, her loved, lamented brother; he seemed at first confused, imagining perhaps that she might reproach him for so long suffering her to remain in captivity; but he soon perceived that all on her part was pity, and affection. He informed her, that having by his

youthful dissipation squandered the small patrimony which was his, he had become sensible of his errors; and his friends having procured him a situation in the navy of his country, he had made one successful voyage, and was again sailing with prospects and winds favourable, when the storm of last night wrecked his ship, and he feared had swallowed up all his companions.

"Oh! my brave friends, my gallant comrades,' cried he, who that had seen your undaunted courage in fight, your noble carriage in the lists and circus, would not, like me, lament that the greedy occean should have swept you from the face of man!' While he thus spoke, his eye shone full and lustrous, and his noble figure stood erect and animated; yet anon, and sorrow came heavily o'er his heart, wringing from those eyes bitter tears, stooping that form with manly anguish. I gazed upon him with a species of fascination that seemed never weary of following each movement; and with an ingenuousness unpractised in civilised countries, displayed the warmth of my feelings by a ready sympathy in his sufferings, and a tender of many services to comfort and relieve him. Olinda, who feared that her brother might misunderstand the frankness of my speech and manner, urged our returning to the house; at the same time promising to return often, and provide for his support and solace to the best of our power, until something could be determined upon for his deliverance. Oh! my dear Zulema, my affectionate, simple-hearted

child,' she exclaimed, as soon as we were alone, in what a train of evils will this misfortune of my brother's involve you! Velasquez is formed to win all hearts, and already do I perceive that yours is captivated by the combined attractions of beauty and pity. I believe him to be sincere in his renunciation of past follies-I know him to be noble and generous, consequently can never be insensible to a full and free affection; but what will it avail that your loves should be mutual, situated as you, my darling child, are with respect to your father, and'-I interrupted her with hopes of a blissful nature, and schemed a thousand improbabilities, in my usually romantic and inexperienced manner, in case her fears should be ever verified. Ever gentle and indulgent, she yielded to my earnestness, although her reason bade her remain anxious and doubtful. I will not enter into the minute particulars of our growing passion, which then I thought was mutual, fervent, and disinterested; nor will I lament my easy faith and trusting nature, which proffered a heart almost before it was asked. I saw him young, beautiful, and unfortunate; I imagined him generous, grateful, and kind. Religious forms to bind our union seemed not wanting, for I implicitly believed in the solemnity of the vows we plighted on the sacred cross; and which seemed a confirmation of my wavering faith, hitherto divided between the creed of my country and of instructress.

my

"If, however, some apology may seem necessary, let my youth, my romantic prepossessions, be remem

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