Her blue eyes,
fair complexion, and light hair, were unusual in Andalusia, and gave a
mildness and gentleness to her demeanor in contrast to the usual
fire of Spanish beauty, but in unison with the guileless and confiding
innocence of her manners. She had at the same time the innate
aptness and versatility of her fascinating countrywomen. Whatever
she undertook to do she did well and apparently without effort. She
sang, played the guitar and other instruments, and danced the
picturesque dances of her country to admiration, but never seemed to
seek admiration. Every thing was spontaneous, prompted by her own
gay spirits and happy temper.
The presence of this fascinating little being spread a new charm
about the Alhambra, and seemed to be in unison with the place. While
the count and countess, with the chaplain or secretary, were playing
their game of tresillo under the vestibule of the Court of Lions, she,
attended by Dolores, who acted as her maid of honor, would sit by
one of the fountains, and accompanying herself on the guitar, would
sing some of those popular romances which abound in Spain, or, what
was still more to my taste, some traditional ballad about the Moors.
Never shall I think of the Alhambra without remembering this
lovely little being, sporting in happy and innocent girlhood in its
marble halls, dancing to the sound of the Moorish castanets, or
mingling the silver warbling of her voice with the music of its
fountains.
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