The great delight of Dolores, however has for some time past been
centred in a youthful pair of pigeons, who have lately entered into
the holy state of wedlock, and even supplanted a tortoise-shell cat
and kittens in her affections.
As a tenement for them wherein to commence housekeeping, she had
fitted up a small chamber adjacent to the kitchen, the window of which
looked into one of the quiet Moorish courts. Here they lived in
happy ignorance of any world beyond the court and its sunny roofs.
Never had they aspired to soar above the battlements, or to mount to
the summit of the towers. Their virtuous union was at length crowned
by two spotless and milk-white eggs, to the great joy of their
cherishing little mistress. Nothing could be more praiseworthy than
the conduct of the young married folks on this interesting occasion.
They took turns to sit upon the nest until the eggs were hatched,
and while their callow progeny required warmth and shelter; while
one thus stayed at home, the other foraged abroad for food, and
brought home abundant supplies.
This scene of conjugal felicity has suddenly met with a reverse.
Early this morning, as Dolores was feeding the male pigeon, she took a
fancy to give him a peep at the great world. Opening a window,
therefore, which looks down upon the valley of the Darro, she launched
him at once beyond the walls of the Alhambra. For the first time in
his life the astonished bird had to try the full vigor of his wings.
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