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22 assailant, following his opposer, pressed hard upon him, until the sight of Seraphina palsied his arm. The Spaniard, viewing his advantage, rushed upon him, while he, unable to recover himself, fell back upon one knee; and his antagonist, with uplifted weapon, was preparing to strike, when Seraphina, screaming, rushed forward. She threw herself before him, and, with her arm opposed to the descending sword, exclaimed, "Oh! spare, spare my Alvar!” The Spaniard, checking the blow which had almost fallen, viewed them alternately in astonishment. He recoiled a few paces, and Alvar, springing up, caught Seraphina in his arms.

After the first transports of their meeting were over, she failed not to represent to him, with the warmest glow of gratitude, how much she had been indebted to the stranger for his protection, and related the whole of the circumstances attending her deliverance.

Alvar, transported with joy, flew to embrace him, and hailed him as the preserver of all that was dear to him. The Spaniard, after returning his salutations, with a momentary joy beaming upon his countenance, caught him in his arms, and eagerly exclaimed, "While the dawn now invites us to pursue our journey, delay may be attended with danger. Thou mayest stand in need of my further assistance—I must attend thee!"—Alvar consented, and they pursued their journey. As they silently proceeded through the wood, a band of troops suddenly rushed out from a thicket and attacked them. Alvar and the Spaniard, unable to defend themselves from their assailants, were forced to retreat, leaving Seraphina in the hands of the Moors. What was the agony of Alvar, on seeing his beloved Seraphina placed