What could she do? She was certainly the most discreet old woman
in the whole world, and one of the most faithful servants to the king;
but was she to see three beautiful princesses break their hearts for
the mere tinkling of a guitar? Besides, though she had been so long
among the Moors, and changed her faith in imitation of her mistress,
like a trusty follower, yet she was a Spaniard born, and had the
lingerings of Christianity in her heart. So she set about to
contrive how the wish of the princesses might be gratified.
The Christian captives, confined in the Vermilion Towers, were under
the charge of a big-whiskered, broad-shouldered renegado, called
Hussein Baba, who was reputed to have a most itching palm. She went to
him privately, and slipping a broad piece of gold into his hand,
"Hussein Baba," said she; "My mistresses, the three princesses, who
are shut up in the tower, and in sad want of amusement, have heard
of the musical talents of the three Spanish cavaliers, and are
desirous of hearing a specimen of their skill. I am sure you are too
kind-hearted to refuse them so innocent a gratification."
"What! and to have my head set grinning over the gate of my own
tower! for that would be the reward, if the king should discover it."
"No danger of any thing of the kind; the affair may be managed so
that the whim of the princesses may be gratified, and their father
be never the wiser.
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