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Untitled Article
of Gaunt Julian and his whole family , and he was forced to My from Spain . His fate is unknown , but it is supposed to have
been tragical . His countess took refuge in the citadel of Ceuta . ' But the walls were sapped and mined , and she saw that all resistance would soon be unavailing . Her only thoughts now were to conceal her child . « Surely , ' said she , ' they will not think of seeking him among the dead , * She led him , therefore , into the dark und dismal chapel . ' Thou art not afraid to be alone in this darkness , my child ?* said she . " * No mother / replied the boy , 'darkness gives silence and sleep . * She conducted him to the tomb of Florinda . < Fearest thou the dead , my child ? ' * No , mother , the dead can do no harm , —and what should 1 fear from my sister ? *
u The countess opened the sepulchre . * Listen , my son , ' said she ; ' there are fierce and cruel people who have come hither to murder thee . Stay here in company with thy sister , and be quiet as thou dost value thy life !* The boy , who was of a courageous nature , did as he was bidden , and remained there all that dav , and all the night , and the next day until the third hour . *« In the mean time the walls of the citadel were sapped , the troops
of the Emir poured in at the breach , and a great part of the garrison was put to the sword . The countess was taken prisoner and brought before the Emir . She appeared in his presence with a haughty demeanour , as if she had been a queen receiving homage ; but when he demanded her son , she faltered and turned pale , and replied , My
son is with the dead , ' " * Countess , * said the Emir , ' I am not to be deceived , tell me where you have concealed the boy , or tortures shall wring from you the secret . * " * Emir , ' replied the countess , f may the greatest torments be my portion both here and hereafter , if what I apeak be not the truth !
My darling child lies buried with the dead . ' The Emir was confounded by the solemnity of her words ; but the withered astrologer , Yuza , who stood by his side regarding the countess from beneath his bushed eyebrows , perceived trouble in her countenance and equivocation in her words . ( I ^ ave this matter to me , ' whispered he to Alahor , ' I will produce the child . '
•• He ordered strict search to be made by the soldiery , and \ w obliged the countess to be always present . When they came to the chapel , her cheek turned pale ami her lip quivered . « This , huuI tliesubtle astrologer , is the place of concealment . ' " The search throughout the chapel , however , was equally vain , and the soldiers were ubout to depart , when Yuza beheld a slight gleam of joy in the eyes of the countess . * We ure leaving our prey behind / thought he : * the countess is exulting . '
" Fie now called to mind the words of her asseveration , that her child was with the dead . Turning suddenly to the soldiers hv ordered them to search the sepulchres . ' If you find him not , ' said he , « drair forth the bones of thut wanton Cava , that they may be burnt and the ashes scattered to the winds . '
Untitled Article
Legends oftk * Conquest of Spain . 87
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1836, page 87, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2654/page/23/
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