Kara Aziek did not appear in the gardens that day, and towards evening Sebastian spoke of her to Hafiz: he learnt from him, that she was gone to Mequinez, to keep the feast of El Ed Geer, with the Almoçadem; at this information his joyous feelings were damped: he had then parted from that amiable being for ever, without having uttered afresh those animated sentiments which filled his heart, and which she might hereafter recollect as a grateful farewel! The pain of this thought would have tempted Sebastian to delay his departure, had not the image of Donna Gonsalva, sorrowing over his supposed grave, hurried him onwards; he could not however depart, until he had left a slight memorial of his gratitude:--for this purpose he entered the labyrinth, and cut with a knife upon the chalk of one of its stones, a few words in Italian. After this tribute to the gentle spirit that had blessed him even in captivity, he hastened from the spot, for it was now the hour of retiring. Gaspar waited for him in his sleeping room: the night was dark and gusty; a circumstance that awakened some friendly fears in the former; but Sebastian’s soul was roused with the prospect of freedom, and he considered the gloom which alarmed his friend, as favorable to his concealment. They sat together in a remote chamber, watching with extreme anxiety the gradual stillness that spread around them: by degrees the sound of voices and steps died away,--the closing of doors became less and less frequent, till at length profound silence settled over the scene. They scarcely exchanged even a whisper during this long suspense; Gaspar’s heart was full almost to bursting; for he felt, that in losing the King of Portugal as a fellow-prisoner, he was losing a friend: that King seated again upon a throne, would not surely acknowledge and love a private soldier! he had heard that “the favor of princes is not fastened by nails of diamonds to men whom they affect,” and while his artless mind dwelt on this saying, the deepest dejection stole over him. Ideas of such a nature changed his former ease and confidence into awe and distrust; and at the very moment in which Gaspar most longed to throw himself at his beloved master’s feet, there to pour forth all his feelings, he stood sadly silent, scarce venturing to breathe or to raise his eyes from the earth. Sebastian comprehended these emotions: he took Gaspar’s hand with a warmth and earnestness which enforced his words, and pressing it repeatedly, assured him that neither the pomps nor the cares of a crown could break those bonds in which mutual suffering and mutual obligation had united them: he renewed his promise of immediately placing Gaspar’s family in competence, and of dispatching an embassy to the Muley of Morocco for the purpose of ransoming him and the rest of the Christians.