Aziek anxiously tried to hide from Sebastian the distraction into which his departure had thrown her, by mentioning her illness as accidental; native delicacy taught her to conceal the tenderest and purest love that ever warmed a human bosom; to conceal it because she would owe nothing to gratitude, nothing to compassion; because his happiness was the first object of her generous heart. The enthusiasm of Aziek’s manner while she spoke of pity and philanthropy, almost persuaded her grateful auditor, that she would indeed have done as much for any other man under such affecting circumstances; yet he could not help allowing that the peculiar esteem she felt for him, gave a charm to her benevolence. He now blamed his late vain idea’s, and thought, that in El Hader’s daughter he beheld one who would learn with a sister’s sympathy his affection for another, and lament with a sister’s sorrow the privations of his love!--this belief restored him to composure, and after expressing much of his lively admiration, he ventured to inquire about Gaspar. Aziek replied, that Gaspar had so adroitly parried the questions put to him (during the examination which followed Sebastian’s flight) that the Almoçadem could find no ground for supposing him privy to the run-a-way’s escape, especially as it seemed more natural for the former to have escaped also, than to have remained behind: Gaspar had been dismissed without censure, and was now occupied as usual under the indulgent Hafiz. This information relieved Sebastian’s heart from its heaviest load, and again he blessed the gentle Being whose humanity imparted some of its own mercy even to Moors grown old in tyranny. Benzaide at this period reminded her mistress of the late hour, and of her indisposition, which rendered rest indispensible; Kara Aziek reluctantly took her arm: “I am going to leave thee, Fabian,” she said, “Alla alone knows when and how we shall meet again!--that frantic spirit of thine makes me tremble. If I should fail of softening my father, alas, what will become of thee! thy terrible look at this moment answers me but too plainly.” Her eyes swimming in tears were now fixed upon his violently agitated features; Sebastian strove to calm himself for her sake: “I dare not deceive you, amiable Aziek!” he said, “it is my determination not to survive disgrace: yet perhaps they will not seek to inflict it. Let your father change my punishment to the severest penalties of toil, famine, or imprisonment--let him condemn me to unheard-of sufferings, and I will consent to live on, in the fantastic hope of being miraculously delivered at last: but were freedom, and all those blessings comprized in the dear name of country, to follow the execution of that sentence, which turns my cheeks to fire while I but think of it, I would abhor life after such degradation.--No, no, generous Aziek, ask me not to bear it and to live.”