[Footnote 2: A mountainous region in the provinces of Granada and Almeria.]

Frederica laughed at my ignorance, and then she told me, when the play began, the green curtain would draw up to the sound of soft music, and I should hear a lady dressed in black say, "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast:" and those were the very first words the actress, whose name was Almeria, spoke.

I made a strange blunder the next day, for I told papa that Almeria was married to Harlequin at last; but I assure you I meant to say Columbine, for I knew very well that Almeria was married to Alphonso; for she said she was in the first scene.

I made a strange blunder the next day, for I told papa that Almeria was married to Harlequin at last; but I assure you I meant to say Columbine, for I knew very well that Almeria was married to Alphonso; for she said she was in the first scene.

As the King of Saragossa was too much in fear of the Christians to enter into any league against them, and as the one of Valencia (Yahia) reigned only at the pleasure of Alfonso, the sovereigns of Badajoz, Almeria, and Granada were the only powers on whose coöperation he could calculate (he had annihilated the authority of several petty kings).

While the troops of Alfonso reduced Baeza, and, with a Mahometan ally, even Cordova, Malaga, and Seville acknowledged Abu Amram; Calatrava and Almeria next fell to the Christian Emperor, about the same time that Lisbon and the neighboring towns received Don Enrique, the new sovereign of Portugal.

[MONTEZUMA rises, goes about the Ladies, and at length stays at ALMERIA, and bows.

Since my Orazia's death, I have not seen A beauty, so deserving to be queen As fair Almeria.

If, sir, Almeria does your bed partake, I mourn for my forgotten mother's' sake.

[ALMERIA to ORBELLAN and ALIBECH, who are this while whispering to her.

[Exeunt MONTEZUMA, ODMAR, GUYOMAR, ORBELLAN, ALMERIA, and ALIBECH.

[ALMERIA aside to her brother.

[ALMERIA and ALIBECH fall on ORBELLAN'S body.

Either command his death upon the place, Or never more behold Almeria's face.

Enter ALMERIA and an Indian; they speak entering.

I to this hour Have kept the captive from Almeria's power; And though, by your command, she often sent To urge his doom, do still his death prevent.

Almeria, 'tis enough I leave you free: You neither must stay here, nor go with me.

Enter ALMERIA.

Mont. Almeria here!

[CYDARIA descends and opens the door, ALMERIA rushes betwixt with MONTEZUMA.

[As she speaks, ALMERIA overpowers her, thrusts her in, and shuts.

Farewell, Almeria.

Almeria and Guadiz were in possession of the enemy and over the towers of Baza the infidel flag proudly floated.

Smaller cities and numerous strongholds in the surrounding country hastened to offer their submission and, after the humiliating surrender of El Zagal in the Spanish camp at Tabernas, Almeria opened its gates to the triumphant Christians who sang Te Deum within its walls on Christmas day.

El Zagal had succeeded his brother, Muley Abdul Hassan, who, at the time of his death ruled over Baza, Guadiz, Almeria, and other strongholds in the south-east, while his son Boabdil was proclaimed in Granada, thus dividing the kingdom against itself, at a moment when union was most essential to its preservation.