The Wizard of Granada — page 12: what you’re looking at

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20 THE WIZARD OF GRANADA. Basilio looked edd ithe and a trifle annoyed, but.he was touched by the tremulous tones. “What! does it grieve you to leave me, Dal- phon? Of oa truth, I am grateful for even a slave's affection. Try your new life of freedom a little, and if you like it not, come back to me. Bo faithful a friend is not to be spurned lightly. But rid yourself of yonder biodk:! The fellow seoms made of ice, and to possess a frozen tongue. We will go on, then, together to the town. But there it is expedient that our ways diverge, for a time at least.” Dalphon bowed his acknowledgment, and fell back to his place. This singular group of riders in Moorish cos- tume might well draw a crowd in the streets of Toledo. But Basilio flung a handful of coin mong them, and hurried on to the chief house of entertainment for travelers ; and, sending for a magistrate, explained that he was a Spaniard who had long been kept detained in Granada, und who had just made his escape. He told, too, the unfortunate fate of the Castilian prin- cess. As he anticipated, he was treated with marked courtesy. © came back to the room where he had left his companions, dressed in the robes of a Spanish grandee, and looking in truth very nobleman by nature. He came forward with a proud smile, and started to per- ceive that Xina likewise had been restored to her true estate. The hateful Moorish costume was discarded. Hor face had been cleansed from its darkened hue, her beautiful hair uncoiled and gracefully braided round her head, and she wore the flow- ing silcen garments of a Spanish lady. “Why, you have improved the time, loveliest Xing. Whence:procured you the garments ?” “Dalphon sent the innkeeper’s daughter for them. The others were travel-stained as well as odious.” “Dalphon is the wisest and most thoughtful of tis race. You will be sorry to part from him,” said Basilio. ‘Nevertheless, 'it will be inevitable, I fear. I shall proceed as soon a8 you are rested——” “Not to Madrid,” interrupted Dalphon, sud- denly ; “you will not-dare to venture thither |” “And why not?” retorted Basilio, turning around with a frown. ‘In truth, I mean not to terry. I shall find my way to the sea-coast and seek ® home in France. ‘But-why should I not tarry if I choose in Madrid?” “<Bevause of the Spanish knight, Sir defonse, you remember——” said Dalphon, firmly, al- though the angry red burnt up over Basilio’s face. ‘*And what of him?’ demanded Basilio, ‘Is your brain turned, Dalphon? What should I care about him ?” “And the Count Montholio,” pursued Dal- phon, steadi : Basilio glared at him. ‘You are demented, Dalphon! What more ?” Dalphon ‘had made a scarcely perceptible gesture, which Minto obeyed by leaving the room. Ho turned toward Basilio again, his eye growing flerce and wild. : “a jet more than that, Basilio. Madrid should have ugly memories for you. A ghost should Tise from the dark waters of the Tagus to shriek into your ears the name of Anita.” : “ Anita |!” gasped Basilio, his cheek paling and his eyes Eading, despite his best efforts. “Aye, Anita, Hist again! Anite — Count Montholio— Sir Ldefonse! These be three dark, ghostly shades to rise to meet thee at Madrid. Dare you face them ?” Basilio, ghastly pale, clenched his hand and shook it in Dalphon’s face. “What have you done? How have yon fer- retted out these secrets? After such faithful service I know not what it means, thisinsolence ; but say another word and I forget your good deeds and give you instant death !” jas A low, contemptuous laugh burst from Dal-| hon, Z * Basilio, least of all should I fear you now, and I have never trembled at your wrath, any- where, at any time.” : Basilio turned to the pale, silent listener. “Come, Princess Xina, let us leave this mad creature to himselk” : “Countess Christina, do not stir,” calmly spoke Dalphon. “Are you the Evil One himself?’ demanded Basilio, shaldng now in every limb. ‘I think, rather, I am an avenging ghost,” returned Dalphon, with a bitter langh. Then turning, in a solemn voice he cried: ‘Basilio, Basilio, repent your sins, forego your selfish aims, and for once be generous and compassion. Trample no longer on bleeding hearts to satisfy your own fierce passions. Oh, Basilio! it is for your cwn sake I plead. Re- pent, repent, Basilio!” “In the name of evil, who are you?” demanded again Basilio’s stiff, cold lips, “Yon shall Imow fall soon enough. I have already told you Iam an avenging ghost. Think of all the evil you have done and repent. Re- member that brave young knight, so handsome, so noble, so chivalrous and true, that even the Moors admired and reverenced him. Basilio, it was your poison which decreed his death. Have you no compassion, no remorse ?” Basilio shook, whether with passion or an- guish nobody but himself cou know, but he gave No answer, “* Was there no thrill within your heart to tell you who he was, poor wretch? Hist, Basilio, and doubt me not. You know I have spoken the truth hitherto, and I speak not falsely now. Ildefonse was the son of Anita, and who was father of Anita’s child ?” ‘Tt is a lie ?? burst from Basilio. “Tt is heaven’s truth, He was your own son, wretched man. A son such as the haughtiest noble in Castile would rejoice to own, and you sent him to his death.” “T will not believe you! It cannot be, for Anita died!” vociferated the tortured man, in a hoarse voice. “She died, did you say? You should mean to say she was murdered. Yes, the dark waters of the Tagus opened for her, and closed again over her head. But whose hand thrust her forth, fiercely unclasping the wild hands catching at the boat? Speak. Wizard of Granada! You are slilled in readir» lark secrets; answer me: Who was Anita’s ...rderer ?”’ The drops of sweat stood on Basilio’s fore- head, he red at the speaker wildly, his livid lips moved but gave forth no sound. ‘““Well, no matter. Anita’s ghost has well avenged her. You could not fly from it, not even in your secret cells in the Granada wiz- ard’s house. And yet you swore once that she was dearer than all the world beside. You won her poor, simple heart, you were father to her child, but when the beautiful and wealthy count- ess came, you turned away from her. You longed to be rid of her, and you succeeded. She trusted in your assumed tonderness, and anocompanied you when your bont shot out upon the river, but you returned alone, Basilio; Anita was left behind. You thought mother and child slopt in the same safe grave under the Tagus, You knew not her child was already born ond safely cared for. But what availed the crime, Basilio? You could not win the noble maiden, after all, She chose the Count Montholio. And then, in your fierce anger, to gratify your re- vengeful spirit, you stole their child, and was as surely the means of the noble countess’s death as if you had plunged your dagger into her heart. You fled away to Granada. You ex- changed the babe for the royal infant, to whose deathbed you were called in frantic haste by he frightened nurse, who knew her own life would pay es aera | of her carelessness. And the years fled on, and your magician’s art brought you gold, and steadily your power grew and your plans prospered. “The Princess Xina became your pupil, the king chose you as his confidant; all things worked auspiciously, even your slave Dalphon was true and faithful to your interest. Then he new admiration of love, if you choose to call it so, the determination to win the Princess Xina for yourself, grew with her dawning wom- anhood. You laid your plans and bided patient- ly, You changed your wealth quictln for gems of priceless value, which could be carried away aut &@ Moment’s notice. You guessed not who watched all, every movement, every seal, sea who mastered all your secret panels and un- derground passages. Nay, who knows even more than yourself. For once you fairly suc- ceeded in your oft repeated and baffling experi- ments. Your picture remained perfect through its last solution once, and Batt the test of a day in the sunshine, but you never knew it; while your back was turned o hand seized it, changed it for another plate, and secretly added & new ingredient to your crucible that you might not chance again upon the like success. And you never guessed it all. Ha, ha! Dal- phon learned much from his master, among the rest, to wait patiently for revenge. You guessed not whose message stirred Count Monthoho’s heart to send the knight, your own son, to search for the lost Oowntess Christina, You guessed not who silently but surely marred your plans, noble. Take the maiden where she belongs! Picture to yourself a father's anguish and have ® your ultimate success, even though consent was given that you should reach this spot,” “Tn the name of heaven, who are you?” again implored Basilio, grasping at a chair for support to his shaking limbs. “Are you repentant?” demanded Dalphon, not so ‘sternly, but there was a quivering ca- dence in the voice. Basilio shaded his eyes with his hand. “T know not,’ he muttered, in a troubled tone, ‘‘ but there are two memories which stir me strangely, that he was my own son, that brave young knight, and the thought of his hapless mother, she loved me so—my poor Anita.” ‘ A splash of tears fell suddenly upon Dal- hon's cheek, und as they coursed down they left a pale streak behind them. The Ethiopian’s complexion was plainly assumed. “Basilio, if you could call them back, if you could undo your wicked deeds, would you give to Idefonse the hand of the maiden who loves him, and who will never love you, as a proof that your repentance is genuine ?” Basilio was shaken like a reed with many strange, startling thoughts and new emotions. “Tf IT eould go back to my old innocence, if I could be simply Montez the Spaniard, with Anita alive, and our boy here, I would give more—all my diamonds, all my carefully stored knowledge and Xina a thousand times,” burst from him with a deep sob. A glnd, thrilling smile, finales effect upon that ek face, came with Dalphon’s answer, ‘Basilio, thou hast been called the Wizard of Granade, but my art is higher than thine. I enn call from the Alhambra’s cell its poisoned prisoner. LIdefonse, come hither |” The door unclosed at once and Sir Idefonse walked in, clad in his own knightly garb, with his good sword flashing at his side. Basilio retreated a step or two, then came forward. ‘‘Alive? now may Heaven be praised,” he said, huskily, and turned to Xina. “Speak, Xina, is it true, dost thon love him, this gallant knight, who deserves a better futher ?” Xina’s eloquent hands ontstretched toward Ildefonse were better answer than words. Ba- silio took her hand and put it into the Imight’s tender clasp. “Take her, Udefonse, and in her tender love, her noble character, be recompensed for the cruel fute which gave you such a father.” ““A father!” stammered Ildefonse; ‘ what mean you ?” ‘“Heard you not? Dalphon, mysterious ora- cle that he is, declares it so. Do you disdain ta own the relationship ?” There was a painful chord in the voice, im- ploring and pathetic. Involuntarily Hdefonse had fallen back, his face troubled and grave. at such a moment, with Xina’s hand in his, to acknowledge for a father the vindictive, crime- stained man he hud known as Basilio. “Tt is meet punishment,” groaned Basilio, turning hastily to hide the spasm of grief. ‘‘Dalphon, oh, that my power were potent enough to give me better consolation; Anita would forgive me everything. My poor, poor Anita, !” But Dalphon had slipped noiselessly, with that step so thoroughly practiced to silent movement, from the room. e Basilio was too worn out With the terriblo excitement of his own emotions to follow. He sat down and laid his blanched face in his trembling hands. A touch on his shoulder presently aroused him. He looked up. A tall woman, in black dress, with a black mantilla over her shoulders, stood before him. Tho face was pale and worn, but with traces of a beauty which tenderness would soon revive. The eyes were deep, pas- sionately tender and of a purplish blackness. Those eyes spoke for themselves. “ Oh, holy saints!” cried ont Baslio. ‘ Anita, speak ; tell mo it is you, and not your ghost.” ‘« Basilio, it is Anita, who was saved from the river, who left her child with Count Montholio and followed her husband.” “Followed me—” repeated Basilio, clinging to her hands and speaking bewilderedly. “Aye, followed you to Granada.” “JT am dazed, 1 am bewildered and cannot think,” said Basilio, in a troubled voice. ‘Basilio, Iwas Dalphon. My heart has been fierce and hot, I meant to crush you here with my revenge. I thought to go with my son and turn from you pitilessly. But—but—s woman’s heart is strong and her will is weak—I cannot hate you. I grieve for you, I—I—love you still, Basilio.” The voice was faint and faltering, with diffi- It was hard indeed’ THE WIZARD OF GRANADA. aA culty held from breaking forth into a sob. The dark, melancholy, beautiful he misty with tears, the hands held forth tremblingly. Basilio seized them with passionate yehe- mence, “ Anita, will you trust me once more? Oan I go back again over the wretched pathway of re- morse and come into something like innocence again--something not worthy, but sufficient to encourage your forgiveness and affection ?” “Oh, Basilio, if you will only try, I will help you so earnestly, I will love you so devotedly.” “Heaven be my witness, I am sincere in my desire to atone for my sinfulness. I will begin anew. Perhaps you will yet teach our gon to forgive me.” ‘‘Has he refused? Tldefonse, are you so cruel to me?” exclaimed Anite, reproachfully. - “To you?” faltered Idefonse. ‘“To your mother, Hdetfonse ; to the mother who has brought you out of all your difficulties. Have you not guessed it ?” There was no reluctance here. Ildefonse sprang forward and kissed hér again. “My mother, my mother ;, oh, how wonderful it seems.” “But you haye found a father likewise,” she said, impatient that he should join in her ae erous forgiveness. ‘‘ Speak to your father, Ide- fonse. You remember how I warned you not to harm him.” Udefonse slowly: turned and held out his hand ““When I see my mother righted before the world and tenderly treated, then I shall be ready to forget all the injustice I have received at your bens.” “You are right,” answered Basilio; “words are easily spoken, but promises may be broken. Deeds cannot be doubted. I shall prove to you my sincere repentance. Already I am strangely light-hearted. It was so heavy, that weight of sin. Anita, my faithful, generous wife, let us go hence and leave these young people to pur- sue their journey alone. This son, who has been deserted by both parents, deserves atone- ment. I will divide my store of diamonds with him. It will endow him with a fortune which will raiso him to a position fit to ask of Count Montholio his heiress and daughter. For us, we will not darken his bright career. You will take them, Udefonse——” The knight made o gesture of dissent, but an imploring look from his mother checked the words of refusal. Basilio unclasped a wide morocco belt be- neath his Spanish tunic, took a dagger from his girdle and cut it in halves. He handed one to Anita and laid the other in the hand of Ide- fonse, “T am ashamed of my churlish spirit,” broke forth Idefonse. ‘Forgive me, my father; I will doubt you no more.” Father and son grasped hands over the trem- bling, grateful clasp of the two tearful women.: They sat down poly to a long and joyful, however agitated, explanation. “Tt is so startling, so bewildering,” said Xina, smiling through her happy tears. ‘To think we four are safely here in Castile, so trans- formed, all of us.” “Yes, strangely changed. They must all eee the Princess Xina, the Wizard of Grann- a, Dalphon and silent Minto, All must‘be left behind with the land of the Moslem. In new characters, with new names, I trust, we shall gO forth to a wiser and better life,” answered Ani- ta, solemnly. N “T wish we had known something of Prince Azim’s fate,” observed Idefonse. ‘He was too noble and refined for a Moor. “ FE never could understand him,” said Basilio. “There was &@ nameless something about him which perplexed and baffled me. I always had the impression that somehow he'was an enigma.” “Let it be read here with all the rest,” said ae as she exchanged a significant smile with a. Whereupon, smiling and blushing, Xino leaned agninst her loyer’s shoulder and whis- pered a word in his ear. He could not haye looked more astonished if the ground had opened beneath his feof, *Qan it be possible? how could I haye been so blind ?” Basilio looked at them inquiringly. “Ti is another of Dalphon's mysteries,” said his wife. ‘It was natural I should take an in- terest in the Princess Xina, Engning as I did her true name and birth. .I sided her very death of Azim, the king’s younger brother, who, according to Moorish habits, had been reared away from home, and was quite a stranger to his royal brother. “The king was absent, and Xina conceived the wild project of assuming her supposed brother’s character 1s a method of enjoying the free lite she coveted. The courier, who was the son of the Moorish teacher entrusted with the care of the heir presumptive, was only too glad to assent to the plan, provided they were shielded from pumiaiacet in case of its failure, For young ‘Azim was killed by means of theit culpable carelessness. I promised my assist- ance, and the courier returned without com- municating his tidings. A few months after Azim was sent for, and wo mannged thereafter that Xina should be able to simulate and sus- tain both characters. There were only two trusty servants to whom the secret was known. It was a hazardous experiment, but it gaye great liberty to Xina, and while it made her life far happier, it broadened and strengthened her character, I only trembled for her discovery when in your presence, Basilio, for I could see that you were always puzzled by Prince Azim.” “She must receive credit for masterly acting. No wonder Prince Azim’s disappearance was such a mystery, even to the king,” returned Basilio. “Ah, yes; imagine during the last Cay at the Alhambra, while surrounded every instant by guards, how I longed to-force access to the closet where I kept the clothing, turban and jetty beard of Prince Azim. But I could not even obtain speech with any trusty servants, who were all under arrest. But it was to this powerful friend I owe my inimitable disguise, and she had access, Basilio, to all your science. Yet I knew her not as Dalphon. Sho was al- Ways a strange, gray apparition, half mortal and half ghostly. a have seen her go, Ide- fonse,” said Xine. “But our acting and our disguises are all ended. Let us be thankful for it,” added Anita, earnestly. “‘T have been troubled remembering my poor Alana; can you tell me anything about him ?” asked Idefonse. “Prince Azim sent him forward that night of the king’s departure for the battle. He was not with the Spanish captives, and, without doubt, need to the frontier.” “That will complete my satisfaction,” said Iidefonse, hastily. ‘“‘ Now, then, let us hasten to relieve Count Montholio’s suspense, and gladden his heart by the restoration of his daughter.” Basilio had drawn his wife aside, and was talking to her in a low voice, She listened earnestly, and presently came back to her son. *‘Tdefonse, your father is right. It is better that you should go forward alone. He shrinks from meeting Count Montholio yet. A little time will heal all these sensitive wounds, though the scars remain, He will send by you a heartfelt prayer for forgiveness. We will wait here until we know how Christina’s father re- ceives this revelation. It is possible we ma make it otr home in Toledo, for it will be har for your father to go back to the old scenes. We shall be nesr enough to see each other often, to hear from each other regularly; I am inclined to agree with him that our homes had better be apart.” And so it