Is he alone ?" "Alone, great king." "Bid my guards wait without; let the slightest signal summon them.
Amine, retire! Madam--" "Son!" interrupted Ayxa la Horra in visible agitation, "do I guess aright?
is the brave Muza--the sole bulwark and hope of Granada--whom unjustly thou wouldst last night have placed in chains--( chains! Great Prophet! is it thus a king should reward his heroes)--is, I say, Muza here?
and wilt thou make him the victim of his own generous trust ?" "Retire, woman ?" said Boabdil, sullenly.
"I will not, save by force! I resisted a fiercer soul than thine when I saved thee from thy father." "Remain, then, if thou wilt, and learn how kings can punish traitors.
Mesnour, admit the hero of Granada." Amine had vanished.

Boabdil seated himself on the cushions his face calm but pale.

The queen stood erect at a little distance, her arms folded on her breast, and her aspect knit and resolute.

In a few moments Muza entered alone.

He approached the king with the profound salutation of oriental obeisance; and then stood before him with downcast eyes, in an attitude from which respect could not divorce a natural dignity and pride of mien.
"Prince," said Boabdil, after a moment's pause, "yestermorn, when I sent for thee thou didst brave my orders.