Page:Cross, or, The Spanish champion.pdf/7

5 pleaded strongly in his favour. Animated by selfish principles, with his own hands Murad released him from his chains, and embracing him, hailed him as the completest warrior of that hard-contested action.

Native dignity, and the unsullied principles of honour, occasioned a violent contention with gratitude in the bosom of Alvar, for this seeming act of generosity, and held him for some time mute; but the recollection of the benefit he might render his suffering country, by mitigating, through his interest, the haughty ferocity of Murad, over-powered every other impulse, and he bowed with dignified acknowledgement for the favour granted him.

The bosom of this youthful warrior was no stranger to the shafts of love; the beautiful Seraphina had made the deepest impression there. This lady was possessed of the most captivating charms, both of body and mind; she was the daughter of a Jew, whose name was Olivarez, who had in his early years quitted Spain for Palestine, prompted by the eager desire of riches, the inordinate thirst for which had nearly hurried him to ruin.

His wealth, which was rapidly acquired by usury, failed not to attract the eyes of a greedy prince, in whose dominions he resided, and some irregularities in his bargains gave an opportunity of gratifying that rapacity, which is the constant attendant upon eastern power: it was merely by his embracing the Mahometan faith, and giving a large sum of money, that he preserved the remainder of his wealth, and his life.

He had purchased a beautiful Christian slave, by whom he had Seraphina; on her he had