"
The arguments of the discreet Kadiga prevailed. The Spanish lady
dried her tears, and became the spouse of Mohamed the Left-handed; she
even conformed, in appearance, to the faith of her royal husband;
and her discreet duenna immediately became a zealous convert to the
Moslem doctrines: it was then the latter received the Arabian name
of Kadiga, and was permitted to remain in the confidential employ of
her mistress.
In due process of time the Moorish king was made the proud and happy
father of three lovely daughters, all born at a birth: he could have
wished they had been sons, but consoled himself with the idea that
three daughters at a birth were pretty well for a man somewhat
stricken in years, and left-handed!
As usual with all Moslem monarchs, he summoned his astrologers on
this happy event. They cast the nativities of the three princesses,
and shook their heads. "Daughters, O king!" said they, "are always
precarious property; but these will most need your watchfulness when
they arrive at a marriageable age; at that time gather them under your
wings, and trust them to no other guardianship."
Mohamed the Left-handed was acknowledged to be a wise king by his
courtiers, and was certainly so considered by himself. The
prediction of the astrologers caused him but little disquiet, trusting
to his ingenuity to guard his daughters and outwit the Fates.
The three-fold birth was the last matrimonial trophy of the monarch;
his queen bore him no more children, and died within a few years,
bequeathing her infant daughters to his love, and to the fidelity of
the discreet Kadiga.
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