After a cautious negociation through the means of a Jew merchant, she had purchased the poor fellow’s liberty by the sale of a few jewels, and now wrote to animate Sebastian into hopes for himself:--ardent were the hopes her letter awakened! The King could not doubt but that Gaspar, who knew in common with every other Portuguese, his engagements with Donna Gonsalva, would immediately repair to her with the news of his life and captivity, and that consequently her fond zeal would quicken the exertions for his release. It was not in man, however disinterested, to lament the act which would thus convey to his ministers and his friends the knowledge of his existence: sincere as was his determination of never calling upon his subjects for that succour he had a right to demand of them, he was not insensible to the joy of finding that another was gone to tell the tale of his sufferings, and to plead for his return. If the people of Portugal loved their King well enough to tax themselves for his ransom, he was well inclined to receive that obligation from their affection, which both pride and principle had forbidden him to extort from their duty. Not doubting the general sentiment, he surrendered himself up to delightful anticipations. But a little while, and he would be free again! As his heart throbbed high at this blissful thought, it naturally turned with warmer gratitude to the generous friend from whom it proceeded. Kara Aziek, still dearer than ever, from her unwearied goodness, was however to be abandoned, and never more beheld! As well might a brother have contemplated the prospect of eternally quitting a beloved sister; Sebastian _would_ not dwell on it, but formed in fancy many romantic plans, each of which had for its foundation the religious conversion of Kara Aziek. Towards this new and pleasing project, now suddenly conceived, he determined to direct the whole force of his heart, that heart which had never ceased to glow with its original zeal: from this period he devoted his leisure moments to the recollection and arrangement of such arguments in favour of Christianity, as appeared to him the most convincing, and when again brought into the gardens, was enabled to press them upon Aziek in the interviews she frequently afforded him. Kara Aziek listened with attention and pleasure, for she loved to hear him talk upon any subject, more especially upon one which interested her deeply; but though she afforded Sebastian frequent opportunities for conversation, and almost wished to believe, as he did, her clear reason could not blind itself to the monstrous system of Popery: unhappily the young monarch was not qualified to remove this veil from the simple beauty of Christianity: he had been educated a devoted son of the Romish church, and was incapable of perceiving, that but from its unscriptural authority, and intolerant tenets, Kara Aziek would have ceased to be a Mahometan.