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12 mischief befalling him; and so wretched did these suggestions render her, that she determined to risk her own life, and immediately follow him with every aid in her power. For this purpose she hastily summoned Roderigo and her servants before her, and informed them that the most urgent business required her going immediately to the country, and giving them money, ordered them to procure as many men as they could engage with sufficient secrecy, and who could be depended upon, in the neighbourhood, to accompany them in guarding her.

They cheerfully acquiesced, and prepared accordingly, Roderigo alone excepted, who deeply repined at the summons, but this he was forced to do in secret, as his acting otherwise would have betrayed his knowledge of her design. He therefore prepared to head them, resolving within himself to thwart her design of succouring Alvar by every means in his power.

Seraphina having now entrusted every thing to the care of Jacintha during her absence, and taking all the wealth which she could possibly secret, particularly her jewels, issued with her party, under cover of the night, through the private entrance which had led Alvar to the fields, and, directed by her, they pursued the same route he had taken, she having been well informed of it ere he departed from her.

The party dispatched by Murad had pursued a tract among the woods, and they were on the borders of a thicket when Seraphina and her party appeared. Iram, the Moor deputed by Murad, who proceeded with extreme caution, and whose eyes were constantly prying around him on every object, quickly beheld them. He lost no time in secreting himself and his followers among the